The Fight Against Dry Skin

I have the most insane dry skin. The dryness starts around November (sometimes October) and doesn't get back to normal until around March. That's FOUR FULL MONTHS of desert dryness on my face. My skin tends to be the driest from the cheekbones down and is the worst around my nose and mouth. By the end of the day the skin and makeup around my nose and mouth is usually flaky, itchy, irritated, and really just not cute at all. I get really self-conscious about the dryness, and I've made it my goal this Winter to find the best products to combat my dry skin. While I still haven't found the perfect moisturizer, I've found some other products and skin care methods that have worked wonders!

Cup O' Coffee Mask

I caved and bought this mask at Lush when I was in Philadelphia. It's a mask/scrub that is super hydrating and doubles as an exfoliator because of the ground coffee in the mask. I leave it on my face for 5-10 minutes right after I get out of the shower. When it's time too remove the mask I like to wet my fingertips and massage the grinds onto my face and then rinse off the scrub. My face always feels so soft and silky after using this mask. I've been using it twice a week followed by my normal moisturizer and toning spray.

Nivea Cream 

Like I said before, my nose and mouth are my problem areas when it comes to dryness. I use Nivea cream only where my skin is the driest because it is a heavier cream. I'll dab a little around my mouth and nose before I go to bed and usually wake up with nice moisturized skin! 

Greek Yogurt & Honey Mask

If you are into easy DIY masks, this one is for you! All you have to do is mix 2 tbs plain full-fat Greek yogurt and 1 tsp honey. Make absolutely sure that you get full-fat yogurt to maximize the moisturizing benefits of the mask. After you blend your ingredients, paint the mask onto your face with a foundation brush for even coverage and leave it on for 15-20 minutes! I love how this mask feels on my face; it's nice, chilly, and feels very luxurious on the skin.

Toning Spray
Toning spray is a great way to re-hydrate your face through out the day. I'm currently using e.l.f's setting spray that contains aloe, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E. I like to use it after I moisturize, to set my makeup, and to spritz on my face when I need a pick-me-up during the day.

I hope that these products I've fallen in love with will be able to work as much magic in your life as they have in mine. Please let me know if you have any favorite moisturizing products! My poor skin needs all the help it can get.

xo. Brooke

Top 5 Podcasts For Ladies

I recently found out that one of my favorite humans, Sophia Amoruso, has a weekly podcast called #girlboss radio and I knew I had to give this podcast thing a try. I looked to see if any of my other favorite ladies had podcasts of their own, and guess what... THEY DO. In the past couple of months my time getting ready in the morning, driving, and showering have been spent listening to some of my biggest role models! These podcasts (among others) have been a huge source of inspiration, motivation, advice, information, and of course comedy. I don't see my newfound obsession with podcasts fading anytime soon.

Listen Here

#girlboss radio

In this podcast, Sophia Amoruso (founder of Nasty Gal and the original #GIRLBOSS), interviews some of her favorite #girlbosses. Her guests range from stylists to comedy writers and just about everything in-between. Sophia is also hilarious, sarcastic, smart, and sassy- all qualities I admire in a lady.

Listen Here

Women Of The Hour

This podcast is hosted by a lady we all admire (and if you don't I feel sorry for you) Lena Dunham. Lena is one of my favorite feminists because she isn't afraid to be open and talk about the more touchy topics women are currently facing in society. What I love most about this particular podcast is the balance between the serious topics and humor. This is probably partially due to the fact that Lena is an amazing comedian and human.

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Oh Boy by Man Repeller

Oh Boy is probably the most motivating podcast I listen to. Jay Buim interviews successful women in all different career fields (mostly creative). It's so interesting listening to how these awesome women achieved their goals and became successful pursuing their passions! I would definitely encourage all college-aged women to listen to this podcast. It's definitely helped to reduce my personal stress about the future and my career.

Listen Here

Stuff Mom Never Told You 
This podcast from HowStuffWorks is hosted by Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin. Cristen and Caroline cover just about every topic related to women you can imagine. Some of the most recent podcasts have covered topics such as marriage, tarot reading, abortion, adult acne, etc. It's a super informative and entertaining podcast for both women AND men. 

