TGIF! Do I start off every Royal Round Up like that?

It's a nice long weekend for me -- 6 days off to be exact and I'm so excited! I have a summer Friday today, took off on Monday because I thought I was going away and then off for 4th of July on Tuesday & Wednesday.

I'm hoping to relax, get a lot of stuff done and maybe hang out with some friends. Sometimes you just need a long vacation to chill out!

Last night I rearranged my room because we had to move my sister's dresser into my room. She graduated college last month and will be moving home soon so she needed a bit more space in her room, and she didn't need the dresser.

I was unsure if I would like it but I have fallen in love with how my new room looks. I always liked rearranging my room; sometimes, when I was little, I'd come home from school and my cleaning lady would have rearranged my entire room. I LOVED IT because I felt like I had a new space and love a good interior design change.

It keeps things interesting, I guess.

My desk is now in the corner near my windows which feels cozy and productive, I have a dresser to make organization easier, and I switched my handbag display on its side to create more wall space. I'm in love!

This post is coming super late because I was so busy last night and was out all day today. I went to Tiffanys and literally balled out (not really but it felt like it). I walked in and knew exactly what I wanted, looked around for a bit and just bought them. It was awesome and I've never done that.



I purchased the Bead Bracelet with the blue Tiffany heart, and the Bone China Coffee Cups (I didn't spend $95 on cups -- I had a gift card from a contest I won at a conference and used that!)

Now it's time for the things I loved on the Internet this week!


What you missed on Royally Pink:

Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B


Another month on Weight Watchers has come to a close ... and next month it's my 1 year anniversary. That is super crazy to think about because it feels like I just started this journey a little while ago.

My progress this month was better than previous; I lost a few pounds and gained one back. I don't stress out anymore when I gain a pound because I know I have a plan in place to lose it. As long as I'm maintaining the majority of the weight I did lose, I'm good.

However, I did figure out what works for me: meal prepping.

Before my new found discovery I was eating the same things for breakfast and lunch every day, and wasn't satisfied so I was snacking (and non-weight watchers snacks too). I changed it up and started to meal prep instead of grabbing oatmeal & a Lean Cusine frozen lunch.

I usually make breakfast muffins on a Sunday for the entire week, and then make some cauliflower rice and spring rolls for lunch. I'm really full and don't feel the need to snack so much.



Just last night I made myself Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi with a touch of Lite Alfredo Sauce for lunch today and it's low points, super filling, and satisfying.

Meal prepping has really worked for me and I advise everyone trying to lose weight to at least try it. Knowing what you are going to eat and actually eating what you want (in moderation, in line with your diet) is key.

If I can keep up the meal prepping and some pilates during the week I'm hopeful I can get down to more of a goal weight.

I really want to lose another 30 pounds, making the total close to 60 but I have a feeling it's going to take me a lot longer than I think. It's taken me almost a year to lose 26-30 pounds and while that is frustrating I know it's because I haven't been as regimented as I was in the beginning.

I need to get back into the proper mindset, keep meal prepping and keep exercising during the week as well as the gym on the weekends.

Next month is the big 1-year update so stay tuned for that!

xoxo
B
Pinterest is a secret gem of blogging, creating, and everything that comes along with living an online life. I've been preaching Pinterest since it's creation in 2011; not to pat myself on the back, I'm pretty sure that I was one of the first people to be on Pinterest back in 2011.

I remember like it was yesterday -- I was getting ready to study for my Fall 2011 finals and my sorority sister told me about this new platform called Pinterest which was a virtual pinboard. I became so obsessed I almost failed my finals. I spent that entire winter break (I miss having a winter break) on Pinterest, creating boards and being inspired.

Fast forward to 2018 Pinterest is now classified as a search engine similar to Google. People are going to Pinterest to search for things from design to beauty to fashion to weddings and it's blowing up.

Credit
Because of my obsession with Pinterest, it's always been a tool in my blogging kit. I have always shared my posts to Pinterest and for years, it's been at the top of my referral traffic.

YUP. You heard that right.

I get the most blog traffic from Pinterest. More from Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, or organic searches. Pinterest is KING and it works!

The key to getting traction on Pinterest are two main things: vertical images and using the captions correctly.

Vertical photos get shared more because as you scroll, you are obviously going vertically so those photos catch your eye.

