Showing posts with label college life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college life. Show all posts

Friday, March 6, 2015

College Series: Spring Break Packing Essentials


The Spring Break countdown has officially begun! Soon enough I will be on a beach with all of my best friends and I could not be more excited. However, with every vaca comes the dreaded time.... packing. Well, to make that a little easier, I made a list of some of the things I will be bringing on Spring Break! So here are my Spring Break essentials: 

Swim Suit |  This is an obvious one, but very important. For Spring Break in a warm destination a cute swimsuit is a must have piece to pack. My biggest tip to save money on cute swimsuits is to buy pieces that can be mixed and matched! That way you can wear something different each day but you only have around 4-5 pieces total. I will be bringing basically every suit I own, but if you would rather pack light stick with classic tops and bottoms that are interchangeable. 

Flip flops |  My biggest advice is bringing flip flops you don't care about. You never know if you will loose them, leave them somewhere, or get them stolen! Old Navy has flip flops for super cheap so hit up there to get a steal. 

Phone case | We all know that Spring Break can get crazy! In other words protect your phone. Although a bare iPhone is visually appealing, you will be very upset if that beautiful phone cracks! I plan on using my Otterbox style case from Amazon. This way I know my phone will be protected from any drops. 

Koozie | Koozies are great for two reasons. You can tell which drink is yours, but they also keep your drink cool. Win-win situation. Not to mention you can get some adorable koozies! 
Here are a few of my favorites: Vineyard Vines, Lauren James, and Fraternity Collection

Croakies | Croakies are also a must have for me! By wearing croakies you will never loose your sunglasses. Well maybe not never..... but it lowers the risk. 

Sunglasses | When it comes to sunglasses my advice is to buy a cheaper pair from a place like Forever 21. This way if they do break it's not the end of the world. Leave your Ray Bans and other expensive shades at home!

Sunscreen | Here is my mom moment: Wear sunscreen! There is nothing worse then burnt skin and exposing yourself to the sun for hours and hours without any protection. 

Fanny pack | For handsfree storage I suggest wearing a fanny pack. I know they are dorky, however one will come in handy when you aren't in the mood to carry all of your stuff. Also, this way you can have your phone, hotel key, and whatever else you need right at your fingertips. 

What are you packing on Spring Break? Let me know in the comments! 
XOXO 
Miranda 

Monday, February 2, 2015

College Series: How to start of the semester right

Starting off on the right foot.... 
Second semester is now in full swing. Now going on my third week of classes everything is starting to hit me. Between quizzes, homework, club meetings, and a lot of other things! Sometimes starting off a new semester can be tricky. Personally, coming back the first week I was not motivated whatsoever to do anything. I was for sure still in winter break mode. But, now that I have adjusted to school life again, I have a few tips on how to start off your semester on the right foot.
  1. Don't procrastinate! I am either an early bird when it comes to assignments or I procrastinate big time. There seems to be no in-between. However, if you start getting in the habit of getting assignments and homework done as early as possible you will be sure for success. If you have quizzes that are due the following week try and get them done on Thursday or even Friday before your weekend plans. There is nothing worse then doing homework on Sunday afternoon. 
  2. Stay positive. This is hard for me sometimes. Sometimes certain things or instances put me in a bad mood. But, don't get stuck in a funk. By staying positive you can keep a happy attitude the whole semester. There is always room for a few mental breakdowns (we all have them) but try and perk up and think of the positives versus the negatives. 
  3. Use your planner. My planner is my life. If I didn't write down all of my assignments and meetings I would get nothing done. Utilizing an online calendar, paper planner, or sticky notes on your computer's desktop are great ways to stay organized. If you have a Mac I HIGHLY suggest using the sticky notes. I use these to type of my assignments, meetings, and schedule. This way I can take a quick glance and know exactly what I need to get done. 
What are your tips for starting off the semester? Let me know in the comments! 
XOXO 
Miranda 



Friday, August 29, 2014

Bid Day 2014

Bid Day 2014!


The main reason I have been MIA is for formal recruitment! Formal recruitment was such a great experience to go through again. It was great to talk to so many unique girls and I am so happy with the new Pi Beta Phi's that we have added to our chapter. 


Our bid day tanks were Up theme. So we put a picture of our house with balloons in bright neon colors. I was OBSESSED with them! I love them because they are super unique to our chapter and to our individual house. We also wore super cute hair bows for a fun accessory. 


