Carry On Bag - Beauty

I'm ever so slowly packing. Very, very slowly. But, since one of the products I ordered off of Amazon came in, I decided to start packing the lotions, shampoo, moisturizer part of my luggage. The bigger containers went into one of my suitcases that will be checked,  but for the carry on bag, I had to raid my stash of hotel and beauty counter supplies.

via Amazon

Yes...I have a stash. And I'm not ashamed, when I travel anywhere, that's what I end up packing from. It's just easier, and cheaper, than running out to Walmart or Target and raiding their $1 section for the mini-sized products.

And tonight, I suppose I'll start packing some of my measly number of clothes that will translate over to the weather in Scotland. There's about a 25 degree (Fahrenheit) difference in temperature at the moment.

Or, put another way...that has made everyone but me laugh. The average summer temperature over there is about the average winter temperature here (if it's a cloudy and rainy day).

I've bought a huge coat. And gloves. And glove warmers. And a snuggie. Don't judge.

so. freaking. hot (happy Independence Day!!)

It's so HOT!!!! image via Ecards

I'm dying.

My makeup is melting.

My A/C bill is going to be horrible.

I can't believe we had a hurricane a week ago (flooding) and now a heat wave. I'm waiting for the plague of frogs.

Seriously Florida...cool down!

But, Happy 4th of July rest of the world, and Happy Independence Day USA!

Grad School Wardrobe

I've been in a panic.

Not because I'm moving

Or because I'm going to be paying for school, while living abroad, on a part-time salary.

Or even because I know absolutely NO one where I'm going.

Nope. It's because I have no cold weather clothes and have no idea how to pack up my closet.

Yup. My priorities are in the right place (my closet).

Since I'm from the south, I'm used to muggy weather and lots of Lilly.

Lilly Eryn dress

I don't even own a heavy coat...and snow is not something that happens. Do you know what happens in the UK? It snows! It gets cold! Goodness!

So, in my blind panic, I've been trying to find the essentials to my wardrobe. I had a basic list until I realized that it was more... "American" style wardrobe...and still southern. (10+ dresses? Why, of course!).

Plus, in theory, a graduate school wardrobe should be slightly more professional (in the business sector at least) than an undergraduate. So I suppose my sparkly heels will have to stay behind. Boo.

So I googled British packing list and somehow got on THIS site...which talks about the difference between British and American style, plus guides for all sorts of regions around the world. Things I've learned...I have NO idea what a "festival" look is, but if it's anything like coachella fashions...I'll pass (on that style).

• British vs. American style - observations from a British Girl Abroad. Some great comments as well. 

They have a master archival section about wardrobe + packing for studying abroad, as well as specific sections, thank the lord.

image from College Fashion. net

I'm going to have to learn to layer. And find a coat. Like, a real heavy duty coat. And sensible shoes. 6-inch heels while walking around the city is not happening.

I'm thinking of bringing the basics and buying the coat over there. That makes sense right? And cold weather stuff over there too. Because I'd have to order that anyways.

• What do I wear there? Study Abroad in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• Study Abroad Archives

We don't sweat...we glisten!

I totally remember P.E. in school. In middle school our teacher actually told us that girls don't sweat...we glisten (she was joking...it was while we were complaining about our fitness test and being sweaty for the rest of the school day) and the high school gym teacher would pale when anyone mentioned cramps (in reference to that "time of the month"). I'm not sure he noticed when some girls would have a two week long period.

Big Bang Theory: Sheldon and Penny exercising

Anyways, I'd much rather lay around and read a great book than exercise, but I dragged myself to the gym today to work out. And oh my gosh-I was completely disgusting when I was through. But I've got to get back in shape...and stop eating so many yummy sweet things!

I'm trying to motivate myself to go to yoga as well. But the yoga classes are in the morning. And are taught by bright, happy, motivated, morning people. I hate them already. There is no reason to be that excited about the morning.


Image Source:
We Heart It

Uggghhhh

Image from here

I feel like crap today. I think my horrible eating habits (for like a month...it's been fast food) and stress level have finally caught up to me.