For captions, it's important to use keywords to describe your pin and what you are pinning because people are going to type in keywords to find what they're looking for. Also, a common misconception about Pinterest is hashtags -- do you use them or do you not? I spoke to someone at Pinterest and they said NO to hashtags so you heard it here!

While Pinterest isn't a social media network, there is still a huge sense of community. I've joined countless group boards where I share my blog posts and then look through others and share theirs. Being part of a group board just helps get more eyes on your pins and in this case, my blog content.

For a long time, I was sharing Pins directly from my blog pages. I was using the Pin button and manually doing everything but then I discovered Tailwind.

Tailwind is a dashboard specifically made for Pinterest (recently they introduced tools for Instagram) and it allows you to schedule pins, gives you amazing analytics and is just so easy to use. Tailwind tells you the best times to pin and allows you to stock up your queue and just pushes out the pins at the given time.



The actual Pinterest website hasn't gotten on board with analytics yet so Tailwind is a great secondary tool to use to track your Pinterest analytics. It's amazing to see how many people are interacting with your pins and how it compares to previous time periods.

Tailwind actually just introduced their own 'group board' idea and I have fallen in love with it. Tailwind Tribes is a new feature that Tailwind released within the past few weeks (or at least that's when I realized it) and it's basically a huge group board that you don't have to 'join'.

It makes group pinning super easy and just like a regular group board that you might've joined from a blogging network, it gets your pin in front of more eyes.

Whenever I post a blog I make sure I share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Whenever I'm scheduling Twitter and Facebook, I head over to Tailwind and share that pin as well.

I also make sure that I'm sharing other Influencer's content and non blog related content to have some balance to my boards.

Pinterest is truly a hidden gem that all influencers should utilize. You have to know how to use it and not treat it as another social media platform. Do your research, join Tailwind, and get to pinning!

xoxo
B

This post is brought to you by Her Campus Media & Clarisonic. All opinions are my own

I've been very lucky in the fact that I always had really nice skin; I've always taken care of it and I think I owe a lot of it to that.

Since I was a tween, I was obsessed with using anti-acne products to keep my skin clear and that has continued well into adulthood.

While I may not struggle with acne on a daily basis there are times when it pops up and really throws a wrench in everything. I understand that I'm lucky to not deal with acne the way other people do but we're all human and we all get blemishes.

June is Acne Cleansing Month (which I think is really cool) and I've partnered with Clarisonic to talk about how their products help treat and prevent acne.


I've loved and used Clarisonic for years now. I first got one for Christmas a few years ago and it completely changed how my skin looked and felt. My skin was softer, brighter, and felt so deeply cleaned. It was an amazing change and since then, I've never been without a Clarisonic and am always jumping at the chance to talk about the device.



I've been using the Mia 1 Cleansing Device with the Acne Cleansing Brush Head, one that I've tried only once in the past, and I've been loving it!

The Mia 1 has one cleansing speed which I find super helpful, and it turns off immediately when you've cleaned enough. I think it's so helpful when a device is simple and straight to the point. It makes it so much easier to use and is easier to incorporate into your routine.



Using the Clarisonic doesn't take a lot of effort and the payoff is incredible. Sometimes my skin just needs a deep cleansing, especially when I feel a breakout coming on or when I take off a full face of makeup.

I've been using the Mia 1 for a solid two weeks and it arrived at the perfect time because I had a breakout in between my eyebrows (my least favorite place to get a pimple). Nothing was helping get rid of it but once I started using the Clarisonic Acne Cleansing Head along with the Pore & Blemish Cleanser (who knew Clarisonic made cleansers and skincare products?) I noticed a major difference.

The blemish didn't go away immediately -- nothing is magic, but it did speed up the process. Within a week or so, the blemish was gone and my skin looked fresher than ever.



I think it's important to say that I have ultra sensitive skin and the Clarisonic is super gentle on my skin. It's so safe for sensitive skin that you can use it twice a day. It's amazing and a device that I think everyone should have in their beauty collection.





I think my favorite thing about the Clarisonic is how deep it cleans your skin; it gets out all the impurities while still being super gentle and leaves your skin soft, supple, and clear. Because the Clarisonic sonic cleanses and gives you such a deep clean, your skin is naturally cleaner and doesn't give way to pimples.



Clarisonic is designed to remove pollutants, reduce the appearance of pores, and allows for your skincare products to better absorb into your skin. It also is the perfect solution for when your skin is tired and roughed up from a full face of glam makeup. There is no better feeling of removing your makeup and then using your Clarisonic which reveals fresh, soft and clean skin.



