Friday, August 30, 2013

Fabulous Friday

I made it through the first week of school! Yay!  The fact that I made it through five whole days of classes after a very long summer break feels great.  I always have major first day/week jitters & I feel like everything gets more routine after the first week.  I am absolutely exhausted from it all, which makes the fact that it's the weekend & I can relax that much better.   So since we've all gotten to Friday we deserve a big:
In between classes, buying books, & catching up with all of my friends, I've been checking out what all the celebrity ladies have been wearing this week.  This Friday's Celebrity Look of the Week is...

Sandra Bullock in J.Mendel at the premiere of "Gravity" in Venice, Italy.
Source: people.com
Sandra Bullock is red hot (pun intended) in this gorgeous gown.  I feel like she's someone that can fall into a red carpet style rut from time to time, but this gown & other recent outfits she has worn have shown that she is not currently in one of them.  This dress is super sexy, & allows Sandra to show off her great stems; it also has a beautiful architectural detailing in the top of the dress.  The bag & shoes that she chose complimented the outfit perfectly.  In this look Sandra Bullock hands down won Friday's Celebrity Look of the Week.

To start off the weekend with some fun, here is an 'NSYNC throwback (weren't they amazing at the VMA's?!) for #backthatazzupfriday!
What are you up to this weekend?
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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Look for Less - Gisele Bündchen



















Floral Print Blouse: $49.90 zara.com
Modern Skinny Ankle Jeans in White: $49.99 (originally $59.50) loft.com
Nardri Boxed Initial Pendant: $48.00 nordstrom.com
Jessica Tote Day Bag: $50.00 boohoo.com
Harmony Closed Toe Flat: $59.95 solesociety.com

This look was featured on people.com's Love Her Outfit!.  It's a super chic daytime look that's perfect for spring & summer, you can even take a look like this into fall by wearing a blue jeans, black flats, & a cardigan.  I loved it so much that I recreated this look for less, so you don't have to have Gisele Bündchen's bank account to get her outfit.  The best part is I found the exact shirt she had on & it's super affordable, it's a Zara top that costs only $50.00!  I especially love the bag I picked, it's a pretty light beige color leather that looks buttery & soft, & a big plus is that it's very roomy.  Gisele took some basic pieces & used them to put together a great outfit that you can now wear too!

What do you think of this look for less?
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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Celebrity Style Obsession: Pippa Middleton


So we've already discussed her sister's style, but now we need to discuss hers.  Pippa Middleton is the perfect British socialite, which shows through in her sense of style.  Pippa really favors dresses with a cardigan or jacket as a topper, & typically pairs these looks with boots or flats.  From time to time she throws in jeans or a gown & always looks gorgeous in both.  Something that people may find surprising is Pippa's love of leather jackets, which add some edge to her typically prim clothing choices.  Pippa Middleton is a fashionista in her own right & has even been known to upstage Kate (maybe even at the Royal Wedding!).  I've put together some of my favorite looks that Kate's little sister has worn, & I'll leave you to decide which Middleton sister has the better style.

Which of Pippa's looks is your favorite?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

First Day of Junior Year Rundown

So my apartment at school is kind of a mess.  My attempt to be all moved in by the time classes started was a fail.  I started classes yesterday & for now it's a work in progress.  When I'm all set up I will be posting pictures, I worked really hard over the summer to get things that would make my place cute & homey, & I cannot wait to be all set up!  

As I said yesterday was my first day back to school, I am a major dork who at 21 years old still gets a "First Day of School Outfit".  At my school most people get pretty dressed up for class, this year I went for something different then I would typically pick, which I am so happy I did.  I loved my outfit.  


Dress & Belt: Smak Parlour / Shoes: MIA 
Rings: Pandora & Local Shops / Earrings: South Moon Under / Backpack: Vera Bradley

I've never brought anything with a high-low hemline, but I think this dress is adorable.  It's also super versatile & I'm thinking I will maybe be able to wear it to a sorority function if I dress it up with different accessories & heels.  The earrings I wore are one of my favorite pairs I own, & I always like to have a few rings on.  My backpack is the one that I used last year, I believe both the pattern & style are retired, but I love it.  It's tiny, but works great for me because I usually only carry around my iPad, & a few pens & pencils.  My nail polish is a gel manicure, which I am addicted to!  If you haven't gotten one, you have to soon, they are amazing.  They initially only had pinks & reds available, but they are starting to come out with fun colors like this one, which is so pretty & happened to match the accessories I chose for the day.

