Browsing Tag:

2019

Seasons of waiting aren’t always a bad thing + here’s why…

Posted in Lifestyle
on 03/28/2019

So it’s the end of March (April is so close I can taste it) and I’m stuck in this awkward phase. It’s somewhere between: I’m a college student who just wants to have her fun and the fear of being an adult is on the horizon. May will bring graduation, and along with it, the loss of a routine I’ve been living for my entire life. School, summer, and then school… AGAIN. The thought that this routine would have to break at some point has crossed my mind but I like to push it to the back burner. After graduation, things will never be the same. For the past 22 years, the idea that someday I would have to become an adult seemed just so distant. Well, not anymore! So now, we wait. Wait for what? Wait to be scared?

After doing all of this hard thinking (which I then rewarded myself for with some Netflix), I came to a conclusion.

Waiting for something to happen: whether it be a job, boy to come along, the right time to move, change your hair color, reinvent yourself can become a good thing if you let it.

There is purpose in this season of waiting. I’ve become a firm believer that things happen for a reason. People are put in your life for a reason. Everything has it’s purpose. That’s the piece to the puzzle I was searching for before. Life is about to come and hit me like a ton of bricks so so so soon, but this “waiting game” should not pass without my acknowledging it’s purpose. The “waiting game” should not distract me from living life. IT’S HAPPENING ALL AROUND ME.

Be grateful for the between season. I personally have found so much joy in the nostalgia of it all. Looking back on my past four years of college with all the crazy late nights, early mornings, and everything in between has been something so so special. It’s not just the nostalgia that I’ve relished in, but the fact that my life will never be the way it is right now. I will never be able to graduate collage again, to share all of these funny college memories with my friends like going out until 2am at our college bars, eating as much Chick-Fil-A as our stomachs can hold, and laughing until we cry. Bittersweet is probably the best way to describe it. While enjoying this season I’m in, thoughts of the future continue to creep in.

Basically what I’m trying to say is, don’t let the “waiting game” keep you from living your life. Don’t wait of the next big thing to come along and miss the amazing things happening in front of you! Challenge yourself to make those in between moments count. Find the joy in the little moments, even though they may not feel like much at the time, you’ll appreciate them so much more when you’re through with all of it.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, LOVE YOU PEOPLE IMMENSELY.

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The best way to shop online for formal dresses

Posted in Fashion
on 03/14/2019

Hiii friends! I question I get all the time from my friends and insta followers is: where should I go to shop for formal occasions? For us college aged girls, it’s probably formals, semi formals, but this could even work for weddings too (bridal showers, couples showers, wedding events galore!)

THE BEST TIPS + TRICKS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

My favorite places are the sale racks. I just can’t pass up a good sale. I can’t! I always check places like Saks off Fifth, Neimans Last Call, and Revolve sale! You can find amaaaazzzing dresses for half the price! I love a designer dress, but sometimes the splurge is just too much for my poor lil credit card, so that’s when I hit the sales! It may seem daunting to go through pages and pages of dresses, but think of it as thrift shopping. Sometimes ya just gotta dig!

I’ve also had success on sites like Poshmark. If you can find a trustworthy seller, then you’re good to go! I’ve gotten name brands like Lovers + Friends and For Love + Lemons on major sale. Normally I can even find them with the original tags still attached, which is obviously the best deal of them all.

dress | runs TTS, I’m wearing a small

shoes | run TTS, these are my favorite shoes for dressing up! I wear them to everything and they come in tons of different colors!

Here’s direct links to my favorite places to find dresses for formal occasions:

Revolve

Saks Off Fifth

Neimans Last Call

ASOS

Free People

Show Me Your Mumu

Poshmark

Fashion BNKR

Have a formal event coming up? Let me help you find a dress! I swear I have over 100 saved in my cart between all the stores I online window shop at lol.