There is a reason it's the #1 cleansing device recommended by dermatologists -- the technology and quality of the Clarisonic are unlike anything else on the market.

If you're ready to add a Clarisonic to your routine, buy it now! Get 15% off a cleansing device with code HERCAMPUS until July 15th! 
We are pretty much halfway through the year at this point and I'm so excited! I feel like I've been starting off all my Royal Round Up posts with that sort of language.

Summer officially started this week, I had another article published on Popsugar and 4th of July vacation is just around the corner -- I'm taking a super long, much-needed vacation (might not travel anywhere but the days off will be good) and I'm so excited.

However, I'm not really in the mood to celebrate the country or the 4th of July because of the atrocities that are happening at the Mexican border. I can't simply put into words what I'm feeling but Eva from Happily Eva After did an amazing job at explaining how I think a lot of us feel.

It was National Wear Your Lilly Day this week -- I was rocking my
Lilly tote over the weekend!

Anyways...

Here is what I loved this week!



Here's what you missed on Royally Pink:
xoxo
B


Happy OFFICIAL first day of Summer! It feels like it's been summer for a few months but it really only started to warm up within the past two weeks or so.

As I've said countless times before, I'm excited about this summer and there's a lot I want to do. I won't ramble too much but I now present you, my summer to-do list!


What's on your summer to-do list? Give me suggestions!!
xoxo
B


I can't believe I never wrote a review on this book -- it was a really good one and it completely got lost in the shuffle!

"The Woman Next Door" is such a typical suspense novel name and is written by Cass Green who also wrote 'In a Cottage in a Wood'. I can't remember if I read this book first or "In a Cottage..." because after reading whichever one was first, I immediately went to Green's author page and put a bunch on my to-read list.

Either way, it was a great book and I really love Cass Green's writing style.



This is the publisher's summary:

Two suburban women. Two dark secrets. The almost perfect murder.
Everybody needs good neighbours…
Melissa and Hester have lived next door to each other for years. When Melissa’s daughter was younger, Hester was almost like a grandmother to her. But recently they haven’t been so close.
Hester has plans to change all that. It’s obvious to her that despite Melissa’s outwardly glamorous and successful life, she needs Hester’s help.
But taking help from Hester might not be such a good idea for a woman with as many secrets as Melissa…

Like all good murder novels, this takes place in the UK (if my memory serves...) and it's a very interesting plot with lots of twists and turns. There's a murder (as mentioned above), a coverup, a kidnapping or two, and just a lot of weirdness.

I will say that this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very interested in the characters. Some of the build-ups of Melissa's character was a bit of a disappointment but ultimately, everything turned out to be interesting.

What was super creepy and very interesting was Hester's character. At first, you could definitely tell something was up with Hester; her obsession with Melissa's life and daughter was very odd, the way she was obsessed with her dead husband and the fact that she didn't have any grandchildren was very odd.

It all makes sense as the story continues and even in the midst of the murder/cover-up, her mind works in very mysterious ways. There's something clearly wrong with her...

However, it's the revelation you get about her life toward the end of the book that throws me for a loop and is a great twist, I'm actually smiling thinking about it now.

This was a quick, easy read (or listen), was very interesting and kept you guessing. If you're in the market for a no-nonsense, easy and fun (if true crime is fun to you) read, this is your book! I highly recommend Cass Green as well! 

xoxo
B
Nowadays there are always new beauty products being released from all different brands -- heck, there are new brands popping up every day. It's almost too much to keep up with, to keep track of but it's also really exciting.

With every launch comes a new innovation; brands are always coming up with something that we've never seen before, or their own take on a current trend.

Either way, I get super excited for new launches, even if it's something as similar as an eyeliner.

Something else that brings up excitement for me is the beginning of a new season. In my opinion, the best launches happen at the beginning of a season and I think summer is super exciting. There are all different SPF products, new makeup technologies and just a bunch of other fun stuff.

Out of all the launches that have happened so far this season, below is what I'm most excited for.




Ole Henkrison Cold Plunge Pore Mask: Put anything 'cold plunge' in a name and I'm going to want to try it. The description for this pore clearing mask is that it's supposed to mimic the feeling of a Scandinavian cold plunge, immersing your skin in pure ice. I want to experience that so badly! It sounds so refreshing in the summer heat and I can't wait to get my hands on this mask.