This is a picture of my little angel Audrey and I. I was so excited to see her become a Pi Beta Phi! 

We made mirror letters for this bid day! They were GORGEOUS and really stood out. Not to mention they add a perfect touch of sparkle. 

 

Here are a few more pictures from bid day. We wait for our new members on the other side of our clock tower on central campus. It is super fun because our new members run through our Campanile and it is super exciting to see all of there faces!

Are you going through recruitment? 
Be sure to check out my past posts on formal recruitment! 




Friday, August 8, 2014

Back to College: Basics You Need to Bring


Welcome back to my back to school series on Sew Cute Style! Today, I am talking about packing for college. This is one daunting task. But, there are some things that you for sure need to bring. These are classic pieces that you will need in your wardrobe as a college student. No matter you major or interest these things are must haves! 




  1. A nice pair of jeans. This is kind of a no brainer but every college girl needs a nice pair of jeans. And by nice I mean one solid wash, no rips or tares, and a classic straight leg. This way you can match anything that you might need to wear. Some clubs may have you represent them by wearing a t-shirt or polo. The last thing you want to do is wear ripped crazy jeans while being in a kind of professional setting. In other words, get one nice pair of jeans! These jeans will take you far. 
  2. Tall boots. I found myself wearing so many boots while I was at school. In high school you can kind of wear whatever shoes because you are inside 99% of the day. However, once you get to college you are in and out of buildings and walking a lot. So, bring at least one pair of neutral tall boots. You can wear them with dresses, skirts, or pants so they are a great staple to have. 
  3. Button down shirt. Even if you think you aren't going to need one, still bring it. You never know if you will need to look good for an interview or a job fair. Pack one simple white button down oxford to be safe. I mean I wear them on a daily basis but I know most people don't. But, this shirt will come in handy if you are trying to land an internship or a job. 
  4. Ballet flats. Also a great thing to have is ballet flats. Sometimes you just don't want to wear heels. I get it they can be painful. However sometimes you do need nice or professional shoes. Ballet flats are a great alternative to heels. Not to mention they take up less room to store then heels. 
  5. Running shorts. Running shorts are great for working out or if you are literally running to class. Either way they are very useful to have. If you find yourself running late for class throw them on with a t-shirt and sneakers and all is forgiven. Or you could wear them to the gym like most people. (That is if you have time to or use the gym.....) 
  6. A professional skirt. Bring at least one skirt that is professional. Sure you need fun flirty skirts for going out but if you actually need to get down to business you can't wear those. Find a classic pencil skirt that you can match with a blazer and nice top you may already own. This way you have a go-to look in case of an interview. 
  7. Simple cardigan. A simple cardigan is a great piece to have. You can simply throw it on over any look and it will match. Some classrooms can be super cold so I suggest carrying it around with you. 
  8. Sneakers. Bring sneakers! Even if you think you won't work out or whatever they are an important thing to have. Wether you are walking to class, working out, or doing community service gym shoes are a must have to bring to college. 


Friday, August 1, 2014

Back to College: Sorority Recruitment Advice!



Hello and welcome back to my Back to College series! Today's topic is the intimidating idea of rushing a sorority. Rushing my sorority was one of the best decisions of my entire life! So of course I want to help everyone find their dream sorority. 
This post can be your go-to guide for advice to have a successful recruitment week! First off, let me tell you the basic information you will need to know. 
WARNING: Every school is different when it comes to the rushing process! But these are just tips and things I have learned from my recruitment experience. 

The Basics: Basically, formal recruitment is a time where you meet members from all of the Panhellenic chapters on your universities campus. Whether that be 5 chapters or 15 it all depends on the size of your Greek community. During recruitment you will have conversations with the girls of each chapter, learn about their philanthropy, learn a little bit about the history of there organization, and most importantly see what it would be like to be in their organization. Usually formal recruitment consists of a week or maybe a few weekends. The days usually include...... 

The first day is mostly introductions and conversations. Usually they are just trying to get to know you. The rest of the order of the days depend on your school usually. But, one of these days will include a philanthropy day. On this day they will tell you about their annual philanthropy events, what cause they stand for, and what organizations they donate too. Also, one of the days they will discuss a little bit about dues and the cost of membership. Another day will include a house tour (if your school has facilities for their chapters) then a sisterhood themed presentation. Whether that be a powerpoint or a skit! 

