Happy Spring! You have absolutely no idea how happy I am that spring has finally sprung! I'm ready for  pastel colors and floral prints--aka, my perfect aesthetic--to dominate everywhere. When the sunny season rolls around each year, I find myself getting invited to more events than any other time throughout the year.

Whether it is a graduation, shower, or wedding, Basic Invite has a stylish invitation for any occasion. Plus, it's always way more special to receive a hard copy invite in the mail rather than a Facebook invite, am I right? Remember when you would go to the store to pick out your invitation for your birthday or graduation party? There were never a ton of options in the store, and you certainly weren't able to customize them. Luckily with Basic Invite, you're able to create the invitations of your dreams!

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

With college and high school graduations right around the corner, Basic Invite as so many options to pick when it comes to invitations. You can choose from monogram graduation invitations, traditional graduation invitations, or invitations specifically for graduation parties.  Honestly, I wish these invites were around when I graduated! There are a ton of options to choose from, and I think this is also such a great way to remember the event.

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

My Experience

When I used Basic Invite, I created a brunch invitation, thank you card, and business cards! The site is super simple and very user-friendly. I picked a design that a liked (of course I had to choose a floral print, macarons, and adorable llamas) and then went a head and picked my font, colors, and inserted my text. I really love how I was able to change the shape of my brunch invite. This adds such a fancy flair to the invitation.

The entire process allowed for more creativity than I could have imagined. When I received my products I was genuinely so happy with how they turned out. All three of my items are extremely high quality and look just like they did on the computer. I was also very happy because my items only took about a week to arrive, which was shorter than the estimated time! Below you'll find five reasons why Basic Invite is now my go-to site when I need invitations, thank you cards, or business cards.

1. Endless Color Options

Did you know Basic Invite is one of the few websites where you can actually customize the colors on your invitations? This is my favorite feature on the site because I'm able to make all of my pink dreams come true. Not only can I choose blush, rose or hot pink, but I can pick from over 180 colors. So, you know that very specific hue you're trying to match for your upcoming party? Basic Invite has you covered!

2. Custom Samples

Since many things appear slightly different online than in person, Basic Invite allows you to order a sample of your invitation. You're able to make sure everything is picture perfect before ordering dozens, which I think is a really generous option to have!

3. 40+ Colors of Envelopes

Who wants to send yet another boring white envelope? Not me! When you receive a brightly colored envelope in that mail you have to admit, that piece of mail gets 10 times more exciting. You're able to pick out an envelope that matches your invitation. Talk about the ultimate #aestheticgoals!

4. Address Capturing Service

I'm going to guess there's a very good chance you don't have an actual address book sitting around your house, I know I sure don't. Have you ever been in that awkward spot where you need to get multiple addresses for friends or family members, but don't want to have to text every single person individually? Basic Invite makes it extremely easy where all you have to do is share a link on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, which requests friends and family for their address. From there, all of the addresses are stored on your Basic Invite account. You can even get the adresses printed on cards for no additional cost. Now that sounds super super simple to me!

5. Fabulous Foil

Oh boy! You mean you can add shine too? That's right! There is now a foil option which comes in gold, silver, or rose gold that can be added to any foil design. I mean, shiny things are better after all.

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

I know what you're thinking, "Wow now I need a reason to plan a party!" Don't you worry. For your next order with Basic Invite, you'll receive 15 percent off with the code 15FF51. If you have used Basic Invite before or plan to in the future, I'd love to hear! Let me know in the comments below. Have a beautiful day! 

Maple Holistics Silk 18 Shampoo Review

I've talked about Maple Holistics a few times on my blog, and this time the brand is back with a new shampoo: Silk18.

If you're not familiar with Maple Holistics, it is a natural bath, body, hair, and skincare company. When I started switching my shampoo and conditioner to cleaner alternatives, Maple Holistics is a brand I found myself always going back to. When I tried other natural hair care brands, a lot of times my hair was left feeling weighed down and a little greasy, but my Maple Holistics products have never done that to me! I also really like this brand because they are cruelty-free, source their ingredients ethically, and use recycled plastic for their bottles.

So, getting into the product, the Silk18 shampoo is a great option if you have frizzy, dry, or damaged hair because it helps you achieve smoother, stronger, and more luscious locks. Talk about dream hair. In the winter time I always try to add more hydrating products into my beauty routines because the cold weather is just so stinking rough on my hair and skin. Oh, and if I didn't use any hair products, my waves would be quite the frizzy mess, so I was very excited about the benefits of this shampoo.

