A little pick me up...

These cold days are taking a toll on me! Today, for the first time since this year started I actually felt warm outside, I was so happy I couldn't contain myself. So to celebrate I picked a few of my most recent favorite beauty products that will brighten your day whether it's 70 or 30 degrees outside. Enjoy!

1. Kerastasé Elixir Ultime Serum, $50

2. Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask, $20

3. Bumble and Bumble Quenching Masque, $37

4. OPI Black Shatter Nail Lacquer, $8.50

5. Tan Towels, $25 a pack

6. OPI Color So Hot It Berns Nail Lacquer, $8.50

7. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $17

8. Lollia Flowering Lotus handcreme, $24

9. Buxom Plumping lipgloss - Bambi, $18

Currently listening to...

I unfortunately have 8 am classes every morning, which means I get up at 6 am everyday and even with coffee, its super hard to get up and get going. I used to be a morning person but the older I get the more that is not true. Cure for my morning sleepiness? Listen to music with insane beats and fast tempos that (embarrassingly) have me power walking to be the beat of my ipod through campus.

These are a few of the bands that accompany me on my early morning treks.











Some are new, some are old but all are sure to start your day with a bang.

Weekend Spree

Accidentally went on a little shopping spree this weekend...

These boots are vintage leather Steve Madden army boots picked up at Plato's closet for $18. 

Strapped wedges I picked up at one of my favorite Austin boutiques, Strut. They reminded me immediately of these Jeffery Campbell wedges and at $24 I couldn't pass them up.

It's been surprisingly rainy here in Austin the past couple days and I was seriously lacking some great rainboots. I got these olive Steve Madden wellies (with orange zipper tape!!) at Dillard's for only $80.

I got this Flying Tomato dress also at Strut for $34. The flower appliques and lace sold me at first glance! Love how reminiscent of the 60's it is!

Finally my little rack is starting to fill out! A great weekend of great shopping and great deals! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend as well.

VOGUE Italia

Keira Knightley's spread in Vogue Italia January 2011. Total girl crush.

Wish You Were Here

Ok so it's more like wish I was there but you get the point. Feeling the travel bug lately, which is funny since I have no funds and no time to actually do so. However I have a top five list of places that I know I will visit within the next ten years.

So for the big question, "where do you see yourself in ten years?" I would answer, "Traveling around the world seeing and experiencing everything I possibly can. Never settling for less."

So, where do you see yourself in ten years?

A Better Roni, glad I found you...

While making my normal blog reads the other morning I found this amazing blog, A Better Roni, via The Man Repeller. The phrase "would this be considered a man repeller?" and "man repelling at it's best" has seemed to creep into being a part of my everday language so when she said that this blog was a "a silly and equally awesome fashion blog" I knew it was right up my alley.

The woman behind A Better Roni is Emily Kropp an associate editor at styledon.com from Brooklyn, NY.  She is super cute, witty, has great style and is down right funny (follow her tweets too @toomanyronis).

She has a recurring post called My Style: Now and Then where she takes a picture from her childhood and then creates a modern day look from it. Below are a few of her recent Now and Then Styles...

Blogs like A Better Roni and The Man Repeller are such a refreshing read, reminding us that fashion doesn't have to be so serious, just have fun with what ya love. So glad I found you A Better Roni, can't wait to see what else you do!

This is an adventure.

To take you away from the norm.

Photos from here, here, here, here, and here

Leaving on a Jet Plane

One of my dearest friends is leaving today to volunteer in India for two months! We had a going away party last night at a restaraunt we frequent; it was so great seeing her one last time before she embarks on this amazing journey!

She inspired me to pull together a small list of inexpensive cool items that you could give someone that is traveling abroad for a while. I always find it hard to give going away presents to travelers because you can't give them anything that will take up any valuable space in the luggage or something that they won't be able to take at all.

