Monday, January 31, 2011

A Pink Valentine's Day

Pink may be a cliche for valentine's day but what can I say I love pink. For me its a happy color that can brighten even the darkest winter days. It reminds me of spring flowers, cute outfits, fresh strawberries and grapefruits! Plus, there is always plenty of pink out around Valentines day!
Here are some cute (pink) things I thought were cute. Loves of cute dresses and outfits; Isn't this dress adorable for a night out! I like this necklace and ring from Tiffany & Co. (a girl can dream can't she). This sweatshirt looks so and comfy. And our beloved Lilly never fails to add a touch of pink; I almost want this perfume just because the bottle is so cute. And I LOVE these Stubbs & Wooton slippers! I saw them in a magazine, and decide to go create my own (yes, they are customizable). I just love them; I'm not as big a fan of the $500 price tag but how luxurious would these be. Beautiful pink flowers are always a simple way to surround yourself with pink (even if its not Valentine's Day).
Until Next Time,
Happy Blogging

Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Big Thank You to Canadian Prep

Thank you to Canadian Prep for passing along this award!
And along with this it looks like I now have to reveal 7 things about myself. Most of which probably won't surprise most of you.
1. I absolutely hate being seen in sweat pants. Unlike most college students with ALL morning classes I refuse to ever leave my room, not to mention the building in sweatpants unless I am going to the gym. A nice looking pair of yoga pants is as close to "sweats" as I've ever come. It takes only seconds to put on real pants so there should be no reason not to come to class dressed.
2. I Love Pink (& green). obviously this probably comes as no surprise but I do live pink; a little to much depending on who you ask. A friend actually has told me my room is "too pink" as if there was such a thing. My room is covered in pink: pink monogramed duvet cover, pink drawers, pink mirror, pink pens, markers, post-it notes, pink lotion, right down to pink measuring spoons.
3. I am a shopping addict. I have come to realize that although I spend money relatively "wisely" I have become a bit of an addict. As some of you may have seen in an early post a few days ago I am trying to cut back and start saving more. I am an impulse bargain hunter. I love bargain shopping but am not afraid of spending a little money for a good quality piece. So when I see something or get something into my head that I "have" to have its hard to get it out. Plus when you are bargain shopping you can't hesitate; that deal of the century won't be there tomorrow. But I have started to change my ways. For instance yesterday I resisted buying these adorable hair clips, at the new Forever 21 on Newbury Street, they were only $5; but I came home with nothing; the same amount of money I left with.
4. I am addicted to shoes. Along with my shopping addiction; the biggest subsection of that would be shoes. I have a shoes collection that could rival Imelda Marcos....I might not be at her 2,700 pairs but I do have more shoes then any one person should probably admit to having. However... "Give a girl the right shoe, and she'll conquer the world." -Bette Midler
5. I love coffee and teas. Although I don't really feel the effects of caffeine but they just taste so good!
6. I love my pets. I currently a cat, Chloe, and a puppy, Mia. My first dog I had I got when I was 6 and she recently died, a year ago this week; so I've always had pets. I love them all more then anything :)
7. I want to be a great cook and baker! I think that would be so much fun to be able to whip up a brand new amazing meal off the top of my head; or make some of those AMAZING cake you see on tv. Some of them look too good to eat.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Check out this...

College Prepster is have an AMAZING giveaway!! This one of a kind KJP Bracelet
So head on over and try and win this super cute bracelet, I know I've already entered!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Save Save Save...

So for this year's resolution I decided to try something I've never tried before but probably should have. My New Years resolution is to save money and not buy anything frivolous. Although partially due to my upcoming spring break trip to Rome, I have never really been into "savings." I work hard for the money I make and I like to treat myself. Now before anyone gets any ideas, I do not have debt, I do not buy things, even on my credit card, that I don't have the money for and can't pay off before the next pay check comes in. But the point of this is to start building a nice "cushion" for when I graduate. I don't want to be one of those recent grads, eating nothing but ramen noodles everyday because they are 12 for a $1.
So after taking quite a hit during Christmas, my wallet is closing until further notice. I have had to come up with things to do, places to go either for free or on a very tight budget. So I wanted to share some tips I've come up with some of you.
1. Museums- For anyone who is a college student you can usually get in for free or with a discount; for those who are, a lot of museums around me have free nights for the public. I know I can get into the MFA in Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museums for free with my student I.d.
2. Dining out, Bar menus- I love going out to eat, and I don't mean the local dominos or greasy fast food place. One of my friends and I love going to nice restaurants we've never tried before, and until now was always willing to pay whatever it cost. But I have recently discovered the bar menu! its a great little secret. You can go out to a great restaurant and get a great meal for a great price. I recently checked out a menu at a local restaurant a friend and I like to go to; dinner would normally cost $20-$30 without an appetizer or dessert if you ordered water, so a little pricy. But the bar menu, had great food options and all under $10 or$12. So check out some options and give bar dining a try!
3. Window Shopping- so as my problem seems to be impulse buying; you may wonder why I would even attempt this. I will admit, sometimes this does fail but if you head out think of this adventure more as a nice walk, knowing that you won't be purchasing anything (you may even want to leave your wallet at home) then it can still be fun. Sometimes I think that window shopping can be more fun then actually shopping; you can still be around and discover new wonderful and beautiful things without the pressure of have to purchase anything. In Boston, most of the shopping is I like to do is on Boylston, Newbury and Charles street which are all very beautiful streets to walk down even if you don't go into any of the stores.
4. Redbox- now if you and your friends decide that none of you have any, good movies to watch, whether you've watched them all already or just want to check out a new release Redbox is an AMAZING new service. They have them all over the place; for me there closest one is a 3 minute walk across the street to the grocery store. Its a movie rental spot where you can rent movies for $1 a night. So you can your friends can have a movie night; pop some popcorn, get some snacks and pocket all the money you saved by not going to the movies (which around here could be over $20 for a ticket, and all the concession stand necessities).
So these are some of the things I'll be doing to try and save up