After I finished my classes (early!) my sister came over (she's a freshmen up the street from me!) so I could help her buy her books.  When we finished with all the school stuff we went to the King of Prussia Mall to do a little shopping & have a nice dinner.  For dinner we went to Legal Seafood, they are amazing with food allergies especially gluten & wheat issues (they even have a separate fryer!).  We both ordered off the gluten free menu & had calamari for an appetizer, then I had fried clams for dinner.

It was delish & I recommend trying it!

When we were done with dinner it was time to do a little shopping.  We headed to American Apparel so I could get something off of my back to school shopping list.

I picked up the American Apparel Shiny Legging in Lamé Black ($42.00).  The best part was that through September 2nd they are giving 10% off when you show your student id!  That was a very nice surprise.

Overall I would say I had a successful first day of classes!  How did you start off your week? 
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Monday, August 26, 2013

Wakey Wakey: My Morning Routine

So today summer is officially over & I start my classes.  I am that super weird girl that loves the first day of school--new outfit, new school supplies, new professors, new year, & you get to see all of your friends, what's not to love?  I actually genuinely love school & learning (I told you I'm weird!) so I'm really happy to be back!  To get in the spirit of getting up at a scheduled time every morning (the only part I don't like about school) I thought it would be fun to give a little insight to how I get ready before class.  I got this great idea from Simply Clarke.  Here we go!


Wake Up
I set my alarm for 9:30 am to get to my first class on time.  I have this really weird thing where alarms scare me, & during the school year I get on such a routine that I usually wake up a few minutes before it goes off.
Wash, Tone, & Moisturize
I like to shower at night so I can get some extra sleep in the morning. After I get out of bed I wash & tone my face, to moisturize I mix equal parts Aveeno Smart Essentials Moisturizer & Garnier BB Cream in Light/Medium *& apply to my face, after this I brush my teeth & do a few other things.
*The BB Cream is a little dark for my skin tone & has a thick consistency, I mix it with moisturizer to lighten the color & thin it out.
Makeup
After I wash up I put on my makeup.  Most mornings I go for a simple & fresh look, I apply mascara, concealer under my eyes, that I set with powder, groom my brows with some clear mascara, & apply some blush.  Occasionally I'll add some eyeshadow or eyeliner to glam up my everyday look.
Hair
Next, I sprinkle a little Johnson's Baby Powder in Lavender & Chamomile (I hate traditionally scented baby powder) on my roots, to absorb any excess oil & reduce shine, I work that through my hair with a  paddle brush.  If I'm not wearing my hair up, I then run the flat iron through it & sometimes I will pin or braid a piece back, add a headband or barrette, or something else to change it up a little bit.
Breakfast
When I'm done with hair & makeup I eat some breakfast.  I typically have a Chobani yogurt or Corn Chex cereal, but if I have some extra time I will make some oatmeal or a Glutino Plain Bagel with peanut butter.
Get Dressed
Where I go to school everyone gets dressed up for class, which is something I love.  I adore getting dressed & like to wear something nice to class, I do have a rare yoga pants day though!  This is an example of an outfit I would wear to class on a warmer day: a pretty romper, flat sandals, jewelry, & a tote or backpack to carry my books & other essentials in.
Off to Class
Finally I give myself about 15 minutes to walk to class, I don't like to be late & leaving  a little early allows me to take my time so I don't have to run.  The pictured notebook is super cute, however I keep all my notes & textbooks on my iPad.  I do carry around a Vera Bradley Agenda though to keep track of appointments, assignments, & other things.

This run down basically sums up how I start my days at school.  If you are interested in any of the products I use head over to my favorite products page.  Tomorrow I will be posting  about my first day of school & what I wear!

