It feels like this month was super long and dragged out. A lot happened, a lot changed and I'm ready for the montht to be over! I'm ready because it was a weird one, a stressful one, and a hot one. I'm also ready because August is the Sunday of summer and I'm ready for September -- I'm ready for Fall!

In the same breath, I'm very thankful for this July because I feel like I learned alot, had an ephihany or two and I'm ready for a lot of changes. I'm excited to see what I can accomplish in the next few months. Let's hope I stick to it!

I rambled a lot in all the Royal Round Up posts this month so I won't continue... let's just get into my favorites.



1. Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stix: I was on a strange Nudestix kick this month and that resulted in me buying this Tinted Blur Stick. I wasn't 100% sure what it was but I was very intrigued by it. I assumed I would use it as a foundation and that is definitely what I've beeing doing. The Sephora website says you can use it as a primer, contour, highlight, or blotting stick. I don't think I wore anything else this month and the obsession will not stop anytime soon. It feels like a silicone primer which makes sense because it has 'blur' in the name and is very smooth on the skin. It is very light coverage and evens out your skintone which is nice when you don't want anything heavy on your face. It's easy to blend out, a few strokes of a dense brush or with your hand. Even when I don't want to wear makeup I put this on to feel like I'm put together and it gets the job done. I am obsessed with this little stick of heaven and I will deifnitely repurchase once it's finished. It's just too good not to have in my collection.

2. Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss: When I saw Samantha Ravadenl's tutorial where she menioned these glosses I was immediately sold. Then I saw them on Bite's Instagram and was even more sold. I put the date in my calendar and purchased two shades when they went on sale at Sephora. The French Press Lipglosses are infused with coffee oil and inspired by our favorite caffeinated beverage. I love anything coffee/caffeine themed so I knew I needed these babies. I'm not a gloss person but lately I've been experimenting with different formulas. Right now I have Salted Caramel and Vanilla Latte but I plan on purchasing every single color (there are only 6 shades in total). The formula is lightweight, opaque but still very glossy and shiny, and not sticky or tacky. They feel very comfortable on the lips and not heavy which is all I want in a gloss. They also have a very light coffee smell that doesn't linger but is a nice added touch.

3. Henri Bendel Empire Tote: I won't go into too much detail about the Henri Bendel Empire Tote because I want to do a full review on it but I've been lusting after this bag for almost a year. I finally took the leap and purchased it, on sale, in a gorgeous blue color; if it wasn't the only color on sale I probably wouldn't have purchased it but I'm actually really happy that I added something so different to my collection. This bag is everything I hoped and imagined and makes me feel like the biggest girl boss. I am obsesssed and highly recommend it! Take a peek at my initial thoughts about it in my latest vlog.

4. Marc Jacobs Logo East West Tote: I am not a big Marc Jacobs fan; I used too be into the brand back in like 2006 but I feel like it just has lost it's luster. I also don't pay attention to their releases and never have seen anything that caught my eye. Until this month... I saw this photo on Bloomingdale's Instagram and it was love at first sight. I've wanted a pink bag for so long and when I saw this, I knew it was meant to be. I will also be doing a seperate post on this bag but it's such a beautiful and comfortable to wear tote. It fits a TON -- more than any other tote I have (expect the Neverfull) and doesn't get heavy. It's a tote that could fit everyone's lifestyle and I recommend looking into it!

5. Jack Rogers Sandals: Ever since losing 25 pounds on Weight Watchers, I have been having a really hard time finding shoes that fit. I didn't realize that I would lose weight in my feet and that I would go down almost a size and a half. I needed all new summer shoes and I ordered & returned probably 5-6 pairs; everything I tried on sucked. Finally, I just said 'screw it' and ordered 3 pairs of Jack Rogers in my correct size and have been wearing nothing else all summer. They are the perfect shoes for me -- they fit great, are super comfortable (I never had the experience of breaking in Jacks like others have) and can be dressed up or down. If you're in the market for a new sandal, try Jack Rogers -- they are truly my favorite shoe brand.

What were your favorites this month?
xoxo
B
If you didn't know, I have an obsession with astrology. More importantly, I have an obsession with Mercury Retrograde.

I guess it all started a few years ago when I started to see articles about Mercury Retrograde and began to take notice of how I felt during it. Soon enough, I was a tell-all book about this astrological phenomena because I found it so interesting that the planets could affect us this way.