Flesh Foundation Stick: Flesh is a new brand under the Revlon umbrella and the big thing about this is that there are over 40 foundation stick shades in the first release. Nowadays, that is a super big deal. I took a look on Ulta's website and Flesh is coming out with a lot of new products that look really cool. I love a foundation stick so I am excited to try this new one out.

Dior Backstage Foundation: For someone who doesn't wear a lot of foundation, this is the 2nd foundation on this list. It was released this week and The Coveteur did a special article on it. It was identified as the foundation that Meghan Markle wore on her wedding day and that is all the reason I need to purchase something.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum: This is a little bit of a cheat because I already purchased this item and it's en route to me. This was a launch that I actually wrote down in my calendar and was super giddy about. It's a bronzed serum that has anti-pollutant properties to protect your skin from environmental stressors. Pollution protective products are going to be having a moment starting now and I'm all in on them. I will report back on this product as soon as I fully test it!

Sephora After Sun Sheet Mask: This product isn't super new and has been in my Sephora shopping cart a few times. After being super sunburned and exhausted from the sun this weekend, I think my skin really could've used this mask. It's a good product to have in your arsenal this summer.

What beauty launches are you excited for?
xoxo
B


This isn't the traditional manicure Monday because I'm not wearing any of these polishes at the moment (as I'm writing this I'm without any polish!) but these are my favorite summer colors.

Thursday is the first day of summer so this week is dedicated to all things summertime! It's not my favorite season but with the mild weather we've been having here in New York, I'm actually pretty excited. After a really hard, cold winter I'm looking forward to the warm sun and sitting by the pool, and doing fun outdoor activities.

But first I wanted to start off with one of my favorite things and something I know well-- nail polish.

Whenever the season changes I've been over that nail polish theme for a while and ready for something new. These are the colors in the past few years, and right now, I'm really excited to rock in the warm weather.

A few are old favorites, a few are new to my collection this year but all of them are super pretty, great formulas, and in fact, they are all Essie polishes.



Bikini So Teeny: This is the most classic summer shade that took over the world a few years ago. I definitely get the most wear out of this color and it's by far one my favorites of all time. There is something so beautifully summery about it, I can't get enough.

Pret-A-Surfer: I classify this as Bikini So Teeny's older, darker sister. It has a similar color but is much deeper. It looks gorgeous when you have a fresh from the beach tan and I'm obsessed. I've repurchased this shade and Bikini So Teeny more than once so you know I mean business!

Barbados Blue: This is new to my collection but I've quickly fallen for it. It's sheerer than the others but has a gorgeous ocean blue shift to it. When I look at it, I see only summer and it looks even better on the nails. *I can't find this online anywhere but Saltwater Happy is slightly similar

Status Symbol: Think of the most beautiful candy, hot pink your mind could imagine. That is what Status Symbol is. It's a unique pink that gives you the best of both worlds: candy, baby pink with a handful of fuschia. It's gorgeous and looks great on the nails! *I can't find this shade either but Bachelorette Bash is close enough

E-nuf is e-nuf: It's not summer without a bit of coral polish, is it? This is a mixture of a coral and pink but once applied to the nails pulls more coral/orange. It's the ideal summer shade!

Haute in the Heat: With a name like that how do I not put it on this list? It's a true hot pink but a shade or two darker than the typical hot pink. I'm obsessed and feel so girly when I wear it!

Here are a few other shades that I simply love but don't own at the moment:
What are your favorite summer nail polish shades?
xoxo
B
TGIF! This week was super long and I'm so happy to have a summer Friday today. It's Thursday and I'm writing this and I'm so exhausted -- it's always Thursday nights that are the toughest because I'm coming down from the week and know that it's almost over.

I have a busy weekend ahead of me with running errands, friends, and then a family dinner for Father's Day. I expect myself to get a little sad this weekend because, for the past 2 years, Father's Day is very sad, of course. It just makes me really emotional and I just want to hide out in my room but I do celebrate with my grandpa and that's nice.

Either way, I am excited that I have a 3-day weekend. They are simply the best! I wish they were the norm for all corporate companies LOL.



My mind is like soup right now so I'm not going to ramble too much and get right into the links I loved this week!



