January Faves

So I used to make "Top 5" posts, where I'd take my top 5 favorites for each month and put 'em all in one post. Well it seems that I'm really loving so many new items each month that I decided to nix the numerical limit and just go for broke! (... but literally, all these new things come with a price!) Okay, it may also be that we just had Christmas and I've been trying out all my little giftys :) Anyways, on with the favorites of this month! 

Beauty

L'occitane Shower Oil A Friend of mine's mom works at L'occitane and gave me a little sample basket for Christmas. I hadn't really thought much of the brand before, but now they're definitely on my radar! I love love love the little lotions and perfumes that she gave me, but the shower oil was definitely the most life-changing. It's an odd concept, but I've never had skin this smooth- especially in the summer! I haven't quite run out of my sample size (a small drop goes a long way) but I'll be buying the full size as soon as I'm out! 

1st Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream It's no secret that my skin hasn't been on its best behavior lately. This stuff was a game-changer. I used some of my Sephora points for a deluxe sample of this and, in combination with Kate Sommerville EradiKate, my skin is almost all cleared up. I've also heard that people use this on their dry hands- I'll let you know how that goes! 

Dior Addict in Dior Kiss I've been really into pink lips lately and this was a great find! I saw it on a whim and thought I'd give it a try- it's the perfect amount of color for my lips without looking like I'm trying too hard. It's casual and comfortable and oh, so moisturizing! Definitely my current everyday lipstick! (plus my old favorite, Love Marc in Have We Met is no longer available. A worthy replacement)

Jewelry

Kendra Scott Alexandra Earrings My lovely mother got these for me for Christmas and they've been so. pretty. I've never had a piece of jewelry get as much attention as these. And they bring out my blue eyes like nothing I've ever seen before! They're the perfect pop of color in the still- drab winter but I know they'll look great in the summer, too! 

Clothing

Lou + Grey I randomly picked up a cardigan (similar) in the Loft a few weeks ago and fell in love love love! I'm not usually one for long cardigans but this line has me converted. Just last week, the Loft was having a huge sale and I bought another cardigan. I've worn at least one every other day since I got them. So comfy and cool- the spring line is calling my name! 

Food

Starbucks Vanilla Latte I'm fortunate enough to have a Starbs on the way to class 4/5 days of the week, and a nice latte or macchiato has been my go-to. I've been working out before class and skipping breakfast (oops!) so I can spare the calories and need the protein and calcium in the milk. I get the sugar-free syrups and count that as my "daily indulgence". 

Books

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Senior year of high school was my first introduction to Russian Literature and I was intrigued! It was challenging to read and the messages were always a little... wonky. Lolita is no different but I love getting back into an analytical mindset when I read this. It's different from my science-based coursework (I'm taking all science classes this semester) which is a refreshing and welcome change. I've missed reading and have more free time this semester, so I'm hoping to get through many more books! 

Random

My Fitness Pal App I've been logging my workouts and meals here, which has been great! Not that I'm really looking to drop a significant amount of weight... it's just helped me to get healthier by visualizing what I'm putting into my body. Navigating the dining courts can be hard- carbs everywhere- and the fear of seeing nutrition percentages I'm not happy with steers me towards the good stuff :)

Candles need I say more? My sister got me a couple candle warmers for Christmas, so I can finally have candles in the dorm! A welcome change for sure! 

Staying Light Out! The January- February time of the year is the hardest for me. Luckily, we've had a pretty sunny winter here in West Lafayette. It's starting to get light around 7:30 am, which makes getting up for my morning workouts so much easier and it's staying light until 6-6:30 which does wonders for my motivation in the evenings! So far, So good! 

WOW! So this post went much, much longer that I anticipated... maybe I should keep to restraining myself to 5 items haha! Oh well, I just had so many goodies this month... I'll keep playing with the format, I suppose :) Happy end-of January, my friends! 

Top 5 October 2014

It's been a few months since I've done a favorites post.

