Friday, August 31, 2012

Labor Day Weekend Inspiration

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Do you have exciting plans for this weekend? It's my first weekend back at school and I am looking forward to catching up with everyone and celebrating the last few weekends with warm weather. 

Even though Labor Day is traditionally a "white" filled weekend because formal rule followers of fashion wouldn't dare wearing white after Labor Day, my outfit is just the opposite. Since I try and wear white as long as I can...I am going for a different look today. 

Working with a black pallet...and summer worthy accessories like a bold turquoise necklace, the staple Jack Rogers, and a classic gold cuff...you'll look like a superstar in your summer golden glow! In fact, this is exactly what I am wearing today!! I will see if I can post a picture on the facebook page or blog later. 


Labor Day



J.Crew High Shine Wide Cuff
NARS Limited Edition Thakoon Nail Polish

Friday's Favorites:

a little spotty, dotty wall paper

moving into school...picture with my dad whose birthday is monday

my labor day inspiration


perhaps one of the most charming songs

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and check back on Monday as I celebrate my 500th post :)

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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Back to School Guest Post

Amelia Wood has some tips for you on how to start off this school year (and fall season):

         


Back to School? Four Ways to Start the Year Off With a Bang

At the end of every school year, students across the nation are released from the confines of their campuses and set loose into the wild – free to do whatever their hearts desire for the summer days and nights. Yet as the months slowly wither away day by day, before these students know it they'll have to return to their school campuses and start another year all over again.
For some students, going back to school feels as invigorating as waking up to a snowy Christmas morning – full of surprise, cheer, anticipation, and excitement; for others, going back to school may feel something like a harsh prison sentencing. Yet there is no reason going back to school should fill anyone with dread and angst; in fact, if anything, going back to school gives everybody the opportunity to embrace a new beginning. For those of you who are about to start a new school year, here are four ways to start the occasion off with a bang.

Make at least five new friends
It's tempting to jump right back into your old ways when school starts up. I would always look for my closest friends when I got back to school – hoping they would have similar schedules so I'd have someone to hang with during the day. Even though it's great to reconnect with old friends, a new school year offers us the chance to meet new people, and one should always take up that opportunity. It's not always easy to start up a conversation with people we don't know, but sometimes just sitting next to a new person and asking how their summer went is a great start to making new friends. I always made it a goal to make five new friends in my classes, and it somehow always worked out. Sure, it might sound challenging at first, but, believe me, it's much easier than you think. Just take your time and start conversing with those around you in the early days of your classes. Before you know it, you'll have a handful of new friends.

Go out of your fashion comfort zone
Back-to-school shopping isn't the cheapest thing to do, yet most of us will end up biting the bullet and shelling out cash for new threads. You may be tempted to flock to the clothes you're most comfortable wearing when you start shopping, but for the sake of shaking things up, go ahead and venture out of your fashion comfort zone. Let's say you're used to wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt; well, perhaps you should walk to the opposite end of the store and try on some colorful pants (which are very much in style right now) and a more elegant top. You don't have to go crazy and replace your whole closet, but sometimes integrating a few new pieces here and there will make a big difference. You don't have to limit your fashion changes to clothes either. If you want to change up your hairstyle, shoes, makeup patterns, or anything else, go for it! You're only young once.

Set new fitness/nutrition goals
You don't have to be overweight to consider making some changes to your nutrition and fitness goals. Everybody could use a few changes in their eating and workout patterns every now and then. Oddly enough, starting the school year is the perfect opportunity to analyze your eating/fitness patterns and decide how you should change them up. Perhaps you don't work out as much as you should or maybe you eat unhealthy snacks whenever you're on campus. Wherever you see your weaknesses rearing their ugly heads, do yourself a huge favor and take control of your health. Improving overall health has an immense effect on how we feel about ourselves, which helps us interact much better with the people and environment around us.

Become more school spirited
When I was in college, I couldn't wait for class to end so I could run home and watch reality television shows on Tivo. As you can imagine, I wasn't the most school-spirited person of all time. Some of us are born with pride; others must cultivate it. Believe it or not, there is a way to make yourself become more school spirited, and you shouldn't waste one minute not being proud of your university. After all, didn't you pay to attend it? You don't have to go to the next football game and paint your chest with school colors to prove your pride; in fact, your efforts could be as simple as volunteering for an organization, joining associations or groups within your major, attending occasional sporting events, or reading the student newspaper. By learning a bit more about your university and increasing your involvement with it, you'll eventually find yourself feeling full of pride for your school.
Starting the new year may feel a bit overwhelming, yet sometimes all it takes for us to get excited about the event is to start incorporating some new habits into our lives. See how you can integrate some of these four exciting changes into your new school year.

