Mall of America Haul

Hello lovelies,

            I’m finally back! I am sorry I took a few days off—I just went on an incredible shopping trip. In and around my small town, there are really no great places to go shopping. I love going on mini family trips anyway, so the fact that we were able to go to one of the biggest malls in the United States was AMAZING. I was so incredibly happy. I was also able to meet up with one of my college friends who lives in the area which was a blast as well. I am not posting this to brag at all! I am really hoping it doesn’t come across that way. I never get the chance to splurge, so when I get the opportunity to go shopping at a good mall, then I take the chance. I have put in extra hours at work, so I figured I would let myself do a little shopping. So, without further ado, here are my purchases!

            So, the first place I stopped was Urban Outfitters. I love looking at their merchandise online, so I figured I would take a little peek inside. While most of their original priced merchandise is too spendy for me, I headed back to the sale and found an adorable denim dress jumper. It was on sale for $20, and I am in LOVE. I thought a nice printed crop top would look perfect underneath, and I found that at my next stop.

Sorry for the terrible angle--I was running out of daylight so I had to take it here!

            If you don’t know, I am obsessed with Forever 21. They have cheap prices and clothes that I just love. This store was a huge two stories, so I was in shopping shock. So, I went through the store hunting for a cheap crop top perfect for summer to go with my new jumper, and I found a cute floral one for only $8.80. It’s perfect for summer, and I love the print! I also found an adorable London tee for only $10.80 (since London is still my dream!). As I told you before, my style icon is Lou Teasdale. I have adored her striped jeans that she wore at my concert (how cool!), so I went on a hunt to find a pair. I found some on Forever 21’s website, and when I went to the store, I couldn’t find the pair I was looking for. However, I was going through the clearance, and I found the jeans on sale for $16.99. Then, I found out they were an extra 50% off of that, so they ended up being $8.49. It doesn’t get better than that. I also bought a band tee that Lou has (or a very similar) for $15.80. I was one happy girl leaving that store.

            I headed into Aerie next, in which they have plenty of dainty lingerie. I got this lacey bra on sale for $15. I thought it would be perfect to wear under a tee or tank for summer, and I love the light peach color.

            I had never been to a Nordstrom, or a Topshop for that matter, but I had dreamed of Topshop for as long as I can remember. I love everything! So, I had to take a peek and see what I could find. Of course, regularly priced merchandise is quite expensive, so I headed to the sale and found some gorgeous products. When I laid eyes on the sweater, it was love at first sight. It was regularly $72, on sale for $19.99. It was perfect. I also got this chunky, silver jeweled necklace for $9.98, originally $20.00. I also got this gorgeous, jeweled brooch for $9.98, originally $28.00. I got an over-sized, chain necklace that I thought was so unique for $14.98, originally $40.00. I had some amazing sales there! I also heard that Batiste products are incredible, and I had never seen them anywhere near me before, so I purchased some dry shampoo for $8.00. I’m so excited to try it!

            I had to stop at American Apparel and see what I could find, and I had to take a peek at their bows. I love Bethany Mota on YouTube, and she is always wearing the most adorable bows, so I had to buy one! I got this giant pink one for $10, and I cannot wait to wear it!

            When I met up with my friend from college, she recommended some stores for me to check out. I went to Francesca’s, a little boutique, and got these gorgeous earrings on sale for $4.99. Everything there was absolutely adorable!

            We also went into a jewelry store called Six, and again, sale jewelry got me. I got this adorable ring for only $1.99. It doesn’t get any better than that.

            She also took me to DSW, Designer Shoe Warehouse. I had never been to one, and I definitely never expected to buy anything. We were looking through the sale shoes, and I found some adorable shoes. They are Betsey Johnson, and were originally $104.94. I looked and saw they were 80% off, which was incredible. I got them for only $20.99. Basically the best sale of the day!

            I also took a pit-stop at H&M and got a few things. I was looking for a new bag, and this bag was on sale for only $15.00! I also got a new, statement necklace for only $5, but it was buy one get one free sale products, so the necklace was free. I also just read a blog post from a fellow blogger recommending the Smokey palette, so I figured I would try it out for only $5.95.

            Whoofta, that’s finally everything! I know this is a lot, and I know I didn’t need all of this. I am so blessed to be able to try all of these new things, and I am so glad to share it with you! Have you had any recent hauls? What are your favorites? Leave your comments below! I would love to hear feedback from you all! Thanks for putting up with this long post. And, again, I would like to thank you for reading my blog. This means the world to me, and I love you all so very much.

Thank you, and much love,

Maggie D. xx

A Little Trip...

Hello loves,
I will be gone for a few days because... I'm going to the Mall of America! I'm so excited. If you don't know much about it, it is the biggest mall in the United States. It is about 4 and a half hours away from the small town in which I live. The mall near my house is absolutely terrible, so being able to go to a mall that has all kinds of wonderful stores is a dream come true! I have been here before, but I am excited to visit again. I will take plenty of pictures and will (hopefully!) have a good haul post to do when I return. I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and I can't wait to talk to you all soon.

