Bag Envy

I do not need any new bags.
Seriously, I finally am in agreement with my father- I have so many and I'm running out of space. But that can't keep me from looking & loving. Oh my goodness, I have been dying over a few totes (because we all know I'm a tote person).

Barrington Gifts

J. Crew

Tory Burch

It's such a shame that I've been using my backpack as much as I have, or I might be able to justify the Barrington or J. Crew bags. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll end up with the Barrington at some point in the next few months... because every girl needs a monogrammed tote. And it's a little more dressy than a longchamp. I think I can justify.

I saw the J. Crew bag in LA and died. Luckily it was at the end of my shopping day (read: I had no money left), otherwise I probably would have made the purchase. Thinking back, it would have definitely been an "LA style" purchase- it seems like everyone had one of these leather bags! 

And, the Tory. Okay yay me... it's not a tote! It's a cheaper version of the classic Chanel chain bag, but I actually think I like this one better. I certainly like the price tag better :) My Kate Spade crossover is getting a little worn. This is similar but also a bit more grown up and girly. And just think of how pretty it'd be with a the Lillys I'll be wearing this summer! It's still out of my unemployed college kid price range, but it sure is fun to look at.

Are there any bags you're currently loving... or wishing for?

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?

Where I Work | Work Space Link Up

Midterms are over. Thank Goodness. 

But that means that finals are coming up.. and quickly! This next month is going to be hectic Between making sure I'm prepared to finish up to the school year to setting up summer jobs and projects, I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. I don't know about you, but I like to keep everything within an arm's reach while I'm studying. Not having to get up and search for something keeps me productive and focused, both of which are absolutely necessary when all I want is to be outside enjoying the weather (yes, I said it. It's finally nice out here at Purdue). 

I ran across a linkup of different bloggers who are sharing their work spaces. I probably got more excited than I should have been about it, but I'm nosey like that. I love seeing how other girls organize and make the most out of the space they're given. I get so much inspiration- from drawer organization to artwork. It's all so much fun to me, so of course I wanted to join in and share my work space! 

I didn't re-arrange anything before this was taken. 100% what my desk
looks like on a daily basis

I keep any returned papers/ reference
papers in files for each of my classes.  

This tray is my catch-all. Paperclips, sticky
notes, and Organic structures!

If there's anything that I think sets my dest apart, it's that I always have paper within reach. I have notepads to jot down ideas or pre-write a response. I have sticky notes galore, which I use to mark up my textbooks or write myself reminders. You can also count on me to have lip balm of some sort and a drink at my desk- usually water or Diet Coke :) 

I didn't show pictures of my drawers, just because they've become the "attic" of my room. There's anything from notebooks to chocolate to movies in there and I have zero organization going. At some point, I'm going to go through it all and get it all together, but today was not that day so I apologize that I can't share that with you. 

But, there you have my desk. It's got everything I need to an all-day study session or quick bit of note-taking. If you'd like to join the link up, you can visit Prep In Your Step's post right here.

Music to My Ears

I've recently run across some of the greatest mashups/ acoustic versions of some great songs.

Hearing new versions of old favorites always gives me a fresh take on the artist or song. I've been loving "old" music lately... the stuff I haven't listened to in a few months or years, you know what I'm talking about. And thanks to youtube and tumblr, there are so many ways for artists to keep their fans entertained with these new versions. If you're looking for some new- old favorites, here's what I'm loving:

And, I can't seem to find a better way to link this... so

the best version of Your Body is a Wonderland that I've heard

Here are three for starters. I could go on and on, but these are a few that are currently on repeat.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

About 6 months ago, I was going through an early-life crisis.

I had just moved to school and it wasn't exactly what I had been anticipating. It seemed like everything was going the opposite of how I would have liked. I was being tested and tried every day; something was missing and I didn't know how to fix it. There was a point where I cam crying to my parents about how much I was hating my major. I seriously thought that I wanted to change from Pharmacy to something like journalism or law.

I'd heard that many college students change what they want to do at least once... sometimes more than that. As the type-A, plan-life-to-a-T person, I couldn't fathom that. Not until I realized that I never chose Pharmacy- it was thrown at me and I ran with it (which is extremely spontaneous and out of character, now that I think about it). And so I figured that maybe I'd need to change my major in oder to be happy. But that wasn't the case, at all. Because as much as I love blogging and fashion and art, it's not my forté. Not at all. But there was definitely something that needed to be changed, and I can confidently say that I think I may be on the right track now so I'd like to share what I went through.

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

Thank goodness for sensible parents. 