Listen Here

Monocycle with Leandra Medine

This is the perfect podcast to listen to on your lunch break or walk to class because most of them are only 10 minutes long. Leandra Medine is the founder of Man Repeller, and listening to Monocycle is basically like having a conversation with one of your best gal pals. (Love you, Leandra)

Some other podcasts I love (& I hope you will too) are:

• The Broad Experience
• Call Your Girlfriend
• Stuff You Should Know
• TED Radio Hour
• Call Your Girlfriend
• She Does
• Millennial

Please please please hit up the comment section if you have any podcasts you love that I didn't list. I'm always looking for more!

xo. Brooke

My Life as a Fashion Major

I started college as a pre-nursing major and realized very quickly how much I hated it. When I told my parents I wanted to switch my major toApparel Merchandising and Product Development (AMPD) after my first semester of college they weren't happy. I was super discouraged because they weren't on board with me pursuing what I was passionate about. I soon realized that the reason my parents weren't too fond of my decision to switch to such an "unconventional" major was because they didn't really understand what it was. Two years later, I still find myself in the position of having to "justify" my choice of major to people who hear the word apparel and immediately judge me. I figured it's time to explain why I chose to pursue a degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development and answer several other questions I get asked most frequently!

Why did you choose to major in AMPD?

I took a sewing class my senior year of high school, and very quickly became obsessed with learning about garment construction, different fabrics, and how what I learned in my sewing class applied to the industry. My sewing teacher, Mrs. Blanton, told me all the time that I needed to go into fashion, but I was set on nursing. That is, until I got to college and had to take college science classes (shoutout to people who dig that stuff, because I really thought it sucked). I was so unhappy and wasn't passionate about anything I was learning. I realized that I was craving the feeling I had in my high school sewing class, and when I researched the AMPD program at the U of A and read through the curriculum, I immediately knew that I needed to switch. My experience as an AMPD major has been absolutely incredible and I'm loving every minute of it.

What kind of classes do you take?

One of the things I love most about my AMPD program is that basically every section of the industry is represented in the curriculum. We learn about buying, design, marketing, merchandising, trend forecasting, textile science, etc. The fashion industry has so many different parts that work together, so the fact that they make sure we know about all of it is awesome. Many university fashion programs focus mostly on design, which is great, but not everyone is cut out to be a designer. You wouldn't think that the University of Arkansas would have a good fashion program, but I can honestly say that I am proud of the education I am getting as an AMPD major at the university. I feel as though I am getting a well-rounded education and will be very prepared to enter into any part of the fashion industry when I graduate. 

What do you want to do?

A lot of people think that I'm going to college to be a manager at a clothing store... No. That is actually like the last thing I want to do. Right now I'm really interested in styling and visual merchandising, but I'd probably accept any corporate fashion job offered to me following graduation. When I think dream about my future, I like to imagine myself working as a stylist on shoots for Anthropologie... In November I applied for a styling internship at Anthropologie just to see if I could get it. On December 19 I was notified that I was selected to travel to Philadelphia and interview for the position this past friday for their recruiting day! It would be a dream come true if I end up actually getting the internship, and I know now from talking with Megan and Kristen (my interviewers) that I definitely want to work for Anthropologie one day.

I would like to end this post with some "tips" for people thinking of majoring in fashion:

1. Just because you like shopping doesn't mean you'll like studying fashion.
2. It's not a blow-off major. Be prepared to work hard, and bruise your finger tips from being poked repeatedly with pins in your construction classes.
3. Professors make great references (and friends), make sure they know how hard you work!
4. Dress well for class. Your professors will notice if you show up to class looking like you just rolled out of bed every day. It's okay every once in a while, but try to look presentable the majority of the time. 
5. Find your style. College is the time for you to create your brand. Find out who you are, tailor your style to that, and stick with it! There is no better feeling than knowing that what you're wearing is the perfect reflection of who you are.

xo. Brooke