The Little Things

Today's "The Little Things" post is a little shorter than usual because I'm saving all my photos from this weekend in Chicago for a travel post on Wednesday! But, enjoy anyways :)

My pants, my new book, and the mug I won all match!

I've been loving red lipstick lately 

The Job Fair at my university yielded great results

Studying is better with tea and Schmakarys cookies

Wearing my Hook t-shirt for the Once Upon a Time
season premiere! 

Friday Internet Finds

It seems like I was just writing last week's Friday Internet Finds! This week has absolutely flown by. I'm actually headed up to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate my grandfather's birthday. What fun weekend plans do you have?

1. Miss Saigon's London Live Cast Recording came out this week in the UK and is coming out in the US next week. They put up previews of every song on their website and it sounds so incredible.

2. I'm now officially a published writer! My Reign Season 2 preview went live on BroadwayWorld.com today.

3. This Buzzfeed quiz called "Which Female Movie Stereotype Are You?" made me laugh. I got "Manic Pixie Dream Girl." #basicallyzoedeschanel

4. I'm already a bit obsessed with Bonnie and Clyde (I'm currently writing my semester-long paper about them), but finding out that there's an upcoming movie about them starring Emilia Clarke and Nicholas Hoult? #evenmoreobsessed

5. Another thing that made me laugh? This Thought Catalog "18 Things I Legitimately Cried About Thanks to PMS" article.

Wannabe Blair Waldorf

I started watching Gossip Girl last month and I've already started wearing headbands and pumps. I can't help but want to be Blair Waldorf. (And, yes, I know I'm incredibly late to the party on the whole Gossip Girl thing.)

Dress, Shoes (Similar), Belt (Similar)

I don't typically wear pumps to class, but today was my school's Job and Internship Fair so I had to dress business casual. I'm in love with monochromatic looks right now and this is one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, it was a dreary rainy day so I could only take photos inside. As (almost) always, thanks to Stefanie for taking my photos.

The Little Things

This past week has absolutely flown by! While most of my week was committed to working, my birthday was actually very exciting because of my wonderful friends (one of my friends even bought me macaroons!). It was my first birthday away from home, but it actually was much better than I expected it to be. I got to go home this weekend (hello iPhone 5S!) which was wonderful.

My friends made my birthday absolutely incredible!

A beautiful photobook of our England trip from Stefanie
and two perfect books from the best friend

My new camera! (Yay for better quality photos) 

My parents covered all my interests: Once Upon a Time,
the Tudors, and World War I!

Stephanie just understands me
(the mug has lyrics from my favorite songs on it!)

Cookies from the absolute best store in the world: Schmackarys

Enjoying a tea with a scone baked by my mum at the
coffee shop while doing homework 

Any week is a good week when one of your
favorite vloggers favorites your tweet (um
thank you Alfie Deyes!)

Falling in love with the new coffee house/craft
beer bar on campus 

So excited for October magazines! 

These mugs from Target are the actual best

Friday Internet Finds

Hello darlings. I'm very excited for this weekend because I get to go home. I hope you all have a lovely weekend too!

1. I was so excited to hear that Lea Salonga, Simon Bowman, and other members of the original "Miss Saigon" cast will be performing at the gala on Monday. I so wish I could be in London to attend it!

2. It's no secret that I'm a bit obsessed with Oscar Wilde and the outfits that College Fashion put together based on Beardsley's illustrations for his play "Salome" are beautiful.

3. This week Buzzfeed got seriously and asked "Can We Guess Your Personality Type?" I got Fabulous and there's nothing better than seeing a picture of Kate Middleton in your results. :)

4. I was absolutely drooling over these pictures of fashion bloggers' closets. #iwantitall

5. I relate to this "10 Signs Books Are Your Boyfriend" post so much, it might be time to change my relationship status.

6. This "I See The Light" cover by Carrie Hope Fletcher and Pete Bucknall is actually the cutest thing ever. And I'm not just biased because Carrie is my favorite person and Tangled is my favorite movie.

Romper Love

Rompers first came onto the fashion scene a few years ago. They were typically floral, strapless, and elastic-y at that point and while I owned one, I think I only wore it twice. To the pool. As a cover-up. 

Rompers (and their longer version, jumpsuits) are once again at the heart of the fashion scene. While I've seen an increasing number of them in the states, they're already incredibly popular in England. 

I own one already (which you saw in last week's post) and I want more. #givemealltherompers

While this comes in three colors, it's so elegant
in black!
Forever 21, $17.80 

I love rompers with thin straps and this
color is gorgeous!
Forever 21, $14.80

This romper would totally work for a formal
occasion with heels and a pretty necklace!
Topshop, $96

This romper looks like a dress at first! Plus,
I love stripes.
Topshop, $52

Next on my list? I totally want a jumpsuit.
H&M, $34.95

I totally understand that rompers aren't for everyone (they're difficult to pee in! they're weird to get used to!), but I think they're worth giving a try. What do y'all think? Do you love rompers? 

The Little Things

I'm starting a new Monday series (hopefully, I'll be a little less close to midnight next Monday!) called The Little Things to highlight pretty pictures that I took during the week. I was very busy this past week so they're a bit study-focused, but hopefully fun anyways! xx

A handmade pizza quesadilla and tea in my favorite mug!

Totally in love with the new Argo Teashop on campus...
They have Laduree macarons!

The campus coffee shop is my new favorite place to study

Lunch date at Argo with Zoe and Carrie!
(catching up on my favorite youtubers is the best stress relief)

When the campus safety group gives out Magarita-flavored
snow cones, you know they're doing something right

Caprese sandwich and sweet potato fries at my favorite
campus restaurant!