Mercury Retrograde makes communication, travel, and technology all wacky. They say to not make any major decisions, buy anything big (like a house or car), and to be aware that things may not be what they seem.

I always notice these things going haywire during Mercury Retrograde, which happens a few times a year. We're now in our 3rd retrograde of the year and this is supposed to be a doozy because it combined with a Blood Mood. It ends on August 19th so it's going to be a long few weeks...

Mercury Retrograde has become very trendy over the past few years and now, Essie is jumping on the bandwagon.

When I saw this collection tease on Essie's Instagram I immediately bookmarked the date in my calendar. I needed these nail polishes and I didn't care what colors they were. They were marketed as Mercury Retrograde colors and I am the retrograde queen (how many times can I say retrograde in one blog post).

This is also another reason I am the ultimate consumer, but that's a different post for a different day.



The Mercury in Retrograde Nail Collection consists of 2 nail colors inspired by intergalactic colors and they are gorgeous. Keep Calm & and Mercury On are the names of the polishes and they are truly astrology inspired.

The collection is exclusive to Ulta and currently sold out. Essie has said that they are working to get a restock ASAP and didn't expect this overwhelming support of the collection. I am SO happy that I bought these the day they were released.

Now for the colors...


Keep Calm

I tried this color first as it was less intimidating; it's a pearlescent blue/purple shade that has a lot of holographic glitter in it. It's very beautiful and is the kind of color you can wear all year round.

This is two coats of "Keep Calm"


However, I was surprised that when I applied it to my nails, it was incredibly sheer. I don't know if I've ever worked with a nail polish that was this sheer. I applied about 5-6 coats without clumping or disturbing the polish to get a nice, even and opaque finish.

I don't think it was described as a sheer shade but it almost made me think that this was supposed to be a top coat color.




This was really the only downside to the polish as it was really beautiful on the nails and didn't chip until 4-5 days later, which is normal for me with a good polish. Maybe the multiple coats really helped!

I got so many compliments on this nail color because it really looked beautiful -- it glowed in the sun and flashed different colors, it's a very unique shade and I loved it.

And Mercury On

This is a color that I wouldn't have bought if it wasn't part of the collection but once applied, I'm actually really enjoying it.




This is a deep purple shade with lots of blue glitters and a gorgeous blue shift to it. Essie describes it as a 'beautiful royal purple' and that is 100% accurate. 

And Mercury On is so much more opaque than it's counterpart; it applies like a silky dream and is definitely on the better side of Essie's formulas. 

I wasn't expecting to like this color as much as I do because sparkly purple just isn't my jam -- at least right now. And Mercury On seems much more like a fall/winter color but I'm making an exception for now 

Final Thoughts


Other than the opaqueness of 'Keep Calm' I am so happy with this collection! I love the trendiness of it, the accuracy of the colors and the feeling these colors give me. 

If you are an astrology lover, obsessed with Mercury in Retrograde, and someone who adores collecting limited edition products I highly recommend picking up both shades! 

xoxo
B

Wow... we're on week 30 of the roundup and the year is pretty much halfway over. August is around the corner and then you know what that means... Fall is so, so soon.

I've been thinking about my favorite season more and more the past week or so but I almost don't want it to come, so that it will last longer. It makes no sense but I have a feeling a lot of you know what I mean.

I think I mentioned this last week but I haven't been hating the summer. I haven't done anything super exciting and the weather has been super crazy hot and humid, but it's actually not bothering me. I haven't complained and it's been kind of refreshing. It's interesting how your body changes as the years go on and things that once bothered you don't really anymore.

In other news, I feel like I accomplished something this week. I told you all that I wanted to take Royally Pink up a level and one week is down. I shared more of my posts on Instagram Stories, scheduled a bunch of evergreen content on social media, and did a few other things that I hope make a difference in the future. 

I've always heard that if you want your blog to be a business, you need to treat it like one. I think I'm finally realizing how much I want this to grow and be something special. No more joking around here, kiddos. I'm bringing out the big guns! 

It's been so exciting this past week to take a different approach to content and the blog so I'm excited to see what else I have in me. 

I have a Summer Friday today so it will be spent doing a little work, a few errands, and other things. The weekend will also be lowkey which I'm excited for -- the past 2 weeks have been super stressful at work and in my personal life 





Anywho... here is everything I loved this week! 