Does this routine look anything like your morning?  What do you do similarly or differently? 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Friday Quickie

Today's post is going to be short because I am moving into my apartment at school today!  I started moving in yesterday & am getting so excited for the new year.  I cannot believe this is the last weekend of the summer for me though, it's crazy!  So here's my quickie for today:

Friday's Celebrity Outfit of the Week
Taylor Swift backstage worn backstage at Red Concert Tour stop in L.A.


Oh my gosh Taylor Swift looks amazing.  This whole ensemble is so surprising for her, as she typically favors girly/feminine dresses & sparkly gowns.  Taylor's look is super sexy & would be amazing for a night on the town with the girls or for a hot date night.  The great thing about this outfit is that it is super accessible  for women to recreate.  From the long sleeves (which I LOVE in a dress) to the nude heels this look is simple, but so sexy.  I seriously cannot say enough great things about this outfit, I am so in love with it.  I really hope to see Taylor in more looks like this in the future, it's a more grown up look then we're used to seeing her in, which suits her well.  This outfit was my hands down favorite celebrity outfit all week!

Enjoy you're weekend!  I will be spending mine at one of my favorite places in the world & could not be happier.


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Thursday, August 22, 2013

How to Make Easy to Use Gluten Free Flour

So as I've often shared before in my baking posts I am wheat intolerant & my sister has Celiac Disease.  Because of this I always use a gluten free flour mix, that I make myself, instead of all purpose flour when baking.  I have found that for me this mixture works really well when baking, & most people do not even know they are eating something gluten free!  I've been wanting to do a post on my gluten free flour mix for a while so that I could share it with everyone, & give them some great gluten free substitutes.  This recipe is a great alternative to the very pricey Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour.  Gluten free eating really isn't that bad, especially when you use this.  Bonus: this flour is not only gluten free, but nut, fructose, & lactose free as well.  Keep reading for the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 bag corn flour (I usually use Bob's Red Mill)
1 bag gluten free oat flour (I usually use Bob's Red Mill)
1 bag coconut flour (I usually use Edward & Sons-Let's Do Organic)
1 bag/box all purpose gluten free baking mix (I usually use whatever I can find, but my favorite is Bloomfield Farms Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix, which I have had great luck finding at HomeGoods) 

Instructions:
-Put all of the different flours together in a bowl.
-Mix until blended, it's best to use a mixer with paddle attachment. (Sometimes I have to do this in a few steps since it makes a lot of flour.) 
-Put mixture in an airtight container & use in place of all purpose flour when cooking & baking.

Do you ever bake gluten free?  If you do what flour do you use?
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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Beauty Oils

Natural oils are a great way to moisturize both hair & skin.  They are a healthy alternative to store brought lotions & deep conditioners that are filled with chemicals & parabens that can be potentially dangerous to your health.  There is a wide variety oils that you can use:

Olive Oil
Anyone who has an Italian grandmother or mother knows just how handy this can be when it comes to beauty.  It works well alone to moisturize hair & skin, & creates a strengthening protein mask for hair when mixed with honey.

Brown Sugar Scrub
3/4 cup coffee grounds 
1/4 cup brown sugar
Olive oil

Mix together coffee grounds & brown sugar, add enough olive oil to create a thick paste.  Store in air tight container.  Apply scrub before showering & then rinse off.  Fights cellulite, sloughs away dead skin, & moisturizes.

Avocado Oil
Avocados are known for being loaded with healthy fats, when it comes to cosmetic use the high fat content in this oil equals mega moisturizing properties for hair & skin.

Homemade Avocado Oil Skin Cream
2 tbsp. avocado oil
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup shea butter

Put ingredients together in heat safe glass measuring cup, place in saucepan filled with water.  Heat on the stove on low/medium until the shea butter melts.  Remove from heat & pour into airtight container.  Place in refrigerator until it hardens.  This is an amazing moisturizer for skin.
*Recipe from eve out of the garden.

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is crazy good for you when ingested & equally good when used externally.  It is insane how many uses it has, aside from a hair & skin moisturizer, it works as a natural shaving cream, deodorant, & sunscreen, among other things.

