so I made a youtube channel

I started a youtube channel as an extension of this blog. I'll start posting regularly on there in a couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled! If you're interested, go ahead and subscribe! :)

read, watch, play

So, I'm hoping to make this a semi-regular occurrence on the blog (maybe once a month or so along with monthly favorites). The title is pretty self explanatory, so let's get into it!

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS 

by john green

illustration by simini blocker

The Fault In Our Stars is a young adult fiction by author John Green. You may know him from the youtube channel, vlogbrothers. I had heard great things about this book for a while now, and finally decided to read it when I recently acquired a Nook and was looking for something to start off with. Best decision ever. It's such an honest story about life as a teenager, young love, cancer, and death.

There were multiple times throughout the book where I was both laughing and crying - something I rarely find myself doing. I felt so immersed in this book and felt so connected to the main character, Hazel - it was truly refreshing to be swept away into a different world (and a different perspective) for awhile. After I finished the last page, I found myself in a melancholy state of mind. I think John Green put it best in one of his videos. It's a quote I find myself thinking a lot about these days.

"All I could think about now as night fell, was how much you can love made up people - and how much you can miss them."

DAILY GRACE 

photo by daniel nguyen for nmr

If you are unfamiliar with the youtube channel Daily Grace, then number one - shame on you, and number two - you now know and you're welcome. Grace vlogs everyday, five days a week, and five days a week, I anxiously wait for her video to go up. My day is not complete until I watch her channel. I love her humor and lighthearted sarcasm, it just gets me through the less than enjoyable days. I suggest you make her channel a part of your life - you won't regret it. *ding!*

TINY TOWER

So, I'm not necessarily someone who plays games a lot, but I do like to have one or two fun and easy apps on my iPhone to play when I'm in between class or on a roadtrip. Tiny Tower is my current addiction. It's an easy, passive game where you essentially build a tower with different shops, apartments, or recreation floors. You build your population of "bitizens" to work in your places and make money to continue to build and populate. It's a pretty simple concept that reminds me of a mix between tiny tower and tomagatchi (remember tomagatchis!?). It's a free app for the iPhone and android - so check it out if you're bored!

*Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies, publishers, or persons. These are my personal opinions and recommendations.

homeward bound

Three years into college now, I've had my fair share at road trips. If you're like me and live away from home, there will be holidays and weekends where you need to make the long haul back to see family and friends. Luckily for me, I go to school about two hours away from my hometown, so my drive is too horrible. I also get some lovely scenery to pass by on the way.

Anyways, since I have some experience in the driving home department, I thoughts I would share with you guys some of my tips for being trapped in a car for hours at a time.

Tip #1

If you can bring a passenger, do so.
My first couple years of school, I drove by myself almost every time. Now that my boyfriend lives here as well, we get to make the journey home together. Having a car buddy definitely makes the journey more fun and time passes by much more quickly. If you have a rather long trip, you can take turns driving as well.
(On the contrary, though, I do think it's nice to take a long drive by yourself once in a while. It gives you a chance to clear your head and enjoy the music and breeze.)

Tip #2

Pack snacks, and fuel up beforehand.

 This may seem obvious, but I've had times where I was so eager to just get home that I forgot about the necessities. Sometimes I'll spend so much time making sure I have everything for the weekend, that I forget about the trip itself. Making sure you have gas beforehand will prevent stops along the way. I always make sure to have some water and/ or coffee and treat for the drive as well.

Tip #3

Tunes

When you're driving through different cities, often times the radio stations will change. Unless you feel like listening to NPR the entire drive (not always a terrible thing), you should make sure you have some backup music. I always make sure I have my car charger so I can listen to my iPhone in the car. My favorites for the road as of late are Ellie Goulding and Bon Iver. 

Happy driving!
Let me know if you have any tips of your own for trips home.

march favorites

 As March is coming to a close, I thought I would share with you guys some of my favorites from this month. I've organized them into two parts: beauty must-haves & random staples (food and such) that I've been loving this month*.   

 

1. Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso" 

This blush is the perfect shade for me. It's a nice peachy tone and would probably look great on anyone! It really brightens up my complexion and the color reminds me of spring which I am so looking forward to.

