Tag: friends

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Fabulous living

Making Time for Friends in the Summer

Summer can be a very busy time, between work, getting enough sleep, and getting used to a new routine, it can be hard to see those close to you.

I am very fortunate that I live at home in the summer. I love spending time and doing things with my family. We always try to eat dinner together every night, and we spend our weekends and weeknights doing things together. I love spending time with my family.

However, I often find myself not spending a lot of time with my friends. I live about two hours from most of my friends from college, so I don’t often see them, luckily, I am still close to a few friends from high school who I try to see frequently. Most of the times our work schedules don’t line up, we have other commitments going on or we live far apart. I have been very good about trying to see friends in the summer, which I am proud of. Here are a few things I’ve learned about making time to see your friends in the summer.

  • Don’t just say it, Do It!

When school is winding down, you may catch yourself saying, “we have to see each other this summer!”, but does it happen? We often get caught up in our busy lives that we forget about others. If you truly want to see someone, make it happen. Due to my friends from college living so far away, I know I’m not going to see all of them, but maybe I can try seeing one or two.  A few weeks ago, I was in need of some girl time with one of my close friends from college, Olivia. We both found a day we were free and met up to get lunch and go shopping. Rather than me driving two hours to her or vice versa. We met halfway for both of us. It worked out perfectly. We got to visit, grab lunch, scored some sales, but most importantly, just catch up. I’m so glad we did something rather than just saying we were and not follow through.

Much needed retail therapy
  • A few hours is better than nothing

I have a few close friends from high school who I try to see often in the summer and on breaks. However, we all work different times and schedules, so it can be hard for all of us to get together for a long time. We find it works best for us to just grab dinner, ice cream or brunch for a few hours rather than try to find a full day to spend together. We try to also get together for big events. For example, my family and I throw a fourth July party and my close friends are always invited. It’s a great time to see each other and celebrate.

Fourth of July spent with my favorites
  • Be Spontaneous

Yes, it’s great to plan ahead when you are seeing someone from out of town, but also be spontaneous with your outings. My close friend and I both work downtown in the summer. We both had the same lunch break and met up for lunch downtown. It was unexpected and yet, so fun. My other friend was free for dinner so him and I just went to grab something quick. Even if you can’t get your whole group of friends together, it is good just to catch up with one rather than none.

Grabbing lunch with my girl downtown
Grabbing dinner with my high school bud

I think most college students can relate to not seeing their friends or family as much as they want in the summer. What do you struggle with? Spending more time at home with family or out with friends? Let’s Discuss!!

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Fabulous living

Bingeable TV Shows

Ahhh the carefree days of Summer…no school work, a time for making money for most college students like myself, but most importantly R&R. Between all the working I love to relax and unwind by reading or catching up on my favorite tv shows or binge watching new shows. Here are my top five picks for bingeable tv shows and the service you can find them on.

Everyone loves a good laugh and The Office doesn’t disappoint. From Michael Scott’s antics, the relationship between Jim and Pam, and the days at a Paper Company, the laughs are endless. There are 9 seasons and episodes are less than 30 minutes. A perfect companion to watch while you are relaxing, doing a load of wash, or hanging out with friends. The Office can be found on Netflix.

A classic comedy about working in an office

Whether you have an interest in medicine, relationships, friendships, or navigating a new job, this is the show for you. Watch the epic love story between Meredith and Derek and see what it means to be someone’s person. This drama has 14 seasons under its belt and is still going strong. Episodes range 43 minutes and there are plenty of twists and turns through the series. Grey’s Anatomy can be found on Netflix.

Whether you watch it for the medicine or the relationships, this show is for you,

So many good things about this show, from the relationships, special guest cameos, the many memories in that one apartment, but importantly, the friendships. Whether this the first time you are watching FRIENDS, or you are a super fan and know every line and know exactly what it means when someone says, “WE WERE ON A BREAK”! FRIENDS is the show for you. There are 10 seasons and episodes run for 21 minutes. You can watch this with your friends on Netflix.

Nothing better than watching Friends with friends!?

The New York trends continues but this time we are catching up with our favorite girlfriends. In honor of the 20th anniversary, this show is so iconic, from the fashion, the MANY boyfriends, the trips, but most importantly, the love of girlfriends. There were so many wonderful moments that made this show so special, from Carrie’s column becoming a book, the failed marriage between Charlotte and Trey, Samantha finally falling in love with Smith, Miranda being the first of the four to become a mother, and Mr. Big going all the way to Paris to tell Carrie she is the ONE. The show ran for 6 seasons and episodes are under a half hour. The show that never goes out of style can be found on Amazon Prime.

Who doesn’t love these girlfriends!?

