Hey everyone! I'm so sorry I've been M.I.A on this blog basically all of May. Well, it's all because of that whole school/final's excuse. I did go to London, England last week with my school's fashion department, and blogging over there would've been difficult. Don't worry, I am 100 percent writing a whole post this week about my trip.

To get on with this post, it is all about Selena Gomez's Revival Tour! I was able to attend her show Sunday night in Cincinnati, Ohio and I could not be more grateful! As it turns out, there's a bit of a back story to this.

So, I was originally supposed to go to Selena's concert in Toronto, Ontario with two of my friends. It turned out that the concert had to be rescheduled and I couldn't go because it was during my trip to London *insert thousands of crying emojis*. I was devastated. Revival is my favorite album of Selena's, and has some of my favorite songs on it as well, so there was no way I was not going to go to this tour. Luckily, my friends and I were able to get a refund and buy tickets for her concert in Ohio--surprisingly with better seats! This was just the beginning of knowing things happen for a reason.

Fast forward to the actual concert: It was incredible! There is just no way to describe that feeling when you hear some of your favorite songs live that you have been jamming out to for months in your car. I danced, screamed and sang, but not one bit of me cared if I looked silly while doing so.

In a cloud of fog and roaring screams, Miss Gomez stepped out in a dazzling black crop top and high waisted shorts. No joke, she was literally sparkling. She started the show belting out her powerful song, "Revival" (go listen to it right now if you haven't heard it yet). Gomez continued the night playing hit after hit and giving the crowd a glimpse into her world for the next 90 minutes.

Maybe it was when Gomez unveiled a black voluminous high-low skirt, designed by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld, or when the entire crowd belted out "Who Says" at the top of their lungs. Oh, and I can't forget about the performance of "Me & My Girls." Giant, and I'm talking ENORMOUS roses lifted up from the stage. In addition to the skeleton face paint, this created a Day of the Dead vibe, which represented Gomez's Mexican heritage and inspired some of the tour merchandise. There was also her cover of "Transfiguration," which showcased Gomez's piano skills and soft voice to match. It's hard to pinpoint one specific time in the show that was my favorite. Either way, it's a tour you will not want to miss.

Gomez had a way of making this tour very personal. She took the audience through her revival, which made me feel like I actually knew her. She had a way of making the audience feel what she felt throughout the songs. I mean, it was pretty amazing. You could tell she truly cared about this tour. Plus, I don't think I've ever heard a singer say thank you to her fans as much as Selena did. When she says she loves he fans, that's definitely not a lie.

   

Now on to the best part of the entire day and night combined. If you follow Selena on Instagram, then I'm sure you have seen her infamous post-concert meet and greet pictures with fans outside the arena. I was lucky enough to get to meet her after the show! You could say I was happy x1000. I honestly have no idea how to describe it other than I was really, REALLY happy. We left the concert two songs early in order the have a chance to get to the front of the barricade, and let me tell you, it was 100 percent worth it. To be honest, I didn't think I'd get to take a selfie with Selena, or even get a spot up close. When my friends and I left the concert, we had no idea where we were supposed to go to meet her. Luckily for us, we followed after a group of girls who were running, which happened to lead us to the barricade!

When we got there, we ended up being in the second row, but thank goodness we had a nice mom in front of us! She said once Selena came out she'd give us her spot upfront. More and more people started crowding around and after a short 30 minutes, Selena came out. I ended up getting pushed to the front, which will probably be the only time I'm glad I got shoved like crazy. Anyway, I didn't even have to ask Selena for a picture. She saw my phone, took it, and we took a selfie! She actually ended up taking three because the first two came out blurry, so I guess third time's a charm.

    

Selena's songs, especially many of the one's off of her Revival album are super relatable. I'm so thankful I was able to go to this tour and even more thankful that I got to get a picture with her after six years of waiting. Right here is proof that things happen for a reason. Sure, I was extremely sad when her Toronto concert switched dates, but maybe that's because I wouldn't have met her there, or had as great of a time as I did. Life is crazy and things will eventually have a way of working out in your favor.

Spring and Summer Wish List

It's that time of year again. The sun is creeping out and I think, "oh yeah, warm weather does actually exist." When the seasons change, I get especially excited for one thing: Freshening up my closet!

