Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #36

Blue is the word today.

Happy Thursday friends!

This week has flown by, before we cruise into the weekend I have some outfit inspiration that would be perfect for a Saturday look. I wore this comfortable yet fashionable outfit to class, I loved how I looked put together and chic but I was still comfortable. This outfit would be great to wear out with friends, running errands or to class. I love to find clothes that I can wear on more than one occasion.

Blue, blue, and blue and how it could work for YOU!

Some snow has been melting (but it wonā€™t be for long.) so I took advantage and wore these cute suede shoe boots. The wedge is just the right heel. I wore these soft jeggings from Target. I love going to target to pick up some extra leggings, they always have fun patterns and styles, plus they are made from good material which makes them last long. Although I love to be bold with fun tops, sweaters, and vests, there is nothing wrong with just wearing a solid shirt. I got this turquoise blue shirt from GAP and it is made from the smoothest, softest, silkiest material. It is so lightweight but so comfortable. I love wearing it when I have long day.

I wore pretty neutral colors, so I had to dress it up with some accessories. I wore my favorite bracelets from Francescaā€™s Boutique. I dressed my fingers up with gold rings from American Eagle. I am wearing my monogrammed bar necklace which I absolutely adore. Ā I wore a pair of gold studs to finish off the outfit.

You have to dress up your hands too!
So simple, but so personalized and elegant,

Iā€™m sure we all have a pair of jeans or leggings, a solid shirt and simple jewelry in our closets. Try new pieces out and mix and match your outfits you never know what will work. Have a great weekend and donā€™t forget to take some time for yourselves.

Categories
Fun Ways to Organize

How to Keep Yourself Organized

Hello Friends!

We are halfway through January, finally. I donā€™t know about you, but January always seems to drag for me. Today, Iā€™m sharing my tips on how to organize for the new year. Whether you have everything colored coded like myself or can barely remember when you have a doctorā€™s appointment these tips can help your life run smoother for you.

  • Have a planner or calendar or both. As a college student staying organized is a priority. I have a large desk calendar for my room and a small day planner that goes wherever I go. I like the layout of the big calendar, so I can look ahead at things but itā€™s always convenient to have a small pocket planner with me. I typically write most of my assignments in the smaller planner since I refer to it throughout the day. Although it takes time at the beginning of every semester, I write every test, assignment, meeting, and due date in BOTH my pocket planner and desk calendar, so I am always on top of things. Hard work at the beginning pays off later.
My big desk calendar with all the important information written down, from assignments, meetings, work. It’s all in one place and color coded.
My planner goes wherever I go and once again its color coded for every class
  • Color Code. I canā€™t stress the importance of color coding. I have a colored pen for every class I take, typically I have it match my binder as well. For example, my advertising strategies binder is blue, so I take my blue pen and write all the assignments and projects in both my planner and big calendar. I do this for every class. I typically reserve a bright color like red to write down important meetings or unexpected thing that may come up. Not in school anymore? Not to worry this system works great with kids, have a separate color for each of your children and write all their activities out on the calendar in that pen. It makes finding things on the calendar easy.
Post it notes and colored pens are crucial when it comes to organizing.
Matching a colored pen to the colored binder makes it easy to spot things on the calendar.
  • Post It Notes. Post it Notes are my best friend. Whether its for little reminders, a to do list, or just marking a page in a book, I always have post it notes handy. A trick I have used to college is to write everything I need to get done each weekend on a post it notes and cross stuff off as I go, at the end of the weekend, throw it out.

    I write everything I want to accomplish on a post it note and cross it off as i complete it each weekend.

I work best when I am organized, and these are just a few ways that have worked well for me. What ways do you keep yourself organized? What are your favorite products you use to stay on top of a busy schedule? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #35

Happy Thursday!

Today, Iā€™m sharing another one of my favorite monogrammed looks. I always try to dress with a purpose, there have been times when I am planning on running out to the store to get something and Iā€™m wearing sweats and I end up running into someone I know. There is nothing worse than seeing someone you know and feeling undressed. When I am out and about I always try to dress as if I am planning on seeing someone. So even if I am running to Target for a quick run, I have my hair and makeup done along with a cute outfit.

Keeping warm while running errands

I love the simplicity and the added detail a monogram gives to an outfit. I get a lot of monogramming done through a local boutique, but I also have gotten gifts from MarleyLilly and Etsy with monogramming accessories. I wore this while I was running errands and heading back to school. I opted for my favorite pair of black leggings from GAP. I also stayed warm with my favorite cabin socks. This year with freezing temperatures and lots of snow, I always wear my heavy duty boot socks, both warmth and fashion. I do love high boot socks but when I wear a shorter boot, I tend to wear cabin socks. When I wear a higher boot, I wear high boot socks.