What You Missed on Royally Pink

Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B
For the past year or so, I've been off my Lilly Pulitzer kick. I don't know why but I just wasn't feeling anything they were releasing. It also might have something to do with the fact that Fall & Winter don't scream Lilly to me.

That all changed this past Spring when I was craving some color in my life. I ordered a new Lilly t-shirt at the start of summer but it didn't fit so I returned it. I got my Lilly Pulitzer Planner and even scored a Swell Bottle (which I've been loving - the bottles are still available!) so I've definitely been in the Lilly mood.

I've been wanting to rock my Lilly dresses all summer long but they are just too big on me now (Thank you Weight Watchers! It's definitely not a bad problem to have) so I wanted to invest in something new.



That feeling didn't really kick in until I saw all the New Arrivals and the new prints that Lilly recently put out. There was something that just clicked inside of me and I was truly inspired.

With this late summer collection, Lilly released a lot of pink and greens. They went back to their heritage and what they do best, with a modern twist. There are a lot of deep forest greens and baby pinks; it looks so grown up and sophisticated, I am running out to the Lilly store to get something.

Particularly, I'm lusting after everything in Pan's Garden and It's Prime Time -- they are definitely my favorite prints of the entire new batch.

I'm planning on buying the Raylee Dress in Inky Navy Peanut Gallery -- I'm obsessed with the flowing silhouette of the dress and the print. I feel like I could wear it right through fall since it's on the darker side!



I also have my eye on all the items below!



Have you been loving or lusting after Lilly Pulitzer lately?
xoxo
B



Well, I made it to a milestone I never thought I would.

I completeled 1 year on Weight Watchers and I'm down 25 pounds.

*I was down 28 but gained 3 pounds back within the past 2 weeks. It's very discouraging but I'm doing my best.

When I started Weight Watchers last year I don't really know what I was expecting. I just knew that I had looked at myself in a bathing suit and had a breakdown. I was ready to lose the weight, to commit to something and better myself.


Me in May 2017


I wasn't sure if I could stick to it but I was determined to at least try; once I started losing weight, I was shocked at how proud of myself I was. I was shocked at how happy I was from seeing the number on the scale decreased.

October 2017

December 2017
I was very strict with myself for the first 3-4 months and then my birthday and Christmas rolled around and that strictness went out the window. Then the Freestyle program threw a wrench in my system and I was discourgaged.

For a solid 3 months I didn't lose any weight, or gain any but I was very hard on myself and kind of stopped trying. I was still counting points but I was cheating and eating things without counting them; skimming on the measurements and eating candy and chocolate that went uncounted in my app.

I saw that I was able to maintain my weight by cheating so I figured it was ok. Then, all of a sudden I dropped a few pounds and was ready to get motivated again.

I started following all different Weight Watchers accounts on Instagram, meal prepping, and really taking hold of the program again. This was only a few weeks ago and I dropped four pounds. I got cocky again and gained 3 back so we're at square one.

This week was a fresh start and I've been meal prepping and haven't cheated. I'm determined to get to the 30 pound mark, and then the 40 pound mark and the 50. I want to keep going until I'm happy with myself.

I can say that I am much happier with myself today than I was a year ago. I've never committed to a diet/lifestyle change in my life and the fact that I completed my first year with a 25 pound lost and haven't gained any of it back is incredible.

Every day is a struggle because I crave everything from crossisants to chocolate. I can definitely eat those things but then I'm left with no points and I'll be starving. I'm trying to make good choices without restricting myself so much to the point that I want to binge.

I still give myself a cheat day (usually Fridays after I weigh in) and treat myself to a crossistant (that's honestly all I care about ... crossistants LOL) but it's all about balance.

If I could just get back on track, meal prep and work out the way I was when I first started this I think I could make great progress in the next few months.

Here's to one year on Weight Watchers and a strong journey ahead!

*If you want to learn more about weight watchers, I have an article coming out soon about it. I also wrote this article a few months ago for Popsugar. You can also see all my Weight Watchers posts from the blog here. 

xoxo
B
I can count on two hands the number of times I've worn jeans in the past 2-3 years. I wear leggings every single day, no matter what I'm doing or where I'm going. I wrote about my leggings obsession back in October 2017 but wanted to do an updated post, mostly because my favorite and most worn leggings are on sale.

Back in October, I said my favorite leggings were American Eagle and Beyond Yoga x Kate Spade. I've tried going back to my AE ones and didn't like how they felt, and Beyond Yoga x Kate Spade is no longer, which is super sad. I've tried to find some pairs online but no such luck. I still have my old pairs which I wear regularly.

