Best Mascara for Length and Volume

|| Primer: L'ORÉAL || Mascara coat one: Marc Jacbos Beauty || Mascara coat two: Dior || Lash Enhancing Serum: neuLASH || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

In the fall of 2016, I received a complementary set of eyelash extensions. My favorite salon in Stillwater, Glo Salon & Spa, was starting to offer this service and they needed a few models for before and after shots (and the extra practice). Y'all, your lash technicians deserve a huge tip, the work they do is magic.

After I took removed my lash extensions, I was on the hunt for a way to achieve the falsie look without upkeep. Two of my favorite bloggers, Katey and Ashley, had been using the Neulash growth serum for quite some time and had great luck with it. After carefully reading reviews, I decided it was time to splurge! I have been using this stuff religiously since November 2016, and my lash game has never been stronger. Hear me out; this stuff is on the expensive side. You should not purchase it if you cannot commit to a religious application routine. For you to see the full results, you need to apply it every single night before bed for three months. Once you have achieved the length and fullness of your desire, you can pull back and use it every other night. I am on my third full-size tube and cannot say enough about this stuff. It is magic in a bottle! If you are looking to save some cash, you can purchase it during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Now that you know my eyelash secret, let's talk mascara. I have sampled almost every mascara on the market. I am every beauty brand's dream, new products and technology get me every single time. I am a sucker for multitasking mascara! It must be a southern thing, but we love layering mascara. I am going to walk you through my current everyday routine.

The first step, prime! This L'ORÉAL Voluminous Base, this is the last step when it comes to my overall makeup. I apply one coat of this to my lashes from root to tip, wiggling the wand in a back and forth motion as I swipe up. You will look like Elsa from Frozen; your lashes should be completely white. Next, I reach for the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir. After I have let the primer dry for a little bit (I clean my brushes as I wait for the primer to dry), I apply one to two coats, using the same application method used above. You are going to be in shock with how much volume this mascara has! My final step, I sweep one coat of the Diorshow Pump'N'Volume to elongate and separate the lashes, removing any clumps.

The entire process listed above takes time and shouldn't be rushed. If you think it's too much for every day, I would highly recommend the Marc Jacobs be your one and done mascara. I have found the longer my lashes get, the more mistakes I make. If you happen to get mascara on your eyelid, take a Q-tip soaked in contact solution and lightly scrub. Touch up your eyeshadow as needed. If you would like to see a tutorial of this, let me know. I am thinking of doing an Instagram story showing this how-to.

Goals: 100th Pure Barre Class

|| Top: Koral [c/o Pure Barre Edmond] || Pants: Beyond Yoga || Shoes: Nike (old, similar pair) || Earrings: Tiffany & Co. || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

This morning at 10 a.m. I checked something off of my goal list: take 100 Pure Barre classes! This took a little longer than what I originally had planned, but I am cutting myself some slack and extending some grace. I started unlimited PB back in June 2017. I am going to outline some of the things that I have experienced since then.

My weight hasn't really changed (and that's okay). I didn't join PB to lose weight; I did it to become stronger and more confident in my own skin. You also have to remember that muscle weighs more than fat. If there is one part of my body that has changed the most, it's my legs. Growing up, I showed lambs in 4-H and was a cheerleader in high school. These two things helped me gain muscle mass in my legs. Some of those muscles have been deep down waiting to be used again. Let's just say that the thigh sprints in class have worked their magic. My legs are as hard as rocks!

My clothes are fitting better (praise the sweet baby Jesus). I can tell that I have slimmed down in my hips and thighs. Let's be real, that needed to happen! I was getting to the point where I was having a hard time with dresses and pants fitting correctly. My waist is somewhat small, and my hips/butt do not match. The struggle is real, y'all! Things are not as tight as they once were and that gives me such peace of mind, I think it's so important to celebrate things like this. Non-scale victories are a huge accomplishment and should not be forgotten about.

I am way stronger now than when I started this journey. This time last year, I was doing pushups on my knees with my personal trainer. Yes, I could do 50, but I wasn't pushing myself. Two months into PB, one of my instructors told me to try doing a few regular pushups. I took a deep breath and went for it. Now, I don't look back! I try to stay on my toes as long as possible. Recently, I started using the three-pound weights in the arm section of the class. Never in a million years did I see that coming! You learn so much about yourself on your PB journey. Your body and mind continue to grow stronger.

I have a community. The thing I love most about PB in Edmond is the tribe of women that I have around me. It's more than just a gym. PB is a place where we come together to lift one another up. We celebrate the big things and encourage each other not to give up! Like the instructors say over the microphone, you can do anything for ten seconds. I am so thankful to have friends in my life holding me accountable. My next goal: 250 Pure Barre classes. Let's do this!

Long-Sleeved Turtleneck Sweater Dress

|| Dress: J.Crew (available in multiple colors) || Coat: Josie by Natori (sold out, rent or purcahse a similar style) || Slides: Frances Valentine || Earrings: Kendra Scott || Necklace: Kendra Scott || Purse: kate spade new york (in black) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

This fall, I had a few slam-dunk purchases from J.Crew, one of them was the backless sweater dress that I shared on Tuesday on the blog. I must say, this long-sleeved turtleneck sweater dress gives me major heart eyes! Why? Because of the camel and black color combination (if this color combo is not your jam, it also comes in grey). Our entire life we are told that black and brown make a frown. Ladies, I am here to tell you that old rhyme is garbage! It is totally fine and acceptable to mix and match these colors together.  Think about it, look at tortoiseshell and leopard print. What colors are those patterns comprised of? That's right, black and brown!

Doing this for the first time can be intimidating. I recommend looking at your own closet and trying to make new outfits. A black dress with a leopard belt and boots is a safe place to start. Once you build up your confidence, you can begin to experiment with more daring pairings! I didn't learn this trick until college. Working retail taught me so much about personal style. I am so thankful for my time at Elizabeth's! I had this beautiful turtleneck short-sleeved dress that was kind of a micro mini (at that time my legs were very twig like). I would toss on some tights and black ankle booties and be ready for class, work or a sorority function. To be honest, I am so sad that I outgrew that dress. Isn't it funny how something so small, like a dress, can trigger back emotions and take you back in time?

This outfit is really put together with the help of the faux fur leopard topper jacket. This particular style is sold out, but I have found another version for you that is currently on sale. Can we just take a moment to talk about faux fur coats? They are all over the place right now! If you have been looking to add one to your coat collection, now would be the time. Most retailers are starting to make room for their spring collections. Therefore, fall and winter items are getting marked down. Some retailers even have their sale on sale!

Finally, let's talk accessories. I love this Kendra Scott pairing. I am so glad that I purchased this set in white pearl. You could pair this necklace with almost anything in your closet! This handbag is also very versatile. It is sold out in this camel color, but is available in black and it's on sale. You cannot see my shoes, but I am rocking some crazy slides from Frances Valentine, they are all black with a rabbit fur pom-pom. Currently, they have a pair of cheetah print with black pom-pom slides. Life is too short to be boring, have fun with your accessories!