Sponsor Sincerely, Sara in August!

Hey guys, want to sponsor Sincerely, Sara in August? 

Sponsor Sincerely, Sara this month if you want to promote your blog or small business to readers who love fashion, books, movies, writing, DIY, and being inspired every day. You would also have the option to host a giveaway or have a guest post in order to gain even more readers. 

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July Wishlist

Holy crap, it's already the end of the month! Since June always goes by super fast, July is usually slow for me, but this year it sped by. Probably because this is my last three month summer vacation ever. After this year, I'll be working during the summer until I retire (you know, like a normal person, haha).

P.S. -- Check out my little sponsor spotlight on Catching Cody K

where I talk about my favorite summer memory!

July Wishlist:

♥ Caged T-Strap Flat Sandals -- I've been wanting a pair of flats like this since forever

♥ Croft & Barrow Wedges -- I the brown ones all the time, so I decided to buy them in black

♥ Emerald Concrete Long Prism Necklace -- this necklace (by Cocorrina) is made out of concrete! 

♥ Harry Potter Tank Top -- yes please!

♥ Urban Decay De-Slick Spray -- This sounds awesome

♥ Urban Decay Primer -- I'm out of the tube I'm currently using. To Sephora I go!

♥ Tap is Terrific Glass Water Bottle -- Maybe this will help me drink more water & it's cute

♥ Forever 21 Striped Lace Top -- I've been so into stripes lately

How's your summer going, you lovely ladies?

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Outfit: Autumn in July

It was very fall-like when I took these pictures. Nearby there were actually scattered leaves on the ground and it's making me long for cooler temperatures. 

I bought a maxi dress last summer that I still have, but it's way too long for my 4'10" frame. Every time I went into a store and glanced at the maxi dresses available I held it up to my body and groaned because they were about five inches too long.  I just really wanted a simple maxi dress that was close to my body but not too tight that made me look taller and wasn't crazy long. Is that too much to ask for? 

Well, I went to Forever 21 to return a pair of jeans (bad idea, I know) and saw this dress by the door. I was hesitant, but tried it on anyway, and I'm so glad I did. It's maybe an inch or so too long, but if I tuck some of the fabric in at the waist (under my belt) it's perfect. Yay for fashion dreams coming true!

Cardigan: Forever 21 {similar} | Dress: Forever 21 {similar} | Bracelet: Charlotte Russe
Scarf: thrifted (United Colors of Benetton) | Belt: thrifted | Shoes: Forever 21 {similar}|
Midi Ring: Charlotte Russe {similar} | Lipstick: Maybelline Vivids in Shocking Coral

Have any fashion dreams come true for you recently?

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Inspiration: Bright Pink Lipstick

As said here, I can't get enough of bright pink lipstick! I think it's so flattering, feminine, and fun. Wearing bright lipstick is great for the summer when you don't wan to wear any other make up, and when you're throwing on whatever clothes works because it's so darn hot, lipstick makes you look put together. 

{Click for item info}

♥ ♥ ♥

Top: Catching Cody K {host} // Chelsea @ Olive & Ivy  Middle1: Joanna @ ModaMama // Lets Go Lesco Photos // Laurie @ WorldTravelingMilitaryFamily Middle2: Angie @ MySoCalledChaos // Ashley @ BeautyFlawed // Brooklyn @ This Little Blonde Bottom: Michael @ CrazyTragicAlmostMagic // Sincerely, Sara Winner will recieve:  - $20 dollar Old Navy giftcard  - Book: "All I Need" by Susane Colasanti - 200x200 ad space on Catching Cody K - $20 to Olive&Ivy Design Shop - $10 Bath Body Works - 2 months ad space on CTAM - 2 months ad space on LGLPhoto - Social Shout out from LGLPhoto - 'Social Media Lovin' as space on Little Blonde - 300x300 ad space WTMF - $10 to WTMF's Etsy - Original watercolor dream catcher art

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What color lipstick are you into this summer?

P.S. -- If you have Feedly, you can follow me here!

