Batter Up. Party Down. | Life Lately

Hello Loves & Happy Sunday,

Today I wanted to put up a quick Life Lately post for you all.  This summer has been one of my favorite summers so far.  While for me it may be short - with Student Teaching ending well into June - and my new job starting this Friday - I have definitely crammed A LOT into a short period of time.

On the 11th I went to Miller Park for the Brewers vs Cardinals game.  Now let me make this clear - Miller Park is one of my most FAVORITE places on the planet.  I love love LOVE going to Brewer games - the Brewers are MY team.  It is safe to say that Brewer games are one of the best parts of summer for me.

My Dad, my friend Steph, my friend Michelle, and I packed up our SUV and headed out to Milwaukee for an evening of tailgating, corn hole, and some great baseball.  (My boys did let a 6 point lead turn into a devastating loss - but I am no fair weather fan)!

Here are some pictures from our great evening of baseball, beer, food, friends, and fun.

This tank top though. Batter Up. Party Down.  This is a Milwaukee Brewers' tank top  from Victoria's Secret. It is my favorite thing EVER.

Setting up the chairs.

Best part about the picture - she actually made the shot.

My Dad was the undefeated corn hole champ.

I love Miller Park!

Enjoying the game with Dad.

My ladies :)

No better way to spend a summer.

Steph and I, looking adorable. Right?

I hope you enjoyed this little update.  What MLB team are you rooting for? Let me know in the comments.

With love,

Traci J

The Summer Tag | Tagalicious

We all know that I love a good tag post.

I discovered this tag over on Makeup Savvy - and she got it from Georgina at Makeup Pixi3. It's been a while since I did my last tag - so I figured I'd give this one a go. Enjoy!

1. What's your favorite thing about Summer?
My favorite thing about summer has to be the long days.  There is so much more daylight!  It's nice to come home after work and be able to sit outside, have a few drinks, and hang out with your friends without needing a flashlight.  I cannot get enough of it.


2. Do you have a favorite Summer drink?
I'm partial to a good mojito - any kind.  There is something so refreshing about the mint in there. Yum. Now I'm craving one.


3. Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?
I absolutely love going to the beach in Lake Geneva with my friends.  Nothing says "summer" quite like a day at the beach.


4. Favorite makeup look for Summer?
In the summer months I start breaking out my hot pink and orange lip colors.  I also like to experiment with colored eyeliner - either on the upper or lower lash line.  Another summer makeup must is switching to a bb cream or tinted moisturizer.  Nothing is worse than wearing a heavy foundation that melts off your face in the summer. Yuck!


5. Dresses or skirts?
Both! Dresses are so effortless and classic - but lately I've loved pairing a high waisted skirt with a crop top. Definitely both.

6. Sandals or ballet pumps?
Sandals.  Even though Wisconsin has like 3 months of warm weather - I am a sucker for sandals.  There are just so many cute ones!  My favorite pair this summer are from Target.  They are turquoise with gold detail - and I am in love.


7. Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?
I prefer to wear it down - however, I most often wear it up.  It always seems like a good idea to style my hair down - but eventually the humidity gets the best of me and my hair ends up in a ponytail, bun, or side braid.


8. Deep smoky eyes or bold lips?
If you've been paying attention at all you'd know the answer to this... Bold lip! I am all about bright pinks and oranges in the summer.  Not that I don't like a good smoky eye.


9. Favorite perfume for Summer?
Anything fruity.  My go to perfume during the rest of the year is rather complex and heavy - so I enjoy switching it up to a fruity or floral scent in the summer.


10. Last but not least, favorite music for Summer?

Okay, I admit it - I do enjoy listening to country in the summer.  It has a good vibe!  My favorite country song right now is "Play it Again" by Luke Bryan.  If you aren't a country fan - my other top song right now is "Wasted" by Tiesto.

I hope you all enjoyed this tag!  What are your favorite things about summer?

With Love,

Traci J

Summer Skincare

Happy Friday!

