School Year Goals!

I’m back! This past week has been craaazzzyyy. I went school shopping on the 17 for the last bit of school stuff and dresses for rush week. Then on Tuesday I moved back into my dorm, I’m in an apartment style two person suite, so I have my own bedroom and bathroom (woohoo!). I drove myself to college and it took me like 5 trips to get all my stuff up to my dorm and I only had a few hours before I had to leave for night 1 of rush! We only have four sororities at my school so rush week is only 4 days: 3 days of meeting the sororities and then bid day where hopefully you get into a sorority and hopefully it’s the one you want! It was crazy stressful, overwhelming, and amazing! I found my home and my sisters with Alpha Xi Delta :). Now that all the craziness of moving in, rushing, and getting ready for classes to start I will be posting regularly again!

So anyway, to today’s post! Every year I make goals for the school year and I sometimes make them (like getting good grades I always meet) and sometimes I forget about them and don’t do them. Maybe this year, actually posting them online will help me make sure I do them all!

Goal #1: Make straight A’s

Last year I was an engineering major and I had a horrible time. It was so difficult and I learned too late that I don’t like science so I was struggling like no other.  I was miserable! So at the end of the year I changed my major to English and felt so much better. Even though I didn’t do terrible freshman year (I have a 3.28) I didn’t do as well as I would like. So since I’m in classes I enjoy and I’m excited about school this year I want to make straight A’s to get my GPA up to a 3.5.

Goal #2: Not procrastinate

How many of us make this goal every year and always start out well in August and January but then by the second or third week of school all that motivation to not procrastinate goes away and you find yourself waiting till the night of to do your work? Yeah that’s me every year. Sure I do well anyways, but it’s so stressful. Freshman year of college, at the end of every semester, I would be freaking out because I was scared that I wouldn’t make the GPA cut-off for my scholarship. I don’t want that stress this year. So I’m going to make sure that I don’t leave my essays and homework until the last minute so I don’t stress during finals week (at least not as bad)

Goal #3: Go to every class and be at class 5 to 10 minutes early.

Skipping class is easy, we all go through the cycle of “I’ll just skip this one class today and it’ll be a one-time thing” only to end up never going to that class. Let’s not do that this year, let’s go to all of our classes and even be kind of early!

Goal #4: Get up and to the gym a couple times a week

We have a really nice rec center with a rock wall, a pool, and apparently a sauna. There are also many different classes, I want to go to the yoga class in the morning (7:30 AM…ouch) but I think it would be good for me to go through a relaxing yoga class before going to my actually classes. Plus yoga is good for the mind and body and is actually really toning and strengthening.

Goal #5: Finally, Get involved on campus

I didn’t do anything last year, I didn’t make any friends, join any clubs etc. This year that’s changing, I will be joining clubs and getting involved. The first step for me was going to rush and joining a sorority, so I guess I can like halfway cross this off because being in a sorority means being super involved in college life. We’ll see what else I join.

Tell me in the comments what your goals are for this year? 

Thanks for reading!

Kylie

Update!

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting much lately! I've moved back to college so that's taken a lot of time and then this week is rush week, so every night I've been going to talk to sororities and it's so exhausting but so exciting! During the days I've been unpacking and settling in. I should have another post up this week and then start being more regular again once classes start and rush stops!

Talk to you guys later!
Kylie

Top 5 Favorite Lip Products

Hello everyone, today I am going to tell you guys about my top 5 favorite lip products. I must say that lip products are probably my favorite make-up products. I love how having something on your lips can complete your look and take a look from day to night. I have a range of drugstore brands and one higher end lipstick. So let us get started!

P.S. These are not in any particular order!

#1) MAC’s lipstick in Brave

This is my all-time favorite, it’s a Satin finish so it’s semi-matte but not drying. It is the perfect nude/my lips but better color. Nudes that are too brown don’t look good on me nor do nudes that are too light of a pink and I just think that this is the best pinky nude for me. I’m almost out though and I don’t know when I’m going to be able to afford another :( but I will get another eventually!

