BLOGTOBER DAY 23 // MENTAL HEALTH CHAT

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MENTAL HEALTH CHAT // DEPRESSION


There are times like this in my life when I feel compelled to bring up the topic of mental illness on my blog. While I won't share any names or personal details I came home Friday night from work to my mom absolutely devastated. A woman she worked closely with had taken her life the night before. A beautiful and young woman with a loving family and devoted husband.
It, rightly so, gave a somber atmosphere to our home as we discussed and argued about the complexities of depression. There was no right response and there were no wrong conclusions. Digesting this type of information is... well, it's personal. It's your own life experience making sense of the action and the result. Telling someone they don't understand doesn't change how they feel. When the topic of suicide comes up, how can you really ever find a definitive explanation? In my experience, you can't.

ADVICE // LEARNING WHEN TO LET GO

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Hi loves! I hope all is well in your life and that the universe is giving you all the support and guidance you need. As I'm sitting here I am deciding why I feel the need to write this blog post. It's nothing beauty related, no fashion tips will be found here. And yet, writing things out is how I find clarity.
So maybe amongst this jumbled rambling of my own thoughts you will find something that you identify with. We all hold on to toxic things in our lives. It could be a person, a group of people, a community, a lifestyle, etc. But the truth is there are always those aspects of our life that, let's face it, take away from our happiness.
Without getting too into detail (don't think I'm ready to divulge the grim details quite yet) a person, a very important person in my life, has traveled down a very lonely road. For years and years and years I have played the game of completely letting this person fall out of my life and needing to keep them close to me.
It has been a learning lesson, one that has prepared me for many other situations I have faced in life. A model of how not to live, how not to treat others, and most importantly how not to treat myself. Through all the heartbreak, the turmoil, the devastation there have also been very happy memories. Memories I could never think back on without a smile.
It would be unfair to say that this person has always brought me unhappiness. But, the unhappiness speaks volumes compared to the happy times. So... now what?

Take Time

This step can be gradual or it can be like a bandaid. You and only you know how this relationship has to end. If you are smoking too many cigarettes and no matter how hard you try you can't quit, give yourself time. Take it day by day and trust your strength. If you are in the process of breaking up, give yourself time. Not only time to say the proper goodbye, but also the time to let your heart heal all its wounds. It could take 3 days, 3 months, or 3 years. The same steps can be taken anywhere from dieting to shopping. Take your time. 

Look Inward

What was it specifically that led you to this place? Were there signs along the way that should have been bright and flashing but were left unnoticed? Reflecting on how you are feeling in these relationships is incredibly valuable to letting go. Maybe these thoughts bring tears to your eyes every single time you think of them. And why is that? Where are those tears coming from really? Are they from hurt, anger, resentment, or are you sad that you are needing to let go at all? There are so many ways to look inward and find your answer. It's there I promise you. 

Coping with the Loss

To start off smaller, let's say you have a shopping addiction and you are in a debt crisis. When you finally find the time and understanding needed to stop there will be feelings of loss. Giving up junk food? Yep, still a loss. Saying goodbye to a dear friend... that is a deep loss. Leaving a relationship that was once full of love? You will feel the grief of loss. This stress on the heart and mind will be the hardest thing to overcome. You will always wonder if it was the right decision. You may even find yourself falling back into the situations only to return at the starting line of letting go. It takes a strong person to leave but it takes a stronger person to stay away. Stay strong my lovelies. 

So this may not be your therapists advice but it is coming from my current real life experience. The anxiety and sadness can be overwhelming when you are faced with these situations. But when you get there (don't worry I'm not there yet either) these heavy weights will be lifted from you. Trust your own process and keep your chin up. 
Xoxo Sam

An Ode to Harry Potter

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If this post is finally going live it means, my friends, that I have been successful in finishing my endeavor of reading all seven of the beloved series in a row. It was something I had been wanting to do for well... a very long time. I think anyone who has read the series or watched all eight films knows that these books are truly magic.
I can't deny that 2016 has been a year of change in my life. When I made the decision to read the series it was April 8th and I was a little more than a month away from graduating college. There was so much uncertainty in my future. So much that I, frankly, felt out of control of most everything that was coming my way. Choosing to read HP was possibly one of the best decisions I made in the past few months. With so much pressure on the decisions I was making when my education was coming to an end, there needed to be something that was a distraction.


