Author: elspeththeblogger

My name is Elspeth. I'm young professional living life one day at a time. I have a passion for fashion, a love for living a clean and healthy life and I can organize anything.

Categories
Fabulous living Fun Ways to Organize Travel

Weekend Away Essentials

Last week, I blogged about my weekend trip to Chicago! I love to travel, and I try to take any opportunity available to me to travel whether it’s near or far. Throughout, my weekend away I made mental notes of things I want to remember when it comes to future traveling, especially for a college student on a budget. Here are my must haves for weekend adventures:

  • Don’t over-pack. Yes, it may seem tempting to pack several cute outfits and figure out what to wear when you get there, but that’s not the answer. Pack simple and efficient. For example, for my trip I packed one pair of jeans, a few different tops to alternate, an outfit to wear at night, and two pairs of shoes, as well as comfortable clothes for traveling. I wanted to make sure I had the essentials and things to mix and match for the weekend. Although, I didn’t look the cutest in all my photos wearing my north face, jeans, and sneakers, I was very comfortable walking several miles each day. I also packed pretty simple when it came to luggage. I had a duffel bag, small tote, and cross-body. The small tote came in very handy for the souvenirs I bought while I was away.
All packed! Simple but efficient
  • Plan accordingly for traveling. We drove down to Chicago over night on a bus, so I made sure I was comfortable for the long bus ride, therefore I made sure I brought a blanket and pillow for the bus. This came in extremely useful when I was able to sleep a few hours driving down. The same goes for flying, planes are notorious for being chilly, be sure to throw an extra sweatshirt or socks in your carry on so you aren’t freezing your whole flight. Overall, be sure to pack for your destination and any accessories that may come along with it.
It’s was very chilly in the Windy City. The weather was in the 30’s the whole weekend so i was bundled up. Yes, it may not look super cute, but I was very warm
  • Make a Plan. When we found out that we were going to Chicago, my friend and I made sure we had a plan of things we wanted to get done and when. There is nothing worse than going to a new city for the first time and not knowing what to do or where to go. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions of places to try. I have several friends who live in the Chicago area, so I made sure to get their opinions on their favorite spots. This helps to ensure you get the authentic experience while being in the city.

I found these tricks to be most helpful while traveling for a weekend away. Do you prefer weekend getaways or week-long vacations? What helpful hints do you have for trips? Let me know in comments below!

Have a happy Tuesday!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #47

LOTD

Happy Thursday!

This week has been packed full and I have a busy weekend ahead.

It may be spring but it hasn’t been acting like it. Yes, it is mid-April and its still snowing. I’m SO ready for Spring and warmer weather. I tried to brighten my wardrobe with hopes it will make spring come faster.

That brings me to today’s look of the day. I brighten up my look with a bright color and bold necklace. I had a few meetings but a long day, so I wanted something that looked professional but also comfortable for a 10-hour day.

I wore my favorite shoe boots from DSW, I am ready to transition out of these shoes but it’s not time for peep toe shoes yet. I wore these in Chicago and they were very comfortable for walking around the city.

I wore my faux leather leggings from Target, they feel like leggings, but don’t look like leggings. Win-Win!

I brightened up my dark outfit with a bright blue flannel button down from Old Navy. It is made from soft material but also holds up well with washing. I have had it for a few years and have paired it with numerous outfits.

I changed my look up with a bright, bold necklace from Old Navy as well. I love necklaces that can change an outfit as well as dress an outfit up. My bright lip color is from House of Color. I try to keep my lips neutral, but I was feeling the bold color to brighten my mood.

If you know me, then you know I am always cold, therefore it was crucial that a long sweater was necessary. I got this sweater from Tilly’s. I wear this so frequent, with jeans, dresses, leggings or skirts. It’s so versatile and its so easy to throw on.

Here’s to hoping warmer weather is around the corner. I need it, you need it. We all need sunshine in our lives.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Categories
Travel

Weekend in Chicago

Hello All!

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I took a break from the school work and got away for the weekend. One thing unique about my school is a tradition called Mystery Trips. How it works is students pay a flat rate (typically $100) for a weekend away, but they don’t know where they are going. I loved concept and idea so I signed up with my best friend for a promised weekend of adventures.

We left at 1:30 am on Friday morning.

All packed!
Heading out!

When we were half way there, we learned we were on our way to Chicago. I was  beyond excited, I had never been but was dying to go!

We arrived around 11 am, we checked in and got some lunch.