Plus I got "the look" from my doctor when I told her that I've been fairly sedentary and eating the big-mac diet.

these are soooo yummy. Fried cheese is never gross... except that it's technically gross for you

So, I hit up the grocery store, and the gym is happening tomorrow. I've got to get back to healthy! Plus my jeans were tight today. Uh-uh.

As a mini (so freaking mini) rant...I hate the food pyramid. And I'm glad the changed it. It always confused me for a hot second because it looks like this. But, (and maybe it's a "me" thing) in my head, the top is the part you strive for (strive up?) and not the bottom. But that's not how you're supposed to read the pyramid. Strive downwards. See...that doesn't even make me happy. Who strives down?

image from here

The plate is more visual. I can handle the plate. It makes total sense to me. Plus my doctor LOVES the plate. She can wax poetic on how easy this type of system is to explain to people (so I suppose I'm not the only food pyramid hater out there).

From Harvard Medical School's Website

She also loves My Food Diary.com. It costs moneys (30 cents a day) but I suppose it's not the end of the world. Basically she told me to start behaving myself. 

There is good news though! I got accepted into one of the universities I applied to! Yay! I have a future!

Budgeting for College...Applications

budgeting means putting my credit cards on lock down. sadness :( 

Before I started applying (or writing my essays) I looked up how much it was going to cost for me to actually submit an application. Mostly so I would know before I turned it in. And to get the shock out of the way first.

I estimated that each school was going to cost me about 100-200 (American) dollars. Which was super excessive with some schools and right on target with others. Whatever remained I split between my future college costs and my "congratulations/splurge account".

For instance...after completing five applications, I bought myself a new dress and a new belt and a coffee.

1. Mossimo Crepe Dress with Cascade Ruffles. In blue, found at Target
2. Skinny belt. I tried to put the teal one I had on their but oh well. In real life, it's teal...
3. Nude pumps

After applications are all done (I've got a couple more) I'm going to start figuring out my future budget for college. Which might be slightly excessive. But I'd rather be incredibly prepared than broke and stuck. No matter where I end up going, I want to go exploring in the surrounding areas, shop, eat out with friends, party (although I can't drink) and live more or less comfy. So, budgeting is the way to go. 

While perusing Google images for student budgets and grad school budgets, budgets by countries, budgets for certain schools (it's going to be awhile on those budgets), I found an info-graphic that I love. I got a little snapshot but the entire info-graphic has a ton of information and is kinda scary. 

Via: Infographic called How Much Americans Save Annually. 

Apparently Americans spend more than 90% of their disposable income. That's scary. 

Perhaps I should add "budgeting the Chinese way" to my google search? 

Image Sources: 

• credit cards on lock-down (WeHeartIt.com)
• clothes found via shopstyle.com. Individual links listed above
• How do American saving habits compare globally from the infographic How Much Americans Save Annually from the webpage Finance Infographics. 

Mini Cakes...part II

Instead of running out and buying a special mold for my future mini-cakes, I think I'm going to use cans. That's right...cans. I'm sure I can round some up between me, friends and family (it helps when you're the youngest girl in a large family).

I think this tutorial (Mini Cakes DIY) is the one I'm going to try, it's from Ohhappyday.com. Depending on how much frosting (I mean, how much is too much? I love frosting) I make, I'll probably frost all the way around and maybe only make them two layers...

And here's the other resource I found, same idea really. How to Bake Mini Cakes

Other options... using cupcake/muffin pans!

Caitlin, from the wedding chicks blog, created these with photo step-by-step instructions. Which was really nice of her. 

I don't know the original source for these so I'll just link to where I found it. How to make mini cakes from cupcakes

Mini Cakes...part I

I have a friend that is having a birthday party at the end of April, and somehow I signed myself up for dessert. I don't know how that happened because I'm pretty sure I wasn't even around when I got volunteered (thanks?)

Since I have to make dessert for thirty plus people I decided to go for the hardest thing I could possibly do. Mini-cakes. As in the at home/amateur version of this...

Beach Essentials

It's April...which means it's warm enough for the beach! Yay!!!

I love going to the beach--as long as I can sit under an umbrella, slathered in sunscreen with a good book and plenty of water.

My beach bag is packed (with lots of books) and I'm thrilled to have a lax day with one of my girlfriends (who's visiting from up North).