However, because of these turns of events I have exclusively been wearing my Zella leggings. I live in the High Waisted Live In Leggings and they are a true obsession. They're thick, soft, but suck you in and make everything smooth. They're never too tight and don't lose shape after washing them -- I haven't even noticed that they lose their color after multiple washes.





I did find that for the summer heat, they are a little too heavy. I knew I wanted to keep wearing my Zella leggings but needed something a little lighter. I discovered that Zella had the same 'Live In' leggings but in a Lite Cropped Verison.

I was about to order the Lite Legging when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started and then I realized they were ON SALE for the NSale! I was so surprised to see the regular and Lite leggings on sale for around 20% off.

The Zella leggings run around $53-54 and right now for the sale they're $35. You can basically get two for the almost price of one pair so it's the perfect time to stock up. I placed an order the first day but for some reason, it didn't go through so I placed another a few days ago and I can hardly wait for them to arrive.

While the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is all about picking up some trendy new items or investing in something big like a pair of riding boots, a new handbag, or a winter coat, it really is the perfect time to pick up some staples that are constantly rotated through your wardrobe.



Shop some other Zella products that are part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale below: 
What are your current favorite leggings? 
xoxo
B

My love of Taylor Swift goes back to the early days -- Teardrops on My Guitar & Tim McGraw days. When she popped up on the country scene I was in the middle of my love of country music. I was constantly watching CMT and needing to know the next greatest country love song. Then, Taylor Swift came into my life and things were never the same.

I remember when Fearless came out and the world was set on fire; I remember watching live as Kanye made his way onto the VMAs stage almost 10 years ago, and I remember where I was when I saw Taylor Swift on Ellen telling the world Joe Jonas broke up with her over a 27 second phone call.

I saw her on the Speak Now tour, I blasted 'Red' in my college dorm room and I was enthralled with the musical genius of 1989.

*I have chills writing this right now, by the way.



Taylor Swift has always meant so much to me. She was my idol, the soundtrack to my high school years, she's the reason I made my mom buy me a sparkly black guitar for Christmas. She inspired me to write... to really show emotions.

There is a Taylor Swift song for every single moment in your life, whether you're happy, sad, heartbroken, in love, starting over -- no matter what life throws at you, there is a Taylor Swift song for it.

Then, I started to see a different side of Taylor Swift and I personally saw her as a victim. I took Kim Kardashian's side in the snake feud of 2 years ago and didn't understand how anyone could defend Taylor Swift. Since then, my love for her has been complicated.





However, when Reputation came out I had to give it up to her. It is a truly incredible album and I would say even life-changing. That's why I knew I had to see her in concert. Despite anything you may think about her, Taylor Swift is the artist of our generation and has talent for days. She knows what she's doing.

I've had July 20th marked on my calendar for months now and it's a day I'll never forget. I haven't been to a concert in a few years, but I was ready to experience everything Taylor Swift had to offer. I kept everything a secret -- I didn't know the setlist, or what the stage looked like. I wanted everything to be a surprise and boy was it ever.




















I'm not going to give you a play by play of the day but I just want to say what it felt like to see Taylor Swift in concert again -- to see THIS adult Taylor Swift in concert. Gone was the tutus and soft love songs of Speak Now.

This Taylor is dark, she's badass and she is a true performer. There were fireworks, snakes, and incredible backup dancers.

I can't even put this tour into words -- it was truly life changing.

When Taylor came out on stage, I was frozen, just staring at this woman who I've idolized since I was 13 years old and seeing her in the flesh for the 2nd time in my life was incredible. Once I got over the fact that I was breathing the same air as her, I started hysterical crying.

I'm a big crier and my emotions were too much -- I just had to let it out. Maybe it was the fact that I had a horrible week or maybe it was the fact that my anxiety was at an all-time high but either way, being there with so many people who loved Taylor Swift as much as I do make me cry.

The crying didn't stop -- I cried a lot during the concert, so much that I almost stopped breathing. When she pulled out some old songs from her old albums, I was transported back to junior year of high school and memories flooded me.

When she pulled out the guitar and just simply talked to the crowd, the old Taylor surely wasn't dead -- she is still alive and well under a tough exterior made by a bad reputation.

I will forever be chasing the high that I felt at the Taylor Swift Reputation Tour on July 20th, 2018. It was an incredible experience, lifechanging in the most amazing ways.


