Friday, August 21, 2015

Dry Cleaning At Home Review. Dryel VS Woolite

I have to be honest, sometimes I don't check the cleaning instructions tag on clothing before I purchase it. But really, who has time to do that anyway? I will always wash clothing before I wear it. I don't care if I just purchased it from the store with the tag on, I still will wash it. More often than not, I end up frustrated because the tag says, "Dry Clean Only". I end up having to wait until I have enough for a trip to the dry cleaners, or they never get worn. Sometimes I actually don't read the tag and I throw them in the washing machine, but I have learned my lesson to always read the instructions first. I've gotten pretty good at eye balling what kind of material needs to be dry cleaned, and which ones won't. But I'm not perfect. 
I recently purchased a wool coat in preparation of the upcoming seasons; when it arrived, I realized that it was dry clean only. I didn't want to make another trip to the cleaners, not to mention the money being spent. But one day, I was browsing Target and ran across a product called Dryel. 

Dryel claims that it is a "dry clean at home" product, so I was pretty intrigued. I quickly threw it in my bag and brought it home with me. 
When I had gotten home, I opened the box. The contents of the box included a spot treatment spray, dry cleaning towelettes, and a bag. The instructions were pretty clear, you would pre-treat any stains, throw the clothing into the bag, and pop a dry cleaning towelette into the bag. You would then throw the bag into the dryer for 15 minutes, to refresh the clothing, or 30 minutes, for a deeper clean. It seemed easy enough, but there was one problem. Dryel didn't work on rayon or silk. Considering the fact that most of my clothing was made out of silk and rayon, this was going to be a problem. 

I didn't give up there, though. I had also discovered Woolite's "dry cleaner's secret", which was also a dry clean at home treatment. 
This product was a little bit more difficult to find. I was able to get it on Amazon for $8.88. Dryel was $6.99 at Target. There were some differences between the two. Woolite didn't require a bag to put your clothing in, it only took 20 minutes, and there was no pre-treatment spray. I'm not too concerned with stains since I could simply use Shout! I also didn't really care for a bag, either. The thing that attracted me to this product was the fact that I could use it on rayon and silk. Score!

Here's where I put the two to the test. For Dryel, I put couple of Madewell sweaters, my new Express coat, a pair of Joe's jeans, and a Ralph Lauren top made out of rayon that I didn't care too much for just to see how it would do. I tossed that into the dryer and ran its cycle.

For Woolite, I put in all of my rayon and silk clothes along with an Abercrombie cashmere cardigan. I threw those in the dryer and ran its cycle. 

Overall, I was pretty pleased with both products. Everything in the Dryel bag came out fine, even the rayon top. I feel like the clothes were cleaned and fresh. I got the same results with Woolite, but I felt that the Woolite batch smelled MUCH more fragrant than Dryel. To be honest, it was a little overbearing. I'm not sure what to do to fix it, but I'll probably use it less often. 

I don't think that I'll one over the other since they both had their differences. From now on though, I'll always dry clean my jeans at home with Dryel since it helps extend their lives a little longer. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know what you think. 

Friday, August 7, 2015

Back To School Shopping 2015

So....I honestly go shopping all year round. But right before the start of the school year, I like to load up on a few specific types of clothing. For a lot of people, college means the ability to wear sweats or your pajamas to class. But for me, I like to look put together. Sure, there might be minimal makeup on my face, but my outfit tells it all. 
I'm going for a law degree, so it is important for me to at least start to dress the part. I have a feminine, classic, preppy style. I enjoy floral prints, neutral tones, and stripes. But I have to say that not everyday is perfect. I do have my more casual days, but I try not to stray far from being put together. I'll probably have a look book coming up soon. So, let's get started.

Cardigans
                                                      (that is not me in the picture!)

I love cardigans. I also hopped on the cardigan a little late, but I've collected so many throughout the years. I love them because they are so simple that you can throw them on with a shirt and a pair of pants. I also like them because they are a lot less high maintenance than a blazer. While a blazer can really tie an outfit together, they will definitely get wrinkled if you throw them in your school bag for later in the day. Most of my cardigans are grey. I try to get out of my comfort zone by wearing my red and blue cardigans, but the grey ones are my favorite. My all time go to cardigan has studs at the front which gives it an edgy, but classic look. I like shopping for cardigans of all sorts of colors at H&M and Banana Republic for cardigans that I like to invest in. 

