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 Five: February 2013

In celebration of my least favorite month coming to an end, I bring you my February favorites! These  five favorites cover a wide range, and have become a part of my daily life. Here we go...my February favorites!

1. Gossip Girl

I'm sure you could have guessed that, but seriously. Gossip Girl has become my new obsession and has become a part of every aspect of my life. From my love of Blair, to the way I dress and style my hair, to the books I read, I am inspired by the GG storyline. It grabs you and takes you with it, and I dare you to try avoiding it! I even received a hand-me-down from my cousin yesterday that, though she has no idea about my GG obsession, it fits right in: she gave me a Yale t-shirt that has been passed down for many years. I'm pretty sure I never want to take it off! 

2. Pistachios

This may be the weirdest favorite, but it's so true! I make this low-carb mix of pistachios, almonds, and dark chocolate chips, and it is a life saver! I talked about my Six Week slim down, and this is my little secret! Between this and my tea, I can satisfy my sweet-tooth, salty food craving, and keep to my diet. They aren't low in calories, though. I have to be careful with the amount I eat. But they are filling and oh so yummy!

3. Clinique Mascara

I've been a huge huge fan of Clinique products for the past few years. They aren't harsh on my skin at all, which is perfect because I'm not prone to acne or anything like that. It keeps my skin looking fresh and radiant! (ahh!) Lately though, I've been loving their makeup, which is just as perfect for my skin. Having red hair, my eyelashes a very light. Having the skin of a redhead, it's very easy for my eyes to look way too made up with minimal makeup because it looks so harsh against my light skin. The Clinique High Impact mascara is perfect! It darkens my lashes, but looks natural and not clumpy at all! And, major plus, it's waterproof!! I have a feeling that this will be my go-to for quite a while. 

4. Amazon

So, we all know that I have a serious online shopping problem.... Amazon does not help. At all. Of course I've used Amazon before this month, but never like this. It seriously has everything! All in one place. It's like Pinterest: it sucks up so much time and can leave you feeling like you need to buy and try all these new things. But with Amazon, it's all so readily available and can be on your doorstep in 3 days. And they're working towards same day delivery?! I'll never leave my home again..except to show off all of my new purchases, of course!

5. Pandora

Okay, I am not new to Pandora in any way. I way overused it when it first became popular, but then it fell off my radar. Until this month, that is. Pandora has seriously stepped up their free music and I've found a way around having to use the "skip" to skip a song...twice as many skips and hour! wooo! When I'm at home, pandora is what I constantly listen to. It's introduced me to so many incredible artists, all for free! Being the happy customer that I am, I'd like to see what ad free listening is like. and for only $3 a month, it's really not that unreasonable. The only thing that could make it better would be if it didn't suck up so much data and I could use it when I don't have wifi.

There you have it! This month has been surprisingly pleasant. I took a few personal days but worked more than usual, too. I made some new discoveries as well as reintroduce myself to the old. I'm welcoming the arrival of March, spring break, the sun, and the final months of my senior year! 

I can't wait to find next month's favorites!

All About the Optimism

Staying positive in the winter months is always a task for me. I find that February is the most challenging, because it's been cold for so long, March (and spring break!) is so close yet so far away, and, for being the shortest month, it seems to last the longest. This year, I'm trying to smile more and be more optimistic. I figured, what better way than to list the thing I'm excited for in my least favorite month?

1. Traveling!

Next week, I'm taking a long weekend with my mom to visit a school in Arizona that I'm looking at. Even if I end up hating the school, I'm positive that the warm and sunny weather will do great things for my diminishing morale. While I'm there, I'm hoping to be a little bit adventurous: hiking around the Grand Canyon, anyone? If that doesn't end up happening, I've heard that the shopping in Phoenix is great. If there's one thing my mom and I always agree on, it's a desire to shop! It's safe to say that this little getaway may be just what I'm needing.

2. Spring Break Shopping

If you haven't already figured out, I'm quite a fan of shopping. A fat wallet is a sad closet. :-) February is my main planning month for the impending spring break and all the cute new clothes I want to get. It's a month to budget and online shop! My first package arrived today from J.Crew!! Shopping is definitely my favorite way to get through the month. I love anything from J. Crew and Lilly Pulitzer to Target and I always online shop first to make sure I'm getting the most for my money. Lots of tabs open on my computer is the most comforting (and expensive) view to me! My list this year includes shorts, a new beach bag, and some cute wedges (which I'm still on the lookout for). I'm also kinda sorta in love with these Sperry shoes. I know one thing: this is not going to be a cheap month!

3. Valentines Day...... candy

While I've never had a valentine, I do have a shameless addiction to chocolate. In my singleness, I enjoy going to the grocery store and buying all of the adorable and delicious heart shaped candy for myself and then eating it by myself! It's so bad that I have to prepare myself to NOT buy every heart-shaped chocolate I see before I go shopping. 

While February is my least favorite month, it definitely helps to have something to look forward to and get excited about. Optimism can make the worst situations suddenly become the best memories! If nothing else, smile! It releases endorphins and you become genuinely happy. (Plus, you'll look more pleasant to strangers).

What are you most excited about in February?