Mackenzie's

Posts

Write For Sparkles + Secrets.

For almost four years, I've been the sole writer for Sparkles + Secrets. What started out as a passion project, has since turned into a widely read blog. In 2014, I reached over one million views; up from a hundred thousand in 2013. Numerical achievements are nothing compared to the unbelievable feedback I have received over the years. I'm looking for people whose expertise suit my readers. I know very little about cooking, fitness, and beauty products. I'm aware of…

Meet Your Hangover Helpers

Rumor has it the older we get the harder it is to recover from our binge-drinking ways. I wouldn't know because at 25 I'm still young and perfect... Just kidding. Word to the wise, the rumors are true and the pain is very real. With each passing year and each passing after-party, I can assure you the morning after gets scarier. With Sunday-day being the new Saturday-night, we all try very hard to look like we aren't trying at all. If you've ever…

What She REALLY Wants For Valentines Day.

Valentines Day is coming up, but before you fellas head over to Kay Jewelers (remember, every breakup begins with "k.") I suggest you read this post first. Disclaimer: Your girlfriend doesn't want another diamond heart necklace. Now that we've discussed that minor detail, lets talk about what she does want. If you're ballin on a budget, you can't go wrong with a piece of jewelry from House of Harlow, or Kate Spade. These heart earrings cost less than your average bouquet…

Pretend To Like Something.

From the surface, it most likely appears that I have very little in common with most guys. I've been aware of this reality since 7th grade. I first decided it was vital for me to change my interests to appeal more to boys when I was 12 years old. Such an alteration in my life wouldn't be too challenging as I had few priorities other than landing a boyfriend and photoshopping my Myspace pictures. On the topic of Myspace, there was…

Mackenzie's Spring 2015 Must Haves.

Winter can be fun, as long as you're kept busy shopping for spring. I know I'm not alone when I say I'm completely over chunky sweaters and flannels... bring on the sundresses. Baby Pink Bags: This spring you'll be seeing tons of pastels, neon won't be as poppin. Baby pink is THE color of the season, mainly because of its ability to work as a neutral when necessary. This particular one is Balenciaga and totally out of my price-range, but there will…

Charlotte Russe Flawlessly Replicates Designer Shoes.

LEts make one thing clear: I hate knockoffs. However, I have absolutely no problem with affordable retail stores providing shoppers with clothing that looks expensive and in-season. One store who has truly proven themselves in the replication game is Charlotte Russe. While I don't care for the "Lita" by Jeffrey Campbell, the shoe has become iconic over the past couple of years, and CR's interpretation is on point. Shoe game strong. Alexander McQueen cut-out booties / Jeffrey Campbell black high heel…

What makes a love story?

I couldn't compose a dream surreal as that night. We drank wine out of plastic cups, street performers played Jason Mraz. It was midsummer and we were on the Spanish Steps in Rome. Reality was beyond my imagination. But when raindrops fell too frequently to overlook we ran back to our hotel. That night we spent cross-legged on a hotel bed, spilling our hearts. I traveled to Italy expecting to fall in love; but with a city, not a boy. Yet…

Be The Girl Who Got Away

Do you have a reason to stay or an excuse not to leave? I'm lucky to have a loyal friend like Kali*. We've been friends for just over a year now, and I recently found out that each month she drives 8 hours to upstate New York to the military base her friend lives on to help her out with her baby. The father is a pill-popping cheater who probably wouldn't know the baby's middle name if put on the…

Alexa Chung for AG

Naturally at Sparkles & Secrets we LOVE professional fashionista Alexa Chung. As a functioning designer denim addict, AG makes some of my favorite pieces (s/o to "the Stilt.") Yesterday they released a line together and the fashion angels sang, bloggers rushed to get the first AC for AG goods, and I sat and perused my Instagram feed with envy (for the time being.) I've chosen to style two pieces my readers might be skeptical about. One particular piece I was…

Too Lazy For Love.

My mother inquires about my love life almost as often as I brush my teeth (which is twice a day on average.) When I attend family gatherings; aunts and cousins wait anxiously to hear about the bustling love life they assume I have in the big city of ~*Boston*~. Whenever I find myself looking at my own Facebook page, the hidden relationship status I set about two years ago insists I update it. Although I sleep like a starfish and…