#2) Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie

This is my favorite color in fall/winter! I love berry colors on me and this is like a deep magenta berry color and I love it. I sometimes pair it over MAC’s Amorous which is a Satin finish. I pat Amorous on then layer this lip butter over it so it’s a little deeper and lasts longer. I love the lip butters in general though. They have a lot of color payoff, have a little sheen, aren’t sticky and are at a decent price range. I have 4 and plan on buying more in the future!

#3) Rimmel London Kate Moss lipstick in 10

I’m not a big fan of red lipsticks, to be honest, I’m kind of afraid of them! They are really bold and if they aren’t done right can bleed and just look horrible, or get on your teeth…or a combination! Eek, that’s enough to steer someone away from wearing red. However, I do try sometimes and when I do this is my favorite red. It’s a true red so I think it looks good on many people and it is almost matte. I wore it to prom and it looked great!

#4) Maybelline Colorstay Vivids in Electric Orange

Orange, like red, can be scary to wear cause come on. It’s orange! But sometimes an outfit calls for an orange-y lip. I have some of those outfits and this is the lipstick I choose when I want orange. Sometimes I will layer it over a pinky lipstick or put a pink lipstick over it to tone down the orange and make it more peachy. But it is a very, very bright orange but perfect for when orange is the goal.

#5) Covergirl Lip Perfection in blush

For me, this is the best pink. Sometimes pink can feel too frosty and make me look terrible, or the pink is too dark and just doesn’t look like pink. I wear this all the time in the spring and summer. This is a perfect pink! I love it, I got it for prom my senior year and it was perfect and quickly became my favorite pink to wear. It also pairs perfectly with Revlon’s Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. I also have berry twist (yes another berry color.) These are so easy to use and are great for on the go because you don’t necessarily need a mirror to apply. I always have this or the berry one in my purse.

Here are the swatches! From bottom to top: Mac's Brave, Revlon Lip butter in Raspberry Pie, Rimmel London Kate Moss in 10, Maybelline Vivid in Electric Orange, Covergirl Lip Perfection in Blush.

I love lip products as I said previously and am open to trying new ones so tell me, what are your favorite lip products and why?

Thanks for reading!

Kylie

This week I will...

So I decided this morning that I want to start doing a weekly post on Sundays or Mondays where I write about my weekly goals and possibly cool things about the past week along with how I did on my goals for the previous week. I know it’s Tuesday, but I still want to do it this week. Since this is the week before I head back to school I have a couple school related goals.

Goal 1: Clean!

Since I’m leaving for school next week, I don’t want to leave my room a mess. It also really helps to have a clean room to pack because then you have room to put your boxes and you won’t forget anything. Plus, who would want to pack dirty clothes to school so make sure to do your laundry. I know I have a lot, I have clothes from the past week or so and then my new sheets and bedspread to wash so I can just put them on my bed when I get to school and make my room start feeling like home. I have the cutest bed spread this year so I’m really excited.

Goal 2: Pack!

I am terrified of forgetting something I desperately need at home when I drive back to school, although my parents will be coming down the weekend after or the weekend after that but still…I want my stuff. I have found that every time I pack to go somewhere such as camp, I always forget something. One year it was a hairbrush, another year it was my towel! I created a packing list to help so that nothing will be forgotten click here to view the blog post to get a copy of your own!

I will be going through the packing list and reorganizing stuff to fit the most amount of things in the least amount of space as possible. I will probably do a packing tips list within the next week.

Goal 3: Finish my book!

I have been reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson for a while now and I love it! But I don’t want it to come to school with me because I want my mom to be able to read it too. I also want to read the second and third and I can’t do that if I’m still on the first one! Plus I want to write a review on it so other people might read it and enjoy it too :)

Quote of the Week

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 

                                               -Mark Twain

Thanks for reading! What are your goals this week?
Kylie

(Beginning title picture was made on piZap.com)

Back-to-College Packing

     I don’t know about you guys but I am excited to go back to school, I absolutely can’t wait. I’m starting a new major this year, I’m living in an awesome apartment style dorm, and I’m joining a lot of organizations this yearJ.  This is my second year of college and after living in a dorm last year, I have a better idea of the things that are needed and not needed. I also know how stressful it can be to have to pack up everything and move it to your school; so to help keep the stress down to a minimum I’ve made a packing list. I cannot live without lists, I make lists for everything! If I don’t have a packing list, whether it’s for a week-long trip somewhere or a year at college, I will forget something; it never fails (one year at camp I forgot a towel! It was terrible)! I have attached my packing list to this and it comes in two sizes: Letter paper and A5. This is a list of things I need and it may not be the same for you (I have my own kitchen and bathroom) so feel free to take away and add as you believe is needed. I hope you enjoy!

