Sweater Weather

If you are at all familiar with the Youtube tag video, this is essentially the same thing! I really wanted to do a fall themed post since I love the season so much! So let's jump into the questions!

1. What's you favorite candle?

 

It's no secret that I love fall candle scents! This question is actually super hard for me because I literally love so many! So far I've loved Pumpkin Cupcake again this year because it's so sweet and fallish. I've loved Cider Lane too because it's that apple scent with caramel that makes me crave cider so bad! Lately I've been absolutely to Pumpkin Pecan Waffles because it's so nutty, warm, and sweet! But now I'm really settling into some winter scents (November is a warmup for December for me) and Twisted Peppermint, Snow Day, and Spiced Wreath can't be beat.

2. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

 

This is a toss up between coffee and chocolate for sure! If I'm at Starbucks, it's always going to be coffee! I love pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint white chocolate mochas! But I love love love hot chocolate and apple cider in my Keurig. I love nothing more than using those with my dottie or Lilly Pulitzer mugs!

3. What's the best fall memory?

 

I love fall so much, so of course I have a lot of memories associated with this season. First, my birthday is in September, so I have a lot of great memories involving those celebrations with my family. Also, there's always a craft fair in September that my mom and I go to. It smells like pumpkins and spice and they have cute crafts and jams and just is so amazing. Lastly, my boyfriend and I started dating in that month as well, so I feel like fall is like the best time ever for romantic dates with pumpkin patches and hot chocolate and cuddling!

4. Makeup trends: winged liner or dark lips?

I don't do either! I hate the feeling of any product on my lips, so it's not dark lips for sure. I don't truly wing out my liner either, so I don't think that counts.

5. Best fragrance for fall?
 

Even though they are both floral type scents, I really think Marc Jacobs Dot and Daisy are best in the fall because they are pretty heavy scents. I don't like wearing perfume in the summer, so fall is the time that I whip both of those out. But if we aren't talking perfume, I love Bath and Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower gel. You can't get more fall than that scent!

6. Favorite Thanksgiving food?

I love Thanksgiving food and I've been craving it like crazy lately! I must say it's either mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, or sweet potatoes. I can't get enough of any of those.

7. What's fall weather like where you live?

Well, of late, most of the weather has been pretty chilly. But in Colorado fall can be anything from 80 degrees to blizzards, so it really is just always up in the air. This year we really haven't had very much snow though. 

8. Most worn sweater? 

Without a doubt, if you aren't counting cardigans, it's my light purple and white looking lace sweater from American Eagle. My mom bought this sweater for me for my birthday last year and I've worn the heck out of it since. I love the lace looking detail, the color, and how it fits nice and comfy. If something ever happened to this sweater, I'd seriously cry!

9. Must-have nail polish for fall? 

This is so tough because I love nail polish so much! I think it's pretty safe to say that fall is great for red nail polish! This year I've particularly loved Zoya's Livingston, Essie's Forever Yummy, and Essie's Twin Sweater Set. I also was completely in love with greens like Zoya's Hunter. A color that I didn't expect at all to fall in love with, was Sally Hansen's Gold Roses, but this color is my total obsession!

10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?

Hands down jumping in leaves. One of the few kinds of yard work that I enjoy is raking up leaves, and of course I have to jump in them every single time and ruin the pile I just made. 

11. Skinny jeans or leggings?

I only sleep in leggings, so I'd have to say skinny jeans. 

12. Combat boots or Uggs? 

I don't own any combat boots, so I'd have to say Uggs. They are perfect for snow and keeping your feet warm. However, if I were given riding boots as a option, those would definitely win. 

13. Is Pumpkin Spice worth the hype?

Yes! It's amazing! Especially with caramel!

14. Favorite fall TV show?

I honestly don't really watch any TV shows that are currently on air. The only show that I was super excited about starting this fall was Awkward, but other than that, I pretty just watch my Gilmore Girls CDS. 

15. What song truly gets you in the fall spirit? 

This is really tough because I feel like there's not really any that get me in the spirit for fall. To be 100% honest, the day after Halloween I start listening to Christmas music. 