Monday, January 24, 2011

Can't wait for Spring

Can't Wait for Spring! Today was a cool -12 degrees, and although I am usually all for a cool breeze this was even a little too cold for my taste. So all I could think of was spring. There are so many cut things coming out for spring. Kate Spade, as always, has some adorable things for spring; bags, shoes, cloths; I love the whole collection. J. Crew has some cute scarves and classic shorts and even old navy has some cute things for the girl on a budget; perfect for keeping up my New Years resolution.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Back in the Swing of Things

Now that second semester has started up its time to get back into reality, as nice as winter break was. So when I moved back to school, I had to make sure my workspace was organized and ready to go.
I have a calendar, dry erase, and cork squares next to my desk so I can always know what I need to do and what is due when for all my classes. Each Class has a cork board and I put all appointments, due dates and events on the calendar. I also have a magnetic memo pad just incase I need to jot something done.
And you always have to make sure all your supplies are at your fingertips. I have fine sharpies thicker sharpies, highlighters, dry erase markers post-its etc. all with in easy access. I'm a post-it note and flash card addict. I use them for everything, notes, reminders, assignment info, I even have special sticky notes for to-do list.
Another amazing discovery for this past semester, Chegg! Its a place were you can rent or buy textbooks. I used to think I needed to buy every book brand new and keep it forever. But I quickly got over that after two semesters of used books each coasting $800 (and thats not an exaggeration). Plus with every purchase they plant a tree! So give it a try, this semester I spent less then $170 on textbooks thanks to Chegg.
I also love reorganizing and trying something new; how do you stay organized and ahead of the game? Any good tips and tricks?
Until next time,
Good luck to all the students on this semester and Happy Blogging!!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Favorite Discoveries of 2010

As I'm starting to get ready to start the new semester in a few weeks I decide it might be fun to look back at some of the things I discovered and loved in 2010.
1. Lush: I've mentioned it before but I can't get enough of these products. I've become an addict and I've now gotten my sister and mom loving them too.
2. Cooking: I've loved learning to cook more this year, and I've become obsessed with trying new things and new recipes.
3. Minnetonka Moccasins: I bought a pair this summer when we were on vacation and I now wear them almost every day. They are so comfortable!
4. Kindle: Again, I know I've talked about this before, and I only got one at christmas but I absolutely love it!
5. Keurig: I got one for my dorm room and I love it, it make its so easy to have a good cup of coffee with me for my 8 am classes or work shifts. I absolutely hate the coffee my school has in the dinning hall so this is much easier and cheaper then going to the coffee shop every morning.
6. Ugg Boots: I was completely against Ugg boots for years and years but I bought a pair of fake Uggs one day at Marshalls when the shoes I was wearing were hurting and it was cold out. I was amazed how warm my feet were. I still think they make feet look huge and oddly shaped but I have completely conformed now. I love them and wear them all the time. As much as it pains me to say it, I may have been to quick to judge the Ugg Boot.
What are some things that you discovered and loved in 2010?
Until next time Happy Blogging!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Book Plates

I just got a Kindle, so it probably doesn't make any sense why I would order book plates less than a week later; the answer: cook books. Lately I have been really into cooking and baking and anything kitchen. I got a few of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks for Christmas and I had a few others already. We have tons of cookbooks in my house and as I will probably be moving out on my own in the relatively near future I don't want there to be a battle of the cookbooks what that happens, so I ordered some super cute personalized book plates from an adorable Etsy store so I can identify which books are mine.
The store is called Pearenthetical Press, isn't the name adorable! I stumbled upon them while browsing Etsy for bookplates. The bookplates I ordered are super cute and they shipped amazingly fast; I ordered them last week and opened them today! You may have heard me say before presentation is everything, and the packaging on these is so cute I didn't want to open them and they sent an adorable package of jelly beans with the order. The best part they're stickers, so you just pop them in your books and you're done! I love them, and they look so nice in all my cookbooks.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year and a New Obsession

Happy New Year Everyone! Its a new year and I have a new obsession: Lush Cosmetics
A friend took me into their store on Newbury Street not to long ago and I'm hooked. I bought the Big Shampoo and the Veganese conditioner, I love them! At first glance the shampoo seems a little odd but it is AMAZING !! My sister even said it was really weird until she tried it.
I went back and bought the Ocean Salt cleanser yesterday and the only thing I can say is everyone needs to try this facial cleanser. It is a little expensive a small jar is around $20 and a large one is $35 but it is totally worth it. You can't use it every day so it is sure to last a while. But I can't tell you how amazing this stuff is, my skin has never been softer or looked so healthy, after just one use.