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 :)

Words to Live By

I've always loved words.

Whether in books or songs or quotes, I am certainly a lexophile. I think my "Beautiful Words" board is the most active on my Pinterest- I'm amazed at the impact words and letters can make. Isn't it crazy... 26 symbols, pieced together in different ways, have the ability to make or break any given day or moment.

Lately, I've been digging into my Bible. It's full of words that really are meaningful and educational. In my reading, I came across my new favorite verse: Ephesians 4:29. When I read it, it was exactly what I wanted and needed to hear. Not that I was struggling with gossip or using kind words, but because it was a revelation of sorts.

I thought for a long time about how powerful words are to myself. My mood is strongly affected by the words that I hear from both myself and others. I'm not the only person who operates like that; from a young age we were told that "sticks and stones may break our bones but words will never hurt us", which is the biggest lie since words are a form of communication that, when selected, may be remembered and dwelled on. This verse puts it all perfectly. If others' words can make or break me, then my words have the ability to make or break my peers, and my goal should be to lift them up. I should strive to make sure those I care about- and everyone else, for that matter- know that they are great and beautiful and important to me.

This summer will be a lot of catching up and telling stories about college. I'm going to work to make sure that I am speaking in ways that build myself and others up, rather than the opposite. It's all about making my words count.

Purdue Prep PSA

PSA: Tory Burch Seasonal Sale

up to 40% off...

here's what I'm loving!

Tunics are #1 for me
this spring/ summer

I've been lusting over this top for months

I was seriously looking at these yesterday...
and now they're $75 less!

This Bag! 
I hope there's one like it this fall/winter
that I can put on my wish list

Since I'm still not working (but will be very soon!) I'm in absolutely no position to spend any money, let alone the money needed to buy any of these items. I'll just live vicariously through anyone else who makes purchases! 

Let me know what you get- it's seriously all beautiful! 

the Anti-Schedule

I have officially been on summer break for 4 days, and I am definitely not used to it. Saturday was my last final of freshman year, and I cam home that night with the weirdest feeling- after constantly having assignments running through my head, I had nothing. Nothing had to be done; nothing was due to anyone except myself.

I'm calling this my anti-schedule. I'm not back on the schedule at work yet, and many of my friends are still finishing up finals. My family is at work and my sister is at school. I'm free to do whatever I like, which has consisted of a lot of sleeping, reading and working out- no complaints here! I've made my fair share of trips to Chick-Fil-A (the worst part of Purdue is the lack of CFA on campus) as well as just driving around purely for the joy of driving.

I talked earlier about how I've had some mental goals for this summer, and they don't all revolve around fitness. I've always been an avid reader, and all this free time has given me so many chances to read, read, read. Magazines, blog posts, and books have all been included in this reading material. I purchased books throughout the year that I decided to save for the summer... and I now have 5 books just waiting to be shown some love (chances are I won't get through all of them, but I sure am going to try).

Beyond that, I'm planning to go back to work next week as well as try to get some volunteering at Riley Children's Hospital, which I've worked with before through fundraisers but never as a volunteer at the hospital. I know my "summers" are running out. I'll be interning and working real jobs in the upcoming years, so I'm trying to be productive but also have fun- and I'm not too worried about it.

This summer has so much in store: concerts, vacations, and trying new things. It's going to be a ride and I'm going to do my best to keep y'all updated on life as well as everything else that I'm loving this summer. I hope finals/ the end of the year is treating everyone well! Summer is quickly approaching :)

Namaste!

I go into every summer with a huge list of things I want to accomplish: golf, road trips, amusement parks, etc. 

More often than not I end up leaving a lot of my goals for "next summer" in order to be lazy in the then and now. Yes, I have a mental idea of some things I'd like to do this summer, starting with getting really healthy. 

I want to be more active in general. Do more. See more. Live. Today is officially my first day of summer, and I'm starting with yoga- something that has always been equally intriguing and terrifying. I've never been flexible or patient, but today starts the journey to both. I've found some beginner videos that work the muscles used for running, so it's killing two birds with one stone (I'm really serious about running at least a half-marathon before I turn 21). 

I still want to learn to golf, and I've recently had this urge to play tennis- a huge joke if you knew the fits I used to throw when my parents made me go to tennis camp. But hey, getting older has made me curious and I'm trying to use what's left of my summers to soak up every opportunity I have! There will be more to come with regards to my summer plans, as well as what direction the blog is going to take in the next few months.

So, I leave you with a few questions:

have you tried yoga?

what's your biggest "goal" for this summer?

Are Finals Fair?

It's finals time. That means late nights, study groups, and... prescription drugs are abundant on college campuses. It wasn't until this past weekend that I really started to think about just how crazy (and unfair) the Adderall trade can be. It hadn't been a big deal, because I know that I'm perfectly capable of performing on my exams without drugs. It was always a "those who need it to focus or learn, go ahead" type of mentality.

... Until I realized just how many people use these drugs in school. All the sudden it wasn't about whether or not I can learn on my own, but if I can compete with the scores of students who spend hours glued to their books and set the curve. The use by others may be a disadvantage to my score, and that's where I started to think more about whether or not this is fair at all?

Okay, obviously it isn't fair. But should it be necessary? Is it the expectations of the professors or the social atmosphere that is requiring students to resort to Adderall? In other words, it all depends on why students are using the drugs. If the material being tested is just too hard and in too high of quantity to be learned, then that's one thing. I find that hard to believe, though, as my parents, cousins, and aunts and uncles all survived finals on their own merit. It can be deduced that it comes down to the social aspect, which I can't deny is tempting.

To be able to "fly by" the semester, then pop some pills a week before to learn the course and ace the exam is tempting. Especially in the general education classes that really don't matter... it sounds nice. It makes getting involved and being social more manageable throughout the semester, something that I think we all need. 

I'm torn on this issue. If you're wondering, no I haven't ever taken Adderall and I don't plan to. But I can't deny that it's an interesting issue. I've had friends use it, and they've been pleased with how their grades have turned out. I know I'd feel dishonest, but I feel disadvantaged without. 

What are your thoughts? 

Summer in Lilly

Pre- Post: I am back from my brief hiatus! These past two weeks have been ridiculous. I've been studying to prepare for finals and have hardly had time to do anything for myself besides sleep and eat. This week is finals week, but I'm going to make myself take some time each day to blog and be creative. It'll be a great break from all the science I'll be cramming :)

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

So I don't know about y'all but this summer collection from Lilly is a little bit hit-or-miss. I think the spring collection was just too pretty to be followed, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, I still have my favorites (Lobstah Roll everything... you think I'm kidding but I'm not) and I want to hilight a few of them. 

so glad I waited to get
a bikini until this summer! 

It's crazy that I don't have a million and two things that I love, but I also know that this isn't the last of the summer collection. I saw a preview of what's to come and .... there's a dress named Sarah that's a bit of a tunic style- definitely at the top of my wish list. I currently don't have a job, so my shopping is going to have to wait, but I see a trip to Lilly in the future :)