Overall, I just love fall! Right now I'm in full Christmas mode, but fall is always so exciting to me because it's the season of pretty much everything that I love! 

November Favorites

So it's been awhile since I've last blogged. It's hard to believe that I'm in the last two weeks of me being on my college campus. Because of that, making time to blog has been kind of hard.

Anyway, here are my November favorites. I've tried a bunch of new products this month and there's quite a few new favorites of mine.

Winter Candy Apple Shower Gel, Snow Day Candle, Cat Eyes Mascara, Garnier BB Cream Oily-Combination Skin, Aquaphor Lip Repair, CoverGirl Ink It eyeliner, Orly Rage, Clean & Clear Facial Cleaning Wipes

 

Winter Candy Apple Shower Gel

 

Bath and Body Works is in full Christmas mode, and earlier this month I went a little crazy buying all of their Christmas scents. Now, usually I'm a Twisted Peppermint and Vanilla Bean Noel person. I love those two scents so much, and don't worry, I bought those too, but this year when I'm taking a shower and have to choose out of the three, I've found myself choosing this one more often! Winter Candle Apple is a super sweet scent, which is why in years past I haven't really loved it. It's described as "a cheerful blend of ruby red apple, winter rose petals, and candied orange, drizzled with crisp maple and cinnamon." Now I don't smell the cinnamon or the maple, but it's incredibly sweet and fruity. My boyfriend claims he only smells the rose petals, but that's a guy for you.

 

Snow Day Candle

 

This was the first Bath and Body Works holiday candle I used and I've really enjoyed it. I have just a little bit left to burn, just in time for me to either start using Tis the Season or Spiced Apple Toddy for December. This candle is described as "a bright and joyful blend of spruce branches, peppermint, and sweet vanilla that captures the fun adventures of a snow-filled day." This is definitely a scent that reminds me of a cold day! The spruce part really stands out, which I typically don't like green scents, but mixed with the peppermint smells great!

 

Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara

 

This is a long-time favorite on my blog and once again in the month of November I've rediscovered it. It seems like lately I'm incapable of just using one type of mascara. I've used this in a rotation with Benefit's They're Real, L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess, L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly, and Covergirl Flame Out. But at the end of the month, it's this one that I went back to. I love the wand, the packaging, and the formula. It's lengthening and adds volume and seems to never clump on me.

 

Garnier BB Cream for Combination-Oily Skin (Shade Light-Medium)

 

On impulse in November I decided to buy this BB Cream. The original version of this I loved for how it evened out my skin tone and reduced my redness, but I hated how heavy and oily it felt. Since the redness in my skin has been bothering me more lately, I decided to try this out. I'm so glad I did, because I love this stuff. I'm matte and pretty much oil free with this, which is amazing because my skin loves to be oily with BB Creams, it evens out the redness, and depending on the layering of product, is solid medium coverage. All of this from a product that is $11.99 at Target. I use this with my Urban Decay DeSlick spray and my MAC Studio Fix Powder. Plus I'd say the staying power is really good too, I'd give it a solid 6-8 hours depending on how oily your skin is.

 

Aquaphor Lip Repair

 

I've tried a lot of lip balm, and I can tell you that out of all of them, this is the only one that truly gets rid of chapped lips and makes them hurt less. I swear by this stuff. Yeah, it doesn't taste or smell magnificent, but it gets the job done...fast. I love it and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have it during the winter.

 

Covergirl Ink It Eyeliner

 

Earlier this month, a tragedy happened: my MAC Technakohl liner broke, while I was in my college town. Which is like an hour away from the nearest MAC counter. Likewise for a Sephora and Ulta. For a few days, I tried making do with Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner, but I found myself getting frustrated with it's messiness, lack of staying power, and sharpening. So while I was at Walmart, I picked up this because I remember hearing some pretty good reviews of this when it came out awhile back. All I can say is, that I love this stuff. It's very black, self-sharpening, has better staying power than Urban Decay, and goes on super easily. Plus, it's only $4.97 at Walmart. I love this so much. It stays on my oily eyelids really well, especially for a drugstore product.

