Birthday Cake "Milkshake"

If you're in the midst of packing for college, like I am, you know it can be exhausting and just plain overwhelming! Here's a perfectly sweet and healthy treat to get your energy level soaring so you can power through the rest of your day. 

1/2 cup frozen Silk Vanilla Almondmilk

3/4 cup to 1 cup Silk Vanilla (not frozen)

1/2 teaspoon imitation almond extract

1 tbsp dry cake mix

Blend all in a magic bullet or blender and enjoy! Top with sprinkles :)

Make a Statement this Fall: My Jewelry Picks

My favorite accessory is a great statement necklace. Slowly but surely I have been growing my collection and now I'm finding them harder to resist (sorry, debit card) Here are a few of my favorites that will definitely be making an appearance in my fall wardrobe.

(Top left to right: Payless Shoesource, Target, Forever 21, Kohls, Forever 21, JC Penney)

These necklaces are my favorite way of taking an outfit to the next level with a little added flair. 

Another trend I love is a good, bold bracelet. This season, Bella Jack has been my favorite Jewelry line.  You can find their bracelets, necklaces and earrings at TJ Maxx under $20. Take a look...

Of course I won't leave the house without my Kate Spade bangle either. 

Name plated jewelry has also been making a comeback lately. So that's why when I saw this darling bracelet on Etsy I jumped at the opportunity to make it mine! The shop I got this from was Wire Wear by Trisha. I absolutely adore this bracelet and recommend you get yours here.

Until next time, 

Keep Calm and Go Shopping

We all know college is a time of pinching pennies. Probably like every other college student, you feel your wallet getting lighter and lighter but still find yourself going out on the weekends with friends and guiltily returning with mounds of shopping bags. Don't fear! Here is a list of some of my favorite stores to take advantage of a student discount up to 20% off! You've only got 4 years, so make it with the while!

via Pinterest

Dorm Decor: Monogram

For awhile now, I've been dreaming up dorm room ideas for the start of my sophomore year- I needed something bright, fun and cheap to decorate my walls. I was a girl on a mission to bring style into my dorm without blowing a paycheck (can't touch the shoe fund!)

I stumbled into Michael's one day to find all of their giant letters on sale for 99 cents, originally $5 each. (Score!!) So of course I had to buy three to make the wall monogram I had been imagining. Even the paint was on sale, and I knew it was meant to be.

A project that would have typically cost me around $20, rang up at only $4 at the register. How can you say no to a deal like that? You don't!

I used FolkArt brand acrylic paint on my letters. It was only about $1 and the perfect amount of paint needed to complete the project. You'll also need some sort of paint brush-- I used a foam brush that I had laying around and it worked great!

Voila!

A great way to dress up a dorm!

3 Ways to Dress Up Your Dorm

Tips and tricks to design your preppy study haven!

 Glamour girl's guide to a sassy dorm room

Cozy up in this Simply Shabby Chic-style bedding!

Yachts of Fun: Back to School Shopping

Well, friends, it's that time of year again. One day you're in Target shopping for bathing suits and sun dresses and the next they've filled the seasonal section with school supplies. Sigh. 

As depressing as the thought of hitting the books sounds, here's how I made it 

"Yachts of Fun" 

If you haven't caught on by now, I'm a big fan of Target and TJ Maxx. This year I was able to fill my book bag with the cutest notebooks and folders in the best prints and patterns at the best prices. Organize in style with these great finds!

Top Journals- $4.99 & $3.99 TJ Maxx

#craycray notebook- $2.99 Staples

Pink polka dot notebook- $2.99 Staples

Geometric print folders- $1.00 Target

Planner- $28 Lilly Pulitzer

As excited as I am to use all of my new back to school supplies, if there's one thing I can't

live with out, it would be my Lilly Planner. If you're unsure whether or not they are worth the price...the answer is yes!! Without a doubt my Lilly planner was the best $28 I have ever spent. Ever. There is nothing I love more about back to school than color coding my agenda, and crossing off my to-do list; the Lilly prints and colors in this planner make staying organized that much more fun! Not to mention, these are 17 month planners, giving you lots of time to get your money's worth (unless of course you have to buy next season's prints as soon as they're out!)

