Instagram Recap

January 22, 2016 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

Happy Fridaaaaaay! I know it has been awhile since I have done a recap of my Instagram photos, so I figured today would be the perfect day to do it. I linked where you can find everything in each photo. Some pieces were sold out, so I tagged similar ones.

Sweater // Scarf (similar) // Clutch (similar) // Jeans // Boots (similar)

Make up Brushes // Faux Fur Stool (similar)

Necklace (similar)

Sweater // Polish

Blanc // Ladylike // Butter Please (similar)

Lipstick // Mascara // Primer // Blur Perfecter // Polishes are tagged above

If there was anything that I missed, please let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on new posts.

Have a great weekend!

XoXo Valerie

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Your BFF

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

vday bff

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

Happy Wednesday! Ever since I was little, I loved giving my BFFs a little gift for Valentine’s Day, whether it was just a card and candy, or a nice pair of earrings. To help you figure out what to give your BFF, I created this gift guide. All items are under $50! I mean, you can’t go wrong with a pizza tee that says “Take a pizza my heart”, am I right? Adorable.

Every Wednesday up until Valentine’s Day, I will be posting these little gift guides to help you find the perfect gift for everyone from your mom to your boyfriend, so make sure you subscribe to stay updated on new posts.

What do you give your BFF on Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

2016 Goals

January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

I’m the type of person that loves to make lists for everything: goals. to-do, grocery, etc. I know it may seem a little late for “resolutions”, but that’s why I’m not calling this my 2016 resolutions. These are my 2016 goals! I usually set a few goals for myself every year (and of course I write it on a cute notepad from the Target dollar section 😉 ) to give myself something to work towards during the year. I may add a few, or take a few off. But this is what I have so far:

Eat healthier: I know this is pretty much on everyone’s 2016 list, but I really need to start doing this. I eat way too much fast food, and I will eventually pay for it once I’m older. January 4th was the day I started to eat healthy, and I have been doing good ever since! Now to just stay motivated…
Workout at least 5 times a week: I guess this kind of goes hand in hand with eating healthier and just being healthier all together. I also started this on January 4th and have been sticking with it! I started doing Pilates called Blogilates with Cassey Ho (you can find the workout plan I’m doing HERE!). I got a FitBit for Christmas and I am in love! You can find my exact one HERE! After using mine for about a week and a half, I have to say it actually makes me work harder!
Save money: I’m really bad at this If you have any tips, let me know!
Blog more: I love blogging. Sometimes my busy schedule can get in the way, but I’m going to shoot for posting a new post 3 times a week (probably Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s). I have some great outfit posts planned 😉
Stay organized: I love using new planners. The one I’m using this year is from Bando. Sadly, they are all sold out, but you can find the one I used last year HERE! My blog post planner pad I bought HERE. This year I am also trying something different. I bought a fitness journal from Blogilates (sadly, they are all sold out), hoping this would keep me motivated. It’s working so far!
Be positive and happy: really need to work on this lately.
Spend more time with family
Go to church and read the bible more
Stay motivated: how do you stay motivated? I need tips!
Have more me time: whether I’m reading a book or having an at home spa day. Sometimes they are much needed.

What are some of your goals for 2016? Let me know in the comments! Also, make sure you subscribe to Styled Muse by entering your e-mail in the box to the right (on a computer) or bottom (for phones/tablets).

XoXo Valerie

YSL Rouge Pur Couture

October 1, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

I am so happy to say I was chosen by Influenster to review ANOTHER YSL VoxBox! In the VoxBox this time, is 2 Rogue Pur Couture lipsticks. One red shade (09 Rose Stiletto) and one pink shade (19 Fuchsia).

According to YSL, “In one stroke, get luxurious, rich color that dresses the lips with intense hydration and antioxidant care. With its signature, couture jewel-like packaging, this lipstick symbolizes edgy style and ultimate feminine strength.”

The perfect lipstick for me is one that has vibrant color, stays on while eating and drinking, and doesn’t feel gross on my lips (I know it’s weird, I just hate that slimy feel!). So to put this lipstick really to the test, I wore it while I went out for my friend’s birthday. My color of choice was Rose Stiletto. I really love this color. Its not too light, and its not too dark. My boyfriend isn’t a fan of dark lipstick, and he said he actually liked this color (and this is the first time he has ever said anything about liking my makeup). After a night of eating a burger and drinking beer, this lipstick was still going strong! Yes, it did fade a tiny bit, but not extremely. I was really surprised! To top it off, I could barely tell I was wearing anything on my lips. They did not feel slimy whatsoever.

I highly recommend this lipstick, and I am so excited to wear Fuchsia this weekend! You can purchase the lipsticks HERE. They have so many colors!

Have you tried the YSL Rogue Pur Couture lipstick yet? What did you think?

XoXo Valerie

All products received complimentary thanks to Influenster

Fall Boots

September 29, 2015September 29, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

My favorite thing about fall? Boots. And of course, cool weather to be able to wear them. This weekend it is finally going to feel like fall in STL! How am I going to celebrate? Buy a new pair of ankle boots.

Last year I had the cutest pair, but they ended up getting ruined by mud at the park during a photoshoot, so lately I have been keeping my eye out for a pair even better than the ones I had. So far, I think the Candie’s Heeled Ankle Booties (number 5) are going to be my go to pair. I have been looking everywhere for a pair within my budget and I just seem to go back to these. I also found other cute ones (all under $50!), including over the knee boots (seriously loving this trend).