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Not your mama’s jeans | My favorite mom jeans under $40

Posted in Fashion
on 03/02/2019

I know what you’re thinking. Ew, no. How am I ever supposed to look cute in mom jeans? I could never pull those off blah blah blah. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can and will be able to pull them off after reading this post. I was one of those skeptics but once I found the right pair and figured out how to style them, things were AMAZING. So amazing in fact, that they are now my most worn pair of jeans in my closet. HUUGE FAN. I’m never turning back!

bodysuit // jeans // boots

The ultimate key to pulling off mom jeans is to balance out the looser fit with something tighter on top. If you arne’t a fan of tighter tops or bodysuits, I say a cropped shirt will do the trick too. Showing off that figure is what makes the jeans work. Frumpy with frumpy is what’s not gonna make them work. So stick to cropped or form-fitting on top. My favorite way to style mom jeans is with a bodysuit. I always find the best ones at Forever 21 or Boohoo, NastyGal, Asos, places like that. I’ll link some of my favorite bodysuits below.

the jeans

Now onto the good stuff: these jeans. They’re on sale right now (don’t you love that) for under $30 so please snatch up a pair! I actually cut off the hem of mine for a distressed look and I love the way they turned out. Once you break them in, they’re the best. Super comfy and they can be super flattering (if you style them right). Basically what I’m saying is go get you a pair of mom jeans: they really are all the rage right now!

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Striped sets + my movie marathon list

Posted in Fashion, Lifestyle
on 02/21/2019

The weather lately has been the biggest drag. It’s been rainy and chilly, which is a combination I’m not a fan of. It makes me wanna curl up with a good movie and never ever leave. Anyone feel me on this? I swear I could do that every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of it! A girls gotta Netflix and binge you know!

sweatshirt // shorts

Speaking of curling up in bed with a good movie, there’s nothing that’s more comfy to do it in than a matching set. If you’ve been following me for a while, I’m sure you know that I am a SUCKER for a matching set. There’s just something so extra about it, but I love it too much. I picked up this set a few weeks ago and it has not left my body for very long. I am looooving the muted stripes and the colors are just so fun and springy! Plus you can definitely wear it out! Grocery shopping? Errands? Coffee? Casual lunch? You need for all of the above. Comfy, cute, and matching – nothin better.

I’ll go ahead and put a few of my other favorite matching sets below for y’all! Hop on the bandwagon with me :-)

If you know me, you know I watch ALOT of TV. Really, I do! I would consider myself a connoisseur of romantic comedies. I’ve pretty much seen almost of all them on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon… is that something to celebrate? Idk honestly but I’ll take it! I guess it comes in handy sometimes… and now is one of those cases. I put together a huuuuge list of all my favorite rom-coms from the 80s to now. If you ever need a movie, or 11, to watch- just come here. Screenshot this list and check em all off! You’ll be much more prone to think your life is a movie (I know I do- it’s a character flaw).

THE BEST ROM-COMS EVER

A Cinderella Story // He’s Just Not That Into You // 10 Things I Hate About You // She’s All That // Drive Me Crazy

You’ve Got Mail // 13 Going on 30 // Two Weeks Notice // Stuck in Love // Yours Mine and Ours // Pretty Woman

 Pretty in Pink // Can’t Buy Me Love // Legally Blonde // My Big Fat Greek Wedding // She’s The Man // 27 Dresses

Easy A // Bride Wars // Bridesmaids // Crazy, Stupid, Love // Princess Diaries (1 & 2) // White Christmas // Hairspray

Baby Mama // Mamma Mia // To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before // Almost Famous // Parent Trap // Lizzie McGuire Movie

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants // Aquamarine // High School Muscial (ALL 3 OBVI) // Pitch Perfect (1 only)

Friends with Benefits // No Strings Attached // Lady Bird // Breakfast at Tiffany’s // Bring It On // La La Land // Grease

The Devil Wears Prada // While You Were Sleeping // Never Been Kissed // Love Actually // Clueless // Trainwreck

When Harry Met Sally // The Proposal

 

PLEASE WATCH SOME MOVIES THIS WEEKEND IN MY NAME! DM me any you think I should add to the list :)

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Sweaters for spring + my Wildfox faves under $50

Posted in Fashion
on 01/30/2019

I don’t know about y’all but I live for a good sweater. They’re my favorite year round top and I don’t think you can ever have enough! The key to rocking sweaters in the spring is to get lightweight sweaters you can layer if needed but won’t be to hot if you live in the deep south like me. So without further ado, today’s spring sweater post! sweater // jeans // shoes (similar) // hat 

If you want a laugh, peep a retro spring sweater blog post here. Clearly I’ve been loving sweaters for the spring for quite some time now. Does anything ever really change with me? Haha, good question! Since it’s actually getting a little chilly here in South Louisiana, I’m doing jeans with my sweaters. But, when it gets warm I’ll be opting for some jean shorts. These jeans are my latest obsession and I can be spotted in them at least twice a week (oops). Snatch em up ladies- they’re on sale! Plus that hem is gonna be bomb for all your spring sneakers (mine are here) and espadrilles. I can see it now… Warm weather come soon please I’m begging!

