Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in college anymore...
It's a sad day when you graduate from college and are thrown into the adult world of paying for your own wifi, admiring cute placemats, and other less-than-fun bullshit. Just to top it off - you're in this weird relationship with Halloween.
I loved Halloween in college. I was literally an airplane every single year for 4 years. As a freshman I found an airplane costume in the toddler section of target and committed. I couldn't justify spending $30 on something I'd wear once... so I wore in every year thereafter. It was the perfect amount of "adult" because it showed a lot of skin as you're encouraged to do in college because your parents are finally not around to disapprove of you "leaving the house like that without a jacket or how about some pants?!" or "the rest of your shirt!?" But it also mixed in a little bit of silly fun, which is much more my speed. It was the perfect slutty-silly mix that made it a fucking legendary costume that will never be forgotten.
But as I recently entered the real world, I am coming to realize that it's no longer acceptable for me to dress like this and go to a frat party. Instead, I'm going to be sitting in my studio apartment with nobody to dress up for except my boyfriend. At first I was excited - this meant that I could finally buy one of those really sexy costumes because I wouldn't be going anywhere other than to bed. But it did not take me too long into my google search to realize that this shit is expensive. I don't understand expensive lingerie - I've been buying my shit from the sale rack of forever 21 for years and a man has yet to give a flying fuck that it cost me $4. A man doesn't care if you are literally wearing a paper bag as a bra because, regardless of whether it was $4 or $400, they just want it off of your body.
But, as I have always been one of Halloween's biggest fans, I couldn't resist concocting a brilliant costume. My boyfriend keeps telling me how fun he thinks it will be for me to dress up (dress down...) and I can't help but agree. So I figured out a way to be sexy on a budget.
If you're like me and not going out for halloween this year but still want to dress up and give a man a good time, I'm about to blow your mind for under $12.
My boyfriend is a big fan of super heroes. I know literally negative amounts about super heroes. We are really compatible. However, I do know that some of his favorites are Ironman and Captain America. Ironman has this real weird, full-face mask that could really ruin an intimate moment so I went with Captain America. This costume could easily be altered to be literally anything with the purchase of different colored lingerie and a different face mask, though. Which is cool, because when I wear it again next year with a spiderman mask, I am confident that my boyfriend will not notice at all.
Step one: Head to the mall, walk into Victoria's Secret, walk out of Victoria's Secret because we're on a budget (are you fucking serious thinking we're going in there? Jesus Christ.) Go to Forever 21's sale section. Surprisingly, they have great, skanky lingerie. The best part about it is it's cheap as literal dirt so it doesn't matter if it's man handled or left on a stranger's floor. I got a black, lace, see-through (in a classy way, calm down) bra for $3.99 last time I was there that I will be wearing for my costume... "costume." Here's an example of what you can get there for $6.99.
Step Two: Get to a party city and check out their mask/glasses selection. I, for example, will be buying the cutest Captain America glasses that every existed for only $4.99. All of the child size masks are under $5 so if you're cheap as hell and have a tiny little head like me - you're golden. If your head is of the bigger variety, you might have to splurge for an adult mask or get into some DIY crap that I will not be involved with.
Step Three: Go into your underwear drawer and put on some red, white, blue, silver (literally any color because your boyfriend doesn't actually care as much as you do) panties and you're done!
It's as simple as that! And all for under $12! Yea, I do even amaze myself, thank you for asking!
So sign me up as fucking stoked for one thing about being an adult. Halloween won't be so bad after all.
XO,
Halloween Costume Legend and only 5 year old to ever ask their mom to custom-make a Crest Toothpaste costume for them
Just a 21 year old, east coast girl living on the west coast, blogging about monograms, make up, and my melodramatic life.
Showing posts with label sorority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sorority. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2016
A Sexy Halloween on a Budget!
Labels:
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Monday, June 15, 2015
I opened an Etsy shop!