I am loving this tunic top from Etsy, Take It Personally. Itā€™s long enough to wear leggings or jeans and I adore the monogrammed in the bottom corner. Itā€™s simple but sophisticated and the detail is perfect. The sunglasses are great when I am driving, and the snow and sun cause a lot of brightness. I got them on sale from American Eagle. Since I was running errands, I put my hair in a half up/half down top knot and it worked great especially having shorter hair.

Fun sunnies have me wishing of warmer times!

Well, thatā€™s a recap of what Iā€™ve been wearing. I cut my hair short for the new year and I need suggestions of what I should do with it. If you have short hair, let me know your favorite styles and products in the comments below.

Happy Weekend Friends!

Categories
Fitness

2018 Fitness Goals

This year, besides my new years resolutions, I came up with some things I want to work on when it comes to my personal development. One of these goals deals with fitness. Last year, I made a point to go to the gym five days a week. I successfully accomplished that goal with the exception of summer when I didnā€™t go as frequently.

This year, I want to challenge myself more when it comes to my work outs. For example, instead of just running on the treadmill for 30 minutes, I want to change it up with jogging, walking, and adding an incline to challenge myself more.Ā  I want to make my workouts more meaningful. I want to have a purpose of what I’m doing. Here are a few other things I want to improve with my work outs.

  • Walk 10,000 steps a day. This may seem like a lot but with all the walking I do at school to get from building to building, it shouldnā€™t be too hard. This will also encourage me to take more walks when I have down time. Iā€™m also looking forward to using my Fit Bit Alta HR to keep track of my steps. After just using my phone to track my steps for years, I have finally got a Fit Bit, be on the lookout in the future for why I love my Fit Bit. But, for now, I recommend getting one.

    I always wear my fit bit wherever I go.
  • Work on my Weight Training. When I go to the gym, I tend to focus on Cardio, however, this year I want to work on weights training to add tone muscle to my body. Iā€™ve been searching online and on Pinterest for ideas, but I would love to know your favorite workouts. Let me know in the comments below.
  • Get my time down for running a mile. As much as I love to work out, I hate running! Typically I jog or walk on the treadmill with an incline. This year, I want to work on my speed when it comes to running. I plan to spend one day a week just focusing on running as part of my workout.
My latest fit bit stats.

Whether you are a workout enthusiast, or you have never stepped foot in a gym, donā€™t feel intimidated. Ā I try to set realistic goals when it comes to fitness, I KNOW Iā€™m not gonna run a marathon anytime soon. I set these goals to motivate myself. What areas do you want to improve in your life? Organizing? Fitness? Eating? Letā€™s all work together to achieve our goals of 2018 together!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #34

LOTD

Hello and happy Thursday!

I don’t know about you, but January always drags on. The fast pace of the Christmas season is behind us and we look forward to warmer weather. With snow continuously falling and frigid temperatures, I try toĀ mix and match a few pieces to bring some excitement to my wardrobe.

Staying cozy and fashionable on a Thursday!

 

I wore this outfit out for dinner this past weekend and I got lots of compliments. Ā I wore my favorite pair of regular cut jeans from Old Navy. I prefer dark jeans opposed to light jeans. I love going to Old Navy for jeans since they come in many different styles for every body type. I decided to go neutral with a black cow neck sweater. I love this over sized sweater from GAP. I have it both in black and fuchsia pink. Since both sweaters are bold colors, they can go with any outfit.

My statement piece is my faux fur vest. I got this vest from Target, believe or not. I love Target, but I donā€™t always have luck there for clothes. However, this was a great find. I have worn it with leggings, jeans, even a simple black dress. Itā€™s a great piece to dress up an outfit.

I wanted to highlight two accessories I’m wearing. First, I got this gold bar necklace for Christmas and it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. It’s a simple necklace but I love how it can go with anything. Also, I have my initials on it so its personalized which makes it all the more special.

So simple, but so personalized and elegant,

I also am wearing this fun collection of bracelets and a watch. It matches my outfit with the brown but it is also a statement piece. I got this from Francesca’s BoutiqueĀ  and I can;’t wait to wear it with other outfits.

Fun wrist accessories!

Sometimes it can be intimidating to wear something out of our comfort zone. But, I suggest to be BOLD. Try new pieces you may not normally pair with an outfit. You may never know you like an accessory unless you try it first. Have a great warm weekend. Stay warm!!

Categories
Fun Ways to Organize

Planning for a Trip (or Planning to Come Home)

Hello! Hello! Happy Tuesday friends!

