Road Trip Survival Bag

Road Trip ideasHappy hump day lovelies! I’m glad it’s half-way through the week because, well, I like weekends. It’s just that simple. I’m willing to bet that most of you do too. Luckily for me, my weekend starts a little earlier. I’m leaving tomorrow for Massachusetts with my family. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to seeing the turning leaves up there!

The last time I was in Massachusetts for a vacation was when I was about 5. My parents took me whale watching and to a little historical town called Sturbridge Village. I don’t remember much of the trip so it’s like seeing it all over again for the first time.

Since the family and I will be road tripping from Maryland, we have about 8 hours of nothing to look at so I’ve come up with a few things to put in my road trip survival bag. Throughout my short little life, the family and I have been on many road trips and we’ve exhausted the games “Guess the person” and “Eye spy with my little eye”. I’m just so done. Here’s what’s going in my survival bag.

  • Latest issue of Vogue
  • Bubble gum (so I don’t eat a million potato chips)
  • Travel mug
  • Eos lip balm
  • Sunglasses (they double as a way to trick people into thinking you’re asleep)
  • Ear buds and a travel charger
  • Neck pillow
  • iPhone loaded with new music
  • Trail mix (with lots of M&Ms in it!)
  • Portable cooler for carrying chopped up fruit and water bottles

Tell me if I’m forgetting something. Leave me a comment!

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Spring Break Essentials

The dreaded months of January and February are over and we are ready to celebrate the upcoming spring! For some college students, this means spring break in a tropical climate. As a graduating senior in May, I know all too-well how important these little breaks are. I’ve completed all of my coursework and am only waiting on the ceremony for my graduation to become official, so technically I can’t sympathize too much with currently enrolled college folk. However, I’ll try to contribute in another way! Here’s a few spring break essentials for this year…

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  • Rompers- These are so easy to wear from day to night with the right accessories! The light weight fabric makes it perfect for traveling. Find this romper here.
  • Big hat- I love to make a statement with a big sunhat. They look so classy and serve a purpose as well. This one can be found here.
  • Neutrogena sunscreen- If you’re like me, you break out from Banana Boat sun block. I’ve found that Neutrogena has a nice line of products to prevent sun damage. The area I pay close attention to with my sunscreen is my face and neck. Too many burns and you’ll be getting wrinkles!
  • Colorful wedges- Bring a pair of wedges in a bright color like these red Cole Haan ones. Pick a color (like red) that will match many different things in your travel closet.
  • Tote bag- Bring a tote bag that will carry beach and day necessities. Find one in a bold color (like this one from Kate Spade) and pair it with a neutral outfit.
  • Bikini- Don’t forget the most important part of your spring break: the swimsuit! Find great bikinis like this one at J Crew!

Enjoy some sun and sand wherever you may be going! Use that sunblock!

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Blog Inspiration!

Inspiration

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing on my mind is “what do I write about” (after coffee of course). I’m sure other bloggers feel the same way I do when they feel like there isn’t anything to write about. It’s basic writer’s block. What do we do to get past this? We find inspiration! This is mine for the day and I hope this will inspire you too! Sparkles, pinks, golds, and Vogue of course make for a big smile on my face and a renewed sense of what I love!

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Cute Etsy Illustrations

I am a sucker for fashion illustrations. Ever since I saw Inslee Hayne’s cute little designs I have been addicted to finding other artists just like her. My favorite place to look for them is on Etsy! I’ve found so many great sketches and watercolor drawings that just have me in raptures. Lately, I’ve seen many artists sketching cute things like macarons, coffee cups, breakfast, stilettos heels, Chanel handbags, and statement jewelry.

To brighten your Sunday, I’m sharing with you an adorable Etsy store that I found selling the cutest sketches! Surprisingly, they aren’t that expensive either, retailing for about $20 each. I linked each sketch so you can find the drawings yourself and order them. Here are my top picks!

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Please share with me some of your favorite Etsy stores so we can check them out! Thanks!

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Creating the Perfect Bedside Table

Bedside Table

Hello loves! I was cleaning my room earlier and thought to myself “what makes the perfect bedside table?” After a few minutes of Pinterest and Google I think I figured it out. I have put together a handy visual for you of the optimum bedside table but I’m also discussing cheaper ways to achieve this look!

First, get yourself a good lamp! The one above is pretty but comes at a heavy price. However, I have found similar lamps of good quality at places like Ross or TJMaxx. What matters the most is the bulb that you use and the lamp shade that comes with it. You want a dim glow, not office lighting.

Second, you need a good fragrance to settle down with. Candles are my best friend. Ok, not really but they are absolutely my go-to decoration and mood relaxer. The one pictured here is by Diptyque. It is very attractive but the price tag is not. I opt for a small votive candle like this one (preferably in a cream or white color to get the Diptyque look) that can be placed in a small frosted votive holder. You’ll get the same look but for a lot less.

Third, body lotion or hand cream is a great little thing to keep handy. We keep it in our bags, cars, lockers, whatever it may be, we all have it. As much as I love Philosophy products, I can’t afford to spend $20 on them. However, $10 or less is a little more doable. I found a company (Nubian Heritage) who sells lotion made from natural elements and ancient healing remedies. And like the Vanilla Coconut lotion pictured above- Nubian has a Coconut Papaya with vanilla extract lotion! Your welcome.

Fourth, bedside reads and a notebook are great for those nights you can’t sleep (plus they look pretty!) Vogue is self explanatory; lovely pictures makes me feel happy! A book about Chanel or whoever your style inspiration is can also be a nice thing to flip through. But a notebook like the Kate Spade one above is a must to write down those amazing ideas you come up with at 2am. I found a similar one for a lot less at good ol’ Target.

Fifth, a ring/jewelry holder is a nice accessory to add when you don’t want your kitty cat knocking earrings off the table in the middle of the night. Plus, they look classy! Pictured above is a Kate Spade design (I can’t get enough of her) but it’s also about $40. Here’s a cute and classy one from Lenox that retails for much less!

Sixth, a framed photograph of a memory adds a personal touch to your space. I usually find great frames at Michael’s but even they can be pricey. Burnes of Boston makes a really elegant one for only $13! Hint: black and white photos look best!

Finally, flowers add life to any room and the promise of a new day. I love buying fresh flowers but that can be costly given that they die after a week in the vase. Fake ones are great if they look real (and you don’t let them get dusty). You have two options here: 1. Shop Etsy to find a really great piece and not spend a fortune and 2. Make your own floral arrangement by copying one you see online. Check Michael’s craft store for the best variety!

Did I leave anything out? What’s on your bedside table? Comment below and share with friends! Thanks for reading!

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