What You Missed on Royally Pink:


Have a great weekend everyone! 
xoxo
B
There was a moment in time where I wasn't buying a ton of beauty products. I had taken a massive break after being consumed by my collection and I knew I didn't need any more items. I also was less than impressed with whatever was happening in the industry.

However, with the end of winter and the start of new seasons, my love of beauty has been reinstated. Maybe it's because the warm weather brings new and innovative products; everything from hair lighteners to SPF hybrids. It excites me and instills something new in me.

There are so many beauty products I want to try and that's a post for another time but right now, there are so many new beauty products I'm loving and simply cannot stop using.



1. Ouai Sun of a Beach Spray: Something came over me when I saw this product being teased on Ouai's Instagram. I don't know if it was the 11-year-old inside me that desperately wanted blonde highlights or if I was drawn in by the name and packaging. Either way, I scooped it up and have been loving it. I've used this a handful of times, spraying in my hair after a shower, and it smells like a beautiful beach. Is it doing anything for my hair? No, but I love it anyway. Maybe once I sit in the sun (if it ever gets warm in NYC) it'll make a difference to my dark locks.

2. Milk Watermelon Brightening Serum: This was another product I bought on launch day and I have never looked back. My skin is pretty decent but I deal with a lot of discoloration and dullness. Sometimes it looks like my skin is lacking and I just need something to oomf it up. That's this serum! I love the fact that it's a solid serum and it absorbs into your skin super fast so there is no greasy mess to deal with. It's also one of the few beauty products that I notice an immediate difference with; I wake up the next morning and my skin is a little brighter and looks a little evener. It's magic!



3. Trader Joe's Rose Oil: I have a new obsession with Trader Joe's and a continuing obsession with rose scented items. Those two loves have combined to give me this delightful oil. It's not too heavy, sinks into the skin immediately and smells pretty damn good. I don't notice a huge difference but I feel very pampered when I use it -- it's a nice little pick me up and is a lightweight moisturizer for the warm months.

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: My curiosity about Drunk Elephant products is growing by the day and I owe it to the magic Baby Facial. I've never gotten a facial before but using this once a week (or even once every two weeks) has made a huge difference in my skin. The texture has disappeared and discoloration has faded -- this is magic in a bottle and there is a reason it has a cult following. DE is the real deal and Baby Facial is something everyone should have in their skincare routine.

5. Benefit Roller Lash: This is an oldie but a goodie. I've been using Laura Geller LashBOSS for a while but wanted something different. I picked up Roller Lash after using a sample I had and haven't looked back. I've gone through a handful of these in the past few years but rediscovering it was heaven. It has a really unique brush, the perfect wet/dry formula and is truly my favorite mascara of all time.

6. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer: If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know how much I love concealers. I was itching for a new one a few months ago and bought the newest Laura Mercier one. It took me a few tries to really like it because I think I got the wrong shade, but now I'm in love and haven't touched Shape Tape in weeks. It's the perfect medium coverage and blends out like a dream. It's not super tacky but is long wearing; it's really everything you could want from a liquid concealer.

What are your current favorite beauty products?
xoxo
B
This was a book I got in a Book of the Month and one that I was a little skeptical about.

"When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal. By Monday morning, one of them is gone."

Kristin suddenly disappeared and no one knows anything. What everyone does know is that her husband is sketchy and they were in the middle of a divorce. They know that the husband was not the real father of her twins, and he is not who he seems.



There are a few subplots that are tacked on along the way, like the reaction one of the neighbors, Clara, has to the revelations about Kristin's husband. Clara had experienced something traumatic that brings memories flooding back and makes her more aware of surroundings. 

Another subplot was the new neighbor, Izzy, dealing with her own issues like being in love with her sister's husband (which was really hyped up to be something but it was really nothing. The dumbest part of the book!) Soon enough, Izzy is fully thrown into the drama and it definitely makes for an interesting twist.

I have to say, this book is very slow and you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Because of that, I went through the book pretty fast because I was a little bored. You're trying to figure out what actually happened to Kristin while still trying to be invested in the other subplots. 

I think the character development was natural and well paced, as was the writing. I just wish this book would've been a little juicer. It fell flat for most of the story...

That is, until the last few pages. I was so stunned I had to go back and re-read everything to make sure I was getting it right. 

It was an incredible twist, the most epic ending I've ever read because I never saw it coming. It was like the first time I read Gone Girl -- I was stunned and couldn't have seen that coming from a mile away.

