Fall Semester and Big Dreams

Hello loves! This will be a quick little post but wanted to update you on tid bits of my life here and there since I really never share any personal details. As many of you know, I started my final semester of college on Monday. I’m already exhausted looking at the syllabus! Be prepared for a post on late night study sessions probably next week!

I’m hoping and praying this fall is a little easier than summer was. Jobs are hard to come by right now particularly for undergrads with my skill set (essentially I’ve been trained to sit at a desk and enjoy it). Right now, I’m just finishing my degree and writing for you all! I’m seeking freelance writing positions here and there but it seems most businesses are being pretty careful with money so opportunities for young writers like myself are hard to come by.

In the midst of my desperate situation (dramatic usage of words intended for effectiveness), I am still pursuing a few little dreams of mine. Hoping to make it big like Rach Parcell of Pink Peonies and Brighton Keller of Brigthon the Day blogs, I really want to feature my favorite brands and styles on my blog and make commission off of what I sell. However, the brands have to be affordable! Miss Parcell often wears Valentino pumps that sell for around $600. I can’t afford that and most of you can’t either. I have to stay true to my roots!

I also am really hoping to produce my own line of coffee mugs, stationary (like what you see the right), and jewelry. All of these things make me so happy when I spy something that really is beautiful! I’ll be discussing a new jewelry brand I love tomorrow so watch for that post!

Tell me your dreams and goals in the comments below! Don’t hold back either, no matter how crazy they are!

First Day of School Look

First Day of School

Monday marks the first last day of school for me. I’m almost done college! This is my last semester and then I’ll be going to the land of adulthood (and hopefully avoiding unemployment). The college years truly are the best years of your life. Whoever says otherwise must not have enjoyed their experience, or lack thereof. I’ve met the most interesting people throughout my education. I’ve been places I never dreamed I would go. Most of all, I have memories that I’ll never forget.

For my first day of my last semester, I decided to sport something a little more festive and colorful than usual- a white t shirt with flower printed twill shorts and dark, python print wedges. Yeah, I know ‘festive’ to some of you may mean sparkles, sequins, and neon colors but personally, it’s hard to get past my basic neutrals and occasional ‘pops’ of color in my accessories. Just give me some time, I’ll come out of my shell. As I’ve said before, I love my staple items! Outfit details at the bottom!

Shorts- Old Navy 

Plain White T (see what I did there?)- Old Navy

Wedges from Old Navy also but are no longer made; found an alternative at Target 

Watch- Anne Klein 

Knot earrings similar version- Maripoza Boutique

Sunglasses are from Ann Taylor but I can’t find an exact dupe for a decent price. Sorry!

 

Back to School ‘Must Haves’

Back to School ‘Must Haves’ by oceangirl15 featuring an alarm clock

Browsing through Target and online today I realized that there is an overwhelming amount of excitement for back to school and college planning. I start my final semester of college on Monday and frankly, I’m not all that thrilled. I came to realize that new school ‘supplies’ might be just the ticket to get me excited! Here’s my list of  “must haves” (if I could afford them, that is):

1. Kate Spade planner: Kate is making a fortune off of girls like me who think life gets better when your planner is pretty. Kudos to Ms. Spade, I wish I had thought of this. I found very similar planners for half the price at Target fyi!

2. Kate Spade clock: Alright Kate your killing my budget. Why must you make everything cute? Seriously though, buy a clock with an alarm! Just a tip, put it on the other side of the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

3. iPhone case: I think this is by Kate Spade too. Oops! Oh well, a new case is in order after a summer of getting sandy in the beach bag. Find a cute one for cheap or splurge and get an Otterbox.

4. Hunter Boots: It’s a preppy staple and one that this middle-class prep can’t afford. I’m a lover of rain boots because they can look kinda cute with most things and I won’t get my good leather boots dirty or wet. Target always has a few that debut in the fall for about $25.

5. Dooney & Bourke bag: I bought my mom one for her birthday and it’s huge! It fits everything you would need to take to class or the library. I found her’s at the D&B outlet for about $135. If you don’t want to spend that much, browse through Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for a similar one.

6. Hair ties: This new trend of hair ties is strange but cute. I always end up needing one while I’m out anyway. Buy a pack at Old Navy for $3 and put it in your purse for emergencies.

7. Highlighter pens: These are God’s gift to college students. Just buy brand new ones and throw out the old ones. They’re great for organizing and color coding. Plus they’re just pretty.

8. Kate Spade wristlet: Darn you Kate, I’ve found something else you sell that I love. Wristlets are perfect for stashing all your money, IDs etc. without having to lug a bag around. My wristlet is Vera Bradley and I bought it for $15. It was worth every penny and have never looked back.

9. Lilly Pulitzer tumbler: I love taking flavored water with me to class or wherever I’m going. I find that I’m thirsty whenever I’m out and about. I save money by having one of these with me.

10. iPhone charger: I’m always running out of battery power and of course no one else has their charger. Just buy a cheap one and put that in your bag too. Target is selling them for $5 right now!

Extra Tip: For college students, I recommend you invest in some pepper spray as well. There are so many creeps in the world and you need to be able to defend yourself from them. Most schools have a ‘no firearm policy’ so this is the next best thing. Fair warning however, your school may try to confiscate this as it can be considered a ‘weapon’. If this happens to you, simply comply and give up the pepper spray. After this, head straight to Wal-Mart and pick up a small can of wasp spray. Why? Because it shoots at 20 feet with accuracy and is not considered a lethal weapon but it sure can burn the eyes (ask any of the pesky wasps and bees I’ve sprayed). Check local laws on this to make sure, but quite honestly if you did use it to stop an assault and it worked, I doubt any judge or jury is going to wet themselves over your use of bug deterrent.

How to Dress When Running Late

Running Late by oceangirl15 featuring a leather tote bag

Running late is probably the most common offense a college student commits. Partied too hard the night before? Prime target for a hangover and other nasty side effects that day after. Pulled an all-nighter catching up on homework? Definitely a candidate for being late to class. Any college kid knows that having an outfit prepared for the days when you are going to be late for class is essential to surviving and still looking great.

And here I introduce my running late outfit! I can literally have this on in under 3 minutes. White jeans are going to be a vital part of my wardrobe this semester as well as a great bag highlighting the warm mocha colors of Autumn. I found a reasonably priced pair at Ann Taylor but Gap has great ones like this. In true preppy fashion however, a pop of bright pink adds so much to any outfit. I love this Lilly Pulitzer travel mug. I saw it in a boutique in my town and had to walk out of the store before I bought it.

What is your go to outfit in the mornings? Share with me below!