Favorite Things + Holiday Loop Giveaway!

{Black booties via Poshmark, Entertainment Weekly, Simply Chic orchid earrings,

Favoring Brave glasses necklace, Covergirl Colorlicious lipstick in Tantalize, 

Ban.do heart brooch, Ban.do tumbler & handmade scarf}

Let's go ahead and add Taylor Swift's 1989 to this favorite things list! It's not in the pictures because I keep it in my car to listen to while driving. 

Do these black booties look kind of familiar? I love the beige version (seen here) of these so badly that I had to get them in black when I saw them selling on Poshmark for a great price. Who else buys multiples on pieces they love? 

Entertainment Weekly is one of my favorite magazines. I've been getting it for years and was so so so excited when I saw that this week's cover is all about Pitch Perfect 2. Can I get a hell yes?! I can't wait to see it! Who's with me?

My mom made me these beautiful wine-colored scarf! Thanks, mom, you're the best!

♥ A few fun links:

♥ Have you been listening to the true-crime podcast Serial? It's absolutely fascinating and makes me want to attach a video camera to my head so that I have an alibi for every second of every day! Who else is obsessed?

♥ These blogging gifs are hilarious!

♥ Technology overload: Is it time to take a step back?

♥ 5 simple tips for vinyl hunting!

♥ Create your perfect creative space. 

♥ I love Spunkyrella's Sunday Mixtape posts because I always find amazing new songs. 

♥ When to save and when to splurge on make up. 

♥ On mindfulness and achieving inner peace. 

♥ Sponsor love: 

• Zuri Zuri by Flora's tailored blazer adds a classic touch and this chiffon dress is so glamorous. 
• Everything by Favoring Brave is made from abandoned books, like this heart necklace, "Happy" charm, and pretty hair bow. (Use code SINCERELY10 for 10% off.)
• Simply Chic's jewelry is all about classic everyday wear: lovely lotus earrings and floral disc necklace. (Use code SARA15 for 15% your entire order over $20 until Nov. 30!)
• Jess of Bookworms in Dresses is acing NaNoWriMo this year, shared 11 facts about herself, and wore the cutest outfit recently.

♥ Swap friends: Vylette, Hello Felecia, The Noire Menagerie, Ruffled Paper, My Life as a Teacup, 

Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups, and Novelstyle. 

♥ Fashion loves: adorable navy heels, gray pone-knit pants, floral infinity scarf, fuchsia jersey dress, high-low printed tunic, pretty purple dress, and bust jewelry holder.

Are you going Black Friday shopping? 

♥ ♥ ♥

It’s that time of year again, with lots of fun to be had and holiday shopping to be done! So I’ve teamed up with some fabulous shops and bloggers to bring you this special Holiday Loop Giveaway! We’re each giving something special away; I’m gifting $25 to Starbucks!

To Enter:

1. Follow (@sincerelysara22)

2. Like this picture on Instagram (starts at 12pm EST)

3. Tap the photo once to see where to go next (@lynsie84) and enter all the other giveaways!

You have finished the loop when you return where you started! Winners will be chosen randomly sometime on Sunday, 11/30 by each of us!

Good luck!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Americans!

I'm so thankful for every single one of you! 

Thank you for reading, for commenting, and for helping me

create a small community on here.

I love you all! 

This past Saturday I went to East of Eight to meet up with other bloggers. Four of them I've met a few times before (Monica, Alex, Sharon, and Christie) and three I met for the first time (Jackie, Johanna, and Diane). I had a fantastic time chatting with them about blogging, TV shows, music, beauty, and hot guys. I had a mimosa for the first time (yummy!) and an egg white frittata with spinach, tomato, and chicken (delicious!).  

What are you up to this weekend?

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Ipsy Glam Bag {November 2014}

Who doesn't love a little sparkle? This month's Ipsy bag is all about the glitter because the theme is Girl Meets Glitter. Although I generally go for muted, matte colors I was excited to try these products. Maybe it's just this time of year, but lately I've been more into adding subtle sparkle to my eye make up. 

What I got:

Marc Anthony's Oil of Morocco Keratin Hairspray (full size $8.29, sample $2.50)

Elizabeth Mott's You're So Fine Waterproof Eyeliner in Glitterati (full size $18)

J. Cat's Wonder Lip Paint in Red Potion (full size $5)

Be A Bombshell's Eye Base in Submissive (full size $14)

Temptu's Highlighter in Pink Pearl (full size $27, sample $3)

This month's bag is worth $42.50!

MINI REVIEWS

Marc Anthony's Oil of Morocco Keratin Hairspray

Confession: I haven't used this yet, but since it has argan oil and keratin I'm excited to use it to see how it works on my frizzy hair. I'll be using this the next time I braid my hair to help keep it in place. 

