Unfading [beauty]

Hello, you beautiful humans!

It's been a while! It was a crazy, and absolutely beautiful, summer down in Tennessee with Totus Tuus + the beginning of the school year has been absolutely insane--hence the sudden vanishing and abandonment of Unfading Beauty. But I'm back and better than ever!

So, I'm here to talk to you about something really cool that my dear friend Ellen told me about--it's called StitchFix. StitchFix is a service where you input your style preferences (you can even connect it to your Pinterest style board) and a personal stylist will select 5 items to send you! You then have the option to try on your choices and return whatever you do not like within the week (they even prepay your return shipping fee!). You pay a $20 stylist fee that can be applied towards any merchandise you purchase.

I got my second Fix today and have decided to blog it so you all can enjoy it too!

Dean Skinny Jean
designer: Just Black

The first item I received in my box was the Dean Skinny Jean in purple, designed by Just Black. My stylist, Emily, commented that they were good for dressing up or wearing casually. They are a traditional ankle skinny jean with a zipper detail on the ankle. They fit really well and definitely were extremely comfortable.

Fit: 10/10
Price: $78; with stylist fee: $58

Sofia Hammered Square Collar Necklace
designer: Bancroft

This is a really simple, yet beautiful statement necklace. It's not too heavy and it doesn't smell like cheap metal, which is really nice.

Fit: N/A
Price: $32; with stylist fee: $12

Columbus Pullover Knit Top
designer: Le Lis

The sweater was not very fitted, which was nice for layering. However, the lace detailing on the shoulders was a little itchy. I already have a very similar sweater as well. Emily the Stylist suggested that it would be very comfortable to study in the library (because that's a place I frequent...*sarcasm*).

Fit: 9/10
Price: $38; with stylist fee: $18

Lucio Henley Blouse
designer: Alice Blue

I really wanted to love this shirt. I really did. But I put it on and I immediately knew it was not my friend. Maybe it was the size of the shirt, but I don't think so. It was tight in the armpits and even when I unbuttoned the shirt to its 3rd button, the neckline was still way too high. It also didn't flatter my figure at all, and I kind of felt like one of those little Asian grandmas at the mall with the large floral shirts and the giant hats (at least, they're at my mall...)

Fit: 3/10
Price: $48; with stylist fee: $28

Gresham Split Back Knit Top
designer: Papermoon

So, this shirt. Let me tell you about this shirt. Looks like just an ordinary navy shirt right? WRONG. The back is a beautiful floral print with a split back. It's super cute and comfy and I really really like it a lot.

Fit: 10/10
Price: $48; with stylist fee: $28

Grand Total:

Subtotal for all 5 items: $244.00
Buy 5 Discount*: -$61.00
Styling Fee Credit: -$20.00
Total: $163.00
*if you purchase all 5 items, you get a 25% discount.

I really enjoyed the pants and the Papermoon shirt. However, I'm particular about pant pricing since I do work for New York and Company and I get to use my employee discount there. So I won't be getting those. I also only ever wear my Jerusalem cross necklace, so I'm not buying the pretty necklace. However, the shirt captured my heart so I will be keeping it! Logically, even if I returned all the items, I would still pay my $20 styling fee. By purchasing the Papermoon shirt, I am only spending 8 additional dollars for a grand total of $28!

I've included a referral link at the bottom of the post, so please feel free to use it and get yourself all pretty!

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5853029

And now that you've all picked yourselves up from the floor where I'm sure you fell after that terrible pun of a title...

I received 2 VoxBoxes from Influenster recently--the Carefree and Campus boxes. So I reviewed them for you all!

Video Review!

Today I wore blue and silver and drew a flower on my wrist. It's a columbine, my state flower. To everyone else, I imagine that seemed insignificant; for me, it was my way of honoring the passing of the sixteenth anniversary of a day that will always haunt me: the Columbine High School shooting.

Sixteen years ago, the worst imaginable thing happened: two shooters entered Columbine High School and killed 13 people (12 students and 1 teacher) and wounded 24 more. I was five years old, and sadly, the Columbine shootings are one of my earliest memories and my first real encounter with the violence in the world. I remember the uninterrupted news coverage that my mom wouldn't let me watch, that I peeked glances at over her shoulder. I went to "cop camp" when I was a middle schooler because I wanted to be a police detective, and we listened to the 911 dispatch calls from April 20th,1999. I no longer wanted to be a cop. Growing up as a Colorado native, April 20th isn't a day that passes without me feeling extreme sorrow and empathy for the families of those who lost loved ones that day.

The memorial that has always affected me most

I always have wondered why the anniversary of Columbine upsets me so much every year. I wasn't there, I was too young, my family wasn't affected, and I've always felt guilty for being so sad every April 20th because I wasn't directly affected. But today, on the 16th anniversary, I think it makes a little more sense that my first knowledge of the violence in the world would still leave such an imprint on my heart. I'm sad for the families of the 13 beautiful people who died that day, and I'm sad for the people who still lose their loved ones to violence in schools. Colorado has experienced a lot of pain in my 21 years of life, starting with this day 16 years ago, through Platte Canyon, Aurora, and Arapahoe. I'm sad, because this never should have happened and should never happen again.

Today, one of my dear friends, Emily, wore a blue and white Colorado shirt with the verse "John 10:10". John 10:10 reads "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full". It's a verse of hope, a promise. There is darkness in this world, but there is also great light. It's a reminder that we can become the light and over come the tragedies of the world. And we will always be #ColoradoStrong.

To all the families who are mourning loved ones on this tragic day, my heart and prayers are with you.

Love abundantly,

Juliana

Hello my friends!

So I have some fun things to share with you! I was able to try (and have subsequently purchased) the Carmindy Game Changer Foundation! If you watched What Not To Wear as much as I did, you all know who Carmindy is; if you didn't, Carmindy is the amazing makeup artist on the show, who is probably the reason I'm obsessed with eyebrows.

Anyway, I tried the Game Changer Foundation in Ecru Beige. I was a little scared at first, since I was very attached to my TooFaced products and I didn't know how my skin would react to a foundation as opposed to a BB Cream.

The product goes on heavier than I'm used to and it was a little shocking at first, but after that initial shock, I fell absolutely in love. For me, it seemed like just a little goes a long way and leaves me with a perfect, even skin tone.

10/10--I would completely recommend this product. It's on the pricey end ($35), but it is 100% worth the money. Whereas a drug store brand can cause yellow-ish skin tone, flaking and fading, the Carmindy foundation stays all day and looks amazing!

Stay beautiful!

Love abundantly,
Juliana

"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” --Thomas Merton

Hello, beauties!

My name is Maria, and I am Juliana’s trusty athletic correspondent right here on Unfading Beauty! The phrase “opposites attract” is not wrong; Juliana and I could not be more different when it comes to having a passion for working out. Between the two of us, I’m the crazy runner girl, and the one who will never pass up the opportunity to take the stairs.

God so lovingly gave you your body. It is your job to take the same care God did! So, I am here to provide a little help along the way. I will be periodically posting about my favorite exercises, workout gear, and the best foods for a healthy life. I am thrilled to be here along the way with you, Beauties!

First up: workout gear! One of my favorite Bible passages says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25). So, let’s take those Words a little further. Why not dress for the strength you’re about to prove when you head out for that run, or pull out your trusty yoga mat on a Sunday morning? Here is one of my favorite looks. (Clearly, I have my “I’m about to kill this run. Ha! I’ll show you who is boss!” face on.) I love everything bright and with a fun pattern, so these pants are perfect! If you aren’t used to working out or want to start and need a little merchandise motivation, check out Fabletics. The first outfit is only $25! These pants were part of my first purchase, and I use every excuse to wear them even outside of my workout time.

Assignment 1: Get your beautiful self something to wear during this new endeavor of a healthy life. I promise it will make you feel stronger, and soon you’ll be laughing in the face of whatever fitness obstacles you are facing!

Stay beautiful!

xoxo, Maria

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1

About the Blogger: Maria is a brilliant biology major, with a love for carbs, an unhealthy addiction to working out, and a strange habit of meowing when she thinks I can't hear her. She may turn into a rabbit with all the vegetables she eats and she loves elephants more than life itself (it's actually a little alarming.)