When I was younger and decided that I wanted to live a life of creation, I thought that getting an art degree from college would guarantee me a spot in the Museum of Modern Art or at least a solo gallery exhibition at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. However, I apparently have no concept of what the real world is actually like because, as I just graduated from a prestigious four year university with not only a degree in art but a minor in art history, I am still a wildly undiscovered artist.
Shocking.
So I decided to put my artistic talents to good use. If someone isn't going to notice me, I might as well get noticed by preppy youngsters like myself who like Lilly Pulitzer and monograms.
I opened an Etsy shop!
My shop is full of monogram goodness and is expanding (slowly) as I think up cool new ideas and take the time to create them. I recently made my first sale - a graduation cap. Each item is entirely personalized to the way that the customer wants it so I got to collaborate with a this sweet girl about how to create the perfect cap for her graduation. I think it is a great way to learn business skills and free-lance collaboration through something that I am really interested in.
I am officially a business bitch.
Check me out.
I create graduation caps for $40!
Monogram plaques (that come in all different shapes and sizes) are only $35!
Watercolor pieces are only $20!
And personalized sorority paddles are $40!
Labels:
art,
art history,
bergamot,
bow,
cap,
etsy,
graudation,
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maurasmonograms,
moma,
monogram,
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painting,
pearls,
personalized,
plaque,
preppy,
rosy,
sorority,
watercolor
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
OOTD: BEST DRESSED.
I bitched.
I moaned.
I fucking NAILED IT.
On April 20, 2015, as the Parliamentarian of Delta Zeta took the stage to announce the best dressed award I squirmed in my seat. Before chapter, everyone had been quite loud about how flawless I was looking. I had just gotten a brand new ombré and had done my make up to match my outfit. I was wearing a brand new neon pink and white skirt with a shiny, J Crew blouse, neon pink beads with diamonds on my necklace, and new pointed-toe heels that I had literally gone to buy that morning to secure my spot as best dressed. Let me tell you, it was worth it. She looked around the room, holding the sash and tiara high for all to gawk at, and announced "the best dressed award goes to Maura Oates."
I screamed.
Everyone around me screamed.
It was a Christmas miracle!
I ran to the stage to accept the award that has always been rightfully mine. I took the sash and tiara out of her hands and put it on before even returning to my seat. Everyone was cheering for me, knowing how badly I have always wanted this. "Give us a twirl!" the president of my sorority shouted from the stage. I gave a twirl with the fattest smile on my face and responded "I'm never giving this back" while holding on tight to my tiara. Everyone laughed, as if I was joking, but I would've worn that plastic piece of trash every day of my life if I could.
Labels:
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formal,
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ombre,
ootd,
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sash,
sorority,
tiara
Monday, April 6, 2015
Night Two in Vegas!
Regardless of the fact that I didn't drink on night one in Vegas, waking up was a struggle and a half. Apparently that's what happens when you stay out until 3 in the morning, dancing until you can't feel your legs anymore. But after several naps, it was time to get our butts up and do it all over again. I put on my "hot pants," what everyone referred to my shorts as, and a velvet, long-sleeve crop top with some booties. My favorite part was the wine shade lipstick. I made me look like I could murder someone which is the aesthetic that I most enjoy.
As I entered the bathroom where my friends were getting ready, I asked if I looked fat. I don't think that fat is something that my body can physically produce so why I could ask such a stupid question is beyond me. Jordan, pretty disgusted with me, responded by yelling that I looked like an infant. She corrected herself, "but a sexy infant!" I mean, I guess that's what I'm going for at this point in my life. the sexy infant look. I felt pretty good about it though so, after an obvious bad-bitch, hallway mirror pic, we loaded the taxi and headed to Chippendales.
What's a ladies trip to Vegas without some male strippers? To be honest, I wouldn't know because I've only been once and that one time, we went to Chippendales. Let me tell you, it was quite the show. I made sure to sit next to Steph who was just as uncomfortable about the whole situation as I was and we basically grabbed each other for dear life every time someone began to take their clothes off. We also grabbed each other for dear life when the preppy stripper came out because obviously that is the dream and we needed to keep ourselves grounded.
