10 Back to School Essentials

It's that time y'all! Back to school season is here. While some schools have started already, others don't begin until September. I start my first semester at Florida State University on the 24th but I am moving in on Sunday! I thought now would be a great time for me to share my back to school essentials. So without further ado...

What are your back to school essentials? Let me know in the comments section! Also, make sure you subscribe to my blog so you don't ever miss a post! All you have to do is enter your email into the "Subscribe by Email" section on the right side of this page. 

How To Get Your Clothes To College

While I'm packing up to move to Tallahassee in just 3 days, I thought I would share some clothes packing tips with you lovelies! I promise this list will be short and sweet!

1. Use trash bags as garment bags to transport your hanging clothes.

Why would you unhang all of your clothes and then re-hang them when you get to school? That seems like a major waste of time to me. Instead, Tie a bundle of hangers together with zip ties. Once you complete tying them together, cut a hole in the bottom of your trash bag and put the tops of the hangers through it. Finally, you can either close up the drawstrings on the bag or leave them open and pop your clothes on top of one another in the back of your car. 

2. Use your plastic drawers for clothing transport. 

When you're packing, use up as much available space as possible! This means stuffing your clothes into any place you can. I'm putting some of my clothes into my plastic under-bed storage bins to save space while traveling.

Bonus: If you put clothes in the drawers they will be in when you unpack, you are saving yourself a lot of time.

3. Put your shoes in a box

Okay, this might seem silly to actually say out loud, but it's necessary. Instead of having your shoes thrown into a bag or piled into the car, just put them in a box to begin with. You will know where all of your shoes are and will be able to locate them easily for the move-in. If you have extra room in the box, stuff your hats and purses in there as well to save even more space!

4. Have a duffel ready with clothes you will need right away

In a perfect world, everything will get unpacked in four hours. In reality, that probably won't happen. To save a headache for yourself, pack the clothes you will need in the upcoming days in a duffel bag so you can access them easily. This is especially great for girls who are doing Panhellenic Recruitment so they can find their recruitment outfits right away! 

5. Stuff undies and socks in a plastic bag and throw those into a box 

It doesn't really matter if your "intimates" get wrinkled up, so just toss those undies in a target bag and shove them into a box or drawer. This will keep them together and free up extra space than if your were going to fold them nicely and put them in a drawer. 

6. Stack your bras and get them out of the way

I don't know if there is any worse feeling in the world than when one of your favorite bras gets destroyed from traveling. Ladies, don't act like this has never happened to you! You shove your bra into a bag and when you take it out, the underwire has been bent beyond saving. The solution: stack your bras cups on top of cups (like they do in bra stores) and put them in a bag by themselves. When packing your car, make sure this bag isn't going to be crushed by anything.

Do you have any tips for getting your clothes to college? Let me know in the comments below!

Trending Now: White Out

This year is flying on by! Can you believe that there is only a month left before Labor Day? Pretty soon all of your crisp, white clothing will have to be stored away until Memorial Day. Personally, I don't think anyone can have too much of any neutral in their closet, including white. Neutrals are staple pieces that can be paired with vivid colors, pastels, and even other neutrals. However, one of my favorite trends is monochrome outfits, especially white on white. 

There is no other color combination that can look super sophisticated or extremely carefree. Lately I have been loving the look of white straight fit jeans and a flowy, white top with delicate details-- it screams summer! 

I thought it would be fun to share with y'all some white staples that you need in your closet! P.S. white is totally cool in the fall and winter too, so these pieces will last you way past Labor Day.

Jeans | Bag | Lace Dress | Scallop Skirt | Shift Dress | Necklace | Crochet Blouse | Pumps

I am a huge fan of white on white outfits and by using pieces like these, the trend wont seem so scary to test out! I would love to know how you style your white clothing!

July 2015 Favorites

Is it just me, or did June and July fly on by? It's so hard for me to believe that August is here! 16 days until I move in. 24 days until my first day of classes. Cue my anxiety times 100000. Since July is coming to an end, I thought I would share a few of my favorites from this month.

1. Rain jacket

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Like every summer, it's been raining every single day here in Florida. But no fear, my trusty rain jacket is here (how much lamer can I get?) My Columbia rain jacket has saved plenty of outfits and hair days especially in the past week. Plus the bright blue color adds a nice pop to the otherwise gloomy days.