     Here are my top 10 college essentials and are in absolutely no particular order, look at the end for a full packing list!

1) Composition Book                             

These are a classic. I didn’t use them much until I got to college but they are amazing. For one they are super cheap so they won’t break your bank…especially if you’re a broke college student. I also realized that I don’t spiral notebooks because they ALWAYS break! Mine always wrap around each other or get caught on things in my bag or start unraveling and it drives me insane! I love that composition books don’t have that issue and they last forever. I have one that I have all my calc 1, 2 and soon to be 3 notes in one, science notes in another and will continue this trend. I also use washi tape to mark which composition books are for which class. It really helps when I am in a rush.

2) Command Hooks and strips

We can’t use nails, push-pins, double-stick tape or anything of that matter on our walls at my school so instead I use the line of command products. I love them, I use the hooks to hold my purses and anything that needs a hook to hang (maybe an extra towel?). I also use the plain strips to hang up any posters and pictures on my wall. I tried using the regular 1 lb. tested strips to hang everything up, but learned when one of my frames can crashing off of my wall and almost impaled my roommate that I needed something stronger to hold everything up. So I went and looked and found 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 pound tested strips! I got the 16 lb. just to be safe, I didn't want something to come crashing down again. Everything stayed up really well after that :) .

3) Over the door hooks and closet organizers

Dorms do not come with much storage or space in general. These save space and provide more much needed storage. I like these over the door hooks that I got from target for 3 dollars! I plan on using one for scarves and one for my purses. Also those hanging closet organizers that act as shelves add more space to hold shoes, folded clothing, or anything you think you would want to put in it.

4) Planner

I cannot live without my planner! I have been using a planner for as long as I can remember. In my middle school and high schools they provided planners for us to use. I never liked them much though so I would go purchase my own from Target, Wal-Mart or Staples. When I went to college, I tried a new format: Monthly and weekly but the weekly had a time format. I liked that for a while but then I realized that it wasn't what I was looking for. So my Mom told me about this thing called a Filofax and after watching a billion YouTube videos about them I decided to give it a try and I love it! You can do so much to customize it and you can keep everything in one book, it’s a lifesaver!

5) Colorful pens and highlighters

I love color-coding, I mainly use color pens in my planner to easily see when I have tests, or what homework I have etc. I use highlighters to color-code my notes. For example, in my math classes I use Yellow to highlight the chapter number and title, blue for definitions and important stuff, pink for formulas, green for examples and orange to highlight homework problem; I then use a variation of that for every other class so it stays consistent. My favorite highlighters are the BIC ones, especially since their 5 pack with blue and green is widely available. I am also lusting over the Staedtler Triplus fine liner pens.

6) Rain Boots

My campus floods, not like feet of water but enough inches that if I walk to class without rain boots my feet get soaked. It’s miserable walking through cold rain and having cold feet all day. A cute pair will keep your feet warm and dry but are also very cute! I would love a pair of Hunter Rain Boots, but I just don’t have the cash to afford some. So I am going to have to settle for some cheaper rain boots. Do you know that it is nearly impossible to find plain black tall rain boots that aren't over 80 dollars? Ugh.

7)  Flash-Drives/External Hard-Drive

Things go wrong with computers, it’s inevitable! I have a 16 gb flash drive that I keep attached to my key chain/wallet organizer I got from Barnes and Noble for 6 dollars. I lost a flash drive last year that had everything from all my years of schooling since freshman year of high school! I was devastated L so to keep this from happening again I got one that attaches to my key chain so I won’t lose it again. Remember when we had floppy disks that only held like 128 mb of date

8) Reading Novels

I love books (as I’m sure you can tell from my previous posts) so having a lot of fun novels is a must for me. I read a lot during my free time at school and go through books like nobody’s business. I also always have one in my backpack in case a professor is late, I have off time between classes but not enough to go back to the dorm, or if I go eat and I’m alone. Seriously, this is one of the most important things for me.