After the show, I spent the best $10 of my life - sitting on the lap of a Chippendale's stripper for a photo. My mother didn't quite approve and my boyfriend approved so much less, but I'm an strong independent woman of a very pale color and I thought it was a fucking blast and a half. After sharing with my boyfriend how much fun I had at the show he, upset, told me "what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas." Well, shit.
Chippendales was just the pregame. After the show we made our way to the Bellagio for more VIP service at Hyde. We rolled up in style with half naked women with glow sticks and big DZ letters cheering for us. I could definitely get used to this. Also the free juice - I, again, was definitely interested in the free juice.
Our bottle wench (that's probably a rude thing to call her...) kept asking me if I wanted a drink and, after rejecting her several times, I finally asked "is it weird if I just ask for cranberry juice?" She happily poured me a vodka free glass and I told her my sob story about how I'm allergic to alcohol and she told me that she is too! A Christmas miracle! As we were now bonded as best friends, she continued to refill my cranberry juice every time I was low. It was honestly the dream.
Jordan and I tried to take a photo of us looking flawless in the club when some girl decided to walk right in front of our photo. This is my real life reaction - try to deny the fact that I have the strongest side eye game. I mean, maybe I'm a bitch, but don't fucking walk in front of my photo when I'm looking this good? Rude.
Amidst the dancing and drinking (unlimited juice), I looked out the window and saw that the Bellagio Fountains were on. I was in awe - low key, I used to YouTube them and watch how beautiful they were. To be able to see them from the inside of an amazing club while being fawned over with VIP service was the actual dream. I was freaking out.
Then, the best part of the evening happened. The fucking ceiling started to rain money. I flipped. Apparently it isn't classy to take the money but, when the ceiling starts raining hundreds of dollars, who gives a fuck about being classy? Not this chick. I was so proud of myself when I caught two dollars. However, when it started to rain money again, I wasn't as cool, calm, or collected. I began to pick the money off the floor. I saw two more dollars by the foot of a large, very intimidating man, but two dollars is two dollars so I looked him dead in the eye and said "are you gunna take that...?" We both looked at the dollars lying on his shoe then looked back in each others eyes. Then, shamelessly, I bent down and took the two dollars and ran. I can't decide if it's one of my proudest moments or most embarrassing but I came out strong with a solid eight dollars. But here's where I get bad... The ceiling began to rain one last time and, as I was sober, small, and agile, I fucking dove for that shit. I was diving on the floor, scooping up dollar bills. They're all mine! The drunk girls tried to pick them up but they weren't as coordinated as me. I got all of the money. Jordan came up behind me and said "Maura, I just did something really Jewish... I just dove on the floor for a dollar bill." As I began to turn around, she saw that I easily had $40 in singles in my hands. I think I did a Jewish thing as well, my friend. But people were going nuts. These three girls at the table next to ours got a frickin kick out of me and asked to take my money hungry picture for their snapchat. High on cash fumes, I agreed, flaunting my money for the whole damn world to see. This is what pride feels like.
The ceiling later rained glitter as we danced the night away. Steph got a flawlessly timed photo of her being fabulous in the club that I was very jealous of. Clearly, mine is not as flawless but a girl can dream. After another long night, it was time to head back and snack our faces off. Jordan and I were two of the last in the club so we headed home by ourselves, obviously stopping (as per always) at the slots (because she wouldn't let me play the table games).
Remember that $40 that I got from the money-raining ceiling? Bye. Immediately. All of it. I figured, since it wasn't really my money, I might as well fucking loose it all. God, I love gambling. My mom always says - "I have one alcoholic and one with a gambling problem." Yep, that would be my sister and I, respectively. Every mother's dream. That picture of me on the right, being the happiest human that every existed, is a photo of me holding my voucher for $1.07. That 7 cents was the only profit I made throughout the whole trip which apparently "doesn't count" because I lost about $400. Jerks.