Despite what you may think of her, Taylor Swift is a kickass performer and she only gets better with age.

Thursday night could not have come soon enough. It was a really hard, long week at work and just in life. I was incredibly stressed out and drained all week -- it was just really upsetting and difficult.

I'm happy to be home and to have 3 days off, yet again. Tonight I'm going to the Taylor Swift concert in New Jersey with a few of my friends and I think it'll be a great way to kick off the weekend. Make sure to follow me on Instagram & Twitter to get the play by play of

In the midst of all the stress and nerves, I was really inspired to take the reigns on Royally Pink. I want/need to start thinking of it as a business if I want it to be a business. I have so much to my advantage and I love this blog so much, even when I'm tired and I don't want to write.

I want to make Royally Pink incredible and give all of you unique content. I want to build this blog into something big because I love it, and I want to share my thoughts with everyone on so many topics.

Anyways... we'll see what happens. I've said that before but I really want to stick to it this time.



For now, here's what I loved this week:


What you missed on Royally Pink:
xoxo
B
Since I was a little girl I always loved face masks. I'd always beg my mom to let me get a Freeman mask from the drugstore and whenever she obliged, I was obsessed with doing them a few times a week.

When I think about that, it's no surprise that I turned out to be a beauty blogger and work in the beauty industry.

That being said, face masks are definitely one of my favorite skincare products and probably my top 5 favorite beauty products ever. There is something so calming about laying in bed with a face mask on your skin and being able to fully relax while also helping your skin heal.

Nowadays there are face masks for pretty much every skincare concern you could imagine. Maybe it's not technically a skincare concern but you taking a preventative measure like using an anti-pollution or anti-aging face mask.

I have dry, sensitive skin so I do use face masks that cater to those concerns but I also love a great pore removing/detox mask. I don't discriminate against face masks -- I love all kinds!

I've been testing more and more face masks out and figured I'd round up my current favorites/most used/most repurchased. These masks will all fall within one of those categories.

*I am sticking to face masks -- not hands, eyes, feet, etc.



1. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask: This is a new mask that I only got a few weeks ago but I've never used a mask so much! I've used it every week, at least 1-2 times since I got it and I'm obsessed. I notice a slight difference in my skin but ultimately it feels really great on your skin. The effect afterward is even better -- the cooling and minty sensation on your face when you remove the mask makes it well worth it.

2. Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask: I've had this mask for a few years and oh my goodness, this is the best face mask ever. It removes all the gunk from your skin while leaving it smooth and refreshed. Whenever I want to do a face mask but I'm not sure which one I want to do, this is my go-to. It's a mask that I 100% will repurchase when I'm done with it because it's something that I simply cannot be without.

3. Fresh Rose Face Mask: This is my ultimate hydration mask. Whenever my skin needs a tall glass of water, I ultimately go to this one. It's a very lightweight mask that has rose petals mixed into it (which is divine and makes for a great masking experience) and truly leaves your skin smooth and supple. It's much more than a mask -- I feel like it's a toner and lightweight moisturizer all in one. It's incredible and I highly recommend picking this up!

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: This is a mask/treatment that has gone viral and is in many people's holy grail baskets. Well, it is THAT good! Drunk Elephant is bringing serious skincare into your home, without the help of a doctor and in perfectly beautiful Instagram worthy packaging. They've basically given us all the gift of a facial in a bottle -- and it's a facial that exfoliates and resurfaces the skin with the use of AHA and BHA, two important skincare ingredients that I recommend doing research on. My skin looks incredible after using this and I have to really limit myself because you shouldn't be using this more than 1-2 times a week.

5. Hey, Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask: I was on the hunt for a fun peel off mask that worked and I found it! This mask from Hey Honey is equally as fun to put on, peel off, and leaves your skin looking baby smooth. It exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells and blackheads and leaves your face brighter, smoother, and softer. It's such a good mask and great for all skin types. I highly recommend!

What are your favorite face masks right now? If you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments! 
xoxo
B
As much as I love The Devil Wears Prada movie I never attempted to read the book. I guess part of the reason I didn't read it was because I didn't want it to ruin the movie. The Devil Wears Prada is so iconic and nothing can really compare; it's similar to me not reading 'The Notebook' after the movie became such a classic. Nothing can live up the OG... and in these cases, the movie is the OG.