2. Flower Beauty Nail'd It Polish in "Thistle or That?"

This new line of polish from Drew Barrymore's makeup line honestly my new favorite. I've been and Essie girl for quite some time now, and now I have a new line to count on as well. The polish goes on great, and takes forever to start to chip (a good thing if you're clumsy like me). They have a limited collection of colors, but they are all gorgeous and unique. This minty color is perfect the spring and Easter season. I've already gotten so many compliments from wearing this.

3. Lush Bath Bombs

I'm sure many of you have heard of Lush Cosmetics and their bath bombs before, but I just had to include this into my favorites. We recently got a Lush shop come into town near me, so I've been exploring their products. Among the many things from them that have become favorites of mine, the bath bombs are on the top. Here in the midwest, we've been having an extremely long winter so taking a bath after a long day is perfect. These will make your bath foamy, colorful, moisturizing, and smell amazing. 

4.  Merona Ostrich Tote Bag

I got this bag from Target a couple of weeks ago. I needed a new bag to replace my bookbag that I use on campus. This has been perfect for me. It holds everything I need and has great organization. When it's cold outside like it is now, I don't want to be digging through my bag to get stuff out with mittens on. 

5. Lush "9 to 5" Cleansing Lotion

Another Lush product I've fallen in love with. I was skeptical about their cleansers, but I decided to try this one. I was surprised the first time I used this, as there was a ton of makeup and dirt on the cotton pad when I wiped it off. This was after I had already used a makeup removing wipe. It's also really cleansing and moisturizing - and it smells amazing. Orchid oil is listed in the ingredients, if that gives you any hints as to why it's worth it. 

6. Lush "Mint Julips" Lip Scrub

  Okay, last Lush product, I promise. These lip scrubs are awesome for winter months. They get rid of all the dead skin, leaving your lips smooth and ready for any lip products you might use. Be sure to use a lip balm after this though - as your lips will be a bit raw. Mint Julips is my favorite "flavor" they have, because it leaves your breath minty fresh afterwards. (That's right - you lip the scrub off your lips when you're done. It's made of sugar!)

7. Nivea Lip Butters

  Last but not least is my new discovery of the month. I was on the search for these after I saw Ingrid from Missglamorazzi recommend them. I finally found a display at a CVS. I got the Raspberry and Macadamia flavors. The tins are a perfect size to throw in my bag, and they leave my lips super silky. Not to mention, the smell amazing. Seriously, you'll want to taste them - that good.

1.  Starbucks Stainless Steel Tumbler

I had been eyeballing this travel mug from Starbucks for a while now, and finally decided to get it. It's the perfect size for my car and bag, and it has such a sleek, simple design. The handle and bottom are also lined with cork.

2. Larabar über

Larabar's new Gluten free variety also comes with an awesome new flavor - Banana's Foster. I love everything banana, and these have actual slices in along with walnuts and other goodness. These are my new favorite "energy" bars. 

3. Coco Cafe 

Coconut Water Espresso drinks. Need I say more? 

4. Fentiman's Rose Lemonade

I wish I had found this stuff a long time ago. It is so delicious and makes me feel like it's summer everytime I treat myself to a bottle. 

5. Babybel Cheese

This product has obviously been around for a while now, but I kind of forgot about it. I recently bought some at the grocery store and am now on my second bag. They are so good for a cheese & crackers kind of snack.      

Hope you guys enjoyed looking at some of the things I've been loving this month. Let me know if you end up trying any of these, or if you share your own favorites from March!

- S

* I purchased all of these products with my own money and am not being paid to write about them. I genuinely love and use all of these items.

spring please?

Hi everyone! I was trying to decide what to do my first blog post about when I looked outside I saw that it was snowing. On March 26th.

Anyone else itching for spring? Don't get me wrong, I love the winter season. Freshly fallen snow, cozy blankets, Christmas music, and pumpkin flavored everything.

But it's almost April. Come on mother nature, enough is enough.

To hold me over until the sun decides to peek through, I've been going a little Pinterest crazy with my spring board. Looking it over, it's apparent that I basically just want everything ever from ModCloth. Nonetheless, I thought I would share some of it with you all, as I'm sure I am not the only one longing for warmer weather - especially if you're like me and live in the midwest.

I'm hoping to blog once or twice a week on here, so be on the lookout for more soon!
I'm putting together my favorite what-nots from the past month to share for next time.  In the meantime, stay warm out there!

- S

first blog post coming soon!