I devoured the first book on my subway rides to and from work, mixed in with required reading from my British theatre class obviously. It was effortless to sit down with these characters that have truly been a part of my life since I was a wee tot. The start of the incredible journey that J.K. Rowling gave to the world.

April 21st, I began The Chamber of Secret's and right in time for my 22nd birthday. I was excited to have to do the long trek to work knowing that I could focus solely on the wizarding world only found in these amazing stories.


May 7th, and less than a week to graduation I myself was feeling 1) legitimately ill because I had contracted some terrible cold virus 2) totally unable to slow down time with my real friends. We all bonded on the stories or when someone would quote random lines from the films that we have all watched one too many times.


May 26th, the chaos of graduation, moving, saying goodbye was all coming to one immense close. My personal favorite book/movie couldn't have been there for me at a more opportune time as I cried on the plane home, reading of the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Scared out of my mind about being home knowing that I didn't have a departure flight in the future.


June 17th, barely a month home and being made a job offer back in New York. So much inner turmoil about what the right and wrong things to do were. This being eerily as difficult to the painful decisions the characters were faced with in the book. As dramatic and dreary as this fifth novel is I felt a strong relation to the tone at the time I was reading it. 


July 3rd, after having made the decision to not accept the job offer in New York to figure out my plan in California. Ugh, not a good time mentally or physically I have to admit. But here I was, almost at the end of my HP journey and extremely bitter that it would end when well... things in my life still weren't how I wanted them. 


July 15th, the most heartbreaking of all the books but at the same time, the one with the most powerful message. I always felt that the end never felt final. That it was easy to believe these characters really did live their lives after the stories stopped. And along the way we learned something from them, whether big or small. 

"And all was well" and will be well. So maybe this post is a little "nerdy" but it was the best therapy I could've given myself at this exact moment in time. The values at the heart of these novels are one's I carry with me and hope to inspire in others. There is magic in the world and I have felt it these past few months. And for that I am extremely grateful. Xoxo Sam



Job Interviewing with Anxiety - My Helpful Tips & Tricks

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Heya! Well it has been a very eventful week here and I am just sort of beginning to wrap my brain around it all. Without getting into detail, I will be (and already have been) interviewing for possible job positions in some great businesses. Now I won't be saying what they are but I am extremely hopeful and can't wait to see what comes of them.
However, I know all too well how anxiety-inducing interviewing can be. Especially if it is a higher level position than a typical retail or restaurant job. Not that I am an expert in any way, shape or form, but I am learning different things that have helped me get through them.
I can get horrible social anxiety in situations that I feel are out of my control and one of the most important tasks for me is realizing that interviews ARE in your control. Here is my typical routine before any interview:

1. Be Prepaaaarrreeeddd (Lion King reference lol)
This tip will come up on pretty much any google search of "how to prepare for job interviews" but it means something different from my perspective. When setting up dates for an interview I always set it for a time in the early morning. Why you may ask? because then I'm not sitting around panicking all day long and psyching my self out. Once the interview is set (hopefully with at least three days of mental preparation) I start rehearsing. I will literally stand in front of a mirror and answer questions that you can find online.
At first it is awkward to try to come up with what makes you so wonderful right off the top of your head. And that's okay! That's why you are practicing now. And really take this time for some inward reflection as well. Don't say "I have no hobbies" or "Strengths? Who me?" (two thoughts I have literally had on multiple occasions). And I don't lie and say "My hobbies include making media strategies in my mind" because they know that ain't the truth. Just be yourself!