9) Water bottle

I drink so much water at school. Well I should drink more, but I do carry a water bottle everywhere I go. It’s nice for class after walking across campus to class, after going to the gym, after eating snack in class (only if your professor is okay with food in the classroom) or eating at the commons. I like ones that have straws, I find that I drink more when I can just sit and drink through a straw, I can even drink while writing notes. Haha, but I can’t live without one; I lost mine a couple weeks ago and I’m dying without one.

10) Laptop

This is my most used item in school and out of school. I have a Lenovo y510p and I love it. It does all I need it to do and never runs out of space. It’s also super powerful so I can play all of my games (The Sims and Skyrim). Now you don’t need a super powerful, expensive laptop but I would definitely say a laptop is a must have. I take mine everywhere on campus (even though it weighs like 6 pounds) and I do everything on it. I also have a wireless mouse because the touchpad mouse’s can get annoying, a laptop fan, a case and a lock. Those aren't essential but are nice to have. 

Here are the two packing lists, since I can't actually upload the files the link will lead you to the Google drive .pdf document. If you want the original or the A5 size in Microsoft Word (any year), comment and I will send it to you via e-mail!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B76oPrrrCybxTjRicmcwemVvMUU/edit?usp=sharing

I hope you guys enjoyed this. What are some of you college/school essentials?

Thanks for reading!
Kylie

Liebster Award

I was in the car with my family yesterday and decided to check on my blog and saw that I had been nominated for the Liebster Award! I had heard the name before but didn't know what it was but since it has “award” in the name I freaked out.  I found out after reading pinkb-lush’s post about it what exactly this was. It awarded to bloggers with less than 200 followers (I've only been blogging for a week, so excited) and whoever is nominated has to answer questions provided by the nominator and then nominate 11 other blogs and create your own questions. I love finding new blogs especially those who aren't very known; I mean I want to support bloggers who are starting out like me!

Here are the rules!

1) Answer all questions that are asked of you

2) Nominate 11 other blogs, comment on one of their posts or e-mail them and let them know. Also, link them in your post.

3) Create 11 new questions that your nominees have to answer

4) Don’t re-tag someone!

Before I get started I would like to thank pinkb-lush for the nomination! I really appreciate it!

1. What made you start your blog?

Honestly, I don’t know. I just changed my major to English and decided that I might want to try writing. I also watch a lot of YouTube and I enjoyed reading a lot of their blogs as well as reading blogs I found on Pinterest. I guess reading those blogs sparked something in me and I just wanted to give it a try and I am so happy I did. I love it so far!
2. What is your favorite beauty brand?

I don’t think I have one. I have a lot of products from different brands. But looking at my baby collection, I have a lot of Rimmel London products. But I have a wishful favorite beauty brand…Chanel. I love how beautiful their packaging is and I've heard great things.
3. What is your top make up tip?

Wear primer and practice! I have found that when I don’t use a primer, my foundation goes on TERRIBLY! Like seriously, it goes on so patchy and doesn't blend (this goes for all foundations that I have tried using without a primer since using a primer). Also practice! One will never become good at make-up unless they practice, I don’t wear make-up a lot (I’m lazy) so it’s taken me years to get to where I am now (which is still pretty basic).
4. What is one thing you could not live without?

BOOKS!! I cannot live without books, my room has books everywhere. My house has like 18 bookcases filled and overflowing with my mom’s and mines books. We always carry books with us, what if we get stranded somewhere and need to wait on a tow truck or wait in the hospital for something? It would be terrible to be without a book. They’re my best friends :D (Don’t judge)
5. Do you think you will continue to blog?

Yes! I will most definitely continue to blog. I've only done this for like a week now and I already love it!
6 'What is your favorite colour?

Purple and Blue!
7. What are your beauty bag essentials?

Lipstick or lip balm, mascara, concealer and oil blotting sheets. I always end up looking like a fry pan at the end of the day from my oily skin lol.
8. What is your favorite thing about being a blogger?