Coconut Oil Deodorant
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 arrowroot powder
4 tbsp. cornstarch
5-10 drops essential oil (optional)

Mix together baking soda, arrowroot powder, & cornstarch in a bowl.  Add coconut oil, using a fork to blend with dry ingredients.  Add essential oil if you want.  Store in airtight container.  Put on fingers & then massage into underarms.  Now you have natural deodorant free of parabens, aluminum, & other harsh ingredients that store brought deodorants have in them.
*Recipe from The Prairie Homestead.

Almond Oil
Nuts are raved about for their high protein & high 'good' fat content, both of these characteristics make almond oil a great moisturizer for hair & skin.

Almond Oil Moisture Mask
1/4 avocado
1/4 tsp. almond oil
1 tbsp. coconut oil
1 tbsp. honey

Mash avocado with a fork.  Mix the avocado with the oils & honey.  Apply to face & leave on for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, place a warm wet washcloth on your face, leave on for at least 30 seconds, then use to wash off the mask.  This works for dry, sensitive, & acne prone skin.
*Recipe from Overthrown Martha.

Castor Oil
I recently learned that castor oil has healing properties.  It is known for it's amazing ability to help hair to grow, make sure to massage into scalp & then distribute to ends.  It will also help to heal scars, cuts & burns.

Castor Oil Hair Mask
For Single Use
5 tbsp. castor oil
5 tbsp. coconut oil (melted)
5 drops tea tree oil
For multiple uses
1 cup castor oil
1 cup coconut oil (melted)
20 drops tea tree oil

Combine castor & coconut oil, mix well.  Add tea tree oil, again mix well.  If you made the larger batch keep in airtight container.  Begin by applying generously to scalp, making sure to massage the scalp while applying.  Continue to apply working your way down your hair to the ends.  Put on a shower cap (I got a really cool metallic one at the local beauty supply store that absorbs your body heat, causing the cap to warm up & giving your hair a deeper conditioning), leave on as long as you can--no shorter then 30 minutes & up to overnight.  Wash out of hair.
*Recipe from The Needle and The Damage Done.

Grapeseed Oil
A byproduct of wine, it's a more light weight oil then other oils listed making it a better option for people with oily hair or skin.  It is full of antioxidants, which gives it anti aging benefits, & it will also help to even out skin tone.  When applied to hair & scalp it will help to combat dandruff.

Grapeseed Oil Face Scrub
1 tbsp. almond oil
1 tbsp. grapeseed oil
Brown sugar

Mix together oils, add enough brown sugar to create a paste.  Apply to your face scrubbing in small circles for 1-2 minutes.  Do not wash off yet, leave on for 15 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
*Recipe from suvens.com.

Jojoba Oil
This oil is raved about by beauty aficionados all around for it's ability to make hair super soft & supple.  Jojoba oil also has antibacterial properties & will penetrate deeply into skin making it a great way to fight acne, using this oil regularly will lead to less oil production from your skin. 

Jojoba Oil Anti Dandruff Treatment
1 oz of jojoba oil
16 drops lavender or tea tree oil

Combine jojoba & lavender or tea tree oils, mix well.  Deeply massage into scalp for 3-5 minutes.  Put on a shower cap, & leave mixture in your hair for 20 minutes.  Store left over in an airtight container.  Wash out of hair.  Jojoba's antibacterial properties combat flakes & dandruff on the scalp.
*Recipe from Get Clean Girls.

Aside from everything mentioned above, you can use any of these oils as eye makeup remover & lip balm.  Each of the oils can also be mixed with things like sugar or coarse sea salt to create a body scrub.  If you prefer your oil to have a pretty scent then add a few drops of an essential oil like lemon, lavender, or peppermint.  With any of these in your beauty arsenal there's no need to purchase deep conditioner or thick body butters because these are a natural & healthier alternatives to the aforementioned items.