2. Talk It Out
Whether it's with friends, family, a roommate, a random stranger at Starbucks, tell someone about your nerves. 9/10 times they know exactly how you are feeling (or at least to some degree) and may have helpful hints that they themselves have learned from their previous experiences.
I will literally call up anyone I can beforehand and ask for advice or just vent about how the process is making me feel. They will always be supportive of you.

3. Walk it Out
Exercise can be such a great stress relief, especially with anxiety. I, my friends, am not in great shape so if I go out for a run chances are I am thinking too much about my collapsed lung than my job interview. Or go take a class, just get your mind away from things and sweat it out! Before one of my big interviews last year I took a Zumba class the night before. It was EXHAUSTING and completely hilarious (um 6'2'' Sam out dancing like a mad woman? A very high form of comedic release). That night I slept like a baby and the next day just kept that same mentality and was completely relaxed.

4. Go to Bed!
I am definitely a self-proclaimed insomniac ESPECIALLY if I'm nervous about an event the next day. So what do I do? Be home by 7 and start to wind down, put on some relaxing music, fill up a warm bath tub and sink in. After that do your whole bed time routine, pop a melatonin in (a natural sleep aid) and hop right into bed. Oh it's only 8:30? tough cookies, get in bed. Grab your interviewing notes and skim over them. Don't do practice runs, just browse over the notes you've made and put them away. Light a candle (or if you are like me, incense) and lower the lights. Close your eyes and vision yourself doing amazing at the interview. See them shaking hands with you, throwing cash at you as you walk out the door, starting a parade in your honor for greatest interview ever, whatever makes you happy! Keep your eyes closed no matter how awake your brain is, keep. them. closed. And don't get mad at yourself for not falling asleep just stay relaxed and keep envisioning success.

5. Know Your Worth
So you are all ready for the interview, nice and well dressed, arrived 10 minutes early, said your hello's and they ask you the first question... you draw a blank. Hey guess what, it happened to me. They said "tell me about yourself" and boom darkness. Don't let this get the better of you! Instead take a deep breath, smile, and continue on with the next question. You are an amazing person with incredible skills and knowledge... LET THAT SHINE THROUGH! Don't be intimidated by a professional because they were in the exact same spot at some point in your career.
And even if the interview was horrible and you know you won't be getting the position, don't lose that sense of how great you are. There will be other interviews and opportunities that will be exactly right for you.


So onward and upward my friends! Let me know if you have any tips/tricks that help you get through interviews :) xoxo Sam

Post Grad: Day 2

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Oh, don't mind me just sitting here on the floor of an empty apartment trying to process the past five days... Graduation weekend is officially done and now I am a post graduate. All my friends have left and my roommate as well. My family left later yesterday but I quickly busied myself with packing so as not to linger too long on all the things I should be sad about.
The emphasis here is really on the fact that I SHOULD BE sad right now. Instead I feel unemotional (and if you really knew me you would find this terribly confusing). I am a pro at being overly emotional. I can cry on command and tend to get heartbroken from even the most menial of situations. But I'm sitting here waiting for tears to come and they haven't.
On graduation day I cried once for about five minutes as I hugged all my dearest friends goodbye. All of us caught up in the whirlwind of graduation, introducing parents to friends and friends to siblings etc etc. As we cabbed to the hotel I didn't feel upset knowing that when I returned to the apartment there would be no one there. Saying goodbye to my parents as they had an early flight, no tears. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with my sisters knowing it would be my last time walking around the city for a long long time, no tears. And even now as I have come to the full realization that it is over I can't cry.
Maybe I really did do a good job at prepping myself for the end. I am happy that I was never distant and right to the last minute my friends and I knew how much we loved each other and how special this time together has really been.
Actually, I think the part I'm most upset about is that I couldn't fit everything in my three pieces of luggage (shipping things from NYC is completely the bane of my existence). I'll be heading to a friends home in Long Island and then leaving Thursday night for California. So I suppose this will be my last post written in New York. As some parting remarks I just want to thank this city for being my escape. Thanks to Manhattan College for teaching me more than just education, the value of friendship. And thank you to this incredible experience that *even though I'm not crying* is heart-wrenching to believe that it has finally come to a close.
XOXO from New York Sam!