Red is my color right now and I am loving everything western lately too. Cowboy take me away…. But in all seriousness the detail on this sweater is to die for! It’s got lace up detailing on the sleeves and even on the back in the shape of a bull. SO unique and so very sassy! I went for a hat because, hey, why not (might as well go all out western) and threw on my favorite snakeskin belt too. All together an easy, standout spring sweater look. *Cue the claps*


I mainly wanted to do this post today to give y’all some Wildfox STEALS. Yep, the best, softest, cutest sweatshirts all on sale under $50?! HMU GIRL I KNOW YOU WANT ONE. Not only do I love Wildfox jumpers, but their sweaters and shorts/pants are fan-freaking-tastic too! I’m always on the hunt for good sales on Wildfox because I cannot justify spending $100 on a sweatshirt. SO that’s where my boo Nordstrom Rack comes in. Always the best selection and the best prices over there. Y’all go check out all my current faves below!

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22 things I learned by 22

Posted in Lifestyle
on 01/23/2019

HELLO HELLO! I am over the moon to be sitting down to chat with y’all today. These posts are by far my favorite to write and I am so blessed to be typing up my third one as we speak (read 20 and 21). So sit down, relax and grab a drink – let’s dive in!

Twenty-two things I learned by 22:

  1. Dying my hair has legit made me a better person? Not sure what it is but when I started dying my hair dark brown, I really grew into myself? I guess it took a drastic change to make me feel good? Idk. But every time I die my hair dark, I have some sort of good luck so if I can have that every 3-4 months I will take it!
  2. Never be afraid to make a friend. It’s so funny how you can make a friend in the most unexpected places. This summer, I met one of my best friends by being creepy and texting her about moving to Fayetteville. Now look where we are! A summer of working together, countless FT calls, lots of pizza, margs, and cries on the bathroom floor – we are closer than ever!
  3. Oldies are the best. Huuuuuge 70s, 80s, and 90s fan over here.
  4. Vodka. Tonic. But only if someone else makes it for you? I cannot make my own drinks for the life of me. I should prob work on that…
  5. Buy the jeans- they will be worth it! I never really splurged on jeans but once I did and I’ll never go back.
  6. Journalling can save lives! I won’t drag on about this because you’ve def heard me talk about it here and here. But bottom line: getting your thoughts out onto paper is therapeutic on another level.
  7. I still don’t understand boys. Don’t think I ever will? Anyone with me?
  8. Summer internships are life changing (RiffRaff, I CAN’T THANK YA ENOUGH). Breaking your routine is necessary and for me it really allowed me to break out of my shell and gain some new experiences! You learn a lot about yourself when you’re outside of your comfort zone. Fay, I miss and love ya toooo much.
  9. Old cars teach you alllll the life lessons. The Frat Wag and I have truly been through too much to recap but I’ll just sum it up this way: I now know how to do a plethora of things under the hood of a car! 19 years and counting and we are still trucking. I am thankful!
  10. Melatonin, I love you angel. I have been using melatonin (keep in mind I DO NOT take it every night) for a deep sleep. It’s honestly one of my best tricks I’ve learned this year. Beauty sleep is key ladies!
  11. Credit cards are the devil but they are also amazing? I talked a bit about about money management in my 2019 goals but bottom line get your finances in line! This year I have become HORRIBLE at managing my money (it’s called online shopping) so I need to learn how to be better because this girl is about to be an adult y’all!
  12. Take the trip – the opportunity won’t always be there! I took a spontaneous trip to NYC this summer and I am so so happy I did. When I say spontaneous I mean I planned it two weeks or so in advance, but it really felt spontaneous to me #typeA.
  13. Chance the Rapper is my MF boo thang. Did I live under a rock until 2018? APPARENTLY!
  14. I would do many things for Calvin’s (a grocery store in Baton Rouge) chicken salad. With wheat thins! Be still my heart!
  15. There will always be people who doubt you, talk bad about you, and don’t support you. The hardest but most rewarding thing to do is continue to do your own thing and prove em allllll wrong. Not that you need approval from others to be validated but I think showing someone you CAN and WILL do something is the most liberating feeling.
  16. American airlines and I do not get along. Cancelled flights, lost bags, delayed flights, and flight voucher issues… the list goes on. I wish I could say I’m done with them but I know I’m going to have to fly with them again. Ain’t that fun?
  17. Learn how to give yourself an at home blowout and you will never be the same! The volume! The round brush! Ugh, I love the way my hair feels after a fresh blow out so do yourself a favor and watch some youtube vids to get the technique down. You’ll thank me later!
  18. Stop being so critical! I am my own biggest critic and sometimes it really holds me back. I’ve learned to loosen the reins *just a bit but everyone is a work in progress ok* and I can say I’ve enjoyed life a lot more. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Life is fun, make it that way!
  19. Everyone needs a pair of MuMu bells. They are my favorite pants in the world. SO flattering and so comfy.
  20. Y’all need to go to Chili’s. Chips and salsa, soup and salad and a big fat Coke for under $15? Sign me up. Plus they have a banging marg if you’re ballin on a budget.
  21. I’m becoming a crazy hat lady. I’ve accepted it. I’ve embraced it.
  22. Make time for the ones that matter. Most of the time when I get home from work or school, I don’t ever wanna leave my room until the next day for work or school again haha. But time is short and you’ll never regret spending time with the people you love even if it means you have to leave your comfy af bed.