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(via Pinterest: Beauty {Hair & Makeup})

Favorite Things

{New Firmoo sunglasses & Forever 21 case}

{Edeenut sunglasses case (via giveaway), Forever 21 case, 

Maybelline Vivids in Shocking Coral, Revlon Lip Stain in Sweetheart Valentine, 

POP Beauty Crayon in Coral Crush (see the review here) & Crunch Girl Scout Thin Mints}

I talk about these lip crayons so much, but I just can't get over bright pink lipstick this summer!

I also want to devour all the Thin Mint cookie bars that exist in the world!

{American Eagle stud earrings (gift) & Charlotte Russe wrap watch & studded bracelet}

I can't stop wearing these!

My dad bought me two pairs of running shoes! 

And I'm cheating on my pink sandals with these sparkly ones from Forever 21 {similar}!

A few fun links:

♥ What reader species are you? I'm a book rescuer, multi-tasker, bathroom reader, and a cross-under reader. Which are you?

♥ The Write Life magazine is awesome!

♥ Cute packing list print.

♥ The Pixar Theory is awesome! Mind. Blown.

♥ These plant sculptures are not CGI!

♥ Five things to do with broken eye shadow.

♥ How to wash your hair in space. You know, just in case you're ever in space.

♥ This keepsake journal is a stunning and a wonderful idea!

♥ What do your hands say about you?

♥ Love this: Kids don't see anything wrong with the Cheerios commercial.

♥ I'm obsessed with this song by Colbie Caillat.

♥ I've been watching Orange is the New Black every chance I get! It's the hilarious, dramatic, and touching story about a woman who goes to prison for a crime she committed ten years ago, trading fancy clothes for an orange jumpsuit and her fiance for a prison wife. 

♥ Fashion loves: tribal print scarf, chiffon maxi skirt, t-strap flat sandals, and mint wedges.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

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Inspired By: July's Best Selling Books

While I'm not usually one to read non-fiction, two of the books below sound so intriguing. Are you more into novels or non-fiction, or do you like to mix it up?

This month I read City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare, and I was really into it at the beginning because the story is interesting and the writing is descriptive, but about halfway through I got so fed up with it. The characters do things that don't make sense and there are so many metaphors that it drove me crazy. 

I also read Fables: The Deluxe Edition volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Bill Willingham. These graphic novels are fantastic. The fairy tale characters that we've come to know and love (think Snow White, Jack and Giant Beanstalk) are in modern NYC living their life after fleeing the fable lands from the bad guy known as the adversary. 

While in jury duty, I finished The Eyre Affair: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde. Thursday Next is a Special Operative in literary detection, so when someone from her past kidnaps Jane Eyre it's up to Thursday to find Miss Eyre and put her back in the novel. I really liked this novel because it's witty and fun. 

I Wear the Black Hat

{Click here for item info}

Written by Chuck Klosterman, I Wear the Black Hat is a non-fiction book that digs into the big bads and modern villainy. Klosterman investigates why we are so culturally obsessed with who a bad person is and why, and why bad people choose to be that way. 

Dress like the stark cover by wearing a black lace dress, white belt, black fedora, black ring, and studded white sandals. Or mix pretty and edgy by paring a white peplum top with distressed jeans, black panama hat, bow earrings, claw ring, and black pumps. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The End of Night

Written by Paul Bogard, The End of Night: Searching for Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light is a non-fiction book about how in our modern era most of us no longer experience true darkness. Bogard shows us how our spectacular view of the night sky influenced the human experience in everything from science to art.

To look like the illustrated cover, pair a chambray top with star-printed shorts, a tie dye scarf, crochet flats, and a sparkly ring. Or wear a blue dress, black and gold necklace, star earrings, and strappy black heels. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The English Girl

Written by Daniel Silva, The English Girl follows Gabriel Allon, a master assassin and spy, who will attempt to find Madeline Hart, a driven woman who is having an affair with the British Prime Minister and who has been kidnapped because of it. Will he be able to find her seven days are up?

