Beach Bound

Tomorrow I'm off to Florida for 2 weeks at the beach. I was going to post about packing, but seeing how much I had to do today I nixed the idea. Instead I'm going to share my favorite sun essentials.

1. Ray-Ban Shades
I love my Wayfarers. They are my go to for all outdoor activity. I'm embarrassed to say how many different pairs I have gone through, but they continue to be my go-to.

2. Elta MD Skincare

I have extremely sensitive skin on my face. Most sunscreens make my face break out and burn, but not elta products. The face sunscreen is perfect for my skin and protects it from harsh burns. 

3. Sugar Fresh Lip Treatment 

Not only does this product keep my lips soft, but it also protects them from getting burned in the sun. 

4. Nike Dri-FIT Hat

Going back to my high school days, when playing golf I always chose to wear my Nike dry-fit hat. It keeps you hair and head much cooler than regular caps. 

What products do you love?

xoxo.

Summer Shoe

Back in May my mom bought me a pair of yellow Soludos Espadrilles from J. Crew and I LOVE them! They are so easy to travel with and slip on & off. While summer may be sandal season, my espadrilles are a close second.

Summer Soles by hktinsley featuring espadrille shoes

xoxo.

Insta-Trip

My camera didn't make it to DC but my Iphone did.

{1. airport productivity, 2. drinks in Adams Morgan, 3. Serendipity, 4. A glimpse at MG's work place, 5. Capital dome, 6. & 7. shopping, 8. glued to his blackberry, 9. reading view, 10. enjoying the national gallery}

xoxo. 

I'm off!

I'm heading to D.C. for a long weekend to visit MG!

photo via cnbc 

While I'm gone, here are a few blogs I'm currently loving.

Sweet Caroline in the City

Gal Meets Glam

Pink Peonies 

xoxo. 

June Birchbox

In May I decided on a whim to sign up for Birchbox, a monthly subscription to beauty samples.  The cost is only $10 a month, so why not? My first box I got was Gossip Girl themed. It was nothing really to write home about except that I got to sample Fresh Suger Rose lip balm.  I've heard from people that some months are hit or miss so I decided to stick it out.

The June Birchbox theme is Jet Setting, perfect since I'm heading to DC Thursday. There were over 40 different products sampled.

The contents of my box:

1. Comodynes Tanning Towelette: Pack of 8, $14.99
I haven't tired these yet and don't plan to until my summer tan begins to fade. (I received 2 in my box)

2. Stila One Step Bronze: Full Size 1oz $36 
It was exciting to get a full sized product in my box. I can't wait to try this bronzer out with my beauty routine.

3. theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen: Full size $17
I've been intrigued by lip and cheek stains since last summer. I'm not sure how I feel about the product being the consistency of lip gloss. (I received a sample size in my box)

4. Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Perfume: Full Size $49.50-$59.50
Honestly I have no interest in receiving perfume samples, much less Taylor Swift's scent.  (I received a sample size)

*Extra Luna Bar: Pack of 15 $18.75
These use to be my breakfast after X-Country in high school. I wasn't wowed with this extra. (I received a mini bar)

Next month Birchbox is partnered with Glamour Magazine, I can't wait to see what they have in store!!

What to sign up for Birchbox? Click Here.

xoxo.

Currently Craving: Summer Spirits

Here's a peek at what I'm currently wanting to add to my possessions.

Currently Craving by hktinsley featuring retro sunglasses

xoxo.

The Youngest

Happy 14th Birthday to my brother Will, the youngest Tinsley!

xoxo.

Ebates

Most of the people that read my blog are my college friends (K-Payne).  So I feel like I know my readers pretty well and I can tell you for sure that they shop online. Considering the options in Tuscaloosa, there is no other choice. Well I have some news for all my online shopping friends, one word: EBATES.

This website is so great! You can earn cash back on almost everything you buy online. All you have to do is create an account and use the ebates site to get to the shopping.

Here's an example:
I want to buy a new pair of Ray-Bans from Sunglasses Hut. First I make sure that Sunglasses Hut has the pair I want online. Next I go to Ebates and search Sunglasses Hut, lucky me ebates is currently offering 9.5% cash back from Sunglasses hut. Next there is a button that says Shop Now, that redirects you to Sunglasses Hut. So I make my purchase of $150 sunglasses at Sunglasses Hut online then I am credited $14.25 on Ebates.
*the key is you have to be directed to a web site thru Ebates.

How do you get paid?
You can choose to be credited on a Paypal account or have a check mailed to you.

When do you get paid?
Every 3 months, so at the end of the quater.

The cash back rates change, I've seen Nordstrom at 11% cash back in the past.

Sound good? Sign up HERE!