Okay now that you have the 411 on what is possibly going down the week of recruitment, what the heck should you wear? Well, usually they give you a set thing to wear each day. So, these are the things I had to wear during recruitment: 

Day 1/2: T-shirt they give you with bottoms of choice 
Basically this day is the most casual. At my school you are given a t-shirt and you can basically wear whatever bottoms of your liking. My only tip is dress comfortably and appropriate. Don't wear you high waisted shorts that show your booty because that is not what they want to see! Save them for a weekend out :) then also wear comfortable shoes. Most of the time the first day(s) is the most walking if you are touring houses. I wore a pair of cute colored sneakers and was perfectly fine all day! 
Day 3: Sun Dress
Next day is usually just a casual dress. I would even say you could pull of a romper if you felt daring! Just something cute, but casual, and put together.  
Day 4: Business casual or professional 
Next day simply wear a dress a little more conservative then the dress before. This day is more dressy so go with a pair of wedges, flats, or nice sandals (stay away from rubber flip flops!). Usually they will say wear business casual or professional or something of that nature. 
Pref Night: Cocktail or a fancier dress
This night is the fanciest! Wear a fun cocktail dress that you have worn to a previous event. On my preference night I wore my graduation dress from high school so that is always a good option! (That is if you liked that dress lol) But for this night wear heels for sure. 

Tip: You can bring shoes you can slip on and off and just change when you get to your house or destination. Most of the time you have to keep your bags outside of the house so you can simply leave them out there! 

Here are examples of possible outfits you could wear each day. The first row is more preppy and my style and the second row is a little less preppy options. They key to all of these outfits is to show your personality and style. If you dress edgy don't wear something super preppy. Stay true to yourself. It's no different then acting different if you dress different. BE YOURSELF :) Because you want the girls to see you in what you are comfortable in not something you think you should wear. 

Tip: Dress according to the weather! If it is going to be hot, plan accordingly. When I rushed it was about 93 degrees out. Holy hotness! So dress accordingly. That includes hair products, I suggest a face primer for your makeup, also deodorant! Rush is usually pretty long days and by your last house you will look ratchet. But it is okay because EVERYONE will look ratchet. Even the girls sitting inside. No worries. 


Here is what I wore during recruitment! I totally forgot which days I wore the dress and then the skirt and tank but this gives you a general idea. 

This is what I paired my t-shirt with! I HATE wearing t-shirts so I tried to dress it up as much as possible (if you couldn't tell). You can be way more casual then this but I just wanted to be extra dressed up.
Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Target | Necklace: J Crew 
I'm actually in love with this outfit. If it is super hot outside I suggest a fun sock bun like this. My hair + humidity= no. So this saved me a lot of frizz!
Dress: American Eagle | Necklace: Dry Goods | Shoes: Guess 
This is what I wore on pref night!
Dress: Akira | Shoes: Jessica Simpson | Necklace: Topshop 
I'm pretty sure this was the business casual or professional day. I wore ballet flats to dress up the look a little more. During our Rush it was super hot so they weren't to strict on it being super professional.
Skirt: Akira | Tank: Target | Necklace: Charming Charlie's | Shoes: Sam Edelman

So, you have all of your rush outfits now what should you bring around to all of your stops during rush week? Well here are a few of my rush bag essentials that I brought or should have brought along.
WARNING: Not all houses let you bring bags. When I rushed we all had these totes and we had to leave them outside when we went inside. So, if you don't feel comfortable leaving a bag outside don't bring one. But, they generally don't let you bring your phone inside to a house. (And by generally I mean ever.) It can be nice to have a tote bag to have your phone with you while you wait outside. 

  1. A water bottle. Like I said before when I rushed it was hot hot HOT outside. And as you can imagine their aren't water fountains in the middle of the Greek community. So, a water bottle is always a nice thing to have. I will say usually the houses will give you water once you are inside. However, you can get pretty toasty while waiting outside. So stay hydrated!!! 
  2. Sunscreen. I am not sure how I didn't not turn into a lobster during rush. But, I do know that I did apply sunscreen. I don't care how tan you are you need to put sunscreen on! Being in and out of houses for 12 hours you are exposed to the sun for a good chunk of time. So please be good and wear your sunscreen. (Okay that was me being a mom but sorry I don't like when people burn :( ) 
  3. Snacks. I don't know about you but I am always hungry. Usually you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner during rush. But, with all of the walking you could potentially be doing you get hungry fast. If you pack a granola bar or a bag of goldfish it could potentially stop a hangry episode. Hangry is hungry + angry and I experience it a lot. So, to prevent yourself from starving pack a quick and easy to eat snack! 
  4. Face powder. Its great to have this to freshen up after or before each new house. 
  5. Change in shoes. Midday some people's feet were killing them from their heels. So just bring a comfy pair of shoes to wear if you end up dying. You can always change into your cute shoes for when you go to talk to the girls and wear your comfy shoes when you are walking around. 