We made our way home and, when I woke up, all of my roommates had already went home. Which like wtf because I was AGAIN the only one who didn't drink and I was the only one who could not physically be bothered to wake up in the morning. As I went to check out, disheveled and pretty ready to die, at 10 am, the hotel was playing fucking Party Rock Anthem. Do you want to know what no one in Vegas wants to hear at 10 am? Probably Party Rock Anthem. It was a rough one and a long drive home to my precious bed. But damn, it was fucking worth it.
You win, Vegas. You win.
Labels:
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chippendales,
club,
delta zeta,
fashion,
funny,
gambling,
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road trip,
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vegas,
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Tuesday, November 11, 2014
OOTD: How to Apparently Not Win Best Dressed
The best and worst part of being in a sorority is weekly chapter meetings. While there is nothing I love more than dressing up like a classy business woman and seeing all my friends, I could do without the girls asking stupid questions and wasting time that I could be using to watch Hart of Dixie on Netflix. My sorority gives out a weekly sash and tiara to the girl who is voted best dressed by our parliamentarian. Every week, I show up to chapter, positive that it is my week to win. However, apparently, it is never my week to win. I follow all the dress codes, always wear my pin, and am always showered with compliments upon my arrival, but none of it is good enough for the tiara. This week I wore a J Crew button down with gem neckline and a J Crew, magenta pencil skirt with matching magenta, pointed heels, and even a Lilly Pulitzer bow in the Delta Zeta pattern just to suck up. But of course, I did not win. When your bow, lips, skirt, shoes, and purse match flawlessly, you should be awarded for your success. Instead, I am simply medicated for my OCD. Sometimes things are unfair.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Tiger Halloween Make Up!
What:
Why:
Last weekend, my sorority had our annual crush party. This year's theme was "Jungle ParaDiZe" seeing as we have to somehow incorporate our letters into everything. (That being said, I am a Delta Zeta.) I was pretty excited when I heard that we had a jungle theme because I have had this tiger dress sitting in my closet for AGES! For some reason unbeknownst to me, my mother and I happened upon it in forever 21 and thought that I needed it about a year ago. Why anyone would ever need a dress with a giant tiger face on the front, I do not know; but I needed it, so I bought it. (That is the story of my entire life summed up in one sentence.) A few days before the event, I was scrolling through instagram and I saw British blogger and youtuber, inthefrow, dressed up as a tiger with the most incredible make up. I needed to replicate it. She hadn't posted her tutorial yet so I had to just copy her from her instagram photo. I pulled it up on my computer, put on some Taylor Swift, and situated myself with all kinds of ridiculous make up in my bathroom, ready to make myself look ridiculous(ly fabulous).
How:
I started (as I start all make up routines) with the bareMinerals "Prime Time" foundation primer. I put it all over my face to ensure that the make up would last though out the entire event. The event was at a hot, sweaty club filled with a mob of drunk sorority girls and their dates so, while I didn't expect my make up to last 10 minutes, it stayed perfectly the entire night and there is no doubt in my mind that bareMinerals was wildly responsible for that. After the primer, I took the "Mini Full Flawless Face" brush that I got with my bareMinerals "Up Close & Beautiful: 30 Day Complexion Starter Kit" and began to use it to apply the orange eyeshadow from the Covergirl "Tropical Fusion" eyeshadow pallet to parts of my face. I applied it to my forehead around my hairline and right above and between my eyebrows, to my cheeks (where one usually would apply bronzer), and under my jawline. Then, using the same brush, I applied the white eyeshadow from the NYX "Love in Rio" pallet to the middle line of my forehead, around my eyes, above my cheek bones, my nose, the area above my lips, the area below my lips, and the area above my jawline. At this point I was looking entirely ridiculous - it was time to add black. Using the bareMinerals "Mini Concealer" brush, I began to make the nose line by applying the black eyeshadow