2. black sandals

I couldn't find my exact pair, but here are some that are very similar

I want to say I got these sandals one or two years ago from target. I still love them. They are extremely comfortable and add an adorable pop of glitter to any outfit.

3. skinny jeans

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I am not much for wearing jeans in the summer especially when its 99 billion degrees outside, but lately I have loved how laid back they look cuffed with a tied up tank top and sandals.

4. washi tape

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I don't know how I didn't discover washi tape earlier than a few days ago. I have been washi-ing everything! I just know I will have a lot of fun with this stuff in the future.

5. tarte bronzer

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I got this bronzer in my last Ipsy bag and I am in love. I know that bronzing and contouring are "out" right now, but y'all, strobing is not my thing. It does not suite my face. I'm sticking with loading up on bronzer to give myself a sun-kissed glow. This bronzer does just that. I don't think it's possible to over-do it!

6. greek yogurt

I have and always will love greek yogurt, but recently I have been obsessed! It's such a good snack to curve cravings because it is loaded with protein. Plain or with fruit mixed in, greek yogurt is always a good idea.

7. Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett

Crash and Burn makes me want to dance. In fact, every time it comes on while I'm in the car I have a mini major jam sesh! I've actually listened to it 10 times in a row because it is so catchy.

8. Lip balm

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Here's another Ipsy find that I can't live without! This lip balm smells, tastes, and feels wonderful! It takes me to paradise for a few seconds and keeps my lips super hydrated. Plus my puppy loves it too!

9. Sleepy Time Tea

I'm not sure why, but this entire summer I have had the hardest time falling asleep. On the days that I know I need to be up early, I will brew a cup of this tea and I'm knocked out in about an hour.

10. Runaway by Love and Theft

Love and Theft is creeping their way into my music collection. This song is perfect for getting ready in the morning (or late afternoon) because of the medium beat. It's not too wild for groggy mornings, but it definitely won't put you to sleep.

What are some of your July favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

18 Things You Learn By 18

Recently I read the post "19 Things you Learn By 19" and realized that they missed out on a few things. So, I have complied this list of 18 Things You Learn By 18.

1. Mama Knows Best

Sure, there are times when moms can be totally unreasonable, but majority of the time they are 100% right. You have to remember that moms were once teenagers too, so they've experienced similar things.

2. You Are Still a Kid

Although you are technically an adult, don't expect society to look at you as more than a kid. You will probably be a "kid" until you're 21 or older. 

3. High School Drama Doesn't Matter

How many people have you seen after graduation? Maybe 10 at most right? Yeah, that 4-year feud with Sally Su was a waste of your time and energy. 

4. Boys Are Not Everything

Dropping everything for a boy is not only stupid, but it will also change your friendships. Trust me, it's not worth it. Sure boys are great and all but don't center your life around them.

5. Having a Job is great, But Don't Make it A Priority

Sometimes I've made the mistake of putting work before everything else. This takes me back to number 1: Mama knows best. Countless times she told me that I had my whole life to work, but I didn't listen. Money is a wonderful thing, but it should not consume you. 

6. You Should Dress How You Want to Dress

If you like it and feel comfortable in it, wear it girl. Don't worry about "fitting in" because your real friends will love you for you, not what you're wearing.

7. Not Everyone is Going to Like You

Some people don't like you for the silliest reasons. Who cares? I bet there are dozens more who do like you who are way better than those people anyways. 

8. You Should Drink Lots of Water

Water is essential for our body to function, so why would you skip on it? I'm not suggesting drinking 2 gallons a day, but start drinking it more often and notice how much nicer your skin and hair look. Notice how much better you feel. The bottom line: just drink water.

9. Saying "No" Is Okay

Saying "yes" to everything will get tiring really fast. Saying "no" every once in a while will actually benefit you. You don't have to do everything all the time.

10. You Are Beautiful

You may not be the prettiest girl in every room, but you have a caring heart and have plenty of people who love you. Beauty is not skin deep. Beauty is what is inside. 

11. Life Is Never Like the Movies

Movies depict the best possible scenarios for everything-- life is not like this. Don't expect perfection all the time. 

