A Commuter's Guide

I've been a commuter for the past five years now, so going back and forth to school has taught me a lot about patience and what to bring with me before I leave the house. Whether you take a bus, a train, or travel by car, there are several things you might want to have in your bag, just in case. You never know when you'll get a headache, when the train will be colder than usual, or when the bus will be late.

Here's my guide to being a commuter...

{Click for item info}

• Bag -- a place to put all your goodies and the things you need
• Travel umbrella -- sometimes sunny days turn out to be not so sunny
• Sunglasses -- sometimes not so sunny days turn out to be very sunny
• Scarf -- if you get cold or want to hide a bad hair day
• Lip balm -- sometimes those lips needs moisturizing
• Tide To-Go Pen -- a lifesaver if your food didn't make it to your mouth
• Book, tablet or audiobook -- for when you're waiting or driving
• Face / body wipes -- if you need to feel refreshed
• Shine Eraser -- to get rid of oil but keep your make up on
• Painkiller -- to ease the headache you got from listening to your teacher's or boss' voice
• Snack cup or snack -- for when hunger strikes

Not pictured:

• Cards -- credit card, I.D., metrocard, business cards
• Hair ties -- to get your hair out of your face
• Cash and change -- if you need to buy something now, forgot your metrocard, or need to park at a meter
• Make up necessities -- if you need to reapply anything later in the day
• Charger -- for phone or tablet
• Water bottle -- for when thirst overtakes you
• Hand sanitizer -- for after you touched something that someone else touched
• Keys -- to get back into your house

Anything else you guys bring with you? What did you think of my guide?

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

New Buys

I hope you guys are all having a wonderful week! Here in New York it's been cold and dreary, so I've been immersing myself in A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin, which is the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series (what the show Game of Thrones is based on).

I've been reading a little bit too much lately because I have a lot of schoolwork that I've put to the side (critiquing stories, editing my writing and looking for sources for a paper). Not good. Luckily, I only have four more weeks to the semester and then I'm going to devote a lot of time to thoroughly editing my novel.

I consider my novel by baby, but it needs to grow the hell up and go out into the world, and only I can do that, so that's what I'm planning on accomplishing this summer. Hopefully, I actually will!

 A new dress from Forever 21 with a criss-cross and open back. (Similar)

 Fedora from Forever 21 and Milani's Holographic nail polish in 509.

When I saw this little guy was on sale on Fred Flare, I had to get him. Isn't he cute?

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

Guest Post at Claws Up!

Hey guys! I'm guest posting over at Claws Up!

Go on over to Claws Up to see my nail tutorial on how to make constellation nails!

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

Hole to Another Universe

How cool is this wall decal by Blik?

It's fun way to spruce up a blank wall, don't you think?

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

Quote

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” 

-Marilyn Monroe

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

(Picture via TickledByLife)

Outfit: Casual Wednesday

On Wednesdays and Fridays I don't have class, so most weeks I work instead, but they didn't need me to work last week, so I had the day off. And by day off I mean I did homework, and by homework I mean critiquing other classmates' stories.

I really like the colors in my outfit -- blues, purples, and a bright pink! I think they all complement each other very well. And I'm in love with my new bag! I've been wanting a new cross shoulder bag but also one that looks like an oxford satchel. This one is perfect because it's the perfect size for me (I usually only carry the essentials), it's pink, and it was only $15. Score!

I also like how the inside and underside of the strap is suede.

Cardigan // Thrifted
Shirt // American Apparel
Jeans // Forever 21
Flats // Target
Satchel // Ebay
Nail polish // Revlon's Gold Coin

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

Life Lately

My life lately...

 Can you see the Empire State Building peeking out?

 New bag (more on that tomorrow).

Planning out new nail DIY

Best soda ever! It kind of tastes like Sprite with a hint of cotton candy.

You'll probably find it in your nearest Asian supermarket.

Shop ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest

Earth Day Beauty

What are you doing on Earth Day this Sunday? For a few years, Jackie and I went to a nearby park and picked up trash. But if you're too busy or a germophobe, there are other ways you can help the environment that don't require a black garbage bag. Instead, you can save the earth by using eco-friendly beauty products!

Good for your skin and the earth!

Crazy Rumors' Plum Apricot Natural Lip Balm ($3.50)

All natural and vegan, and 50% of the proceeds go to the Leaping Bunny Program,

which promotes cruelty-free household, personal care, and beauty products.

Earth Lovers Watermelon and Eucalytus Shower Gel ($10)

This shower gel is 100% biodegradable and is sulphate, paraben and colorant-free.

Urban Decay's Sustainable Shadow Box ($36)

Made with recycled cardboard and paper in the inside, and sustainable bamboo on the outside.

Outfit: Little Blue Dress

While most women's go-to dresses are either a little black dress or a little white dress, mine has always been a little blue dress. I always gravitate towards blue dresses because to me they seem like both a neutral and a stand-out color. You can wear blue with pretty much anymore color to tone it down, or you can wear it alone to make a statement.

The day I took these pictures (Monday), it was 85 degrees! I think summer came early. Not sure how I feel about that since I really don't like hot weather.