Silk18 has a creamy consistency and lathers extremely well without using any sulfates. I was so surprised by this, I double checked the ingredient list to make sure there wasn't any SLS in it, and it was completely clean! The shampoo has a light sweet scent. It kind of smells like frosting, but in the best way possible and not over powering at all.

This shampoo uses argon and jojoba oil to smooth and soften your hair, so I was a little worried my hair would be left with a greasy residue, but that definitely wasn't the case. I was left with soft, smooth, and frizz-free hair and this shampoo gets a A+++ from me! Silk 18 will actually give you silky hair, there's no doubt about it. Seriously, I would buy this shampoo again.

If you're looking for a a natural shampoo that doesn't have all of those nasty ingredients, I highly recommend checking out Silk 18! I'd love to hear if you have used this shampoo before or have tried it yourself, is comment down below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 if you have!

Have a beautiful day!

I Tried Ice Cream Face Masks and it is the Sweetest Product Ever

Ice cream and face masks are the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening of self-care. I don't know about you, but a night watching FRIENDS and eating Ben & Jerry's peanut butter half baked while pampering my skin sounds so good to me. But how cool would it be if your face got to enjoy some ice cream too?

Thanks to Influenster and I Dew Care, I've been able to try out the brand's latest line of face masks: The Ice Cream Collection.

This is actually the cutest line of masks to ever exist. Seriously! The line consists of three different masks that each come with a scoop to apply. Remember those little ice cream cups with the wooden spoon that popped up at every birthday party as a kid? The face mask jars and scooper definitely brought back memories of those. Talk about nostalgia.

The Types

BERRY GROOVY

This is face mask is great for ladies who want to brighten their complexion. Glycolic acid, antioxidant-rich raspberries, and exfoliating strawberry seeds do the trick, which allow you to have the glowy skin of your dreams. Out of the three masks, this one has the strongest scent. It's obviously super fruity and smells like strawberries--it's just so sweet!

Berry Groovy is perfect for those days when your skin needs a little pick-me-up. When I used this mask, I noticed my skin really did look brighter the next morning and had a little extra life to it. Oh and the best part? The mask is PINK!

CAKE MY DAY

This may actually be my favorite mask out of the entire collection. I mean, it has sprinkles in it; how adorable is that?! Cake My Day is a hydrating mask, and trust me, this has been a life saver. Lately, my skin has been freaking out with all of this dry winter weather, so I've been incorporating this into my skincare routine more and more and it truly has helped.

Hyaluronic acid and moisture balancing squalene nourish and replenish your skin. Since these masks are pretty much ice cream for your face, it has a slight cooling effect to it, which I really love. It makes it the mask so much more relaxing and calming on my skin. After finishing the mask I noticed my skin actually was softer and didn't feel tight.

MATCHA MOOD

Matcha Mood is a soothing mask, which is great for reducing redness and for those ladies with sensitive skin. The magic making ingredients are green tea extract, vitamin B-3, and glacier water. If I ever want to give my skin a little extra love or notice that my skin is more red than normal, I'll often pick up this jar. Just like Cake My Day, this mask also has a cooling effect!

I love how this mask is actually green like matcha! I've been becoming a bigger fan of matcha lately, so I was super excited to try out this mask in particular. Oh and trust me, Matcha Mood did not disappoint at all. Since I have sensitive skin, certain products and masks irritate my skin and leave me looking like a tomato--ugh, so not cute, right? This mask did not bring out an inner tomato; it left me with calm, soothed skin. It gets an A+ from me.

Pros
1. Each mask lives up to their claim
2. Cooling effect soothes skin
3. Did not have irritation or burning from any of the masks
4. The CUTEST packaging ever (yes, I have to mention that again)
5. Masks have a light scent, but none of them are over powering

Cons
1. Price. Each jar is just over 3 ounces and costs 25 dollars each. It's not terribly expensive, but I wouldn't exactly call it budget friendly.

No, I didn't forget to finish the article, I truly have just one con for the product. I honestly loved each mask so much, and will be adding these into my skincare routine on mask days! I definitely recommend checking these out. Whether you're having a self-care night night with your girls or looking to revamp your skincare routine, these masks will make a great addition!

