BRIDAL POWER: Ipsy Glam Bag: May 2016 {RE-POST via Linen & Salt}

This is a re-post from one of my favorite partner sites, Linen and Salt, blogger and bride Gabrielle Tarpley (Refer to Byrd and Gabbi). All ipsy bag photography by Blue Arden Photo.

About Gabbi:  I am a 28-year-old lifestyle blogger, special-ed teacher, and Etsy shop owner. I call Charlotte, NC home. I can’t begin talking about who I am without mentioning my strength and my core, Jesus Christ. I love my husband, my family, Southern life, decorating, crafting, cooking, weddings (and any other party that I can design), stripes, pastels, traveling, photography, gardening, smell-goods, makeup and hair. In other words, I love being a girl. Linen and Salt is a Lifestyle blog for like-minded women who love surrounding themselves with beauty, have a thing for domestic “duties”, and are girl bosses in addition to it all. New articles come out weekly and include wedding tips, beauty reviews, makeup tutorials, product roundups, DIY projects, recipes, whatever else I feel deserves to be blogged about!

A few months ago I wrote about my love of ipsy and how amazing a value it is. I recently decided to start blogging about my monthly bags so that my readers could see for themselves the quality of the bags and to share some huge savings with you guys.

Most of you know by now that I recently got married. It was this minor thing that happened in my life that I barely blogged about at all (that was me telling a joke…). Along the wedding-planning way, I had the opportunity to meet a few other creatives who I love. By far my fave is Ollie of Blue Arden Photography! I am extremely excited to collaborate for the first time with her on this post. She has a way of making life look prettier through her camera lens All of the lovely photos on this post are courtesy of her!

Now on to the goodies!

Hikari Shimmer Bronzer (retails for $22): I can’t decide which is my favorite item in this month’s bag between this bronzer by Hikari or the Smashbox X-rated mascara below. Both are awesome. The Hikari bronzer is perfect for summer and the pink part of the quad can be used as a blush.

Get 30% off with code HIKARI30

Smashbox X-rated mascara (sample, full size retails for $22) : A lot of times I feel like mascara is all the same. This is the first mascara that I’ve tried in a very long time that has truly impressed me. The formula goes on smoothly and the effects are dramatic!

Get 15% of with code IPSY15

Eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment (retails for $8): Awesome formula! I think this is very awesome for natural girls.

Get %15 off with code IPSYOIL15

Slmissglam Small Contour W07 Brush : (sold as a part of the White Glam Brush Book that retails for $325): A girl can never have too many brushes on deck. This brush in particular is originally sold as a part of a set.

Use code SLIPSY25 to save 25%

Hanalei Lip Treatment (sample, full size retails for $25): I have not tried this product thoroughly yet but I do like the way it makes my lips feel off the bat!

Use code HANALEI30 to receive 30% off your purchase.

Jake Karlik and Jake Karlik Music

Jake Karlik Music , managed by Tulsa Jazz Music Group, was an interesting subject to shoot. Imagine photographing a super talented musician with all the charm in the world who distracts you with overwhelming amounts of humor. Instead of seeing this as I shoot, I took the approach of seeing this as hanging out. We walked through downtown Tulsa so I could meet this young man of barely 18 behind so much music and talent beyond his years. Please go check out his page and be blown away by his massive talent. I think I just shot my first star

Alissa and Derek at the Wedding

I will be the first to admit that I am intensely personal.  I hold my family and close friends very dear and close to me like a small secret (family and friends are synonymous). But, I know you won't understand this if I do not share a little bit about this personal tale.

Alissa and Derek are middle school sweethearts.  Derek is my little brother.  I adopted him when he was twelve after his mother adopted me at 24. I have watched him grow from an awkward emo teen into the amazing man I am honored to call my brother.  Similarly, I watched is relationship with Lissa morph from puppy love (rarely taken quite as seriously) into this beautiful and steadfast relationship.  I am thrilled to have a new member of the family who has actually been family for years already.

Here are a few shots from their amazing day.