Tip: If they do give you tote bags or draw string bags like this personalize yours so you can find it easier! You can either tie a ribbon on it or write your name on it with a sharpie. Of course I monogramed mine because I'm obsessed with monograms! 
Now that you have a run down of what you may expect and what you should possibly wear.....what are some tips to have a successful recruitment and find the chapter that is perfect for you? 

Well, on Sorority Stylista I wrote an article all about my Do's and Don'ts of recruitment! Be sure to check it out by clicking HERE

I hope this helped anyone who is thinking of rushing a sorority. Feel free to past this post on to anyone you may know who is rushing! If you have anymore questions about sorority life or anything of that nature feel free to comment or contact me! I love questions :) 

Happy Rushing! 



Friday, July 25, 2014

Back to College: 5 bags you need to bring!

Its that time of year again, back to school time. This can only mean new school supplies, an obnoxious amount of "back to school" ads on TV, and getting back into the swing of actually having homework. Well there is one plus side to going back to school and that is back to school shopping! From school supplies to clothes I think back to school shopping is my favorite time of the year. It means new clothes, new fall trends, and colder weather which means more layering (and less sweat)! 


But, going to college is a whole new ball game when it comes to what you will need. Your pencils and folders are the least of your worries when shopping for college. So, I decided to make a whole new series called Back to College. In this series I will give my tips and tricks for college life. From what you will need to advice on how to survive! 

My first post in this series is 5 bags you NEED to bring to college! Some of you may not be bag or purse gals and I totally get that (well not really but I'll roll with you). However, there are some bags that you need to get to be a successful and fashionable student. 



  1. A backpack: Duh! A backpack is a clear essential and must have for college. If you think you are going to carry around a tote bag all year you are in for a rude awakening. You may think your new Macbook is pretty light. Maybe it is, mine sure isn't, but even so you need a backpack. I had to carry textbooks to class sometimes everyday. The last thing you need to be doing is lugging a bunch of books in a tote bag or large purse. Trust me on this one its not going to work. Backpacks are for function, sure there are cute ones out there, but you need one that is going to get you through hell (aka finals week). I've had to carry text books, sewing supplies, and my laptop all at once for a whole semester. I would probably have been found dead on a sidewalk if I didn't have my backpack. IN OTHER WORDS just buy a backpack. Everyone else will have them so its no big deal. 
  2. A duffle bag: I learned a lesson the hard way, you should always bring a duffle bag to school. I love this Vera Bradley one because you can easily fold it up and shove it in any spare space that you have. Going home for a weekend or even a week is kind of hard if you don't have a duffle bag to pack your stuff in. Also, these are ideal if you are visiting a friend at another school or for overnight formals. They fit A LOT of stuff and they are pretty light. 
  3. Small crossbody: A small crossbody bag is ideal if you just want to run to the dining hall, grab a movie with friends, or if you want to go to a party and travel light. Most of the time all you need is your school ID, money, and your phone. So, small purses like this one are great to use when you just need the basics. 
  4. Large crossbody: I always carry my Marc Jacobs large crossbody bag when I go out. I like having what I need with me at all times. So, a bigger crossbody is great if you are like me. You can fit what you need but it can stay around you all night. 
  5. A tote: A Longchamp or any other tote is a great bag to have on campus. Some classes you might need hardly anything. Just grab your tote and you are good to go. 




Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sorority Life: Taco Dinner Philanthropy


Last week we had our spring philanthropy which is our taco dinner aka Pi Phi Phiesta! It was a super fun event and of course it supports literacy! For our event we make homemade tacos and serve chips and salsa. Might I add the tacos are DELICIOUS! Here are just a few pictures from the event! 


{My bestie Cassidy and I in front of our Pi Phi letters!}


{Shout out to our lovely guy friends for supporting us!}


XOXO 
Miranda 



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Sorority Life: Greek Week



GREEK WEEK CRAZINESS 

This past week was our campus's GREEK WEEK! That is partially the reason I have been MIA this past week. I have been running around from event to event it seems like. But, it was for sure one of the funnest weeks of my life. I had a great time with our pairing and all of my Pi Beta Phi sisters. 


