post #29 - F5: Top 5 Travel Essentials

Top 5 Travel Essentials for Friday!

Happiest Friday, friends! For my last travel post of the week, I thought I'd wrap up with the 5 things I find crucial for surviving a plane ride. I may be in the minority, but I usually kind of enjoy flying. I get to drink cran-apple juice (so good), and get to a new place oh-so-fast. Here's what I think makes it a bit easier...

1. Some kind of comfy wrap. I brought a J.Crew Cashmere one with me this time and it was perfection. I used it to double as both a sweater and pillow. Ahhhhh.

2. Lip balm or lip gloss. I probably need this from all of that cran-apple juice. Am I the only one that applies this about 6 times? (Per hour, that is)

3. A good book makes the flight go so much quicker! I just finished Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger, the author of The Devil Wears Prada. While not the best book I've ever read, it was definitely entertaining enough to read once or twice.

4. Am I the only one that thinks of important lists that have to be written down immediately the second they ask you to put away your electronics? I bring my May Books (still obsessed. Miss that post? Check it out here) with me everywhere, so it was super handy to have them around. Also handy for playing Hangman with the hottie beside you. (Ok, it was my husband...and all the hangman words revolved around our dog and our trip. Not quite as cool now, right?)

5. A big ol' bag to throw allofthethings in. I broke down and finally purchased the Michael Kors Hamilton Tote. So so happy with it and it it the perfect size to fit everything I tend to bring with me on a daily basis. I know I'll be using it for a longgg time to come!

Are you following Makeshift Margaritas on BlogLovin, Instagram, and Facebook?

Better yet, do y'all have any travel must haves? I love to read your comments and see who's stopping by!

Happy weekending! MBC

Linking up this week with the Five on Friday girls - Carolina Charm, A. Liz Adventures, The Good Life Blog, Hello! Happiness and also with The Lauren Elizabeth!

post #24 - F5: Charleston Edition (Guest Post)

Friday Five from Charleston, SC!

I'm sad, but excited, to present my very last guest post! Sad, because I've had so much fun reading the awesome posts that my friends have put together. But, EXCITED, because in just a few more days, I'll be DONE with my summer-demon, the Bar Exam. 

This week, I asked one of my most stylish, fun, and genuine friends to do my Friday Five from Charleston, SC. 

When MBC asked me to do a guest blog post for her I was absolutely terrified really excited.   But after some wine debate I hope that I have come up with a Five on Friday that you can all enjoy!  This week’s theme: Give Back.  I have included a few things you can do for yourself and a few things you can do to give back to your community!

1.     AA BB CC – what?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past year or so you’ve heard about the newest beauty product on the scene – BB Cream.  I have been a Bare Minerals girl for as long as I can remember but as the summer was upon us I wanted something light, simple, and on the go.   While perusing the BB creams I stumbled across the Tarte BB tinted treatment – and with a little coercing from a wonderful sales associate I decided to give it a try. The product claims to work as a primer, moisturizer, light coverage foundation, anti-aging treatment, pore minimizer, AND sunscreen all rolled into one!  Despite my initial reservations I am pleased to report this product is everything it claims to be and more! I have been using this product religiously all summer and couldn't be more ecstatic with my results. This is a great product to protect your skin during those bright summer months. If you’re looking for a make up makeover, check it out!

{{You can purchase this beauty right HERE at Sephora}}

 2.  Nail Glow

After three years of graduate school and countless manis, polish purchases and color changes I was COMPLETELY DEVASTATED when I found out I was no longer allowed to wear my new favorite polish colors when I started my very first Big Girl Job (I work in health care). This week marks my 1 year anniversary at my job and it certainly been an adjustment. As fate would have it, I started working with a new patient (LM) and she shared my upset.  LM recommended that I try this new product by Christian Dior – “Nail Glow”.  LM informed me the product was like a manicure in a jar – ie, it makes the whites of your nails whiter and the pinks of your nails pinker.  After wearing the product for one full week and countless hand washes and glove-wearing my nails look excellent (without chipping)!  They feel stronger and I have even had several people ask if I actually got a manicure over the weekend. The product doesn’t require a top coat or a base coat and still gives you that “Ijustpapmeredmyself” look and feel. It is a worthy investment.   

