Skyler Morrison

Rachel Zoe finally had her baby, and her figure is already back! The picture is off of her twitter, and how gorgeous is he!? Here I thought this whole time that she was destined to have a girl -- I mean who's gonna inherit all of her fabulous clothes and shoes?! But I think he will still become a fashion icon! So excited for her new season later on this year, chronicling it all!!

Less than a month...

Less than a month til this....

and I can hardly stand it!!

(I can't lie, I've thought about framing this! haha) I love how glowing they are.

Nevermind that that day only means its 2 days til my final of nursing school and I'll officially be done! Oh no, this is just an incentive to make it to my last 3 days of clincal because April 29th is clincal makeup day, and though I intend on getting up at the crack of dawn, I don't plan on going to the hospital!

I plan on being up in time for the preliminary talks at 5am, with ceremony at 6am. I will be the girl on the couch in my pajamas with a pot of cinnamon oatmeal on the stove, wheat toast slathered in Nutella and topped with banana, huge cup of coffee in hand, and a diamond tiara from Party City adorned on my head. I will take the day off as holiday and resume plan "study-like-crazy-til-my-eyes-cross" in lieu of finals for the next day. April 29th will be my own personal day.

I have looked forward to this for YEARS. I have been obsessed with her forever, and as a long time watcher and lover of Kate's. She is the ultra queen rocker of knee-high boots and preppy fashion. Her style is so effortlessly chic and glam, and I have always seethed when the naysayers deemed her "Waity Katy". Who cares that they dated almost 9 years, I love how genuine she is, how she settled back from the spotlight and waited til the time was right, how when they took a break she refused to get paid by the press to spot off details of it, and how she remains concealed and lets Will (can I call you Will?) be at the forefront. Also, how real life Julia Stiles a la "The Prince and Me" can you get? Shes a normal commoner and the prince falls in love with her at university.

Plus i love British weddings with the morning coats and tophats on the men (or military garment for Will) and the fascinators and hats that the women wear. Why can American weddings be that classy?? Kate this is your day and I love you for it! You will be a wonderful princess of England.

PS: I can't wait to see her crown!! :)

Plus how gorgeous is her sister and maid of honor, Pippa?? I think good looks run in their family!

Cal State's mens soccer team boredom

The caption says 6 hours on a bus presented this, but my caption is can you say Crest whitestrip ad? How are they all so good looking and musically gifted? hahah!
Gap, Ralph, Tommy, Abercrombie -- are yall watching? yall need to scoop them up for a pictorial!!

Also, hilarious!

Just an update...

I am so sporadic when it comes to blog posts! I always have some great idea during the day and then when I get all home and settled -- the idea is gone! So I've started writing down things in my planner and will see how it goes! :)
I am thrilled with all 2 of my followers! One of which is one of my longest and bestest friends since forever intrepidbrytani.wordpress.com, and one who's blog I have been a longtime follower and admirer of beantownprepsterpartdeux.blogspot.com, which is so flattering!! Please take the time to check out both of their blogs! Since I hadn't anticipated having a single follower, I am beyond happy with the response I've gotten, both with that and the world visits on my feed to the side. I iniitally had this blog as a way to vent or write about things that inspire me, if nothing else than an online journal of sorts. So it's been really neat getting to see others and update my own.

So without further ado, here are a few updates in my life:

• Two friends and I went and saw Carmen on ballet this past weekend, and it was amazing!! They are so incredibly talented, it takes my breath away. I have always wanted to go see Juillard's senior production (after being a longtime reader of rockstar diaries! (taza-and-husband.blogspot.com!) so seeing local talent (and not-so-local considering half of them are from Hungary!) is awesome.

• John Legend's version of Adeles's "Rolling in the deep" is beyond amazing! I have always loved him, have his 'Live from Philadelphia' album on repeat on my itunes, but his remakes are definitely a favorite of mine! Video is below!

• Spring/Eastery nailpolishes have been at the forefront of my mind lately, and since I visit Target on the regular, have been taking all my spare change!! I am a huge fan of OPI and Essie, but a buyer of Sally Hansen lately! I painted my nails right after getting home on Thursday from an interview and from then to today have gotten 11 compliments (yes I counted because it's been kind of hilarious and neat!) on this! It's a lavender shade called "Lovely Lilac". (these are not my hands, they were just a picture of the closest color)

• Bare Escentuals makeup. I am kind of obsessed!! I am a huge lover of Ulta, its one of the things I will miss about my time here once I moved (but that's a post for another time!) and always stop by to see what the latest thing is. I get emails from Ulta on promotions and coupons etc and have always been curious about the makeup from seeing it online, QVC (no laughing!), reading reviews (of which I've never read a single bad one!!) and a girl who's fashion I most definitely trust, Emily from cupcakesandcashmere.com! So I go in, start looking at the product, a girl comes up and offers to show me some stuff, and before I know it I am sitting in a chair and shes removing my makeup and applying it. In less than 5 minutes it is completely done and I am in love! It blends so easily, the skin tone is perfect, it stays on all day! I got the starter kit with the foundation, face color, mineral viel (which sets it), three makeup brushes, a booklet and dvd all for 60$. I am already surfing the web and making lists for what I am buying from the product next!