One of our main events is called Lipsync. Lipsync is basically a giant skit where everything is pre-recorded and we dance and "lip sing" the words along with the music! Our pairing's theme was Peter Pan and I was lucky to be a fun fairy sporting my two favorite colors purple and green. 




We had a super fun pairing party with our lovely pairing Phi Delta Theta! Jersey themed of course :) 


Saturday was our Greek Olympics. I was lucky enough to represent Pi Phi in the bed race portion. Basically a bunch of guys push a bed and I sit/ steer it. However, my bed actually broke so..... that was fun (not really). But it was too funny so I couldn't even be mad about it! Our pairing ended up winning 2nd for Greek Olympics so I was super happy about that :) 





That is a recap of my first Greek week experience! If you ever have questions about Greek life feel free to comment below :) 

XOXO 
Miranda 




Friday, March 21, 2014

Check it out!

I have a very exciting announcement! I am officially a member of the Her Campus blogger network. This is a fun new opportunity that I can't wait to be a part of. 

Be sure to check out their awesome site for fun articles, tips, and tricks on anything and everything you could possibly want! 



XOXO 
Miranda 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Dr. Miranda: Surviving College Part 1

Tips for surviving college: 
College is a super fun and exciting time. However, things can get overwhelming fast. Whether it is clubs, sorority, classes, or friendships college is always throwing you a curve ball. I may have only been in college for a little over a semester. But, I have been through a lot and also learned a lot. I am giving you my inside tips and tricks to surviving college. Not to mention I will tell you my college essentials that every college girl needs. 

How to survive college part one: what you will need
There are a few things that you will need to help you survive your time through college. 
  1. A vest: Every girl needs some type of vest. Whether it be a $30 one from Old Navy or a J Crew excursion vest, these come super in handy. Not only are they cute but they are great for layering. If you don't need a coat throw on a sweatshirt or sweater and layer on a vest. This will keep you warm without you dying of heat. 
  2. An infinity scarf: Scarves in general will be your best friend. If you plan on going somewhere cold it is imperative that you wear scarfs! This will prevent you from being freezing while walking to classes. When I wouldn't wear a scarf I would be extra cold while going to class. So be sure to bring a lot of cute scarfs to wear around campus. Also, in general they are a great accessory. 
  3. Fun sneakers: I know working out doesn't always seem appealing. You get lazy and tired and just unmotivated. However, with a fun pair of tennis shoes you may be more likely to work out (maybe results are NOT guaranteed). Having a fun pair of shoes for the gym makes working out a little more fun. 
  4. Colorful felt tip pens: These pens are super great for note taking and organizing your planner. I am huge in color coding so naturally these are my best friend. You can pick a color for each subject in your planner or designate colors for vocab and other topics in your notes. In general these will save you and keep you organized! 
  5. Yoga pants or leggings: I am not the biggest fan of yoga pants. However, I have found myself wearing them more and more as college goes on. I mainly wear them to the gym. If you join a sorority you will have a variety of different events like lip sync, varieties, or whatever your individual campus does. Yoga pants are great for these practices because they keep you covered and you won't trip on them! (If I wear sweatpants I will trip because I am just a shorty.) 
  6. Concealer: When I get stressed I break out. So, basically that is all the time in college. Concealer will be your best friend when a random break out surprises you in the morning. 
  7. Post-it notes: Post it notes are great reminders. Whether it is a to-do list or a reminder you can stick them in your planner, on your desk, or around your room. These will keep you on the ball and help you remember things. Often times I find myself forgetting little things if I don't write them down. 
  8. A backpack: I know. Sometimes backpacks can be dorky. BUT I warn you now, you will probably die without a backpack. I find myself lugging not only a laptop but books and other materials on a daily basis. Without my backpack I honestly don't know how I would carry all of my things to class. Try and find a backpack that has a laptop sleeve and has a cute pattern or color. 
  9. Rain boots: I repeat YOU NEED rain boots. Any rain boots are better then no rain boots trust me! My campus gets a lot of rain so my rain boots have come super in handy. Whether you get Hunters or another brand rain boots are a great investment. 
  10. Planner: This may be one of the most important college essentials. A planner is your key to success. Get in the habit of writing everything and everything down. You will be surprised how busy you get and how easy it is to forget things. Having a planner will keep you on to top of everything from tests, clubs, and homework. 
  11. Highlighters: Highlighters are a great essential to have. They will help you with your notes or organizing your planner. I tend to highlight basically everything so these are super important for me. They are just one more way to stay organized. 