Mostly because my "favorite things" have mainly been sleep and my school books...

  exciting life, I know.

anyways, let's get to it!

Reading

I've really been trying to spend less free time on technology and more in the worlds of others. I like to have physical books, and I've taken a liking to buying used books. Nothing more charming than opening the cover and finding a note to the previous owner...

Halloween

How cliche. But seriously, last year I totally missed out on halloween all together. I had a wedding to go to, and didn't really know of anything going on during halloweekend, so I certainly missed out. I took advantage of that fact and went all-out this year! I made a trip to IU and saw some long-lost friends from high school. It was an awesome weekend that I'll never forget (or remember ;) ). 

This. Album.

So the past couple of Taylor Swift albums have been so-so for me. They've been more annoying than enjoyable. But this one. Oh, this one is on repeat. That's no exaggeration. I have dance parties for one in my dorm twice daily, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Thank you for turning my life into music, T. 

Nars Lip Gloss

I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but I seriously have fallen in love. This gloss is glossy but not sticky, comes in a million shades, and is almost to the point of a stain. I've used it alone for more casual days and on top of lipstick to give lasting, glossy power. 

Bean Boots

It's that time again. This has been one of the wettest Octobers that I can remember. I feel like the ground has been soggy for a month! I've been rotating between these and my rain boots, and it's not going to stop anytime soon. With socks, they're so warm and so comfortable. 

So... that's what I was loving this past month. 

What were your favorites? 

Top 5: May 2014

How is it June already?! 

Summer is what I have been dreaming of since the awful winter we had, and it's finally here! Okay not officially but sunny and 75 this past weekend was a pretty good start :) As always, here are my Top 5 things from this past month...

5. Tea Tree Oil
Thanks to this stuff, I have clear skin again! I've talked, blogged, and tweeted about it so it's kindof a big deal. I'll leave it at that.

4. Pillows
I'm completely unpacked from school, and one of my favorite things is that I was able to add my school pillows to my bed at home. I now have no less than 6 pillows on my bed and it's fantastic. I surround myself with them and sleep on what seems like a cloud. As if coming back to my queen sized bed wasn't great enough, I've added pillows!

3. Getting back to Work
This past weekend, I got my first paycheck of the summer. Working two jobs is going to be tiring, but my schedule has still allowed me to relax and have somewhat of a social life so far. It feels so great to be putting money into my account instead of always taking it out... I've got a savings plan that I hope to everything that I'll be able to stick to as well as a few trips that I can't wait to go shopping for :)

2. Crafting
So I had been planning for a few crafts that I wanted to try out this summer, and I've actually started on them rather than procrastinate! I have a couple canvases as well as a... cooler (!!!!!) that I'm working on. As soon as I finish those up, I'll be posting a little step-by-step of what I did. This is my first time taking on anything like this, so I'll surely have a list of successes and failures.

1. Reading! 
I love to read- that's nothing new. Now that I don't have to read much for school this summer I am taking full advantage of my to-read list! I'm on book #3 of the summer and it's great. I'm currently reading a Kennedy family biography, and I have no idea what I'll do next. I have Z and The Beautiful and Damned as well as Ronald Reagan's autobiography that I'd like to get to. I'm also very curious about the Goldfinch, which I don't own right now but probably will in the near future.

So, there's what I've been loving this past month! I've definitely been on a spending lockdown until I start making money, so it's less products and more of just what I've been doing. But these are all certainly hilights of the past month... hopefully June will have more "fun" things to share :)

Top 5: March 2014

So, I actually had a hard time thinking up what my Top 5 favorites of this month were...

I'm not sure if it's because I was kinda in a "rut" this month (exams on exams on exams... plus huge assignments) or if I have been content with how my daily life is going. I've definitely been keeping my spending to a minimum in order to save up for summer concerts and upcoming Mother's and Father's Day gifts :) Which is great, except that I haven't been trying out all that much. So.. I've done what I can and I bring you my favorites of this past month.

5. David Nail album

I love me some country music, and David has definitely worked his was into my heart. It all started with Whatever She's Got, but the whole album is great and has been on repeat.

4. Water

Water is great. I still love my Diet Coke and, more recently, my Keurig Sweet Tea... but when I came back from winter break I told myself that I was only going to drink water in the dining court. It didn't work out too well until March came around and I realized that I should probably care a little about my "beach bod" even though I wasn't going to be at the beach at all on spring break. Cutting soluble sugars out of your diet (aka... sweet drinks) is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cut calories. If I need a little bit more, I'll slice some strawberries and put 'em in there. *ahhh so refreshing*

3. Lululemon Yogas Everything

I was noticing that my old yoga pants were getting a little bit worn... most of them are from freshman year of high school. No joke. I'd also been wanting to see what the Lulu hype was all about. Holes in my yoga pants + a desire to check Lululemon out= I bought a pair. Then two more. Yes folks, they are worth the money. When I put them on, I instantly feel about 2 sizes smaller. They're the most comfortable pants I own. Next, I want to try shirts and sports bras... because they're just so freakin' cute! 

2. Berries + Cliff Bars

Quick anecdote: I started this semester with an ungodly amount of dining dollars. This money I can use at any campus dining service, but are in addition to my meal swipes. Thankfully, I discovered the little grocery stores that will accept these dollars. 

I've had no problem spending my dining dollars this semester. I discovered fresh berries and cliff bars. They're the perfect "snack"/ meal replacement that doesn't leave me feeling sluggish or hungry. Since I got back from spring break I've really been trying to limit my sugar intake. Sure there are better things I could be eating to fix that sugar craving, but these do the trick in the most natural way (and they're the least harmful to my "diet"). Definitely some new favorites of mine. 

1. Traveling! 

There is nothing I love more than packing my bags and heading away from the midwest. Spring break was a chance for me to test traveling on my own- okay, I met my cousin in Cali so I wasn't totally alone. But it was the first time I'd navigated unfamiliar airports and streets alone. For the first time, I was able to kinda pick my schedule. I was able to determine how I wanted to spend my free time and money. My cousin and I definitely spent a lot of time sight seeing together, and I had him take me to typical West Coast places. But we had our time apart too. It was just what I needed in the middle of this crazy semester and it left me longing for more trips..

Other things I've been loving:

pistachios, pulling the Sperrys out again, running outside, ordering iced Starbucks drinks, my 6 ft iPhone charger!, understanding what's going on in my classes, PUDM Merch committee, reading (already on book no. 2 of the month!), discovering new blogs, Barrington Gifts (on my wish list), Dan + Shay album, Chanel Chance, thick headbands, and my new PurduePrep Instagram! 

What are your current favorites?

Top 5: February 2014

It's that time again- My Top 5 Picks for this past month...

I will confess that this may be more than a Top 5... but I've been trying so many new things that I just want to share them all! From the usual beauty products to some new things that I'm throwing in... this Top 5 might turn into a Top 8... or 10. We'll see ;)

Social Media: Twitter
Twitter is old news, yes. But it's become a huge part of my life these past couple months. Twitter is where I get my news. It's where I keep in contact with people from high school and get to know people at school or around the world. My personal account logged over 1,000 tweets in February. My promotional account for the blog hasn't been that active, but it's definitely a goal for me these upcoming months. The little bit of time I have been spending on the Purdue Prep twitter has allowed me to meet and get in contact with so many other bloggers, so hopefully being more active will help do that even more!

Music: Coldplay, Cole Swindell, and More
I know my dad probably isn't too happy about my recent music-buying binges. I've said it before and I'll say it again- spring is the best time to buy new music. So many artists are trying to get on the radar for the year, and this is no different. Country has my heart, and Mr. Swindell has taken the #1 spot for new album, but I'm also loving David Nail, Thomas Rhett, and Jason Aldean.

The ever fabulous Chris Martin & Coldplay also released the first single of their new album, and it's magical. Seriously, give it a listen. I tweeted that I'd donate an organ to see Coldplay live. I still hold true to that... Along the same lines is the new Fray album. Definitely worth a listen if you've got a chance.

If you're looking for something a little bit different to listen to, here's a video of a very sensual different song- it's French but it's just so catchy!

New Challenges: Saving Money
It's no secret that I'm really really bad at saving my money. I'm easily distracted by shiny and new, which isn't good for someone who doesn't exactly have an income. I took the month of February to cut the habit- 28 days of no online shopping. I cheated and browsed a little bit, but no money was spent. It was nice to see the number in my bank account had increased at the end of the month! And, now I have some spending money for Spring Break. :)

New Boutiques: Lauren James
I didn't buy anything... (until March 4) but I did look. And I found Shop Lauren James after Caroline sent me a link on Pinterest. Let me just say that everything is so perfect. So, once my spending halt was off I had to get this shirt >>

Because, it is so me. And with warmer temperatures on the horizon, it's almost norts & tee weather!!!!

Perfume: Marc Jacobs Daisy
Dreaming of spring and warm weather inspired me to just embody spring- and what better way than Marc Jacobs Daisy? Its such a fresh, light scent and makes me feel instantly happier...

Snacks: Fresh Fruits
I have been trying desperately to get back to a healthy diet. Of course, it's almost impossible to turn down the dining court cookies, but I have been pretty good about keeping healthy snacks in my room. Almonds and pistachios are always good, but I recently discovered that the grocery stores on campus- that take dining dollars- have fresh fruit! Blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries, yum! Since this discovery, I've tried to keep my refrigerator stocked so that I reach for those rather than the cookies that my family so generously sends.

Basketball
With the regular season coming to an end this weekend, I have to mention it as a favorite. A majority of the college games were played during February and I did what I could to make it to at least half of every game and watch away games on tv. College basketball has always been a favorite of mine. It's fast-paced, energy is high, and there's just something about being in that stadium!!

The Gym / Tanning
I know I've talked a lot about going to the CoRec, but it's definitely been a favorite this past month. I think I was able to average 4 days a week- not bad when the main reason I don't go is because I don't want to walk in the cold to the gym (and I just think taking the bus there is silly). I've gone with friends and alone. I've tried new exercises, met new people, and overall just had a great time! Along with that, I started tanning too. Which, I know I know, tanning is baaaaaad for me. There are lots of things that are bad for me that I still partake in. And I'm sorry, but if I don't tan before it gets sunny I will burn and it will be horrible. So it's mostly precautionary. But it's also nice to see the freckles come back and get some color back in my complexion.


February was certainly a month of favorites and trying new things. For a short month, I managed to pack a lot into it. It was cold and miserable, but it's now over and (hopefully) this next month will bring warmth and lots of new favorites!

Top 5: January 2014

1/12 of 2014 is already over... and I don't like that at all.

Okay maybe that's a little bit of a lie- I like that this awful winter is seeming to fly by. The cold and snow has provided so much extra time to sleep and just hang out with the girls in the dorm as well as catch up with friends from high school. My food intake has been soup, warm drinks, and cookies... which has prompted me to get to the gym more. I still feel like every time I get into the routine of school, something (like a snow day) messes it all up again. 

Regardless, I've rounded up my top 5 favorites for this past month and can't wait to share!

via PreppyByTheSea.Blogspot.com

1. The Outfit

Okay, if there's one thing I love about winter, it's how comfortable the clothes are. My daily wardrobe is leggings, a big t-shirt, warm socks, and my Bean Boots. On days I don't want to do my hair, I'll wear a hat and call it a day. I'll add a scarf or vest to switch things up, maybe some cute earrings or jewelry, and I can call it a day. I love coming back from class and already being in my comfy clothes. And, to anyone who says leggings aren't pants, you obviously haven't tried wearing them as pants. 

2. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick

So y'all know I love love love wearing lipstick. That's nothing new. And you should also know that Tarte is one of my favorite brands. So when I saw that Tarte had new lipsticks (and I had some Sephora credit to use) this was #1 on my list! Since I'm not around a Sephora here at Purdue, I had to risk it and pick a color based on the online pictures. I chose the color "Poppy" because I had been looking for a great red. The reviews mentioned that this lipstick was pretty sheer and I figured I could layer it differently to make it work for day and night. It's definitely a bright red, but I'm able to wear it during the day and not look like I'm on drugs, so I'd say it's a success! Last I checked, these weren't carried in stores yet but they should be soon. 

3. The Gym

One of my goals for this semester was to get to the gym more than last semester- this was easy since I didn't go once. I've already met my goal and it's only February! :-) But, seriously, I've been trying to go at least 3 days a week. On days where I really just do not want to do anything, I at least to to run some stair laps, which is easy since my building is 8 stories. I can get a good workout in either way and that makes for no excuses! Unfortunately, I still make excuses but I'm really working on it and have enjoyed the gym when I go. 

4. DryBar 3-Day Bender Curling Iron

When they say 3 days, they aren't kidding! This thing is magical! No frizz, no damage, and perfect curls. I can do anything from a Shirley Temple look to relaxed waves. I usually shower at night, let my hair air dry, and then curl my hair nice and tight. When I wake up, it's relaxed. I brush it out, touch it up- only if needed- and go on my way! And I can go about two days like this before I need to fix it... or shower. It was a splurge, but it was definitely worth it!

5. YouTube Playlist

I recently discovered that I could use YouTube playlists to my advantage. Yes, I had seen them before but I thought they were usually just annoying... until I could make a list of music that I didn't have to buy! It's awesome! It's mostly country with a little bit of everything else thrown in, and I'm constantly adding to the list of songs, taking off songs that I'm sick of hearing. And yes, a lot of it is older just because I have the new stuff to listen to on the go, but for back at my dorm I just jam out to the classics. 

So, another month down and another list of favorites! Nothing too out of the ordinary here, just a typical college girl livin life and surviving the winter. Hopefully you are too :-)

Top 5: December 2013

As per usual, I have a list of my favorite products, clothing, etc from the month of December.

I apologize that I am over a week late on this post... I had planned on it being another youtube video, but my novice skills at editing resulted in me deleting the whole video. I was able to recover the video but I must not have used a high enough resolution because it was choppy and pixel-y. Beginner's bad luck, I suppose. I kept planning to re-film or something, but time got away from me and I wanted to get this post up, so it was just easier for me to sit down and type it up. 

my apologies. 

But, without further ado... here are my top 5 favorites from December 2013! 

5. Jergens Natural Glow Tinted Moisturizer

I bought this after looking at some pictures of myself and just thinking "wow! I look so pale". Because I have no real reason to tan right now, I wanted to save money and my skin. I did some research and found this moisturizer, which works a lot like the self-tanner lotions for the body. I use a small amount  after I exfoliate my skin, and my face has gradually grown from pasty pale to having a very tiny- but noticeable- glow that suggests that I have actually been out in the sun. One thing to be sure of with any self-tanning products is to use them for a few days and then take a day or two off, just to keep from looking too orange or artificial. It's winter, so nobody is expected to be a bronze-y tan... But a nice glow to remind everyone that you aren't a walking corpse never hurt! 

4. Sex and the City/ The Carrie Diaries

What's a girl to do to recover from school? Watch hours of Netflix and old shows. I managed to finish season 2 of SatC early on in December, but the price for season 3 on Amazon is much higher than what I paid for the first two so I'm holding off. Naturally I turned to Netflix and started The Carrie Diaries, which I love. Maybe it's because I'm liking a show that I can actually follow in TV for once (I have a thing for catching on after the show is already taken off the air) or being able to follow Carrie before she became the well-known NYC writer. It's a fun, relatable show that will hold me off until the season 3 price of SatC drops back below $10. 

3. Rings
It feels like I've been talking about rings quite a bit lately, but I'm not sorry one bit!! Over the past month, I've grown to love these little bits. They're perfect for adding personality when it wouldn't otherwise be appropriate to go crazy with the outfit (formal job interview) or for a little fun addition to an otherwise boring leggings-and-sweater outfit (that I have been living in lately!). They're so easy to pop on and I love that I don't have to pick a favorite- because wearing 3 or 4 doesn't seem like "overdoing it". I have one monogrammed ring from Marley Lilly, but my others come from Kate Spade! I love the Kate Spade options and know that they are good quality (i.e. they won't leave a blue/green ring on my finger). I'm sure my collection will be growing in the coming year! 

2. Alice + Olivia Mug
This was the one thing that I told my sister to get me for Christmas. So, yes, I have only had it for a few weeks and only one week in December. But, from the moment I opened it it was a favorite! I now drink out of it every day- it makes me feel sassy and fun! I can't wait to get back to school and carry the fun lil mug around campus :-)

1. Benefit Boing Concealer
Okay certainly not the most exciting way to round out a "Favorites" list, but it is the truth. For some reason, my face decided that this past month was a great time to break out. Everywhere. My forehead, around my nose, my chin, the corners of my mouth. It's been just gross! I hardly have skin troubles, so it was lucky that I even had concealer (since it's not a normal part of my beauty routine). It's safe to say that this month I've learned how to hide those little monsters and keep my face looking healthy and happy- which makes me happy! And that is precisely why the Benefit concealer has been my favorite "thing" of December 2013!

Since this post was originally a video, I have more than 5 things that were my favorites for the month. Like a typical YouTube video, I had categories and multiple favorites for each category. Because I'd still love to mention these...
I give you the Honorable Mentions:
1. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Thankful
2. Tarte LipSurgence in Pouty (yes, still a favorite!)
3. This song

4. Marc Jacobs Daisy

5. Patagonia Fleece Pullover

6. Kate Spade Shoes 

Thank you so much for being patient and bearing with my lack of knowledge in the video department! Hopefully January 2014 (!!!!) Favorites will actually be a video... and I hope to get a few up in between, too! 

Top 5: November 2013

this month was the fastest. Ever. 

It was the first month that I've really loved college since I've been here. I think I've finally found a balance between studying and social life. My sleep schedule (or lack of, rather) has let me survive on less sleep and more fun. Basketball season began and, even though it's cold, campus has just been so much fun! 

Naturally, I have a list of my Top 5 favorites for this month that I'm looking forward to sharing!

.........................................................

5. Benefit They're Real

So I've had this mascara for a while now and I have loved it since the beginning. The reason I have it on this list is because it has passed the test- I purchased it again. In the ever-changing beauty world, going back for the same product twice is what really signifies that it's a keeper. I love the way this mascara opens my eyes. Plus, it doesn't look too done-up, which is perfect for everyday wear.

4. Baking

I have never been one that really likes baking, but something about the holidays has made me really antsy to get in the kitchen! My family always bakes, so maybe it's a way for me to channel home a little bit too. This month I baked twice at school and twice over Thanksgiving break, and judging by my Pinterest, there's more where that came from!

3. Turtlenecks

So, I've had a love/hate... mostly hate... relationship with turtlenecks my whole life. I can just remember my mom pulling them over my head when I was younger, as I cried out to have her take it off. Because of these bad memories, I've avoided turtlenecks at all costs. That is, until the J. Crew look book became flooded with turtlenecks and the seemingly infinite ways of styling them. I took a leap of faith, bought a couple, and am not looking back! I love the two that I bought and am seriously considering going back for one in every color. 

2. Tumblr

I have recently starting using Tumblr on a daily basis. I don't post my own images yet, just reposts of others. I'm trying to figure out how it all works but it's been a fun little learning experience this past month.

1. Holiday "Stuff"

From Michael Buble Christmas album to my favorite holiday movies, I got into the Christmas spirit a little bit early this year. Now that it's December, the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas will definitely be a nightly event. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I'm just really loving the holidays right now so everything Christmas is a favorite of mine right now! 

what are you loving?