You know you're from Calvert County when

I'm a home grown Calvert County girl.  People resent Calvert County because of it's "unique qualities" but I have learned to love and appreciate my crazy little town that shaped me into the person I am today. 

You know you're from Calvert County when:

"Oh I live in Calvert County."  "Where?" 

you get off school for the county fair 

you know at least 5 places to get quality crabs at all times

Walmart is THE Walmart

you know the name  "Bobby Nutwell"

country music is the best music 

y'all and ain't are proper grammar

mullets and rat tails no longer make you giggle (just cry)

your school is in the middle of tobacco fields and horse farms

you can explain what cummins and duramax are

it's a game of whose truck is bigger

you know at least 15 people in the Walmart 

McDonalds is the place to be on a Saturday night

you learned to drive in a truck

camo is a neutral 

I still call my hometown home

- Kacey Musgraves 

Top splurge makeup

Being pretty isn't cheap. 

I am on a broke college girl budget but I still splurge on a few beauty products.  It kills me sometimes spending 30 bucks on one item but for some things, you just need too.  I am a very big advocate for smart shopping at the drugstore for makeup but some things are worth the price tag. Here are a few of my favorite splurge items that I will continue to repurchase!

Lorac Pro Palette

This is my most used and favorite palette ever!  It has 8 matte shades (top row) and 8 shimmery shades (bottom row).  They are all very neutral shades that are easy to wear day to night. It is the most versatile palette that I found, and it is on the less expensive side.
Available at Ulta

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

This is a brush tip liquid eyeliner that is opaque black.  I use this on my top lash line for a very clean, precise line.  I have tried many different liquid and pencil liners from the drugstore and none come close to this one!  My last one lasted at least six months!  Definitely worth $ 19!  

Available at Sephora

Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer

This bronzer is made with real cocoa powder. 'nuff said. 

I use this to contour my face because it is very blendable to create a natural, slim look.  Some bronzers can look orange or muddy on light skin but this shade is perfect to fair complexions.  

Available at Sephora

Sephora Collection Classic Multitasker Powder Brush

I have used this brush for three years straight.  I know it says it is for powder, but I use it for liquid foundation. You could use it for powder, bronzer, or blush.  It has super soft bristles in a dome shape that distributes product evenly.  Buff foundation in with circular swirling motions to create a natural look.

Available at Sephora

Stila Eye Shadow

The shade "kitten" is by far my most used eyeshadow ever.  It is a light, nude, shimmery shade that looks good on every skin tone.  I use this shade almost everyday as a base.  It pairs well with matte or shimmery shades and can go day to night.  It blends well to create a flawless eye look. 

Available at Sephora

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen

Everyone wants eyebrows on fleek, right?  I use this brow pen to shape and fill in my brows in a natural way.  It comes in two universal shades; light and deep.  It is very blendable and looks like natural brow hair.

Available at Sephora

Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot 

I use this product everyday.  Even when I'm not wearing a full face of makeup, this product is my go-to.  I apply this with my ring finger, all over my eyelids.  It primes the eyes and corrects discoloration. I have very veiny eyelids that make me look tired.  It is an immediate pick me up!

Available at Mac

An open letter to cancer

Dear Cancer,

You suck.  You are the most deceiving, condescending, sneaky, two-faced being I know.  You take innocent lives every day and release yourself from others.  How do you choose who you affect?

I have seen your mark on many who I love.  It kills me to watch a loved one go from a thriving mother of three who is kind and cheerful to bed bound and defeated.  You broke her down bit by bit for years.  She was too strong.  She fought you with every ounce of energy she had until you sucked the life out of her.  You.  You did this. You killed her slowly.  You put her through hell and back. Made her family watch, helplessly, as she declined again and again.  You made her reliant on medication and treatment for breath.  You made her miss out on many years of her children's lives. You took her away from her family.  Forever.  How could you do that?

On the same day you took her life, you released his.  He has been fighting you off and on for years. He was told he had two months left.... two years ago.  He pulled out a miracle and beat you once.  He has devoted his life to fight you.  He suffered chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple high-risk surgeries.  He is alone is his efforts.  His support system is lacking but that does not waver his strength.  You gave in.  Again.  You released him from his efforts and let him rebuild himself.  He is working again and happier than ever.  How did you do that?  How did you leave him after the doctors said you were there to stay?  How did you defy the odds and give him more time on this earth?

I sincerely hate you for everything you do and stand for.  You push people to their limits, physically and mentally.  Then you decide.  Stay? Go?  In the blink of an eye, in just one positive test, you destroy a life. I will never begin to understand your ways but I am begging you to stop.  Stop affecting the ones I love.  Stop pushing them to their breaking point.  Stop torturing their families. Stop lurking around the corner.  Stop being a possibility for anyone.