from the NYX "Love in Rio" pallet starting near my tear duct and dragging the brush in a clean, straight line to almost the end of my nose. I then went back and blended the bottom parts so it would look like a tiger's nose (reference: my dress). I also used the black to be actual eyeshadow! (For once, I am using it for it's given purpose!) Once I had the nose, it was time for the stripes. I continued to use the same eyeshadow and brush and made fur-like, sketchy lines around my face. To make the ones on my forehead a little lighter, I later went back over them with a little orange and white eyeshadow so they wouldn't overshadow my entire face. It was time for my eyes! I used the Dior Addict "It-Lash" mascara, as per always, because it is the most amazing mascara. I created the thick top eyeliner and wing effect with the NYX "Noir Liquid Black Liner" and used the Urban Decay "24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil" for the bottom waterline. I continued to use the pencil to make my nose effect by applying it to the front and bottom of my nose, making sure to not go entirely around the nostrils. I made a line from my nose to my mouth and then 3 little dots on each side to be in place of my whiskers. Nearing the end of my look, I applied Maybelline "410 Blissful Berry" lipstick to add a pop of color and some Palladio "Baked Bronzers" (in the shade Atlantic Tan) to my neck to avoid looking like my head was not attached to my body. Finally, I finished the look by protecting it all with the bareMinerals "mineral veil" powder. As I mentioned earlier, bareMinerals was definitely the reason this look lasted all night (not sure if it was the primer or the powder but they are both amazing). I straightened my hair, made a tiger ear headband, painted my nails orange with black stripes, put on my tiger print high heels (created by using the orange eyeshadow on the white parts of zebra heels that I had), and headed off to have an amazing time at crush party with my best friend and my handsome boyfriend as my tiger date!
When:
This is a perfect look for Halloween! A tiger is such a cute, fun (might I add EASY) costume! It's an animal print that most stores don't sell so there's a huge possibility you'll be the only tiger at the party. The costume can be made easy by buying a cheap orange dress or shirt and simply painting orange stripes on it (which is exactly what I did for my boyfriend's costume). It's also a fun costume for a sorority event like a date night or exchange that could fit so many themes. You could even be Tigger from Winnie the Pooh in a cute group costume with friends who love Disney. Doing the make up isn't nearly as difficult as it may seem and is definitely worth it. I got so many compliments and everyone told me that I was easily the best tiger at the event which always feels great! Hope this helps and you're the best tiger at the party too!!
- bareMinerals "Prime Time"Foundation Primer
- bareMinerals "Mini Full Flawless Face" brush
- Covergirl "Tropical Fusion" 205 eyeshadow pallet
- NYX "Love in Rio" eyeshadow pallet
- bareMinerals "Mini Concealer" brush
- Dior Addict "It-Lash" Mascara
- NYX "Noir Liquid Black Liner"
- Urban Decay "24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil"
- Rimmel London "Professional Eyebrow Pencil"
- bareMinerals "mineral veil" protectant powder
- Maybelline "410 Blissful Berry" lipstick
- Palladio "Baked Bronzers" in Atlantic Tan
Why:
Last weekend, my sorority had our annual crush party. This year's theme was "Jungle ParaDiZe" seeing as we have to somehow incorporate our letters into everything. (That being said, I am a Delta Zeta.) I was pretty excited when I heard that we had a jungle theme because I have had this tiger dress sitting in my closet for AGES! For some reason unbeknownst to me, my mother and I happened upon it in forever 21 and thought that I needed it about a year ago. Why anyone would ever need a dress with a giant tiger face on the front, I do not know; but I needed it, so I bought it. (That is the story of my entire life summed up in one sentence.) A few days before the event, I was scrolling through instagram and I saw British blogger and youtuber, inthefrow, dressed up as a tiger with the most incredible make up. I needed to replicate it. She hadn't posted her tutorial yet so I had to just copy her from her instagram photo. I pulled it up on my computer, put on some Taylor Swift, and situated myself with all kinds of ridiculous make up in my bathroom, ready to make myself look ridiculous(ly fabulous).