As the holiday season winds down, college students, like myself are heading back to school. Back to school means bringing lots of your belongings to your dorm room. Everyone hates packing whether you are in college or not. We worry if we over packed or if we forgot something. My school is a few hours away, so I donā€™t travel home often. I tend to go home just on breaks. After traveling to and from school for two years now I have a system that works for me when packing. This system would also work when packing for business trips, family vacations, or weekend getaways. Hereā€™s what works best for me.

  • Make a list. Make a list of everything you need to bring and how much you want to bring of it. For example, 5 t shirts, 4 shorts, 1 sundress. Be specific with your list as well, instead of writing jewelry, write gold necklace with hoop earrings. This makes it easier to identify what you are packing and its easier to organize your belongings when you are coming home. I write out a list when Iā€™m planning what to pack and use it the whole trip and when I am leaving to come home to make sure I have everything I came with. *Tip for college students packing to go home*: make a list of things you need to buy or bring when you are at home. It helps to get all your shopping done at home and come back to school with a stocked dorm.
My latest list of things I need to get while I’m home
  • Only bring what you need. Whenever I plan to come home, I plan out exactly what outfits I want to wear. I also have clothes at home, so I try not to over pack or pack doubles. For example, I donā€™t bring sweatpants and hoodies home since I already have them. Also, when you are planning your winter vacations, prioritize what things you want to wear. Donā€™t forget to check the weather to make sure you plan accordingly for whatever Mother Nature has in store for you.

 

  • Plan what you want to do. Whenever I come home, I have a separate list for things I want to get accomplished. Things such as doctor appointments, seeing friends, or activities are all examples of things I write down. Whenever I come home, I try to space things out, so Iā€™m not waiting till the last day to do my shopping, seeing friends and getting everything done. The same goes for when you are traveling. Make a list of everything you want to see or do while you are away.

    A list of everything I want to accomplish when I’m home!

As I plan to head back to school this week, I always keep these things in mind. There will always be stress in our lives, but if we can plan ahead to avoid these stressful situations it makes all the difference.

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #33

LOTD

One of my favorite Christmas gifts. Definitely will be used with the snowy weather

Happy Thursday! How has your week been? Getting adjusted to being back to work after the holidays? Ready for the weekend?

Snow has been falling nonstop for the past few days. Life these days has been filled with snow covered streets and below freezing temperatures. Welcome to the East Coast!

Iā€™m sharing a fresh look of the day. For those who live where snow falls more than half the year, or if you are used to more temperatures in the 30ā€™s rather than the 80ā€™s then this post is for you. Planning a ski trip to the mountains, keep on reading. Ā Iā€™m giving you a peak into my favorite winter essentials.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts. It will be keeping me warm in the snow

No matter the weather, a heavy coat is crucial. I got this coat for Christmas and it is not only stylish but warm. I got it from L.L. Bean. It can keep you warm from 0 to below 50 degrees. Ā It is well insulated and well keep you warm walking to class or heading into work. Plus, who doesnā€™t love a big fur hood to keep your head warm.

Favorite boots and cabin socks

Another winter essentials I canā€™t live without are snow boots. We all love our Uggs but they can get ruined after constantly walking through the snow. These boots from Sperry, but I got them for sale at DSW, not only keep my warm but are stylish. Add a pair of warm cabin socks and you have yourself a stylish outfit. I love pairing boot socks and short Sperry boots together. These cabin socks are another favorite winter essential.

I wore a pair of hounds tooth leggings with this outfit with a black blouse. I wanted to dress up this print leggings. Be on the lookout for that outfit in the upcoming weeks. This outfit kept me warm on a day with freezing temperatures. Also, I couldn’t end this post without a shout out to my cousin, Grace for taking these fantastic photos. She did phenomenal especially in the freezing cold. What are your must haves when it comes to winter fashion? Happy Thursday friends

Categories
Fabulous living

New Year. New Me. (Too cliche?)

Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a safe New Years and rung it in in style. The new year is a time to start fresh. We all get a clean slate and can better ourselves in the upcoming year. The new year is also a time for everyoneā€™s favorite wordā€¦. resolution. We either love them, hate them, or make them and forget about them in a week. This year, I am going to try my best to come up with realistic resolutions and try to stick to them. I plan to write them out and put them where I can see them every day to remind me of them. By seeing them, I will feel motivated to accomplish them. My three resolutions for 2018 areā€¦

  • Snack less. I love to snack, and I have a big sweet tooth, this year Iā€™m going to choose healthier foods instead of my sweet and salty choices. I often get something to eat when I think Iā€™m hungry when Iā€™m not. We all can indulge from time to time but its important to choose healthier options and snack less between meals. This is going to be a tough resolution, but I hope to see changes this year.
  • Read more. I love to read, but I also love my tv shows. I read a lot over the summer and over break, reading relaxes me and I like to step away from technology to escape for a bit (yes, I still read real books and I donā€™t plan on switching anytime soon.) This year, I am planning on carving time into my schedule to read, Iā€™m thinking about incorporating it into my nighttime routine, but I would love your input and thoughts. Comment below!!
  • Be more flexible. I love my schedules, my plans, and my organization. But, Iā€™ve learned I need to be more flexible and not always stick to a schedule. I want to have more spontaneous adventures and outings in my life this year. This will be the hardest resolution for 2018, but I canā€™t wait to see how different I am from the beginning to the end of this year.