22.

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It's April 27th and I'm sitting in my college's cafe, looking back at the previous blog posts I have written after my birthday for the past four years. 19 I think was my favorite to look back on. The friends I had sitting around the table, the outfit I wore (cringe), and the general memories were just wild to see again.
I can literally remember my 19th birthday like it was yesterday, eating Yum Yum (my favorite Thai Food place before it had to go betray me) and then getting Magnolia Bakery while my friends screamed the happy birthday song to me in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza.
Then of course there was 20 which I believe was also at a Thai Food restaurant but must not have been as meaningful because the blog post mostly talked about how scared I was to turn 20... oh if only you knew 19-year-old Sam, if only you knew.
Last year really feels like yesterday and of course I went to a Thai Food restaurant because I'm nothing if not consistent. 21 was a really interesting year for me. I lost some friendships while others got stronger. I experienced loss as well as pure happiness. I laughed, cried, yelled, danced... I had a great 21st year.
As 22 (my favorite number since I was about 11) rolls in the day was really really great. Did I do anything really out of the ordinary? Nope. But I danced and laughed and sat at a table with some of the people who wanted to share my day with me. What more could I ask for in the end? And with less than three weeks of school left I don't know what 22 really has in store for me. Who knows who will be sitting round the table with me on my 23rd?
I told my friend yesterday that I didn't like birthday's because I always end up crying. She asked why and I told her it was because it was too nostalgic. What has my life accumulated to after 22 years? What was 2 year old Sam thinking on her birthday or 10 year old Sam? What did I want for my life at those moments that has changed to what I want from life now?
There is so much to be grateful for and I really came here to say that if this year is anything like yesterday... I am a very lucky 22 year old.
19th Birthday at Yum Yum 
22nd Birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings

The Final Month

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Well you guys we are coming into the final stretch! Less than thirty days until I will be walking across that stage at graduation... and man am I flipping out. I have been having some very interesting emotions surrounding it all. At certain moments I'll be happy, giddy, elated. But at other times I'm terrified, comatose, and just downright sad. My best friend from California came out and visited me last weekend and it was just incredible. We spent hours roaming around the city and I couldn't help but think that the next time I come to visit New York I will be a tourist. Four years has given me enough time to really feel like I have a grasp on this electric city and once I go back... who knows when I'll return?
I have a habit of convincing myself I don't like a place when I know that I'll be having to say goodbye. Throughout this entire year I've told people I didn't like the city anymore. It was too cold, too dirty, too crowded, etc. And for the most part those things hold some truth to them. But I was forgetting all the things I fell in love with four years ago. It's cold because there's seasons (something I had never experienced before), it's dirty because it's alive, it's crowded because it's an epicenter of life. All of these reasons that I had said out loud time and time again were all just a coping mechanism. The truth is I'm extremely sad my time here is running short.
As humans we are so distracted by the day to day troubles that it becomes all consuming. I am calling myself out for behaving in ways that I had always feared I would. I never wanted to go out. I ended friendships because I couldn't find time in my schedule. I used work as an excuse to go to bed early instead of staying up possibly an hour too long to spend time with my loved ones here. But as these last few weeks are staring at me I can't ignore the fact that maybe there were better choices I could've made. Don't get me wrong I think going home is the right step for me and with many of my friends here in New York heading out to LA I am pretty elated that there isn't as many "I'll see you when I see you." But I don't know that it will ever be easy to think back on this time and feel 100% certain that I did what I came here to do. 
I'm gonna wrap it up here as I'm getting quite teary-eyed and I do have to run off to work. But I felt I needed to share these feelings I am having out loud. I don't think I'm alone in these emotions either as other university students around the world probably have a great love for their surroundings at school. I just wanted to take a moment to say I Love New York... and I always will. until next time xoxo Sam 

Spring Break Week in Review - The Hamptons!

