It's The Little Things.

We live in a society that is so negatively focused. As they say, "good news isn't news" It's so easy to get so caught up with school and work that we forget to appreciate the little things that we take for granted. Today I will be sharing with you a list of the simple joys of life that can always cheer me up!

bubble baths

glitter

the smell of acrylic paint

people who use their blinkers

peonies 

0% humidity

pink

may I just say pink again

calligraphy

crisp white linens

freshly painted nails

clawfoot tubs

snuggly pets

hydrangeas

the Great Gatsby

black and white movies

Europe

grass tennis courts

 game day excitement

Christmas 

confetti

NYC

stripes

handsome strangers

the little black dress

the little black bikini for that matter

pillows
cute work spaces
interior design
Netflix binges
kate spade
YSL
gold foil printing
leopard print
lovely brunches
dappled sunlight

Instagram Favs.

As much as I would like to say I'm perfect and don't pick favorites, I do. In fact I'm coming to you live from geometry class,which is not my favorite. {oops} As y'all know, I'm slightly addicted to Instagram. And taking my Instagram pictures might as well be a sport, I mean there's lighting, angles, space, saturation. you get the gist. Over the almost year that Lauren and I have been around the fashion scene I've taken some pictures that if I do say so myself, are pretty great. 

I took this one after school while I was waiting for my brother to pick his trumpet up from the rental shop. It had just been on of those days that your really do physically need a venti.

This was probably taken around 3:30 am. Lets just say that I'm a night owl and I could teach a class on procrastination, especially when it comes to packing. I was laying my clothes out for a beach day when I realized how perfect they looked together!

This vest. ohhhhh this vest. The j.crew herringbone vest has been called many things and it is most likeley to be called "bæ" or "my love" that how much I love this vest, so when I got it, I obviously HAD to Instagram it.

I often say that fall is my favorite season. But the more I think about it, Early Spring is my favorite, followed by fall. This Picture is actually from a lookbook and the weather was absolutely perfect!

It was a dark and stormy...Saturday. Lauren and I ate brunch at the fresh market and strolled to the Lilly store where I found this gorgeous top.

This picture is also from early spring. It was finally warm and we had just taken the cover off of our pool, and I loved the contrast between the light blue and bright red.

Trend I'm Loving : Peasant Tops.

Recently, I have been wearing these loose flowy tops all the time. I love how comfy they are and how great they look for fall! here are some of my favorites: 

This top is from sheinside. It seemed to be a scam website, so i was skeptical to order from them at first but everything actually arrived and is about forever 21 quality!  

This top is from aerie about 2 years ago, but I haven't worn it in so long! I've recently re-discovered it  and it is like falling in love all over again. 

This top is from american eagle, and I also Haven't worn it in forever, but its so cute! My only complaint is that it tens to fall off my shoulders. :/

Thanks for reading!

Super Easy Messy Bun Tutorial

 The messy bun is one of those tricky hairstyles that looks easy, but when you try it you're like....uhh never mind.  After trying tons and tons of Pinterest tutorials , I've finally found one that is super easy!  It took me 2 tries to get it just right, and I consider myself to be hair impaired. So if I can do it, then so can you!

seen in a previous post and also on Instagram

step one.

Brush your hair up to remove any bumps for when you put it in a ponytail.

step two. 

Make a high pony right on top of your head, but don't tie it.

step three.

twist the ponytail all the way to the end

the pony should eventually start twisting in on itself.

step five. 

twist the pony all the way into a bun, and tuck the end piece underneath. Secure all around with bobby pins.

 step six.

Done! no need to pull strands out, it will loosen into a messier bun by the end of the day.

August Favourites

  

1. TopGear

Everyone has that ONE tv show that they are just absolutely obsessed with. I have never been a fan of typical "teenage girl shows" such as #PLL or or "switched at birth" or whatever. I'm more of a fan of discovery-channel-type shows {feel free to call the a nerd} I also am a huge car guru, yet another "un-girly" aspect of my life. Smash those two together with HILARIOUS british presenters who tend goof around more than anything and this is what you get. It will always be in my top 5 shows!

