D.I.Y. Sequin Sun Hat

I have been seeing these adorable sequin sun hats all over Instagram since the spring and have been loving them.  The only downside though is that every hat I've found is super expensive!  The Eugenia Kim ones that I've seen everywhere (like this one and this one) are $485.00 each and even the least expensive one I could find was still $100+.  I got to thinking about it and realized that I could easily make one for a fraction of the price of the designer ones and did just that with this one costing me less than $30!  Now I will be shaded from the sun in style and you can too with my tutorial below.

Supplies:

-Wide brim straw floppy hat (love this, this, and this)

-Black sequin trim

-Computer paper

-Pencil

-X-ACTO Knife

-Hot glue gun

-Hot glue

-Scissors

Instructions:

-Write out the phrase you choose on computer paper; I wrote one word on each piece of paper so I had plenty of room.  You can also find a cute font and print the words in it if you don't like your handwriting.  In addition to the phrase I used I saw hats with "wish you were here," "do not disturb," and "fiesta not siesta!"  The best part about making this though is that you can choose any phrase you like!

-Take the X-ACTO Knife, use it to trace the words you drew on the paper, and it will cut into the paper.  Doing this will create a stencil.

-Place the stencil you created on the hat and trace the words with a pencil.  Since the hat is circular you'll have to adjust the writing when tracing on the hat so that it goes around the hat's shape.  (You have to look really closely at the images below to see the pencil writing on my hat because I wrote lightly!)

-Take the sequin trim and hot glue it to the words you just wrote on the hat.  It's easiest to add hot glue to small sections of the letters and glue the sequins down.  You also want to do all of the letters that are connected first and then add accents, dots to "i"s, crosses to "t"s, etcetera.

-Allow the hot glue to dry (which takes practically no time!).

-Enjoy!

~Use pictures for reference.

What are your favorite ways to shade the sun in style?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, #WIWT,  Spotlight, Thoughts for Thursday, and Summer Style.

What's in My: Handbag

I love when magazines or beauty publications look into different celebrities or editors handbags.  Because of this I thought it would be fun to dump my handbag and share the contents with you!  I basically carry around my life in my purse and call it my "Mary Poppins Bag" because it has everything you could ever need in it.  Below I'm breaking down for you exactly what I fill my bag with!

The bag:

Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag in New Navy

The contents:

Fendi Sunglasses (similar here): I got these at the beginning of the summer at Nordstrom Rack and am totally obsessed with them!

Conair Mini Hairbrush: I like to touch up my hair throughout the day if I remember to and this is especially helpful if it's windy out.

Kate Spade New York Mini Square Stud Earrings: I wore these the other day and took them off on the way home, I landed up throwing them in my bag and haven't taken them out yet.

Crème Brûlée Vaseline: I was really excited when this came out because I thought it would smell amazing, but it doesn't smell as good as I was hoping.  I still like Vaseline though for when my lips or nose get dry so I keep it in my bag.

Ernest Hemingway Glasses: These are my prescription glasses that I use for distance.  I keep them in my bag for movies, shows, sporting events, and used to wear them all the time to see the board in class.

Clinique Super City Block Oil Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40: This is a sample from Clinique, but I used to use this years ago and need to get the full size because it's the best.  It goes on nicely over or under makeup and does a great job of protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella: This is the perfect matte red lipstick and it stays on through anything.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien: This color is a your lips, but better color for me.  I love to wear this when I have a natural makeup look and it's my go to lipstick.

Dr. Bronner's Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint: I love this because it sort of melts onto your lips and leaves them feeling super moisturized, not to mention it smells amazing.

Neosporin: I like to keep this in my bag in case I get any cuts or blisters and I usually have a few Band-Aids too, but I recently ran out.

Bath & Body Works PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gel: I get sick really easily so I always have hand sanitizer on me.  I love the ones from Bath & Body Works because they smell great!

Hair Ties: I keep these in case I need to put my hair up.

Nivea Creme: This is great for any dry spots or for a thick hand cream.

iPhone 6 with Casetify Case: A must have, always.

Lilly Pulitzer Carded ID Smartphone Wristlet: This was what I used at school since I had to tap my ID for everything and I haven't changed back to my other wallet yet.

Kleenex Pocket Pack Tissues: My nose is always running so these are really important for me.

Vera Bradley Travel Pill Case: I take a lot of medication and this is great for keeping it in my purse.

Trident Gum: The basic Trident is my favorite gum and leaves my breath super fresh.

 Sharpie: I threw this in my bag for something I can't remember and never took it out.

Tampon: I have a few of these in my bag and think it's important to always carry them.

Dove Go Fresh Deodorant: Not to be TMI, but I sweat a lot so I like to keep this in my bag to keep things fresh.

Altoids Smalls: I really like having fresh breath.

Nail File: Having a nail break and not having something to fix it drives me crazy so I like to have a nail file in every bag.

Lactase: I'm lactose intolerant so I get a giant box of these from Costco and keep them everywhere so I have them whenever I want to eat dairy.