{{You can purchase this wonder-polish right HERE at Sephora}}

3.     Views on the Move!

Put some pep in your step!  If the next few pictures aren’t evidence enough – I’m a sucker for a sunset.  I’m not always motivated to exercise, but this view makes it a little easier. Get out and find an area in your town that has great scenery and see what kind of fitness inspiration you can find for yourself!  Here are a few of my favorite views from some of my recent attempts to exercise runs.  What are some of your favorite places to get fit?

{{Charleston Harbor at Sunrise}}

{{Battery at Sunset}}

{{Battery at sunset, round two!}}

{{Colonial Lake – on my route home. My favorite picture of all time!}}

{{Ravenel Bridge!}}

4.     Buy Local, Be Local

One of the many things that I love about living in Charleston is the Farmer’s Market that is held every Saturday from April through December in historic Marion Square. The square is filled with fresh produce from local farmers, fresh handmade pastas, fresh juices and smoothies, iced coffee, food trucks, local artists, local musicians, and specialty food stands.  Last summer I made it almost every Saturday and was able to grab lunch at one of my three favorite food trucks: 1) Outta My Huevos 2) Roti Rolls and 3) Charleston Crepe Company – it was difficult to just name three as there are a million new tasty options each week.   Purchasing a few items here each week is a great way to support your local community!  Find out more local Charleston business you can support HERE!  How do you support your local business owners?

{{Overall picture of a small portion of the Farmer’s Market.}}

{Photo Credit Here}

{{Some of the yummy produce Marion Square has to offer.}}

{Photo Credit Here}

{{Menu Options from the Outta My Huevos and Roti Rolls food trucks! Check. Them. Out.}}

5.     Be The Match

A few months ago the Be The Match became a big part of my life.  This amazing organization regulates the National Bone Marrow Donor Program – an organization that helps match individuals with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma with their donor match. Once a match occurs the patient is able to receive a life-saving transplant.  Every FOUR minutes some one is diagnosed with a blood cancer – that adds about to about 360 people a day. By signing up to be a part of this organization YOU could make a huge difference for someone you’ve never even met.  Adding your name to the Registry is super simple…you don’t even have to leave your house! Click HERE to register online. A kit will be mailed to your house – follow the instructions and mail the kit back in a pre-labeled envelope. Easy-peasy, zero cost to you, and absolutely no needles involved.  According to Be The Match there are about 7,500 people in need of a match at any given time. There is about a 0.2% chance that you will be a match for someone, so spread the word and pay it forward!

I hope you all enjoyed my guest post! Are you feeling motivated yet?
xoxo - SK

A HUGE thank you to Sarah for this fantastic guest post! I can't wait to throw down with this little lady in just one week! 

Another HUGE thank you to all of you for supporting me in so many ways in my studies in the past few weeks - your texts, calls, packages, food, encouragement and prayers have helped me get through each day! Keep me in your prayers at the beginning of next week...and pray for mine and my classmates' safety on Wednesday when we finish ;-)

Don't forget to follow me on Blogger, BlogLovin, Facebook, & Instagram to stay updated with Makeshift Margs! I can't wait to start posting again next week!

MBC

{{A. Liz Adventures}} {{Carolina Charm}} {{Hello! Happiness}} {{The Good Life Blog}}

{{The Lauren Elizabeth}}

post #13 - F5: Family & Friends, Starbucks Refreshers, Erase Paste, Semi-Annual Sale, & Snail Mail!

Another 5 on Friday Link Up! Favs this week!

Happy almost-weekend, y'all! Looking forward to lots of study time this weekend. Talk about feelings you never thought you'd have. Without further ado, my favorites this week!

1. Family and Friends!

I've been so overwhelmed with love from my friends and family this week for my birthday! And, of course, my sweet, sweet husband. Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, text messages, and birthday snail mail! It is all very much appreciated. I can't wait to see what 25 (eek!!) has in store!