If you're a working woman, try a red chiffon blouse, gold A-line skirt, red kitten heels, lion necklace, and studded satchel. Or if you're going out, don a flowy red dress, lion ring, strappy gold heels, and sequin clutch. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Universe Versus Alex Woods

Written by Gavin Extence, The Universe Versus Alex Woods is a novel about curious incidents and unexpected connections. When Alex Woods was 10, he was struck by a meteorite that left him scarred and marked him for an extraordinary future. At 17, Alex is stopped at customs with marijuana and an urn full of ashes after a man told him to make his life count.

Emulate the cover by wearing a blue and green romper, spiked wrap watch, green stud earrings, blue clutch, and blue sneakers. Or instead wear a white and green dress, light blue cardigan, green druzy necklace, and green wedges. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

What books have you read this month?

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Ipsy Glam Bag (July 2013)

After seeing Tracy and Stephanie of Eleventh Gorgeous month after month prefer Ipsy Glam Bag to Birchbox, I decided to give Ipsy a try since it's only $10 a month and you get large samples and sometimes full-sized samples of beauty products.

I got my first bag last month (see a picture here) of all full-size products. Last month wasn't all that "me." I gave the super sparkly eye shadow palette to my friend Jackie since she loves being sparkly. 

This month's theme is Beach Beauty, and even though some of the products are not full-size, they're all beauty products that I'm really excited to use. For the month of July, I received:
♥ Benefit's BeneTint (full size $30, sample $8ish)
♥ POP Beauty's Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush (6 for $25, one is $4)
♥ BH Cosmetics' California Collection Eye Shadow Palette (full palette $7, sample $2ish)
♥ Coola's Mineral Sunscreen / Tinted Moisturizer (full size $36, sample $8ish)
♥ Big Sexy Hair's Weatherproof Spray (full size $19, sample $12ish)

What's great about the Glam Bag is that the products inside are worth more than $10. July's bag was worth about $34!

Here are mini reviews of the products:

Benefit's BeneTint

This is a really lovely lip and cheek stain. It's subtle at first, but can be built up for a rosier glow. I'm definitely going to use this on my cheeks since I love having soft rosy cheeks. I haven't tried it on my lips, but probably won't since I love using the Revlon lip stains so much.

POP's Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush

You know I love lip crayons and this one is really nice. It goes on smoothly and the color is bright and pigmented. It doesn't smell like anything, which isn't good or bad, but thought I would let you know. The only downside is that when I have chapped lips it shows every crack and crevice. I still like it though and will use it often.

BH Cosmetics' California Collection Eye Shadow Palette

This palette is tiny, but it would work well for traveling since it's so light. The colors are really pretty since they're subtly metallic. I especially like the brown and the gold. The eye shadows aren't that pigmented, but they are build-able. I'll definitely be using these shadows for everyday use.

Coola's Mineral Sunscreen / Tinted Moisturizer

I only tried this once, but do like it. It's smooth, smells fresh, and feels really hydrating on my skin. Since it's a tinted sunscreen / moisturizer and not a foundation it doesn't cover that well, but it does even things out a little. I like this tinted moisturizer, but will most likely use my Garnier B.B. Cream instead.

Big Sexy Hair's Weatherproof Spray

I'm not into hairspray, but was interested to try it out since I get crazy frizz in the summertime. This hairspray smells amazing (kind of floral-like) and it did tone down the frizz a bit. I didn't use it all day though. The only problem is that it's a little greasy on my hair, which isn't good since my hair is already oily,and after it dries my hair was somewhat crunchy. I like the idea of this, but probably won't use it that much. 

Do you get a Glam Bag?

Which of these products do you use?

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Outfit: Jury Duty

Ah, jury duty. Last week it was the bane of my existence. I got a summons to the federal courthouse on Pearl St. in Manhattan. I went in last Monday, thinking I would be called for a civil case that would take a few days before being dismissed. But no, I was called to possibly be a juror on a criminal case that might last up to eight weeks.