Starting the trip off with a lunch at Shake Shack!

We started walked down Michigan Ave and made our way to the Cultural Center for a guided tour of some of the top spots of Chicago.

Where the city meets the river in downtown Chicago.
It’s was very chilly in the Windy City. The weather was in the 30s the whole weekend so i was bundled up.
We loved this spot, we walked past it so often it became a landmark when it came to directions.
The ceiling of the cultural center. I was in awe of the design of all the buildings
We toured a Macy’s and I loved the Spring theme!
Although it was freezing outside, it felt like spring with all the pastels!
After our guided tour, we stopped for some sweet treats and to warm up.
We spent time popping into shops and speciality stores to stay warm and try new things. We browsed at the Sugar Factory to see what unique things they had in stock.
We then went to Dylan’s Candy Bar to browse for some sweet treats.
We spent time looking at Nordstrom at all the designers and to see what was in style this season.
Pastels were clearly in I loved these patterns and styles that were in a Prada boutique
We grabbed dinner at an authentic deep dish pizza place- Pizzeria Due. It was my first time having deep dish pizza and I loved it!
Day 1 of Chicago shown by my Fitbit, yes, we walked a lot!

After dinner we headed back to the hotel for an early night. With little sleep the night before and a full day of walking and sightseeing we decided to rest up.

Good morning and let’s kick off day 2!!! We woke up early and got an Uber to head down to Millennium Park to see the Bean!
The Bean!!
We love the bean!

After the Bean we headed over to the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to see the city from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

View from the top
The closest I got to the Sky View boxes (a completely clear box overlooking the city below. ) yep, not a fan of heights
After the Willis Tower, We headed to the iconic Navy Pier
Once again the water meeting the land
We went back to the Sugar Factory for a fun lunch.
I got the Four Cheese flatbread
And the ice cream cookie sandwich for dessert. So delicious
These shoes!!!!!
The weather was very chilly so we went back to Nordstrom for more browsing. I saw these stunning shoes, can you guess where they are from?!
Yep, you guessed it! Sex and the City. I was having a fangirl moment in the middle of Nordstrom
After a full day of sightseeing, walking, and window shopping we relaxed by getting some Gelato and treats at Eataly! It was delicious
We did some browsing at Bloomingdales where I had to pick up this purse! It was too cute to pass up!

We spent our last night in Chicago at the Second Street. We saw a very funny show
Great way to end the night
Day 2 shown by my Fitbit, even more walking
The sun setting on Chicago, so beautiful

We headed back to the hotel to pack since we were heading out the next day.

I was so happy I got the opportunity to go to someplace new, Chicago stole my heart. From the clean city and beautiful water, to the food, the shopping and all the sights. I had an absolute blast. Also, i couldn’t have done this trip without my travel companion Shay! Thanks for a great trip!

 

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #46

LOTD

Hello All!

Happy April!

I hope your April’s are all off to a good start. I am back to school for the last leg of the semester. This semester and year has flown by!  My April is jammed packed, if I survive this month, I think I can tackle anything. Haha.

Today, I am sharing the outfit I wore on Easter. I spent my Easter Sunday by attending mass and spending time with family. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.  I think Spring is finally upon on, I wanted to get in the spirit with this bold print floral dress. I don’t often wear these colors, but I saw the dress a few years ago and couldn’t resist.

I actually purchased this dress two years ago from Nordstrom’s . Unfortunately, it is no longer in stock.  I wore it for my high school Baccalaureate Mass. It was held at the end of the year and I love the bright colors. I love to buy things that are very good quality so i can wear them on numerous occasions especially as I will be heading into the real world soon. I love the dark blues and greens, but I love the pop of yellow even more. I decided to bring out the yellow with these light-yellow heels from Kelly and Katie, I got them at DSW a few years ago as well. I added some simple but classic to go along with the dress and shoes.

I don’t often wear bold dresses like this, but I decided to change up my look for Easter. I often choose to wear simple colors and add bold jewelry or accessories as my statement pieces. Today, however, my dress was my statement piece.

I can’t wait for Spring to get fully underway for all things spring fashion. What trends are you looking forward to this spring/summer season?

Also, I will be out of town this weekend, to follow along with my adventures, check out my Instagram for all things travel @elspethsdaybyday

See you next week!!

Categories
Fabulous living

Let’s Get Real: Homesickness

Hello All!