You better watch your back because one day, we will end you.

pumpkins

going greek

I was never told the benefits of joining greek life in college.  You see the movies about the stereotypical sorority girl.  She is a thin, blonde girl who has the best wardrobe and makeup.  She is the popular girl on campus but is failing a few classes.  Her only goal is to be popular and go to parties.  She gets black out drunk every weekend and has first pick of the frat boys.

 

Even though there may be a girl in a sorority somewhere that fits that criteria, there is SO much more to greek life than booze and boys.  So here is what greek life means to me:

always having someone to go to Chipotle with

being proud of wearing letters

having amazing photo-shoots

attending meeting every week to see my sisters

having 100 advocates

branching out and trying new things

having a tutor 

late night dance sessions 

sharing my love of country music

stealing each others clothes

being the mother duck 

crafting, crafting, and more crafting

always having something to do 

finding my people

growing into myself 

finding other crazy cat ladies

smizing

support in anything i do

a no judgement zone 

Greek life means so much more than the stereotypes so next time you go to say something bad about sorority girls, think twice

Thats my name, don't wear it out

So, I've been getting a lot of questions about the name of my blog - B'more You.  If you aren't from Maryland, you most likely won't understand, and I get that.  

I go to Towson University which is in Baltimore, Maryland.  B'more is a short nickname for Baltimore, or Bal-more as the locals call it.  Baltimore is an awesome city with so much beauty and history that people over look every day.  I have lived here for over a year and have not even scratched the surface of what this city has to offer.  It is a silent city with so much to say. 

B'more you translates to be more you.  I hemmed and hawed over what the word following B'more should be.  B'more Glamorous, no.  B'more Chic, no. B'more You.  Yes.  This phrase stuck with me because that is my daily goal in life; to find myself and to express myself.  I have had a hard time with embracing my authentic self.  Since I have moved to Baltimore, I have grown and learned so much about myself, good and bad.  I have learned to embrace myself.

I hope you are able to embrace yourself and B'more You! 

Why white girls love fall

All of sudden, everyone and their dog has become white girl obsessed with fall.  Yeah, I am one of those coffee craving, flannel wearing, pumpkin carving white girls who drool over October.  And all for good reason!  Fall is hands down the best season.  

Why you ask? 

Well for one, fall fashion is the cutest, warmest, comfiest, and most versatile of all the seasons.  Sweaters and vests and scarves and boots and flannels and cardigans.  Layering is my favorite fall trend because here in Maryland, weather is bipolar.  In the morning, it can be 40 degrees but by lunch  time it is 75 degrees.  I like to pair vests or cardigans with my outfits to add warmth and when it gets warmer, you can take it off without ruining your outfit.  

Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL if you are super white, comes back to Starbucks and Starbucks wanna-bes every fall and all the white girls HAVE to get one.  Sorry to disappoint, but I think it tastes like a Bath and Body Works Candle (which are also a fall essential).  No thanks.  I prefer the cinnamon dulce latte from Starbucks.  But anyways, PSL.  

Another reason why fall is bae...pumpkins.  Everyone loves a pumpkin patch with overpriced pumpkins and snotty nosed children running in and out of the corn fields.  Even if you go just for an adorable photo shoot and the apple cider, (cough cough.  me.) everyone is obligated to go to a pumpkin patch at least once every fall.  Its only American. 

Happy Fall Y'all 

How to: Acorn Goodies

I made these acorn treats for my sorority's retreat this weekend.  They are very fall festive as well as Alpha Gamma Delta appropriate.  (our mascot is the squirrel)

These would also be an adorable edible centerpiece for fall parties, Thanksgiving, or Halloween!  They are inexpensive and super easy to make! 

What you will need:

- mini vanilla cookies

- hershey kisses

- peanut butter chips

- microwave safe bowl

- plastic fork

1.  unwrap the hershey kisses from the foil

2.  place about 1/3 cup peanut butter chips in bowl

3.  microwave in 10 second intervals, stirring each time

assembly:

4.  using the knife, smear peanut butter on the flat part of the kiss and press on a cookie (flat side)

5.  let cool sitting cookie side down

6.  place a small dab of peanut butter on the top of the cookie and press on a chip

VIOLA! You have yourself adorable acorn sweets!

How to: Thrift Shop

A lot of people are afraid of shopping at thrift or second hand stores.  You may think it's gross, not worth it, chaotic, or just plain icky.  And yeah, some stores can be like that but not if you thrift shop smart, you can avoid all of that.  I have been an avid thrifter for eight months now and I have learned SO much!

Here are 6 guidelines on how to make your thrifting experience the best it can possibly be!

