This week was a lot less aggressive. I was in a bright, cheery mood all week and sometimes it's so ridiculous how shocked I am when I'm actually happy for more than three days in a row. Someone give me some mood pills because this is cray. 

Syllabus week at my alma mater was in full swing over the past few days and I'm about to delete all my friends and sisters off Snapchat because it's too painful #TakeMeBack.

It's a super super long weekend and I hope I find something fun and exciting to do #LDW. We'll see! 



In the meantime, here are my favorite links from the week, there are some good ones :)






Happy Labor Day Weekend! :)



My love for make-up and beauty products have grown exceptionally over the past year and I owe that to a variety of different reasons: blogging, magazines, practice, and my favorite and the most influential, beauty v-loggers.

Whenever I'm bored, feeling anxious and stressed, or just in the mood to relax, I log onto my Youtube account and watch whatever video is up on my feed from my latest subscriptions.

Mostly beauty v-loggers do make-up tutorials reviews, hauls, sponsored videos, and share their favorite products. My favorite videos are definitely haul videos and reviews on new products. These are the best places to find out about new products and here a professional opinion. 

Most beauty v-loggers do this as their job so yes, they are a professional. I trust their opinion just as much as a Sephora employee. They are real people using products they actually like and aren't going to lie to you. 

They're fun videos to watch, keep me entertained and the women in them seem so fabulous and flawless. I'm obsessed.


There are a lot of beauty v-loggers out there, a LOT and they all offer something different.

I subscribe to at least 10 vloggers but I definitely have my favorites:

1. MakeUp By TiffanyD: Tiffany was the first vlogger I discovered and she really got me into beauty. She has the best make-up tips, she's low key lady who dishes out the best advice and covers everything from luxury to drug store products. That's my favorite thing about vloggers, when they review and haul drug store products as well. There is just something about Tiffany that is endearing; her videos are a little long but they're so detailed, I don't even care. She's fabulous (and currently pregnant and it's adorable!)

2. Nicole Guerriero: Nicole is a recently discovered lady but hands down my favorite. She's crazy upbeat, fun and beautiful. Seriously, she's stunning. Nicole is also a vlogger who does a lot of drug store product reviews. I found some of my favorite products from her. She also has great techniques for applying makeup, especially her concealer tip. I have to say though, she does great tutorials but my favorite thing about Nicole is her personality. She's awesome! 

3. EleventhGorgeous: Stef and Tess, oh I have a love hate relationship with them. Sometimes they are really overboard and I can't handle their bubbly personalities. They do a lot of hauls and reviews which I love and their tutorial game is scarce, which is fine by me! The sister pairing mainly stick to drug store products which I also love; I can't afford luxury products so it's nice to have someone to relate too. 

4. Bailey B: Bailey is a straight forward kind of gal and never sugar coats anything. She tells the truth  and gives her honest opinion about all the products. She also covers a variety of products from luxury to drugstore and all the inbetween. She does great short review videos where she just gets straight to the point about how she feels about a product. 

5. CoffeBreakWithDani: It definitely took me some getting used too, watching Dani's videos because at first she's loud and in your face but it's so apparent that she actually cares about her viewers and what kind of information she's putting out there. I really admire that about her; once again, Dani covers mostly drug store to higher end (Too Faced, Urban Decay). She does a lot of reviews, not too many tutorials and all her information is really great. 

There are a few other beauty v-loggers in my subscriptions but these are the ones that I love, respect and admire the most. They give the best information, they're fun to watch and I feel like I know them. They're awesome!

Do you have any favorite v-loggers that you swear by? Tell me in the comments so I could check them out!


This post was sponsored by Heaven Hill Distilleries Heaven Hill Family of Brands. Bardstown, KY © 2014

I've been a sad puppy post grad lately since my alma mater started classes yesterday. It's a really tough transition and I'll post more on that another time but to cheer me up, I've been window shopping for my latest loves.

With the Fall and Winter seasons upon us, my excitement is through the roof. There is nothing that I love more that sweaters, boots, pumpkin lattes and the cool weather. Snuggling with a blanket, apple scented candles, and a cup of tea with a book or movie sounds like utter perfection. 

Along with my favorite time of the year(Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas) comes another love of mine that only seems appropriate during this time of year. 

SPARKLES.