Beauty Trends to Keep Your Eye Out For in 2019

I'm sure it's no surprise that with every new year comes a fresh set of trends. Bold brows and glowing skin dominated the beauty world in 2018, but what can we expect this year? From a stunning copper hair color to skin-loving ingredients, there's an amazing mix of new concepts in beauty and trends we all know and love. Keep scrolling to find out what to keep an eye out for on your next trip to Target or Sephora. 

Natural Brows

Photo from Glossier.com

It's time to say good-bye to the boxy arched brows, which dominated our Instagram feeds in 2018. This year POPSUGAR, Marie Claire, and Elle have all named the 'natural brow' as the new style for them. To achieve this look, simply apply a tinted eyebrow gel and then you're good to go! A brow gel will add a little definition, keep the natural shape of your brow, and lock the hair in place all day long.

Try these brow gels for a natural look: Pacifica Brow Gloss, Glossier Boy Brow, and Wet n' Wild Brow Mascara

Eyeliner

Photo from EliteDaily.com

Photo from Tarte.com

Of course eyeliner never truly goes out of style, but the popularity of the no makeup makeup look has put our liquid friend on the back burner. Guess what! It's coming back. Liquid eyeliner will be the hottest way to make your eyes pop this year. Feeling adventurous? Try a graphic look to make a bold statement.

Try Tarte Cosmetics' Lights Camera Lashes Liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner, or 100% Pure Long Last Liquid Eyeliner to achieve a sleek cat eye.

Matte Skin

Photo from Maybelline.com

Just like that, matte skin is back! Style Caster, Marie Claire, and Elle have all deemed the finish this years go-to look. Honestly, this makes me a little sad, I love highlighter and a nice glowy look. To accomplish this look, try the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation,  BareMinerals Pro Powder Foundation, or the It Cosmetics Matte CC Cream foundations or add a mattifying powder to a satin finish foundation, like the BareMinerals Mineral Veil, Maybelline Fit Me Powder, or Kat Von D Lock-It powders.

Bold Lip 

Photo from Cacique Tribe

Get ready to bust out your candy apple reds and vivid hot pinks because bold lipstick is back. Over the last two years we've seen nothing but nude lips everywhere! Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour have all added this trend on their list of what to look out for in 2019. Honestly, I'm so excited about it. Sure, I love my natural pink lipstick, but it's so fun to wear a bold lip every so often! I can't wait to incorporate more brighter lipstick shades into my looks!

Shop these lipsticks to give off #BoldLipVibes: ColourPop Blur Luxe Lipstick - "All the Tea," ColourPop Ultra Satin Lipstick - "Ambush," Burt's Bees Satin Lipstick - "Scarlet Soaked," Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick - "Pink Coral C306"

Copper Hair

Photo from her.ie

A red / copper hue is this year's hair color of the year. Do you remember when I dyed my hair about a year and a half ago? Yeah, it's pretty much that exact same color, which is really making me want to turn into a red head again. This is such a beautiful color, and it'll be so neat seeing more and more people sport the shade.


Wellness Meets Beauty

Photo from TakeTimeOut.uk

Recently, we've seen a shift towards clean beauty in the industry. The term "clean beauty" refers to the ingredients in the products. Products that are clean don't include harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and phalates. Consumers want brands to be more transparent about the ingredients used in their beauty products. That's exactly what's happening, which  makes me super super happy! Origins, BareMinerals, and RMS Beauty are just a few clean brands that have become more revenant, and Sephora has even dedicated a whole shopping guide with a special seal to clean beauty. Okay, so I could talk about this all day. Perhaps a clean beauty post is in store?

Check out these brands which use good-for-you ingredients: 100% Pure, YesTo, RMS Beauty, BareMinerals, and Origins

From vivid lip colors to coppery auburn hair, there are so many exciting beauty trends heading our way this year. I'm so excited to try out these new trends. Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 using the hashtag #ATinyTrendsetter

Making This Year the Best: My 2019 Goals

Hello! It's been a minute since I last posted on here, but you know what? It's a new year, so I'm ready to create new content.

I figured the best way to start off 2019 was to share my goals for the new year with you. No matter how cheesy it sounds, I love the idea of having a fresh start. It's a clean slate, and I have the ability to make it the most amazing, positive year ever.

I believe writing down and sharing your goals for the year is a really great way to hold yourself accountable for what you hope to accomplish. Having everything written down in one spot also makes it way easier to go back and look at how far you've come throughout the year. Keep scrolling to find out what goals I'll be accomplishing this year!