Much love (and excitement!),
Maggie D. xx

Some of my Beauty Favorites

Hello loves,

I’m sorry that I have not posted a decent post in awhile! It’s been quite crazy here with work, and I really miss my beauty/fashion posts. While I have yet to try many new products this month, there are a few so far that I am loving from months previous. One is my bright blue nail polish. It is a Pure Ice brand nail polish in the shade French Kiss. It is quite outrageous, but it is different and unique. I love trying bold polishes—you’re only young once, right?

I’ve also been loving my EOS lip balm. It is perfect to keep my lips moisturized during the dry winter months. I use the Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine, and it works really well. I would also like to add that it smells super good too. It’s an overall winter essential for me.

My favorite eye shadow palette, on a different note, is a more feminine, elegant one. It is inspired by Zoe’s Estee Lauder palette in Raisins that she used in her everyday make-up routine video (here's the link to her video). I loved her look, so I went to my local Walgreens and found a Loreal Colour Riche palette in Rose for Romance, which has very similar tones to what Zoe used. I normally use the top two purple shades, with the lighter color on the inner corners of my eye and the darker shade in the crease and outer corner of my eye. (I’ll post a picture soon, I promise!)

I love trying colored liner, and Clinique is a brand that I have used forever. I decided to try their quickliner for eyes intense in the shad 02 intense plum. These eyeliners are easy to swipe on before heading out, which is what I need to do when I’m in a hurry. You can make a thicker or thinner line, whichever your preference, allowing you to try many different looks with your one liner.

My final beauty fav is the Maybelline Color Whisper in the shade Berry Ready. I know I’ve shared my love for these products in earlier posts, but the Color Whispers are amazing. This is my favorite winter shade, since deeper berry shades are perfect for the chilly months.

            What beauty products are you loving? Leave your favorites and links in the comments below. I love seeing your favorites! Also, I know these are not all high-end products. I, as a poor college student, would love high end beauty products. However, I cannot afford them. I am a drug store beauty buyer & I’m proud of it! If you have any drug store buys that you swear by then leave them below. I love finding new products to try.

Much love,

Maggie D. xx

New Blog Header?

Hello loves,
I've been trying to figure out a new blog layout, and I have it all worked out! My only problem: my header. I kind of know what I want to do, but I need some help. If anyone could leave links as to what programs you used to make your header, then I would be so grateful. I designed this one, but I am not the biggest fan of it. I want to do something kind of simple, maybe black and white with a hint of pink, but I don't know the best way to make it. If any of you could give me any advice, I would love it!

Thanks a billion, much love,
Maggie D. xx

Beauty Favorite: The Craft

Hello loves,
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days. I have been working on a new blog layout that I am so excited about! I am hoping to have a great shopping trip this weekend, so I'll try to do a haul soon. However, the only update I have for you now is the fact that the wonderful Lou Teasdale announced that she will be releasing a beauty book in April! I am so excited. She has been a huge inspiration for me, so to be able to get my hands on all of her beauty tips is a dream come true. I will post the pre-order link below since I know that I am pre-ordering it myself! Don't worry--I'll be posting regularly again soon, I promise.

Here is the link for the pre-order on Amazon.

Until next time, much love,
Maggie D. xx

The Liebster Award

Hello loves,

            It looks like I was nominated for the Liebster award again! I was nominated by the lovely Danielle from Fashion.Smiles.Cupcakes, and I love answering these questions. The rules are:

-Make a post about the Liebster award and thank the blogger who nominated you

-Write 11 interesting facts about yourself

-Answer 11 questions created by the blogger who nominated you

-Nominate 11 other bloggers (the must have less than 200 followers) and notify them that you nominated them

-Write 11 new questions for your nominees

Here are 11 random facts about myself:

1. I am a first year in college, and I LOVE it so much! Everything about college is amazing—except the homework. :)
2. I have a huge love for boy bands—especially 1D and 5SOS. Well, 5SOS isn’t a boy band; they’re just a band, but I love them just the same.
3. My inspirations are Lou Teasdale and Taylor Swift—they are polar opposites, so maybe that’s why I don’t have one defined, simple sense of style!
4. Going to London has been my biggest dream, and I will (hopefully!) be going there in the spring of 2015! I am praying everything works out.
5. I love going to concerts, even though I’ve only been to a few. The atmosphere is amazing! I would love to go to a music festival like Coachella one day.
6. I love boots. They are my all time favorite; I would wear them all year if I could!
7. Youtube is my favorite pastime. I watch videos all the time!
8. I have never dyed my hair, but I would love to get it bleached by Bleach London and use a toner to get a more silvery, lavender hint to it. My parents would kill me though…
9. I have also always wanted to get my nose pierced. However, my parents would react the same as the previous point stated…
10. I am a pretty happy person, but I get stressed a lot. Especially when dealing with school.
11. I am obsessed with Disney movies and princesses—can I please be Ariel? Or Elsa (from
Frozen—it’s a great film)?