12. You Need to Vent

This does not always mean venting to a person. Sometimes journaling or a good long cry is enough. Don't let things bottle up inside of you. Let them out.

13. Phones Are Great, But Real Conversations are Better

Put down your phone every once in a while and actually talk to your friends. Everything is so digital these days that the art of conversation is beginning to be lost.

14. Washing Your Hair Everyday is Unnecessary

Two words: dry shampoo. 

15. Take Off Your Makeup Every Night No Matter What

This lets your skin breath and also makes sure you don't wake up with makeup everywhere.

16. You Are Not Too Good For a Night With the Family

Family is the only thing that lasts forever. Don't have regrets of not spending enough time with them. 

17. You Can Never Be Too Overdressed

Being dressed up calls attention to you, but in the best way possible. So when in doubt, always dress it up a notch. 

18. Makeup Is To Enhance Your Face

Don't over-do it ladies. Makeup is supposed to enhance your features, not cover them up. So let those freckles show through, contour your natural cheekbones, and don't go too heavy on the eyeliner.

Current Wishlist

I wish I was independently wealthy (don't we all?) because it would make my wish list non-existent. But not all of us are lucky enough to want something and just go out and get it. So instead of spending every cent to my name, I make wish lists instead which sometimes curve my online shopping habit even if just for a little bit. Ladies, I present my current wish list.

• I am a Lilly Pulitzer lover and am always wanting to further my small collection. After seeing this post on A Lonestar State of Southern, I have been swooning over the Marbella Crop Top & Skirt Set. This style of this set alone is freaking adorable, but Lilly had to take it one step further and make it in a gorgeous print. I'm sold... well not literally because I'm broke.

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• I am about to break down and buy this shirt from Victoria's Secret. The gold detailing is so so cute and it's Florida State, so I must have it! 

  

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• For some reason, Kendra Scott has been popping up all over the internet recently. I'm thinking it's a sign that I need to go ahead and purchase these earrings! I'll take a pair in every color please. 

  

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• I have always been a fan of peplum tops, so when I saw that J.Crew released a t-shirt peplum-ish top, I have been in love. This shirt is the perfect mix between comfy and stylish. 

  

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• Steve Madden is probably one of my favorite shoe designers ever. Whatever store I am in, I am immediately drawn to his designs without even knowing they are his. These shoes were no exception. The woven detailing and classic leather come together to make the most adorable flats. 

  

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• The zig zag pattern on these shorts are so versatile and will be perfect for fall with a cozy sweater and tights. I love Tommy Hilfiger because their designs never disappoint! 

  

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• Can we all agree that this is the cutest skirt ever? I am so head over heels in love with this skirt. I can see pairing it with a button down, flowy top, or a casual tank top knotted on the side. 

  

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What's on your wish list right now? Let me know in a comment!

How To Dress Your Petite Frame

It is no secret that I am a tiny person. Most people use the term "petite" but that sounds so old and stuffy, so I'm sticking with tiny. I am 5' 2" and 125 lbs. Obviously, I am lacking in the height department which makes it extremely difficult to find clothes. Now add in having wide hips and narrow shoulders and it seems nearly impossible to find anything! If you are in the same boat as I am, first of all, I'm so sorry sweetie, and second, there is hope. In a fashion world created for 5'10" size zeros, I have found a few gems for the gals like me! Today I will be discussing the problems tiny girls face, and solutions to these problems.

Problem Number 1: Everything Is Too Long

Find a good seamstress. You would be surprised by the amount of people who have never been to a seamstress. I honestly don't know what I would do without Yong. She has been my tiny family's lifesaver for years. She can take my 4 inches too long pants and transform them into the perfect length without sacrificing the style. The bottom line: all tiny people should be besties with a seamstress-- it will literally transform your life. 

Problem Number 2: Jeans

Forget about trying on a few pairs and finding "the ones." For me, it's more like try on 20 pairs and give up because I need a snack break from exhaustion. I know I cannot be the only young lady who has struggled in this department. As soon as my hips started outgrowing my small frame, jeans became a thing of the past. It is a rare day when you find me wearing a pair of my limited jeans collection. 

