Bag It

When my friends and I compare the contents of our purses, I always seem to have the least number of items (probably because I've never been a fan of heavily packed bags). As a simplistic person who doesn't wear lipgloss or perfume, I have found all my needs to be fulfilled by the following items:

• My wallet
• An extra pair of earrings I picked up from my apartment yesterday
• A pen
• Orbit's sweet mint gum (think of the mint flavor in mint chocolate chip ice cream crammed into a gum. Yum!)
• A coin purse hand-sewn by my friend, K. Stay tuned for the opening of her Etsy shop!
• Beauty Blotters = my secret for maintaining a matte face

Taylor Alert

photo: http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/coverlook/2011/06/taylor-swift-teen-vogue-photos#slide=3 

Attention Taylor Swift fans! Check out the August 2011 issue of Teen Vogue for a lovely article on this lovely lady.

Nail-spiration

It's been a while since I've mentioned my obsession for nail polish on this blog. Well, things surely haven't changed. Here are some nail designs that I plan to re-create this summer:

photo: http://donutnails.tumblr.com/

photo: http://fashionnazi.tumblr.com/page/90

photo: http://fashionnazi.tumblr.com/page/98

photo: http://passionforglamour.tumblr.com/post/6972051728/http-dreamypurple-tumblr-com

Peanut Butter Dreams

I'm not much of a baker, and that isn't by choice. Every time I attempt to bake something on my own, I mess it up. Two years ago, I accidentally baked a chocolate cake, with the intention of making brownies. Yeah, I grabbed the wrong box while at the grocery store. Don't ask me how that happened, because I surely would not be able to give you the answer.

While at a friend's house earlier this week, we decided to bake peanut butter cookies out of boredom. I had never made them before this, and to my surprise, they were extremely easy to put together.

They were even easier to eat.

Here is this week's list for MUSIC MONDAY:

1. 'The One That Got Away' Katy Perry

2. 'Not Like the Movies' Katy Perry

3. 'Set Fire to the Rain' ADELE

4. 'Someone Like You' ADELE

5. 'Somewhere In Brooklyn' Bruno Mars

10 Things I Hate About You

striped top: Banana Republic (Mom's closet) //necklace: Nordstorm B.P, $12 //jeans: Vigoss Studio via Nordstrom B.P. //sandals: MIA via Nordstrom Rack //satchel: Michael Kors via Macy's

For those who have seen the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, this park may look a little familiar. With it's rolling hills and breathtaking view of the Seattle skyline, Gasworks Park tops the list for being one of my all-time favorite places in Washington.

Photo credit goes to my boyfriend, who is new at taking blog pictures. Thank you for being such a pro!

{those are not our cigarette butts, by the way. bleh.}

Grease Monkey

Have greasy hair, and don't know why? Here are a few reasons to consider:

• In the past, I have found Herbal Essences and Garnier Fructis products to leave a soapy film on my hair, even after rinsing repeatedly. You may want to consider changing product brands for a week or more to see if there is a difference in the oil production.
• You may not be rinsing the conditioner completely out of your hair.
• You may be using too many products. One product I like to use is heat tamer. Though, when I use too much, I find my hair to become greasy.
• You may not be washing your locks as often as you need to.
• Last but not least, touching your hair a number of times throughout the day can lead to the accumulation of oils from your fingers on your tresses.

monkey photo via WeHeartIt

Chambray Blues

It's time to ditch that jean skirt you were once proud to wear in high school and embrace the grown-up version of this past favorite: the chambray skirt.

Perfect for Summer, pair this denim beauty with a plain tee and some beaded bracelets, and you'll be ready to soak up the sun in style.

original images via Polyvore

Father, May I?

Happy Father's Day, to all the Dads!

photo via WeHeartIt

Fun facts: 

• Father's Day was founded in Spokane, WA.
• There are approximately 70.1 million fathers across the nation.
• 81.5 million Americans participated in a barbecue last year-- perhaps most of these were on Father's Day?

source: U.S. Census Bureau

I Heart...

For the first time in 4 years, I have a completely free summer; no waking up early, no homework, no study groups, and best of all: no stress.

All this free time can only mean one thing: the birth of a million newfound obsessions. Some of these obsessions include OPI nail polish (which is totally worth buying, because it lasts longer and chips way less than any other polish I have used), all-natural shampoo (my boyfriend's family gave me a gift set of L'Occitane products for graduation... it was love at first use. Review coming soon), and last but not least, my new Macbook (this is the first blog post I put together with it!).

What are your current obsessions in terms of beauty products, fashion, music, etc?

This is going to be one good summer.

all images via Polyvore

Stand Out

dress: Lush via Nordstrom B.P. //necklace (pictured above): Nordstrom B.P. $12 //necklace (pictured below): Nordstrom B.P.

As Taylor Swift would say, "If you're lucky enough to be different, don't ever change."

Fashion tip #541: When it comes to classic trends that have been universally embraced, add your own twist to stand out from everyone else.

Blazin'

dress: F21 $17.80 (similar replica here) //blazer: Frenchi via Nordstrom B.P. (exact one here) //shoes: Predictions via Payless //nail polish: 'For Audrey' China Glaze

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to be "grown-up" and added a blazer to my clothing wish list. It took me a while to find the perfect one, and when I finally did, I came across another problem: what to wear it with. My fashion-crazed roommate gave me a few suggestions. Yet, for me, a skirt was too "school girl", and an old pair of jeans made the blazer look cheap. Picky, much? Yeah, I wish I wasn't.

Anyway, after seeing Bridesmaids (which I totally recommend!) this past weekend, I was immediately inspired by the main character's wardrobe to pair my blazer with a dress. Why didn't I think of this before? #fashionbloggerfail

Instant Pretty

This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but ever since I started college, I have let my eyebrows go. Just last week, my roommate compared me to Bert, from Sesame Street (OK-- they weren't that bad, but hopefully you guys will know what I mean). Anyway, that's when I knew I had to take action.

While at my parent's house this weekend, I asked my fashionista mother to give me an eyebrow makeover. It's amazing what a pair of tweezers can do for your face.

The take-home message of this post: when in search of a new look, tweeze your brows... but not too much.

By the way, I apologize for not posting lately. I've been busy studying, getting ready for graduation, and spending time with friends. After this week, I will be back with more new and exciting posts!

all images via WeHeartIt