Elizabeth Mott's You're So Fine Waterproof Eyeliner in Glitterati 

Not only is the slim, striped packaging really nice, but this product is amazing. The tip is flexible and the bristles are long to be guided along the curve of the eye. This liquid eyeliner is very black, has hints of glitter, and stays put all day. The only downside is that if you forget that you have it on and then rub your eye it flakes a lot. Definitely would recommend this!

J. Cat's Wonder Lip Paint in Red Potion

Since the product and the packaging reminds me of a OCC's lip tar, I was really excited to try this. It's not a bad product by any means, but it needs a lot of attention. It's a very liquid-y lipstick, it bleeds a little, and was a little sticky at first. I didn't even eat anything after wearing it and the product disappeared after two hours, which I found really odd. I do like the peppermint scent and I think this particular color is really nice. Not the best lip product out there though. 

Be A Bombshell's Eye Base in Submissive 

This bronze color is gorgeous and lately I've been adding it to the center of my eyelids to add a bit of sparkle and glam. It stays put all day and it's the kind of color that would go with so many make up looks on so many skin tones. I would recommend this! 

Temptu's Highlighter in Pink Pearl 

If you haven't heard of Temptu, it's an airbrush beauty tool. You put these pods in the airbrush and it sprays your make up on your face. I don't have one because I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on getting the kit, but I've heard that it creates flawless make up. Anyway, this little highlighter would probably be used in a airbrush, but I used my hands to dot some of it on my face and works just as well. This pink pearl highlighter is stunning! The best word I can use to describe it is luminescent. It adds a subtle pink glow to your skin that catches the light. I would recommend it, but it's pricey!

What new beauty products have you tried recently?

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Outfit: Simply Chic

Guys, how pretty are these earrings? I'm not sure why, but I kind of stopped wearing earrings about a year ago. I was so into them for years and years, but somehow I lost interest. Well that's all changed. I received these lovely orchid earrings from Simply Chic and can't stop wearing them! I have a nickel allergy (my earlobes get really itchy), but these plated fishhook wires haven't resulted in any issues at all. These earrings go with everything, the length is perfect, and add a touch of girliness!

I wore this outfit to a work event -- the Women in Business Luncheon -- and had a great time interacting with professional female business leaders. Jean Chatzky of the TODAY show was the keynote speaker and she spoke amazingly well about her journey to success and what it's like to be a woman in business. Here are some of my favorite quotes from her speech:

"Every woman has a superpower." 

"Walk through doors that open." 

"This life-work balance thing is a crock." 

"Women need to step up and help each other. If we can lift each other up and stand in each other's corner we can change the world. And not just for us, but for our daughters and granddaughters."  

Use code SARA15 for 15% your entire order over $20 until Nov. 30!

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Earrings: ℅ Simply Chic | Sweater: Express (via giveaway) | Dress: Target

Tights: old | Heels: Payless {similar}

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Looks I Love {Winter is Coming}

I should change the title to "Winter is Here" because it's been freezing the past week in New York. Like stay under the covers and never want to leave your house freezing. I've considered digging a tunnel underground to work so that I don't have to feel the wind against my bare face. The good thing about winter? All the layering! I love layering, even if it takes forever to put all of the layers on. 

Two-tone jacket, windowpane print top, and booties!

{Kendi Everyday}

Layering perfection!

{Adore to Adorn}

Double the plaid + double the cable knit

{Style on Target}

Pretty outfit that doesn't skimp on the layers

{Gal Meets Gal}

Oversized sweater + blanket scarf

{Twenties Girl Style}

Camel coat with lots of black = super chic!

{Damsel in Dior}

Do you have any layering tricks?

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Life Lately {Fall}

Well this has been an action-packed fall season! I thought that since this was the first fall that I wasn't in school that I would be bored and have nothing to do, but it's been the complete opposite: I've gone to so many fun work events these past three months that it doesn't seem possible, taken lots of pictures to get better at photography, got my mom an awesome 60th birthday present, and have been listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. 

Upcoming events that I'm excited about: tomorrow I'm meeting up with bloggers in New York City. Many that I've met before and some new ones, so it should be a lot of fun. In January, I'm going to Austin, Texas for my cousin's wedding. Yay!

What have you been up to lately?

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Inspired By: Taylor Swift's Blank Space

Who else has been listening nonstop to Taylor Swift's new album 1989? Yep, me too! I listen to the downloaded version at home and the CD version in my car (yes, I'm that person that sings and dances while driving). The songs and sounds in this album feel more mature and nuanced, but are still catchy and fun to listen to. My favorite songs are Wildest Dreams, I Know Places, Blank Space, Bad Blood, and New Romantics. What are your favorite songs?