All the negatives of the book aside, it's well worth the read to just get that super satisfying ending. 

Have you read 'Not That I Could Tell'? What did you think?
xoxo
B
I feel like I usually don't play into super trendy fashion; I've always kind of walked to the beat of my own drum and would only participate in a trend if I liked it. There are people that will wear something only because it's trending but I don't put myself in that category.

For example, a few years ago, kimonos were super in and I loved the look and idea of them so I've been wearing them nonstop since. I'm happy that they're still super trendy this summer. The same could be said for leggings and graphic tees. They're pieces of clothing that I always loved and would wear them even if they weren't 'in' but since they are in style, wearing them is more acceptable.

There are trends that I would never touch -- like the ugly sneaker trend. I don't care if it's what everyone is wearing, I don't like the way it looks.

However, there is one current trend that I never thought I'd be into and I feel like a lot of people aren't, but I cannot get enough. It's a little odd and the definition of trendy but it's so fun.

PVC.

PVC is the 'clear' trend that you've been seeing on everyone from KKW to your favorite fashion blogger. It seemed very weird at first -- why wear something CLEAR? What was the point? However, I think it can be done really great, especially with PVC shoes. My mom always wore shoes like this growing up and I'm excited to see the trend being relevant again.


Another great way to rock the PVC trend without being over the top? HANDBAGS.



This was pioneered by Chanel and their $3,000+ colored PVC bag -- soon after, there were replicas all over Amazon and everyone was scooping them up.

Including moi.



I picked up two different styles from Amazon for less than $20; a colorful one similar to the Chanel bag and a regular clear bag with black trim.

I haven't used the colorful one yet but I have been obsessed with the black one. It's so easy, so cool and I feel effortlessly chic when I wear it. I'm excited to finally particpate in a trend that is silly but that a lot of people are rocking.

Some may say 'clear bags? No way! Everyone can see my stuff" which is very true but if you conceal everything and are safe with where you're going, a PVC bag is the best summer accessory.



It's really cute to be able to show off your adorable wallets, makeup pouches, etc through the clear material but also, it just screams summertime. It's carefree, easy and a no fuss bag. It doesn't matter if you get caught in the rain, if you get some sand in/on it -- it's easy to take care of.

It's also perfect for baseball games (or any sporting event) because it's easy for security to check out what you're packing.

I recently brought one of my PVC bags to a Mets game and the security guard was jumping for joy so you're welcome, sir.

I don't recommend investing in the $3,000 Chanel bag, or any bag priced over $30 because you know this trend will be out as fast as it came in but if you're feeling like you want to rock it, head to Amazon and pick yourself up one of these fun bags. You won't regret it!

Are you in on the PVC bag trend?
xoxo
B


I've been loving the Grease Collection from OPI and really want to get my hands on more shades, but for now, I want to talk about the 2nd shade that I purchased.

I mentioned Frenchie Likes to Kiss in my last Grease OPI post but when I tried it out, I solidified my love for it.

I love a good lavender nail color and this is IT. Frenchie Likes to Kiss is the perfect sheer, lavender color that is ideal for spring and summer. It looks gorgeous on the nails and really pulls together a nice summer outfit.




There's something really nice about having a polish that makes you feel good and makes you love how your hands look (it's weird but you know what I mean) and that's how this polish makes me feel.




The formula is fine on this -- it's a little watery and sheer but two coats is enough.

I highly recommend this shade and this entire collection to all the #ManiMonday lovers out there -- it won't disappoint you!

What's on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B


This was a very long week and I'm happy it's over. Everything just dragged on and there were some little things that really annoyed me but it's the weekend!

Another reason the week sucked is because Kate Spade died. I wrote my post a few hours after I found out (and just posted it later that night) and I don't know if my emotions really came across that.

It was such a shock to hear that such a beloved designer who is responsible for one of the happiest brands out there took her own life. It just goes to show you that you don't know what's going on in someone's mind. Depression and anxiety provide you with a mask and you can wear it whenever you need to.

It's very interseting and of course, the conversation around mental health has been out in the open this week. I've always been very open about it because I was never embarassed about it but I understand that there are closed minded people out there that don't believe in anxiety and depression as real illnesses but guess what, it is.

I'm so sad for Kate Spade's family, especially her daughter who is only 13 years old. I honestly haven't been able to talk about it too much because I'm just so sad.



