Happy 4th!

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

And to the republic for which it stands,

Once nation, under God, indivisible,

With liberty and justice for all

I'm proud to be an American

Where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the man who died

And gave that right to me

And I'd gladly stand up next to you

And defend her still today

Because there ain't no doubt I love this land

God bless the USA!

My country 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrims' pride
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free

And the home of the brave!

Happy Independence Day!

Covering Up

A few days ago I was on YouTube listening to some acoustic song covers, when I came across this guy's channel:

I listened to a few of his songs, and I about died. His voice is amazing! He's uploaded covers of a lot of popular songs (and some originals too!), and the soulful, raspy vibe he adds to them is just fantastic.

Here's a few covers Matt's done:

"Grenade" by Bruno Mars

"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon


"Cooler Than Me" by Mike Posner


and one of my personal favorites...
"E.T. (featuring Kanye West)" by Katy Perry


Go visit Matt Beilis' YouTube Channel and check out the rest of his songs- you won't regret it!

A Love/Hate Relationship

A few days ago, I picked up a fresh tube of mascara on a trip to Target. I had tried tons of new kinds and wasn't impressed, so I decided to return to an old favorite: Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume. I'm more of a volume girl than a length girl when it comes to mascara, and Lash Blast does just that for my pathetic, thin lashes.

When I got home, I noticed I'd accidentally grabbed the waterproof version instead of the washable version, but didn't think anything of it and happily loaded up my lashes the next morning. 

I loved how it made them look!

I can't say I was quite as impressed when I went to take off my makeup that night. I use Vaseline to remove my eye makeup, and I've never had a problem before, but the mascara just would. not. come. off. Finally I resorted to putting a glob of Vaseline on my eye and letting it sit for a few minutes to see if that worked. It didn't do much and I ended up pulling out several eyelashes just to get the stuff off. When I finished, my eyes were super irritated and 

I still wasn't able to get all the mascara off.

The frustrating part is, I really do love this mascara. It is the probably the best I've ever used in terms of how it separates my lashes and makes them look super thick!

But, alas, if you're thinking of trying this, don't. Go for the non-waterproof. Your eyes will thank you!

Vote for Me!

Right now, College Prep is hosting a 

contest on her blog along with Vineyard Vines!

The prize is this adorable Lobster Beach tote 

which is, of course, from Vineyard Vines:

To enter, I had to make a set on Polyvore centered around the tote, 

using as many VV items as possible.

Here's what I came up with:

Now, here's where you come in!

College Prep has posted all of the sets on her Facebook page, and the set that gets the most "likes" by July 8th wins! 

If you all could just go over to her Facebook page (I even gave you a handy little link!) and give my set a "like" it would mean so much to me!

Thanks so much!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today, for the first time ever, I'm linking up with Little Daisy May for

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving my followers- all 13 of you! 

Thanks so much for your support and all the sweet comments you girls leave!

I'm loving that I started summer dance classes this week! It's only been two weeks since recitals, but I am so happy to get back to the studio four days a week with all the wonderful girls I dance with! Also, I'm taking jazz class for the first time in almost a year, so I am super excited for that tonight!

I'm loving that my senior portrait proofs will be coming in the mail any day now! I have a really good feeling about how they turned out, and I can't wait to see what they look like!

I'm loving that there is a new episode of Franklin and Bash on tonight! I've been watching it since it first premiered last month and I am totally hooked!

I'm loving that I have an adorable outfit picked out for the 4th of July!

Make sure to go visit Little Daisy May, link up, and let everyone know what you're loving right now!

What's in my Caddy?

Besides reading blogs, one thing I love love to do online is watch YouTube videos. I am obsessed with makeup, so it's only natural that I love to watch them and pick up new tips and tricks. In addition to their beauty videos, a lot of the girls who do YouTube have also made "What's in my purse?" videos. In these videos, the girls give us an opportunity to see something we may often be curious about- what do other women carry around with them all day?

I thought I'd switch things up a little and, instead of showing you what's in my purse, I'm going to show what's in my shower caddy- i.e. all the products I take in with me when it's bath time!

I'm sure a shower caddy makes most of you think of college or summer camp, and while I am in neither of these things, I find using a caddy for my bath products super convenient because it keeps all of my stuff in one place and keeps my shower clutter free!

So, without further adieu, here's 

what's in my shower caddy:

(Click it to make it bigger!)

Have a fabulous week!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my dear old daddy's birthday!

In my family, when it's your birthday you get to choose whatever you want to have for dinner and dessert. I don't know what dad will choose for dinner, but he always loves my mom's amazing homemade apple pie for dessert!

Here's a vintage picture of Hannah and Daddo:

(Aren't you just loving that mustache!?)

Happy Birthday Dad!