 

Orly Rage

 

This fall I've developed a new nail polish obsession: rose gold. And in particular during November, I've loved Orly's Rage. First off, I usually hate all things shimmer and glitter, but this polish is beautiful. It had tremendous staying power, and the color is gorgeous. I'm not a repeat nail painter, but I've worn this three times this month. That's saying a lot. Go to Ulta or Sally's Beauty Supply and pick this up, because I think it's so pretty!

 

Clean and Clear Makeup Dissolving Facial Cleansing Wipes

 

The last couple of months I've been loving Walmart Equate Makeup Removing Wipes, so I was skeptical picking these up. But I heard really good reviews and I was growing tired of having to scrub my nonwaterproof mascara off with the Equate ones. Guys, I can't believe I had never tried these before. They are the best drugstore makeup wipe. The. Best. These take off every single speck of makeup on your face in seconds, with no scrubbing and little irritation. I've never used a makeup wipe as good as these. Yes, they are a little more pricey than Simple's, but these are totally worth it because they get off every little bit of makeup in no time at all.

 

 

September Favorites

I completely missed August Favorites last month. With so much going on in my life, not only did I not get a chance to try any new products, but I also found myself too busy to even put together a somewhat small list.

But because of the month without doing favorites, that means that this month I have a few more to talk about, which is great.

CG Toasted Almond, Stila Kitten, Pumpkin Cupcake Handsoap, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel, Macadamia Healing Oil Spray, Tarte Dazzled Blush, Pumpkin Cupcake Candle, Cider Lane Candle

Cover Girl Toasted Almond Nail Polish

I picked up this polish last winter, so I was super excited to wear it again this fall. I absolutely adore this color. Where Chinchilly is kind of gray and neutral, this polish is more of the brown spectrum, which I think looks amazing with my skin tone and perfect for fall. I love the lasting power of these polishes. My one complaint: Cover Girl needs to put names, not just numbers, on their products!! This is one number 220 if you're wondering!

Stila Kitten Eyeshadow

I've talked about this so much, but I truly love this eyeshadow. It's perfect for all over the eye and I can't get enough of this pinkish champagne color.

Pumpkin Cupcake Foaming Handsoap

I love the Pumpkin Cupcake Scent from Bath and Body Works. So I was super excited this year to see it was extended into handsoap and car scentportables (you know I stocked up on everything!). This handsoap is great! It smells heavenly and leaves my hands soft and clean.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel

This month I definitely invested in any and all things pumpkin. And that includes my shower gel. While I prefer the home fragrance version of Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin more, I adore this shower gel. It's spicy and sweet and perfect for cooler nights. I've been obsessed with this soap this month.

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray

My friend Maggie purchased this for me last spring and this month I've fallen in love with it again. Since I've been curling my hair more often, I find that I need to be as kind to my hair as possible. With this spray, I spray it first about two or three times in my hand, then rub it over both hands, and then really focus on my ends. It's made my hair so much more shinny, smooth, and healthy looking despite the awful amounts of heat I use on it.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dazzled

I bought this blush during the summer, but felt it was more of a fall color. Well, during September I pulled it out and fell in love. It's described as a soft rose, and it definitely has  a subtle purple color to it. It looks amazing with my green eyes and perfect for fall and winter.

Pumpkin Cupcake Candle

As I mentioned earlier, this is my favorite fall scent from Bath and Body Works. I've had the Wallflower and candle going for most of September, making my room smell like the most amazing fall bakery ever.

Cider Lane Candle

When I ran out of Pumpkin Cupcake, I decided I wanted to try something different. What I love about Cider Lane, is the strong notes of caramel! That's what makes this scent irresistible for me. I love the sweet mixture of apples, spices, and caramel!

First Impressions of Benefit's They're Real! Mascara

So thanks to Sephora's free birthday gift, I recently got to try out Benefit's super popular They're Real! Mascara.

I've heard so many rave reviews about this mascara, but because I thought the $23 price tag was a little steep, plus my hesitancy to try Benefit products (just because I've never tried any before), I just avoided it.