Dressy Tank Tops

These go hand in hand with cardigans. I like to wear a fun color or pattern with a grey cardigan or tuck them into a skirt. I go for more flowy tops because they hide food babies, and they also hide funny bumps that your pants may create. If there was a trendy pattern, I always try to find it in a tank top form just to mix it into my outfit without having it scream its existence. Dressy tank tops are also good for any occasion. Sometimes when I have to go from class to work, they make for a great two in one transition piece. My favorite places to shop for these pieces are in the basics section of H&M for those solid colored pieces and at Nordstroms for more fun pieces. 

Yoga Pants

Okay, this is where I get to cheat a little. I'm not going to lie, I sometimes do like wearing yoga pants to class when I really don't have time to put my outfit together. I also enjoy wearing them to the library when I study. They are much more stretchy than jeans so they're more comfy during long periods of times. I don't wear them often, but I do stock up on yoga pants around this time of year. 

Jeans
(Also not me in the picture)

Jeans are the most versatile piece of clothing that anyone could ever have. I know that for me, dark wash jeans go with every outfit. Every school year, I buy multiple pairs in different cuts. Personally, boot cut jeans are my favorite because they go with my chucks and flats. I like to wear skinnies with my boots and my straight legged jeans when I have more casual outfits. I always have to get my jeans tailored because I am so short, and most inseams will run above 25 inches. My favorite place to get jeans are at Nordstroms. I can't say enough good things about Citizens of Humanity jeans, they will be my all time favorite. 

Flats


Now, I don't wear sneakers very often because I feel like flats are more dressy and they are more comfortable. I tend to go for brighter colored flats because they stand out better against my dark washed jeans. I have multiple pairs of the same pair of flats because I love them so much! They're great for wearing to any occasion, and they don't give you as much pain as wearing heels everyday! My favorite flats are from Clarks. I especially like cap toed flats. 

There you have it. Where did you do back to school shopping this year? Or have you even gotten around to that, yet?

Saturday, July 25, 2015

My Favorite Workout Gear

Hello everyone! It's been way too long since I've posted anything, but I'm ready for another post!
As you can tell, this post is going to be about workout gear. Since the weather has gotten better, I like being active throughout the summer. We also bought kayaks, so I hope that they come with a ripped abs guarantee.
It's a little tricky when it comes to workout gear because the material that you need to wear fluctuates throughout the season. For me, my body really enjoys the hot weather, and I like to wear no more than I really need to. So, I'm going to show you where I get my favorite pieces and hopefully you will enjoy them as well.

Tops
Tops are the one thing that really define the outfit. I know that lots of people wear bright colors to make them more visible, but I'm more of a neutral tone person. 

Sports Bras



I'm not too picky about sports bras because I don't really have anything there... but I do own a couple just in case. I usually buy them from Victoria's Secret's VSX collection. I usually just use the Lululemon cups so I could just stick them in where they need to go. I also like to wear them under tank tops when it's a little bit more chilly outside. I prefer those with thinner straps since I don't really need anything with much support. I've also found some really cute ones at Target, as well.

Tank tops


This is where I get a little bit more picky. I'm not really a fan of crazy patterns, so I like more solid tops. I don't really like any heavy material because I get heated pretty quickly. The worse feeling is when you can feel your clothing stick to you because of sweat, and you find a puddle later on. My favorite brands are Lululemon and Zella. Lululemon's tops usually already come with the cups, so it's one less thing to worry about. I also have a couple of Nike tank tops that are a little more on the daring side of the color spectrum. I was able to grab a couple of Zella tops from Nordstrom's anniversary sale.

T-Shirts

I like wearing t-shirts while kayaking because they provide a little more protection when it comes to my life jacket clawing at my skin. I like wearing t-shirts with my sports bras because it provides an even amount of warmth while also staying cool and covered up (if you know what I mean). My favorite t-shirt brand would have to be The North Face. I was able to find a couple of their shirts on sale at REI, and I have been in love ever since. 

Long Sleeves

I have a couple of long sleeve hoodies that I wear when the colder seasons roll around. I don't really own very many long sleeves in general, but I have some specifically designed for working out. I like the comfort of keeping warm while also having something with breathable material. I enjoy going to Old Navy to find these kinds of tops. They're affordable there, and the color selection is so cute!