When I was home from school last week, I went to the mall--that's not surprising. I swear, whenever I wind up at the mall when I'm trying to save money; I want everything. Literally, everything. So, this gave me the idea to create a wish list of all the clothing and beauty products I'm hoping to buy this spring and summer. Here it is! All the things I want, but can't afford yet #struggle.

Some of these items are specific things I want, and others are just inspiration. 

1. Crop tops

I love crops tops so much! They're super cute paired with a high waisted skirt or shorts. I have a couple, but I'd love to add more into my wardrobe for the summer. I've also been into the whole lace up front on shirts; it would be nice to have one of those for the summer too!

2. Sandals

If I had the choice between flip flops and sandals, I'd choose sandals all the time--unless I'm going to the beach. Sadly, one of my favorite pairs that match everything are starting to fall apart. You know, a replacement pair wouldn't hurt. 

3. Cream Colored Kimono

The one pictured above is from American Eagle. I love how kimonos and babydoll dresses look paired together. So cute! I really like this particular one, but when I was in the store and glanced at the price tag, it was a whopping $60. That's a big six-zero for a thin kimono. I love American Eagle and everything, but I couldn't justify spending that much for it. So, unless it goes on sale; I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find a similar one without a hefty price tag. But it has to have the fringe! 

4. Babydoll Dress

I looks like there's another American Eagle item. Now, I absolutely LOVE this dress. I'm definitely going to buy it. I actually tried it on with the kimono pictured next to it, and oh my gosh! I loved the outfit so much. However, with an upcoming trip to London, I knew I had to wait.

5. Anastasia Bevery Hills Contour Kit

Normally, I'm not huge into face makeup, heck, I don't even wear foundation. Since contouring has been a huge trend in the beauty world, I wanted to learn how to do it and maybe incorporate it into my everyday makeup routine. When I was at Sephora, I asked for a demo, and the lady who showed me how to contour used this kit on me. I love how it turned out. The colors accentuated my face and added just the right amount of warmth. The best part: It's a powder, so I don't need to wear foundation for it to look good. I can't wait to add this to my makeup collection soon! 

6. Blush

This goes a long with the contour kit. You have to have that pretty rosy glow, right?

7. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

This liquid lipstick is my favorite. The formula is great! Since it is a liquid, it isn't very drying like a lot of matte lipsticks are. Reason number two why I love this product so much: when it wears away, the color stays on your little lippies for a long time. Oh, did I mention, it's only $6.00. A super affordable and good quality lipstick, you can't beat that! 

8. T-Shirt Dress

I don't necessarily want the exact one pictured above, but I want one! I saw a few at American Eagle, which were very cute. I'm not sure what color I want either. Anyway, I think this would be a really neat garment to style; the possibilities are endless. They seem very comfy, and they're super easy to throw on when you're in a rush, or just not sure what to wear. 

What are some clothing and beauty products you've had your eye on for the upcoming season? 

Outfit of the Day

It's 70 degrees and I got to wear a new outfit today. Did you know that's a recipe for an instantly happy Monday? I believe those are also qualifications for an outfit post.

Shirt +Shorts- Brandy Melville 

Bralette- Aerie

Necklace-JCPenney

Shoes- Adidas, from Macy's 

When I was in California last month, I bought two new outfits from Brandy Melville. The one above and a mauve colored romper. Let me tell you, coming back to the east coast with two new outfits in hand, and not being able to wear them is pretty close torture. I can't tell you how excited I am that the sun is FINALLY starting to heat up little ol' Erie, PA. 

When I found out yesterday that the high would be 70 degrees, my first thought was "YES. I can finally wear my new that's not so new anymore outfit!" I'm sure we can all agree, that is a pretty good feeling. 

I love this outfit a lot! The shorts are very lightweight and extremely comfortable. Plus, they have pockets--an automatic plus. Yes, my shirt is a crop top, but it just happens to be the perfect crop top length. Does that make sense? It's amazing to wear with high waisted skirts and shorts, yet I can still wear it with regular rise shorts. No need to worry about showing off my entire stomach here. Since I'm a sucker for anything lace/floral, the intricate detailing is my favorite part. 

I definitely recommend taking a little peek at Brandy Melville's website. Let me know what you think about their clothes. Would you shop there, or have you? 

Spring Makeup Tutorial

Hello lovely friends of the internet! Mother nature FINALLY started giving me that sunny warm weather I've been dying for. Spring has officially sprung. Plus, I'm typing this outside right now and it's 65 degrees, so there's no complaining here.