When it comes to higher end mascaras, I find it so hard to justify using them. It's something that I go through super fast, like usually it takes a month or so for me to finish one, and I can't justify spending that much money on something that dries out so fast or gets used up so quickly.

But I love free samples, so I'm excited to tell you guys my thoughts on my first couple uses of this mascara.

On Sephora's website, it says: "A jet-black mascara that lengths, curls, volumizes, lifts, and separtates for a spectacular 'out to here' look."

Basically, it's supposed to be long wearing, black, and very dramatic.

So what do I think about They're Real!?

I really like it! It definitely defines and separates my lashes big time. And at first I kind of scoffed at the dramatic look it claims to have. But after building t up, it was a clean dramatic look. You know how many bold drama mascaras are super gloopy, clumpy, and messy? This isn't.

It doesn't smudge, flake, or budge at all during the day. It's even kind of difficult to take off for a non-waterproof mascara. Which isn't a positive, but you know.

So would I purchase this mascara once this insanely small sample size runs out?

Ugh, that's so tough. If I had an extra $23 laying around, then yes. I loved the way it makes my lashes look. I'm all about volume and length, and this definitely provided it. It's an easy mascara to use. But the price is so hard to overcome.

Have you tried this mascara? What are your thoughts? When it comes to high end products, what are ones that you will buy and others you don't think are worth splurging?

Sorority Picture Frame Craft

So I know for many sororities, it's getting close to big-little week, so I thought I'd share a craft with you that I made my Pearl last week.

This was such a simple, inexpensive project, and I absolutely love the way it came out. I bought the picture frame from Walmart (I think it was $5 or less). It already had all the frames connected.

I just painted each frame a different color, using the middle frame with one of those circle sponges to make polka dots (I was tempted to try chevron too, which would be super cute). Then once all the paint dried, I use puffy paint to write and tied a small bow out of ribbon and attached it to the top frame.

If you are giving it as a gift, I'd recommend either putting photos in it, or using scrapbook paper that matches the frames (like I did) to give it a complete, finished look.

Happy crafting!

What Beauty Products Are in My Shower?

On Youtube, I always find it super entertaining to watch the "What's in my Shower?" videos. It's like a look into people's lives showing what products are important enough to crowd into their tiny showers, and I find that totally fascinating.

So I decided to finally share what I store in my shower! Here's a look at it!

 

The first thing we'll take a look at is my all time favorite shampoo and conditioner. I absolutely love Suave Professional's Moroccan Infusion shampoo and conditioner. My hair is super silky and smooth after using it!

Next to that in my shower, I have my razor and some body wash. I absolutely love the Schick Hydro Silk disposable razors. They worked amazingly and make my skin feel smooth and so hydrated. Next to that I have my Philosophy I Love Candy Corn body wash that I bought last fall. I adore this sweet scent and think it's perfect for fall.

In the next little cubby, I have first my Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner. When I want to switch up my hair products, I usually opt for this pricier pair of hair products. While I think that it doesn't work nearly as good as the Suave ones, it does a great job of gently cleaning my hair and making it frizz free.

Beside that I have my EOS Vanilla Bliss shaving gel. I'm honestly not a shaving cream person (I usually use body wash), but I love the scent of this.

Next up is my Bath and Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin body wash, one of my favorite fall staples. I adore this stuff. I've used this body wash almost entirely throughout the month of September.

Then I have my Cetaphil Oil Control Foam Wash. I don't use this super often, but it does make my skin feel pretty clean and it doesn't make my face any oiler. Plus it's foamy, so that makes it fun to use.

The next cutout has my Country Chic body wash from Bath and Body Works. I love this scent so much! Next that is my all time favorite face wash and mask. I love Neutrogena's Clear Pore Cleanse and Mask. It keeps my skin clear and definitely helps with oil control. I always start with this every time I get in the shower.

Finally I have a pink loofa from Bath and Body Works, Lush's Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo, and Lush's American Cream Conditioner. These Lush hair products are really great (super strong smelling though). I usually use these maybe once every other week.

So that's what is in my shower. These are all products that I use quite frequently and really like!