2. OGX Lemon Highlights

As you know, I was at the beach earlier this month, and at the beach there is sunshine. WOW! My hair has natural highlights, but they don't quite show up as much as I would like. Lemon juice contains acid, which is a natural bleach, and it can be activated by heat. I have definitely noticed that my highlights have come out more!

3. Starbucks Caramel Macchiato 

My favorite Starbucks drink used to be any frappuccino, but now they seem to be too sweet. Recently I've been loving macchiato because it is not so sweet, yet is still cold and delicious.{I get mine with extra caramel} It is the perfect pick me up for after school when all I want to do is sleep!

4. Tarte "The Slenderizer" contouring brush

Instead of using a brush to apply bronzer, blend it, and apply highlighter, you can use one! The quality is great and I absolutely love how soft the bristles are. 

5. Tory Burch "Bombe leather clutch"

This clutch is the perfect size for the daily errands or an afternoon on the town, I do like that it has two sections, a main one, and then one in the flap of the purse, so that it has double the space! It is great to fit sunglasses, wallet, phone and keys into. My only complaint would be that the strap could be longer, but I'm sure you could order a longer chain.

6.  Creaseless Hair Ties

I have been straightening my hair a lot this past month, which means when I wear my hair in a ponytail to go to bed there is a huge crease in my hair when i wake up, which is not fun. With these hair ties that is no longer a problem. They also come in super adorable patterns & colors!

7. My Home Board On Pinterest

This may come off as super conceited, but this is not what I meant! I have been more obsessed with home decoration and beautiful white pickett fence houses than I usually am this month. My main fuel for this addiction {like all of my other addictions} is Pinterest. Literally all of the things I have pinned on that board I am In love with. They are just so perfect!

Thanks for reading!

How I Edit My Instagram Outfit Of The Day Pictures!

I get questions all the time about how I edit my Instagram photos, especially my outfit of the day pictures, so I thought I'd show you how with some high-tech-gif-action. 

{lets pray this works}

When taking pictures, the key is to take lots of them! I usually choose the best two or three and delete the rest. 

after choosing my first picture, I usually use the app 'afterlight' to adjust the exposure, saturation, etc.

After adjusting, I like to use the app picfx to add cool effects. You may have noticed that almost every single one of our pictures on Instagram has little "dots" or "bokeh" This is what app I use to add those! I also usually use the "pfx film 5x" or "pfx film 5" to give the picture a softer look.

I love using the bokeh effect because it's basically glitter for your picture...and who doesn't want that?!

If the picture is not square {which it usually isn't} then I use the app "square ready" to make it fit the Instagram square. It is great because you can make it as small or large as you want!

Then it's ready to post and for you to see!

If you want to see more super-sassy fashion photos, head on over to http://instagram.com/twosouthernpreps to help get us to 3.5k!

@twosouthernpreps

Stylespiration: Cobalt Blue

Sorry for the lack of posting for almost a month, but I'm afraid my camera is broken!! You may have noticed the difference in sound quality in out videos, and that is because Lauren had to borrow a camera for filming. so lets get on to the post.  Recently I have been loving the color cobalt blue. It has been a major trend this year and I can see why because it is simply striking! So enjoy these pictures that I thing are simply fabulous!

Rainy Fridays.

Where have you been?! I know, I know, I haven't posted in almost ten days! so sorry about that, but I've been so busy this past week! Ive had southeastern swim meet and trying to get my driver's permit. but today has been a nice calm day. I woke up at a well deserved 4:00 today...yes four pm. And it was raining.  I love rainy days. they are so calming, so cozy, perfect to lounge around.

I decided to get the mail, which is over a quarter mile from my house, is my "workout" for they day. Hey, it's uphill okay!

I'm glad I walked in the rain, because my backpack came today! I switched the neon orange elastic for my sister's old gray one. 

{haul preview} I was going to film a haul today, but because it was raining the lighting was horrible!

So that means watching Top Gear and hot tea!

I have been drinking Harney & Sons tea recently, and I love it. This particular one is very sweet.

Buy the teacup Here.

It's a great day to be a cat.

Thanks for reading!