Pick out your Lilly agenda here

Girls Just Wanna Have Sun

 

via Pinterest

Beach Essentials

Nothing beats a good day of sun and sand. Here are a few of my favorite beach essentials from Target and TJ Maxx.

travel mason jar - $7.99/set of 4 TJ Maxx

Xhilaration bow flip flops- $14 Target

Bow Sunhat- Merona $10 Target

Yellow polka dot bikini separates- $4.99 JC Penney

Embroidered cover up- $20 Cynthia Rowley

Xhilaration Ruffle bikini- $17.99/each Target

Monogram paisley towel- Lands End

This or That: My Beauty Must-Haves Compared to Competition

Here is a close up of my best beauty finds compared to pricier name-brands, 

as found in my "What's in My Make up Bag?"

Best Back to School Buys: Shoes

The best part of going back to college (besides living on the ocean, friends, and being on your own) is most definitely shoe shopping...because walking to class, parties and dances calls for lots of shoes. You can never have too many pairs! These are my favorite back to school purchases so far. The best part? I didn't pay over $11 for any of them! AND the cheapest pair was my Steve Madden wedges at $5. That's a win in my books. 

Left to right brand and prices: Old Navy sneakers $6.98, Old Navy hot pink flats $11, Target glitter sandals $10, Payless gold glitter heels $8 and lastly Famous Footwear Steve Madden wedges for $5. Yes, you read that right. $5 for the perfect pair of summer wedges. I have been eyeing these for some time but didn't want to dish out the $69, so obviously purchasing these bad boys wasn't even a question when I saw that price tag. 

How I styled my Madden wedges:

Patrons for Peace shorts $16

Maurice's knit tank $24

Kate Spade Bangle from Lord and Taylor

Bella Jack chain link bracelet $14.99

Another pair of shoes I adore are my gold polka dot slip ons from Old Navy. Comfy and casual, definitely perfect for a stroll to class.

Neiman Marcus has been teasing with me a similar pair of Kate Spade for Keds for $75. They are so similar in style, minus the laces. Old Navy really nailed the Kate Spade dupes this year!

See the Kate Spade Keds here

Athletic Wear Favorites

There is no better motivation to workout than a good athletic outfit! Here are my workout and figure skating staples all found at LuLuLemon or TJ Maxx for under $30. 

(Brands left to right- Lulu, MPG, Kyodan)

   

I love my LuLulemon just as much as the next figure skater, but we all know they run a little pricey. I found these workout gems by Kyodan at TJ Maxx and fell in love. (So, naturally, I bought the entire set) The quality and look of the pieces match anything I have bought from Lulu for a fraction of the price. (Jacket- $29, Tank- $16.99, Shorts- $16.99)

These great tanks are also from TJ Maxx and perfect for skating or hitting the gym in style. They are made by MPG and come in tons of colors...walking away with just one is a challenge I have not yet mastered. ($16.99)

Now, here are my treasured LuLulemon tanks. I think the scoop necks and flattering racer back details definitely make them worth the $29 clearance price. They don't even ride up-- making them great for jumping in the harness at practice or a Zumba class at the gym.  So far, in my search for a perfect skating tank, they are unbeatable!

What's in My Makeup Bag?

(make up bag from Benefit Cosmetics)

Here are my favorite beauty picks!

 All found at Target, TJ Maxx and Benefit, ranging from $1-$28

1. F&Y brand make up wipes with Cucumber and Aloe $1.99 TJ Maxx Stores
2. Super BB Face Powder by Physician's Formula $14.99 Target
3. Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream $12.99 Target
4. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser $5.99 Target

1. E.L.F natural eye shadow palette $3.00 (compared to $54 Naked Palette 1)
2. Rimmel Scandal Eyes $6.99 Target
3. Dream Bouncy Blush in pink frosting $7 Target
4. Ellen Tracy lip crayon $3 TJ Maxx
5. Erase Paste in fair $28.00 Benefit (and worth every penny!)
6. E.L.F eye liners in black and white $1.02 Target