What items are your most favorite in your shower?

Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner or MAC's Technakohl

Over the course of the last couple of months I've been testing out a new eyeliner: Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Perversion. If you are at all familiar with the eyeliner world, Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner is pretty much everyone's holy grail.

 

Now if you are familiar with my blog, you know that I completely adore MAC's Techankohl eyeliner in Graphblack. It was the first black eyeliner I've ever used consistently, and obviously, the first high-end eyeliner I've ever used. I could go on and on about how amazing this eyeliner has been for me over the course of the last year and a half.

But I was beyond curious to see what all the hype over the 24/7 Liner was.


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Here are my thoughts on the Urban Decay pencil:

It's super creamy, super black, and goes on effortlessly. I've said in the past how impressed I was with the Technakohl liner being so effortless. The 24/7 Liner is easily the most effortless eyeliner I'll probably ever use. It's so black and pigmented, I literally can't explain it. It's the most dramatic black you can think of. I once that the MAC Graphblack was black, but it's a much softer, grayer black in comparison (both are good, it just depends on what look you are going for).

So while I was majorly impressed with the depth of color, ease of use, ability to get both a precise and soft line, there were some major drawbacks to the 24/7 Liner. One of the biggest problems: the fact it needs sharpening. I didn't know my hatred for sharpening eyeliner until it flaked off and stained a favorite shirt of mine. That was beyond annoying, let me tell you. I also realized that the staying power was not my favorite. I had my hopes up because I swatched it on my hand and it stayed on...even after a shower! That's impressive! But on my eyes, it would somehow wind up all below my eyes, my nose, my inner corner...everywhere. I don't touch my eyes. It was August and September when I was wearing it, so it was hot. But if an eyeliner can't hold up to August heat, I don't think it deserves a place in my makeup routine...especially if it's $19.

Oh and another really annoying problem with this eyeliner? It would somehow find a way to get stuck in my lashes, and then when I'd go to curl them, it would rip them out. Yet another huge downside of a super creamy formula.

In case you are wondering, I eventually got so fed up with dark black goop being all over my face, that I switched back to my deeply loved MAC Technakohl Liner in Graphblack. Yes, it's not as black as the Perversion liner (the only thing that the Urban Decay kind had over my MAC favorite). But it's easier to layer on. I don't have to be as careful. My eyes can be as watery and sweaty as they like, and still have the eyeliner on at the end of a 12 hour day. It's easy to remove with a good makeup wipe, it doesn't rip out my eyelashes, and my favorite thing, it doesn't need sharpening. Plus, it's $16 and part of the Back to MAC program.

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I know that a lot of people would disagree with me, and maybe testing it in the hotter, more humid parts of summer wasn't so smart, but now I can't imagine not using my Technakohl liner.

I do plan in the future to try the NARS eyeliner that's in the mechanical pencil form. Also, feel free to recommend your favorites!
 

My Senior Year Apartment

I’ve been missing here for the last few weeks. It makes me kind of sad because I’ve just been so busy with school, sorority recruitment, and basically just enjoying the beginning portions of my last semester of living away at college. September is literally my favorite month, and I can't believe it's almost over! Where in the world did it go?

For the most part, I think my bedroom in my apartment is completed and I wanted to share it with everyone! Of course all rooms are always works in progress, but so far I'm in love with all of the space I have and how it's coming together. If you follow my blog, you know that I've been obsessing over decorating this space for months, so it's so much fun to see how it's come together.

 

We'll start with the view from my door! This is my bed. As you can see, I have the black and white chevron bedding from Urban Outfitters. So far I love it. It's a heavier fabric (more of a denim) and it holds up so well. I have red sheets from Kmart (finding red sheets are so hard!).

I hung up a vinyl monogram decal above my bed, and I love the interest it gives that wall. It's so classy!

 

My mom made the three dot pillows on the bed. One of my favorite details on the red and white polka dot ones, is that they are lined with crochet lace trim!

 

Looking at the nightstand (by the way, all the dark wood furniture was included with my apartment!), I have a chalkboard that I'm attempting to do some awesome chalk art on. This was my first attempt. My lamp came from Target two years ago and of course I have my alarm clock. Sorry for the cords you see, those are my phone charger and the cord to my little mini fan. It gets so hot sometimes!