1. vintage camera photo album, $10

2. Bumble and bumble. | Official Site | Shop Online, $22 ; Bumble and bumble. | Official Site | Shop Online, $21

3. Distinctive Stationery - Elephant, $23

4. Travel Gifts, Gifts for Traveler | UncommonGoods, $24

5. Rick Steves' London 2011, Rick Steves' Travel Guides Series, Rick..., $13

6. Antique Map Italian Leather Printed Passport Holder Case, Barnes &..., $15

Include a small soft photo album with a few photos of close friends and family. The shampoo and conditioner is great example of getting them a toiletry item they might not normally purchase for themselves but need to include in their packing. Personalized stationary is always a great way to go, when traveling I always think postcards and letters are much more personal and fun! The laundry bag is great for those that will be staying in hostels and the guide book for those who won't have time for guided tours and want to take on the challenge themselves. The passport cover is great because it conceals their passport and doesn't take up any extra room. Remember functionality with a bit of personalization when looking for the perfect travel gift!

I need the smell of summer, need it's noises in my ear.

Ok, so it's no secret that I really, really hate the cold. If I could actually ever be bundled up and never get cold, I would welcome winter with open arms but that is never the case. So naturally as soon as the holidays are over I begin lusting for a time when shorts, sundresses, and anything strappy are my go to items.

I came across these Jeffery Campbell Gypsy Wedges this morning and couldn't stop thinking about them. True they could be a great winter shoe paired with tights or high waisted trousers (whoever said no white after labor day, well they were wrong). However I could only picture them with long flowy summer dresses, short skirts and frilly tops, or a great pair of high waisted shorts. Oh Jeff, you never cease to amaze me.

Currently Reading...

My semesters are always so busy with work, school, and extra activities that I barely ever have any time to indulge in the things that I really love like reading, watching movies, and actively planning a decent wardrobe on a daily basis. However it's winter break now and I've had (surprisingly!) a week off of work and I've been treating myself to all these luxuries!

I started reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro on Saturday and I'm already blown away. The story really does pull you in immediately, constantly leaving at the edge of your seat, and making you incessantly wonder what really is behind this mysterious boarding school. The book is about a young woman reflectling back on her time with a few close friends at a secluded boarding school in the English countryside. The school is unconventional in many ways and contains many secrets. Don't let anyone clue you in on anything before read, it's a much better twist or I guess your could say reveal when you figure it out yourself.

As soon as I finish the novel I'm definitely going to watch the film. The screenplay was written by Alex Garland and directed by director Mark Romanek. Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield play the three students.

Some currently watching... and currently wearing... posts to follow!

New Year's Non-Goals and Resolutions

This year throughout the blogger community several lovely ladies, such as Design for Mankind and Plush Palate, started a new trend of making a list of New Year's non-goals. The non-goals are a list of qualities and things about your life that you love and want to keep. This is such a great idea because sometimes we forget to remind ourselves and appreciate the good thing's we already have in our lives. However I also made a list of resolutions too; I believe always having a challenge or goal to try to reach help keeps things interesting.

So here are my non-goals:
1. Your ambition is your biggest asset in life and will take your far, continue following that.
2. You are great at balancing the things in your life, between friends, work, school, and family. Keep that up and remember you always need people you love in your life. (when the school and work part get hard you were good at not pushing them away but bringing them closer to you.)
3.  Your motivation has exceeded the limits you thought you were capable of and you are keeping that going, don't ever stop being motivated.
4. You have finally come to terms with the fact that people will enter and leave your life, you can't please everyone, and for those who have chosen to leave, well it was probably for the best. This was a vital realization and don't ever forget it.
5. You are the luckiest girl in the world to have such amazing friends and extended family. Their support and love keep you going, always continue to appreciate that.

And now for my resolutions...
1. BLOG everyday. I started this blog as a way to cultivate more creativity in my life and challenge me try and do new things. This new year will be all about striving to make that true!
2. Get a 4.0 in what will be one of my last actual semesters of in class learning.
3. Get accepted to the internship of my dreams (or not take no for an answer!)
4. Study abroad in London before I graduate next winter.

2011 is going to be an amazing year with lots of great traveling, new experiences, and time with amazing friends! Hope you all had a wonderful time ringing in the new year and may 2011 be all you hoped it would be!