1. Big floppy beach hats are a must! Skin cancer is nothing to be lax about. This is a pretty one from Sears.

2. Cute sunglasses help with the glare from the sun. Plus, they protect your eyes. I love retro ones!

3. Flip flops are made for the beach! P.S. You don't want searing hot shoes after being on the beach all day. Turn them over and put them under your towel. The soles won't burn your feet then.

4. Do you know the best time to buy bathing suits? Winter. Victoria's Secret always has the cutest bikinis.

5. Lacoste Beach Bag (I LOVE this bag. It's so summer-ey!).

6. I've read this book twice. And I still love it. I saw it had won an Edgar Award when I was browsing around Borders during it's closeout days (sadness). I don't even know what an Edgar Award is, but Tana French so deserves it. In the Woods was so titillating! It's a murder mystery in the present with a murder mystery from the past all set in Ireland.

7. Staying hydrated (from non-alcoholic drinks) is important. You would not believe the number of people I've seen drop because of lack of hydration. And if you use eco-friendly water bottles it's better for the environment. Plus these are super cute. I have one in purple that I love!

8. Sophie Littlefield's A Bad Day for Pretty. Which is another crime novel (but it has a romance in it!). AND she has great titles. A Bad Day for Sorry, A Bad Day for Scandal.

9. Chapstick. Or any moisturizing lip balm. But I like Chapstick (with SPF)

10. Picnic baskets! Even if you hit up one of the great seafood places on the beach, having snacks is always  a great idea. Be ready to fight a seagull.

11. Elizabeth George's 17th Lynley novel called Believing the Lie. I love her series. I might not know any British royal things...but I know who Lord Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton is (don't tell me it doesn't exist). It's a murder mystery too. There's a theme here...

12. Sunscreen. I don't know how to say it without sounding like a crazy person. Wear sunscreen. ESPECIALLY on the beach. Skin cancer is horrible. And yes..I wear SPF 100. I own that bottle.

13. While browsing TJMaxx last week I saw a medium sized bundle of beach mats. I didn't really give it much of a thought until I passed by again and saw that the pile had dwindled down to about five mats. Obviously they were selling fast. I moseyed on by and saw the cutest things ever (they had been rolled up). They were Tommy Hilfiger and the price was really low (reeeeally low). I have the pink flamingo and green mat. I love it already and it's going to the beach with me.

14. Fun leopard beach towel. Ah-mazing

15. Ok. I'll admit this is a bit extreme compared to my TJMaxx deal. But this is a beach mat for more than one person. Plus is has pockets for drinks and your phone. It's brilliant! AND it was designed by a SCAD (great school) graduate named Julie.

Grad School Apps

Silly Grad School Applications

I have to really start being more realistic about my time frame to complete an application. I assumed I could do three last night. I finished one in about four hours. Ugh.

Well, one down. I need to have one more done by tomorrow. And then the first deadline for the third is in April. I'm going to try and get all of them done by mid-April. Before Easter at least.

Graduate Applications are possibly the most stressful things I've done in awhile. Who knew five pages (give or take a page) would cause so much grief? I had planned on getting all the apps done by around nine (if I started at five ish), then take a long wonderful bubble bath and read a good book.

Grad school...you are messing with my relaxation routine. Stop it.

Granted, some of my problems come from the fact that half my applications are to schools abroad. GPA is an American term. England and Australia put random "u"s in half the words (that's not really confusing). I hope any mistakes I make (and I'm sure there have been a ton) are forgivable.

Anyways...the applications this week are for one American school and two Australian schools. Wouldn't it be fun to study in Australia? I mean...it's Australia! And no, nothing anyone says will convince me that Australians aren't some mix of Hugh Jackman, Simon Baker and Heath Ledger. Nothing.

Sydney

Koalas

Kangaroo

Kangaroo, Koalas and Sydney images from Pinterest

The Queen crashes a wedding

Ok, she didn't really crash the wedding, she was invited. A couple discovered that their wedding was in the same location as an event that Queen Elizabeth II was attending..so being thoughtful people, they invited her. And being pretty awesome, she showed up.

The Queen and John and Frances Canning

Grad School...