Saturday, January 4, 2014

Favorite Things of 2013!

I keep seeing so many great and cool posts about 2013 so I decided to join the bandwagon, once again. I have my favorite moments of 2013 post up now so go check that out to see a re-cap of my year! 

An overall favorite of the year has been my blog! I have put my heart and sole into this blog and I feel it is starting to pay off. As I will talk about in this post 2013 wasn't the best year for me between school, relationships, and friends. However, I took my energy and focused it into this blog. I have made it 100x better then what it used to be in just a few months. So thank you to anyone and everyone who has read any post! It means so much to me that I can help or entertain someone :)

But I want to talk about my 13 favorites of 2013 from people, songs, beauty products, things, and fashion favorites! 

13. Beauty Youtbuers: First favorite goes to Sarahbelle93x which is my favorite Youtuber EVER! (In general I love beauty/ fashion gurus! They are a nice study break for when I am super busy at school.) She is so funny, down to earth, and I love her style and videos in general. I think she is such a sweet person and she makes the best videos in my opinion. Not to mention her Instagram and Pinterest are PERFECT if you are preppy or a wannabe prepster (I'm a wannabe prepster I admit it.....). So you can see her channel by clicking here and her Instagram is @Sarahbelle93x! 
P.S. I got this blog post idea from her video! 

12. Statement Necklaces: One of my absolute fashion favorites is statement necklaces! You probably don't want to know how many statement necklaces I have bought in 2013. Its crazy! But, I honestly think they are the best way to spice up any outfit. I love the dash of color or sparkle they add to a look. If I am ever struggling with an outfit I feel like a necklace fixes all of my problems! I specifically am obsessed with J Crew statement necklaces. I have gotten some for super cheap on sale or at the outlet store. So be sure to look out for a good deal on them!  Here are a few of my favorites: 
J Crew 

L: Dry Goods; R: J Crew 

L: Juicy Couture; R: Dry Goods

11. Bracelets/ Bangles: Another one of my fashion favorites were bangles and bracelets. I never really wore a lot bracelets in the past. But ever since I got my Henri Bendel bracelet I have been obsessed! Now I stack bracelets everyday. I feel lost without them to be honest. Henri Bendel is one of my favorite places to get super gorgeous bracelets. But, since I got my Alex and Ani bracelet I haven't taken it off! I got it on my Disney World trip because they have exclusive Disney bangles. Mine has the Magic Kingdom castle on it, however there are ones featuring Mickey and Minnie as well. Here are some of my favorite bracelets of 2013.....
L to R: Henri Bendel, J Crew, & Alex and Ani

10. Preppy Anything: Can we please talk about preppy things. I don't know why, maybe it's Sarah Belle's influence, but I love anything and everything preppy. From monograms to Vineyard Vines I love it all! More and more I find myself wanting things that are super preppy, such as puffy vests, monogramed anything, and baseball caps, and basically the whole J Crew store. I love wearing hats like my Vineyard Vines and monogram hat on a bad hair day. They have saved me on many Saturday and Sunday mornings in college.... Also, I find myself wearing my puffy vest so much. They are surprisingly versatile! Here are some of my favorite preppy things/ outfits of 2013........
 


9. Iowa State University: College is one of my favorites this year. I know it seems silly but I was so happy to leave high school. Don't get me wrong by no means was my high school experience terrible. But, it was so nice for a fresh start and a new set of totally different people. Hardly any kids from my high school went to my university. So, I was lucky enough to start completely fresh. With an overdramatic senior year I was glad to be done with it and to start something new! A lot of seniors don't want to leave high school. If your'e a senior reading this..... The best is yet to come I promise! I can't wait to see more of what my school has to offer for 2014 and for the rest of my 4 years here. 
{A photo I took of my campus in the fall. I am in a photography club for freshman and this was one of the pictures I took!}

8. New opportunities: Since I have started college I have gotten so many more opportunities then I have ever had. Living in a Chicago suburb has had its perks with fashion opportunities, compared to most people. However, since I have gotten to school I have gotten so many amazing opportunities for my major (Apparel Design and Journalism). I have joined the style section of my schools newspaper The Iowa State Daily and I recently got a exec position on my schools fashion magazine Trend. Also, I am in other clubs that have given me a lot of knowledge and experiences that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten. Also, I am an intern for the Rent the Runway on campus program. It is such a great opportunity and a great way to learn how to promote a brand. 
{Me at my committees photo shoot for Trend magazine!}