Today I wanted to share with you my summer skincare essentials.  I have quite finicky skin.  Somedays I swear I am still 16 - with the amount of spots and redness that I have.  Other days, the area on my chin and in between my eyebrows is unbelievably dry.  To be honest, it's a mess.  As you can imagine, I change my skincare around quite frequently to try and balance out the nonsense on my face.  

In the summer I go for really purifying cleansers - followed by a good moisturizer and sunscreen.  I find that I get quite oily during the day - and that can cause some super annoying blemishes.  However, using a purifying (plus acne medicated) cleanser can irritate my skin and leave it dry - so a good moisturizer is in order.  Over the moisturizer I follow up with sunscreen - always.

So let's get into the products I've been using.

St. Ives Green Tea Scrub

This scrub combats redness like no other cleanser I have ever used.  Not only does the salicylic acid help prevent and heal blemishes - but the natural exfoliants smooth out any imperfections in my skin and really prep my face for makeup. 

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

I use this cleanser primarily at night.  My skin does not respond well to salicylic acid alone - so I purchased this cleanser solely because it has benzoyl peroxide.  The texture of this is super creamy, and it leaves my skin feeling totally clean.  Plus, the cooling sensation it has is very relaxing.  It is a bit drying - so I only use it once a day - or every other day, making sure to follow up with a good moisturizer.  

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream

After a day out in the sun this moisturizer feels AMAZING.  The gel consistency is a bit different than I've ever tried in a moisturizer before - but I love it.  This is another product I use primarily at night - as I'm not too sure that this is the best for prepping your face for makeup.  After cleansing with my Clear Pore Cleanser, I follow up with this moisturizer and it prevents any dry spots or irritation.  Plus it truly is refreshing!

Supergoop! Save Face Serum

After moisturizing I apply this as sunscreen.  It helps smooth out my complexion, as well as protect me with SPF 30.  It also doesn't break me out - which is a plus. 

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream

My all time FAVORITE eye cream is It's Potent.  I use this both morning and night.  It brightens up my eye area and leaves it extremely moisturized.  I don't need to say anymore because this product just speaks for itself. Go. Go buy it. You have to.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Spray

I'll admit it.  I have super annoying body acne.  It accumulates both on my chest and my upper back, and as someone who is a fan of both v-necks and crop tops - body acne just isn't going to cut it.  In the summer, we all sweat a lot more and that does not help the whole acne situation. Recently I found this body spray from Neutrogena that you can spray wherever the acne is and go.  It dries quick and YOU CAN SPRAY IT UPSIDE DOWN.  Seriously - this makes it so easy to reach your back and shoulder blades.  If you have body acne - you need this spray.

What products do you add into your skin care routine in the summer?  ?  Let me know in the comments!

With Love,

Traci J

Summer Style for the Man in Your Life

Hello Loves!

It is no secret that I have a place in my  heart for well dressed men.  Nothing can beat a guy who has his own personal style - and shows it off with confidence.  So today, with the help of Bonobos, I decided to try my hand at putting together three looks for the men out there.  

Each of these looks is inspired by the carefree months of summer, as well as the new Garment Dyed Chinos line from Bonobos.  These relaxed and richly colored pants are perfect for summer - whether you're chilling at the beach, rocking out at a music festival, on a date with your special lady, or just hanging with the guys.  

Look #1

Sea Green Slim Chinos...Bonobos

Navy & White Bold Stripe Tank...Bonobos

Pork Pie Hat with Navy Trim...Topman

Beige Leisure Shoes...Bonobos

Look #2

Nantucket Red Slim Chinos...Bonobos

Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt...Bonobos

White Sunglasses...H&M

Merrimac 1955 Boat Shoes...Bonobos

Look #3

(My favorite)

Wheat Chinos...Bonobos

Short Sleeve Surf Photo Shirt...Bonobos

Young and Reckless Snapback...Tilly's

Black Canvas Sabados...Toms

What pieces will you be rocking this summer with your garment dyed chinos?  I definitely suggest heading over to the Bonobos website to check out not only these pants - but the rest of the clothing they have to offer. 

I'd love to hear what look was your favorite - as well as what stores you enjoy shopping at for summer clothing essentials.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

XO,

Traci J