The best way to tackle the jeans dilemma is to find a style that fits you and write down the cut, size(s), and brand. The only jeans that work for me in my budget are from one of my favorite stores ever: Old Navy. Even within the styles, I vary in sizes. I have found that the Sweetheart and Flirt styles are the best fits for me but I can wear a size 4 or 6 in certain pairs within the same style. 

Problem Number 3: Loose Shoulders

Don't you just hate when the neckline of your shirt puckers because your shoulders are too narrow to fill it out? This is an ongoing problem I find with almost everything from dresses to shirts. My solution: wear loose fitting tank tops. The style is meant to be a bit baggy, but you may have to buy a size down so the body of the shirt doesn't swallow you up completely. 

Although being tiny has its disadvantages, there are also some perks that will save you moo-la, and who doesn't love to save money?!

Buy Girls Jackets and Sweatshirts

I have done this one a few occasions for rain jackets and quarter-zip pullovers. Instead of paying $75 and up for a Columbia rain jacket, I picked up a girls XL for around $50 (plus it was on sale!!) Before you buy any jackets or loose fitting sweatshirts, I always recommend checking the kids section first to get the best bang for your buck. You don't sacrifice on quality or style, so why pay more when you can fit into kids sizes?

Buy Kids Shoes

Okay, this tip can actually apply to more than just tiny people, but it's still a goodie! I'll insert a conversion chart down below. This tip is great for sandals, and tennis shoes especially if you tend to have a narrow foot! 

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I hope some of these tips can help you! Do you have any tiny girl tips that you would like to share? Leave a comment down below or shoot me an email. 

How I Fit My Entire Closet In 3 Feet of Space

The title alone of this post is a bold statement. But I can tell you that it is totally true! I fit all of my hanging clothes with the exception of formal dresses in a 3 foot wide space. How you ask? With this baby right here from Bed Bath and Beyond (AKA the college shopping HQ). 

I first read about the "Double Hang Commercial Grade Closet Rod" on xFashionistaGirlx's blog. You can read her post about it here. 

The hanging rod is a pretty simple but genius idea. The basic idea of the product is that it is an adjustable rod to maximize storage space. It can be customized so that the height of the second rod can be anywhere from 1" to 30" and the width can vary from 20" to 36". The product is also pretty sturdy because it can hold up to 40 pounds of clothes on the bottom rod alone. 

My reasons for buying it are simple:

1. I have a lot of clothes
2. I want to bring my clothes with me to college
3. I don't have a walk-in closet at school

At first, I had my doubts about being able to fit everything onto this.. I was so very wrong. In fact, in my closet, I don't even have it expanded to the full 36" width and I fit everything. I did this on purpose because I wanted to see how many clothes I can actually take with me to my probably smaller than 3' x 3' closet. I'm thinking i'll use the extra inches for my scarf organizer, hanging jewelry organizer, and maxi skirts and dresses!  

So on the built in rod in my closet, I put all of my hanging shirts ranging from tank tops, button-ups, and cardigans. On the new rod, I hung up all of my dresses, skirts, and jeans (I may add my shorts later if I need the drawer space). ***Update: I ended up hanging my shorts on these***

Here is the side of my closet that has all of my shirts. I tried to fit as many as I could, but a few got cut out. 

These are all of my dresses and skirts. I couldn't get a picture of the full length because my closet is very narrow. 

The finished product. Shirts on top and dresses on the bottom. I still have roughly 6" on either side of the dresses of open space. 

I am extremely impressed with this hanging rod and it will for sure be making its way into my closet at Florida State in one month. Side note: I MOVE IN ONE MONTH!!!! 

Do you have any college closet essentials that you think I should know about? Let me know in an email or comment!

XOXO, Monica

Out With the Old, In With the New

You're probably wondering what this post is about from the title, right? I'm creating this blog to help anyone else in the same boat as me: trying to transition your clothes from high school to college.

When you move onto a new stage in your life, you want to leave the old you behind. I've been running into this issue a lot more lately with college on my mind. Honestly, I wish I could throw out my entire closet and start over completely, but that's not an option. Instead, I've slowly been cleaning out my wardrobe and replacing it with new pieces. So here are a few ways I have began to transition my clothes from high school to college.

