April 2021 Recap + Favorites

No fricking way tomorrow is May! Truly, where has the time gone?! It feels like the year just started and yet in less than two weeks I’ll be moving home for the summer. I’ve got my first few travels set in stone and plenty more in the works. I’m so excited to get back to doing Styled by full-time.

Don’t get me wrong I love my time here in Kent but there’s something about being back home, getting to devote my entire day to this stuff that brings me so much peace of mind. I’m warning you now, similar to the month of April I’ll probably be a little MIA these next couple of weeks. I’ve got loads of studying to do, an entire apartment to pack up, and so many friends to say goodbye to. Not to be ~dramatic~ but I’m crying just thinking about it. In the meantime, let’s chat monthly favs + happenings.

OUTFIT OF THE DAYS 

When I tell you I’ve been bad about getting dressed this month, I really mean it. I’ve had little to no motivation to get dressed these days, which is so weird for me. I’ve always loved choosing my outfit in the morning but lately it feels like such a chore. Perhaps it’s because I rarely leave my apartment, so the desire to put on anything other than a comfy loungewear set from Whitefox Boutique just isn’t there.

Surprisingly, it was a rather chilly month compared to March. The few nice days we did have I made sure to pull out my favorite lace up heels and some new mules being sent my way. These high-rise Express jeans are my new go-tos. I know Gen Z has deemed skinny jeans “out” but these truly are some of my most flattering pants. Other favorites include my Spanx tennis skirts, butterfly earrings, and my new Adidas sneakers.

Praying we get some consistently warm temperatures soon—my closet is fully stocked with tiny crop tops and cute dresses that I am dying to put to use. Anyone else struggle during these in-between weeks?!

FASHION 

I fell off the posting schedule a bit this month but still managed to share some adorable looks with you all. I’ve been on a major denim kick these days and am excited to see flares back in style. Chocolate brown has still been one of my go-to colors but I’m seeing more and more sage green and orange break into the fashion cycle. Admittedly, I’m a fan of both colors and can’t wait to grab some pieces to style in May!

I’ve been a sucker for these neutral Chinese Laundry mules for almost a year now. They are the perfect transition shoe and pair so well with this Lulus felt hat. It’s truly an accessory I couldn’t live without. I’ve got more graduation dress content and some fun looks for a Nashville trip coming your way soon. As you can tell, April wasn’t my most inspired month when it came to styling + content creation but don’t worry—I’ll be back on my A game in May.

BEAUTY 

I was pampered far more than usual this month so *finally* the beauty category is fully stocked for ya. No specific products, but a few recommendations if you’re in the area/a Kent local.

The first week of April my hair was in dire need of a cut and color. I wasn’t sure when my next trip home would be ao I booked an appointment with Jessica Hand at Charm Salon in Aurora, Ohio. She’s about twenty minutes from Kent and several friends recommended her. I got my usual vanilla blonde baby lights with a few low lights to keep my natural color consistent throughout. She chopped a bit more than I was expecting but if I’m being honest, my hair definitely needed it.

I also began a long-term partnership with the Neoskin Center in Hudson, Ohio. They too are about 20 twenty minutes from Kent and are the sweetest people in the world. They offer all kinds of beauty treatments including facials, botox, lip injections, derma-planing, laser hair removal and more. My first day there I got their Diamond Glow facial which extracts all kinds of gunk from your face while infusing it with moisturizer and other hydrating serums. My skin felt amazing for days after.

I’m now going back every 4-8 weeks to get laser hair removal on my armpits and bikini area. My first round was last week and I will go 5 more times. Laser disturbs the hair follicles, disrupting growth. Even after one session I’ve noticed a significant thinning in my hair. It’s not a painful process but it’s definitely uncomfortable. Although the whole appointment only lasted fifteen minutes. I can’t wait to be fully smooth in a few months + never have to shave again, woohoo!

ENTERTAINMENT 

If you haven’t started watching Cruel Summer on Freeform, what are you doing?! You know I love weekly tv, and when I saw they were coming out with a new show, I got so excited. I’m not usually one for mystery but something about this show is so intriguing to me. Plus, all of my sorority sisters are watching each week with me which makes it more fun. Available on the Freeform website and Hulu the next day if you want to catch up!