How:
I started (as I start all make up routines) with the bareMinerals "Prime Time" foundation primer. I put it all over my face to ensure that the make up would last though out the entire event. The event was at a hot, sweaty club filled with a mob of drunk sorority girls and their dates so, while I didn't expect my make up to last 10 minutes, it stayed perfectly the entire night and there is no doubt in my mind that bareMinerals was wildly responsible for that. After the primer, I took the "Mini Full Flawless Face" brush that I got with my bareMinerals "Up Close & Beautiful: 30 Day Complexion Starter Kit" and began to use it to apply the orange eyeshadow from the Covergirl "Tropical Fusion" eyeshadow pallet to parts of my face. I applied it to my forehead around my hairline and right above and between my eyebrows, to my cheeks (where one usually would apply bronzer), and under my jawline. Then, using the same brush, I applied the white eyeshadow from the NYX "Love in Rio" pallet to the middle line of my forehead, around my eyes, above my cheek bones, my nose, the area above my lips, the area below my lips, and the area above my jawline. At this point I was looking entirely ridiculous - it was time to add black. Using the bareMinerals "Mini Concealer" brush, I began to make the nose line by applying the black eyeshadow from the NYX "Love in Rio" pallet starting near my tear duct and dragging the brush in a clean, straight line to almost the end of my nose. I then went back and blended the bottom parts so it would look like a tiger's nose (reference: my dress). I also used the black to be actual eyeshadow! (For once, I am using it for it's given purpose!) Once I had the nose, it was time for the stripes. I continued to use the same eyeshadow and brush and made fur-like, sketchy lines around my face. To make the ones on my forehead a little lighter, I later went back over them with a little orange and white eyeshadow so they wouldn't overshadow my entire face. It was time for my eyes! I used the Dior Addict "It-Lash" mascara, as per always, because it is the most amazing mascara. I created the thick top eyeliner and wing effect with the NYX "Noir Liquid Black Liner" and used the Urban Decay "24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil" for the bottom waterline. I continued to use the pencil to make my nose effect by applying it to the front and bottom of my nose, making sure to not go entirely around the nostrils. I made a line from my nose to my mouth and then 3 little dots on each side to be in place of my whiskers. Nearing the end of my look, I applied Maybelline "410 Blissful Berry" lipstick to add a pop of color and some Palladio "Baked Bronzers" (in the shade Atlantic Tan) to my neck to avoid looking like my head was not attached to my body. Finally, I finished the look by protecting it all with the bareMinerals "mineral veil" powder. As I mentioned earlier, bareMinerals was definitely the reason this look lasted all night (not sure if it was the primer or the powder but they are both amazing). I straightened my hair, made a tiger ear headband, painted my nails orange with black stripes, put on my tiger print high heels (created by using the orange eyeshadow on the white parts of zebra heels that I had), and headed off to have an amazing time at crush party with my best friend and my handsome boyfriend as my tiger date!
When:
This is a perfect look for Halloween! A tiger is such a cute, fun (might I add EASY) costume! It's an animal print that most stores don't sell so there's a huge possibility you'll be the only tiger at the party. The costume can be made easy by buying a cheap orange dress or shirt and simply painting orange stripes on it (which is exactly what I did for my boyfriend's costume). It's also a fun costume for a sorority event like a date night or exchange that could fit so many themes. You could even be Tigger from Winnie the Pooh in a cute group costume with friends who love Disney. Doing the make up isn't nearly as difficult as it may seem and is definitely worth it. I got so many compliments and everyone told me that I was easily the best tiger at the event which always feels great! Hope this helps and you're the best tiger at the party too!!
Labels:
bareminerals,
covergirl,
delta zeta,
halloween,
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halloween make up,
inthefrow,
jungle,
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maybelline,
nyx,
sorority,
tiger,
tiger costume,
tiger make up,
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