Being able to hone my writing skills and write content that other people I've never met before read and love. I like being able to make little differences in peoples lives just by writing. I also like that you can meet so many people being a part of the blogging world.
9. Where is your favorite place to go?

Bookstores and coffee shops! Especially those bookstore (not just chain but those small locally owned ones) that are connected to a coffee shop/sandwich shop, those are amazing. They always have the coolest books and the best coffee and food and always smell ahmazing! But really, I love any and all bookstores.
10. Other than blogging, what are you hobbies?

Reading, soccer, video games, travel. At least that’s all I can think of at the moment.
11. What is your favorite thing to drink?

That’s hard. Right now, I love lemonade but I always love a Shirley temple when available. I always love a cup of iced vanilla coffee though too.

My nominees!

Ally Gagliardo

thoughts. blogging. life.

Thrifts and Threads

Thrift and Style

Oh Mai Darling

A Blissful Haven

Life by a Ginger

Crazy Scarf Girl

Seeking Individuality

Gemstones & Cities

Brittany Leland

The Questions to Answer

1) Why did you decide to start blogging?

2) What is your staple fashion item?

3) What is your favorite song write now?

4) What is your favorite quote?

5) Tell me your favorite books 

6) What did you/are you majoring in and why? If you haven’t picked a major, tell me what your dream major is and why.

7) What are your purse essentials?

8) What are your hobbies?

9) Where is your dream place to live or travel to?

10) What is your favorite season?
11) If you could live in any decade other that the one we live in now, which would you choose and why?

Self-Worth

I was watching this YouTube video from Sarah about self-worth (if you want to watch it click here) and it really got me thinking. I see so many females, young adults and women that are so dependent on other people and on men that they don’t believe they have any value or worth outside of their partner or their friends; often times believing that they can’t live without their partner so they stay in these horrible relationships because they are scared to be alone. It upsets me. I don’t know if I would classify myself as a feminist per-say but I do believe that women should be able to be independent and have confidence and know that they can live without a man or people in general.

I want to tell all the females reading this post that you have self-worth. You have value. You do not need anybody to solidify that for you. If you have confidence and know that you are worthy of a great life with great friends and a nice guy who treats you the way you should be treated (like a princess) then you will attract those people.  Learn how to be alone and comfortable with yourself! I don’t mean alone like no friends, sitting inside all the time and not socializing; I mean alone like being comfortable going out by yourself, living by yourself and not being dependent on someone else. I promise, you will feel so good about yourself knowing that you can handle whatever life throws at you because you’re strong. Build up that woman power! Seriously though, confidence is attractive. Having high self-confidence (not a high ego or no confidence) is super attractive! You will attract the most amazing people and you will have a much better life.

I understand that if you've been dependent on people you’re whole life that it can be scary to begin gaining confidence and independence so here are my tips;

1) This is cheesy and it’s going to feel weird but every morning when you wake up and every night before bed either write in a journal things you like about yourself or say in front of the mirror that “I am confident, I have value, I am beautiful.” Eventually you will start feeling a change in your attitude toward yourself and others. It may take a few days for some or a few months for others but it does work.

2) Find something you love doing! For me that’s reading, I am a total bookworm and I can sit and read for hours upon hours and never get bored. But take that thing you love or try out new things like dance, art, reading, sports, etc until you find something you do like and pursue it. It’ll be something you can do alone but since it’s something you love you won’t feel so alone. Also, doing things you like or love, especially an artistic or athletic activity can help build confidence and are great mood boosters!

3) Slowly start going out alone. I’m not saying you can’t ever go out with friends or even a guy, but sometimes it’s nice to go out by yourself. A good way to introduce yourself into this is to go see a movie, the theater is dark so no one will notice that you’re alone and people go see movies alone all the time. I mean think about it, what if there was a movie you really wanted to see but none of your friends want to see it, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to go see it. Take as some personal *insert your name here* time. Then try doing your grocery shopping alone and then getting a new book at sitting at a coffee shop and reading while drinking a nice hot cup of coffee or tea. Before you know it, you’ll be loving your alone outings as much as your group outings.

