J. Crew Factory Favorites

There's always something so exciting about starting something new. 

Whether it's the first day of school/ classes, a new sport, or a new job, it's always exciting and fun. Even though I know that there will be days that I dread going, for the time being it's an exciting new experience. Yesterday was my first day working for J. Crew Factory at the outlet mall, and it was just as expected! 

I've worked retail before, so I know the basics of customer service. I had to learn the specifics of the brand and, importantly, the folding and organization procedures. I'm just so excited to get away from food (not to worry, I'm still working at CFA too!) and work for a company that fits who I am!  One of the most exciting aspects of working here is that I get to choose my outfits. It sounds silly, but Hollister had specific looks that we could choose from, and CFA obviously has uniforms. I've never worked somewhere that allows me to show up having styled myself, and that's exciting... and daunting! 

Of course this got me thinking about the outfits that I could wear, and how my time here will help me develop my personal style. Knowing that I'll be wearing more J. Crew- and that I have a pretty great discount- certainly didn't help my love of shopping! After spending hours looking at the recent new arrivals, I've thrown together a couple pieces that will be in my closet soon enough that are both work and play appropriate! 

all available at J. Crew Factory

A few of these items are already in my closet- the chambray, the sweater, and a similar skirt. I love this dress, and I don't currently have anything with that type of neckline.... I've been looking for some white jeans, and I think these have ended my search! When it comes to accessories, the new jewels are stunning. I don't currently have any of these pieces, but I will! I don't have any of the earrings here, but between J. Crew and the recent Kendra Scott popularity, I'm sure I'll be experimenting with statement earrings this summer. The shoes and hat will be in my closet soon. I've been loving wedges and have had my eye on these for months now. The hat is something that's been on my mind... I love hats and I love the way these hats look on other people. I'm not sure I can pull it off, but my discount and upcoming sales make it almost sill not to have just in case I feel like being a little risky! 

I'm really excited about this new job (as of now) and I know I'll be posting lots of #ootd posts now that I have a reason to look cute on a regular basis! I'll be posting to

 instagram: purdue_prep 

tumblr: purdueprep

twitter: @PurduePrep

Follow along and let me know what looks you love & which ones... not so much :)

Work Playlist

I'm certainly the type of person who likes to have music playing while I work. 

If I don't have to read or really concentrate, I usually have Pandora open. But, then I use up all of my skips and I get frustrated, so I've started writing down the songs I really like that come on. I then make my own playlist that is catered exactly to what I like to work to. These are the songs that I'm really loving right now, but my playlist continues to grow and develop.

... the irony in this is that I have unlimited skips for a playlist that is exactly what I want...

oh well. 

what do you listen to while you work?

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to all the hard workers out there!

Here's a gift from me to you :)

Confrontation

I had no idea what to write until the perfect opportunity presented itself: 

I came home from a long day and the first thing my dad does is force all of his frustrations on me. This confrontation scared me, made me feel guilty, and left me wanting nothing else than a dark room and music. So, that's exactly where I went. I went up to my room and got comfy. Then I realized that I always run for the hills when anyone confronts me or I ever have to confront something myself.

This can be anything from an unfaithful friend to talking to my counselor about a bad grade. I want everything to be peachy- even when things aren't, I try to pretend as if they are (that avoidance thing again). I hate confronting problems or people. It makes me shaky and bright red! And, though I'm not an emotional person, the tears start to flow at the simplest thing.

I don't know what it is that causes me to be so... paralyzed. Even when I'm congratulating someone or someone comes up to me with a compliment, I lose it! We all have this image in our heads of how the world is and what we are to the world. I'm very much a romanticist when it comes to the bad of life; I'm a realist when it comes to the good. This makes my view of the world just like everyone else's view: very, very skewed. 

When someone, or myself, brings up an alternate view, I start to freak out! I feel very small and insignificant, and like I was very wrong. I don't lack self confidence, I just lack a proper view of who I am to some people. Because of this, I'm left with a terrible fear of confrontation and coming off as different than I expect to. 

This whole problem is something that I need to, well, confront and conquer. My whole life I'm going to be missing my goals and the goals of others as well as exceeding said goals. There are going to be confrontations (hopefully without raised voices) and there are going to be things at stake. There's not always going to be a bedroom and headphones or a book to escape to. And, honestly, talking through the confrontation is probably better... especially since that way I can come out right instead of a coward :)

I've done a lot of finding who I am lately, which I love!

Paradise in the Suburbs

So, there's not much that I can get to within 15 minutes from my house. I can get to school, church, the movies theater/ mall, and .... Starbucks! Starbucks is my hometown paradise. I can come here and just forget the world outside (except for people watching, of course!). I've got to refrain from coming here too often; that'd break the bank and the scale! :)

Whenever I can, I try to make my way out here. I don't know about your local Starbucks, but mine has the kindest employees and costumers! When I'm here, I'm treated like an adult rather than a high school kid... probably because I come here and study when I skip school, oops!

One thing that I am loving right now are my iced drinks! With the sunshine and warmer weather, I'm finally getting back to my favorite drinks! I'm a huge fan of the Passion Iced Tea, Iced Caramel Macchiato, and the Iced Vanilla Latte! I always get them skinny so I can get them big.. plus the full ones are too sweet for me! I still want that coffee taste, just with a hint of somethin' else!

I feel as if I talk about Starbucks all the time! If you follow my twitter or instagram, you'd probably see that I'm more than a little obsessed. It's aright though, because if I go down, I'll take everyone down with me... starting with my study group who is meeting me here today.

what's your favorite drink?

Six Week Slim Down!

I am quickly approaching that time of year: Spring Break!! I was counting down the days in class today and realized that I have exactly six weeks from today until I head towards sunny Sanibel Island. While that's exciting and it only lessened my concentration on the lecture, I realized how necessary it was for me to focus, focus, focus on getting my self prepared!

Not by shopping or tanning, but by getting healthy. I call this my six week slim down and I've been using it to recover from the horrific Christmas break eating since freshman year.

The Rules

1. Don't drink your calories! Water will become your best friend these next weeks, and don't forget tea to curb your sweet tooth!

2. Limit your carb intake to <100 carbs per day (making this a habit will increase your fat burning powers all year)

3. Fit cardio in when possible

4. Lift! Don't worry about getting bulky, as that takes a lot of work. Building muscle will get you toned and burn more fat while you aren't doing any physical activity

5. Reward yourself every once and a while. Once a week Starbucks? Don't sweat it. And work towards a goal. Mine? I want to be comfortable enough to buy one of the adorable Lilly Pulitzer swimsuits!

How are you preparing for Spring Break?