I’ve also been back on my podcast grind this month. It’s been a while since I listened to Gals On The Go regularly but I’ve been in the mood for chatty, background noise lately and you know I love my girls Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan. Oh, and I’ve been obsessed with Victoria Paris. I followed her on Tik Tok when she has 72K and ironically, today she’s 72K away from a million followers. She’s so down to earth and watching her grow has been so fun. I hope one day my platforms explode in a positive light the way hers have!

Oh, and as always here are my top Spotify songs of the month!

This Month’s Top 5: I Don’t Want This Night To End by Luke Bryan // Dixieland Delight by Alabama // Windows Are Rolled Down by Amos Lee // Lonely Eyes by Chris Young // Jesus and Wranglers by Riley Green

APRIL REFLECTIONS

I was right about YouTube… I hit 50,000 subscribers last week! On Wednesday I got my crew together for dinner, cookie cake, and some pictures. One final celebration in Kent and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. This support system keeps me grounded and going— I feel so incredibly lucky to be loved by them.

Lauren, Olivia and I used to joke about hitting 100K in Florence during our study abroad trip. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel too far out of reach. At the rate time is flying, Fall 2022 will be here before we know it.

I was able to grow my Instagram a bit more and finally got back on my Tik Tok grind. Victoria is really inspiring me to share more of my real time days on that platform. However the most exciting part of April was landing my first hotel partnership EVER! WOOHOO!!!! As most of you know, I’m trying to break into the travel industry this summer and booked my first trip of the summer on Wednesday afternoon. Nashville here I come! I have no doubt this opportunity will open more doors for me and am so excited to see what’s in store in the coming months.

MAY GOALS & MANIFESTATIONS 

I slacked on my blog schedule big time in April. I cut back to 3 posts a week for the first time in over a year and if I’m being honest, it sucked. I could pull the “life has been busy” card because it truly has been but my lack of blogging should really be blamed on my lack of inspiration. I feel stuck. I’m sick of doing the same thing. I want to expand my audience and my content but I’m just not quite sure how. I’m thinking maybe a little web redesign is in the cards but then again, I’m amidst the busiest weeks of my college career.

Other goals include 20K on Insta + to keep up with the Tik Toks. I’m eager to grow my YouTube even more but know that the right people will come at the right time. I daily uploaded last May (I know, I don’t know how I pulled that one off!) and although that seems impossible right now, I want to start *thinking* about doing it in June. So many people are starting to search for college content, and I want to be prepped and ready for that huge wave.

*Editing this post and realizing this section is just one big jumbled mess—leaving it in because so is my brain right now. And something about it feels too real to rewrite.

LIFE LATELY 

Like every month, this one was nothing short of crazy. Kent State made the freshman move out before spring break so naturally I spent the first chunk of April spending every free moment soaking up time with my littles. We went to dinner, Dusty, and for all kinds of walks around campus. I love my little ones so much and am *so* sad without them here.

Baseball has been away for most of the month but of course the few days they were home, Liv and I made our way to the field. Unfortunately Mike got hurt but Kart got his first career win on the mound which was so exciting! They are home the next two weekends so you know where I’ll be spending my final days in Kent… Oh, and my sweet friend Corinne came to visit last weekend which was such a treat.

I also went home mid-month for spring break. I was hoping to be somewhere warm on a beach but time spent with fam and in my own bed was much needed. Especially before entering finals mode! I’ve got ten days left to soak up all the college craziness and I’m feeling all the feels. I love these people and this place so much; how lucky I am to have a goodbye that’s so hard! Sending love to everyone in the same boat right now.

With love, McKenz

THIS MONTH ON THE BLOG 

1. 3 Ways I’m Wearing Brown This Spring
2. Weekly Wrap Up #14 2021
3. 10 Loungewear Looks To Rock This Spring
4. 3 Ways To Wear Flare Jeans
5. Weekly Wrap Up #15 2021
6. Express Spring Denim Sale
7. “Full Coverage” Bikinis Under $15
8. Weekly Wrap Up #16 2021
9. Graduation Dress Inspo From Lulus
10. 20 Gift Ideas For Mother’s Day 2021
11. 3 Black Tops I’m Loving This Spring
12. Weekly Wrap Up #17 2021
13. Testing 30 SheIn Swimsuits Under $15