Bottoms

I just wear yoga shorts and yoga pants/leggings. For the longest time, I never understood why yoga pants were all the rage. My best friend would wear them religiously and I also thought that it was such a strange trend. I one day gave in and purchased a pair from Victoria's Secret and have been hooked ever since. I love how easy to is to slip them on and off. They work with all kinds of outfits, and they're so easy to wear. Though I'd have to say that you have to be careful with what kind of underwear you wear with them... 
I don't really have a favorite brand when it comes to yoga pants. I just purchase them in black, and in multiple quantities. I have a couple from Victoria's Secret's Pink, and I'd have to say that the color fades pretty quickly when it comes to those. They are the right length, but I feel as though they stretch out too quickly. Then there is the ever so famous Lululemon yoga pants. My experience with them is that they last a little bit longer, but I find holes forming in them after a short while. I've tried some from a junior brand at Kohl's, and I actually enjoy those the best. The color doesn't fade as quick, and they are extremely comfy. 

Accessories

Water Bottles

I am super obsessed with water bottle. I like them in ever shape and form. I'd have to say that Camelbak Eddy water bottles are my favorite. I remember back in high school when there was the huge debate between Nalgene and Camelbak because of BPA. I've never had a Nalgene, but I do find myself screwing the top off of my Camelbak even though I have a drinking spout.

Hydrating Spray

This may sound strange, but I really do enjoy having a hydrating spray with me. I have the driest of dry skin. During the winter, my skin flakes, During the summer, it still looks like the desert. My face cries a little every time I put on my moisturizer. I really enjoy using Evian's mineral water spray throughout the day. It helps me feel cool while also being hydrated. Another thing that I like to use is L'Occitane's Verbena summer spray. The scent to Verbena also keeps me energized.

So there you have it. I'm also a very water sports oriented person, and I have another post about the swimsuits that I love. So don't forget to also check out that post. 

What are your favorite workout pieces? I'd love to hear what you think. 

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Favorite Fashion Websites to Shop

It has been over a month since I have posted! The reason is because I've been juggling two jobs and school at the same time. But this morning, I thought that I would make a post before I start working. 

Today, I'm sharing my favorite websites to shop on. I'm not really one to go out and shop;I like to stay at home and do some online shopping. I know that it's a little more difficult to know if something fits or not, but I have learned to look out for cuts and sizes that really fit my style. Somethings that I buy don't turn out the way that they do, and I just end up donating them. But 95% of the time, I do end up loving what I purchase. 

1.Thredup.com


Thredup is a website that I discovered while watching Youtube. It is an online consignment store based off of San Francisco. They strive for clothing that is almost like new, and they don't take anything that isn't near perfect. I love browsing them in the little free time that I get, and I'm satisfied with most of the things that I purchase. I'm not going to lie, I shop there almost every 2 weeks or so. They have a flat rate for shipping, and they also offer free shipping over $70. The only downside is that some of the clothing is non-returnable. Never the less, this is my favorite website to shop on. They have discounted designer clothing, and their mobile app also has quite a few promotions. 

For those who want to try it, I have a link where you will receive $10 off of your first purchase. It's almost like getting free clothing! 
http://www.thredup.com/r/E4P04J

2.eBay


Ebay is kind of a gamble. I like to use Ebay to find something that I once saw a long time ago, but I can no longer find. Often times, I will just do a general search for something that I want, and it'll give me a bunch of results at the price that I want. Some people really like using Ebay, some don't. For me, it's a tricky business because the pictures can only tell you so much. Some sellers don't offer a return policy, so be sure that you want it. Another things is that unless you have to option to purchase it then, you will have to wait during the bidding period.
I've gotten great deals through this website, but I've also had some flops. Lots of sellers do offer free shipping, and some sellers have unreasonable shipping prices. It's still fun to browse, however.

3. American Eagle


I know that it's really cliche, but American Eagle is probably one of my all time favorite websites to shop. My style is very classy-preppy, and I think that a lot of the pieces that American Eagle carries, fits that standard. Now, not all of their clothing is my taste, but most of it is. They often will have free shipping and 40% off of clearance. That's when I tend to go in and shop more trendy items. I also like buying graphic t-shirts that I can wear when I want more of a relaxed-boho feel.

4. H&M


Hands down, H&M is one of my favorite places to shop. This website caters more towards the classy side of my fashion sense. I am absolutely in love with their basics section. All I need are a couple of staple pieces that I can find at affordable prices and I'm set. H&M is a great place to start building your wardrobe. They have a good mix of classic and trendy pieces. I'll admit that I do like shopping in store a little more than online because their sizing can be a little different since they're a Swedish brand.