I limited myself to three resolutions because I want to be realistic and not over commit myself to things I canā€™t follow through on. What are your resolutions? What changes do you want to see in your lives this year? I know it can be scary, but we can all support each other together on this journey. Iā€™ll be keeping you all updated on my resolutions this year and I hope you will do the same with me. Hereā€™s to change in 2018!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #32

All dressed up for Christmas

Itā€™s the last post of 2017! Where has the year gone!! Thank you to everyone who followed my journey and supported my first year as a blogger! I truly appreciate all the kind comments and you, the readers! Get ready for 2018, I have even more ideas and collaborations in the upcoming months. I hope you join me next week with the new year.

Today, Iā€™m wrapping up 2017, with one last look and by far one of my favorites!!

I wore this outfit for Christmas. But, i have many more ideas of where I can wear this outfit.

I got this lace black dress from Charming Charlie. Iā€™ve gotten accessories from there but never clothes! I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the dress and the cost! I got it on sale right before the holidays. Win win! I know this dress will be something I have somehting in my collection for a while. A girl should always have a little black dress.

Since I wore a black dress, I wanted to add a pop of color. I wore cherry red nail polish from Chrome Girl Nails.It was a great sparkly red. I got this pair of red heels to go with this black dress from DSW. I was looking for something fun to go with this black dress and these shoes did the trick. My last pop of red came in the form of red lip stick!

I dressed the outfit up with a pair of pearl earrings and a pearl necklace and ring.

I got a monogrammed cute clutch for Christmas from a friend and it tied my whole outfitĀ together.

Overall, i was very happy with how my outfit turned out. I know i will be able to wear this dress again and again!

Have a safe and joyous New Years! See you in 2018!!!

Categories
Fabulous living

Top Things of 2017

Happy day after Christmas. Have you recovered from all the sugar? Is wrapping paper still all over your home? Grab a cup of coco and settle in for the top things of 2017.

2017, is coming to an end. Where has this year gone? Today, Iā€™m wrapping out the year with my top 5 things of 2017. Ā These include my favorite books, tv series, movies, and fashion trends. Letā€™s take a walk down memory lane, shall weā€¦

  • Favorite Book: ā€œGrace Not Perfectionā€ I read this book this past fall and it really made me appreciate the simple things. I found it very relatable and it was easy to read. It gave me tips to stay organized and embrace simplicity. Emily Ley, the author, has a new book out called ā€œThe Simplified Lifeā€, I am already planning to read it next year. “Grace Not Perfection”, is a terrific book to kick off 2018 with, I highly recommend it.

    Must read especially going into a new year.
  • Favorite TV Show: 2017, brought a lot of new shows. My personal favorite was SEAL Team. Itā€™s a military drama about life both in the warzone and coming home. Each episode takes the team on different missions, but once they get home, the struggles are still the same. Plus, can we talk about what a good looking cast that is?! It returns January 3, 2018 on CBS. Wednesdays at 9:00.

    It returns Wednesday, January 3, 2018
  • -Favorite Movie: ā€œBeauty and the Beastā€, I love the remaking of classic Disney movies. From the music, to the actors, and the set design, I loved every aspect. Seeing this movie brought back many childhood memories, although I will always be biased to Cinderella. This was a great family movie that could be enjoyed by all.

    Loved reliving my childhood through this movie
  • Favorite Album/ Music: 2017, had a lot of good music. My personal favorites were Ed Sheeranā€™s Divide, I listened to his album nonstop especially when it came to writing endless papers for school. I loved Jessie James Deckerā€™s second album, Southern Girl City Lights. I loved the message behind every song. And lastly, to end the year, Taylor Swift made her return with Reputation. The album got me going early mornings in the gym.
    Started 2017 with this album
    Loved the meaning behind all the songs.

    Ended 2017 in a bang with Ms. Swift
  • Favorite Accessory: This year I couldnā€™t get enough monogramming done. Whether it was a baseball cap, scarf or purse. I love the personalization of getting something monogrammed. I love my local monogramming boutique but Marley Lilly and Etsy are great go-tos.
    Clutch
    Hat

    Scarf
  • Well there you have it. My top favorite things of 2017. What were your favorites? What are you excited for in 2018? Iā€™ll be sharing one last fashion trend on Thursday. See you then.