Well, when I saw that Lauren Weisberger was coming out with another DWP book, I got super excited. I don't think I realized that she already had a sequel called "Revenge Wears Prada" but I didn't even bother with that book.

I was super hyped for this third installment that followed our favorite frenemy, Emily, around. The book is titled "When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons" and something about that title just drew me in.



It recently came out just a week or so ago but I read it months back because I got an advanced copy on NetGalley.

This is the publishers summary which does a great job at summarizing what the book is all about:

Welcome to Greenwich, CT, where the lawns and the women are perfectly manicured, the Tito’s and sodas are extra strong, and everyone has something to say about the infamous new neighbor.

Let’s be clear: Emily Charlton, Miranda Priestly’s ex-assistant, does not do the suburbs. She’s working in Hollywood as an image consultant to the stars, but recently, Emily’s lost a few clients. She’s hopeless with social media. The new guard is nipping at her heels. She needs a big opportunity, and she needs it now.

Karolina Hartwell is as A-list as they come. She’s the former face of L’Oreal. A mega-supermodel recognized the world over. And now, the gorgeous wife of the newly elected senator from New York, Graham, who also has his eye on the presidency. It’s all very Kennedy-esque, right down to the public philandering and Karolina’s arrest for a DUI—with a Suburban full of other people’s children.

Miriam is the link between them. Until recently she was a partner at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms. But when Miriam moves to Greenwich and takes time off to spend with her children, she never could have predicted that being stay-at-home mom in an uber-wealthy town could have more pitfalls than a stressful legal career. 

Emily, Karolina, and Miriam make an unlikely trio, but they desperately need each other. Together, they’ll navigate the social landmines of life in America’s favorite suburb on steroids, revealing the truths—and the lies—that simmer just below the glittering surface. With her signature biting style, Lauren Weisberger offers a dazzling look into another sexy, over-the-top world, where nothing is as it appears.


Let me just say, it was an incredible book and I read it pretty quickly. It's 'chick-lit' so nothing too serious or a book you need to be truly invested in but it was still excellent.

The great thing about the book was that you didn't have to read either of the first books to understand it or be invested in it.

It was really well written, well developed and had an interesting story that made me angry, in the best way possible.

Just as the summary and title states, the novel is filled with name drops of brands and has that same Devil Wears Prada vibe of wealth and fanciness. It's one of my favorite parts if I'm being honest.

Another great part about When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons? 

Miranda Priestley and Andy Sachs make an appearance or two and it just ties the stories together perfectly.

This isn't the first Lauren Weisberger novel I read. Two years ago I read "The Singles Game" and both books definitely have a similar style/storyline while still having that luxurious feel to it.

'When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons' is the kind of book I love when I'm not reading something thrilling. It's light-hearted but still has an interesting storyline that keeps you invested. It's not too cheesy or romantic -- it's a perfect read.

All in all, I think When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons was fun, annoying (because you were rooting for something to happen/figure something out), interesting and light. It was definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far so I highly recommend it!

Will you pick up When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons?
xoxo
B
July means one thing in my book and that's buying planners to use starting in August. This year, I had no qualms about what planner I was picking.

It was time to go back to my roots.

That's right, from the title of this blog you know what's coming.

Lilly Pulitzer planners are back in my life.

It's been a solid 4 years since I had one and I just knew the time was right. I've loved my Henri Bendel planners for the past few years, and I attempted a Kate Spade one last year (my work bag was stolen in October and my KS planner was in it, so I didn't fully use it)

My reasons for going back to Lilly are simple.

I needed some color back in my life.



While the Henri Bendel planners are sophiscated and chic and have gorgeous fashion illustrated designs, I've been in a Lilly Pulitzer mood and I had to satisfy that feeling with a planner.

I wasn't too keen on the Kate Spade planners this year, Henri doesn't release theirs until the Fall and I was just ready to see what Lilly had to offer.

I did change things up a bit and got a medium agenda instead of a large. Not being in school and having my Louis Vuitton MM Agenda at home, I don't use the 'on the go' planner as much as I have in the past. I knew that if I didn't like the medium planner I could just return it and go back to my classic Large.

That wasn't the case and I really love the medium size. *Granted I haven't used it much yet but so far, it seems like it'll be fine.





The layout is pretty much the same as before so nothing has changed there. The designs were very Lilly like and I was alternating between the one I picked up, Light Pascha Pink Aquadesiac and Nauti Navy Flamiagno. I decided that if I was going to get a Lilly planner, I was going full Lilly!