Earphones: I fall asleep on long car rides and always put these in with music on to block out the other sounds.

Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion: My hands get really dry so I keep this in my bag to use as hand lotion.

So this is what's in my handbag, what's in yours?!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with WIWW, Oh Hey Girl!, Midweek Inspo, I Feel Pretty, and Trendy Wednesday.

Beauty Review: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads have become my secret weapon for clear, glowing skin.  I originally got a small pack of them as a sample from Sephora and was so impressed with how well they worked that I bought the largest size available for myself.  By now you're probably wondering what these magical pads are, well they are treatment pads with glycolic and lactic acids that tone, brighten, and exfoliate skin.  They also contain lemon peel, cucumber, licorice root, and more; each ingredient is beneficial for skin and works to do something different.  The First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are gentle enough to use up to twice a day and work for all skin types.  Moreover these pads are meant to treat dullness, pores, uneven texture, uneven skin tone, and more.

To use First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads I wash my face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and swipe this along my face and neck in a small circular motion.  I let my skin dry a little bit so all of the ingredients are absorbed and then apply my serums, moisturizers, etcetera.  While you can use them up to twice a day I use them once every few days because I like to use an exfoliating face wash some days and don't want to over exfoliate.  I also like to use them at night so my skin can soak in the ingredients from the pads while I sleep.  The morning after using these I always wake up with glowing skin that is free of any flaking and my pores look smaller.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about these pads.  I have been raving about them to everyone who is even remotely interested in skincare since I started using them and have talked about them a few times on here before.  I even bought them for both my Mom and my sister!  I really cannot think of any "cons" for this product and would give it a five out of five rating.  If you buy one new beauty product in the next few weeks I highly recommend it be this!

Have you tried exfoliating pads before?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Tutu Tuesdays, Style Sessions, and Confident Twosday.

Welcome to Tutu Tuesdays a linkup with The Blush Blonde and The Fairy Princess Diaries!  Linkup whatever you'd like and make sure to do a little mingling - our goal here is to create a community of bloggers where we can all connect, find new blogs, and support one another.  We love new friends, supporting other blogs, and meeting fellow girl bosses!

There are just a few rules we ask you follow to join in on Tutu Tuesdays:

1. Please follow both Jordyn and me, your lovely hosts, on Instagram and/or Bloglovin.

Kristin: The Blush Blonde  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

Jordyn: The Fairy Princess Diaries  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

2. Link to your specific post, not your blog's main page.

3. Grab our super cute button or share a link to Tutu Tuesdays in the post you are linking up so everyone can know about the party!

4. Have fun and mingle with other bloggers that have linked up!  Like I said we want everyone to make new friends!

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Must Haves

1. Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs, and Rose Water Facial Spray

It has been crazy hot lately and this has been a lifesaver!  This is so refreshing when you come in from the heat to spritz on your face and neck to cool down.  I also love putting this on before moisturizer or facial oil so that it locks in extra moisture.  I've been using this since the winter and somehow love it more each month.  Definitely a must have all the time for me!

2. Jojoba Oil

This is amazing for moisturizing your skin and helping to keep oil production in order.  I like to put this on at night after washing my face and spraying it with the rose water from above.  I have crazy dry skin and this really helps to keep it hydrated, but never clogs my pores.

3. Triple Paste Ointment

This probably seems like an odd 'Must Have' since it is a cream for diaper rash.  I've had eczema since I was a kid and used to get it all over my body, however as I've gotten older I'll just get patches of it from time to time on different spots.  The most recent eczema patch I've had was on my face and because of its location I couldn't use my typical prescription cream so my doctor recommended this.  I've been putting it on every night now for a few weeks and the eczema spot is almost gone!

4. Redken Fashion Waves 07 Sea Salt Spray

Lately I've been letting my hair air dry and this is my secret for beachy waves like in this post.  Growing up I had stick straight hair and it finally has a nice texture to it when I let it air dry and this spray really brings out the waves.  I wash and condition my hair like normal, brush it out with this, add this and this, then add the sea salt spray, and let my hair air dry completely.  In addition to creating dreamy waves it also smells amazing and won't dry out your hair!

5. Chambray Romper

I've been wearing this romper on repeat lately.  I wore it to NYC this past week and wore it several times before that.  It's super comfy and very versatile, which makes me want to wear it all the time!  It's also on trend and keeps me cool in the sweltering temperatures we've been experiencing.  I'm sure you'll see it make an appearance on Instagram a few more times this summer!

6. Converse Shoreline Sneaker

These are my go to shoes when I know I will be doing a lot of walking.  They're very comfortable and never rub the backs of my ankles (or leave blisters) like traditional Converse sneakers do.  They also look super cute and are on point with the white sneaker trend.  You can see them in my post from my New York day trip, too.

7. Dr. Bronner's Lip Balm

I always like to use all natural lip balms since there is a strong chance you're going to ingest some of it.  This organic lip balm is made with beeswax and natural oils to soothe and moisturize lips.  It sort of melts onto your lips when you apply it, which feels so good.  I love it so much that I have the peppermint in my purse and keep the lemon lime by my bed!

8. Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

I've been trying to remember to put this on every night before bed to combat the dark circles under my eyes.  In all honesty I haven't noticed much of an improvement yet, but I want to give it a really good try before I decide on whether I like it or not.  My goal this month is to put it on at least once every day so I can see how it works.

9. Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote

This is my Mary Poppins bag.  It fits everything I need for a day to day basis and is perfect for travel.  It's roomy, very lightweight, and looks adorable.  This bag is a wardrobe staple for me and well worth its price.

10. Kate Spade New York Small Square Stud Earrings

I have these earrings in four different colors and wear them constantly.  Lately I have been wearing the clear and silver ones I have the most because they look good with everything.  They're an easy earring to throw on with every outfit and add a little extra something to a look.  They're also really comfortable and I usually forget I have them on!

What are your must haves for this month?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with #HowISummer, Hello Monday, Let It Shine, Weekending, and MIMM.

Friday Favorites

Favorite Healthy Breakfast Ideas My All-Time-Favorite Breakfast Recipes, by Olivia Culpo

I think that starting the day off with a healthy meal is super important for eating healthy the rest of the day.  I don't know about you, but when I start my day with a good meal I feel less tempted by unhealthy foods throughout the day.  This article features six nutritious breakfast recipes from model/Miss Universe/healthy eating guru Olivia Culpo and they all sound delicious!

via

Favorite Eat Red Velvet Ice Cream in a Red Velvet Cone from Sprinkles

When I was in NYC I got this yummy treat at Sprinkles after lunch.  Red Velvet Cupcakes are my absolute favorite so this was seriously a dream come true!  If you're near a Sprinkles I recommend trying the red velvet ice cream and cone.

@theblushblonde

Favorite Smoothie Ideas The Smoothie Ingredients Kourtney, Gwyneth, and More Swear By

I don't know about you, but I always love seeing what celebrities eat.  They typically have the best hair, skin, and bodies and that (partially) comes from what they eat so it's great to get a glimpse into their diets.  This article gives you celebrities' favorite smoothie ingredients and recipes!

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Favorite Fun New York Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes

This is the show I went to see when I was in New York on Wednesday.  I'm not usually big on shows, but this was really great and I recommend checking it out if you're in NYC.  It was filled with great music, a cute story, incredible dancing, and beautiful costumes!

via

Favorite Healthy Eating Plan #TheByrdie30: Your 30-Day Healthy Eating Challenge

When I'm trying to eat healthy I love having an eating plan so that I have ideas for what to eat.  This meal plan has plenty of great ideas and was created by the ladies from Tone It Up.  Use this to make healthy eating super easy!

via

What are your Friday Favorites?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Casual Friday, Friday Favorites, Friday Favorites, Fab Favorites, Oh Hey Friday!, Five on Friday, and Friday Favorites.

Welcome to New York

Romper: Old Navy  |  Shoes: Converse  |  Sunglasses: Fendi (similar here)  |  Earrings: Kate Spade

Like I mentioned in my previous post my Mom and I spent the day in New York City yesterday.  We were worried it was going to be ridiculously hot out, but it landed up being comfortable.  It was one of those days where it was slightly overcast, but still sunny enough, and the clouds kept the temperature down.  We really could not have asked for a better day weather-wise!

To start off our day we had lunch at Lilli and Loo on Lexington.  If you're looking for amazing gluten free (and regular!) Chinese food Lilli and Loo is the place to go.  I had the gluten free General Tso's Chicken and my Mom had the Sesame Chicken and we each loved our meals.  Next we went to Sprinkles and had some ice cream, which was delicious!  While we were eating our ice cream we walked to Radio City Music Hall.  The whole reason for our trip was to go see the Rockettes big summer show New York Spectacular.  My Mom loves the Rockettes and has been wanting to see the show for the longest time so I was so glad we finally got to go.  The show was really great and I highly recommend seeing it if you're in NYC.  My favorite parts were watching the Rockettes dance and their beautiful costumes that lit up!

When we were finished with the show and walking to dinner we actually ran into Sam Champion on the street and I had to ask for a picture for my Mom.  She is a huge fan of Good Morning America and was super excited to meet him!  He was so, so nice - he took a picture with my Mom and spent a few minutes talking with us.  

The restaurant we went to for dinner actually wasn't open when we got there so we ran back to Sprinkles to get cupcakes to bring home before it opened.  We then had dinner, but I'm not going to name the place because I wouldn't recommend it.  Once we were done with dinner we headed back home to New Jersey.  We're so lucky that the ride isn't far for us to get to New York City and there's a good chance I fell asleep on the ride back and woke up right when we got home!

For the day I wore the outfit that I discussed in yesterday's post and it was perfect!  We snapped these pictures at Rockefeller Plaza when we were walking to the restaurant after the show!

What do you want to or like to do when you're in New York City?!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Thursday Fashion Files, #WIWT, Throwback Thursday, Spotlight, Thoughts for Thursday, and Summer Style.