Do you want to be a Gladiator in a Suit? Well, this is the show for you. Scandal follows the interworking of the government, from rigging presidential elections, fixing politicians problems, and affairs in the White House, Scandal keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last second. Each season is even better than the last. While Olivia Pope is taking care of everyone else’s problems, who is taking care of her? Will she stand in the sun with Jake or go to Vermont with Fitz?! The 7 seasons wrapped up this past year and the 40-minute episodes will have you on the edge of a cliff. See what all the hype is about but binge watching this on Netflix.

The Fixer and Boss…Olivia Pope

Whenever summer is dragging, or you just want to curl up and relax try watching one of these shows to change up your routine. What shows are you currently binge watching?! Let me know in the comments below! Happy viewing!

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Fashion

Look of the Day #56

HI All!!

It’s Friday Eve!!  WOOOO HOOO!!! What are your plans for the weekend!? A picnic or barbecue, whatever it may be I hope you have some fun in the sun.

Speaking of fun in the sun, today’s look is perfect for a summer activity. It’s fashionable, yet functional and its SCREAMS summer! I mixed two completely different outfits to put this piece together.

A perfect summer fun outfit!

I have worn the top in the past with ripped jeans for a more edgy look  here

I have also worn the shorts in the past with a fun top for the summer months here

I got both the top and bottoms from Francesca’s Boutique. I always find something unique when I go into their stores whether it be a piece or jewelry, clothing or accessory.

I was so surprised when I put the outfit together because of how well the colors and patterns worked together. I love a solid shot because you can pair it with so many patterns, materials, and styles of tops. My top was more tight fitting which worked out great since my scalloped shorts with more snug. I finished off my outfit with my gladiator sandals from DSW. I wore gold jewelry to garnish my look.

I wore this outfit for a barbecue, but you could wear it to a summer concert, park, dinner, or a day out at the beach. Always look at what clothes you can mix together, you never know when you ca create a new outfit.

Happy Thursday! Have the BEST weekend.

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Fabulous living

Summer To Do:

Summer is in full swing. My brothers are finished with school and we are getting into a summer routine. The weather is warm, pool parties and barbecues are underway and (I think) things are starting to slow down. Although, I am working a lot this summer I still want to make sure I have some fun. It may seem a bit late to the game but I made a summer to do list. Some things are specific, others are more hopes but I’m sharing it with you today. Towards the end of summer I will share home much I accomplished. When it comes to summer fun… here’s my list.

Summer List
  • Complete Internship
  • Go some place new
  • Take a trip
  • Sleep in
  • See high school friends
  • See one (or more) college friends
  • Read SIX book (one more than last summer)
  • Watch SUITS

    Can’t wait to start this new series
  • Watch Evil Genius
  • Watch Comedians in Cars getting Coffee

    my latest obsession
  • See Mamma Mia 2

    SOOOO Excited to see this movie
  • See Oceans 8

    Another movie I can’t wait to watch
  • See family and spend time with them
  • Try something new
  • Go to the beach
  • Take more walks
  • Eat at a food truck

    With food trucks becoming more and more popular I need to try some!
  • Watch the sunset and sunrise
  • See a concert
  • Spend more time outside
  • Go swimming more often
  • Do more free things (Zoo, parks, festivals)
  • Trip to Pittsburgh
  • Breakfast at iHop
  • Don’t rush as much and be in the moment
  • Smile more
  • Be spontaneous

That’s a round up of my dreams and goals for this summer! I may add things as the summer goes on. But I love to make a list of to-do’s to make sure I get everything in and it’s not August and I realize I have two weeks to get everything in.

Do you make up summer bucket lists? If so, what’s one thing on your to -do???

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Fashion

Look of the Day #54

LOTD

Hello and Happy Summer (I think we are in the clear for summer weather)!!  Yay!! It’s been a long time coming but I think it is safe to take out the shorts, grill supplies and umbrellas as summer is here to stay.

Today, I am sharing an outfit I wore for a Memorial Day picnic. I had a great 3 day weekend spent with barbecuing, seeing family and kicking off summer. It was a well spent holiday weekend. In addition, the warm 80 degree weather made it even better to celebrate the start of summer.

White and Blue for the start of summer!

When it comes to fashion,  I am a firm believer of wearing white after Memorial Day, so I was very excited to break out these white capris.  I have worn all these items with other outfits but, for this outfit I decided to match them all together.

I got these white Capris from American Eagle. I haven’t shopped there in a while, I got them a few years back, but they were a great buy and I have worn them again and again with different outfits in the summer.

I love this top. I got it from Francesca’s Boutique last year. I love the material as it is very lightweight.  I have worn it with shorts in the past but loved pairing it with the capris for a more dressier look.  I also love how it is one shoulder, it really changes up an outfit. The blue and white combo is one of my new favorite pairings.