I told the judge on Tuesday that I have class at the end of August and that I'm working on my thesis, but he told me to take a seat instead of excusing me. I was bummed that the last month of my vacation would no longer be a vacation, but on Wednesday, after literally waiting all day, he told 18 of the jurors that they were excused. And I was one of them! I'm not going to take it personally that the lawyers didn't like me. You have no idea how relieved I am!

Now that I'm no longer a juror, I can tell you that it was this fraud case.

Anyway, I wore this black dress (with a navy cardigan) on the second day of jury duty to be comfortable since all I did was sit all day. I would either sit and read in the hallway while we waited, or sit and stare at the judge and lawyers (and try not to fall asleep) in the courtroom. 

Dress: Forever 21 (old) {similar, similar} | Flats: Old Navy | Watch: Target | Bag: H&M

Have you been to jury duty?

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Inspiration: Easy Summer Hair

It's been swelteringly hot in New York this past week. In fact they're calling it a heat wave. When it's this hot, I want my hair off my neck and up in an easy hairstyle. I definitely need to learn how to master these hairdos because they are super cute. I'm especially loving the picture on the bottom left with the loose French braid and messy bun. 

How do you do your hair in the summer?

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(via Pinterest)

Life Lately

Some of these pictures are from around my birthday, but I figure it's never too late to show off fun pictures, especially if they remind me of my birthday, and who doesn't want to be reminded of that? During the last month, I got a ton of wonderful presents, went to the city a lot, drank lots of summer peach tea, and got new beauty products.

Jackie and I // Avra and I // My present to Avra (from JewelMint)

Wake up and smell the flowers! // Lunch at Alice's Tea Cup // Grand Central Terminal

Graffiti on Spring St. // New Lush products // Discovered a free library with Kristin

New nail polish // I want to look good in these bikinis! (via Target & ON) // Gift from Brittany

Love my new clothing from SearsStyle // July Glam Bag products // Gifts from Rachel

Have a great weekend!

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Inspired By: Summer Activities

It's the summer! When it's sunny and hot and you're lathering sunscreen all over your face, there's really only one place to be: outside. Although I'm not a huge fan of the summer (my hair is constantly frizzy and my skin is always oily), this season is all about relaxation, being laid back, and having fun. 

Beach Bum

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If you can't wait to hit the beach once the temperature rises, then congrats, you're a beach bum. Maybe that means tanning (please wear SPF!), reading a book under a floppy hat, playing volleyball, surfing, swimming, or building sandcastles; whatever beach activity you prefer, do it in style. Wear a colorful bikini (or one-piece) with a fedora, lightweight embroidered top, studded shorts, and coral Keds. Or instead try a flowy tunic, striped floppy hat, printed swimsuit, and studded sandals. 

Outdoor Concert

Maybe you prefer the energy and adrenaline of an outdoor concert with its crowds of people and loud music. Then rock a gray polka dot sweater, lime green shorts, triangle necklace, printed bag, and studded sandals. If it's a classical music concert where you're relaxing on the grass, wear a striped purple dress, floral headband, blue necklace, fringe bag, bow earrings, and wedges. Don't forget a candle to set the mood. 

A Day at a Theme Park

There's always something to do at a theme park, so if that's where you would prefer to spend your day (either with friends or little ones), be sure to wear something comfortable: a belted orange dress, polka dot headband, strappy sandals, and studded cross-body bag. Or instead try a tied front top, lace-embellished jean shorts, lots of bracelets, gray Converse, and a backpack. If it's a water park, don't forget a bathing suit. 

Movie Watching

At the end of the day (or maybe even in the middle of it), it's nice to escape the heat for a little while to enjoy the air conditioning, a good movie, and some popcorn or candy. Relax and put your feet up in a floral peplum top, white shorts, a purple wristlet, and strappy wedges. Or for an evening look, go for a printed maxi dress, silver necklace, a shield ring, a black tote (to sneak in some treats), and teal wedges. 

What are your favorite summer activities?

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(via 1, 2, 3 & 4)