2. Starbucks Refreshers

Have y'all tried this little sip of heaven? Best. energy. drink. ever. I've been having them in the afternoons for a much-needed pick me up. They taste delicious (not like an energy drink) and don't make me as jittery as my second love, Red Bull.

3. Benefit Erase Paste

This stuff is a God-send. If you need a good concealer, go to Sephora and get you some. It is a little pricy (for those of us who normally wear drug store makeup), but I purchased mine last summer and use it everyday. I am still not even halfway through the tiny jar. Talk about long-lasting makeup! A friend got me hooked, and I've spread the love to a few of my friends. Now, I'm telling all of you!

4. Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale

Enough said, right? I headed there very early the first day (as in, 7am. It was the only time I could go!)... Although I think they've gone up in price the last few years, it is still a great time to go pick up some essentials.

(and, it obviously makes us all look like this)

5. Snail Mail

There's nothing like checking the mailbox and getting a sweet piece of snail mail. I always forget how much I love handwritten notes, and always vow to send more. Plus, buying cute stationary is the best. I'm in the market for some monogrammed stationary or correspondence cards. How cute are these?!

(steal here)

(steal here)

(splurge here)

(splurge here)

I love reading your comments, so leave some love! Also, follow me on Blogger and Facebook to stay updated with Makeshift Margaritas! Have a fabulous weekend!!

MBC

P.S. Thanks again A. Liz Adventures, The Good Life Blog, Carolina Charm, and Hello Happiness!

post #11 - F5: Pacific Blue, Danielle Bradbery, Ultimate Organizer Bag, Birthday Coupons, & Zucchini Pasta!

Linking Up Again - my favorites this week!

Happy Friday, friends! I am so ready for the weekend! This is the first weekend that we haven't had plans in quite a long time. I'm so ready to catch up on studying, puppy playtime, and things around the house!

 It has been a bit of a dull week around here, filled with too many video lectures and too much rain. But, there are still some things that I'm loving this week and that have helped to make the gray Carolina skies a bit brighter!

1. New Color, Y'all!

My nails stink. They will never look this pretty. But after I saw this polish on one of my friends a few weeks ago, I had to try it! After all, this is probably the last summer that I will professionally be able to rock blue nails. These are clearly not my nails - I bite and pick at my nails and they're certainly not fit for a picture. But this color is fantastic, and I love it. [[Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue]] And it makes my abused fingernails just a little bit happier. That's all.

(picture credit here)

2. Danielle Bradbery

Monday and Tuesday nights have been a little intense in our household lately. My husband and I started watching The Voice last season and are completely hooked. Last season, I loved Cassadee Pope...but this season, I am a huge fan of 16 year old Danielle Bradbery! Y'all...this girl can SING! She reminds me a lot of Carrie Underwood when she was first starting out on American Idol. (Yes, I watched that season 100 years ago). I love her voice and am constantly impressed with her performances week after week. Not to mention, she's absolutely precious. And her coach is Blake Shelton. 

Don't watch The Voice? Check out some of my favorite performances of hers here or here. Disclaimer - Shake the Sugar Tree might be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Sorry I'm not sorry.

3. Samantha Grace "Ultimate Organizer" Bag

My fifth annual 21st birthday is next week, and I received an early birthday gift from my in-laws on Monday. Since Jo and I are going to Vegas in August (one of my favorite places and I'm soexcitedsoexcitedsoexcited) to celebrate our first anniversary and being finished with the bar exam, my sweet step mother in law gave me this Samantha Grace "Ultimate Bag". It is see through with a cute pattern on the top. Mine is the yellow and white striped one pictured here, but there are lots of options. My favorite feature (and the reason for the gift) is that it can replace a Ziploc bag in carry on luggage and will effortlessly make it through security. (Is that possible? That may be an exaggeration. I don't think going through security is ever effortless) I've never seen these before, but I will definitely be keeping them in mind now for future gifts! And they can go in the dishwasher. Need I say more? (Ahem, conditioner or lotion spill that will literally never stop feeling greasy no matter how many times you try to wipe it out)