• Mason jars for my makeup brushes! I have been looking for good makeup brushes from quite sometime (before my love of the above!) and found some awesome ones that don't break the bank! They are from Target, once again, and are called E.L.F., and at $1 (yes ONE dollar a piece!) you really cannot say no! I have seen brushes in upwards of 15$ to 30$, but these are amazing! I bought one of every one that they had and then wanted to display them. I got some Mason jars my mom had lying around a la thegamedaygirls.tumblr.com and put them in. Some were shorter than others so I started looking around the house for stuff to fill it with and settled on rice! it works PERFECT! you can stick the longer brushes further in the rice, and the shorter ones on top. here is a great article on ways to use it http://www.missminimalist.com/2010/10/minimalist-workhorse-mason-jars/ I have a bigger one with brushes and liquid tube concealer, etc. for my face, and a smaller one with brushes, eyeliner, mascara, etc. for my eyes.

(not my picture but basically exactly what I did!)

• Interview for a job! Nursing graduation is almost here! We have taken our grad pictures, sent off our nursing applications, videoed our senior projects, and officially have 2 tests and 3 clinical days left! I have started the interviewing process, gotten my recommendations in, my resume finished and looked over and over, and done my interview for my dream job -- down the road from where i live and close by friends and family, so please please keep your fingers crossed! I hear back this week!

Update me with your life, I love you all!!

Hey it's okay!

• To still be afraid of bugs… and wish you still lived at home… so that Dad could kill it for you. Having to arm yourself with a swiffer, boots, and yellow gloves to kill a spider isn’t so funny.
• To search for the hottest guy in every Starbucks, subway, cafe, restaurant, movie theater, grocery store, airport…
• To decide what you will get for lunch by 10AM.
• To dress like you’re going or have been to the gym today. But, you’re so NOT going. Sneaky, sneaky.
• To think and act like you are still in college. 
• To say you are still in college: flashing your college ID at J.Crew to get the 15% student discount is not a crime.
• To freak out when you get a notification that your friend tagged you in 25 pictures from last weekend.
• To hide a zit or tired eyes with a big smile and even bigger sunglasses.
• To stay home, watch The Wedding Planner, and cook soup on a Friday night. Hey girl hey.

((This list is for girls after college and every. single. one. is me!))

Irish eyes are smiling

I am a lover of ALL holidays. No matter what it is, I always find a way to celebrate, always have a different wreath for my door that coordinates with it, and I always try to get in the spirit whether by dressing or baking or watching. That said, I've never really been huge on St Patrick's. I guess because it comes between the whole Christmas/New Year's/Valentine's debaucle, where everyone is going crazy with gifts and partying around, and then there's a lull before people ready themselves for Lent and easter eggs and palm sunday for Easter. St Patrick's seems to fall by the wayside, but for the past few years I have refused for that to happen! St Pat's gets its own day in my book, I mean I'm half Irish for pete's sake! So, despite my year round pale skin and blue eyes, I am no typical Irish and wasn't even aware til my grandma told me a few years ago, so without further ado -- here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate!

1) Green nails! I painted mine Sally Hansen's Emerald City, the same color I use for Christmas and the Master's. I'm a big fan of OPI and Essie, but couldn't find a color better -- this is dark and has flecks of silver in it.

2) The St Patrick's Parade at St Patrick's Cathedral in NYC. The only thing better than a St Pats parade is one in front of its namesake church, which is my FAVORITE church in the world! The beauty of the church on the inside never fails to take my breath away. I always go in here when I visit NYC every time, and if I was Catholic I'd get married there. I love watching this on tv and seeing the sea of redheads!

3) Corned beef and cabbage. Yes yes I know -- more traditional food is to eat salmon or lamb, but I love the savory beef with the steamed cabbage. I have tried making this myself and though it was edible, it wasn't noteworthy. Cracker Barrel can cook it like noone's business-- and with whole potatoes, carrots, biscuits and cornbread all in the meal -- where can you go wrong?

4) Turning the Chicago River green! I've been able to see this happen a while back when we went to Chicago for vacation -- I was like 14 or so, but won't ever forget it! So beautiful and it sticks around for quite some time!

