21 Friday Mar 2014
Posted in Beauty and Fashion
Tags
collage, fashion, revlon, spring break, sunscreen, swimsuit, Target, tortoiseshell
I’m so excited to finally be done with winter quarter! I’m headed to Florida with my family tomorrow for a much-needed vacation. Here are some of my spring break must-haves, and they’re all from Target!
20 Thursday Feb 2014
Posted in Wordless Wednesday
Tags
brownies, chocolate, collage, flower, holiday, iphone, monogram, phone case, photos, rose, valentines, wordless wednesday
How did you celebrate Valentine’s day?
24 Friday Jan 2014
Posted in Beauty and Fashion, Life Tips
Tags
coffee, collage, college, dr rescue, essie, fashion, greenroom, make up for ever, makeup, maybelline, nail polish, notebooks, office, Old Navy, products, school, snow, Target, winter
Also known as: things I can’t live without right now.
Old Navy Vintage V-Neck Tee // I bought one of these tees online on a whim to get free shipping, and I couldn’t be more in love with it. It’s soft, the sleeves are long and cozy, and it is thin enough to be layered under a sweater but thick enough to wear on its own. The tee is perfect for those days when I don’t want to change out of pajamas for class… it’s so comfy!
Old Navy Frost-Free Vest // In case you haven’t heard, it’s really really really cold in Chicago right now. So I’m cold all the time, even indoors. I wear this vest around the house and in class: it keeps me warm but isn’t too bulky. I even layer it under my big winter coat when I go outside. I told you it was REALLY cold!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 28E // I use this product almost every day. It’s a perfect light rose gold/beige/taupe that makes my eyes pop without looking too over-the-top. It’s a crayon, so it’s super easy to apply, too!
Maybelline Master Precise Eye Liner // This is my absolute favorite eye liner. It makes super thin lines, so it’s easy to use even if you struggle with liquid liner (like me!)
Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Berry Soft // In winter, lip balm is a necessity. My lips get soooo dry all the time, and this balm is my favorite for keeping them soft. It has a little bit of color, but nothing too bold.
Essie Nail Polish in After School Boy Blazer // I’ve been loving navy lately, and this polish is sophisticated and pretty. I like to wear it with a rose gold glitter accent nail if I’m feeling motivated.
Notebooks // I’m still obsessed with Target Greenroom notebooks. They withstand my other office supply obsession: flare pens. Greenroom paper is thick and sturdy, so the pens only bleed through the paper a little bit. And they’re cute, too! Check out how I use my notebooks here.
Coffee // It’s getting to that point in the quarter where my planner is starting to resemble a novel. Coffee (hot or iced, I don’t judge) is always a must-have.
What are some of YOUR winter necessities?
29 Sunday Dec 2013
Posted in Thoughts
Tags
ballet, Chicago, christmas, collage, cookies, daisy, family, gingerbread, holidays, nutcracker, photos, traditions
Happy holidays, everyone! I absolutely love Christmas, and I always take lots of photos around Christmastime. I put some of my favorites into a little collage for the blog. Look forward to a post about my 2014 goals soon!
Clockwise from top left:
// Gingerbread cookies that I made with my boyfriend. I love baking and decorating cut-out cookies.
// A pretty Christmas dinner salad and Christmas cracker! Crackers are a tradition for my family… my cousins and I always open them at the same time and laugh about the silly gifts inside.
// The Auditorium Theater in Chicago. My mom and I see The Nutcracker ballet every year, and I absolutely love the theater. It’s very old, so watching a show there feels like going back in time!
// More cookies and I made with my family. You can never have too many Christmas cookies!
// The yearly present pile at my grandparents’ house on Christmas. These gifts were for 20 people, not just me!
// Daisy checking out the box of treats we got her for Christmas. My sister and I spent about 15 minutes choosing treats for Daisy at Target. We loved that Buddy Biscuits are made of natural ingredients that we would give to Daisy at home. And they’re shaped like people!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
28 Thursday Nov 2013
Posted in Thoughts
13 Wednesday Nov 2013
Posted in Beauty and Fashion, Thoughts
Tags
collage, daisy, dog, farmers market, fresh, l'occitane, lip balm, little things, lotion, moisturizer, peppermint bark, photo, scone, skincare, snow, williams-sonoma, winter
Daisy’s first snow // My sister sent me photos from Daisy’s first walk in the snow. She liked it!