Dinner date with the bestie to celebrate Friday!

Celebrating my birthday with the family a day early!

Turning 20

I turn 20 years old on Monday (oh my god, that's tomorrow!) and I still can't wrap my head around it. I may not quite know what I'm doing yet (and really, who does?), but I've certainly learned some things in the two decades I've been alive. And now, I'm sharing some of them with you.

20 Lessons I've Learned in 20 Years

1. Be kind to other people. Seriously, this is so essential. If you're nice to people, people (and the universe) will be nice to you back.
2. Travel. I've learned more about myself in my time abroad than I have in all the time I've lived in the United States. I especially recommend studying abroad. You learn so much about yourself when you're on your own in a foreign country.
3. Learn another language. It will help you appreciate your own language and it will be useful in ways you never imagined. 
4. If you love the dress that much, just buy it. You'll find somewhere to wear it.  
5. Tell someone how you feel about them, if only so that you don't have to live with the "What Ifs." 
6. The best kind of sandwiches are peanut butter, Nutella, and banana. 
7. Talk to your parents. Text them, call them, email them, whatever. It makes them happy and it makes you feel good too. 
8. Regardless of what people will tell you, you can stay best friends with your high school group if you're all willing to put time and effort into it. 
9. Take the challenging classes. A B that you worked for is much more rewarding than an A that you got from being bored in class.
10. Find the things you love and do them. But if you don't love them anymore after a while, don't be afraid to let them go.
11. The right shoes can make you feel like a whole new person.
12. Call people out when they make offensive comments. Be polite, but firm. 
13. Always have ice cream in the freezer in case of a bad day. 
14. Use a planner and use it well. Don't be that person who didn't write down the homework and promptly forgot it or completely missed a meeting because they remembered the time wrong.
15. Surround yourself with things you love. This pertains to people, posters, clothes, and just about everything.
16. Get to know your teachers. Sometimes they're incredible people who will change your life.
17. Never ever give up on something you love because it's not "mainstream" or your friends don't like it. Something you're only liking for the sake of other people won't comfort you when you're sad or alone, but something you love will.
18. Invest in fun socks. Don't wear boring ones.
19. Check the weather forecast. Don't risk ruining your new favorite shoes because you didn't know it was going to rain.
20. Ramin Karimloo said, "If you're not struggling, you're not progressing." Remind yourself of that in hard times. 

Friday Internet Finds

Happy Friday everyone! What are you doing for the weekend?

1. I adore Alyssa Campanella (and her cute boyfriend Torrance Coombs!) and her photo diaries from her recent trips to Ireland and London are making my wander-lust uncontrollable.

2. Personal branding is so important and Recent Romantic did a wonderful post on it. I'm about to undergo a large rebranding of this site, so her post was very inspiring to me.

3. #nyfw is almost over, but London Fashion Week is about to begin! Check out this website for the schedule and livestreaming of the shows.

4. Carrie Hope Fletcher is my constant #wcw and I'm so blessed to have met her twice. Her recent video "To My Sixteen Year Old Self" made me cry because I think it's so important for young girls to hear her message.

5. This Buzzfeed "Can We Guess Your University Degree?" quiz made me smile. I got English, which isn't too far off.

#OOTD: Mirror Selfies Edition

One struggle of sophomore year is being so busy that I don't have any free time during the day to get a friend to take outfit photos for me. I'm working on that, but for now I have some mirror selfies to show some of my favorite recent outfits.

Wearing a romper on Move-In Day was a choice I was very nervous about. But it actually worked out really well!

Romper: Target, Keds: Taylor Swift Red Line 

Tank: Nordstrom Juniors, Skirt: H&M

Sometimes you just have to wear a kimono to class...

Kimono: Forever 21, Tank top: Ann Taylor LOFT,
Shorts: American Eagle, Shoes: Nordstroms

I actually took this mirror selfie in the girls bathroom at my Middle School, where I was visiting my sister that day.

Shirt: J. Crew, Skirt: H&M,
Boots: Target, Watch: Michael Kors

 I was so excited when it got cold enough for me to wear my new cropped sweater!

Sweater: Target, Shorts: American Eagle,
Headband: Primark, Boots: Target

This is easily my new favorite dress. I love zippers!

Dress: Target, Shoes: Nordstroms

Sweater: Zara, Tank top: Ann Taylor LOFT,
Shorts: H&M, Shoes: Nordstroms

Have I ever shown you my Primark ring that I'm obsessed with? It's so pretty and actually fits my tiny hands!

But sometimes, this is as good as your outfit gets. #college 

Shorts: Target, Sandals: Target

Friday Internet Finds....College Themed!

In honor of coming back to school, I thought I would make a college-themed Friday Internet Finds! College is a strange time in your life because you're experiencing so many new things while trying to figure out what you want to do for a living. My advice? Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities your school offers, but don't forget to have fun.

1. Vlogger HelloKaty is a freshman at my university this year and she made a video about the move-in process. 

2. Textbooks are way too expensive these days, so this article on how to find textbooks for cheaper prices is definitely helpful. 

3. Staying organized is super important and this DIY monthly calendar would be so cute in a dorm room!

4. College Fashion did a great post called "20 Fashion Risks to Take This Semester" and I am loving it! Which fashion risks are you going to take?

5. And of course...what's a Friday Internet Finds without a Buzzfeed quiz? This one lets you know if this will be "Your Best School Year Ever"!