5) Irish Soda Bread. I would always wait in lines at the bakery to get my hands on some, but finally found a perfect recipe and it is SO EASY! I plan on making it fairly often as it's only 4 ingredients, and is amazing with jam and butter as a snack, a side with meals, and breakfast! the cross on it is to ward off evil spirits, and I love that you knock on it to see if it's done in the oven!

6) John Mayer "St Patrick's Day". Okay okay, I know this isn't Irish at all -- but I loved listening to it while I was rolling out my dough for the bread and wearing my green! Plus his song alludes to what I mentioned earlier about St Pat's being overlooked with all the other holidays.

7) Lucky Charms Cereal. Once again I can hear your groans -- but when better is a good bowl of Lucky Charms before bed??

8) Boston Celtics. My favorite NBA team, and another reason to wear my shirt with the clover on it! Plus I'm sure Boston is the place to be on St Pat's! We went last August and you could feel and see the Irish presence there.

9) The gorgeous green grass of Ireland. That gorgeous country has always been on my bucket list to see one day, and the stunning scenery and lush grass is enough to draw anyone in. Ireland, I will see you one day!!

10) Claddagh ring. My ex gave me one that I loved and wore for years, but now that that is over and done with, I just can't simply buy and wear one without that negative connotation. However, I enjoy watching them on people from afar and have thought of buying a necklace or earrings. I love what they stand for, how you wear them on one hand or another, and turned in or out depending on your relationship. One of my instructors had one as her wedding ring with a diamond where the heart is, and diamonds where the band was. It was so gorgeous and I found myself admiring it everytime she was near me. Plus it has a crown (!!)

11) and you have to end your day with a good Irish movie! Two of my favorites are the heart-wreching-cry-your-eyes-out PS I love you, and the wanna-go-fight-someone-after-you-watch Boondock Saints. Plus both movies have good looking actors! :) 

One thing I haven't been able to find anywhere is McDonald's Shamrock Shake! I have looked forever with no answers! There's even a GPS/Stalker site called "Find the Shake" where people update on regions of the countryt where they found them! hilarious!



Lastly I'll leave you with an Irish blessing that I just absolutely love! I always find them in antique shops on plaques, but can't ever find just the perfect one for me.

What are your favorite St Pats things?



Slacker

Man I have been getting behind!! Here's my official catch up:

Want It Wednesday:

now that the warm weather is here, I want sandals!

I am in LOVE with these Lily Pulitzer Paige Ruffled Sandals! two of my favorite colors -- green and pink, and the cutest ruffle for spring! Out of my price point, but definitely something to look for in a similiar fashion. they also come in gold/silver.

shoes I DO plan on buying are Havaianas! I always live in Rainbows (I have 5 pair), but tried on a friend's Havaiana's a few days ago and couldn't get the cushiony goodness out of my mind! The only problem is narrowing it down to one color!

Three Things Thursday!
1) March Madness. My bracket is complete, I've joined the Sportsnation group on ESPN, and the trash talking has begun! So far the majority of my teams are doing well, and for the finals I have UNC, Duke, Pittburgh and Kansas, with Kansas upsetting Duke with an 87-78 win!

2) Glee Volume 5.  I am a huge Glee fan and cannot get enough of that show! The 5th album came out this past week and I immediately nabbed it up on itunes. I have every cd so far, and even go and buy songs individually that I love and weren't included on cds. Each time I say that the newest album is the best so far, but really I think this one is! My favorites are the "Thriller/heads will roll" mash up, Lady A's "need you now", Prince's "kiss", and one of my all-time favorite songs ever "landslide". But overall I was most impressed with the original songs "get it right" and "loser like me".

3) Ho ho cake. I have been having a hugeee craving for one for a while now, and decided tonight to just break down and make one from scratch. I tried two bakeries in my college town this week and noone had it so I figured what the heck? Hits the spot every. single. time. It's definitely one of my favorite cakes.

To Japan, with all my love

I can't even begin to fathom the devastation that the people of Japan are feeling. Even days later they are still feeilng the aftershocks, both on the ground and in their hearts. Crazy things keep happening on the 11th of the month -- NYC on 9/11, Haiti on 1/11, and now Japan on 3/11. Watching videos of the devastation is like something out of a movie, and the fact that it is real is incomprehensible. For some reason I just cannot get them out of my mind and prayers. May peace be with those people as they slowly begin to rebuild their lives back...

I copied this directly from Tory Burch's blog because I couldn't have possibly said it better myself...