That is- first and foremost- what I have to say about this whole ordeal. They held me as I cried and told them that I was certain Pharmacy was not for me, and that a glamorous life of living in NYC and somehow getting the perfect internship (with no experience or prior interest in art, fashion, or literature) was actually feasible. Not to say that one shouldn't believe in themselves, but there's definitely a point at which the heart goes on a roll before the mind has a chance to catch up. But, once I spilled my heart out, they spoke words of encouragement and love into me. They reminded me that the lifestyle I wanted couldn't be sustained on a journalist's income, and that I was naturally gifted in the science fields. They reminded me of the work I did in high school to get to where I was and that I would, someday, become a great Pharmacist. 

It wasn't what I wanted to hear. Not at all. But I took it to heart and agreed that I hadn't given Pharmacy the best of me yet. We made a deal- that I give the classes a bit more time, do some job shadowing, and see if I get to liking it any more. If, in a few months, I still hated the major and still wanted to be a writer they'd support me through whatever. It seemed like a good enough idea to me, and I went back to school with a new outlook-

Try it out. 

I dove into learning about the different career paths. I contacted different pharmacists to set up job shadowing opportunities. I worked on making friends within my major. This made classes more fun and the job shadowing has actually gotten me so excited to learn more about actual pharmaceuticals and less about general education. I love being at school now, classes are challenging but interesting, and I obviously still love to write. I just use it as an outlet rather than my #1 thing that I do. Because, as much as I love it, I also love the art that I've found in Pharmacy. Organic Chemistry kicks my butt on a daily basis, but it is the most intricate, fascinating concept. The human body and the way is has been built is so complex and so beautiful, and there's something wonderful about knowing that I'll someday be able to understand all of its inter-workings and how I can use chemistry and biology to make the lives of others better. 

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

Who knows where I'll be a year from now. I might have just been accepted to pharmacy school. I may have been accepted to more than one and have a big decision on my plate. I may have been rejected, in which case I'll be re-thinking everything. Life may test me and beat me down again in the near future, but for now I am content. I'm more than content- I'm happy. College is a blast and my classes are... interesting. Six months ago, I wasn't thinking this is where I would have wanted to be. But I think that actually giving college- all of it, from social to academic to spiritual- a chance was just what the doctor ordered. 

Getting Inspired

I feel like I've really become obsessed with the idea of being inspired lately.

I have no idea why that is, but it's definitely helped me to enjoy school and get more done. I think using platforms like Tumblr and Instagram to see how other girls around my age find beauty in everyday items- flowers, glasses, and coffee- has inspired me to find my inner artist.

and, trust me, I am not very artistic. So I'd say it's been a good development in my life.

I've been loving pretty, spring pictures. The bright colors just make me happy... the beach pictures though, they've been making me pretty jealous. But, beyond that little annoyance (that I secretly love because I live vicariously through everyone I follow) it's been fun to take the images I've seen and see where beauty lies in and around my life.

From getting dressed in the morning to walking to class, I find myself constantly posing things. I lay them out, fold things to fit perfectly into the instagram frame. It's really getting crazy.. but it's oh so much fun. And it's not only my own pictures. Of course, I'm loving so many on the internet too.

I obviously really love food...

...and books

*not mine* but note to self when I do look nice for
class- document it!  

also *not mine* but... if only I had an interior
this beautiful to photograph

I've never been one to take pictures... or ask to get my picture taken. I've been one to do things for necessity rather than for prettiness. But, that, my friends, is changing. And like all the other changes in my personality lately, I am fully embracing it. 

Watch out, because "inspired Sarah" may be taking over. 

Dorm Decor: Jewelry

via MackenzieHoran.com

It's no secret that living a dorm room is the ultimate challenge in personal organization. It's all about how much stuff one can fit into a room that's the size of a walk-in closet (seriously, my parents' closet is bigger than my dorm room...). Luckily, my room next year is going to be about 2.5 times bigger... hallelujah! And with new roommates and a whole lot more space, it's hard to not start planning for the next year. 

I'm taking full advantage of the fact that I bought most of my "dorm necessities" last summer- the tv, printer, fridge, desk organizers... you get the idea. This next year is all about the cute accents. I've really gotten into jewelry and accessorizing this year. The problem is that I've now got my necklaces hanging on command hooks and my bracelets/earrings in a makeshift pile in my drawer. Not cute. 

plus, isn't half the fun having your pretty jewels on display?

Luckily, a few of my favorite shops and boutiques have the perfect display options, from boxes to trays to plates, I can promise you that my jewelry will get the attention it deserves next year! 

Shop what I'm loving:

via Lilly Pulitzer

via Lilly Pulitzer

via Johnathan Adler/ Design Darling

via C. Wonder

P.S. those Lilly options match the comforter I'm wanting... too matchy-matchy or cute? You tell me!