Still unsure? Here's a news report on Ebates.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo.

Summer Sip

Fresh squeezed lemonade is one of my favorite drinks, especially in the summer.  It has been a dreary 24 hours in the Dallas area with lots of rainfall. My brother Will and I have been forced to stay indoors to entertain ourselves. I was catching up on some reading when I came across Matchbook Magazine's fresh squeezed lemonade recipe. I knew we had plenty of lemons in the fridge so I decided to stir up a pitcher for my family to enjoy and make the day feel more summery.

Recipe via June's Matchbook Magazine can be found on page 56

{simple ingredients with fun gadgets}

{ready to be squeezed}

{finished product}

*Tips

1. My dad and brother really enjoyed how the finished product tasted but I think next time I would modify the recipe by using 1 cup of sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups of sugar. 

2. The recipe calls for 8 lemons and I ended up using 9. You would probably need about 10 if you would like to have some garnish. 

xoxo.

A Celebration

My brother Colin graduated from high school on Saturday! Everyone in my family knows he is beyond ready to head to the University of Arkansas in the fall.  Congratulations Colin!

Excuse the darkness, my mom is still figuring out her mother's day present.

Colin+Logan 

Father+Son

Sibs minus Will

 Gotta straighten out the bow tie

us+mom

xoxo.

Investment Pieces

I've been totally MIA this week. Getting back into the groove of things after a long weekend is always hard and we've been extra busy around here getting ready for my brother's high school graduation on Saturday. No need to worry though, I'm back to business now.

I was talking to my friend MBY about great bags and she pointed out that we are at a stage in life where we want investment pieces instead of super trendy ones. Going for a classic shaped bag in a neutral color that we can use all the time is just what we need. MBY is dying for the DVF Harper Bag that doubles as an ipad case, perfect since she is moving to NYC today! So I pulled together a few of my favorite bags that I believe I would carry forever.
Disclaimer* I'm in no way in a position where I can shell out over $1,000 for a new handbag, but a girl can dream (in YSL preferably) right?

investment pieces by hktinsley featuring leather tote bags

I'm hoping to scoop up a mini MAC or mini MAB next week during Rebecca Minkoff's online sale so I can start collecting my "investment bags".

xoxo.

Summer Read Part 1

Since Memorial day weekend usually kicks off the start of summer, I thought I would share what books I'm loading up my kindle for the beginning of the season. It's no secret that I LOVE my kindle, I read so much more because it's something I tote around everywhere I go! I'm going to try and read a variety of books over the summer from classics and history to biographies and some light-hearted reads.

The Classic: Catcher in the Rye

I have read this book probably 5 times since my junior year of high school, it is one of my absolute favorites.  I guess there is something about Holden Caulfield that keeps me coming back, or maybe it's the east coast/NYC setting that gets me.  If you have never read it, please go to Half-Price Books  NOW and snag a copy, hopefully you don't regret it. 




The Memoir: Rather Outspoken: My life in the 
News

Last night I tuned into Andy Cohn's show Watch What Happens Live on Bravo, his guest were Dan Rather and John Mayer. I'm going to be honest and I say I was much more excited to see John Mayer than Dan Rather, but it turns out I enjoyed Rather way more than Mayer.  I loved hearing all about the different people Rather had interviewed over his 40 years in journalism so much that I've decided to purchase his book! This works out perfectly because I know my mom will love to read it later on this summer.

The Funny/Light-Hearted: Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture

Those who are close to me know that I LOVE Andy Cohen.  I mean come on, look what he was build at Bravo and I just love watching him on WWHL (I've been watching since his first episode with SJP). Whenever I fly from Dallas to Columbus, OH or DC (were MG lives) I almost always have layovers in STL (Andy's Hometown) and I always secretly hope I catch of glimpse of him heading to or from NYC. Maybe I'm crazy, but I cannot wait to read his book! 

What are you reading this summer?

xoxo.

Gatsby!

The Great Gatsby Trailer was released today!


Now I am ready to reread the book just in time for Memorial day weekend.

xo.

Grad Gowns

I'm not graduating this May but I've seen so many dresses I would love to wear to my graduation. I put together a little polyvore set with a few of my favorite dresses that I would pick for graduation (high school or college!).  I think that a graduation dress should be classic, something you look back on and still love.  So I picked out 5 simple but nicely tailored dresses in simple color palettes, the less busier the better in my opinion. Enjoy!

Grad to Grownup by hktinsley featuring a pocket dress

xoxo.

Check my pulse?