HONESTLY SHOCKED I MADE IT THIS FAR! 21, YOU WERE BOMB. 22, I KNOW YOU’LL BE EVEN BETTER. CHEERS!

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The look for less: racing stripe jeans

Posted in Fashion
on 01/10/2019

Hi hi! Happy Thursday people, let’s make it to the weekend in one piece. We only have one. more. day. We can do it!

Y’ALL KNOW I AM ALWAYS BALLIN ON A BUDGET. There is no high like one you get when you get a great steal! Which brings me to why we are here today: these AMAZE racing stripe jeans. If you have been keeping up with fashion in any capacity, I am sure you’ve spotted a pair of these. I’m happy to report this trend seems to be here to stay! There’s so many variations of the racing stripe jean which is great news for us bargain hunters because it means we can get the look for less. 
jeans (ON SALE FOR $25) // top (similar) // shoes // hat (similar) 

I’ll let y’all in on a little secret because I love ya. Two words: Abercrombie jeans. No really. I am NOT KIDDING. When I think of Abercrombie I am immediately transported back to junior high when everyone exclusively shopped at there. It was truly the peak of graphic tees and denim skirts then. But now, Abercrombie is one of my go-tos for an amazing sale. Their denim is honestly pretty great. It revels some of my favorite high-end jeans and that’s saying a lot coming from me!

I’m obsessed with the colors in the racing stripe- they’re not too bold which is great because you can style with almost anything. I love a good basic look as much as the next girl so I just paired them with a white button up top, neck scarf, and for funsies one of my felt hats (hat lady @ heart). Ooh, wait I forgot I would literally be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention these shoes to y’all. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE WORK SHOES. So no surprise I own them in two colors right? They are so comfy and a fabulous way to elevate any outfit.

I’m linking alll of my favorite racing stripe jeans for any budget below, including the ones I am wearing which are now ON SALE FOR $25. RUN! DO! NOT! WALK!

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2019 goals + realities

Posted in Lifestyle
on 01/03/2019

A VERY HAPPY 2019 TO Y’ALL! In the midst of all of the chaos that has been my life for these past two months, I have not been present on my fave lil corner of the web. For that I’m sorry! Senior year has really got me goin craaaazy (in the best/worst ways). BUT I am back for a lil #girltalk #realtalk which happens to be y’alls favorite to read and mine to write! This post could seriously be ALLL over the place but I think that’s the point of a #realtalk. It’s not always going to be the most linear, easy-to-follow kind of post but it’s gonna be a good ole venting session and who doesn’t need one of those?!

Now, before we get started let’s dip our toes in the warm waters that are new years resolutions, new years goals, new years whatever-you-wanna-call-em. Yeah sure, they can be a great motivator for those first few months, weeks, or days (lol) of the year but how do you actually be sure you accomplish them?! I don’t necessarily like to call them new years resolutions; I prefer to call/make them into goals. The best way to set goals is to make them achievable, measurable and to set benchmarks so you can make it happen. Keep them posted on a sticky on your desktop, in your planner, or just somewhere that you’ll see them everyday. Keep em in the front of your mind!

