December 2019 Favorites + Happenings

Face, Fashion, and ‘Finding’ Myself

I know, I can hardly believe it too! Somehow the final month of the year is coming to a close. But before we talk all things 2020, goals, resolutions, and plans, let’s take a step back and round up December. I’ve got a handful of favorites and so much to talk about today. Let’s get chatting!

FASHION

: one of my favorite outfits ever

: matching jogger sets!

This month I’ve received some of the coolest pieces in the mail. So many good things have been sent my way and I’ve had so much fun styling them. My number one favorite of the month has got to be jackets! I know statement coats have been a favorite for a few months now but I just cannot get enough of them. I have a little black bomber that I have been wearing the heck out of since getting home. It’s been pretty warm here so I can get away without my parka. I have also loved my white faux fur coat and this cute leather one. I’ve also been wearing my Express jogger sets so much as I’ve done a lot of traveling back and forth this month. I find that these are the coziest travel attire! I love my white chunky SheIn sneakers with them. I also have got some awesome shoes this month and some of my favorite pairs lately have been my white booties, White Mountain sneaker booties, and those Off The Beaten Track heels I styled just a couple weeks ago. Aside from those additional pieces, my wardrobe has been pretty predictable for day to day wear. I want to donate a huge amount of stuff before going back to school in January so I’ve been wearing a lot of pieces “just one last time” so that I can love on them before passing them along. And, if I’m just lounging around pjs it is, lol!

ACCESSORIES

: my fav bag ever

: my fav accessories

: this bag omg

: my apple watch is the best!

I know I mentioned it last month but my Apple watch really was one of my favorite accessories this month. I want to get another band so that I can wear it with a few dressier outfits but because I’ve just been wearing leggings and cozies these last few weeks of being home, I’ve found myself wearing my watch more and more. I fell in love with this clear bag from Romwe too! It’s just the cutest thing ever to spice up an outfit. I just placed a huge SheIn order of only earrings so I will have more to talk about accessory wise come January!

WORKOUT WEAR

: yellow for the gym yes please

: the BEST leggings

: another awesome set

I don’t have a gym membership here at home so I haven’t been working out but I was hitting the gym every day at school in the beginning of the month. I’ve been sticking to my usual favorites— Lilybod, Yogalicious, and Joy Lab from Target. I got tons of new workout sets for Christmas that I cannot wait to bring back to school! My white New Balance sneakers are my go-to gym shoe. I picked them up in black this month at the Outlet for 40% off; run don’t walk to your nearest store to pick these up!

BEAUTY

Revlon Photo Ready Airbrush Foundation— My mom gave this to me over Thanksgiving break because it was too dark for her and I absolutely love it. I can’t even remember the last time I fell in love with a Revlon product as they aren’t a drugstore brand I typically reach for but I am obsessed with the way this foundation wears. It gives you such an airbrush finish and keeps me matte for hours.
Elf Poreless Face Primer— My Big put this primer in one of my baskets and I love it! It’s been a while since I’ve been in love with an Elf product but this really is one of the best primers I’ve tried in a long time. Keeps you matte all day and minimizes the size of pores which is always a plus.

ENTERTAINMENT

I’m currently in the midst of watching Season 2 of You on Netflix. I loved Season 1 when it came out. I’ll admit, I’m having a harder time getting into this season as it’s kind of slow but everyone keeps saying it’s got a good ending. Aside from that, I really haven’t been watching much TV this month. I have been watching a good amount of YouTube since everyone and their mother was doing Vlogmas and I have fallen back in love with Tati’s videos. She was one of the first YouTubers I ever watched and with a few gift cards to spend, I turned to her for some product recommendations. She is hands down the most trustworthy YouTuber ever! Oh, and Luke Combs new album on repeat on my Alexa!!!

LOOKING BACK AT DECEMBER

Well, I’m happy to report back that December was (mostly) a success! I hit 6K on Instagram just a few days into December. I’m sitting at just over 6,200 to finish off 2019 which means I had 100% growth on Instagram this year which I can’t believe I’m even typing. I am about 100 subscribes shy of my end of the year goal but I’m not too bummed about it; I know my YouTube will grow with time and handwork. I also completed my first ever Vlogmas! I am so proud of myself for managing to upload a new YouTube video every single day leading up to Christmas. It was definitely a change of pace daily vlogging. My videos didn’t do as well as I had hoped they would but I’m still proud of myself and glad I decided to challenge myself. I am however, excited to switch back to weekly vlogs come 2020! I also managed to pay off my first semester loan entirely and I could not be happier; it’s so awesome knowing that my hard work through blogging is literally paying off!

LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY

In January I’m hoping to hit the ground running! I’ll be home for the first half of the month which means I’ll get to venture out to a few new locations with my mom before heading back to Ohio. I can’t wait to get more creative with my content in the new year! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can manage to hit 6.5K on Instagram and host a giveaway if possible. My main focus in January is going to be planning for fashion week in January! I’ve got lots of work to do before the big trip and am hoping to connect with some awesome brands and other bloggers that will be there in advance! I’ve got a bunch of habits I want to keep up with but I’m going to keep the rest of this talk for my 2020 goals post that will be going up soon!

MY MONTH AT A GLANCE

: me and shelby <3

: my girl liv

December 1st feels like forever ago! I got back to school on December 1st and just ten days later I was headed back to Maryland for Christmas break. It was a crazy busy ten days. Soaking in all the time with my friends, getting lots of work done, and embarking in some holiday festivities. I had my sororities semi-formal which was so fun and our holiday party too! Suddenly finals week was over for me and Corrine and I headed back home for the holidays.

: pj day!

: me and my sissy

: the kiddies

: my boys!

I spent the first few days of break headed to all sorts of doctors appointments and after that it’s been pretty quiet around here. I’ve been hanging with Connor, editing lots of Vlogmas, shooting some fun looks with my mom, and just sitting around with the fam. My grandparents came here for Christmas and the following day we headed to New York to spend some time with my mom’s side of the family. I’m spending the last day of the year writing out some of my goals, analyzing tons of analytics from last year, and getting ready to celebrate StyledbyMcKenz turning four! Can’t believe this month (and year) are over. Thanks for sticking with me!

With love, McKenz