Summer Beauty

 In the past couple years, I've toned down my makeup routine quite a bit. I don't really know what caused the change, but I think it might something to do with having to wake up early for this big girl job I have. Less time on makeup = more sleep! Especially in the summer, my makeup routine is super simple and natural. Today I'm sharing my favorite products that I use on a daily basis! 

Face: neutrogena oil-free mouisture // benefit "boi-ing" concealer // mac mineralize bronzer

I've been using neutrogena's moisturizer for years and I love it. It's light, non-greasy, and has a little SPF to protect my face. Since I don't like wearing foundation in the summertime, a good concealer to cover imperfections is crucial. I just ran out of my mac concealer, and I'm planning to try benefit's "boi-ing" next. To finish off my face, I dust a little bronzer all over to warm up my complexion.

Eyes/Brows: too faced brow pencil // benefit "they're real" mascara

For me, my stand-out features are my eyes and brows. I don't wear eyeshadow or eyeliner daily, but I always have to shape my brows and put on mascara. I use too faced's brow pencil in "blondey" which is a few shades lighter than my natural brow color. For my lashes, I always curl them first and then add 1-2 coats of "they're real" mascara by benefit. It really helps lengthen my lashes but isn't too much for a natural look. (I am looking for another mascara that adds dramatic volume for those times I want a more glam look. I need recommendations!)

Lips: fresh sugar lip balm

Lastly, I usually swipe on sugar lip balm from fresh, which gives a light color and extreme moisture. Occasionally, I'll switch that out for a bright lipstick. It helps me feel a little more put together but not overly so in the summer heat. :)

What are your summer beauty must-haves? I'd love to hear your beauty recommendations!

* I was not compensated by any brand for this post. I use and love all of these products and wanted to share them with you!

Designer Necklace Giveaway from Belcho USA

Belcho USA textured bar necklace

I'm so honored to introduce to you Belcho USA, whose dainty & feminine jewelry is handmade in Los Angeles, CA. For every piece sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to various animal rescue groups and St. Jude Research Hospital. That alone is enough to make Belcho USA a winner in my book! I've been on the hunt for dainty necklaces to wear in the summer, so their textured bar necklace turned out to be a perfect fit for me! I can imagine wearing it with flirty dresses and cotton tank tops alike. 

I'm happy to announce that Belcho USA would like to give away one of the textured bar necklaces to one of my readers!

Requirements:

Follow The Sequined Spaniel via Bloglovin'

'Like' The Sequined Spaniel on Facebook

'Like' Belcho USA on Facebook

Leave a comment stating that you completed these requirements and be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entry:

Follow The Sequined Spaniel on Twitter

Follow Belcho USA on Twitter

Leave another comment letting me know you completed both requirements for an extra entry.

This giveaway is open to all U.S. residents and will conclude on Tuesday July 9th at 11:59 pm CST. 

The winner will be selected at random and will be announced here on Wednesday July 10th. 

And the winner is... Jessica from Poppies and Polka Dots! Congratulations! 

Thank you to all who entered!

J. Crew Mari Sandals

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you know that I got an amazing deal on the pink J. Crew Mari sandals... As in, 74% off the retail price of $228... My total price was only $60! I was so unbelievably excited! J. Crew has the best customer service! They arrived only 2 days later and as soon as I put them on my feet, I fell in love. The kind of love that makes me buy them in another color, the portabello mushroom, which is a neutral tan color. And the best part? I got them for only $40! That's more than 80% off! (This is the kind of math I can do...) 

Wanna know the secret? 

For the pink pair: I saw them online on sale for $179 and they had a 25% off promotion going on at that time. I went to Google to learn more about the fit and found out that they were marked down even more in-store. I called customer service and they honored the in-store price of $69 and also took off 25%. They did charge $5 for shipping, but I didn't complain! Total price: $60!

For the nude pair: I went to the store and used the red phone to order these. They are still full price online, but they gave me the same sale price of $69 and at that time, all sale items were an additional 30% off. I also got a 15% student discount. Total price: $40! 

Have y'all found any unbelievable J. Crew bargains lately? When I went to the store this past weekend, they had SO much on sale. I almost left with a $28 pair of yellow Cece ballet flats (which are also still full-price online) but I reluctantly walked away from them. 

Now THAT is self control. 

Designed for Good + Cutest Pet Contest!

Y'all know how much I love my dogs. One look at my Instagram feed and you'll be convinced. When Bella was a puppy, I would literally rock her to sleep at night like a baby and carefully lay her inside her kennel. And she also had a real baby playpen she used for about two months (until she learned how to climb out). While she's three years old now, she'll always be my little baby Bella even though she doesn't particularly enjoy being rocked to sleep anymore. Instead, she has no problem falling asleep in bed with us, usually hogging my pillow. When Bentley came along last year, I couldn't have predicted how different he would be. He's the sweetest little boy but unlike Bella, he still wants to be held all the time and struggles with trusting strangers. They both have such sweet yet different personalities. I really don't think of them as dogs. They're members of our family as much as human children are.

Dogs are forever trusting, loyal, forgiving, and loving no matter what. I'm so passionate about animals and hate seeing strays or hearing terrible stories about abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Or even worse, animal testing.