5. Nordstrom

I go to Nordstroms to buy all of my jeans. I'm particularly a fan of 7 for all mankind, and Citizens of Humanity for bootcut jeans, and J Brand for skinnies. I like to invest in my jeans because I wear them so often. I like to go for the darker washes because I feel like they go with more outfits than any other wash. I had purchased my first pair of designer jeans during my senior year of high school. They were a pair of 7 for all mankind A pockets. I wore the crap out of them. They held up for more that two years, and then they finally gave out and holes started to form. I think that each pair of jeans should tell a story, and that you should feel at home whenever you wear your favorite pair.

6. Nordstrom Rack

I go to Nordstrom Rack for my purses. I'm not dedicated to a particular designer, I like to collect them as I go. Nordstrom Rack offers a wide range of brands that also fit the bill. When I am planning on buying a new bag, I like to envision that it would look like, and then I go out and find the brands that offer what I am looking for. I also like shopping here for smaller leather goods like passport holders or wallets. I also get introduced to brands that I have never hear before, and it's exciting to discover brands that I would never have otherwise known about. 

This post has put me in the mood to shop again! I'm excited to see the spring and summer fashion trends that are coming up to the surface. Most of my closet consists of clothing that is catered to the warmer weather, so this is my favorite time of the year. 

What are your favorite websites to visit?

Sunday, April 5, 2015

OOTD: Easter

Happy Sunday, everyone! Today isn't just any Sunday, it's Easter! It's an important holiday for me because this was the day that Christ has risen. I didn't get a chance to go to service because I had work, but I dressed up none the less!
I decided to bust out a dress from the million I owned, and here it is!

Yes, I still have a stock photo from when I purchased it. I've always had pinkish floral dresses, so it was nice to get something that is a little opposite to that. The dress is from City Triangles, and I actually purchased it from Thredup. Thredup is an online consignment store based in San Francisco. They sell almost-new clothing for a fraction of the price. I was able to grab this pretty little number for only $7. They do have a flat rate for shipping, so if you do decided to purchase something, make sure that you buy other things with it!

For shoes, I wore my Rocket Dog thai silk flats. 
These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes to wear because they go with every outfit. They can also be dressed up or dressed down. Not to mention, they are extremely comfortable!

Lastly, for my purse, I went with my Sam Edelman Odette purse that I bring out for Spring.

Let me know how your Easter was. Did you celebrate it with family? 


Monday, March 30, 2015

My Fragrance/Perfume Journey

I don't wear fragrance very often unless it's a special occasion. I also don't buy it often, but it is something that I like to have around. A little bit about my taste in fragrances, I don't like sweet fragrances like anything with vanilla, or sweet pea from Bath and Body Works. Sometimes I will make an exception if it is a fragrance that has violet in it. I'm also not as picky about the fragrance being all natural as I am with my skin care. Enough talk about my likes and dislikes as you will already see them throughout this post. 

I'll admit, I started at Victoria's Secret. Yes, I did start with Love Spell. I read in Seventeen Magazine that Love Spell was a "guy's pick" in their beauty awards, and that is how I got interested in it. Back then, Victoria's Secret was something that was very taboo at school. As you can imagine, I was very young, and my friends would have their moms go in and buy the fragrances for them. This was so long ago that when I first picked up my own bottle, it still had this packaging.
I was so excited about having my first perfume that I basically drowned myself in it. I was so obsessed with Love Spell that I would wear it every day. Looking back, I think that if I had walked by myself, I would have had a coughing fit. I did also have Pure Seduction and My Desire. I wore those until I reached high school. 

When I entered high school, I turned away from Victoria's Secret and became really interested in Ralph Lauren fragrances. I picked up a bottle of Ralph Lauren Romance, and yes, it was because it was a "guy's pick" in Seventeen Magazine. 
This fragrance brings back lots of memories. I wore this to my first dance, when I first fell in love, and many other coming of age moments. I still have the bottle sitting on my dresser just to remind me of my younger days. It had a very unique smell. It was floral, sweet, and sultry at the same time. I can guarantee you that this was a head turner in high school. 

While Ralph Lauren Romance was more of a special occasion fragrance, I decided that I needed something that was more for everyday. So, I picked up Ralph Lauren Cool.
This was one of my favorite fragrances because it was fresh and it was a great everyday fragrance. I know that they don't produce it anymore, but I also keep this on my dresser to remind me of my younger days. It has a nice aquatic smell that is good for any season. That's probably why I chose it. 