1. Stop wearing your high school t shirts.

I am so guilty for hoarding my high school t shirts. When I was cleaning out my drawers, I put more than 40 to the side. But I couldn't just throw these shirts away. They represent the last four years of my life! So I decided to get crafty and take on the challenge of putting these shirts together to create a t shirt quilt. It's still in the process I haven't touched it in over two months, but it's about 75% complete. I followed the tutorial here almost step by step if you want to make one yourself. I'm hoping to have it done before I leave for school so I can have a piece of home within reach all the time. This step will also save you a ton of storage space (which is limited) in college. Some of my older friends and family have told me that you will be offered free t shirts at your college all the time, so your high school t shirts are unnecessary.

2. Go through every piece of clothing you have

I mean it.. every piece. When you're sorting through your clothes ask yourself:

1. Will I still wear this in college?
2. Does it fit me?

If you answer "no" to either question, move on to the next step...

3. Trash, Goodwill, or Consignment Shop?

For your "no" pieces, decide where they should go.

1. Trash: If the piece has holes (that aren't on purpose), impossible to remove stains, or extremely excessive wear in them, it probably belongs in the trash.
2. Goodwill: If your clothes are not in style anymore or have slightly noticeable wear, Goodwill or any other thrift store is an excellent choice. Just make sure any clothes you donate, can actually be worn by someone else. 
3. Consignment Shop: In my area, we have a consignment store called Plato's Closet where you can sell slightly worn, name brand items and get money for them. This is a great option for clothes that are still on trend that you haven't worn out yet. Anything that a consignment store turns away though, can probably be taken to a thrift store.

4. Out with the old, and in with the new

This step is the fun part if you love to shop. When purchasing items, avoid super trendy pieces and look for more quality pieces than quantity. When you avoid the major on trend pieces and buy quality, you can stretch your wardrobe further than six months or if you're lucky one year. If you want to make your basic pieces go even further, invest in some statement jewelry and scarves to change them up every now and then. 

I hope these steps can help any other students making the transition. I would love to hear any other tips you may have about transitioning from high school to college, even if they aren't about clothes!

XOXO, Monica

P.S. I am trying to start an uploading schedule, so look out for new posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

Get Your Fix

Hello lovelies! I just received what is probably going to be my new addiction- Stitch Fix! As soon as I got my package in the mail, I knew this was going to be trouble. Many of you are probably wondering what this wonderful company is so I will explain it to you. 

Basically, you create an account by following this link and create your profile. Then, you fill out your "Style Profile" where you tell your personal stylist what you like, don't like, and your sizes. You also let them know how you like your clothes to fit and what styles you do and don't like. You can even link a Pinterest account and create a board that your stylist will look at to get to know you even better. 

The next step is the fun part, you set a date to receive your five stylist selected pieces and wait patiently for the package to grace your mailbox. Once it arrives, you can try on the clothes and decide what works and what doesn't! The clothes that you don't want slip into the included shipping bag and get dropped off at the post office to return back to Stitch Fix. The beauty of this process: you only keep what you want. 

Finally, like most subscription services (by the way, you do not have to continually receive packages; although it is an option) you give feedback to your stylist about why you kept/sent back pieces. The more you interact, the more personalized each box gets. 

Here are a few pictures from my first fix!

My stylist, Lori, left me a note explaining why she picked the pieces and how she suggests styling them!

Every item is shown on this card with two ways to style it. Lori suggests even mixing some of the pieces together!

This is how the clothes were wrapped in the package!

I would have included pictures of me in the clothes, but I had just gotten home from a long road trip and was too tired to care what I looked like! Of the clothes I received, I will most likely be keeping the polka dotted skirt and possibly the coral top! I'm so excited for my next fix! 

If you decide to get your fix, I would love to hear what you got!!! 

Summer 2015 Essentials

With yesterday being the official first day of Summer (even though here in Florida it has felt like Summer for the past 3 months), I think it is appropriate to post a list of my top ten summer essentials.. well year round essentials where I live! 