What natural oils do you use in your beauty routine?
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

How to Purchase Textbooks

*So this post is a bit out of the ordinary for my blog, but since I & so many college kids are heading back to school I wanted to share this.*

I have my school book buying system down pact.  Buying school books, especially textbooks can be extremely expensive, something that is a blow to anyone on a college budget, because of this since my freshmen year I have worked super hard to find the best & least expensive prices for the books I need.  Fortunately I have done really, really well when it comes to buying books.  As I mentioned on Friday, my younger sister left for college this past weekend, & recently her & a few of her friends (even their parents!) have been asking me how I go about buying books, so I decided to do a post that they & any other college freshmen (or anyone in college) could check out.  Hopefully this will be helpful & people can pass it onto other college students they know.

Books



So when it comes to getting books there are so many options out there.  My #1 piece of advice is if you do not have to get a new book for the class (sometimes you need new books because they come with access codes or work books) would be to look into renting the books you need.  My school offers really inexpensive book rentals (& so do a lot of other schools, & websites) & all you have to do at the end of the semester is to return the book, it's so simple, stress free, & will save you a ton of money.  Another plus is that you can write in the rentals, which is helpful for a lot of people.  My #2 piece of advice is again if you don't have to get a new book then buy a used one, they cost a lot less then a new one & who cares if your book looks a little worn?  Chances are a lot of people's books will look the same!  Now when purchasing or even renting books there are several different sites to compare prices, yes price comparisons take extra time, but it is 100% worth it to get the best prices out there.  What I do is check all of the websites I am going to list, create a list of the prices I find, & when I'm done checking everywhere I purchase the books with the best price tag, make sure to also check out the shipping prices before purchasing!

School Book Store- look into prices at the bookstore, usually they are overpriced, but sometimes they'll surprise you.

Amazon- this is the classic place to buy college books, sometimes they have the best prices, but sometimes they don't so check around!  Last year I got my book set (textbook, workbook, & CDs) for my Russian class $10 cheaper here then my school bookstore, which is where our teacher recommended we get it. Rentals available for some books.

Barnes & Noble (website)- they have competitive pricing on textbooks, which surprised me when I got to school.  Last year I got a textbook for my science class here that was supposed to be $200 for $12.95 (a used copy), I got the best deal in my class.  Rentals available for some books.

Chegg.com- competitive pricing, rentals available for some books.

Bookrenter.com- all rentals!

Half.com- a division of eBay.

Ebooks

A lot of schools are now allowing students to use tablets in class to take notes & store books.  I personally have to do this, as I have some back & shoulder problems that prevent me from carrying anything heavy.  If you are looking to eliminate paper I would highly recommend purchasing an iPad, they are amazing for school work--you can take notes & pictures of the board or demonstrations to plug into your notes (I've used Evernote & Notability), & there are so many different apps that you can use to compare book prices, sometimes these apps even give you the option to rent depending on the book.  Overall, ebooks tend to be much less expensive then actual books.  Sometimes you may have to do a little more searching, but it's definitely worth it!

Kindle App- check out & purchase Kindle books through Amazon, this is probably my favorite book app.  Rentals available for some books.

Nook App- check out & purchase books through Barnes & Nobles's website, I've gotten some really cheap books through them!  Rentals available for some books.

CourseSmart App- this is a dedicated textbook app, they have a great selection.  Their rentals, which are available for some books, are always great.

Kno App- this is also a dedicated textbook app.  Rentals available for some books.

iBooks App- this is good for classes that you need novels for as they don't have a great selection of textbooks.

If you have any questions about buying textbooks please feel free to contact me.  Are there any places that I haven't mentioned that you use to buy your books?
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Monday, August 19, 2013

Let's Go to the Beach

So since I hit the beach this weekend & it's the last month of summer [insert major sad face here],  I thought it would be fun to put together a cute Polyvore outfit for a day at the beach.  I really like a caftan style coverup, & am loving this crocheted one by J.Valdi, it's an easy, breezy style & will help to protect your shoulders from the sun.  This bikini by J.Crew is adorable, the top has a cool retro vibe, while the polka dots make me want to sing "it was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, pink polka dot bikini", & not to be forgotten it is such a pretty pale pink.  A straw tote, like this Rebecca Minkoff one, is perfect to hold all your beach essentials, while the pink of the strap & the simple Tkees flip flops add a pop of bright color when wearing the white coverup.  Keep reading to find out what no beach day is complete without!
J.Valdi Bathing Suit Cover Up: $56 bloomingdales.com
Polka Dot Underwire Top: $54.00
J.Crew Teeny Hipster: $29.99 (originally $44.00) jcrew.com
Rebecca Minkoff Neon Straw Tote: $110.00 (originally $195.00) theoutnet.com
Tkees Zinc Neon Pink Leather Thong Sandals: $46.00 jades24.com