We'll see what happens when Henri Bendel releases their planners -- I've been loving HB lately and I have such a weakness for the covers. However, I really like the fact that I Lilly has a lot of space in each day; HB has very little space and then a page for notes. I think it'll be good to change things up and see how I like it.

Also, Lilly comes with stickers. Does it get much better than that?

What are you planning with for the 2018-2019 year?

*PS: Isn't it WILD that we're halfway through the year?
xoxo
B

It's the most wonderful time of the year where your favorite bloggers do 100 try on hauls.

Yes, it's the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

I have been shopping the sale obsessively for the past three years, since opening my Nordstrom credit card. I don't think the sale is a must shop for certain things, and sometimes I'd rather just pay full price than deal with the headache of the sale. 

The sale stresses me out to no end. I don't like feeling pressured to buy things that I may want in the future to just get a deal. 

I'm not in fall mode yet and I don't know what I will want in a few months so this year, I decided to not go crazy. I don't know what fall clothes I need and there are no shoes or handbags I'm really lusting after - -I don't want to get caught in the cycle of buying things I don't need just because they're on sale.

I did that last year and bought a velvet smoking jacket that I never wore; it still had the tags on it when I took it to Nordstrom to return last month. 

A lot of the clothes I love from Nordstrom are Leith, Halogen or Calson and those are on the cheaper side, therefore I'll wait to buy a majority of the items. 

What I DO shop are essentials and beauty -- the beauty deals are always pretty cool and a lot of the items available are exclusive kits and colors so it's the only time to get certain items.

Below is everything I ordered so far; my favorite Zella leggings are on sale and I wasn't expecting that so I will be stocking up.

I love a good Diptyque set; I got one during the sale last year but this year I decided to do half fragrance and half candles. I also scored a mini Voluspa Maison candle set as I've been lusting after them for a while.

What I am planning on getting in the beauty category is the Makeup Eraser set (these are amazing and I love to stock up. Also, the designs are ADORABLE) and the YSL Lip Set. I've been wanting these lip balms forever so what better time to get them?

*As I was writing this the Makeup Eraser set SOLD OUT! However, Nordstrom is notorious for restocking items throughout the anniversary sale, so keep an eye out!  






Below are some other items I have my eye on!





What are your thoughts on the NSale? Will you be picking anything up?
xoxo
B
The week after a holiday is always the hardest, and it's even harder when you launch a new foundation at work! YUP, Filter First Luminous Foundation by Laura Geller was released on Sunday and I've been nonstop working on it. It was stressful but really exciting -- we've never had a launch this big and the foundation is BOMB. UGH I am obsessed but more to come later on that...

I was working from home yesterday because I felt so run down and so sick -- I almost feel like I'm getting an ear infection because my teeth hurt so bad. It's very odd.

Today I have a Summer Friday, and a doctor's appointment and a few errands to run. Then I have plans all weekend which is nice, but of course I will still find time to relax and unwind. Next week I head to the Taylor Swift concert and I am so excited, it almost doesn't feel real. I saw her on the Speak Now tour and it was life changing -- the Reputation Tour has been getting rave reviews so I doubt I will be disappointed.

In other blogging news, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale started for card holders yesterday. I shopped the sale all day with so many issues and for once, it was honestly getting on my nerves. Working in E-Commerce Retail, I understand a lot of what goes on behind the scenes but for a company as big as Nordstrom to have problems year after year, it's a little frustrating.

I will be doing my own Nordstrom Anniversary Sale post as usual but once I figure out what I'm getting/what I'm keeping. I don't like to tell you what YOU should get because there are a lot of bloggers already doing that -- I want to show you what I'm getting and loving. However, I may give you my thoughts on a few handbag & beauty deals because you know those are my expert areas!

*There are a lot of good beauty deals, more than usual and I think I'll definitely be shopping beauty more than anything this year.



For now, let's get into what I was loving this week:


What You Missed on Royally Pink:
Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B
I love doing handbag reviews because they are my favorite accessory piece, but you already knew that. I think handbag reviews are very important because they're usually a big purchase and you should know what you're getting before spending money.

I always am looking for handbag reviews and sometimes it's really hard to find them. It's very easy to find certain brand reviews like luxury brands (LV, Chanel, Gucci, etc) but harder to come by the contemporary brands, such as Kate Spade.