I am a resident sorority gal and a typical girly girl so everything that glitters is gold to me! I've always loved sparkly things, ever since I was a little girl. There is just something so cool and girly about seeing something sparkly catch the light and reflect, sending light all around the room.

Whether it's a sparkly bracelet, ring, nail polish or handbag, I'll take one of each! 

Sparkle has definitely made a comeback in recent years and is definitely not as "babyish" as it might've once seen. 

Sparkle, sequins, and glitter also aren't reserved for nighttime antics anymore; any time you wear a little shine is a good time!

I'm pretty sure with my sad post grad mood, I deserve a little sparkle so I've picked out my favorite items that add a little something special to my life! Sparkles just make me feel so girly and put together, so chic!

Kate Spade: Sparkle Bows iPad Folio// BaubleBar: Topaz Jazz Stud Earrings// BaubleBar: Crystal Mason Ring// J.Crew Roxie Glitter Suede Pumps// Urban Decay: Naked 3 Palette // Ban.do: Tiny Shimmer Headband// OPI: It Looks Like Rain, Dear Polish// BaubleBar: Jumbo Radiant Curb Pendant // Tory Burch: Vanessa Flat

Shop more of my Sparkle choices down below :)




A few weeks ago on a lonely Friday night, I decided to eat candy, watch Girl Meets World and go through my make-up bag. I had purchased a bunch of new makeup recently and needed to get organized. I knew there was a bunch of old stuff, rotting away in my multiple make-up bags and I needed to get rid of them.

On my organizational journey, I realized there was a lot of makeup hiding away that I had completely forgotten about. 

Some of the makeup were products that I had loved before but had replaced for something new and shiny while others were products that I wasn't so crazy about to begin with.

I decided to put all these "forgotten" makeup items and try to use them more and possibly write a blog post about them. 

While I haven't used them enough over the past few weeks because I'm a creature of habit, I have been picking them up a little bit during my routine.


From bronzer to blush to lipgloss, these are makeup items that I hope I don't forget too much in the future.



ELF Bronzer and Blush: I blogged about these back in December, tried them out and them completely forgot about them. I didn't like the way they looked or felt on my skin, they just weren't what I expected. I did though pick up the blush again this week, blended it out a little more than usual and it gave me a nice, natural glow.

I haven't tried out the bronzer quad again because I've been more into matte bronzers and this one is full of shimmer. When I swatched these bronzers, I was pleasantly surprised at the softness (a lot softer than I remember) and I know that I will be using these soon.

(Blush: Giddy Gold; Bronzer: Golden Bronzer)



Stila One Step Bronze: This I blogged about way back in 2012, right when I reached my first Birchbox. I haven't completely forgotten about this bad boy but I know I don't use it as nearly as much as I should. It's the perfect mousse, liquid bronzer (the only one I ever truly used and loved) with the perfect amount of shimmer. It's easily applied with a brush or your hands and gives you that vacation glow. I use this for only special nights out and it gives me such a dewy look, I can't help but fall in love every time I wear it. 


Urban Decay Freakshow Eyeshadow: My roommate freshmen year got this for me for my birthday and I used to use it a ton. Then my love affair with eyeshadow didn't last and I was afraid of bold colors. I'm slowly getting back into using eyeshadow everyday and this purple color is unlike anything I have. It's said that purple is the best color for brown eyes so I'm definitely going to need to experiment with this baby a little more.


Almay Intense I Color in Purple Amethyst: Sticking with the purple theme, this eyeliner is a few years old and I used to wear it religiously. Almay is one of my favorite brands to buy regular, everyday eyeliner from because it's so creamy, soft but not too intense that it looks like you're going to the club. I have a heavy hand when applying eyeliner so a softer formula is good for me. When swatching, the eyeliner is definitely a little dried out out but maybe that means I'll just go buy a new one! 



Cailyn Gel Eyeliner in Purple: Oh goodness, another purple product?! I used this eyeliner maybe five times since I got it in an Ipsy bag last year. I love the intense, gel purple color but using it is a pain in my butt because I don't like gel potted eyeliners. When I'm looking for an intense, sleek purple on a night out, I need to remember I have this because it is a really great eyeliner.

There are some other products like an Elizabeth Arden lip-glosso or a NYX eyeshadow that are really great quality and I need to just remember to utilize more.


