August 2020 Favorites + Happenings

Face, Fashion, and "Finding Myself"

Similar to last year, this August has felt like two months in one. The first half of the month was spent soaking up my last weeks of summer: vacationing with family, apartment shopping, and saying goodbyes. And the second half has been spent here in Ohio adjusting to college life all over again and beginning my sophomore year at Kent State.

It’s felt like the longest and shortest month all at the same time. I’ve got all kinds of favorites to share with you today and lots to recap, so bear with me—it’s going to be a long one.

Fashion

: obsessed with this combo

: comfy and cozy

: loving this tie dye

: take me to the tennis court

I started the month off at the beach so I spent a good chunk of the month in a bikini but I still have a handful of fashion favorites to share with you. I have been keeping things pretty casual on a day to day basis. When I was home I was running around trying to get things packed and taking Chase to the golf course and now that I’m at school I’m lounging around learning and working from my bed and couch. So, inevitably I’ve been wearing a lot of casual pieces. I received these Ugg slippers for an upcoming collaboration and have worn them every day since. They are lifesavers in this freezing old apartment!

But, on the other hand, I have still been dressing up for the sake of photos and to make me feel “normal” while learning from home. I love that I can play around with big accessories (this nude hat, specifically) and wear heels since I have nowhere to walk but from my bedroom to the kitchen. Anything that laces up has been my jam—these nude Lulus heels especially!

It’s been a rather strange month as far as shooting blog content goes. Madison and I were cranking out as many looks as possible before moving in so that I’d have some photos to work with upon getting here. But, eventually, the time came for me to start shooting looks here at school. I had this adorable green set from Lulus come and it’s the comfiest set ever—I’m wearing it as we speak! I’ve also loved styling blouses with skinny jeans. This black blazer set though was hands down my favorite look of August. Nothing makes me feel more badass than that combo!

I always love end of summer fashion and am excited to start transitioning into fall approved pieces. Plus, there’s nothing better than being back at school with endless locations to shoot; just wishing Madison were here to help me get all the angles!

Accessories

: loving the faux glasses

: my favorite earrings!

: love these glasses

: my fav earrings

Let’s talk accessories: there are a handful that have stuck out as favorites this month, the first being faux glasses. Because I’ve been dressing more casual, I’ve been wearing less makeup. And less makeup means wearing fake glasses to spice up my appearance and make me feel a little less “blah”. All of my favorites are from Discount Glasses—bonus points if they are blue light blocking!

As for jewlery, these butterfly earrings from SheIn have been my go-to’s. These are so lightweight and they are the perfect neutral hue for all of my outfits. I also grabbed a few new rings and a bracelet from Ana Luisa this month and I am obsessed. I never thought I’d be a ring girl but these have convinced me otherwise!

I already touched on this hat but it’s so good that it deserves another shoutout. I’m a sucker for a good hat in the fall and think they add so much to your looks. I just grabbed another one in black that I cannot wait to wear!

Workout

: obsessed with this set

: movers and groovers fit

: one of my fav colors

Back on my workout grind which means the workout section is making its comeback in my monthly favorites. Honestly, I haven’t really been working out, simply walking around campus each morning but it’s felt good to move my body again since I was so terrible doing so during quarantine.

I swore that I would never be a biker shorts fan and yet here I am. It’s been a little too hot for leggings here so I’ve been sticking to my bike shorts and tennis skirts and they are serving me well! This blue two-piece set from SheIn I now have in five colors and it’s seriously life-changing. I cannot say enough good things about it’s fit! Other favorites are from Ellie Activewear, Spanx, and Fabletics!

Beauty

I’ve been keeping my makeup routine pretty simple, especially since I have a nice tan from my beach trip earlier this month. But, I’ve tried a few new products that are worth mentioning.

Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer— I have used the OG camo concealer from Elf for about six months now and I love it. It’s very full coverage and doesn’t look cakey. However, it’s a bit thick for under the eyes. When I found out Elf came out with a hydrating version I had to give it a try. This isn’t drying so it works awesome everywhere you apply it.
Essence Waterproof Lip Liner— I love me some lip liner and this new waterproof formula from Essence is no exception. This stays in place as I eat and drink throughout the day and the shade I have is very natural—like my lips but better!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream— If I’m being honest, one of my roommates has this in our bathroom and I tried it out the other week and fell in love. I desperately need to order a bottle of this stuff for myself! I am a sucker for the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line but hadn’t ever tried the body lotion. I’m here to tell you it’s an absolute game-changer. It smells amazing too!

Entertainment

Gosh, I wish I had time for tv or movies this month! I’ve barely had three minutes to sit and stare at my phone let alone watch anything so I have no updates in this area, unfortunately. However, as far as music goes I’ve been loving the new Taylor Swift Folklore album.

I honestly have hated all of her music since the Fearless album (yes, this is the CD that plays daily in my car) but this new album reminds me so much of that one. I love cardigan, betty, and exile. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my country music but these few songs are perfect for when I need something mellow/calming while working.

Looking Back To August

I hit both of my major August goals: 14K on Instagram (currently at 14.7K) and 25K on YouTube by college move-in day (currently at 28.5K). This month was less about numbers for me and more about the work itself. I really wanted to create content that accurately captured how I’ve been feeling and handling this period of change. And I think I’ve done just that. I also lined up collaborations with some huge companies—Ikea, Walmart, and Ugg just to name a few. I couldn’t be more excited to share more details soon.

I can’t even tell you how many kind messages have been sent my way, wishing me well this school year and saying that I’ve made a positive difference on theirs. It has reminded me in every way why I do what I do. I also have met tons of subscribers since being here in Kent which is so exciting and cool; if you ever see me please say hi! I promise I don’t bite, haha.

Looking Ahead To September

My September goals are going to be similar to August. I’d like to hit 16K on Instagram and 32K on YouTube but at the same time, I’m not all that worried about the numbers. Frankly, I’m more worried about myself.

I’ve had an incredibly rewarding five months of working for myself but that time is coming to an end with this being my first full week of classes. It’s time to switch back to part-time; as much as it’s killing me to do so, I’m telling myself that this will be good for me. I know my audience will understand if I have to take a step back but at the end of the day, I am addicted to this corner I’ve created… We shall see how it goes.

I’m nervous not having a set photographer and yet I’m excited to be in a new place with more locations and greater opportunities. I’m curious and eager and terrified. But someone wise once told me that nothing good happens in your comfort zone so more than anything I am trying to be content.

My Month At A Glance

: me and my girl

: me and my bestie

: my bestie girl

: goodbye sister 🙁

I started off August in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina soaking up a week of sunshine and family time. If I’m being honest, leaving Madison this year was especially hard and I can’t help but think how different it was for us this year compared to last. We feel closer than we’ve ever been and we had a lot of fun our final weeks together, sitting at the beach, taking photos, and preparing to move. It’s been so different without her these last couple of weeks and I wish more than anything that she could come for a visit. Hopefully soon!

: me and my sisters!

: my besties

: all settled in!

: my momma <3

There are so many pieces of home I miss, the comfort and familiarity especially, and yet there’s something I love so much about being on my own. I’ve always been a rather independent person and although I’m living with roommates, I’m so grateful for this time to myself. There is so much to learn about yourself during this stage of life.

My roomies are sweet and our apartment is coming along great! We’ve had lots of sorority recruitment preparation and I’ve been reunited with my besties from last year. I feel like such a “floater friend” here. I don’t have a designated sidekick, instead I bounce from group to group, rotating through my friends from every corner of life here. There are times it feels lonely but there are so many more days I feel grateful to have such an abundance of faces I can turn to.

I visited the baseball field last night for the first time since being back. I brought my journal and enjoyed some time with myself at sunset. It felt like home and it reminded me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now.

With love, McKenz