From my past rooms, you probably remember my PB Teen dottie bins. One holds my Bath and Body Works collection (wallflowers, soaps, Scentportables, and other random odds and ends). The other holds my DVDS.

 

Here's another look that shows a few of my sorority paddles.

 

I've learned that I am most definitely not a handy person when it came to hanging my curtains. Keeping the intense eastern sun out of my face in the mornings were a huge priority, but hanging these curtains was way passed my limited about of DIYer skills. But, they are still hanging, not too crooked, and hung almost perfectly where they touch the floor. I bought them from Walmart.

 

 

Looking at the other wall beside my bed is familiar wall art: IKEA Wildflower wall decals! I had them in my room last year and adored them, so this year I bought another set. I just love them! You can also see Dottie, my ladybug Pillowpet hanging out on my red storage cube.

 

Turning around, here's the look at the other side of my room. I have my dresser and desk over there. And in case you are wondering, the leopard print box underneath my dresser is my nail polish collection! This proves to be the most convenient hiding spot for the box!

Here's a closer look at my dresser:

 

 

My TV is a Christmas present a few years ago from Target. I hung up chalkboard bird garland from World Market (I think they are adorable). I have a mason jar with fake fall flowers, a pumpkin candle from Bath and Body Works, my bird tray with my favorite perfume. And a bird from with a picture of my dog (also from World Market). In case you are curious about my dresser organization, the top drawer is dedicated to underwear and socks. Second drawer is pajamas and camis. Third drawer is shorts. Fourth drawer is jeans and pants.

 

Beside my dresser is my desk. Of course I have my laptop and my printer. But I also have a couple of Vera Bradley magazine holders that hold my textbooks. A red desk lamp, a couple decorative cupcake photo holders, chevron frame, Anthropologie mug with pens, and my Victoria's Secret mini dogs hanging out on my printer. Of course I also have a Pumpkin Cupcake candle too!

 

I also have above my desk my Vera Bradley ribbon board in Poppy Fields (boy do I miss this print!). I just have some photos and important things displayed there.

 

 

Beside my desk I put up my full length mirror, bought another storage drawer set to hold my school supplies, and on top of that I have my makeup collection. So essentially, this is my makeup area.

 

I'm lucky enough to have a walk in closet too! Here's a quick look. It's not the most organized, although I do like the hanging shelves for my cardigans and shoes.

I'm also lucky enough to have my own (huge) bathroom. I seriously don't even know how to handle this much space.

 

 

I absolutely adore my shower curtain from Ikea. I wanted to match my red dottie rug and towels that I bought from Walmart a couple of years ago. No matter where I looked, nothing matched. But Ikea had this super cute one.

I also really like having my wire shelf in my bathroom too. It hold three dottie bins that hold haircare products, makeup removing things, and body washes.

Overall I love my room! It's so spacious and it's fun to have a room to myself. I love having a walk in closet too.

What are you loving about your dorm room?

 

Just a Peek

Since there’s still a few finishing touches left for my new room at college, I thought I’d give you guys just a sneak peek of what it looks like…

 

Hopefully you like it! Of course it has chevron and dots!

One and Done

I’ve kinda disappeared a couple of weeks ago. Which probably makes me a bad blogger. But seriously, finding sleep at this point is difficult, let alone blogging.

 

So I thought I'd update you on what has happened in my life the last two weeks or so.

 

Since the end of June I've been in a ton of pain. At first I thought it was just a stomach ache, then I thought I was allergic to Dr. Pepper. Then I went to the doctor and they told me it was a kidney stone. I thought I passed the kidney stone but then started having symptoms pretty similar to a UTI. They tested for it, found out I actually had bacterial vaginosis (BV). Experienced even more and worse pain, finally got meds for a UTI. Then had even worse pain. And passed the kidney stone...six weeks after my first symptoms. This took place all of July and most of August. The funny thing about all that, is besides the BV, every symptom was just kidney stones. While it hurt a lot, I would say that it's not the worst I've ever experienced. So either I have a high pain threshold, or it just didn't hurt me like it hurts others.

