Today marks my first month of college and boy oh boy has it been a long and crazy ride. I think I had higher expectations for the first month of college, but it has honestly been one of the best months of my life. In all fairness, it has been tough sleeping with two other roommates, but on the bright side, they're awesome people and I am actually happy with how my rooming situation turned out. I mean at least we have air conditioning for our 90 degree heat stroke in the beginning of fall.
I was put into a dorm with two other girls and a shared bathroom with another two girls and it has truly been so much fun. Not only has it taught me more about sharing space and being considerate of other peoples' lifestyles and cleaning habits, but it has also opened me up to meeting new people and new friends.
I've met so many great people and am blessed to have created new friendships off the bat, while also getting to explore my lovely city. In comparison to high school, it has been way more easier opening up to people because we're all in the same boat and are looking for genuine friends and relationships at this point in our lives.
As for college itself and my academics, I have already written two papers and completed my first digital camera assignment which I think went pretty well. I am in a photography class, a writing class, an orientation class for freshmen, and my intro to mass communication class, which is an introductory course to my major, public relations. I have no idea exactly what I want to do with my major or what it has in store, but I do know I want to get very involved in the college of communication and take part in newspaper or my school's online magazine.
I am still getting used to being at college and on my own, but knowing I'm not far from home makes me very comfortable there because I am just one or two train rides away. That's one of the main reasons I chose to be in the city. I am getting very comfortable with public transportation and finding my way around that I actually prefer it over driving myself places. It's also allowing me to explore more because at my school, public transportation via bus or train is free for all students.
I've already been to a Cubs baseball game and to a Nick Jonas concert for my school's welcome week, which were probably some highlights of this month. The city will never bore me and my classes incorporate a lot from the culture and surroundings of Chicago. I am pretty much immersed and will be well knowledgable of it when I graduate.
I know I will accomplish some great things at my school and am so excited to see what will come next. I know it's just the first month, but there's still a lot more experiences to come that I just cannot wait for. It will fly by in an instant and hopefully I will enjoy every minute of it.
Over the past couple of weeks I have really been feeling college in my eyes. Literally. I don't know if it's just from adjusting to a new place, but I feel like my sleep has been all over the place lately. I'm always looking for more sleep remedies, but it kind of comes to just covering up my bags and dark circles with makeup--which isn't always the best way to look "alive".
I bought this little Tarte Wide Awake eye kit as I was checking out of Sephora and am really loving it. It's a very convenient way to treat your eyes especially if they're been staring at a paper for a couple hours on the computer. It's pretty inexpensive for the three really nice sample products you get. In the kit you get these awesome, gel eye patches and I have actually been saving them for a more stressful time of the year, like finals, to put them to good use. Right now they're in my mini fridge at school and I can't wait to use them when I am really feeling the finals week blues. You also get a mini eye treatment which has been very moisturizing under my eyes and keeps them refreshed and not dry or red.
It also includes a mini Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara which I was the most excited to try out. Also, travel mascaras are normally twelve dollars, so I thought you really got more for your money this way. I love how the mascara curls and lengthens my lashes really well. Despite the not-so-cute packaging, it is actually a really great mascara.
I know when my workload gets a bit more heavy at college I am going to really love using these products on days I don't feel alive or want to even go to class. The total pick-me-up!
I knew I wanted some type of bluetooth speaker for college because taking my alarm clock stereo was not an option. Also, how else was I going to get my work done on the quad with an easy way to play some study tunes? I was browsing Amazon and sites for inexpensive speakers and found this Philips Everplay Bluetooth Speaker at Target for less than forty bucks.
What I love about it is how portable and convenient it is to travel with and how great it sounds. I have to admit, it's a bit hard to connect back and forth between my phone and laptop just because I'm not used to using bluetooth yet. However, all things aside, this bad boy echoes and can get very loud. It's weather proof, so if it rains and gets wet, it should be perfectly fine.
I was amazed by this speaker because the handle is the charging cable for it. You simply disconnect the cord from the handle and plug it into any USB port or Apple charger. Within minutes, it's fully charged.