Today’s post is going to be a bit more on the serious side. Besides, showing you the latest trends and how to organize areas in your home, I like to be real and honest about what life as a college students is truly like. So, we are getting real about homesickness. What a fun topic for a Tuesday. In all seriousness, let’s get real.

Before I started college, almost two years ago, I was worried about being homesick. Many family and friends had assured me I would be so busy I wouldn’t be able to get homesick, or it would go away after a month, someone had even told me that by Fall break I wouldn’t even want to come home because I would be loving school so much.

They were all wrong.

Yes, I was enjoying school, and I was making friends and I was most certainly busy, but that didn’t change the fact that I was homesick. There would be times when I was lonely, or I craved a homecooked meal or I wished I was back in my own room. But, I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying college life. Christmas rolled around, and I was told that I wouldn’t want to be home for a whole month and I would soon get bored and I would be thrilled when I could go back to school.

Nope, it was still hard going back.

Spring semester brought more hope and more experiences. But I still had my moments of weakness and some tears. Once May rolled around, I was so proud of myself for making it through a full year. I thought, if I could accomplish that I could do anything.

A few months later, Year Two rolled around. It brought new experiences, new friends, new challenges and new beginnings. I didn’t get homesick as much, mostly when I was getting dropped off from being back home from a break. I had gotten used to falling back into my routines at home, it was hard to get adjusted back at school. There were times when I was overwhelmed and stressed and wanted a break from school and just to be home, but I had to push through. That’s the thing about homesickness, you can take a bad situation and make it better.

How can you handle those moments of weakness and homesickness?

  • Have a good cry (yes, we all need a good cry to let ourselves go and feel all our emotions that we keep buried deep within.)
  • Take that time to be alone but not too long, make plans to go out with a friend to grab dinner or go to study.
  • Share how you are feeling. It may be uncomfortable, but who knows you may find someone who feels the same way and doesn’t know who to talk to about it. You can be there to help each other through it.

Homesickness is different for everyone, others don’t have it all, some only have it until their first fall break, but for few like myself, it never goes away. As I close on my second year of college, I still have my moments where I am homesick. I don’t let that dictate my life. I push through the pain, sometimes I cry, sometimes I watch my latest binge show, sometimes a phone call homes helps. But, I carry on, and I keep on living life. As i look back on the past two years, I don’t remember being homesick or sad but rather the joy, the laughter, and the memories that came with friends and family.

Whether you are a first-time college student leaving home for the first time or you are gearing up to start your first job in the new world, we all miss home, it just means you feel so much love from home that it’s hard to be without it.

Until next time,

Elspeth

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #45

LOTD

Happy (Holy) Thursday!

I am home for a long weekend for Easter Break. Not only is it a time to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, but It’s great to be home for one last long weekend to refuel for the end of the semester.

Last weekend, I had a semi-formal dance at school, it was an exciting time to dress up and have a good night with friends. I am sharing what I wore along with the accessories. Unfortunately, I got this dress a few years ago, so it’s not sold anymore but hopefully, this inspires you to try a new bold look the next time you are shopping.

Throughout high school, I attended all my homecomings, proms, and semi-formals. I loved getting dressed up for a night with friends to make memories. However, it can add up with everything you need, and most of the time you only wear the dress once and it goes up in your closet. Lucky for me, for every formal or semi-formal occasion I have had in college, I was able to rewear something I wore in high school. This saved me money from buying new dresses, and it allowed me to wear the dresses I wore in high school again. Thankfully, dresses I wore in high school still fit and are in style.

FRI-YAY night out

Now, let’s get down to the details of this dress. I got this dress from Francesca’s Boutique a few years ago on sale! I was drawn to it’s bright color and how fun it looked. The ruffles made the dress so unique. At the time in high school and last semester, I was rewatching Gossip Girl (definitely a good show to binge watch!) and I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between my dress and the iconic dress Blair Waldorf wore in Paris in season 4.

The kinda look similar, right!?
Up close of the dress, shoes, and nail polish

I paired this bright red dress with a pair of red heels I got from DSW this past year. I wore them with a black dress for Christmas, and the red from my dress matched the red shoes so I had to pair them together. I dressed up this look with some fake diamond studs to add some bling to the outfit along with a red sparkle nail polish, it is called Pretty Pout from Chrome Girl Nails.

Nails- a red sparkle from Chrome Girl Nails

I used the KoKo Kollection face palette from Kylie Cosmetics along with the Burgundy Eye Shadow palette for my makeup.