Japan Disaster Relief 

March 14, 2011, 6:52 PM

Labels:  Philanthropy

Our hearts are breaking for our family, friends and the millions in Japan and around the world affected by the devastating disaster. To aid relief efforts, we have researched some different ways to help. Below, a list of charities currently on the ground in Japan. For more organizations that are helping, click here.
American Red Cross
Save the Children
International Medical

Monogram Monday

I ADORE monograms, like seriously. I want them on everything, and can always spot them in stores. Someone with that kind of crazy obsession, one would think that my house would be covered no? Think again. My monogramed initials are HOS. That's right, Hos!! How terrible and disappointing is that?! Granted the regular way is HSO, but when you monogram it and switch the S to put the big O in the middle you get the essence of a street walker! So since I don't want that label slapped on everything under the sun, I'll be content to admire from afar and watch til I'm married to get a better combo of initials. :) So on a weekly basis I'll be upating with some new monogrammed thing that catches my eye.

Here are a few of my favorites:

monogrammed rings are so classic. i use to visit Swoozies before they closed and look at all the shapes and styles they come in!

This pearl monogrammed bedding from Pottery Barn has been my favorite for years! It goes on sale like twice a year and is even more gorgeous in person. I definitely plan on getting it in the sandstone brown with the matching sheets! :)

monogrammed Stephen Bonanno sandals!! I have the regular ones in silver, and have been thinking of getting them in gold as well, but what sets Bonannos apart from Jack Rogers is the monogramming! With every color combination under the sun to pick from, these are amazing!

monogrammed shower curtain! these are available all over, but look so clean and sleek in a bathroom! I think just the last name looks best.

monogrammed trailer hitch! how cute is this? i find the monogram license plates to be kind of tacky, but having it small and out of the way is kind of an unexpected thing on a car.

and ofcourse the popular monogramed LL Bean bags! they come in every color under the sun and are in so many monogram styles and bag sizes. even better, they are cheaper when you buy in bulk!

monogrammed necklaces. i love how the letters are entwined in these!

like the shower curtain, i love the simplicity of just the last name letter on a mailbox.

monogrammed wreaths. i love how people make these from styrofoam or cardboard letters by covering them with moss. i have a regular circle wreath hanging from my fireplace that i made just like this, but i love the idea of this for a wedding! definitely an idea to use for my future one one day.

monogrammed headboard! though i think having it with the pottery barn bedding would be excessive (even I would find it crazyyy!) i love this idea. one of the blogs i follow, heavenstobetsy.blogspot.com recently did this with a headboard they reupholstered and i wanted to kick myself because i had just made one for Matt's bed a few months ago and didn't think of it!

and lastly, a favorite from my favorite season! monogrammed pumpkins for the fall!! i painted both of these pumpkins -- the first for my bf's house, and the second for my mom.

as for favorite monogram style, it has to be the circle! i love ittt!
Monograms I DON'T like: those front license plates with the dots, the cling decals that people put on walls in their houses, and soap.
So now that I've put you in initial overload and have you hating all things with them, what is it you love? *(Or at least, loved before reading this post?) :)

Three Things Thursday!

1) First off, coming off their win from Duke and winning the ACC Championship is Carolina basketball! I am a big Tarheel fan and being from North Carolina everyone has a favorite with the big three -- Carolina, State, and Duke. Though I didn't catch the game because I was away in NYC, friends kept me updated with the score and the bf (who is a Duke fan) begrudingly told me the news! March Madness is upon us, and from friends working at the tournaments in Greensboro, to filling out, erasing, and refilling out my bracket -- its on! My "house divided" flag is outside and I have my game face on! Go Heels!

2) Girl Scout cookies. Period. Those cute little girls with their sweet signs and wonderfully easy sales skills get me every single time! I have given into their advances in front of Walmart, Lowe's, Sam's, and every grocery store here at home. I have no favorites when it comes to those amazing cookies -- I love them all! But if i had to pick I normally end up buying the Samoas, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter patties, and PB sandwiches. I don't know what I'm going to do when they stop selling them, I need to start stocking up! Also, a friend let me in on a secret -- put those Thin Mints in the freezer -- makes them 10x more amazing!

3) DVR. I know, I know what you're thinking -- this has been around forever and is everyone's top thing! But coming from a girl that has regular cable at my apartment and still buys actual cassette tapes for my bedroom tv to "record" on them and then rewind to watch! Coming home for spring break, where I DVR just about EVERYTHING -- has been amazing!! Havng it all at your fingertips, in order by date it occurred, being able to fast forward through commericals, and picking and choosing what to watch, what to delete, and what to only record new episodes of is wonderful!! Some of my favorites I have been catching all up on are -- Ellen, Grey's, Glee, Oprah, Kourtney and Kim Take NYC, Holly's World, Kimora, Gossip Girl, Bethanny Ever After, Teen Mom, Idol, Life as Liz, Jersey Shore, Office, and Modern Family. Don't judge any of these! haha

What 3 things are you currently loving??