4. Birthday Coupons

Ok, I'm not going to pretend not to be loving these. With all the rain, and bar prep, and stuff, I haven't felt like making lunch this week. (Or usually ever, oops). Awhile ago, a sorority sister from college posted on her blog (The Reedy Review) about restaurants that send coupons or give discounts on your birthday. I signed up for several of my favorites then, and had forgotten about them until this week! I plan on cashing in my McAlister's this afternoon, rain permitting ($5 off, not too shabby) and will be enjoying a free Cupcake at Cupcake sometime soon. Probably tomorrow, since they have Salted Caramel Chocolate on Saturdays. Noms. See Laura's post here to see if any of your favorite restaurants do special birthday treats!

(as I said, 5th annual 21st? lets be serious...I will probably be in bed by 10:00 on my bday. mornings come early, yo)

5. Still wanting more Zucchini Pasta...

Can I make this again next week? Is 3 weeks in a row too much? Maybe next time I'll substitute tomatoes for the red pepper. Or add chicken? Or feta cheese? And sub the sauce for lemon, poppyseeds, oil, & vinegar? Hmm. Possibilities are endless. See my post from Tuesday here. Mouth. Watering.

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more, please like Makeshift Margaritas on Facebook and follow me on Blogger to stay up to date. It's so easy! And, as always, I love reading your comments! They brighten my video-lecture filled day!

And, a big thanks to the blogs below for providing such a fun link-up!

MBC

www.the-good-life-blog.com

www.alizadventures.blogspot.com

www.northcarolinacharm.com

www.hellohappinessblog.com

post #9 - Aztec Secret {Product Review}

Skin Secrets...shhh!

Hey friends! I hope your weeks are off to a great start!

I've been pretty blessed with skin that hasn't given me tons of problems. However, after developing an allergic reaction to my last mud mask, I've been looking for something new. I wanted something that didn't break the bank, but still got the job done.

I had almost settled on asking for GlamGlow's mud mask for my birthday. It was a little pricy, but a friend had suggested it and it got decent reviews. However, I decided to keep looking for a few more days and stumbled across Aztec Secret's Indian Healing Clay. 

Upon doing a little more research, I discovered that people who use this become hooked for life. Everyone seems to love it, and I read glowing review after glowing review. People said that it changed their skin, you could "feel it working" and that regular use keeps your skin looking almost flawless. It is supposed to be a little known beauty secret of people with beautiful skin everywhere. I had to try this miracle product...the next day.

 I know that both Vitamin Shop and Amazon carry this, but I was too impatient for Amazon, so I headed to Vitamin Shop. I went in knowing this stuff was cheap, but when I left the cash register after paying a whopping $8.55 for a giant container, I knew that if this product worked, I was sold.

I started by mixing about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of dry clay. Next time, I will only use 1 tablespoon of each. The clay is a powdery consistency, but mixed together with the vinegar, it becomes like a normal mud mask. When you first combine the ingredients, it foams and fizzles. Use patience to get the clumps out, ladies - it's worth it in the end! I mixed in a soft plastic bowl, and they recommend that you do not mix this together in metal.

I applied the mask using a foundation brush that I rarely use. The label says that the mask causes tingling while drying. You can feel it pulling your skin tighter and rejuvenating. I completely agree with that statement - I could feel the mask pulling at my skin, especially my forehead and cheeks. I left the mask on for about 25 minutes. I used a warm (old) wet washcloth and removed the mask, although it was already peeling off in pieces.

(hey guys!)

I can truly say that my face feels so much smoother after using this mask! First, it helped in evening out skin tone. Although my face stayed red for about 30 minutes after removing the mask, it bounced back to be much more vibrant than it was to start out with. My pores are noticeably smaller. Above all, my skin feels tight and clean. I wasn't having any problems with acne, but many other reviewers said it worked wonders for them. I know that Aztec Secret has gained one new customer today!

If any of you are in the market for a new skin care product that you can try on a budget, give this a shot. I'd love to hear about your experiences with it!

MBC