Since, I went to a picnic, I paired my capris and top with a pair of nude wedges. These are my favorite summer sandals to wear to picnics, grad parties, and other summer events. A wedge is crucial to have in your wardrobe. Whether, it is high or short, a wedge can go with any summer outfit.

My biggest accessory are not having glasses, I finally decided to make a change and get contacts for my 20th birthday. It took some practice but I am very happy with the final result.

That’s a look into my Memoial Day outfit and a start into my summer wardrobe. Have a great weekend filled with sunshine and warm weather.

 

 

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Fabulous living

20 Things I’ve Learned in My 20 Years of Living

New day, new year, new beginnings. Today, a new decade begins for me. Yes, I am turning 20! I’m really excited for not only this new year but also this new decade. A whole lot can happen from 20 to 30.

I’m also excited for new adventures and beginnings with this new year ahead. Besides looking forward to this new chapter, I am reflecting a lot on these past 20 years.

After careful consideration, I have complied a list of twenty things I have learned in my twenty years of living. Some big things, others not so big and in no particular order. But, all these things have shaped me into the person I am today. Here we go!!

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

Always share. Whether, it’s your toys, talents, or thoughts. Share with others.

Always Smile. A smile can go a long way and even change someone’s day or life.

It can be easy to get caught up with routines and schedules in life. But don’t forget to be spontaneous and go on adventures.

You can learn something new every day. Learn about the world around you.

It doesn’t hurt to ask questions. Always ask whether you are sure or unsure.

Yes, eating healthy and working out are important but get the dessert, I promise it will be worth it.

Work smarter, not harder.

Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown. Always be open to trying new things.

A favorite movie or good book is always the answer to having a rough day.

It’s okay to say No in life, sometimes it may even be for the better.

Doing small things in life, like doing your nails, or changing your hair or spending more time on your makeup, can make you feel like a different

When in doubt, take a long drive and put the music on high to clear your mind.

The hard work you put in now will benefit you in the future.

The tough times in life will make you a stronger person.

Self-care is so important, you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself.

Tell the people in your life that you love them.

Be sure to check in and make time with your friends. Tell them how much they mean to you.

Family is the most important thing in life. Don’t take them for granted.

Live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way.

Live, Love, Laugh, Dance.

Well, I’m off to celebrate with some friends and family for my birthday. See you all on Thursday!!

 

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Fabulous living

Spring Semester Recap

What a semester it has been!!!  Not gonna lie, in January, the semester started out as a rocky one. But, I was determined not to let a few bad days change the outlook of my whole semester. Thank goodness, that I didn’t because this semester turned out to be my best semesters yet!!!

Throughout the course of this semester, I truly felt that I came into my own. I found my tribe of friends to lean and gain support and that made all the difference. Without a strong support system both at home and at school, it is very hard to navigate yourself through life.

During the semester, I took on more roles, and wore many hats in these short months. I took on 18 credits, added another work study to the mix, and took on a leadership role in my other job I have at school. Although my job has its stressful and unpredictable moments, I had truly had the best staff and coworkers. We all got along great and were able to have fun as a one big family. When work got tiring or stressful they made the job 100 times better.  I am so lucky to have made so many long lasting friends because of this job. Whether it was staff meetings, Sheetz runs or late night adventures we all had the best time together.

Obviously, taking on all these new things felt like a lot and could be a bit overwhelming at some points. Like for example, starting my day at 6:00 am and working through 1:00, yes, I had a few of those days but they were filled with fun memories braided through the stressful moments.

One motto that I used towards the end of the semester was “Live Mas” or “Living my Best Life”, a lot of my close friends were either graduating or moving to different building so during my last few weeks of school, I made sure I went out and did things with my friends to savor our last few days together, whether it was Dairy Queen trips, late night drives, or playing card games while working the late shift, I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. I’m so glad I found so many wonderful people because of this job and school.

Here we are at one of our first events of the year.

Lastly, something that made this semester so great was working on myself and being my true authentic self. I learned and worked on this a lot with the help of my friend Olivia. We met a year and a half ago because our boss suggested we meet since we are so similar. Every chance we get we thank our boss for introducing us, we immediately hit it off and have been close every since. Not only can we talk about the easy day to day topics, but we often talk about the challenging stuff too. Olivia, is one of the hardest working, caring, driven, and “mom like” people I have ever met. She has been a wonderful mentor but an even better friend to me this past year. She has taught me a lot but the most important thing I have learned is to be my authentic self. Olivia, thank you for making this year the best one yet.

Here is a second picture of her, as we were moving out. I love this quote– a constant reminder of girl power

This has been such a good semester for me both in and out of the classroom. I have excelled in my studies, formed long lasting friendships, made countless memories but most importantly, I lived my best life as my authentic self. Here’s to hopping I grow even more as a person next semester.

LIVE MAS THIS SUMMER!!!

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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!!

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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!

 

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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!!