Amelia Wood is a blogger and freelance writer with a passion for helping people find medical billing and coding jobs. She welcomes suggestions and queries at amelia1612@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

backpack

While at school, my "book carrier" of choice has been a tote. I had worn a backpack throughout grade school and high school and upon entering college, I was ready to sophisticate my look a bit more. 
Who would have ever thought that backpacks could look as cool as these though?
I am loving the laid back ease of these backpacks...making the wearers appearance seem effortlessly classic. Choose between a floral fabric or distressed leather and the look of these bags can take you from classroom to city chic.








 Check out some of my recommendations below:
backpacks


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Monday, August 27, 2012

first day of school

Today is my last first day of school. 
It's definitely a bitter sweet feeling to say the least. 
I will be busy this semester taking Female British Modernist writers, American Politics, Contemporary Literature, International Politics, and a theatre class TBD. 
Loving this photo of a beautiful girl, probably feeling similar to how I am right now!


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Friday, August 24, 2012

Road Trip

I leave for school this weekend, so the Friday's Fancies Road Trip theme is perfect for me this week! I can't believe I am entering my last semester of school, it will be busy and exciting and I can't wait to get back and see everyone.

I LOVE this outfit and I feel that this is driving chic at it's finest:
Road Trip

Shop the look below:

J.Crew Lexington Suede Loafers

Friday's Favorites:
road trip car & company.

the possibilities are endless as we embark upon a new school year.

 with plenty of books to read and things to learn.




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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Dîner en Blanc

Twirling Clare readers, I have had the most amazing discovery! I know I might be a bit "behind the times" in hearing about this world renown event, but I can blame it on being from Cincinnati...because, as Mark Twain quoted, everything takes 20 years to reach Cincinnati. 
Nevertheless, this spectacular event is a must-share!
I heard about Dîner en Blanc last month from a co-worker at the boutique because Cincinnati is hosting the event on September 15th. 
A little under a quarter century ago, Frenchmen François Pasquier moved home to Paris from several years abroad in Spain. Upon his return, he wanted to throw a welcome home party for some of his closest friends. He instructed them all to meet at a local park, with picnic necessities. In order to find each other, they should all wear white. 
The event, founded on such a simple concept, has turned into a worldwide hit. It is most famous in Paris where guests have reached 15,000. It has seaped into the United States with kick-off events in New York and San Francisco and now events this year in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New Orleans, and Cincinnati. 
Guests are invited and expected to bring their picnic meals, tables, and chairs...and sport their white ensembles. On the day of the event, they will receive an announcement of where the event is to be held. Often times, it is held in a large public park. The guests are told to use public transportation to make their way to the party. Upon arrival, they set up their tables and chairs, meet and greet their fellow dinner company (as large tables form in maze like order around the park). Music is provided for guests to enjoy background sounds as they eat & drink. Often a more festive band is used as the stars light up the sky, encouraging guests to dance the night away. For many occasions, G.H. Mumm Champagne has sponsored the event passing trays with a little bubbly. In addition, once the sun sets, guests are given sparklers and everyone sets their a-glow for a picture-perfect moment. 












Still interested in learning more?? Or would you like to find out a way to get on the waiting list??
Check out the Cincinnati page HERE. 

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

summer reading list

Being an English Literature major, I am lucky to be able to keep up with reading throughout the school year. I have always loved reading and I hope my interest continues throughout the rest of my life! I love to read a variety of books ranging from classics to biographies to popular sellers. I was able to read an eclectic mix of books this summer which I am happy to share with you today...and perhaps you can add them to your reading lists!

The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
The Complete Collection of Mysteries & Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
American Nations
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mocking Jay
Katharine Graham A Personal History
The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo
Doctor Zhivago









 Happy reading!!

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

statement necklaces

Today I am guest posting over at The Daisy Diaries!


 
Shelly has a wonderful blog and I am so pleased to be featured. 

I hope you can stop by to check out her darling site and see my post on statement necklaces. I have both inspirational photos & links to buy the fabulous necklaces below over on The Daisy Diaries.

Statement Necklaces

Happy Tuesday, toodles!

Monday, August 20, 2012

monogram linens

Throughout the years I have never done a post on college dorm life. I have strayed away from showing pictures of my dorm or given a list of "must-haves" for setting up the ideal college room. That's been for a couple of reasons: 
1. I don't spend much time in my room. I am primarily running around campus studying in the library, attending meetings, walking around the little town of Delaware with friends, or socializing in different homes of campus students. 
2. I don't have the "must-have list" of college necessities. My room consists of clothes overflowing from every spare corner, a scattering of inspirational pictures taped on the wall, and kitchen supplies restricted to ikea colored bowls and champagne flutes. 
3. And finally, my bed-wear is quite humorous. 

My sheets and pillow cases are monogrammed. 
My mom was convinced that my white sheets would be snatched from the dryer and, therefore, to ward "sheet stealers" away, sheets with pink & green monograms would be necessary. 
Don't get me wrong, the sheets are darling...just quite interesting for college. 

So, without further ado, here is a glimpse into my "college dorm life" as I share inspiring bed linens graced with lovely monograms. 












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