May 2021 Recap + Favorites

My gosh has a lot happened this month! Between finishing up my second year of college, moving home for the summer, beginning to travel again, adjusting to working full time for myself again, and turning twenty, May has felt like an eternity. Not to mention it’s been one full of many, many emotions.

It seems I always type that after entering a new season of life—if you couldn’t tell, I’m not the best when it comes to change. Luckily, this time around I was moving back home, back to a lifestyle I know all too well. Summer is officially in full swing and I can’t say I’m mad about it. Soaking up the sun as I type + trying to chase those dreams harder than ever. Let’s recap all of May’s craziness together.

OUTFIT OF THE DAYS

FINALLY the warm weather I’ve been dreaming of. I have such a hard time mustering up the motivation to get dressed when it’s the spring— my looks were starting to feel so boring and redundant. I’m happy to report that I got my mojo back in May and have been wearing all kinds of color (I know, crazy!), dresses, and more.

Among my favorites are my gold lace-up sandals. If you remember, I grabbed these from Express last summer and wore the heck out of them. I’ve yet to find a similar pair in stock but have not stopped looking since these are seriously the best. I’ve also loved my Franco Sarto espadrille wedges. White shoes are always my go-to this time of year. They make you look so tan and go with everything! 

Oh, and we can’t forget about the return of the straw bag. This SheIn find was my absolute favorite piece to style last summer. I’m in dire need of an accessory stock up from SheIn… anything that screams “beach day” catches my eye in the summertime.

FASHION 

Woohoo, finally got my styling groove back when it comes to blog posts too. Although I didn’t upload nearly as many posts as I would have liked to this month, I still managed to shoot my fair share of looks. Between my trip to Nashville, graduation content, and the start of summer I’ve rounded up a dozen favorites!

I’m loving western-style and cannot wait to be back in Nashville next week so I can start styling some more “out there” pieces. The denim jumpsuit and the blue porcelain boots are without a doubt my favorite looks of the month. Now someone get me on the beach so I can start taking pictures in all of my bikinis!

BEAUTY 

The only beauty routine switch I’ve made this month is back to my tried and true Maybelline Great Lash mascara. I’ve used this stuff for years but tend to go back and forth between it and the Loreal Lash Paradise. I happened to have an extra tube of the Maybelline lying around and have been putting it to use. I always love how long this makes my lashes!

ENTERTAINMENT

My number one favorite of the entire month was actually just given to me days ago: a karaoke machine!!! You’re probably asking yourself “what 20 year old needs a karaoke machine?” and the answer is ME! If you watch my vlogs than you know Olivia, Lauren, and I have had our fair share of karaoke nights this school year. It’s one of our favorite Friday night activities and while yes, pulling up the lyrics on the tv works, it’s just not as fun as having an actual machine + two microphones for a ~spicy~ duet.

We spent the entire weekend belting songs at the top of our lungs and I can’t say I’m mad about it. I will 100% be bringing this with me everywhere I go and cannot think of a better way to spend your next $75. Thank me later.

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 // What Brings Life Also Kills by Kolton Brown // Hearts Content by Brandi Charlie // The Great Divide by luke Combs // Whiskey and Rain by Micahel Ray

MAY REFLECTIONS 

May was everything and nothing like I thought it’d be. My number one disappointment this month was falling short on my posting schedule here on the blog. I know I had good reason to—finals, moving, traveling, and more but I can’t help from feeling so gosh darn guilty. However, posting less to the blog has allowed me to post more to Instagram and grow my Tik Tok. My biggest business downfall these days is failing to realize that it’s just not possible for me to do it all.

More than ever, this month has shown me that you can only get so big as a one-man-band. There comes a point where you just physically cannot take on more without asking for help, expanding your team, etc. And while I would love to hire someone, I don’t feel the time is right just yet. Maybe soon. But for now, it’s time to readjust my priorities and find a schedule that works for me. After all, I’m back to doing Styled by full-time now that school is out!

And with that has come a lot of awesomeness too. This month I hit 10K on Tik Tok which means I’m also able to enter the Creator Portal (and start making money)! I also had my best month of Instagram growth this year. Not to mention, my dreams came true and I traveled with my first hotel—The Gallatin in Nashville. I have two trips lined up for June already and am eager to see what other doors will begin to open.

JUNE GOALS & MANIFESTATIONS

June will be my first month of “full time” Styled by McKenz stuff of 2021. That means 9-5 (well, more like 10-8) writing blog posts, shooting photos, filming content, emailing brands, negotiating deals, engaging with others, etc. It’s tiring and thrilling all at the same time. I have really, really high hopes for this month.

A few numbers-based goals include 20K on Instagram (!!!), 15K on Tik Tok, and 55K on YouTube. Oh, and to get back on track with the blog posting. Although I know I’m already starting off on the wrong foot with a Tuesday post, LOL! I have the birthday weekend to blame for that one😜.

I would really love to land another travel partnership and while I’m exploring options in Florida, Arizona, and Georgia I am truly open to whatever is thrown my way. I’m also starting to prep for back-to-school content (coming mid-June/early July). It seems crazy to think about but those requests are already starting to roll in! I’ve got plenty of ideas up my sleeve just need to start working on them.

LIFE LATELY 

I’ve been all over the place this month (both mentally and physically). I started May off in Ohio, finishing up the last of the school year at Kent State. Despite Covid wrecking havoc on the year, I made the most of it and finished off relatively strong. Unfortunately, I did get my first B this semester but I’m giving myself some grace considering all else I was able to accomplish this semester as well. I promise that semester recap is coming.

Although much of my last two weeks were spent studying, even more of it was spent soaking in my final days with friends. Everyone moved home at different times and it seemed like every day there was a new goodbye. I cried and cried… my dad told me that was silly, I’d see them in just a few months. I know he’s right, and I know they are all just a phone call away but there’s something so hard about saying goodbye to a place that feels just like home. I’m so lucky to have made such incredible friends these last two years. Plus, it’s scary to think I have just one year left in Kent!

Anywho, mid-May I packed my car all by myself and made the 300-mile trek home. I moved home, unloaded my car, and packed up for my first travels of the summer. As I said, I landed my first hotel partnership and flew to Nashville with one of my best YouTube friends. We had a ball. Fingers crossed the stars align and I end up partnering with a few more properties this summer.

The rest of my month has been spent running around, trying to establish some sort of routine while constantly feeling like I’m not doing enough. I find myself torn these days between enjoying where I’m at and refusing to settle, knowing there’s always something greater out there. It’s an exhausting mindset and one I really need to lay to rest in June.

My grandma came to Maryland for the last week of May—we hadn’t seen each other in nearly two years and it was so good to just sit and spend time with one another. Makes me sad knowing how much time we lost due to Covid. Over the weekend Madison and I celebrated our 20th birthday. Truthfully, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I know it’s just a number but something about “twenty” feels so… old? Maybe old isn’t the word but it also screams responsibility, change, risk. I’m so excited to see what my twenties have in store and can only imagine where I’ll be at the end of this decade. I hope for our sake, we’re still sharing it together.

With love, McKenz

THIS MONTH ON STYLED BY MCKENZ

1. Weekly Wrap Up #18 2021
2. Trendy Tops To Wear This Summer
3. 10 Items You Need In Your Spring 2021 Closet
4. Weekly Wrap Up #19 2021
5. Weekly Wrap Up #20 2021
6. What To Wear In Nashville Summer 2021
7. The Ultimate Nashville Travel Guide Summer 2021
8. Weekly Wrap Up #21 2021
9. Where To Buy A Graduation Dress
10. What To Wear: To A Graduation Party
11. Weekly Wrap Up #22 2021