4) ENJOY LIFE! I can’t stress this enough. Find your dream and pursue it, try new things like new food or new movies, travel (alone or with a friend). The happier you are, the more likely you’ll be to do stuff alone; and as you do stuff alone you’ll gain personal happiness and you’ll just radiate happiness and strength and you’ll find that life is just better. It’s a never ending cycle where you know that even when things are rough that you’ll be able to be happy again because you’re strong, beautiful, and know yourself.

I hope you guys enjoyed this. I just wanted to make a post that might help some girls become stronger and more confident.

Thanks for reading!

Kylie 

July Favorites

     July is already over, I can’t believe it. Summer is already over. My baby brother starts his first day of Kindergarten soon (!) and then in a couple weeks I go back to school for my sophomore year of college. Time just flies by.

     This is my first ever favorites post so it may not be the best but hey, you don’t learn if you don’t practice 

1) Make-up Favorite: Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 foundation in 825 buff beige. I was skeptical to buy this product at first because I heard that it oxidizes terribly and that it caused break outs on some people. But I heard so many other good reviews that I gave in and decided to buy it and I must say I love it. It kind of reminds me of Revlon Colorstay, which unfortunately breaks me out extremely bad, but the Covergirl doesn’t break me out! It has great staying power and doesn’t get oily until the end of the day (unless it’s very hot and humid, but even then it is not that bad) and I don’t use a setting powder or spray most of the time, I only use a primer under this foundation. This is now my top favorite foundation J

2) Skin Care Favorite: Garnier Moisture-Rescue gel cream in the original formula. I have used this for probably two years and have gone through about four or five bottles of this (it lasts forever) and have also tried the dry-skin version (didn’t like it as much but it’s still good) but after trying out other face moisturizers and being in the sun all the time, I have really noticed how much I really love this moisturizer. It does not leave me that greasy, oily feeling after applying that many face lotions do and it absorbs almost instantly (which I love), it has never caused me to break out which is important since I have acne prone skin. I have also noticed my skin is noticeably softer and has no dry patches when I use this. The only downside is that it does not have SPF, which sucks, but I have yet to find a face lotion with SPF that does not break me out and turn my face into a frying pan.

4) Hair Product Favorite: Coconut Oil. My mom got me this one from Wal-Mart and I use it as a deep conditioner for my hair, a body lotion, and an after-shave skin soother/moisturizer. It smells great, like a tropical coconut.  I love that it is super moisturizing; I’ve noticed great improvements in my hair texture and look when I use it and it makes my legs super soft after I shave. I don’t have much to say about this one, but trust me. It works wonders. I haven’t cooked with it yet, I may have to try to though.

5) Favorite Book: “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman. I loved this book, it was a very quick read but was very memorable. It follows the narrator as he remembers a scary, strange time of his childhood. It was a great example of how children perceive the world and how adults may not see things the same way as well as the frustrations you feel as a child not being able to control your life.  I honestly don’t know what I was expecting out of this book, but since I enjoyed “The Graveyard Book” by the same author I figured I would like this one and I did. It was an interesting almost fantasy style novel with otherworldly, creepy beings and interesting places. I really recommend this book.

6) Favorite Song One Ocean by Chevelle from their new album La Gargola. I absolutely love it, the whole album is amazing and is one of their best if not their best album and this is my favorite song off of the album. I love them all but this one just mesmerizes me. The first time I heard it I knew it would be my favorite, but I can’t describe my love for it. It’s relaxing and reminds me of the ocean and I can just visualize waves when listening to this song. It’s just amazing.

7) Favorite Show: Orange Is the New Black! I didn’t think I would like it but then one day my boyfriend and I decided to give it a chance and it quickly became one of my favorite shows. If you don’t already know it’s about life in a women’s prison and how these women get through their time. It’s interesting, funny and drama-filled. We binge watched the first 2 seasons of the show and I was sad to finish the second season because now I have to wait till next year for season 3, ugh! I highly recommend this show, unless you’re offended by nudity, language or same-sex relationships.

I hope you guys enjoyed this, please let me know what was good and what I should change for the next one and I hope you try some of these out! 

Thanks for reading!

Kylie

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