No beach day is complete without sun protection.  I love the saying "Practice Safe Sun", it's something that is so important when spending time outside.  With my very fair coloring & family history of skin cancer (both of my parents), I am crazy about sun protection.  I have tried a million different sunscreens & Neutrogena makes the best by far.  I know there's controversy about high SPF sunblocks, but my attitude is if it's available I might as well use it, & even though it's high you still have to remember to apply it every 3-4 hours, & after being in the water.  The Age Shield is amazing for your face, & helps to prevent premature wrinkles, something no one wants!  The Ultra Sheer is great for your body.  Two very chic additional ways to protect yourself from the sun are a wide brim hat, they look great, & some big sunnies.  The sunnies below are a Prada Cat Eye style, which is also very retro, & while the price is a little steep, good sunglasses are worth the investment to protect your eyes & to help prevent cataracts. 
Prada Oversized Cat's Eye Sunglasses: $245.00 saksfifthavenue.com
San Diego Hat Company Ribbon Braid XL Brim Hat: $44.00 zappos.com
Neutrogena Age Shield Face Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 110: $10.79 (originally $11.99) target.com
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+: $9.89 (originally $10.99) target.com
A fun day at the beach last summer!
The weather was perfect for the beach this weekend.


What are your beach day essentials?
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Friday, August 16, 2013

We Made It to Friday!







Yay!  We've finally made it to the weekend!  I cannot believe that next weekend I will be moving into my apartment at school, it feels like summer went by insanely fast.  To get your Friday going here is my end of the week jumble.


Friday's Celebrity Outfit of the Week
Nina Dobrev in J. Mendel at the Teen Choice Awards in University City, California.














Source: people.com

While this outfit looks like a jumpsuit it's actually separate pieces!  When I saw this look I fell in love, it's just so chic.  From its splatter pattern to the plunging neckline to the skinny leg pants it looks amazing & all work so well together.  I especially like how the shoes tie the whole outfit together, lately I have been loving that shoe style!  Nina's hair is sexy in a messy pony tail, which compliments everything really well.  Those gorgeous earrings (by Martin Katz) that she is wearing feature nearly 300 diamonds & have a hefty price tag, ringing in at $35,000!  In this Nina Dobrev definitely beat out all of the other starlets for best look of the week, & if she was trying to make her incredibly hot ex boyfriend Ian Somerhalder jealous this look probably did the trick.

Random Spattering of What I Want
Since I have school on the brain I thought I would share a few things I want to pick up before I head back.























1. American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Halter Leotard in Black: $28.00 store.americanapparel.net
2. Aldo Change Tonal Stud Flap Clutch: $44.95 dsw.com
3. American Apparel Shiny Legging in Lamé Black: $42.00 store.americanapparel.net
4. PB Teen Classic Organic Sheet Set, Pillowcases in White: $32.50 add monogram for $7.00 pbteen.com
5. Max & Chloe Pink Acrylic Script Cutout 1 1/2 Inch Monogram Necklace: $80.00 maxandchloe.com

Numbers 1 & 3 are great items for going out to parties or bars, they can be worn together or paired with different items.  Number 2 is a clutch that I am dying for, I love to match my clutches to my heels when I go out or to an event like a wedding, I don't have a nude clutch & this is the perfect one to match to my nude heels.  Number 4 is the monogram pillow cases I want for my apartment, I feel like they are just super chic home decor.  Number 5 is the acrylic monogram necklace, I may have mentioned I wanted before,  however I'm thinking this may be more of a Christmas present though.  It's crazy how since going to college my taste & what I want for going back to school has changed.  Five years ago all I wanted was school clothes & pretty binders, now I want going out clothes & things for my apartment.  I'm becoming an adult, which is scary!  I'm hoping to order or pick up some of these items up over the weekend.