L’Occitane lotion // My mom sent me a care package FULL of L’Occitane products. The original shea butter body lotion can’t be beat.
Farmer’s markets // My sorority sisters and I went to the local farmer’s market a few weeks ago. We tried some delicious pears, dips, and cider. I treated myself to a chocolate chip scone… yum!
Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark // There’s nothing like a tin of peppermint bark to get me in the holiday spirit. The bark is amazing, and it comes in a red metal tin that I save for organizing pens and stationery.
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm // I’ve raved about this product before, but it really is spectacular. It leaves your lips feeling soft and smooth, and it smells incredible.
What little thing are you loving right now?
15 Sunday Sep 2013
Posted in Thoughts
I’m back at school! While I will miss having so much time to relax (and let’s be honest: watch trashy reality TV), I’m excited to get back to campus.
Here’s a final summer photo collage!
Clockwise from right:
// Chocolate chunk caramel peanut butter brownies! Divine and such a treat 🙂
// Daisy and I! She was especially sweet a few days ago, and I had to snap this photo.
// My boyfriend and I went mini-golfing last weekend, and we had so much fun! The course had hills and waterfalls… for a mini golf course, it was beautiful!
// Daisy’s little face! Sorry I’m not sorry I post so many photos of her. If you don’t like her, you probably don’t like anything.
// The boyfriend and I at mini golf again! I like selfies. He lets me take them with him. What a guy. 😛
What was the best part of your summer? Tell me in the comments!
01 Sunday Sep 2013
Posted in Beauty and Fashion
Tags
ballet flats, collage, fall, fashion, forever 21, gold, J.Crew, lulu's, outfit, quilted, scallop, shorts, summer, transition
The time between seasons can be tricky when it comes to fashion. The weather can be unpredictable, especially in Chicago. Here is one of my go-to outfits for transitioning from summer to fall. Switch the shorts for a pair of jeans and you’ve got a perfect autumn outfit, too!
23 Friday Aug 2013
Tags
agenda, back to school, binder, class, collage, college, highlighter, Lilly Pulitzer, organization, organized, pen, planner, school
Here are some of my school supply must-haves! Can you tell I’m really excited for school supply shopping?
A Planner // This is pretty self-explanatory. As I’ve said before: If it’s not in my planner, it’s not happening. I use mine to keep me on top of deadlines, assignments, and events.
Note-Taking Supplies // Find a system that works for you, and stick to it. I write slowly, so I type my notes during class to ensure that I get everything down. After class, I transcribe the typed notes onto white unlined paper using my pens and flare pens. I really don’t like lined paper: it’s so thin and flimsy.The colored pens are great for making headers and diagrams.
Reading Supplies // Again, you need a system. I try to do my reading assignments before class. I highlight my books, and use page flags to mark important pages or assignments. I don’t annotate or take notes on textbook material unless I absolutely have to. For me, it’s usually a waste of time. When I’m studying for the test, I go back and re-read highlighted parts of the book.
Organization Supplies // It’s no use to be organized during the school year if you store everything in a big, messy pile after classes end. I use a small 3-ring binder with tabs for each class. It’s easy to carry around in my backpack or tote. When a class ends, I save the important papers (essays, tests, study guides) and put them in sheet protectors in a large binder. I only keep the papers that I think I will need later.
What is your office must-have?
05 Monday Aug 2013
Posted in Thoughts
Tags
boyfriend, caramel, chocolate chip, collage, cookies, daisy, dog, frappuccino, longchamp, mimm, outlet mall, photos, starbucks, week
Clockwise from top right:
1 // Chocolate chip cookies! I’ll post the recipe someday. 😉
2 // A wall full of Longchamp bags at the new outlet store at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. My mom, sister, and I went on opening day and it was crazy! I snagged a new bag and skirt (mentioned in my last post), as well as some Bath and Body Works shower gels.
3 // Daisy and I after work. Yes, this is a mirror selfie. 😛
4 // Venti Caramel Frappuccino Light… caffeine helps me focus, which is strange. This is my favorite Starbucks drink!
5 // The boyfriend and I. He looks good, but I look exhausted.
6 // Daisy the diva. I love this photo of her!
Courtney Em 