What are your "forgotten" make-up products? Tell me in the comments and share :)


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in , , , , by RoyallyPink, 2:39 PM
It seems that every other week is a good one for me; it's as if I can't be in a good, positive mood for more than a few days in a row #SOS. 

It's Friday afternoon as I type this up (sorry it's so late) and I'm pretty sure I'm getting sick so that's fun. Also, my underclassmen friends will be returning to campus this week so my life is pretty much over. This is so unfair, I didn't want to graduate.



Anyways, enough with my positive vibes, I know it's becoming too much for you all to handle!

Here's what I was loving on the internet this week :)








Enjoy your last pre-Labor Day weekend! 


I wrote a post about tips for college FRESHMEN and those in turn can truly apply to any year of schooling but I thought that maybe I had some more knowledge of college as a whole. I mean, I was a freshmen four years ago and things have changed and I forgot a lot #postgradproblems. 

College is the best four years of your life, if you allow it to be. It's also a very unusual situation, I mean you're on your own, living in this little neighborhood of other 20 somethings--you go to class, hang out with your friends, go out on the weekends and manage your life on your own. 

That may seem normal but what's not normal is going to the bars on Tuesday nights or all the free food or the free gym that's provided. It's not normal that you can literally do anything you want whenever you want. It's not normal that if you want pizza and a movie at 2am on a Thursday, that's possible.

College is just weird.

I realized that at the end of my junior year, when I was finished with one of the greatest years of school ever and knew that it was all going to be over. 


But like I said, college can be the best four years if you let it. I think I've accumulated enough knowledge to let you leave college being a better version of yourself.

//Join organizations: I don't care if it's the newspaper, a sorority or the computer science club, join something! College is all about getting involved, there are hundreds of clubs and organizations that cater to your interests. I'm not lying when I say there is a club for anyone and everyone. Going to club meetings and events will allow you to foster relationships with people who have similar interests. If you don't get involved, you'll probably just end up sitting in your dorm room with your one roommate, watching Netflix and drinking Twisted Teas on a Friday night. I've seen it happen to a lot of people who end up hating college and transferring. GO GET INVOLVED! It's never too late, whether you're a freshmen or senior.

// Don't Buy Textbooks: Do not waste your money in the school bookstore. They are overpriced and a complete rip off. I know this because I spent $500 my first semester freshmen year. There are so many websites out there to rent textbooks from because after the class is over, there is no need to keep textbooks around. 

//Get along with your roommates: Do your best to get along with your roommate, no matter who it is. I've had great roommate experiences but I've also had not so great ones. Your roommate can be your best friend(I've had them!) or your worst enemy(had them too!) but it's kind of up to you. If something is bothering you about your roommate, approach them in the most polite way possible and solve the problem. In the same breath, pick and choose your battles in order to keep peace. You'll figure out how to live with people extremely different from you and some who are so alike it's borderline scary. Either way, learn how to keep peace because if not, your life will be hell.

//Actually study: Yes, college is FUN and you have meetings and events to run and attend but at the end of the day, you are there to get an education. Don't screw up because you were too busy with being the president of a club or because you were too lazy. None of that is really going to matter but if you don't graduate, that will matter. Go to the library when you have a test, ask your professors questions and go to their office hours and utilize study resources. Don't mess this up, it's the rest of your life. 

//Eat Right: Everyone is going to gain a few pounds throughout college. There are endless amounts of food and alcohol to be consumed. Your cafeteria doesn't have the healthiest of choices and the best pizza place in the college town is open until 4am. If McDonalds is on the meal plan(looking at you #GaelNation) and located three steps away from the local bar, you're in for trouble. Don't gain the Freshmen 25. Eat healthy during the day and splurge on a few late night drunk meals but don't forget to go to the gym. Take advantage of free yoga and Zumba classes because your senior year self will thank you.

//Maintain a GOOD reputation: Don't be that girl who hooks up with everyone freshmen year. Don't throw yourself at the entire football team. Please, I'm begging you. As a girl in this new college world you are going to get boatloads of attention from the male population. Do not get caught up in it because I've seen girls transform from the freshmen year slut to a sophisticated senior but people still talk about her welcome week antics. 

There are so many other pieces of advice I could offer but we'd be here all day. 

I hope you all have a fabulous year in school, make me proud :)

What pieces advice do you have for college students?


I've said it before, I am a huge book worm. I've always loved getting lost in a story, an actual fiction story but once I hit college, I started loving memoirs and advice books. 