When a new season rolls around, I love making little tweaks to my makeup routine. Whether it's adding a bold pink lip or playing around with pastel eyeshadows, trying out new looks add excitement to that same old makeup routine you've been wearing.

For this eye look, I used my Naked 3 palette. All of the rose gold and pink shades make this the perfect combination for spring.  This palette is a bit of an investment, but I 100 percent recommend it.  The eyeshadows apply smoothly, blend well, and are nicely pigmented.This palette lasts a ver long time too, so what can be better than that? You're definitely getting your money's worth. However, if you're not ready to make the big splurge, CoverGirl and Maybelline have very affordable dupes!

Face:

1. I don't usually wear heavy foundation, so I just applied a powder where ever I was shiny. I definitely want to start experimenting with the whole contour trend though. For this step, apply your foundation or any face product as you normally would.

Eyes:

1. Start by priming your eyes; you don't want that eyeshadow to dance down your face later on. I used Urban Decay's Primer Potion, but here's a little fun fact for you: concealer works just as well.

2. Apply Limit all over your eyelid.

3. In your crease, lightly apply Nooner (this shade builds up fast).

4. To add a little depth to your outer corner and crease, apply a mix of Liar and Factory. I did this very lightly because I wanted some color pay off, but I still wanted it to be a daytime look.

5. Now it's time to make those eyes of yours sparkle. Apply Trick to the middle of your lid. Since this shadow has a little bit of glitter in it, it's going to apply just a tad differently than a matte shadow would. For the easiest application, use a flat eyeshadow brush and pat the color on to your lid. This will give you the most product at a time.

6. Adding the highlight color is my favorite step when it comes to applying my eyeshadow. Who doesn't want glimmering eyes, am I right? Take the shadow Strange and apply this to your brow bone. This is the perfect time to blend your crease color (Nooner) if it came out a little too harsh. After you've blended until your hearts content, take that same highlight color and apply it to your inner corner. This instantly brightens those bad boys right up.

7. You've made it. You finished the eyeshadow; that deserves a pat on the back. Now, it's time to make those lovely lashes of yours luscious. You can use any black mascara you prefer. My favorite is L'Oreal's Butterfly mascara.

Lips:

1. To complete the look, you have to add a lip color. I've been obsessed with NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. The one I used is the color Milan. This is a liquid matte lipstick, and you know what? They're a whole lot cheaper than the Kylie Jenner Lip Kits. This lipstick by NYX is great because even after the product wears off, the color stays around for a long time.


It's time to take a well-deserved selfie because your eye's haven't popped this much in a while. Maybe you'll do this, maybe you won't. Either way, you should congratulate yourself for successfully completing a makeup look. Hooray!

The Finished Product:

Adventures in LA

Palm trees, blazing sun, and 70-degree weather? Sounds like heaven after surviving winter in Erie, PA. Winter up by lake Erie is terrible. I hate it so much. However, last week was spring break--aka the week I've been waiting for since last May. My roommate and I embarked on our 4-day adventure in the City of Angels.

While I was boarding the plane, I still couldn't believe I was going to LA. A place I've dreamed about visiting for years was finally becoming reality. After reading, flipping through magazines, a few rounds of Heads Up, and many failed attempts to get some shut eye, I hopped off the plane at LAX with my cardigan....I mean jean jacket. Gosh, those four and a half hours went by slower than a turtle running a marathon, if that's even possible.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of the most amazing four days of my year so far.

Day one was Disneyland day. The only thing my brain could process that morning was, "I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!" We arrived at exactly at 8:00 a.m. sharp. When you conquer Disneyland in one day, getting there at exactly opening time is mandatory. After admiring the iconic Mickey Mouse landscape and Disney train, I ran towards Main Street USA, ready for a spectacular Sunday in The Happiest Place On Earth. I could go on all day about how amazing Disneyland was, but that would be an extremely long post. I might make a separate post about it because let's face it, Disney is that fantastic. However, I actually wrote an article for The Odyssey inspired by my day there.

        

The Warner Brother's studio tour, Griffith Park and downtown LA kept us busy the second day!

So there we were in the heart of Burbank, CA, which is home to not only Warner Bros, but Disney Studios too. The Warner Brother's studios consist of a 110-acre backlot. That's really big, so we got to ride around in little golf carts. As a life tip to tour goers, arriving early has it's perks! Long story short, we arrived soon enough to join an earlier tour time, which only had one other person on it. A three person tour of the Warner Bros studio? Sounds like I got the most bang for my buck. The best part about such a small tour group was getting the tour personalized to what we wanted to see.