I don't usually do Inspired By posts based on music, but once I saw the video and all of the gorgeous clothes T-Swift wore I couldn't help it. Can I please steal the wardrobe from this video?

"I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream"

Whilst still in the throes of love and romance, Taylor Swift wears a girly 50s-inspired outfit at a picnic and you can do the same by wearing a yellow fit and flare dress, pink sunglasses, a knotted heart ring, and pink lace flats. 

Soon the love has turned sour and Swift dons a femme fatale black lace dress. Wear something similar for a night out: a long sleeve lace dress, sparkly dangle earrings, a bronze cuff, and bow black pumps. 

"I could show you incredible things"

During the course of the video and the ups and downs of this love affair, Taylor Swift wears several beautiful and feminine dresses. In one part, she wears a lovely bow dress, which would be perfect for a holiday party: put on a pale bow-adorned dress, a geometric cuff, a pink bobby pin, red lipstick, and black heels. 

For a subtle amount of sparkle and glam, wear a metallic kimono, a light blue fit and flare dress, sparkly blue stud earrings, and pale gold flats. 

Which outfit is your favorite?

Which is your favorite 1989 song?

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November Wishlist + Clear the Way Giveaway!

With everyone talking about the upcoming holidays, I can't help but want to add everything to my wishlist (I use Shoptagr to keep track of it all because it sends me alerts when things go down in price). But it's kind of sad that we can't enjoy Thanksgiving first before being bombarded by Christmas songs and commercials. I've already seen homes adorned with Christmas lights. 

I'm not going to lie: I'm kind of excited to do a little bit of shopping (from the comfort of my home) on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but I don't want to go overboard. Hopefully I'll get great deals on the things I've been eyeing for a long time. 

Wishlist:

♥ Old Navy Swing Coat -- Bought this already. This is my version of this season's pink coat. 

♥ LOFT Embellished Dress -- A little bit of sparkle that's perfect for play & play!

♥ Payless Black Bootie -- So chic!

♥ Ban.do Patterned Tumbler -- This will make drinking water more fun for sure. 

♥ Stila Eyeliner in Metallic Umber -- These eyeliners are my favorite. I want all the colors!

♥ Tiffen UV Protection Filter -- This helps to protect my camera lens, so I should probably get one. 

♥ Harry Potter Glasses Ring -- The HP nerd in me wants this so badly!

♥ Simply Chic Orchid Earrings -- These earrings are so pretty!

♥ Favoring Brave Glasses Necklace -- Love this!

♥ Zuri Zuri by Flora Sheath Dress -- Chic and perfect for work. 

What's on your holiday wishlist?

Will you be shopping on Black Friday?

♥ ♥ ♥

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Clear the Way is turning four this month and I've teamed up with a bunch of bloggers to celebrate by giving away a one year subscription to Adobe Photography Plan (which includes both Photoshop and Lightroom) as well as a year subscription to CoSchedule editorial calendar. You have from now until midnight of December 3rd to enter this giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget provided. There are no mandatory entries. The contest is open internationally and one winner will be chosen at the end of the two weeks. Make sure you check out all the bloggers co-hosting this giveaway and good luck!

A Lively Blend | Clear the Way | Ex Vitae | Holly Marie Designs Honestly, B. | Kyla is Inspired | The Lolly Project | MontgomeryFest My Life as a Teacup | Of Trees and Hues | Rio the Dreamcatcher Safaris and Sunsets | Sincerely, Sara | Studio 404 Tara Victoria | Thou Swell | writes like a girl

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Outfit: QTee

**I received this shirt for free, but all opinions are my own.**

Who doesn't like customizable things? You see something you like, but you want it slightly different and magically your wish is granted. QTee is the genie that grants those wishes. Everything that QTee sells can be customized (graphic tees, shoes, and underwear) all for a great price. 

I saw this gray hamsa shirt and loved it because it reminds me of my trip to Israel and reminds me of my friend Avra, who loves hamsas. However, instead of the red hamsa that was pictured on the website, I changed it to a dark purple. There were tons, and I mean tons, of colors I could've chosen instead. I also could've changed it to a white shirt or a black one, but stayed with the gray. If you're wondering about price: most of the shirts are between $15 to $25. A great price for something you can customize. 

QTee | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest 

Graphic Tee: ℅ QTee | Shirt: Kohls | Jeans: Hollister

Heart Pin: Ban.Do | Shoes: Charming Charlie

What do you think of QTee?

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