Legally Charming Style

It's the weekend!!!

If you're reading this anytime between 9-4 on Saturday, send all your positive vibes, prayers, juju, etc. my way--I'm in the middle of a practice essay test and I'm probably crying on the inside right now, wishing I was out taking pictures like these!

One of the toughest things about keeping up with a blog during this hellish summer of bar prep is figuring out what outfits I'm going to show you. I'm loyally keeping up with #ootd posts for the challenge I'm co-hosting (mostly), so by the time I get to the weekend, they're at least already partially photographed and you've already seen them. This usually leaves looks I've put on for the weekend, or looks that I choose for the blog that I end up wearing for the rest of the day (and end up being real outfits I wear by default).

This particular outfit fell into the latter category. I put it on with the premise of wearing it for the blog and ended up keeping it on to go to the grocery store (where I got lots of stares because apparently people don't dress like this at Giant...?). I admit it's not even MY normal grocery store fare, and I'm a notorious overdresser. I am definitely more of the jeans and sneaks at the store-type girl, I promise you. But I think this outfit is a perfect example of a weekend look during the summer!

I have been wearing my hair up all summer (thanks bar prep), so I've been trying to get more creative about how I wear it, and I'm absolutely loving these Dutch-braid pigtails as an alternative to a basic ponytail!! They keep everything up off my face and neck, which really is my end goal during the sticky, humid months. They're both girly and a little bit funky, which is key when trying to look like a human who wears things other than jeans and tees all summer long.

Since my hair was all off my face and (very) tight against my head, I wanted to wear an outfit that contrasted it a little with my trademark color and girliness. This skirt (which I wore previously in this post), was a super-cheap find of off ThreadUp that I am so glad I got to style for summer!! I think it works perfectly with a casual tied chambray shirt--just the right about of fitted and comfy to create a lovely hourglass shape that I've been missing lately thanks to my bar prep diet of mac n cheese and pizza (oops).

To really pop the combo and make it fun, I threw in my favorite leopard clutch and swingy tassel earrings (which are super in this summer), along with my chunky nude sandals to keep the line of my leg going for days. ;)

What's your go-to summer weekend look? Do you prefer dressed up or dressed down? Tell me more about it below!

xoxo

Carisa

Whew!

I promised myself I was going to work harder at both trying new things and keeping up with the blog during bar prep. And well, I've done one, so I'm going to give myself a little credit (two guesses as to which one I'm doing well at, btw)!

So a couple of weeks ago my friend Kara asked me if I wanted to get out of bar prep world for a little bit and go to a black-and-white birthday party in DC for a friend of hers. I agreed wholeheartedly, and then she informed me that the ladies were supposed to wear all white.

Guys, I admit it. I hate wearing all white.

I know, it's a weird quirk. But I just don't like my pale Casper skin against all white. It's not a look I try a lot (or ever) because I just don't like it. Hell, I had to order white shorts because I didn't own anything that could cover the bottom half of my body that was also white.

But in the spirit of trying new things, I figured I'd give it a go.

I'm sharing this look for two reasons: one, it's not the most terrible thing I've put on; and two, to show you that it's okay to go outside your comfort zone, even if you don't end up loving the look. Will I ever put on all white again? No. I still don't love it. Am I glad that I tried it? Absolutely! The value of a good learning experience is important.

Just remember--even if you're not sure, it's worth it to give something a try.

What's something you've tried that you never thought you would? Tell me about it below!

xoxo

Carisa

Hi guys!! It's a special Monday post, and you wanna know why??

Legally Charming Style turned two years old yesterday! TWO!!!! Can you believe it???

I can't even begin to tell you how quickly these two years have gone by, and how at the same time it feels like a hundred years ago that I posted my very first outfit. It's amazing how much the blog has changed since then, and how much I've learned.

To be honest with you, this blog was started on a whim. I'd seen a few people on Instagram doing this blogging thing and thought it would be fun. (Really.) I chose a username based on my dating profile tagline. (Again, really.) I never thought this would be something of significance or value to anyone but me. But somehow, this little whim hobby has turned into a two year endeavor that has changed my life.