I don't understand why innocent animals have to endure such cruelty when there are alternative methods. I don't understand because I can't identify with heartless people who harm animals. While I can't stop companies from animal testing, I can support companies that make it their mission to provide products not tested on animals, contain no animal by-product, and are pet friendly. Enter Method.

Method is in business to change business. Their challenge is to make sure that every product they send out into the world is a little agent of environmental change, using safe and sustainable materials, manufactured responsibly. And that also means no animal testing.

Method believes that guinea pigs should never be used as guinea pigs. That’s why they never test any of their products or ingredients on animals, never use animal by-products, and make products that are safe for cleaning up after your pets. Their newest "Designed for Good" hand wash duo tells this story, and, they hope, helps raise awareness for the fair treatment of animals. As always, the naturally derived, biodegradable formulas are 100% vegan + cruelty-free.

Method so generously sent me both "Designed for Good" hand washes and now I'm hooked. They smell so good and I love that I'm supporting a cause that I'm truly passionate about.

To further support the cause, Method and Soap.com are teaming up to donate 15% of Method product sales on Soap.com in June to the ASPCA®, whose mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.  

During checkout, use the code PAWPRINT at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase at Soap.com!

This is a great time to try Method's products at a discounted price, while also supporting 2 wonderful organizations dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and raising awareness for the fair treatment of animals. I promise, you won't regret it. 

Method is currently hosting a cutest pet contest! Share a photo of your pet to be eligible to win two "Designed for Good" hand soaps and a $50 gift card to Soap.com. Method will choose one winner each week through the end of June!

To enter via Facebook: Visit Method's Facebook page and find the 'pet photo contest' tab and follow instructions for uploading your photo. Note: smartphone & tablet users, use this link.

To enter via Instagram: Follow @methodhome and post your pet’s photo using the hashtag #methodcutepets.

The contest will begin on June 11 and end June 30. Method will select one winner each week to receive the two “designed for good” soaps and a $50 gift card to Soap.com. Only residents of the US and Canada (excluding Quebec) are eligible to win.

This post is sponsored by Method. This is a cause I truly believe in and all opinions are 100% my own.

Day to Night

New York and Company blouse, American Eagle jacket, J. Crew Factory skirt, Steve Madden wedges, Target bag, Gemmy Junky necklace, kate spade earrings & sunnies



I'm so excited to be the first participant in Laura's new series, Day to Night! We have exactly the same skirt, so we decided to share two ways to style it, whether you're out running errands or going on a hot date!

I took the daytime look and chose to pair my skirt with a boyfriend style jacket and espadrilles. Looking back, I should have worn flat sandals, but since the skirt is a bit long on me and I haven't been to the tailor, I wore wedges to add a little extra height. Ideally, I'd throw on my leather & glitter sandals!

To see Laura's outfit details and more photos on how she styled her nighttime look, visit her blog here.

It Needs To Be Said

Today I came across a terrible website where people come together under anonymous user names and discuss their hate for blogs. And by "discuss their hate" I mean hand out insults left and right. They don't discriminate; they insult every blogging community: fashion, lifestyle, fitness, and parenting alike. It's sickening really, especially when explained out like this. Simply put, they're cyber bullies that hide behind internet anonymity while defaming bloggers.

Right now, I'm taking a stand against cyber bullying and standing up for all of my fellow bloggers. 

To the cyber bullies,

It’s sad to me that you spend your time this way. Does spreading lies and negativity about others make you feel better about yourself? All the bloggers you are insulting have had the confidence to put themselves out into the world, use their real name, and share their lives, photos of themselves and their families. That takes courage. You, however, hide behind your catty user name.

Not everyone will enjoy every blog. There are blogs I don’t particularly care for. But you know what? I just don’t read them. It’s that easy. Personally, I don’t see the point in spending my time reading blogs that irritate me and discussing the reasons. I can think of so many more enjoyable and meaningful ways to fill my time.

I’m amazed at how many participants of this site admit they are bloggers themselves, yet say such spiteful things about their fellow bloggers. Blogging should be a community where we build each other up and share constructive criticisms, not rip each other apart. Blogging has led to so many great things for me, both professionally and personally, with the best being new friendships. I am thankful for the connections I’ve made during this short time and look forward to many more. I’m always more than happy to associate with bloggers that are kind, helpful, and encouraging.

To all my fellow bloggers, you are awesome. You are tenacious. And you are beautiful. There will always be people who don’t like you and want to bring you down. There will always be people that are jealous of you. Don’t let them steal your joy! Share on your blog things that bring you happiness and inspiration, and please, please don’t visit sites that engage in cyber bullying.

Tuxedo Jacket

Jacket: Express // Tee: J. Crew // Jeans: Loft // Wedges: Jimmy Choo // Bag: Francesca's // Bracelets & Necklace: J. Crew // Sunnies: kate spade

I love mixing dressy and casual pieces together. I think it always adds an interesting and unexpected element into your every-day style! Of course, this tuxedo jacket goes with dresses and sequins, but it also pairs just as easily with tees and jeans for an effortless daytime ensemble.

Check back tomorrow to see how Laura and I style the same skirt for day and evening looks!