As someone who personally has a track record of forgetting about these so-called resolutions half way through the year, I feel you if this is something you struggle with. Let’s just be honest about it, y’all. Things are not going to change unless you do something to change them! 2019 has the potential to be your year so get in there and pave your path to whatever your heart desires.

There’s always been the mantra of “new year, new me” and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. As good as it can feel to “leave it all behind in 2018” I don’t honestly think it’s possible. This season is all about reflection: of where we’ve come from and where we have been. Use what you have learned whether it be from success or from failure TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. You don’t have to shut out all of the bad to get to the good! It’ll help you to grow. Learn from 2018, and use it to BE better and DO better in 2019. Because of 2018, you are changed!

With all this talk of change and goal-setting for a better year, here’s a peak into what I have challenged myself to achieve this year!

  1. Move more confidently and fearlessly. This is your life, and you are the one who has the ability to make things different. Confidence for me has come with age as well as out of hardships and challenges. I want to continue to learn from mistakes and work on being more confident in the decisions I am making in my life. Will this be my most difficult goal for the year? Heck to the yes. It’s not as much of a check yes or no goal but I think I’ll be able to look back by the end of the year to see whether or not I’ve moved confidently to get to that point!
  2. Learn to be more spontaneous. This seems to be a reoccurring pattern of mine as I did have a similar goal for myself this year. I definitely improved on that but I still have ways to go! As a TYPE A, it is sooo challenging to go off the books and be spontaneous. But it’s so rewarding to be able to live in the moment (even if it’s just for a day or two). With my new job (I’ll be a traveling consultant for my sorority this upcoming school year) that I’m starting in July, I think this’ll be easier to make happen. I won’t have a home-base per say, so jumping from place to place will 100 percent take me out of my comfort zone and methodical-like schedule I’ve been stuck in. Maybe I’ll try a new Starbucks drink or get another sub at Jimmy Johns that’s not the Vito? The options are truly endless.
  3. Take the time to be selfish. Ok, this may sound bad but hear me out? I’m going to be traveling for a living, going from place to place, mostly alone, at the back half of 2019. As a soon-to-be 22 year-old, I really feel like this is my time. It’s my opportunity to learn about myself, to do things for myself without reason! I may as well take this time in my early-twenties to be selfish, while I still can.
  4. Continue to journal (if not daily at least weekly). If you’ve read the blog before, you have definitely heard me talk about my newfound love for journaling. I LIVE FOR IT. Don’t know about y’all, but for me there is something about writing the thoughts in my head down on paper that is extremely therapeutic. I want to be able to look back through all my journals in the future and see my growth!
  5. Make a big girl purchase. Maybe a bag or pair of shoes? Still accepting suggestions, so let me know what y’all got. With me finally getting my first big-girl job after school, I am really wanting to buy myself something that I’ll have forever! It’s gonna feel amazing when I can actually afford something nice for myself! But until then, catch me with my fake Gucci :/
  6. NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA. I’ll be traveling for a living, but I gotta get my butt back to New York (it’s one of my favorite places in the world…I’m obsessed with all of it) in order to keep me sane!! California has been on my bucket list forever so fingers crossed I can visit this spring!
  7. Find the joy in the little things. Like I’ve previously, stated my type A personality doesn’t always allow me to stop and enjoy the little things. In an effort to be a more appreciative person in general, I think finding happiness in the little things, no matter how small, is the best way to start!
  8. Even in those ruts, continue to create. This year especially, I allowed myself to shut down if I was stuck in a creative rut. This year I want to push myself to keep on creating when I’m not motivated to. Easier said then done, but some of my best work has come from pushing through that bump in the road. Being a self-proclaimed profectionist hasn’t helped me thus far, but I’m hoping my change in scenery will be inspiring to say the least!
  9. Money! Management! Yeah, I really gotta start adulting and get my money in track. I am a shopahaulic which complicates my saving money an awful lot lol. This year, I hope to start CONSISTENTLY saving a part of my paycheck. When I’m done traveling, I gotta start real life and there’s gonna be hella expenses/bills to pay. So if you see me spending copious amounts of money before I put my pre-portioned savings in it’s account, feel free to smack me across the face. I’ll thank ya later.

WHEW. Ok that was a mouthful. If you’re still reading, thank you. You’re an angel. Anyone wanna talk 2019 or even 2018? Leave me a comment below or message me on Instagram! Cheers to where we’ve come from and cheers to where we are headed!

xoxo

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