My 2019 Goals:

1. Secure a full-time job in my field.
After moving to New York, I've realized that this is a lot harder than I anticipated, but I know this will be the year I get a full-time job in editorial or social media in the fashion / beauty industry. It just takes lots and lots of hard work.

2. Start a YouTube Channel
I started watching beauty and lifestyle gurus on YouTube back in high school, and that's actually how I learned a lot about makeup. I've always wanted to start my own channel and create videos about things I'm passionate about, so I figured why not finally start? This is probably what I'm most excited to begin!

3. Create More Content
This is sort of similar to my goal above, but this goes beyond just creating videos. Whether it's a blog post, Instagram post, video, or Insta Story, I just want to create as much content as possible! Last year I realized how much I truly love doing this. I have so many ideas that I can't wait to bring to life!

4. Meditate Everyday
In 2018 I realized how beneficial meditation is to me. It helps with anxiety, makes me feel calmer, and is an amazing way to slow down for just 10 minutes a day. If you aren't familiar with it, check out my article I wrote about the best meditation apps to use.

5. Keep Meal Prepping
When I meal prep I save so much money on food. I'll admit, it can be a little overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's honestly the best way to cook. Not only do I save money, but I eat healthier and save time throughout the week, which is a huge help since my schedule is all over the place. Leave a comment below if you want to see a blog post about meal prepping!

6. Write it All Down
I got the new Blogilates planner for Christmas and I absolutely love it! I feel so much better when I write out my to-do list, daily gratitude, and work schedule. The planner also has a habit tracker, which I love because it's so easy to keep track of things that I want to do daily.

7. Continue My Yoga Practice and Dance More
I grouped these two things together since they both have to do with fitness. Last year, I started going to yoga pretty regularly and I love it so so much! I'm really looking forward to learning more about yoga and getting even better at it. I also want to start dance again. I danced for 13 years, and I miss it SO much, so I'll be making sure to go to some classes this year!

8. Run 4 Miles / Incorporate More Cardio into My Workouts
Back in 2018 I got pretty close to doing this, and my time per mile actually improved. After breaking my foot, I never fully got back into running like I used to. To be quite honest, cardio kind of took a back  burner in my fitness routine after it happened. I definitely wouldn't call myself a runner, but I really want to push myself to run 4 miles this year, and find fun ways to add more cardio into my workout routines.

When creating goals for the new year I think it's super important to make sure they are all attainable. Sometimes I feel like people can get a little carried away when thinking of their goals. If you create a bunch of giant goals for yourself it will get overwhelming, and you'll find yourself not accomplishing any. The best approach to this is sticking with goals you can actually see yourself doing, and then breaking it up into sections. This way you won't be overwhelmed with a huge goal and have no where to start.

Let's say you want to start eating healthy. I know, super cliché, but it is the top New Year's resolution after all. Instead of heading the grocery store and staring at the produce section with no idea where to start, try picking a healthy dinner recipe to make, and then eat it throughout the week. Or you could start by swapping your snacks for healthy options like fruit, carrots and hummus, or Larabars. At the start of each week you can add one more thing, like trying a healthy breakfast or lunch until it becomes a routine.

What are some of your goals for 2019? Let me know in the comments below, or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13

6 Ways to Make the Most of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

If attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party isn't on your Disney bucket list, then it's about time to add it. This Holiday themed event takes place on select nights at the Magic Kingdom between November 8th and December 21st. Between the parade, stage show, and character meet-and-greets, there is so much to do in one night. I know, it may sound like a lot, but there is no need to worry. With a few easy tips you'll be able to conquer everything the party has to offer. Hey, you might even be able to sneak in a little more magic.

1. Arrive Early

Image Source: Madeline Potts

The Very Merry Christmas Party doesn't start until 7:00 pm, but guests who have tickets for the event are allowed into the park starting at 4:00 pm. Take advantage of these extra three hours to ride any attractions you may want to ride, and secure that coveted meet-and-greet spot up front for any exclusive characters you're hoping to meet!

2. Meet Characters During a Parade or at the End

At the party, there are many character meet-and-greets like the princesses with their prince, Mary Poppins with Bert, and the Seven Dwarfs that you usually can't meet during regular park hours. If you don't arrive until 7:00, your first instinct may be to jump in line first thing when the party starts, and I don't blame you. By the time the party starts there's a good chance the line could be well over an hour long. Since nobody wants to spend most of the night waiting in line, plan on meeting characters during the first parade, stage show, and fireworks times. These are the most popular times for each activity, so character lines will be the shortest. This is how I was able to meet the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins and Bert, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, and Santa Goofy all in one night.