All boots are tagged below!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

Which pair of boots are your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

Fall Staples

September 23, 2015September 22, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

I’m so happy that the weather in STL is finally starting to cool off. The night time temps have been in the 50s! Perfect for apple picking, pumpkin farms, and bonfires (I have had 2 already).

In honor of fall temperatures, I decided to put together a list of some of my fall staples that are perfect for cooler weather! How cute is that faux suede skirt!? Everything is linked below. I also found a similar skirt that is a bit cheaper than the one above (which you can find HERE).

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13

What is on your fall staple list? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

Necklace Layering

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

Happy Tuesday! I know I have been really MIA lately. Overtime at work is really kicking my butt (many naps were needed). SO glad to be back at this! I have a lot of fun things planned, like fall outfits, reviews of some amazing products I just received from influenster, and friday favorites! What other things would you like to see on Styled Muse? Let me know in the comments, or send me an e-mail at styledmuse@gmail.com!

One trend that I am really loving right now is necklace layering. It really adds that perfect touch to your outfit. The trick is to find one really long necklace (one that hits your mid torso) and one shorter one (a monogram necklace is perfect for this). You can even add a medium length necklace AND short length necklace.

Since your necklaces are your statement pieces, it’s best to stay with small stud earrings like I am wearing above. Otherwise, it can be a bit too much.

I have linked similar necklaces and earrings below (the ones I’m wearing were from my Rocksbox). I also tagged a few others that would be perfect for necklace layering.

Similar to ones I’m wearing: Long Necklace // Short Necklace // Earrings

Long necklaces: One // Two

Short necklaces: One // Two // Three

Monogram necklaces: One // Two // Three

Earrings: One

Have you ever tried necklace layering? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

Naked Smoky Palette

August 31, 2015August 30, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ 2 Comments

Happy Monday, ladies! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I have to say, I was a little on the fence about the Urban Decay Smoky Palette. I was SUPER excited when I first got it in the mail (like, I was afraid to use it, and couldn’t stop looking at it).

My little sister is like a makeup genius (follow her on Instagram! @midwestbeauty15), so of course I needed to get her opinion as well. I had her come over to my place and do my makeup for me for the fall tunic photoshoot, and of course made her use the Naked Smoky Palette. She loved the colors and how pigmented it was. But the first thing she said to me was “this does not blend well at all”. I did agree with her after trying to blend it all together. But then I told her to use a different eye shadow brush, instead of the one it comes with. After that, it blended perfectly (see photos below)!

I decided to use the palette on friday, and give the brush it came with a try again. Of course, I had to same issue. My suggestion is to use your own eyeshadow brush, because other than that, I seriously love this palette. I really love the colors of the eyeshadows. Creating a smoky look is my favorite thing to do, and I love that it comes with a look book of different smoky eyes you can try yourself.

The Smoky Palette is a bit on the pricy side, but like I said before, the colors are really pigmented, so It doesn’t take much to get the color you want, which will make the palette last a really long time. It’s a great investment!

I linked the Smoky Palette HERE. I’m also linking a few eyeshadow brushes that will work perfectly with it, HERE (less expensive, one I used) and HERE (more expensive, high end).

What do you think of the Urban Decay Smoky Palette? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

Fall Transition

August 26, 2015August 25, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ Leave a comment

Happy hump day! I know some of you are wondering where my Naked Smoky Palette review is, and why this post wasn’t posted on Monday. Well, let’s just say this has been one heck of a week. Last week my mom was having a few health issues that made her be admitted to the hospital for a day and a half, which lead to doctor’s appointments, etc. But now that things are back to normal (and my mommy is okay!), I will plan another day for the Naked Smoky Palette (I promise!).

So, this is part two of the Perfect Tunic! Last week I showed you how to wear this white tunic during the summer, now I’m showing you how to wear it in the fall. Like I mentioned in last weeks post, this is the PERFECT summer to fall transition piece that you must have in your closet!

To make this a fall outfit, I added a black blazer and closed toed booties. I also wore my RockBox set necklaces to add the perfect touch (I will be doing a post on necklace layering with these adorable necklaces next week). Everything is linked below, besides the clutch that was sold out, so I linked a similar one:

Tunic // Jeans // Blazer // Booties // Clutch // Necklace (use code VALERIEBFF89 for your first month free)

What is your favorite summer to fall transition piece? Let me know in the comments!

XoXo Valerie

Rocksbox

April 15, 2015 ~ styledmuse ~ 1 Comment

I decided to give Rocksbox a try after seeing other bloggers post about how great it is. For those of you that don’t know what Rocksbox is, it’s a monthly subscription of $19 a month. You receive 3 pieces of designer jewelry that you can wear as much and long as you want, then send back to get new pieces. If you fall in love with them, you have the option to buy one or all at a discounted price. Each month Rocksbox gives you $10 to spend on jewelry.

Each box contains $200 in designer jewelry and shipping is free both ways! I mean, how awesome is that?

Today I received my first box and I’m excited to share it with you all! Want to try out Rocksbox for yourself? Use promo code VALERIEBFF89 to get your first month FREE!

Here is what I received in today’s Rocksbox: