Top 5: September 2013

This month has been a blur!

School got crazy- midterms and studying took up my life. When I wasn't studying I was eating or sleeping. My lack of activity here on the blog was probably a great indication of this routine, but I'm happy to say that life has slowed down. The scores I received on my exams were an indicator of how well my studying tactics were working... let me just say that all is well. Not only was this a relief to not struggle through my first round of exams, but I'm able to see now that I can stress a bit less on my school work. This is wonderful news, because I was not liking my lack of free time... I would have gotten burnt out very quickly. 

Because of this horribly stressful month, there's an overwhelming theme of "comfort" to this month's list of favorites. From yummy drinks and snacks to what I did as study breaks, all of these items saved me during this month.

1. Anything Fall

The fact that I was able to start wearing boots, scarves, and hats made getting up to go study a bit more enjoyable. Having a brisk walk to class woke me up and drinking warm drinks was such a pick-me-up. My favorite drink right now is not a Pumpkin Spice Latte, I know.. shocking! I'm actually loving hot caramel apple cider. It's absolutely delicious and brings back memories of my mom's homemade hot cider.

2. Nail Polish

I think I've mentioned that my roommate has been inspiring to keep my nails pretty, but painting my nails is also a great study break. It takes enough time that I can watch a couple of YouTube videos or an episode of Sex and the City and re-charge my brain. I've been loving fall reds, greens, and blues. I'm currently wearing Stylenomics, from Essie's Fall 2012 collection, but I'm on the search for the perfect fall pink. Suggestions?

3. The News

Another way that I've given my brain a break without feeling like I'm wasting away- reading/ watching the news. Every MWF I wake up with time to relax and watch the Today Show with a cup of coffee. In between classes or during study breaks I've been enjoying FlipBoard. Everything I read is interesting, but I think it's also important for me to keep up on what's going on outside of my campus. The "College Bubble" is a real thing, which I first experienced when I heard about the US going to war and not knowing a thing about it. I immediately began searching for an app that I could use to stay up-to-date. FlipBoard has been perfect! 

Additionally, I've been keeping an eye on my horoscope. I am away that it is definitely not the current, worldwide news, but it is news. In my life. I find it fascinating to read what is in store for me and to actually compare my days to how they've been "predicted".

4. Greek Yogurt

Of course food has to make an appearance! My roommate and I have become slightly obsessed with eating yogurt. For me, I've become dependent on it as a snack since I began my 21 Before 21 challenge of not eating sweets. I love putting a few shredded almonds in there. It acts as a perfect ice cream substitute and I love that it has so much protein!

5. Home

Dorothy was right- there's no place like home. This past month I was able to go home twice, which was desperately needed. With all of my stressing at school, it was nice to spend a weekend at home and have my parents cook for me or just be there to talk to about everything. They are 100% my greatest support system, so being with them and hearing their encouraging words is what I use as motivation to study and do well. My sister is crazy, but I've missed her! She and I were able to have a date night- dinner and a movie- and just talk about her sports and school. It kills me that I'm missing out on so much of her life, but it makes being home so much sweeter since we can just love on each other rather than fight.

I am so grateful that this month has gone so smoothly, regardless of the stress. This weekend is the beginning of fall break, and I can't wait to go home for an extended period, unpack, and just be able to relax. But, I feel that October may be stressful in it's own ways. 

All I have to say is

Bring it On! 

Currently Loving...

I'm absolutely loving life right now! School is great, LEM is coming tonight, and I'm just discovering so many cool things through meeting people and hearing about new things. My roommate loves nail polish, so I've been spending too much on nail polish. I'm loving fall colors like green and navy!

 (okay I love green and navy all the time...)

As always, style is a way of life. I'm learning so much through my style and design news on Flipboard and my new magazine subscriptions: Vogue and Elle! Outside of the classroom I'm basically the opposite of my major, and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing...

check back Sunday for more on that whole issue. 

Something about the season and the dress just turns me into this whole new person. I love being outside and I imagine myself in a movie, playing my own personal "soundtrack" as I walk to class. I haven't really gotten into new music, but I'm just re-discovering some old favorites. From Miley to Coldplay, my music taste is always varying and random. I tend to like music that is thought provoking, but college has made me like this nasty club music that I'm not necessarily proud of. But hey, it's college right?

So I give you, my currents...

Currently On The Nails:

 Essie. Once I find a brand that works for me, I tend to stick with it. Essie has so many shades and they're so youthful and fun! This fall, I'm loving Stylenomics, After School Boy Blazer, Penny Talk, and The Lace is On. I'd put them all on at once if I could, but I try to avoid the tacky at all costs. I just change them out all the time. 

I've got a mani/pedi waiting for me in a couple of weeks- perfect! 

Currently On My Body:

Longchamp. Ball Cap. Lotion. Vest. Scarf.

Can't go wrong with any of these. My Longchamp has been my best friend. I own two.. hopefully a third in the near future. Usually I would hate the lack of compartmentalization, but I love being able to throw anything and everything in there and get on my way. It makes switching from one color to the other to my backpack and back again a breeze (and trust me, that happens more than it needs to). 

I've almost always got a cap and scarf with me, tucked away in my Longchamp, of course! The wind and my lack of tolerance for my hair often results in a pony and cap by the end of the day. And the scarves? They're actually used more in class than outside. Purdue must still think it's 100 degrees out because the classrooms are frigid!!! My go-to scarf is always Burberry- they're big enough to cover as a "blanket" in class but can be styled so many ways on my neck, too! 

My Lotion is a must for the cool weather. I've been blessed with this wonderful Northern-European heritage in which my skin becomes dry and cracked in the cold. A moisturizer is always good; usually I'm not one for scents, but Bath and Body Works drew me in with their $5 full-size products and I had to get the Aspen Caramel Woods, which is the epitome of fall and has garnered more compliments than expected

wow! That smells just like fall. Yes, I know, isn't it wonderful?

Currently On Repeat:

Like I said, my music choice has gotten... just weird. Starting with One Direction, I am shamelessly a fan. I took my sister and cousins to their concert this summer and left thinking "That was a good show, the songs are fun, and the guys are very  good looking." And there you have it. They're broadening their audience by doing the Today show, their movie, and making unexpected appearances (Harry at #LFW?) but there are no complaints from this girl. I've been loving the mix of upbeat and thought-provoking songs. They're a fun bunch of guys and I'll proudly support them!

Not a Fan? I still suggest you check out Harry Styles' "Don't Let Me Go" on Youtube

Okay, so Lorde has taken the world by storm. I only have Royals, but I've listened to the other songs and they're so catchy, but with a melancholy feel- it's odd for music, but it's been growing on me! (and the fact that she mentions "Queen B" just means I have to love her) Talk about odd music tastes- Miley Cyrus is getting a little weird. I don't endorse twerking, nudity, or basically anything she's been up to lately, but I love a song that can bring out emotions. Wrecking Ball does that beautifully. If you just forget about the provocative, creepy video, the song is pretty great.

Check out Lorde's Royals

Coldplay and OneRepublic have been favorites of mine for as long as I can remember. They're like the style in a world of fashion. Through all the changing music and new artists, I can always go back to their albums and enjoy them like the first time. Both artists are truly artists, from the lyrics to the music, and I appreciate that so much. The changes they've made to the sound have only been for the better and I think I'd probably die if they did a song together. Like flat out, on the ground. Probably from hyperventilation. 

Check out Amsterdam by Coldplay and Can't Stop by OneRepublic

What are you Currently Loving?

Summer Beauty Must-Haves

The best part about summer is flaunting your natural beauty!

For an already low-maintenance type of girl when it comes to makeup and hair, summer is a wonderful time for me! I get to spend even less time primping, meaning more time in the sun! Don't get me wrong though, I still make sure that I feel confident about how I look and I do still wear makeup. The thing is, the heat and the sun already gives me a tan and my skin isn't as dry so I don't have to use as many moisturizing products. Most days, I spend 10 minutes on my hair and face and am out the door! 

Here's how I do it:

I start off with 1. BB Cream. Each person has their own preference on how they want themselves to look, so your choice of BB Cream may be different than mine. But, I have been a fan of Maybelline's since day 1! It's good on my wallet as well as my face and having that extra SPF 30 in there is awesome! BB Cream is my go-to and then if I want to look a little more done-up I'll add some blush and bronzer. 

My eyes come second. I typically don't have to do a lot with my eyes- they're blue so I like the way they look as-is. Since I'm fair skinned and light haired, I have the world's lightest eyelashes! I wear mascara every single day whether I'm going to the gym or to a party. I love Clinique's WaterProof and Smudge- Proof Volume Mascara. It won't budge all day, but comes of easily with makeup remover. It gives my eyes enough oomph to stand out but not so much that I look like Barbie. If I were going out to dinner or to an event I'd probably add liner to my waterlines and gold eyeshadow. Otherwise, I stay simple with just the mascara.

Since I stay pretty simple with my face and eye makeup, I like to play up my lips. I really like my lips, so I like to make them stand out. Lately I've been using Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb. It's the perfect summery red/ pink that doesn't look too dramatic. I like to wear lip moisturizers like this during the day to keep my lips soft and protected from the sun. At night or if I had specific plans, I'd probably opt for some sort of lip stick. 

Lastly, nails! I'm a huge fan of Essie and am currently wearing Essie Fifth Avenue. It's an awesome bright red that looks good with everything. Summer time is the best time to pull out colors ranging from red and pink to orange and coral. 

How do you embrace your natural beauty in the summer?

Beautiful Simplicity

There is something so beautiful about the simple things in life. 

The coming of spring has made me appreciate the little things in life.

Like a family dinner or a walk with my dog.

Hearing the birds chirping while I read and sip tea in the morning.

One way that I love bringing beauty to everyday is by small pops of color. I love colorful outfits, but I'm one to stay with a common theme. I'm not too out there. But, there is one way that I love bringing fun colors to my day: this is with nail polish! 

Nail polish is such a simple and fun way to wear a color that maybe intimidates you. Or, like me, maybe you have a favorite color but you don't like how that color looks when you wear it. Pretty nails make me feel girly and fun... bright nail colors remind me of the sunshine and summer.

My favorite color for this spring is Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I've actually had it since fall, when I found it in a makeup store in Paris! It's the prettiest Tiffany Blue, but it was just released in America this season. Of course, you can never go wrong with a red, or more fun, coral!! 

Put some fun in your life, with a simple change of nail color!