Influenster Beauty Blogger: NYC Prize

Finally FINALLY my NYC prize showed up. It wasn't was I was expecting but after nearly eight weeks of waiting, I was happy to get anything. NYC sent me their Liquid Lip Shine in City's Clear  which isn't terribly exciting but it's nice to have since I don't buy clear gloss. It's got a really nice smooth texture and it's not super gooey or anything. I also really like the applicator. It's more of like a flexible longer version of a regular applicator. There is no tip at the end you have to use. It contours to your lip a bit. I'll definitely continue to use it but NYC is not my favorite brand for lip products so I probably won't repurchase. Enjoy this lovely picture of me running late to meeting.

My Vera Bradley Collection

I am obsessed with Vera Bradley. Can someone explain to me what about it is so addicting? The patterns are beautiful and the colors are always right on trend and I just love all their stuff. I am just obsessed. Jessica asked me to do a post to show my whole collection. I tried to get it all into a picture and then I realized that is a joke. It's too hard and with all the patterns and colors, it was looking crazy. So I made a collage. I have a long wish list and an enabling amazing group of family and friends that know what I love so I'm sure I'll be updating this list soon but still. Luke is even super sweet and supportive. It helps that his sisters and his mom love Vera too. He even took his IPad in and had the girls in the Hallmark store look at my list to pick something. He is pretty cute.

1. Zip ID Case in Symphony in Hues (Gift from the Piersons)

2. Hipster in Baroque

3. All-in-One Wristlet in Twirly Birds Navy

4. Show and Tell in Baroque (Aunt Jennifer's Day Gift 2012)

5. 17" Laptop Sleeve in Lime's Up

6. Large Duffle in Suzani

7. Student Agenda in Paisley Meets Plaid

8. Study Buddy in Paisley Meets Plaid

9. Loop Key Chain in Rhapsody in Blue

10. Mandy in Provencal (Gift from Luke)

11. Turn Lock Wallet in Provencal (Gift from Luke)

12. Mini Hipster in Baroque (Gift from Jessica)

Friday Faves

What a week. I was hoping to make this exclusively all about my trip to Kentucky but there are other things that happened that made it less than perfect. So instead this is just a normal Friday Faves. I'm not bitter...

1. Pine Mountain Settlement School

It was simply life changing. I wouldn't trade seeing that community in person for anything. I am so amazed at how much this school does with so little.

2. Nationals

We stopped in Indy at nationals on our way back from Kentucky. It was so cool. Sorority-girl-squeals worthy. The building is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a highlight of my time as a collegian.

3. Changes

I don't know how to describe the feelings I'm feeling these days. It's like when you prepare for the worst and it doesn't happen. I'm just sitting there, expecting to screw my whole life up again and when it doesn't happen, I'm left sitting there wondering how that happened and how do I manage to continue not screwing it up. 

4. French Toast Dumplings

I feel a little bad showing you these, knowing the post won't go up until the end of the month. They are little balls of love. This will happen in my life again.

5. Retail Therapy

I was going to take a pic but that's work so I found this picture instead. I drug Joe through JC Penny's last weekend and it was absolutely amazing. I don't care how superficial it is. I love trying on clothes. And then I walked around Target for like 2 hours today. It's spring break. I don't care if you judge me.

Wednesday Writings

Describe each person in your family with just one word.

"Real" Family:
Mom: Weeble
Dad: Stereotypical
Jessica: Anchor
Matt: Fourteen
Liam: Giggles
Uriah: Nerd
Joe: Doctor

Greek Family:
Amanda: Quiet
Grace: Mature
Emily: Hermione
Claire: Sweetheart
Mary Kate: Grand

What to Wear: Formal

It's formal season! Yay! The most wonderful time of the year in sorority land! Dressing for formal can be the harder than that midterm you pulled an all-nighter to study for. The biggest mistake a girl can make going to formal is to dress like a whore. Isn't the point to have fun and celebrate your chapter's accomplishments with all of your sisters, active and alumnae? So why must you dress like a street walker? Exactly. So I put together these super cute options that range from sweet to a little sexy but all classy. Note that none of these options are super low cut or super short. They are all a great length and fun. They aren't grandma-y but they give you enough coverage so that if you are having a good time, you aren't going to be flashing the whole chapter. So now that we've discussed classiness, let's talk about expenses. The other problem is that we are college students. We are notoriously poor. So all of these dresses are from ModCloth  and with the exception of the neon, are all $50. The neon is $100 but it was too cute to exclude. The shoes are all Payless of course. Each set of accessories comes from a different store that I thought matched the style of the girl I was going for so that you would probably already have the accessories already. The fun style accessories are all Betsy Johnson. The sexy classy style accessories all all from Nordstrom and the preppy classic style accessories are from J.Crew. The sweet style accessories are from Claire's.  You don't have to go out and buy all new accessories for formal. Pick a dress that already goes with your style and then you can spend a little more on the dress and use jewelry and hairpieces you already have. So those are my tips for dressing for formal. Most importantly, have a blast, stay safe, and remember that you are always wearing your letters!

Spring Bucket List

I'm ready for the snow to be gone. Snow is silly. Spring is so pretty. Flowers and fresh grass. Sun dresses and cardigans. Being outside again. I'm ready for the winter to be over. So once again, I present a bucket list for the change of seasons. Joe and I are ready to be back outside again so everything except cleaning may end up in some way outside. If you can't tell, I love spring. I just love that winter is over. I miss my dresses and short sleeve tops and seeing the sun. So I'm ready for this to happen ASAP.

Friday Faves

Well, this week has been a long one.

1. Haircut and Sister Love

Saturday, I went home and saw my lovely family. I got a haircut which was desperately needed and I got to love on my sister, also desperately needed. I miss having some Jessica in my life.

2. Little Man Haircut

Just look at that drool-y  little guy. Little man was so into his sucker. His haircut just made him look so much like a little man that I can't get over it.

3. Playtime

Is there anything more necessary in life that playtime with your nephew. I think not. We rocked on Tigger for a while and then Liam brought me his baby and had me hug his baby and then he hugged his baby. And then spiked it like a football. No one said 18 month olds are good at parenting. 

4. Best Friend

If it wasn't for Joe, I'd fall apart daily. 

5. AST!

Wednesday night, we had a recruitment workshop and then the spring break group got together to discuss details. I am just on an AST high this week.