Eye Shadow
Face Palette

When I first saw this dress a few years ago, I wasn’t sure I would like the dress since it was very bright and bold, but now it is one of my favorite dresses. Don’t be afraid to wear something that is bold. You may end up loving it.

If you celebrate Easter, I hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your family, if you don’t have a  great weekend!

Categories
Travel

Spring Break Experience

Hi friends and Happy Tuesday!

I have something new and special planned for the blog today. Although, I spent Spring Break at home and relaxing, many of my friends traveled to places near and far. Some for school, others for pleasure.

Shay and I

My best friend Shalyn (who I may have mentioned once or twice) traveled to Chile over Spring Break for a class and she agreed to share a bit about her trip on my blog. Take it away Shay!

 

“Hey everyone! Guest blogger Shalyn Vukich here! I’m a Communication and Spanish major, so Chile was the perfect opportunity for some practice!

When college students hear the phrase: SPRING BREAK, they rejoice because of everything commonly associated with spring break like warm weather, beaches, or if you’re like me, vegging out on the couch with Netflix. 😜

Spring break is supposed to be a glorious time of no stress and no responsibilities, so why on Earth did I spend mine doing schoolwork?

Okay, before you start judging me, let me explain. I have never been a fan of science, but lucky me, I chose a liberal arts college that requires 8 science credits. Yippee. Thankfully, I discovered an option that would let me fulfill 4 credits through an online environmental sustainability class and a trip over spring break. Sign me up!

Although I was not very enthusiastic about giving up my beloved Netflix time to spend a week with a professor and a couple strangers, I was beyond thrilled for a new adventure. I spent my spring break soaking up the sunny skies of Chile. Yes, that’s right – Chile – as in South America!

I visited both the capital city of Santiago and the popular tourist destination Valparaiso and Viña del Mar (popular because of AMAZING beaches!).

My favorite part of the trip was the last night. We had dinner at an Easter Island themed restaurant (fun fact: Easter Island is Chilean property), and we were treated not only to dinner but also to a cultural show. At the end of the night, I got pulled on stage to bring out my inner Shakira and prove that hips really don’t lie! After dinner and the show ended, we took the stage and danced alongside native Chileans to a mixture of Spanish and American music. It was a blast!

Aside from a quick vacation to Mexico, this was really my first time being immersed in a Spanish-speaking country. Next spring I’ll be studying abroad in Spain to really put my skills to the test. I can’t wait!

I could go on and on about this trip, but a picture is worth a thousand words, right? Why tell you about Chile, when I can show you?!

An empanada, a popular Chilean dish.

Check out these views!!
Fun Fact: Chile is actually the birthplace of the llamas.
I see, You see, we all see sea lions!
Bienvenidos a Vina del Mar!
The colorful coast side town of Valparaiso
Santiago

I hope these pictures have shown that:

1)  Chile is a beautiful country and a must see.

2) Try  to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way like I did. Why sit inside a classroom listening to a professor drone on and on about something when you can get out there and discover that experience firsthand?

I promise you won’t regret taking chances like these!

Adventure is out there. You just need to find it.”

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #44

LOTD

Hello and happy Thursday!

Today’s look of the day is giving me major Olivia Pope vibes. Any Scandal fans out there?! So crazy to think we are in the last season with only a few episodes left.

What a boss!!!

Okay, enough about tv, it’s back to fashion.  I had a busy day last week with a few meetings thrown into the schedule, so I needed an outfit that was professional, comfortable, and warm. After spending a good 10 minutes going through my clothes, I put something together that fit the criteria.

Perfect outfit for any professional.

I am wearing my favorite faux leather leggings from Target, which you wouldn’t even guess they were leggings by the look of them. I have had them for a few years and I haven’t had any trouble with them so far.

I paired them with my favorite and most comfortable suede wedges. I have been wearing these nonstop this season. I love how they are so versatile and can go with so many of my outfits. I got them on sale from Shoe Carnival last year and have been very happy with their quality.

I wore a long sleeve black top from GAP for my top although, with my scarf and blazer you couldn’t see it. I love GAP and Old Navy’s clothing especially their solid tees. I stock up on them when they are on sale. You can never have too many black or white long and short sleeve shirts.

Speaking of Old Navy, I got this scarf from there a few years ago, I have worn it with dresses, skirts, and even jeans. I love the neutral colors and pattern.