7. Sorority Life: Along with starting college I went through rush which was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was iffy about the whole sorority thing because I have had my fair share of girl drama (between school and dancing my whole life I've delt with the worst trust me). But, if you are on the fence about it I have to say to DO IT! I met some of the best friends I could ever have in my sorority. I can talk to any girl in my house and know we have at least one thing in common. Sure, we aren't all the same but we don't have to be! Being in Pi Beta Phi has been such a great and positive experience. Between doing YLH (an event during homecoming) or Big Little reveal I can't preach enough how much I love being a Pi Phi! So I will stop before I get to out of hand but Pi Phi is FOR SURE one of my favorites for 2013. 
My AMAZING big and I! I love my Big to death and we are practically identical so there is that.... 

My pledge class at a sisterhood activity and on bid day! 

YLH for homecoming! In other words we get painted from head to toe and scream and dance around a stage.... I swear we are normal. 

6. One Direction: One Direction will most likely be a favorite forever! I went to the Take Me Home tour in the summer of 2013 and it was AMAZING to say the least. Their concerts are always entertaining and amazing.  They put on such a great performance and are such genuine and funny guys. And I'm in love with Niall Horan it is totally casual. Also, their new album is absolutely their best one. The songs are surprisingly a little edgy and very mature. All I have been listening to is the album since it was released. (and before it was released....) My favorite tracks include Story of My Life (here is the AMAZING music video as well.)Happily, and Half a Heart. But like I said the whole album is amazing. Not to mention their movie! (I can't talk about that without fan-girling hardcore) If you don't like One Direction I suggest you watch it... because you will like them after that movie! Also their two new music videos to Story of My Life and Best Song Ever are touching and hilarious. The Story of My Life video is really deep and personal to the boys. While the Best Song Ever video laugh out loud funny! So basically anything and everything One Direction is a favorite of 2013! 

5. Prom Dress: I was OBSESSED with my prom dress. Prom was..... well not my favorite weekend. Lets say my least favorite weekend of 2013. However, my dress is one of my favorite things I have ever worn! If I could pick one thing to describe me it would be that dress. It is purple, sparkly, and dramatic. What's not to love? Even though the weekend was a bust, my dress was a for sure hit!
4. New Friends: Speaking of more positive people I have made some amazing friends this past year. Mainly from going to school, I have met people I would never have met back home. I have made friends from my floor, major, and in my sorority that will be friends for a lifetime. So shout out to all my friends I have made! I love you all <3 



3. Teen Vogue: In the fall of 2013 I attended Teen Vogue Fashion University for the 2nd time. Yet again it was another great learning experience. Not to mention I love the city of New York and it makes me want to live there even more! Overall the weekend was great and made me want to work in the industry even more. Add on top of it I heared some amazing people speak. Click on any of these links to see my adventures in NY: Day 1Day 2Day 3,Outfits of the Weekend, and my NY blog haul

2. Bold Lips: I have been loving bold lipsticks all year. Starting senior year I really experimented with lipsticks and lip products. So now I am obsessed with them! For some reason I love buying new lipsticks. I can't go to Target without looking at the makeup section it seems like! My favorites include Revlon's Black Cherry lipstick, Revlon's Colorburst balms in Flirtatious, Standout, and Lovesick, Mary Kay's Red Salsa, Midnight Red, and Crimson Pouree, and then finally Tarte's LipSurgence in pouty.
Recent bold lip looks. 

1. Moving On: This is an odd favorite but it is so true! A lot of crappy things happened in 2013 not going to lie. So, moving on was a big part of my year. I learned a lot about relationships, friends, and life this past year. As I would say it was a character building year. Not only did I have to move on from high school but also from problems and toxic people. This year I learned sometimes you have to let people go and move on for your own good. (It actually happened a lot this year) A lot of friends I realized weren't that good of friends. So, I had to let them go. Also, I had my fair share of boy problems..... (we won't talk about that) However, all of these crappy things taught me so much. In a way I am glad that everything that happened happened. Moving on and overcoming all of my problems was for the better. I am so happy that I left bad things behind in my life and made room for better and more positive people. 

That are all of my favorite things of 2013! I hope you enjoyed!