Sophomore year, I remembered seeing an ad for Juicy Couture's Viva la Juicy. I remember the girls wearing lace dresses and big bows on top of their heads. Juicy Couture velour track suits were also becoming popular at this time. I picked up a bottle, and I could really see why people liked it. 
This was definitely not a day time scent. I wore it to musicals at night and when I went on dates. It had a very unique smell of vanilla and jasmine. I know that I said that I didn't like vanilla, but it complimented the jasmine nicely. I knew girls who would buy the body lotion as well as the body wash, but I never went that far.

I didn't wear much fragrance for the remainder of high school. In fact, I didn't buy a new bottle until I entered the beauty industry. My nose definitely has changed since high school. I started to really appreciate more mature fragrances. I also did buy into the hype of Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue. 
I remember smelling this on one of my girlfriends and really liking it. I also remember smelling it within the pages of magazines. I liked the fresh aquatic smell of it and how versatile the fragrance was. I wore it during the summer time to outings like bonfires or barbecues. Every time I smell it, it brings me back to that summer.

In December of 2013, I smelled my most favorite fragrance of all time. I knew it the moment that I smelled it. It was L'Occitane's Fleur D'or and Acacia. 

Not only did it have the most beautify packaging, but it also wore well on me. It was the perfect blend of floral and sweetness. I could see myself wearing this for all occasions. I received so many compliments when I wore it and over all, it reminded me of happiness. I even bought the dry oil that came with it. Every time I have a bad day or when I need an extra boost of luck, I put it on and I wake up feeling much better. 

As much as Fleur D'or and Acacia was an all occasions fragrance, I also fell in love with L'Occitane's Jasmine and Bergamont. 

When I smell this fragrance, I think of a very sexy, powerful woman. It was a little heavy for the day time, but it was perfect for the night time. I love using this fragrance for dates or balls, and it ties a night out's outfit together.

I'm not a crazy fragrance fanatic, but when I find something that I love, I get hooked on it. Fragrance is very personal and you should never settle on a scent just because it's popular at the moment. When you smell your favorite fragrance, it brings back all the memories that came with it. Some people find the right one the first time around, and some have a little bit of digging to do. If you don't have favorite yet, I suggest either going to a fragrance specialty store to pick out notes that you may enjoy, or even buying a Sephora fragrance sampler. 
Let me know what your favorite fragrance is and how you discovered it.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Bikini Time!

It's that time of year for Spring Break!! I'll have to say that the thing that I'm most excited about this year would be  bikinis. Although I live in the Pacific Northwest, 90% of my closet is made of clothing that is catered to the warmer weather. How do I live in the winter time? I just wear lots of layers and the same jacket that I've had for years. I've had my eye on a jacket at Nordstrom, which I'll probably pick up soon... 
Anyways, I've never been a bikini kind of girl because I've always worn competition Speedos for swim team. I also never really get the chance to be around the lake or the pool, but it's nice to have a bikini just in case your girlfriends randomly decide to go to the beach. 

I caved and splurged on a Triangl Bikini. I like how simple the design is and how it hugs your body. It seems pricey, but you will love the way that it feels. I picked the Santa Rose Splash color because it looks really nice against my skin. I tan very easily, and this color shows it off perfectly. I've seen bikinis at Target that have similar prints for a much cheaper price.  


You could never go wrong with a black bikini top or a floral bikini bottom. The black top goes with almost any color bottom you pick, and it's also a very flattering color. A floral bottom has many colors on it, so it will match with any color top that you pick. I got my floral bikini bottom from Guess a couple of years ago, and it is my favorite bikini bottom. Most of the time I pair it with a black halter bikini top, but it is also great with a pink top, or even the Triangl top. 
I'm also a spaghetti strap bikini kind of girl. I'll admit, I don't have too much in the chest area, so bikini are easier to find for me. I also like getting a little bit of push with push up bikinis. Halter tops work the best for me, and they also hold up better than other kinds that I have tried. I'm not exactly a big fan of bikini bottoms that tie at the hips because I'm always paranoid that it'll slip off! Just one solid piece for me is just fine.

When it gets a little chilly, bikini cover ups are the way to go. I love using my Juice Couture dress as a cover up. It doesn't five me a funny sun tan print like other bikini cover ups, and it works perfect as a dress. I usually will wear it with a baby pink bikini top so it matches, but it works with any other color bikini top since the color is so subtle. I also have the same cover up in red, that is made with a terry cloth material. It works great for when I just got out of the pool.