So much has changed since I started Legally Charming Style. Two years ago, I was taking photos with my iPhone and a timer app, posting when I felt like it and really not thinking much of it other than as an excuse to make myself dress nicer. I had just finished my first year of law school; I was in the process of slowly and quietly coming out of the closet. I felt uncertain and uncomfortable with myself-who I was, how I looked.

What a difference two years has made.

It's not just the cosmetic stuff, like new layouts and a DSLR camera. Today, I'm much more me--the me I hoped I would become one day--than I ever imagined. I graduated from law school. I'm out and proud. I wear what I want. I'm not perfect when it comes to loving my body (especially lately with the stress weight gain), but I love dressing it. I love being real. I love being able to feel fully comfortable with expressing myself through clothing and this platform, sharing my words.

Year two has been crazy for me! A panel appearance with a renowned stylist; a feature in Baltimore Style Magazine; two features on the Le Tote blog; collaborations with insanely talented local bloggers and photographers. It's been a year I never would have expected, and there's even more to come, which is insane!

But this past year has been more than just the flashy things--I have finally felt free to share parts of me. To talk about my struggles. To share who I am as a person. To talk about the stuff that affects us all. I have felt empowered, beautiful, and loved. I have made new friends, seen the world in new ways, and developed significantly as a human being. I never thought in my life that a blog about clothes could do that. But it has, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

This isn't always easy. There have been days I've considered giving it up. But then I remember what it's done for me, and how despite its inherent difficulties, I love every second of being a blogger and sharing a piece of myself with the world. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

To my fellow bloggers, those who are now friends that I have worked with, met, and gotten to know--thank you. Thank you for showing me what this could be and helping me develop a voice.

To you--my reader, my friend--thank you. Thank you for being a part of the journey thus far. I hope you stick with me in the coming years.

Here's to two years, and to many more!

xoxo

Carisa

Happy Friday!!

For me, Friday means the last day of classes for the week and only ONE MORE DAY of studying until I get ONE FREE DAY. It's a very exciting time in my life. (It's the truth, no matter how sad it sounds.)

You know what else is exciting me right now? The arrival of summer! It's finally here. Now granted, summer isn't my favorite season of all time, but it's definitely a step up from the murky, Seattle-like weather we had for a month here in Baltimore. On top of that, it's the best time to pop on the easiest outfit you can manage and still be considered fashionable. Why yes, I am a model fashion blogger, thank you very much.

This summer dress fit the bill pretty much perfectly!! It came in my last Le Tote box and it's SO SUPER STINKING CUTE. And it's soft. And it has a drawstring, which does great things when I order a burger and fries for dinner because bar prep is stressing me out. As soon as I saw it, it made me think of that movie Blue Crush...and then there was orange, so that made me think of orange crushes. And now I want an orange crush. Anyone want to deliver one to my study room for me? ;)

Stay cool and enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

Carisa

Welcome back, welcome back!!!

I took last week off so that I could get acclimated to the hellacious summer I'm going through, known to most people as a bar exam prep course. I'm telling you guys, this thing is for REAL. We're only a week in and I am tired already!

But today I'm coming back to the blog to share the next in my subscription box series! In case you haven't tuned into one of these posts before, every other month I review subscription box services to let you know if they're worth your while and your hard-earned dollars! In previous editions of this series, I've reviewed Rocksbox and Le Tote (follow the links to see my thoughts).

A follower of mine on Instagram suggested this VERY smart face-off between beauty subscription box services Ipsy and Birchbox, so here I am to offer you the 4-1-1 on whether these two are worth it,  and if I like one better than the other! Here we go!!

So how do they work?

Both services have a customized quiz that allows you to go through and select the types of products you do and do not want, as well as asking you about your skin tone/skin type, hair color and eye color. Both quizzes are relatively brief and cover a lot of ground, so it's definitely the time to say what you want!