I enjoyed reading older people's stories and advice, it helped a lot while I was in college and while I was preparing to head off to school for the first time. 

Before I went away to school, I didn't know anyone who had gone away that I could turn too for advice and help. I didn't know about the blogosphere either so I didn't have any resources to get advice from. I'm huge on advice and hearing people's stories to form my own opinion on something. Maybe that's a bad thing but in this case, it was fine.

Over the past four years, for all types of situations, I've developed a little collection of "college books" that gave me great advice for transitioning from high school to college and also from year to year throughout my college career.



//UChic: The College Girl's Guide to Everything: This was my true saving grace the summer before freshmen year. It's a real book, it's not truly sugarcoated and it gives real advice on real situations. It was my handbook until I started feeling like an actual college student and not a zombie walking around in someone else's life. Since I was a freshmen in 2010, they've updated the book and now have a bunch of different versions. 

I also used UChic's planner freshmen year and it was fabulous--I'm kind of confused why I didn't continue using it.

Side Note: Check out this UChic Getting a Grip on Your Freshmen Year, sounds so cool and useful! 

//Penelope: This isn't an advice book but it's just such a fun, witty and clever novel about your freshmen year. I read this going into Junior year and it was just such a quick, fun read. It's a bit exaggerated but if you're in college mode, you'll enjoy it!

//The Freshmen 50: By your own College Prepster, Carly wrote this book a few years back and it's part survival guide and part memoir about her freshmen year. I'll read anything Carly writes and it's pretty awesome.

//Naked Roommate: I haven't read this book but I know so many people my freshmen year who did and they said it was pretty great. It's said to be the best selling college book for college bound freshmen so I'm sure it's worth picking up!

//All Work No Pay: This is Lauren Berger's (Intern Queen) first book all about how to get and balance an internship while in college. If you're a freshmen you probably won't need this book for at least another year but it's always good to be informed on what you should be doing to be advancing your career because that is the main reason you're in college. 


This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Brita for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

So the time has come. It's mid August and summer has come and gone so quickly. With Labor Day right around the corner, that could only mean one thing...back to school.

For the first time in my life, I am not going back to school and it's a struggle that is all too real. It's really sad that I'm not going back to college because shopping for back to school was always my favorite time of the year.

New pencils, notebooks and everything in between were my favorite purchases. School shopping got even more exciting when I went away to college and had to buy so many more things than usual.

From bedding to bath caddies to shoe hangers, dorm room shopping is unlike anything else. There are so many necessities that you're going to need because you're actually living at school. It's so different from what you're used too.

There are a lot of things I wish I knew I needed when I went away to school for the first time. When I would arrive on the first day, I would see all my roommates' belongings and think "I wish I would've brought that!" or "That is such a good idea!"

Well, here is a list of things that I wish I knew I needed in college so you don't have to feel silly like I did!

1. Power strips: These babies come in handy way too often. I used them all over my room and they're great because most colleges or universities don't allow extension cords. Put one near your desk or bedside and you'll have all the outlet space you need for chargers, lamps, and hair straighteners! 

2. Command Hooks: Hammering a nail into the wall won't do in your dorm room (you want that damage deposit back don't you?) so the next best thing are command hooks. They're great for hanging decorations on your walls but also use them for jewelry organization, coat racks, and stringing lights. 



3.Brita ® FilterThis is hands down one of my favorite items because tap water in the dorm rooms just don't cut it. I've never used a Brita ® Filter till I got to college but it's changed the way I think about drinking water. My freshmen year roommate brought us our first Brita ® Filter and we used it throughout the 4 years (replacing the filters every few months as directed, of course). If you're living in a dorm with no kitchen space, keeping a Brita ® filter in your mini fridge will help save money on bottled water. Having a Brita ® on hand is always an essential. (Brita ® Filters are available at Target)

4. Bath Mats: I didn't even think of a bath mat to place in the shower or a bath rug to put outside the shower when I was a freshmen in college. These are definitely essentials and I'm glad my roommates were smart enough to bring them otherwise it would've been a slippery mess.

5. Weekender Bag: I didn't have a sufficient weekend bag until Christmas break when my grandparents bought me a Vera Bradley duffel (#socollege). This made traveling back and forth to home during the semester extremely difficult because I was traveling with 3+ tote bags with all my belongings. Having a weekender bag or duffel will make packing for quick trips home or week long breaks a lot easier. 