 

Two days after passing the kidney stone, I moved back up to college. It was honestly bittersweet. I keep repeating what my boyfriend told me a couple months ago: "To let it all sink in. Enjoy it. Because a lot of people would love to have this experience, and it's almost done." But I'm also caught in just wanting to be done. Senior problems I guess.

 

Sorority work week has come and gone in a huge busy, hot, sweaty blur. But it was a great week getting to know sisters I didn't know very well before.

 

I now own my very own hammer. Oh the adventures of hanging a curtain rod. I need to marry a handy husband, because I'm definitely not a tool person.

 

I got to see my boyfriend for the first time in 5 weeks. It was way too long without seeing his handsome face. I can't wait until we can see each other more frequently. I can't believe it will be two years in just a week or two.

 

Two days before my first day of school, I started feeling yucky...no not kidney stones again. This time a fever, sore glands, sore throat, and achy. I had a fever of 101.7 and was feeling miserable. Only I get sick for the first day of school.

 

Despite feeling under the weather, I went to my first day of senior year anyway. I can't believe that it's my last first day on a college campus.

 

My semester is going to be insane. Two days a week, I'm with a class of cute second graders for my practicum for my elementary education major. The other two days I'm in class from 9-3:20 everyday for my methods courses.

 

My room is super cute and I can't wait to share it with you! I just have a last few finishing touches.

 

I'm literally so excited for fall. I'm obsessed with all things fall. The Starbucks drinks, scarves, sweaters, candles, everything!

Hopefully I'll find some more time to blog here and there. Hope everyone's first days back were great/ will be great!

 

First Day of College Advice

With college quickly approaching for a lot of people, I thought it would be fun to whip up a little post about my advice for your first day of college classes. I think a lot of emphasis is often placed on moving into the dorms or getting acquainted with aspects of college life, and people don't often talk about school or classes.

Looking back to my first day of college, which literally feels like forever ago, I was really nervous because my first class that I ever attended was World Geography 210. And being the anxious college freshman that I was, I was terrified because it was a 200 level class! I thought for sure I would be the only freshman in the entire class of 60 and that it would be hard and intimidating and the professor would look something like Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World.

Let me tell you, boy was I wrong. At least three fourths of the class were freshman first of all, so they were just as nervous as I was. My professor was pretty much the most awesome professor you could have on the first day. He looked like the lead singer of the band the Bare Naked Ladies first of all (no, seriously he did). He was wearing distressed jeans with Converse and a T-shirt. No bow ties. No stuffy accents. He actually opened up with a bunch of jokes and showed the class a list of classes that we could be taking if we had gone to other colleges around the country (he then inserted a list that showed some classes just dedicated to Lady Gaga and to other random stuff).

Then he explained the class. He told us that geography is all around us, and then showed us a map of the US and all the area codes that Ludacris raps he has hos in. I seriously didn't expect my first class of college to be like that.

It was awesome and I can't explain how fun and exciting it was to be in a new environment, one where teachers can wear tennis shoes and cuss in.

While you may not have a professor that first day as laid back and awesome as mine, I did think there were some important things you can keep in mind.

-Even upperclassmen arrive to class on the first day. Living on campus, about five minutes away, I'd say the best time to leave was about 20 minutes prior. This allows you to be on time and get a spot.

-Find your classes the day before so you can just go to class without being flustered. I've learn from experience, because the time that you don't go before looking for your class, it will be the most confusing and hard to find room on the entire campus.

-Don't bring your textbook to class, unless your teacher tells you otherwise. You might be thinking I'm crazy, but I'm serious. The first day the teacher will read off the syllabus, probably do some sort of ice breaker, and that will be about it. Bringing your textbook is just a pain that first day.

-Wake up a little earlier. Despite the stereotypes that college students just roll out of bed, on the first day no one really does. Dress up! Wear that new cute top or a sundress. It's your first day of new impressions.

-Eat breakfast/bring a snack, especially if you have a long day ahead of you.