Here are my answers:

1. Why did you choose the blog name you did?
That’s a great question! I decided on my name because I am starting up the next step in my life—college! I am still trying to figure out my style and what really defines me, so My Chic Adventure was born.
2. What’s your favorite part about blogging?
Can I say everything? I love writing these blogs, since writing is my favorite thing to do, especially when it’s about fashion. I also love getting to know some of these other lovely bloggers! I feel like I’m making friends with people I have never even met! I am from a small town in Midwest Iowa, and no one seems to understand my love for fashion. This is one place where I can let my love and passions be shown.
3. If you could travel to the past, when and where would you go?
I would go back to the day that I missed Lauren Conrad at The Grove in Los Angeles. I’m still angry that I missed meeting her at a book signing…
4. You are given three wishes, what would you wish for?
This is a hard one… The first one, which might sound stereotypical, is world peace. I would love to live in a world in which everyone got along and there was no more fighting. I would also love to be able to provide a place for everyone to live. Sometimes we forget the blessing even a house can be. My final wish would be a little more selfish—I would love to be able to blog everyday for the rest of my life as a career in a little flat in London. That’s my dream.
5. What is your favorite food?
Frozen yogurt!
6. Who is your favorite musician?
This is too hard. I like bands, and my favorite at the moment are 5 Seconds of Summer, One Direction, All Time Low, and, she isn’t a band, but Marina and the Diamonds.
7. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
This is wayyy too hard. I would have to say Lauren Conrad, who is alive, just to get advice on how to get a fashion line, books, and a popular blog all at one time. Or, I would love to meet Zoe Sugg because I would love to be friends with all of the British Youtubers!
8. What’s your favorite movie?
Again, it’s another hard one! I would have to say it depends on my mood, but The Notebook will forever be one of my favorites.
9. If you could have a $1000 dollar gift card to any store, what store would it be?
I would love a gift card to Topshop since I’ve always wanted clothes from their but it’s a little out of my budget since I’m a poor college student.
10. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
This is my favorite question. I will hopefully be working for a fashion magazine online, still writing on this blog, and working on a successful Youtube channel, living in a flat in London. I’m from the US, but London is my dream.
11. What is your favorite brand?
Hmmm this is a hard one. But I love Marc Jacobs.

Here are all of my answers! I nominate:

1. Rachelcoco
2. Shannen
3. Evi
4. Katie
5. Bess
6. Itsaleyna
7. Niviisdiary
8. Greywalls94
9. Seeyouatnine
10. Michelle
11. Lizzie

Please go follow these lovely ladies! And here are my questions for you:

1. What made you want to start blogging?
2. Who are your fashion inspirations?
3. Where would be your dream place to live?
4. What country would you most like to travel to?
5. What is one beauty product you could not live without?
6. What would you describe your style as in one word?
7. What is one article of clothing you can't live without?
8. Coffee or Hot Cocoa?
9. What is your favorite season?
10. If you could go on an all-expense paid shopping spree, which store would you go to?
11. What is your blogging goal for 2014?

I hope you guys enjoyed my questions and answers! I would love for you, even if you weren't nominated, to answer these questions in the comments below! If you were nominated, I would love for you to put the link of your response in the comments below!

Much love,

Maggie D. xx

My 2014 Resolutions

Hello loves,

            I can’t believe it’s already 2014! Last year flew by—I can’t believe how much happened. And while this last year was incredible, I have a feeling that I can make this year even better. I put together a little list of New Years Resolutions that I would like to stick with this year. I know people say it’s hard to stick with these (and I am not the best myself!), but I am planning on working hard to keep up on every single one of them:

I WILL post at least one blog each week: I started my blog last August, posted a few times, and then didn’t post again until December. I promise I will not do that again. College does get busy, but I need to remember to keep up with you lovely people in the blogger community as well.

I will eat healthy & work out: Since starting college, I realized that I have not been eating very healthy foods. Why go for a salad when there is pizza or pasta to eat? No more. I will cut out pop, junk food (to the most part; I will let myself have some smaller portions), and other unnecessary goods to try to be the healthiest I can be. I also plan to work out more—I get free access to the gyms, might as well use it!

I will take more pictures: I have been blessed to do so many things this past year, and while I did take quite a few pictures, I want to continue to develop my photography skills and keep track of everything I am able to do in all of my adventures.

I will (hopefully!) start a Youtube channel: AAHH. This is a huge one for me. I started reading blogs a few years ago, and within these past two years, Youtube has basically taken over my life. I adore watching all of the videos people put out, whether it is vlogs, beauty tutorials, or fashion hauls. When I study abroad in London in spring 2015, I want to vlog my experience, so I would love to start a channel this year.

I will take chances: I am so nervous to really push my boundaries and try new things. I am quite conservative and taking risks makes me nervous. However, I don’t want to miss anything. You are only young once, right? Even trying new foods would put me outside of my picky ideas. I don’t want to have to tell myself, “What would have happened.” I want to just do, not regret.

2013 was a great year for me. I have been so blessed to have met so many people and done some incredible things. I can’t wait to see how I can make 2014 even better. What are your New Years Resolutions? What do you want to do in 2014? Leave your ideas and links in the comments below!

Much love and best of luck for 2014,

Maggie D. xx