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hello hello! back at it again a few weeks later... things have been so unbelievably hectic lately I really haven't had a moment *where I'm not sleeping* to myself. But starting last Thursday I was officially on my first day of my last spring break! And seeing as today is the first day of spring I thought I would share with you all my holiday week :)
the first five days are very easy to sum up: workworkworkworkworkworkwork. I literally worked 9 hour days at Gap starting Friday all the way to Tuesday. Between the travel, the crazy sale the store was having, and the time change (literally death itself) I would come home at the days end and collapse on the couch a comatose state until the next morning where I would get up and do it all over again. 
It felt kind of like the Kink's song "A Well Respected Man": Cause he gets up in the morning and he goes to work at nine
And he comes back home at five-thirty, gets the same train every time
I wouldn't even say I was disappointed with working that much as everyone had gone home for the week or on some spring break vacay and I know if I wouldn't have had anything to do for five days I would have been in a very sour mood about it all.
However, Wednesday finally arrived and I was up early to meet friends at Penn Station to go to the Hamptons!
Our friend has a cousin who is ridiculously wealthy (he's called the points guy? lol) and he has a mansion in the Hampton's that he opened up to her and her friends to stay at. I really didn't know what to expect going there but OMG. My heart started fluttering the minute we pulled up to the gate. This house was like something out of the Great Gatsby. I actually started screaming when I saw the all-white marble kitchen (to say this house is "goals" is putting it mildly).
A shot taken from the backyard
Day one we got in around 2 (I didn't realize just how far the Hampton's is from NYC) and we went and explored the house. First we all put on robes and danced on the back porch before going out and buying three huge pizzas. After this we all went in the indoor sauna and laughed as the temperature got higher and higher to the point of being too hot to breath. Once we were all showered and cozy we went downstairs to the movie room and watched Jurassic World (which I hadn't seen before and loved!) Everyone was exhausted after the movie and we crashed pretty hard that night.



Day two I was up early (surprise surprise) and once everyone was up we made breakfast and then headed to the beach. It was actually super cold but two of our friends wanted to do a "polar plunge" and ran into the water. I loved looking at the all the homes on the beach. It was exactly what I pictured Hampton's beaches to look like from movies and pictures I'd seen. Once we were all thoroughly frozen we headed back to the house. We went outside to play ping pong and volleyball for basically four hours and then came inside to cook. There was an appetizer theme of the night (we are college kids after all there had to be bagel bites somewhere) and ate way way way too much food. We played a card game after dinner and then went to the movie room and watched The Lego Movie - I made it about 15 minutes until I passed out. 


 
Day Three I actually slept in later than usual and we all went to brunch. After playing more volleyball, we came inside and just sort of hung out and talked. Being that we are all film fanatics we decided this house would be the perfect location to film a spy themed movie. It was hilarious! It took about four hours to film all the way through because we couldn't get through a take without bursting into laughter. I can't wait to share it with you all, especially since I got to play the villain which never happens! We were so wiped after filming we played a card game and headed to bed.


Day Four we were all up super early as I had to be at work that afternoon and others had family/friend things to attend. We were all so depressed to have to leave this amazing place. We created so many memories that I will always look back on with the warmest thoughts. I am not putting it lightly when I say this was the best holiday I have ever had with some of the most genuine people I know. And being that it is my last spring break as a college student I am so happy to have these memories to hold on to forever.

until next time! xoxo Sam

Top 5 Christmas Movies

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Hello Hello! I have to say I'm surprised with myself for getting a blog post out yesterday (considering I had to write two blog posts for my internship *soon to be on SoleScriptions Blog!*) but here we are for day 2 of December! Maybe it's just my obsession with Christmas but I really am so inspired to create as much content for the blog this month as I can. I know that I have other responsibilities I should be focusing on (schoolwork? job applications? present buying?) but 'tis the season to procrastinate!
Today I wanted to share with you all my top 5 Christmas movies. I challenged my best friend to watch at least one Christmas movie everyday until Christmas... it may be overly ambitious and we will part ways about 5 days before Christmas but why not add a little more to our already full plate this month!
Without further ado here are is my personalized list of Christmas movies:

1. The Grinch
Hands down. No competition. All around. BEST. CHRISTMAS. MOVIE. EVER.
You can disagree but you're wrong. Honestly if I'm being completely honest I think this would rank as one of my top ten movies ever! Call me crazy but I can watch this movie 50 times in a row and never (I repeat never) get sick of it. Just so so good.

2. The Santa Clause
Okay so getting a little personal this movie means a lot to me. I have a really awful memory and sometimes things in my childhood blur or just don't come to me as easy as other people. But one thing I remember with complete vividness (is that a word?) is my sister and I setting up Santa's workshop in our bathroom. She was Bernard (the head elf in the movie) and I was Julie (the girl elf) and we would spend hours and hours playing. And the best part was we would do this year round, not just during Christmas. I'm sure my parents thought we were nuts but that's okay. It is one of my favorite memories to look back on. 

3. Love Actually
I mean who doesn't love this Christmas movie. This is another one I can watch in July and not feel crazy because it is just such an amazing film.



4. The Holiday
I have gotten into some serious debates about whether this is a Christmas movie and will literally go to my grave saying that it most definitely is. I mean it's literally called THE HOLIDAY! Love Kate, love Cameron, love Jack, and love Jude. Just so so great.

5. Beauty and the Beast - The Enchanted Christmas
Ugh this movie. The songs are so amazing, it's belle (my fav Disney princess), and it's Christmas! My friend and I spent a good hour or so last week just talking about how much we love this movie and the songs. It's one that isn't necessarily popular or very well known but I love love love it!

Let me know in the comments what some of your favorite Christmas movies are so I can add them to my list for the 25 days! xoxo Sam


Zoella Beauty Post

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Hello Hello Hello! Happy Friday to you all!
Something about me that I may not have shared is that I am a beauty junkie. I love trying new products and looking at other people's reviews of certain cosmetic lines. I have some favorite youtube stars that I follow religiously. (Those including but not limited to Jaclyn Hill and Zoe Sugg)
Perhaps it's vain or self-centered but my whole life I have been really obsessed with beautiful things. This can range anywhere from clothing to bed sheets. Of course, styles have changed and sometimes I look back at some of the things I used to obsess over and think OH GOOD LORD WHY?!?!?
Now being an immensely poor college student, I often get to admire the things I love from afar. And this is totally okay because I know that one day I will (hopefully) be able to purchase all the beautiful things I want.
But today I was feeling kind of down and stressed from school. I have been watching Zoella forever and I always always always wanted to try some of the products that she created through Zoella Beauty.
I don't know why but I thought they only were available in the UK and that's why I was always able to live with the fact that I would never get to try her beautiful products.
Well ladies and gentleman no more! The minute I found that her products were being sold in the US on feelunique.com I pounced. I don't think my fingers could have entered my card number fast enough. And the most wonderful part of this is that they have a deal for 3 items for the price of 2! Also free shipping anywhere when you spend over $15 dollars!


Oh be still my heart THEY ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL! 
Can't wait to try them out!