You're probably wondering what made the tour so special. Well, some of the highlights: the Pretty Little Liars and Friends sets. I've been watching PLL since day one back in 2010. I'm this devoted already, so there is no way I'm stopping now. We got to see where the newest 'A' was revealed in the season finale, Alison DiLaurents' house--it's really just a hallway inside--and the sound stage, which houses all the sets the cast films in. The craziest thing of all was discovering that Toby and Ezra's apartments are on on the same set. That's right folks, one half is Ezra's apartment and the other half is Toby's.

The last stop on the tour was Central Perk. I'm talking the ACTUAL Central Perk. Like the one Monica, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey all hung out at in each episode. I was geeking out big time. Getting to feel like Rachel Green, even if it was only five minutes was lot of fun.

The tour included so much more in addition to these two things, and it was absolutely amazing to learn how all of that movie magic really does happen.

For the afternoon, we headed over to Griffith Park so we could capture a few of the iconic Hollywood sign pictures. That's a must when visiting LA. It was just a tad foggy when we went, but the view was still incredible. 

A quick 10 minute Uber ride was all it took to get downtown to the Grammy museum. The museum was filled with all sorts of musical history, from the stages of Grammy awards to the first use of the sitar in songs. For all you music junkies out there, add this to your bucket list. Not only were there displays, but you could listen to interviews, music clips, and even have a chance to mix a song. 

  

Embarking on the third day, my roommate and I made sure to hit up all the main beaches Cali has to offer. Well, the ones within the LA area at least. Before our beach hopping began, we made sure to squeeze in a morning hike at Runyon Canyon. Sadly, no celeb sightings here, but the trek up made for the most gorgeous view of LA imaginable. After enjoying the view for a good 15 minutes it was time for a lovely day of sun, sand between our toes, and more sun!

 Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice were all on our list and got checked off by sunset. It's crazy how each beach is almost like it's own culture. You get such a different vibe from each one. Malibu was the most laid back. It is also where I had my first acai bowl for lunch and I've been dying for another one ever since. 

Santa Monica was by far my favorite beach. Don't you worry, it lived up to the expectations the Hannah Montana movie set. The Santa Monica pier felt like a little amusement park out in the ocean. It was amazing to see such an iconic beach in person. Oh, and I can't forget about the delicious ice-cream! It tasted like fudge, like I was licking fudge on a cone. SO GOOD. 

After just a short 30 minute walk on the boardwalk, we made it to Venice Beach. I think of Venice as a big melting pot. I'll be honest, it wasn't the best area, and I wouldn't want to be there at night, but it was interesting to see all of the various cultures and how it differed from the other two beaches we went to. 

Going on to our fourth day in LA and sadly our last. It was time to immerse ourselves in the glimmer and glamour of Hollywood. You know, all the stereotypical stuff. 

We started off in Beverly Hills *starts singing Beverly Hills song*. Our first and pretty much only stop in the area--besides the park--was Rodeo Drive. Seeing all the high end stores was absolutely exquisite! I went into a couple of them, but it was actually a tad awkward. Most of the time my roommate and I were the only ones in the store, along with the three security guards and two sales associates. I'm wasn't dressed in head-to-toe designer like some of the people around there were. I went walking in wearing my Maurice's dress and Target backpack, but then I thought "who cares, my outfit is cute". After our visit to Rodeo Drive, we we headed out to The Grove. 

 

Thanks to my addiction to fashion and beauty vloggers on YouTube, (check out Bethany Mota and Meredith Foster) I've heard about The Grove countless times. I'm SO happy I was able to shop around. The shopping area was very pretty. It's a nice area to just walk around in, even if you aren't looking to buy something. My favorite store was Brandy Melville! They had simple clothing that would be perfect for mixing with dressy and casual pieces. The clothing definitely gives off that Cali vibe. I picked up two outfits and I cannot wait to wear them this summer! In case you were wondering, their clothes are as soft as a baby's butt. I know, sounds strange, but it is so true. 

    

After a successful shopping trip, we headed over to Hollywood! Our first stop was Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. It was absolutely insane how realistic some of the figures looked. Demi Lovato's was so good, it could've been mistaken for the real life Demi. I'm not joking. It's crazy! At the end of the museum you could read about the process it takes to create one of the wax figures. You know the what left me mind blown? It takes hundreds of hours to make just one wax figure. Just one! 