 1. Wristlet
My favorite wristlet for the past few years is the Vera Bradley Carry It All Wristlet. Although they have changed the format over the years, this wallet can literally carry it all! In the summer, I usually don't need much more than my license, student ID (for any and every discount I can get), my Ulta rewards card, and a few bucks so this wristlet gets it done for me. I don't know about the newer designs, but the style from a little over a year ago has a pocket on the backside perfect for the iPhone 5s to slide right in which is great for when you have no pockets!

2. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
I honestly do not know what I did before I had my bluetooth speaker. I have used this thing religiously everyday for more than two years now. Its great for morning jam sessions while getting ready and great for the beach, pool, or hanging out with your friends. I've also found it's great for cars that don't have any kind of aux/bluetooth connection if you hate the radio as much as I do!

You can see how often I use this by the makeup stains on the top! 

3. It Works! Greens
Yes, my mom is that crazy wrap lady. And yes, she sold me on the greens. But I'm telling y'all, you have need to try them! I am one of those people who have to have caffeine in the morning to even do basic functions but I can skip my morning coffee and just take my greens and I am good for the day! This is especially important in the summertime for the long days out in the sun. My only suggestion is mixing the greens with juice instead of straight water because they don't taste that great on their own!

4. Hats
I cannot stress how important it is to have at least one hat in your closet. Hats are not only great for keeping the sun off of your face and neck, but they also can protect your hair from the sun. My dad has battled skin cancer for years from exposure to the sun, so you bet I am taking as many precautions as possible to prevent that from happening to me. Some of my favorites for this summer are here, here, and here (I just had to include the Florida State visor)!

5. Rompers
If you are anything like me (short with wide hips), then you know how hard it is to find many things to fit you, much less get a romper to fit. Even though it may seem like an impossible search, keep trying those things on until you find one that looks good. Ever since finding the two rompers in the world that look good on me, I wear them at least once a week. It is honestly the best investment I have made so far this summer. Rompers are great because you get the comfort of wearing shorts and the effortless style of a dress. Win, win.

6. Shorts
Okay so this one is a little bit of a stretch because who doesn't own a pair of shorts? I am including shorts in my list because in the summer, shorts can be worn casually or be dressed up depending on the style and pieces paired with them. Everyone should own a few pairs and rock them all summer long. My absolute go-to shorts this summer are the J. Crew Boardwalk Pull-on Shorts. These shorts are both comfortable and super cute with almost anything. I highly highly suggest investing in a pair!

7. Fake Jack Rogers
Listen ladies, I am not the kind of girl to drop down $100 on a pair of sandals, especially some that have WAY cheaper knockoffs that look better in my opinion available in tons of stores. That's right guys, I am that girl who wears designer knock-offs and I am not afraid to say it. Most people can't even tell that they aren't real. You can find the pairs I own at Shoe Carnival. These sandals are so comfy and dress up even the most casual Norts and t shirt outfit.

8. Oil Blotting Sheets
To my surprise, I have found out that many people have never heard of oil blotting sheets! To my fellow oily skin girls, you can not afford to skip over this product! You can literally find blotting sheets in nearly any beauty supply store including Ulta, Target, Walmart, and more. All you have to do is take a sheet from the package and pat it on your skin. The best part is that the sheets don't remove the makeup, just the oil! Go out and get some right away. Oil blotting sheets will change your life.

9. BB Cream
BB cream was the first foundation I've ever used and it's still a staple in my makeup collection. On the days that I have to run out of the house quickly, I just slap on some BB cream with my fingers, apply some mascara, and go. It evens out your skintone without making it look like you're wearing makeup, so it's perfect for no-makeup makeup days!

10. Large Beach Bag
Do I really need to explain why this is essential in the summer? My mom picked up this huge beach bag from Viv & Lou and I absolutely love it. It fits everything I need for the beach with excess room to spare. Plus, it's monogrammed and monograms make everything better am I right?

So what are your Summer 2015 essentials?

Hi Y'all!

Hi y'all! Welcome to Makeup and Monograms. My name is Monica, but most people call me Mo. I am an 18 year old girl about to start school at Florida State University in the fall. I am creating this blog to share my love for fashion, beauty, and life. Over the past few months, I have felt the need to document my life, so I started journaling and for some reason that was not enough for me. Some of my family members were urging me to create a blog because I love to read them so much.. and here we are. I have no idea where this all will lead, but that is part of the fun I suppose!