Instead of spending over a hundred dollars on a bluetooth speaker, I would really recommend this one to anyone looking for a really great quality one that you can travel with anywhere and won't have to worry about if it gets lost or even stolen. So far, it has been great to use at parties and get togethers with my friends! I think any music lover would appreciate its convenience and sound. How do you normally listen to your favorite tunes?
It's that time of year again when the air begins to get crisp and the leaves begin to change. I know in Chicago it's still eighty degrees (which is insanely abnormal), but the leaves on many trees are already changed and bright yellow or orange. I thought I would kick off my series of fall related posts with a much needed "Makeup Favorites". To be honest, I haven't been purchasing much more new makeup.
It must be my will to keep using what I already have and what I already have, I love anyway. So, I thought I would share what I am still currently loving and will be using this upcoming fall.
For my eyes, I have been loving the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. It has really been my go-to eye product recently and can curl my lashes better than most of my other mascaras and ones I have tried in the past. It's a cult favorite. I have also been loving the Essence Brow Designer as an inexpensive alternative to any of the Anastasia brow products. It is very handy when I am traveling and don't want to bring a spoolie.
For fall, I know that my nude lip shades will be a necessity. The Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit matte lipstick in Rebel Rose is one of my favorite shades for this upcoming season. It lasts all day and gives off great color.
I have had some go-to base products that I am obsessed with, as well. The Too Faced Hangover Primer has been my favorite hydrating primers that I have ever used and love the coconut scent. The foundation that I have still been using is the Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint. It keeps my face looking matte and also hides any dry patches I might have or get as the colder months come.
I have also been finding that this amazingly inexpensive Wet n Wild eyeshadow primer has impressed me so much compared to any higher end primer. It's probably my favorite at the moment and I don't think anyone should have to pay more than five dollars for a great one.
I have also been using the Mac Studio Fix Powder to make sure my makeup is set and matte for all day long. It has been one of my must haves because I always find this to be the savior if my face ever needs a quick touch up or fix.
To add a bit of color to my cheeks, I have been using up my NYX Terra Cotta blush. This golden color is probably my favorite cheek color I've used. It creates a very subtle warm glow. If I want more, I love to add a bit of my Benefit Hoola Bronzer around my cheeks and on my jaw line.
To add some color to my eyes, the definition of fall is in this Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette. All of the golden browns, rich reds, and vibrant oranges have me swoon. This palette is a favorite of a lot of beauty gurus and lovers, so it had to make it on my fall beauty favorites. You can make so many different looks with this palette and the shades are so well pigmented. I am so ready to where this look this season!
I normally don't follow the "no white after Labor Day" rule, so I have recently purchased a couple pieces that I love wearing around campus. It has surprisingly been cooler and fall-like here in Chicago, but I am hoping that it will warm up soon so I can wear some more of my summer clothes. It's a bummer when you bring all of your summer clothes and it ends up being 60 degrees on the first week of school.
The first item I got was about a month ago when I was shopping at American Eagle. They're these really cool and retro round shades. They have an awesome industrial detailing on the sides, which I love. I never thought I could pull them off, but I think they really flatter my face shape.
I actually bought this dress from Dry Goods and it was my first time going there. I was browsing and they had a lot of really cute tops and dresses. I found their sale racks and this really cute dress was on it for only twelve bucks. I tried it on and loved it. My favorite part is the little gold detailing on the ties.
For my birthday this past month, I really wanted a new pair of Adidas sneakers and I really wasn't sure which type I wanted. I knew people had these and my sister has them, but the Adidas Superstar sneakers are probably the most comfortable shoes I have owned because I have wide feet and they really support my arches. I was skeptical getting white, but since my school is in the city, I barely get them muddy or scuffed really. What has been you go-to, school outfit?
It's not often that I get to try out asian beauty and I am always willing to try new and foreign products. My sisters best friend was in South Korea for a couple months and was very kind to bring back some goodies. I have heard about snail masks around the internet and beauty world, but never thought they would be any good--heck I thought it was kind of gross. When my sister's friend brought them home I was super excited to try these out.