Dress // Delias

Cardigan // Target

Shoes // Kohls

Glasses // Bonlook

What's your go-to dress color?

Fantastical Photography

I've always loved reading fantasy novels, and I don't plan on ever stopping. Who says you can't read fairy tales when you're an adult? C.S. Lewis wrote, "Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."

I think it's true. You read fairy tales as a child for the wonder and excitement of something magical, something that can't possibly happen, then you get older and think that fairy tales are only for children. But then, as adults, fairy tales become magical again; they're a means of escape from reality, but they're more than that because I think adults want to believe in fairy tales even more than children do.

I love fantastical photography, too. It's whimsical and fun and creative and makes me want to believe that anything is possible again. If only we could see outer space in the palms of our hands, right? If only...

(Pictures via CaryW and FantasyorFiction)

Beauty Buys (Pink & Gold)

This past week, I got some new beauty buys for spring! I've been loving pink and gold lately (who doesn't?) and that certainly translated into what I decided to buy.

While at Harmon with my mom I bought Wet n' Wild's The Gold & The Beautiful and Color Club's Jackie Oh! I like that the gold is a very yellow-based gold, but it's mostly sheer, so I'm going to use it on top of other colors.

It's hard to tell in the top picture, but the pink is bright neon. And I mean BRIGHT NEON! Like eye-searingly bright. These pictures really don't do it justice.

With a CVS giftcard I got from Mypoints, I got Revlon's Gold Coin nail polish and Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. I love this gold! It's a thick foil polish but not hard to brush on and it makes me want to stare at my nails all day long. (You can see how it looks on my nails in the second picture.)

The lip butter is as amazing as the reviews say. It's creamy and hydrating, has more color than a regular tinted lip balm but it's not as thick as a lipstick (which I like), has a slight shimmer, and it has the fainted pleasant smell. I'll definitely be wearing this a lot!

Reverse French Nails

I have another diy nail idea for you guys! And it's actually really easy! The only thing you need are two nail polish colors; one light, one dark.

I used two coats of a light turquiose color and then two coats of a royal blue. When painting the darker color, start slightly further back from the base of the nail and gently curl the nail brush on either side and then fill in the rest. Once dry, use a top coat.

Light blue // Forever 21
Royal blue // New York Color's Pier 17
Top coat // New York Color's Extra Shiny Top Coat

New York Auto Show

On Monday night, I went with my dad, two younger brothers, Ben and Leo, and a family friend to the New York Auto Show at the Javits Center. When  I was seeing all those beautiful new cars, it made me sad that my own car was still in the shop, but now I'm happy because my car (named Effy) is fixed!

Anyway, back to those awesome vehicles I saw at the auto show. If you love cars, here's a fraction of them they had on display...

(Warning: lots of pictures ahead.)

 Even S.H.I.E.L.D. (form the Marvel Universe) was there with a car from The Avengers.

I like that it was matte instead of being ultra shiny.

DIY: Neon Color Block Clutch

When my mom gave me a plain black clutch, I knew I had to update it with some pink neon!

What you need:

• Clutch
• Painter's tape
• Sponge brush
• White acrylic paint
• Neon pink acrylic paint (or any color your heart desires)
• Patience and music

 Step 1. Tape off all the sections you don't want painted.

(Mine's completely covered because initially I was going to use spray paint.)

 Step 2. Use white paint in a downward motion so no paint goes underneath the tape.

Let it dry for an hour or so.

22 Before 23

I've seen people make lists of things to accomplish during the year that are not New Year's resolutions, and I've always liked the idea. So I came up with a list of 22 things to do before I turn 23.

Unfortunately, I only have about 2 ½ months to do them all since my birthday is at the end of June. I guess I better work fast!

This picture is scary but awesome!

1. READ 5 PERSONAL BOOKS (as in not for school)

2. MAKE BRIANNA (my sister) A DRESS

3. TAKE OUTFIT PICS IN INTERESTING SETTINGS

4. MAKE MY OWN PETER PAN COLLAR SHIRT

5. DIY PAINT A CLUTCH

6. KEEP SAVING $ TO PAY OFF STUDENT LOAN

7. WATCH THE NOTEBOOK FOR THE 1ST TIME

8. START DRAWING / PAINTING AGAIN

9. PLAN A TRIP FOR SUMMER

10. TAKE MORE OUTFIT PICS

11. READ THE FIRST 2 GAME OF THRONES BOOKS (This coincides with #1)

12. READ ALL THE BOOKS FOR VICTORIAN SCI-FI CLASS

13. COME UP WITH NAIL DIYS

14. WRITE AT LEAST 3 NEW CHAPTERS FOR MY NOVEL

15. SEW A PILLOW FOR MY BED

16. HAVE ANOTHER GIVEAWAY ON BLOG

17. GET FUN GIFTS FOR MOTHER'S & FATHER'S DAY

18. SPRAY SOMETHING WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT

19. SELL QUOTE DRAWINGS IN MY ETSY SHOP

20. GET A'S IN ALL MY CLASSES

21. CREATE A MONTHLY SPENDING BUDGET

22. LOSE 5 POUNDS

Do you make a list of things to accomplish during the year?

What are some things on your list?

 (Image)