3. Attend the Party During the Week

When choosing which party to attend, it probably makes the most sense to pick one on the weekend, but this is actually the busiest time to go. If you're able to, attend a party during the middle of the week. You'll have less crowds, shorter wait times and more cookies to eat, so it's a triple win situation and what could be better than that?! Oh, and the beginning of November and first week of December will be the least crowded Holiday times in the park.

4. Plan Out Your Night

When you enter the park, you'll receive a times guide that lists the various times of the parade, stage show, and fireworks throughout the night. If you're anything like me then you'll want to get the most out of your night, so be sure to plan out which parade, stage show, and fireworks show you want to watch. This will ensure you see everything you hoped for--nobody wants to miss out on Holiday magic!

5. Watch the Last Parade

With all of the excitement you'll want to do everything as soon as you get there. Hey, I don't blame you. I turn into a 5-year-old when I enter a Disney park too. Since the parade is the most popular activity throughout the night, the first showing tends to be the most crowded since many kids come to the party and don't stay until the very end. To get the best view possible, wait until the last showing. There will be a lot less people and you'll be able to get a lot more character interaction when you have a front row spot. Trust me, it's worth the wait.

6. Bring a Small Backpack or Purse

This may seem quite obvious, but when I attended the party last year, I just brought a small crossbody bag, which I later realized was a big mistake. The good thing about this party is that Disney will make sure you never go hungry. I was given so many free cookies I had no idea what to do with all of them. Make sure to bring a small backpack or purse to stash you tasty treats while you're enjoying all the fun.

See, with just a few tips it is 100 percent possible to conquer Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party all in one night. So what are you waiting for? It's time to start planning for the most magical Holiday celebration of the year!

3 Meditation Apps to Find Your Most Relaxed Self

Go ahead, take a deep breath. We all need to relax anyway. Between work, managing a social life, and fitting in a few sweat sessions, our lives can get pretty hectic. One thing I've learned this past year is how important it is to take quiet time for yourself even if it is just five or 10 minutes a day. This is where meditation comes into play!

Having an app to help you meditate makes it so much easier. I have to admit though, when I first started meditating it felt a little awkward and weird, but as I did it more and more it turned into my best coping mechanism for anxiety and it made me feel really really good.

Below, check out the three apps I use when I want to get my zen on.

1. Headspace

This app is great for beginners who have never meditated before. There is a free 7-day program for meditation newbies, which guides you through your meditation, and let me tell you, it's super helpful when you're not quite sure what you should be doing. This app taught me a lot about meditating. One thing I really like is how you can change the time of your session between 3 to 20 minutes depending on how much time you have. 

2. Calm

With guided meditations for stress, gratitude, self-esteem, and work, this app has so many 7-day courses you can go through to become more mindful in life situations. I love how this app has many specific situations that you can pick from, so you're able to improve in whatever area of your life you need to be calmer in. The only downside are the limitations you have before paying. For free, you can only do one session from the seven days of gratitude, stress, and self-esteem courses. The three sessions I did were so good. If it weren't for the pricey subscription, I would be using this app every single day.

3. Insight Timer

Insight Timer is my go-to app for meditating. There are thousands of various guided and unguided meditations you can choose from. There's everything. Literally. You can choose to do meditations for sleep, anxiety, starting your day, and so much more. There is also a huge variety of various times. I mean, you can meditate for as short as one minute to 90 minutes. I know, pretty crazy, right? Oh, and I can't forget, this app is completely free. That's right, all of the meditations are 100 percent free!


4. Sanity & Self

Whether you want to meditate or you need a little self care in your daily life, this app has you covered! While you will have to pay to use every single feature, this app offers a lot of free guided meditations and motivation compared to other apps. A really neat thing about this app is inclusion of lifestyle techniques like beauty tips, stretching / exercises, and ways to de-stress.

All four of these apps are a great place to start if you're looking to add a little mindfulness into your life. Meditating just 5 to ten minutes a day will have such a positive impact on your life. Trust me, you'll be surprised that such a short amount of time can really make a bid difference in your entire day. Go ahead, for just 1 week try mediating with any of the apps above. I'd love to hear what you think!