My blazer is my favorite part of my outfit. I got it on sale from Marshalls, a few years ago. Marshalls and T. J Maxx are go-to stores for me. I love the variety of clothes they have, and you can’t beat their markdowns, they are always having sales. I finished off my outfit with simple gold jewelry.

I do love pops of color, but sometimes, you just have to go with the simple, and neutral colors. I hope this showed you, that you don’t have to break the bank to look nice and professional AND, don’t be afraid to mix and match clothes.

Have a great weekend.

Categories
Fabulous living

DIY Dorm Decor

Hi friends!

I’ve got something fun planned for today. Like any college student, money is tight for me and Pinterest always tempts me to try new things.

I have two fun DIY crafts for your dorm room, apartment or home. I’m also collaborating on these crafts with my good friend, Olivia. We met through our job and classes and I’m so glad I got close to her this year. Give her blog Liv Simple a read for all things from fashion to college living. After you are done reading my blog, head over to hers to see how she put her own creative spin on these DIY crafts.

Now, onto the DIY part. The worst thing that can happen to any college student (or adult) is to lose their keys. Now, we can always say we are going to put our keys on our desk or in our purse, or even buy a plastic command hook to stick them on. But, let’s be honest, dorm rooms are kinda sterile if you don’t have decorations. So why not kill two birds with one stone and make a place to hold you keys and have it decorative. I made this cute key hook for $11!!! And here’s how you can too.

First, I got all these supplies from Michael’s Craft Store, but I’m sure you can find them or similar ones at your local craft store. I got paint, a hook, and wooden decorative pieces to make my key hook more fashionable. I spent a while on Pinterest finding what I wanted to do, but once I did I was happy with it.

Here’s your materials: a hook with a plaque (already assembled), paint, a wooden letter, and some other decorations,
Plan out how you want your key hook to look, play around with it before you paint it.
Now, comes the fun part. Paint it. Choose colors that will go nice in your room. My room is turquoise with black and white so the colors were easy to choose. Having a hard time deciding colors? You can never go wrong with neutrals.
After I let them dry over night, I assembled them the next day using a hot glue gun, wood glue would also work.
The finished product

Now onto DIY craft number 2. I am a huge fan of candles, I love how they can change to mood of a room but unfortunately, they are not allowed in my dorm building. This is a great alternative to making it feel you have a candle burning with worrying about the fire. Also, not a fan of the smells but love the look of a candle, this is another great idea. Olivia found these mason jars at Pat Catans and they were on sale for $1!!! Buy some tealights from any craft or home goods store and pop them in to the mason jar. Another inexpensive way to decorate a room. When you turn the tealight on, it will make you feel like you are burning a candle when you aren’t at all. These could go in your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, even living room, where ever  you like to put your candles. This is another inexpensive way to make your dorm, apartment, or house a bit more cozy.

You can style it on your desk
Here it is all lit up at night

These are two inexpensive and DIY ways to make your dwelling more cozy and functional. Overall, a Pinterest success. Have you had any Pinterest successes or fails!?

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #43

LOTD

Happy Thursday! Another week is almost in the books. It’s crazy to think we are almost through March.

Today’s look of the day is a bit more formal. While I was home for Spring break, I went out for the night. I wanted something that was dressy but still warm since we were hit once again with snow. This outfit not only works for a night out but for Sunday mass, or even a day in the office.

Outfit for a night out!

I got this blue top with gold and silver designs from Francesca’ s Boutique a few years ago. I usually wear it with dress pants or a skirt, I have worn it with jeans, but I like to wear it more formally and dressed up.

I got these blue dress pants from The Limited. I got them a few years ago and they have worked out great for dress pants. Their navy-blue color makes them easy to pair with other tops. They are also superior quality, so I know I cam depend on having them for a while.

I wore a pair of nude patent leather heels to top off the outfit. I got them from  DSW a few years back. I strongly recommend that every woman own a pair of nude shoes, whether they be flats, heels or wedges. They are a must have in any wardrobe. They can go with any outfit and are very versatile. I have worn these heels with homecoming dresses, skirts, dress pants, and in every season. Plus, they are super comfortable. Win-Win!!

I made the decision to change up my hairstyle for Spring. I’ve been having fun trying new styles and dos with shorter hair. If you have any suggestions for short hair, please let me know!

That’s a look into my latest fashion trends. With spring around the corner, what trends are you looking forward to seeing this season? Have a great weekend (and a safe St. Patrick’s Day!) !!!