That's why I tend to review my Kate Spade bags regularly, but also because I love this brand the most.



Today's review is the Make It Mine Byrdie. Kate Spade took their classic Byrdie bag and transformed it into a convertible bag where you can change the flaps and straps to customize the bag and give it a different look.

Personalization is such a big trend and what consumers are constantly looking for nowadays, whether that's in beauty or fashion, and Kate Spade has capitalized on this big time.

I bought my Make It Mine Byrdie in November, as a birthday gift to myself, after lusting after it for over a year. I love the idea of buying different flaps to give yourself a completely different look.

I love the bag and it's really a great everyday bag. The one qualm I have is that the bag is a little tiny for my liking but I love to carry around the kitchen sink with me on a daily basis.

If you want to see my full review, I did a Youtube video about it and showed all my flaps and how you switch them out!


Have a great day everyone!
xoxo
B

For the past month or so I've been going to Trader Joe's at least once a week to pick up some Weight Watchers approved foods. After feeling very discouraged because I wasn't losing weight I did some research and discovered the world of Weight Watchers Instagrams. I don't know why I didn't think of that before because well, there's Instagram accounts for everything and everyone under the sun. 

When I started looking at the accounts I saw that a lot of them were using foods from Trader Joe's. I did some research and saw that Trader Joe's had a lot of low point foods and I immediately made a list to go there.

Trader Joe's is about 20 minutes away from my house and the parking lot is a disaster so I was a little hesitant to make the trip. TJ's is also very small and just overly crowded and it makes me a little nervous. Despite all of this, I made the trip and now I have it down pat.

I don't buy any meat or produce from TJ's as I don't think it's worth it and those are the most crowded areas -- I don't need that kind of stress. I mostly buy frozen foods and some snacks. Over the past month and a half, I've tried a lot of different stuff from Trader Joe's but these are my favorites... 


  • Mini Chicken Tacos: I think these are my favorite and I buy at least 2 boxes and they last for weeks. 4 of these are 5 points and they really hit the spot. A few minutes in the oven at 450 and they're perfectly crispy. They're my lunch on the weekends and whenever I don't know what to eat for dinner, I'll have them as well. Low points, full of flavor, you cannot go wrong.
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi: These popped up on the scene just as I was getting into Trader Joe's and one of the reasons I decided to go to TJ's anyway. I am addicted to them. Gnocchi is usually made with potato but these obviously are not, however they taste just the same. I don't like the boil them so I make them on a skillet and sometimes just eat them plain. I've gotten into the habit of making them with low-calorie Alfredo sauce and it's divine. 1 cup is 4 points so you really cannot go wrong with these to satisfy your pasta craving.
  • Cauliflower Pizza Crust: I love anything cauliflower and it's really the only vegetable I eat so I get it in as many ways as I can. I don't use this pizza crust for pizza -- I only have made cheesy bread with low-fat cheese and it's delicious. The crust is a perfect consistency and the cheese melts just right on top of it; it's my favorite side-dish.
  • Mini Chicken Wontons: 4 of these are 1 point so really, I HAD to like them. But actually, they're so tasty. Once again I make them on top of the stove with the tiniest bit of oil (or Pam Cooking Spray) and burn them until they're crisp. I usually eat them alone for lunch but you can definitely make an entire meal of them. I have a feeling that once fall and winter come around, I'll attempt making wonton soup -- or at least chicken soup and throw these in there.
  • Guilt Free Mac & Cheese: If you want to get me rambling, ask me about this mac & Cheese. I have never eaten anything so delicious in my entire life. I want to bathe in this mac and cheese and never have anything else enter my body for as long as I live. The entire container is 8 points which are the same as a Smart Ones or Lean Cusine (which I usually take for lunch at work) but this tastes 100x better and keeps me full. It is so creamy and has the cheesiest taste ever -- it's damn near perfection. If you buy anything from this post, please let it be this mac & Cheese. 
There are probably a few other things I like and consistently buy on my Trader Joe's runs, these 5 are my absolute favorite.

What do you love from Trader Joe's? What do you recommend?
xoxo
B
On this fine summer Tuesday I think we could all use a little inspiration. The week after any holiday is a rough one so we can all use a pick me up. I love a good quote, as you all know, but I love a quote from an inspirational, incredible woman.

That's what I have for you today... and I credit ProFlowers for these awesome little graphics. How adorable are they?









xoxo
B

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