1.  know when the sales are
Most thrift chains have some sort of membership or club.  Join these and sign up for e-mail or test alerts for sales and promotions.  For Goodwill, the last saturday of each month is 50% off all clothing.  Goodwill also has color barb days (Sunday-Wednesday).  Remember that the color is based off of the plastic barb, not the paper tag.

2.  take your time
Thrift shopping is something where you can not be rushed.  I only go when I have no where to be in hours.  You need time to flip through all of the racks and search through the shelves.

3.  wear appropriate clothing
Some thrift stores do not have fitting rooms.  If they do not, find a body length mirror to try your items on.  I recommend wearing tight fitting pants and a top that easy to slip tops over.  I personally like wearing leggings and a simple top.  Even if the store does have fitting rooms, they are small and crowded.

4.  set a budget
Going thrift shopping is a very tempting thing because everything is very cheap, BUT it adds up.  I have learned to set a budget before I enter the store so I do not overbuy.  This is a smart guideline to follow when spending money anywhere!

5.  get creative
Being a thrifter takes a certain amount of imagination and creativity.  You are going to sift through thousands of pieces of clothing.  More than half will be old, dated, ugly, you get the picture BUT there are some good ones.  Think of multiple ways to style a piece.  Can you see yourself wearing it with clothing that you currently have?  My favorite thing to do is buy vintage pieces and style them into a current and trending look.  Don't automatically pass over the vintage or "weird" looking things.

6.  look everywhere
You can find the coolest pieces that no one else will have in sections other than womans!  I find some of the best flannels, vest, and T's in the mens section!  Workers also tend to misplace items in the wrong section so you never know!  If you are a petite woman, don't be afraid to look in the little boy's section for some perfect fitting jeans, hipster tanks, etc.

7 Steps to be a bomb BFF

We have three types of friends in life: friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime.
True, genuine friends are hard to come by these days so when you find one, hold onto her with all you have and never let go because who else is going to put up with your crap.  

How to be a bomb best friend:

1.  be there for her even if you're hundreds of miles away

It totally sucks being seperated from your bff for a long time.  But, let's be honest... your friendship will stay the same.  

2.  pick up starbucks for the both of you on the way to pick her up for a girls day

You already know what she wants plus you're a gold member so rack up those stars girl!

3.  buy her crap she doesn't need

You know her weaknesses.  Maybe it's cats or mugs or coffee (or all three).  When you are wandering aimlessly through Michaels on tuesday night because you want to avoid adulting for a second and you see a cat mug and the first thing that comes to your mind is her, get it.  Doesn't matter if she has 50 other mugs.  Get it. 

4.  keep her updated

Constantly text and call her.  She wants to know what your life is about and you bet your booty that you wanna know what she's up too!  Send her OOTD pics and let her help you pick out your outfit for a date in real time.

5.  go on dates

Go out to dinner or to the movies or to the grocery.  Who cares.  Just go somewhere with her and have an awesome time.  You know when you are best friends when you can make picking out cat litter the highlight of your weekend.  

6.  always keep it even

You are going to buy her Starbucks.  Then she will tip at the restaurant.  Then you will drive.  Then she will buy you that shirt at Goodwill.  Then you send her a package.  It's a cycle.  You never have to worry about paying her back because you know you will in ways that mean more.  

7.  be too honest with her

Tell her all your dirty little secrets and she will tell you hers.  And you know that neither of you will ever peep of it again, without even saying it.  Tell her when that shirt looks icky or she's got pesto stuck in her teeth.  It's never an insult coming from you.  She isn't going to get mad so chill. 

Hurricane Chic

So if you don't live under a rock, you know that the east coast was hit by Hurricane Joaquin last weekend.  Here in Maryland, we just got some rain and wind.  And we all know what happens when it rains... white girls whip out their rain boots.  If you are super basic like mwah, you whip out your Hunters, a flannel, a scarf, and call it a day.  So, thats exactly what me and Danielle (Imperfect Waitress) did!   

We trekked to Annapolis in the rain and hit as many consignment and thrift stores as we could.  Several cups of coffee and a bowl of pasta later, we scored some awesome finds.    I scored two striped shirts, a flask that I am going to DIY, a redneck wine glass.  Danielle managed to pick up some amazing winter finds including sweaters, tops, and a piece for her halloween costume!  

Being two bloggers in a beautiful city, we HAD to have a photo shoot so, we found a covered brick wall to snap some pics without getting soaked.  We don't let no hurricane rain on our parade! We have an amazing friendship full of thrifting, Mac Miller, cats, starbucks, venting, and booties.  Days like this remind me how fortunate I am to have amazing friends and family.  Stop every once in a while and realize how thankful you are.  Life can slip through your fingers at any minute. 

OOTD

scarf - old navy

flannel - thrifted club room

jeggings - american eagle

boots - hunters

watch - target

lippie - Bite's Gavi