I researched these Nature Republic masks and they actually do contain snail "goo". It is to help firm and brighten skin, which I am all about. Not only did it get five stars, it is currently sold out on the US store's website.
My roommates and I had a lot of fun trying these out and the mask is a sheet mask that comes in two parts: the eye mask and the mouth mask. It is extremely slippery and kind of hard to get off the wrapper, but it pretty soothing and moisturizing. There is no distinct "snail goo smell". It is pretty fresh and left my face smooth the next day. I am usually skeptical with masks because of my sensitive skin, but this one did no harm.
I am always up for trying new skincare products and I will definitely like to try out more Korean beauty products. Shout out to my sister's best friend for these cool masks! I would really recommend them for fun, girly nights in or just a chill evening after class. What type of facial mask do you want to try?
It has been requested by many of my friends and fellow blog readers to do an official dorm tour--so here it is! Might I first disclaim that I am a walking Target ad and pretty much everything I bought for my dorm was from there because it was convenient and Target is life. Over the past three months I have compiled my "aesthetic" for my dorm because life is too short to live in a drab dorm room. I love to express my personality through interior design and I was really excited to decorate a new space to call mine for the next year.
I felt like my desk should be very minimal and have mixed metallics. I also wanted something to cover the bland chair and so I found this faux fur pelt at Five Below which I love sitting on. I also knew I wanted wall grids and found these perfect ones at Target for ten bucks.
I also needed a print of some sort on my bed, so it would be a bit more different than just plain, neutral white or blush. My theme was blush, green, metallics, and grey. Of course, I had to pack my Pillow Pet.
It was a bit extra of me to get this little furry stool, but it was probably the best thing I bought. It functions as a seat, a step stool, and a foot rest. I found it at Hobby Lobby and am really happy I have found uses for it.
I had an image in my head of a cute drink bar area on top of our fridge and I am so content and satisfied with how it looks. I bought this cute Target mug and put all of my hotel Starbucks cups on it for my roommates to enjoy.
I have seen many different bloggers decorate their wall grids in many ways and I was experimenting with what I should put on it. I knew I wanted my Rifle Paper Co. calendar and this little inspirational card. I also decorated it with polaroids and fairy lights which is the perfect mood lighting.
On my desk I have simple stationary items and really cute metallic school supplies. I love the black and gold. This is probably one of my favorite lamps I own from Target.
As far as my wardrobe goes (I was given one because I live with two other girls and brought the least amount of clothes), I kept it neat with white hangers from home.
I bought these awesome wired baskets from Five Below and they really hide my clothes and extra stuff I don't need to be out. They're cute and very functional.
My side of the room is next to the window and I get the ledge to put my vanity. Since I plan on using my desk a lot, I found it easier to put my copper vanity mirror from TJ Maxx there with my brushes.
I also love banners and found these cute gold pineapple ones and the tropical leaf one from Target. I think it adds a very cute and personal touch to my space without making the wall look crowded.
I am sure that my dorms in the future will all be different and I hope this gave some inspiration to people who want to spruce up their dorm as well. I am having a lot of fun and am finally comfortable in my dorm. It was hard transitioning, but adding my own touch to the space has made all the difference.
This past weekend was probably one of the most eventful and joy filled weekends I have had in a long time. Amidst the stress and anxiousness from moving into my dorm and adjusting to college life, my family was expecting a new furry friend--Cooper! It was nice because I got to come home for the week right after I moved in.
The first day we got him was very stressful for him because he got shots and was welcomed into a new place. That night it was hard to crate him and he just cried, so my parents caved in and let him sleep on their bed (jealous). The second night was good and he did sleep in his crate.
It's been a very fun weekend and I am so grateful and excited to introduce Cooper into our lives. I have already made some college friends because of him ;) He's so precious and has already peed on our floor three times, so I guess we have to keep him!
I am so happy to have him here and I am also sad because I am away at college, but can go visit him anytime I want to. My whole family is excited to have him and it is just the beginning of many fun-filled adventures.
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