The Senior Summer

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I swear I blink and summer is already over. It is really just insanity in my mind. But I am feeling really ready for this final year. As absolutely terrifying the whole idea of ending college feels like, I am so so SO so ready to be out. Being home obviously gives me a glimpse at the life I lived prior to college. As I have probably said before, being home I always revert back to that person I was. Someone whose insecurities always got the better of them. It is honestly the worst feeling in the world to know that you have left and accomplished so much in the world but come home and immediately feel like a teenager again.
It has taken a few fights and tears for me to realize that I am NOT the same person that I was. I have experienced so much outside of home that I can't even begin to comprehend it all. 
That awkwardly tall girl in high school has walked in New York Fashion Week, studied and traveled in Europe for 5 months, and (of course) moved to New York City not knowing a single person. 
There were a ton of people who thought I wouldn't be able to do it. My mom got countless calls from friends parents warning her that this decision would not be good for me. Perhaps it fueled my fire but there were moments where I doubted myself. I think it's normal to question your strength and even healthy. But never in my life did I think it would all go so fast. 
Just like the clichéd post-grad movies have told you, everyone is asking what my plans are after school. Staying in New York? Who knows! Moving home? Who knows! But I can tell you all I'm not nervous. 
If leaving has taught me anything it's that things have a magical way of working themselves out. It takes effort and sacrifices but it always works itself out whether its for better or worse. 
I am sad to be leaving my family and close friends who provide a level of support that I always crave when I'm away. But I know that this is the final year before life really starts. I am mentally preparing myself for all the possibilities that await me when I get that piece of paper. 
I am not naive to the world we are living in now. Whether I get a salary paying dream job straight out of college isn't even a thought in my mind. I am just going to do the only thing I can do, give my 100%. 

10 minutes to boarding

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As I'm in sitting in the JFK terminal the reality is sinking in. 9 months away from the city and the people that I love so much. Sure it's not always pretty and it's definitely not always fun but there are moments ( like sitting on a huge rock in van cordtlant park at midnight) that breath life back into your lungs. I remember a few months back I hated the city. I hated the people. And I hated school. After realizing that it wasn't the city or the people or the school I really tried to remember my 17 year old self that cried and pleaded with her mother to let her move across the country to a city that held all the possibilities to a perfect life. Obviously... It wasn't perfect. But as I was walking block after block last night saying goodbye to the buildings and the streets that have shaped who I am I felt it again.
HOWEVER I love change and new experiences and it's not goodbye forever it's I'll see you soon! Next stop España

Torn

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Well we have made it to the end of the semester and finals week is finally here. But of course finals isn't the only thing that is preoccupying my mind (that would be too easy). Nope instead I have to think about packing, storage, traveling with all my luggage, goodbyes, and the list goes on. One thing I didn't expect to be thinking about is a party my school does called spring fest. Last year I didn't go and I didn't think anything of it! But this year EVERYONE is going and well I'm feeling quite torn
Not only do I not have the mental sanity to add another thing to my calendar but I also am EXTREMELY low on money. I don't have a job lined up yet back home and I know that all the money I have has to last until I can make another paycheck. 
On one hand I'm leaving for a semester and I won't see a lot of these people until January so a night out would be a nice way to say goodbye but on the other hand... I will have to say no to something in the future. 
I guess it's just a matter of need versus want.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 
Xoxo

The Finals Countdown

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As this week comes to a close and the final full school week approaches it is a mad dash to finish last minute projects, extra credit assignments, and essays. While my fellow classmates are gearing up for spring fest (a weekend extravaganza full of underage drinking and concerts) I will be heading to DC for my birthday weekend!!! Having to make sure that all my assignments were finished ahead of time proved to be more of a challenge than I thought but nonetheless I am ready for a relaxing weekend away from the fast pace world of college and NY!
Here are some photos from Easter weekend
This last photo is a picture my friend took of me after we had some fun playing with makeup looks! 
Hope you all have a great weekend and make sure battle stations are ready because finals week is ready to attack ;)

Mad About Mad Men

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It's almost here ladies and gentlemen, the final season of Mad Men starts this Sunday!!!!!
This show is everything. The time period, the drama, the style... and Jon Hamm... What more could you ask for!
Being an advertising major and living in New York City, watching this show is basically a requirement. But if the advertising world is anything like Mad Men, which I'm sure it isn't, then sign me up!
Also wearing my Mad Men-esque H&M slim fit pants for inspiration ;)







Welcome to the 70's 

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