I've always felt that Kate Spade was a little cool club that only a handful of people really cared about the brand, myself included. However, the outpouring of love for Kate and the brand she built was insane. I was shocked at how many people actually had a true passion for the brand, even Anna Wintour who made a beautiful statement.

Her death has really shook me up in ways I didn't think ever would so it was definitely a weird week for me.

Anyways... here's what I loved this week... get ready for a lot of KS tributes



Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B

I can't believe I never did a post on this book! I read it one sitting a few months ago so that is probably why but I figured with the premiere of The Bachelorette last week, what a better time to review!

I was super excited about this book, called 'Bachelor Nation', and ordered it on the day it was released, but let me give you some backstory.



For years I swore I would never watch anything related to The Bachelor franchise. I thought the show was dumb and I hated how much people loved it. I couldn't believe that people actually watched that trash and really didn't understand the appeal.

I used to make fun of everyone who watched it and would roll my eyes at the overhaul of social media posts on Monday nights. I literally would mute and unfollow people who live-tweeted The Bachelor.

Well, this time last year I felt something inside my shift. I saw that I was being left out of a huge social conversation and I was sad about it. I wanted to talk to the Internet about it, wanted to talk to my co-workers about it and kind of just wanted to understand what the world was talking about.

So, I sat down and watched the premiere of Rachel's season and was immediately enthralled. By the finale, when my heart was broken by the fact that she sent home the beloved Peter Kraus, I knew I was hooked.

That was followed up with Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor Winter Games and of course, Arie's season of The Bachelor.

Now, I'm officially in it and have been for one year so let's celebrate my one year anniversary with a great, easy read that gives you the dirt on America's favorite reality show.

Amy Kaufman is a journalist who like everyone else in the world, loves The Bachelor and has since the beginning of time. She used to cover the Bachelor for various publications and was even invited to live shows to report on the happenings.

Amy took all this love and knowledge of the Bachelor franchise and put it in a book called Bachelor Nation. As a new viewer, it was nice to get some history about the show, how it got started and the behind of the scenes of the entire production.

There is also some good gossip, celebrity quotes, and revelations about your favorite show and personalities.

If you're a casual fan or a hardcore member of Bachelor Nation, you need to read this book. It will give you entertainment and an interesting inside look behind the veil of the Bachelor Mansion.

I highly recommend it... plus it's a quick read and pretty fun!

xoxo
B

RIP Kate Spade

in , , by RoyallyPink, 7:42 PM
I sit here blinking away tears and trying to get rid of the knot in my stomach but I simply cannot.

The world lost a lot of color today in the form of Kate Spade, the founder, and mind behind my favorite brand. Spade took her own life and that in itself seems like a cruel joke. How could the vision behind such a colorful and happy brand have been living with such demons?

As someone who struggles with mental health issues, it’s a question I should know the answer too. Things aren’t always what they seem on the outside.






However, I still cannot believe what happened today and how the fashion world has reacted to it.

It’s simply heartbreaking to think that the world will go on without such a legend.

I had always heard the name Kate Spade growing up but it wasn’t until I got to college and the brand kind of remerged and rebranded that I started my love affair.






It was probably right after I started this blog and started following bloggers that I realized Kate Spade was a brand that was after my own heart. I started to purchase accessories with the money I made at my job at a frozen yogurt shop and quickly fell in love with the aesthetic of the brand.

It’s fun, happy, quirky, and inspirational.

It’s everything a girl strives for.






My mom got me my first Kate Spade handbag when I was a junior in college for my 20th birthday. It was a simple black crossbody in pebbled leather and I wore it to death. It came with me everywhere -- I later sold it and I honestly regret that more than anything.

I bought my first big girl Kate Spade bag when I got my first real, full-time job at Laura Geller. A brown Hayden Street Satchel, which I also sold. I need to stop selling sentimental Kate Spade bags.

Since then, my love of the brand has only grown. Everything I own is Kate Spade, from my headphones to socks to pajamas to wallets. She has touched me on so many levels.






There are points in my day when I just need some solid inspiration, a touch of joy and a reason to feel happy. Logging onto the Kate Spade website, social media or Pinterest searches brings me that immediate joy.









It’s so beautiful to look at these gorgeous creations and feel an emotion like happiness, so powerfully.

Kate Spade has brought nothing but joy to my life and even though she sold the company in 2007, her name will forever live on in our hearts and in our closets.

xoxo
B

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