I've taken an hiatus from applications. Just a few days off. I find the whole thing incredibly stressful because I really have no clue about my prospects. My GMAT score is decent but I'm coming to a business/econ degree from art history. I can lead a tour through the Smithsonian-no problem...but I don't have any "business" experience. Still, I'm fairly excited and I hope I get accepted to one of the schools I'm applying to!

From here

GOP women partied hard

...in 1941.


I usually hate talking about politics. I used to not care that much until I went on this one date.

The whole time the guy I was with lectured me on politics and informed me over and over and over about how I should vote.

And while that was annoying...I couldn't believe he was talking about politics over dinner. It's considered really rude here (generally at least in the south).

So, the point of all that is to say-I realize politics can get annoying and upsetting. And I think a lot of problems and differences can be settled in American politics by suspending their congressional/representative pay and benefits until they come up with a viable solution.

It would work, promise. I made a "C" only once in high school-my dad took away my allowance.

Anyways...this is as political as I'm going to get.

Here are some freaking awesome pictures from Life Magazine that covered a Young Women's Republican Club of Connecticut. They wanted to experience the "enjoyments" of tobacco, poker and other masculine pleasures.

The photographer was Nina Leen and the event was called a "smoker".

All the images (including about 12 more) can be seen here as well as the accompanying article and info on all the pics.

College Applications

My first college application is due on the tenth. As in...a few days. That tenth.

I think I should have everything in by tonight. Tomorrow at the latest. The goal was not to be a procrastinator. So I figure as long as I have it in before the tenth then I've got my stuff together.

I swear I'll have the other applications in at a better time. Eeek!

Harry Potter

I have a confession.

I haven't seen the last Harry Potter movie. I have a reason, I promise!

I was about a week away from taking the GMAT, and I was panicked and in the (study) zone. I did partake in the "Butterbeer Latte" at the coffee place where I was studying

The Butterbeer Latte and my oh so pretty GMAT book 

Also, the local cupcake shop made Harry Potter themed cupcakes

Pretty cool and delicious. But I never did go see the movie. Luckily Netflix has it and it's sitting on my counter as we speak. So tonight is a Harry Potter night.

Also, J.K. Rowling is writing another (non-Harry Potter) book.

Grad School (sorta panicky) Blues

So I must be crazy because I thought writing my college application essays would take me around a month. It's been two months and I've only written four essays. I can't decide if I have a ridiculous amount of faith in my abilities or I've misjudged the time it takes to turn in graduate school applications. Well, ok, I know which one it is. These essays are hard.

For example, one school wants me to explain all my activities in about 100 characters are less. Including spaces. I've re-written it about five times because I'm absolutely terrified that it sounds like a very boring, bullet  list of things I've managed to to join and do. I still think it's a hacket job but the deadline is looming and I really can't justify writing it again and again.

And I haven't even started on teacher recommendations (that's tonight...and after that...I'll sit in the corner and cry).

What's really depressing (and to be honest, incredibly annoying) are these people on grad school messaging boards or business school messaging boards that leave messages along the lines of:

• "oh? you only scored above that on the GMAT? Well, I did around 750 and I'm on Harvard's waiting list"
• "Maybe you should consider taking the GMAT again...and hope to score 400 points higher"
• "You still have a social life? Well..you're doing something wrong"
• "All my essays are in, plus I'm working two full time jobs...what have you been doing with your time?"

Who are these people? I mean, I'm going to assume they are pretty smart (if those scores are true) but goodness...my eye twitches when I read their responses. There are nice people on the boards as well, and I did learn a lot (for instance, how I didn't actually want an MBA). 

Oh well, I'll get it together and hopefully get into a lovely school. Eek!

A Little Introduction

I'm a twenty-ish southern girl who graduated from college right when the economy crashed. Since I had two (yes...two) fine arts degrees I decided to take some review of my life. I moved back home and decided to start looking at grad schools (eek!).

               

 Most of the girls I know are married (or getting married), have children or are hardcore crafters. I've had a hard time fitting back into the scene since I can't be trusted with a glue gun and children scare me just a tad. It's also not super fun to be the only single gal with all the married people (not that I don't adore my married friends-they are awesome).

            

   Anyways, I figured meeting some blogging buddies might be some fun. Plus I can connect with people who might like the same random stuff I like. I mean, how can you not love the train-wreck that is the "real housewives" franchise?