When we were done admiring and taking pictures with wax figures, it was on to the Walk of Fame. I quickly learned the trick for the Walk of Fame: take pictures as fast as possible and try not to run into people while reading the ground. I loved getting to see such an iconic part of Hollywood. It was extremely crowded, but totally worth it! You won't believe how many people have their own star on the walk. Everyone from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and George Eastman to cartoons and theme parks managed to earn a star. Who knew it was possible for cartoon characters and theme parks to get a star? I was surprised, but super happy to see that Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, Snow White, and Tinkerbell all had their own star on the Walk of Fame. 

Continuing down Hollywood Blvd, we saw the Chinese Theater and the Dolby Theater (where the Oscar's are held). It was just so exciting to be able to see places I've alway heard about, but never was able to see in person until now.

Sadly, the clock struck 11:00 p.m. that night and it was time for our red eye flight home. I didn't want to leave LA at all. Is it possible to fall in love with a city in just four short days? I'm so grateful I was able to go. I had such an amazing time visiting places I only imagined to see one day. I miss LA so much, but I'll definitely go back one day.

A day that celebrates strong, empowering women? Sounds great to me! If you didn't already know, today is International Women's Day. Over the last year, women have been dominating the media like crazy. I thought I would share some of the women who have influenced me.

1. My Mom

When I was a little kid, I felt like my mom was wonder women (not that she still isn't today), she did so much for me and still does. Whether it was her taking me to yet another Jonas Brothers concert, going on a weekend trip to NYC, or just making sure I'm not broke in college. I'm so lucky for everything she has given me.

I must say, growing up and being away at college has made me A LOT more appreciative of everything she has done. I could not be more grateful. My mom is absolutely amazing

2. Elise

My sister is so inspiring. When it comes to hardworking, she's the definition of it. Seriously. She has shown me that no matter how difficult something can be, if you put your mind to it and don't give up, you can accomplish anything. Elise also strives to live a healthy lifestyle and this has definitely rubbed off on me. She's taught me how important it is to eat those fruits and veggies. No matter how much you don't want to, it's always best to fit in that workout!

Even though I don't get to see her as often as I'd like, I know she's always up for a good FaceTime convo. Plus, there's nothing like opening up a funny snap of your sister to brighten your day.

3. My Girls

I think it's so important to have a strong group of girls you can turn to. Making new friends in college was scary enough, but I would have never guessed I'd make this many amazing friends. Without these girls, my college experience wouldn't be as fantastic as it has been so far. They've been there for me whenever I need them, put up with my random stories, and are always up for an adventure; what more could I ask for?

4. Taylor Swift

The creator of the squad. Changing the music industry. Breaking world records. Those are just some of the ways Swift has empowered women around the world. This past year more so than other years, Swift has made a name for herself when it comes to defending women. I've been a fan of Swift's since I was 12 years old. Over the last eight years, she has taught me that it's ok to be yourself. Don't pay attention to what other people think of you. The only thing that matter is if you're happy and enjoying life.

5. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez started as a darling Disney starlet, and has blossomed into a young woman who has been spreading positive messages to girls everywhere. You know when you hear a song and it's exactly how you're feeling, that's how I felt when I listened to Gomez's newest album Revival. One of the reasons she sticks out to me so much from other celebrities is how relatable she is. Gomez has truly embraced herself for who she is, and doesn't let negativity effect her. Her song Kill Em With Kindness is sort of becoming a motto for me. It's a good reminder to always be the better person even in nasty situations. Who want to be remembered as a scrooge anyway?

6. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has struggled with eating disorders, self harm, and bipolar issues. It's safe to say she's experienced some dark days. She received the treatment she needed and turned her issues into something positive, I find that extremely empowering. Lovato has been very open about her struggles with hopes of helping girls all around the world. She has even started a scholarship program, The Lovato Scholarship to help fund mental health treatment for those who can't afford it.

 Lovato is all about the green shakes and early morning workouts. Her recovery, willingness to make healthy decisions everyday, and acceptance of all body types inspires me to live a healthy lifestyle.

To all the lovely ladies out there, I hope you enjoyed International Women's Day! Take a moment to appreciate those around you. If you know the women who have inspired you in person, make sure to thank them.