-Listen to your professor that first day and decide whether you mesh well with his/her teaching style and what the course is about. Some professors are super disorganized and just let the class lead itself. Others have every due date set in stone before the first class is in session. Pick what works for you, the add/drop deadline is generally a week into the semester.

-Introduce yourself to the people you are sitting next to. Trust me, they are probably intimidated freshmen too (or maybe just a friendly sophomore) and won't think you're weird at all. Those first attempts of getting to know the people around you are the most important because they could help you arrange study groups or have a group to work with on projects.

-Wanna know a piece of advice on professors? 9 times out of 10, they will take notice of you going up to them the first day after class and introducing yourself. Seriously, it looks super good on your part. Walk up to them (unless they look like they are in a hurry to get to the next class, then you probably won't want to bother them) and just say "Hi, I'm (insert name). I enjoyed class today and can't wait for the rest of the semester." And already you've made a positive impression.

I hope this advice helps! Good luck on all your first days out there!

 

Manicure of the Week: Perfect Pear-ing

Recently I showed off my nails with Sally Hansen's Peach Beach. Well, this week on my nails I sported another new color from the Xtreme Wear line: Perfect Pear-ing. 

Perfect Pear-ing & Peach Beach!

 (this is the truest swatch of both of them)

When I first saw this color in the bottle, I was a little shocked. I thought it would be more of a minty sort of green like  Essie's First Timer. However, it showed up so much more green, with less of a minty/turquoise edge to it. I wasn't too sure of what I would think of it. 

But after wearing it the past few days, I love it. It's such a unique color. Truly unlike any other green nail polish I own. It also is extremely difficult to photograph. I have no clue why, but no matter the lighting, it always comes out very minty. Yes it has a little mint in it, but it is nowhere near being Essie's Mint Candy Apple. 

I'm going to include several swatches of it, but honestly, this color is much brighter, slightly more neon, and definitely more green than it appears in pictures. 

Overall, it's a cute color. I'd repurchase it for sure. The staying power is that of the Sally Hansen Xtreme collection (so pretty good for only $2.50). Make sure to pick this color up!  

New Touches

My room at home is a never ending work in progress. Hopefully others feel this way about their space, but it seems like the to-do list for this space never truly ends. It’s like I work in little vignettes in this space, completely one fraction of it, while the other parts sit in mindless chaos.

I’ve perfected my bedding, my curtains, and other aspects. They have sat finished for a year now, while other portions of my room are just being worked on now for the first time.

On Pinterest this picture from my bedding is quite popular (it shocks me actually). I didn’t think it would be so popular honestly. The feel of my room is supposed to be a little cottagey mixef with a smidge of nautical (living in Colorado, I feel a little odd going full on nautical). It's a theme of white, navy blue, and yellow. Which is so cheerful and pretty!

The area above my dresser (and on my dresser), has been a mix match of utter disasters. This summer (the little of it I got because of summer school), I wanted it to finally be a little bit more put together. So here is the space above my dresser, the newest portion to be finally finished. 

So this is what it looks like. I didn't have a before picture, but it was pretty bad. 

On the wall I have a canvas that I just covered in chevron fabric from Hobby Lobby, painted a C and stuck it on it. Then I have a plain cheap white frame from Target filled with yellow dot scrapbook paper (Hobby Lobby), and a small round navy blue mirror from Target (last summer). 

My dresser is usually the storage spot for most of my beauty products and makeup, so I bought the cute white metal bins from World Market (14.99 each). They hold my body sprays, dry shampoo, brush cleaner, everyday makeup bag, makeup remover wipes, toner, and other odds and ends. I absolutely adore my Ikea candle holder/pencil cup to hold my makeup brushes. 

In front I have a ceramic bird tray from World Market to hold my favorite perfumes. I also have the yellow World Market Egg holder to hold earrings, bobby pins, hair ties, and lip balm (these are so handy for storage in college). And of course I have the current candle I'm burning from Bath and Body Works (Lilac Blossom). 

Overall I love it! It's functional, cute, and finished! 

Make sure to read this post the first time about my room at home!