These are things that weren't really on any packing list I looked at before I went to college for the first time so it was a learning experience.

College is the best time of your life, make sure you're fully prepared!
  
What is on your ultimate college packing list? Tell me in the comments!


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I wanted to do a back to school week special with my best advice and tips for heading back to campus. I mean, I am a seasoned veteran and a fabulous(NOT) post grad so who better to take advice from?

Well, I sat down over the weekend and typed up a few posts but only to realize I wrote them all already. From first day outfits, to school bag essentials and things to know for freshmen, I've covered it all. I guess that just means I'm a washed up college graduate. 

In that same breath, I wanted to honor back to school season and give you readers advice, even if I'm not going back to campus this year.



So I will have some new posts with new advice but in the meantime, here are some of my favorite/best back to school posts from Royally Pink!

Letter to my 17 Year Old Self, for the freshmen in you


Residence Hall Linens, sponsored post on how to decorate your dorm



Boundless, don't buy your textbooks-rent them!



This is a day late and there was no post on Thursday. Between working, being sick and a few days spent with friends I haven't seen in a while, I've been super busy.

I didn't want to let a post go until Monday so I thought better late than never.

This week was chaotic but there were some fabulous things to read and watch.







Billy Joel sang "Uptown Girl" to his ex wife Christie Brinkley and it's just as adorable as you could imagine.



This is one of the best Robin Williams tributes I've seen so far.



Happy weekend!! 



I'm all about the real world nowadays (#PostGrad #BigGirlJobs) and it's really quite the transition. I am not taking it well but the world keeps turning, doesn't it?

I've always known that when I graduated and started my "real life" I was going to need a whole new wardrobe. Sorority t-shirts and leggings are not appropriate office attire.

Even though I am sort of protesting being an adult, the idea of dressing like an actual "grown up" always excited me. I always envied the women who looked effortless and chic when they went to work. There was just something powerful about the way they dressed but also remained fashionable.

That's exactly the kind of fashionista career woman I'd like to be.


In my industry, (Media/Mass Communications), the dress code is not as corporate. I probably will never have to wear a pants suit (thank God) unless I choose too. Dresses, dark jeans and slacks, pretty sweaters and statement jewelry are more that acceptable.

Even though there is a less strict dress code, that is not excuse for not looking your best. With the Fall season right around the corner, new clothes have me feeling some type of way. I could already tell you that J.Crew Factory and Express are going to be my go-to work wardrobe stores.

There are essentials that I think you need, no matter where you're working.


Here are some of my other real world fashions to shop!




I'm in the need for some massive retail therapy but I know my bank account isn't having it..at all.

There are just some things that I've had my eye on and I can't help but daydream about them. Some are too luxurious for my liking and others I could afford once I have some extra cash.

As a girl, there is something nothing more that I love than buying something shiny and new, whether I need it or not.

Granted my birthday and Christmas are months away but I think I'll have to keep some of these in mind to ask for.



J.Crew Factory Novelty Quilted Puffer Vest: Isn't this on everyone's wish list? I think this is something I'm going to need to splurge on ASAP





Tory Burch + Fit Bit: I've been seeing these Fit Bit bracelets all around and I love the idea of them. I love that you'd be able to track all your food intake and physical activity. Some of the bracelets aren't the most flattering but then a few weeks ago Tory Burch came out with her own take on the Fit Bit and I'm obsessed. How gorgeous is this bracelet? You can't even tell it's  Fit Bit bracelet.



GiGi New York All in One Bag: I have wanted one of these clutches since I discovered GiGi New York. I see all these fashion bloggers with them and they look so adorable and chic. I'm a real bag lady but I've been experimenting with smaller bags so I think that this all in one clutch would suit me
really well. The fact that you can monogram it is just an added bonus.




Too Faced Hangover Primer: I saw a few reviews of this and I think it's a cool concept. It's a primer that hydrates your face and restores your skin to it's normal balance as if you were up all night partying. I've seen good and bad reviews on this but I don't really care because the name is 'Hangover RX' and I'd like to try it out for myself.




BaubleBar: I haven't bought myself a BaubleBar piece in almost two months and I'm really needing a fix. There are so many beautiful pieces that I have my eye on and I need them in my life.



What are some things on your ultimate wish list?


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