After you make your choices, you'll put in your card information to be charged (or if you sign up for yearly service, which both offer, you'll be charged for the yearly fee). Both services charge you on the first of the month, regardless of when you sign up, and each set ships around the middle of the month. Mine usually arrive within a day of each other. In other words, if you sign up for Ipsy on June 20th, your first month will be July and you'll be charged on July 1st.

NOTE: Generally speaking, both Birchbox and Ipsy have a waiting list to get their service. If you have a friend who is already getting the service, ask if they can invite you to join because this will GREATLY speed up your process. If they invite you and you follow the invitation link, you can usually skip the waiting period.

Do the items have to be returned?

No. Every item you get is yours to keep, including the packaging.

How much does it cost? 

Both services cost the same: $10/month gets you five beauty items.

So...what are the differences?

I feel like the reason most people don't know which service to go with when selecting between Ipsy and Birchbox is because they seem like pretty much the same thing, and it's hard to choose between two such similar items. So here's a full breakdown on what's different between the two:

Packaging. 

Birchbox: Birchbox arrives every month in a pretty rectangular (you guessed it) box with your items inside. Birchbox sometimes collaborates with paper companies like Rifle Paper Co. to create the designs. It's a sturdy box and good for storage.

Ipsy: Ipsy comes every month in a small makeup bag with all of the products stuffed inside. I personally LOVE these little bags. Every month is a different theme and they're so nice for your purse or for travel!

Product size.

Birchbox: Every item that Birchbox sends is sample size, with one or two exceptions (lipstick is one of them, though it's usually one out of a set of multiples). This means that each one is just a few uses before you're done, which is kind of annoying to me if I really like a product.

Ipsy: For the most part, Ipsy's samples are full-size product! For example, I've gotten a blush compact, a lipstick, a box of Morrocanoil, and even a full-size bottle of a hair product from a brand I love. It's super awesome and one of my favorite parts about Ipsy.

Product quality. 

Birchbox: To be honest, I think the product quality may be slightly better in Birchbox (but not by much). For example, I'm much more likely to get a high-end conditioner or Smashbox oil primer in my Birchbox than in my Ipsy. (Probably accounts for why everything is a sample size.) I have only had one or two products I truly hated or didn't work well.

Ipsy: I find that more products in my Ipsy bag (again, not by much) tend to be cheaper quality. The "gel-like" polish I got last month chipped off my hands within two hours, even with top coat (so no, not so gel-like, folks); a highlighter I got was mostly glitter. Most products are comparable to Birchbox, but some are definitely not.

Types of products.

Birchbox: Birchbox tends to have more skin and hair products (or at least I get them) than cosmetic products in my monthly box (usually one cosmetic product, sometimes two, compared to three to four hair/skin products).

Ipsy: Since it was started by YouTube makeup sensation Michelle Phan, Ipsy is more makeup-focused. It's the inverse of Birchbox: one or two hair/skin products and three to four cosmetic products.

Customization.

Birchbox: Every month Birchbox gives you the option to receive an additional free sample, swap your box for their monthly themed product box, or to purchase "lifestyle add-ons." This month I added a brow gel from Benefit to my box because we all know I love my brows. The themed boxes tend to go quickly, so I've never gotten one, and never felt the need for the lifestyle add-ons, which usually end up being things

Ipsy: Ipsy does not offer any customization options that I'm aware of at this time (if you know about this and I don't, tell me)!


So...what's the verdict?

I definitely see the value in getting both, and I definitely enjoy my subscriptions to both. That being said, I'm going to give you the classic lawyerly answer of "it depends," because it honestly does. If you're looking for more high end samples and less makeup, then you go Birchbox. If you're looking for more makeup and full-size products, you obviously go Ipsy.


If you want to try either of the services above and want a referral, leave your email in the comments below and I'll be happy to hook you up!! Have questions I didn't answer? Leave 'em for me!

xoxo

Carisa