Today I'm going to address impulse shopping and how great it can be! Normally I wouldn't categorize myself as an impulse shopper but lately I have made some purchases that are out of character for me. Usually when I shop I am looking for a certain item and weight heavily on whether or not to purchase.  Over Christmas I went inbetween Madewell and J.Crew probably 3 or 4 times before deciding which coat I was going to purchase, I drive myself CRAZY!

Lately though I have given way to a few impuse purchases that are so unlike me, first is I bought a few piece of jewelry from Accessories Auctions. Which I ended up being beyond HAPPY with!

(bracelet on the left is Accessories Auctions)

Next impulse purchase I made was signing up for Birchbox. I have always looked into Birchbox but was never sold, that is until the came out with a Gossip Girl edition and that pushed me over the edge. I'm still waiting on my first box but I will certainly share when I receive it!

My final impulse purchase I made over the last few weeks was to Pre-Order John Mayer's new CD Born and Raised. I totally forgot I even purchased it until this morning when I got an email alerting me it was available for download.  I'm thrilled to listen to the whole album today!

So overall I am so happy with my lastest impulse purchases, maybe this is me changing my ways? Probably not, I'm currently researching a Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC I am dying to purchase.

Do you impulse shop?

xoxo.

Twist on H2O

One thing I love about summer is all the fresh fruit and vegetables that are available.  We picked up a watermelon this past weekend I cannot wait to cut into it today.  I'm also excited to try out some fruit infused water. Last summer I stumbled across the coffee table book, "Spa Water" inspired by the Cooper Clinic, which sparked my interest.

Here is what I'm most excited to try out:

Grape Fruit Orange Lime Mint Spa Water

Watermelon Infused Water

Lemon Mint Infused Water (But I would add cucumbers)

xoxo

Flick or Float

I got up this morning with a dilemma on my hands... will I catch a movie or will I spend my day floating in the pool?

I really want to see The Five Year Engagement, because I love Emily Blunt.

But I also want to see Tim Burton's Dark Shadows, but the reviews haven't been too stellar. 

I'll report back later with a review or a sunburn.

xoxo.

Confession

So I have a confession to share: I am extremely fascinated with ballet. The kind of fascination that I wish my mom would of stopped all of the gymnastics classes and sports teams and instead added more ballet (I took ballet and tap for 2 years just like any good little girl).

I enthralled with the black swan craze last year and seriously could not get enough of it. I feel like I have TONS of friends that danced ballet, even my roommate danced at school during her freshman year. With that said I'm dying to see this documentary First Position.



I just love to watch how graceful the dancers are and how easy they make everything look.

xoxo.

ps. I'm sure by the time they start broadcasting from London for the Olympics I'll be happy for my gymnastic roots.

Pish Polish

lights

camera

action

bazooka

F




For the last week and a half I have been searching far and wide for Essie's Poppy-Razzi collection and have had ZERO luck.

The closest I got to finding any of these was at Ulta where they had one bottle of camera left (and it was gross aka people had been using it YUCK). Everywhere else I've been never had this collection but instead already has the newer summer collection. I'm dying to try out all of these colors. I love that they are neon but not trashy neon.

I've come to the conclusion that I will never own these polished unless I order them online, but it's my thing when it comes to beauty products. So does anyone have any suggestions for other great summer polishes?

xoxo.

Back for the Summer!

After taking a week at home to doing nothing following finals, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things! My summer is going to be a relaxing one, all I'm doing is going on a few trips, studying for the October LSAT, and taking a few easy online classes.

To get things started off right I rounded up my must haves for the summer

Sunshine Style by hktinsley featuring j crew shorts

I love a low key summer style that you can throw on in 10 minutes, with that in mind I chose simple but bright accessories to the basic beauty produces and the easy tshirt combinations.

As for the pink YSL wallet/clutch, I am DYING to actually have this YSL clutch which sadly is no longer available at Neiman Marcus. Maybe I can find one by mid summer, fingers crossed. 


xoxo.


ps. anyone signed up for birchbox?! I just signed up this month for the Gossip Girl themed on and can't wait for it to arrive. 

#Whitegirlproblems

I have fallen into the habit of toting my kindle EVERYWHERE. Seriously, wherever I am you can find it stowed away in my backpack when I have class or throw into my longchamp while I am out running errands. This weekend I was ready for a new light read for while I was at the pool and decided on White Girl Problems by Babe Walker. (I had a $5 amazon credit so I didn't feel too bad charging the extra $3 on my mom's card)

Anyone out there follow @whitegirlproblems? Well this was one of the first twitter accounts I started following. While I find it kind of annoying now to follow (lots of self-promotion), I still enjoy the occasional humorous #whitegirlproblem. Don't let the twitter account or blog fool you. Babe Walker is NOT a real person, but I kinda wish she was.

What trashy, guilty pleasure book is on your summer reading list?

xoxo.