My Little Sister is Leaving
This weekend my little sister is leaving for college, which is crazy!  We're only three years apart, & sometimes it feels like less, sometimes like more, in high school it definitely felt like more & my friends from then cannot get over that she is leaving (they had a hard time when she started driving too!).  We're only going to school like 2 minutes from each other, which is so great because we are super close.  It just feels so weird that the baby of the family is finally heading off & my mom is going to have an empty nest next year.  If Coco wasn't already spoiled enough she's going to be insanely spoiled next year!  She's leaving a week ahead of me for Freshmen Orientation & some other fun things & it will be weird to be an only child for a week.  I wanted to write this to say "Congrats Bridget, you're going to do amazing & I cannot wait to be able to hang out with you this year.  Love you!"










#backthatazzupfriday
To kick off the weekend here's a song that I can't get out of my head: "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk & Pharell Williams, enjoy!


Daft Punk (OFFICIAL RADIO EDIT) by Get Lucky on Grooveshark


So after all of this I have a few questions for you guys: What do you think of Nina's look?  What are your back to school wants, anything similar to mine?  Are any of your siblings heading off to college?  And finally, do you have any fun plans for this weekend?

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Cute School Supplies



Kate Spade Agendas: $36.00 each lifeguardpress.com
Sarah Pinto Agenda: $20.00 sarahpinto.com
Lilly Pulitzer Agendas: $34.00 each lifeguardpress.com
Vera Bradley Student Agendas: $18.00 each verabradley.com
Jonathan Adler Agendas: $20.00 each lifeguardpress.com

So yesterday when I was filling out my Vera Bradley Student Agenda with specials dates for the year (birthdays, school breaks, finals etc.) I got to thinking how many pretty agendas there are out there.  It really got me thinking that everyone needs to head back to school in style, & to do that you need a super cute agenda!  I think fun school supplies just make the year so much better, & I know that I'm definitely more likely to write down my assignments if I have something cheerful to write them in.  I try to stay super organized with all of my school work & an agenda is great way to do that.  I also make sure to write down any appointments I have as well, so I always know what my week looks like.  I think writing things down is just so much more personal then punching them into my phone, I'm a little old fashioned in that way.

Do you use an agenda?  Which of these lovelies is your favorite?

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

6 Things You Should Know About Me


So I decided to do a quick little impromptu extra post today because the lovely Catalyn of Confessions of a Northern Belle tagged me to participate in her super fun post!



1. What is the story behind your blog name?

I knew I wanted to write about beauty, fashion, baking/cooking, & crafting, & I wanted the name to convey that.  Also I thought an alliteration would be fun to use in the name, after endless combinations I was happiest with Crumbs and Curls.


2. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

I'm always thinking about the next thing & the big picture, which makes me miss things & really stresses me out, my mom always tells me to take life one day at a time & to tackle one task at a time, which is such a great way to look at life.


3. What is your favorite song & why?

It would have to be "Crazy" by Britney Spears.  I am a HUGE Britney Spears fan & love anything by her, there's no special story behind it just that I've loved this song for as long as I can remember.


4. Why do you blog?

I've always wanted to blog, I thought it would be fun to share all the different things I have going on in my brain, especially pertaining to my favorite topics, & get them out there as an outlet. 


5. What is one thing you love about yourself?

I always feel awkward answering questions like this, but I would have to say I love that I am driven, & that I work so hard & put 110% into everything I do no matter what it is.


6. Do you like winter or summer better? Why?

I'm going to throw in a wildcard here & say fall because it's the best season ever!  It's always the perfect temperature & there are so many great things you get to do--wearing sweaters & boots, baking, pumpkin picking, changing leaves, & so much more.


I am going to tag...



Pick 6 to answer for yourself.

1. If money were no question, I'd purchase...
2. What's your drink of choice when out with your girls?
3. What is the story behind your blog name?
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
6. What is your favorite item of clothing or accessory? Why?
7. Why do you blog?
8. Name something you've learned about yourself that surprises you.
9. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

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