How could I forget shoes? I'm a leather flip flop girl, but those might not be the most ideal material for the water. A good pair of flip flops ties the whole outfit together. As long as you don't walk for a prolong amount of time in them, they're cute enough for the rest of the summer. I usually will wear rubber flip flops for the beach or pool, and leather ones for when I go out during other times of the day. I've gotten my leather flip flops soaked before, that they took FOREVER to dry.

Let me know what your plans are for Spring Break and what your favorite style of bikini is.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

When You Fall in Love with a Purse

As if you couldn't already tell from the title of the post, I got a new bag! I thought that I would just let you guys know that I have two obsessions, purses and dresses. I have upward towards 70 dresses, but I don't have that many purses! Unlike dresses, purses come with a heavier price tag. 
I'll admit, I do change within the season and the event, of course. I guess I have a lot of clutches, but not actual purses. I used to love the shoulder style, but when I bought my first cross body bag, I never ever want to look back. The cross body bag is just too convenient! Also in boarding school, I love toting around my messenger bag that matched with my uniform.

Right now, I alternate between my Michael Kors Selma, which I got for my 21st birthday a little while back. 
When I first laid eyes on this bag, I fell right into love. It was perfect. It was structured, professional, and it didn't get dirty! Well, at least it wouldn't be obvious. I carry this bag almost every day. I love it, it's one of my favorites. 

The other bag that I go to is my Sam Edelman Odette.
Initially, I had fallen in love with the smaller version of this bag at Nordstrom. I thought long and hard about getting it, but by the time that I actually got the chance to go and get it, it was gone. But I went searching for it on Ebay, and came across this one. I bought it in January and decided that it was going to be my summer bag. It had the rose gold accents and it goes with every spring outfit. If this purse gets dirty, it does show. I'm more cautious about getting this one dirty.

But back to the main point. I've been looking for a new bag and I wanted to treat myself because of a recently very exciting life change. I looked for a long time, and I finally came across the Tory Burch Amanda bag. 
I had recently painted my Rebecca Minkoff grey because I bought it in a cream color, and as you can imagine, it got dirty, fast. It's now a lovely light grey, and I use it as a school bag. But this Tory Burch was the perfect addition to my collection of grey purses. 
It has the cross body strap as well as the handles so I could wear it business style, or casual style. I haven't received it yet, but I definitely will do an update when I get it in the mail. I've never really been a huge fan of Tory Burch, until I saw the Robinson. The Robinson didn't look like it catered to what I was looking for. When I saw the Amanda, it was definitely love at first sight. I knew that I had to have it! 
One thing that I did like about the Robinson was that it had a smaller emblem. I'm not quite sure how large this one will be exactly, but I'll just have to deal with that. The thing that bugs me the most are bags with their logos all over their bags. With the exception of Louis Vuitton because that will always be a signature print. You know what I mean, those Coach bags with the logos vomited across. Maybe it's just me, but I like things to be simple and clean. That's just my two cents. 

I'm really excited to carry this bag around for the summer time. It's a little dark for the summer, but it'll still match with all of the outfits. I'm already planning on what my next couple of bags will be, but they won't be here any time soon. 

What's your favorite purse? Why do you love it?



Friday, March 6, 2015

Newest Drink Obsession

I am hooked on coffee. I can't live without it. I have had different favorites throughout my life. I started drinking coffee when I was 16, and I stopped for a couple of years, then I started again. When I was a senior in high school, I would drink chai lattes, but that would never give me the caffeine that I needed. So I added a shot of espresso. Then, I started to do Americanos, and then I drank double lattes, that turned into triples, and now I'm drinking straight coffee with some kind of flavor. For the longest time, I drank iced coffee with white mocha. It had the perfect level of sugar and cream. I drank it everyday. I become so dependent on coffee that I would get decaf coffee on my days off, so I would avoid getting a headache. I've had french presses, coffeemakers, instant coffee, etc.
I now shy away from the fancy coffee and just drink some drip with a little bit of creamer. But this morning, I made my regular cup in the morning, and decided to put it over ice. It was as if I had found something new again. I came to the point where I would hate drinking hot coffee, but I knew that I needed it. I'm so glad that I did that today, because a light bulb went off in my head. What about cold brew? It was perfect! I could premake my coffee, it won't go bad, and it saves me time in the morning! 

I had to go out and buy a french press as well as a cute pitcher to put all of the coffee in. 
I ended up getting this cute little guy 
and I never thought that pitchers could be as cute as this one!
I had vanilla creamer already. It sucks that Costco only has one flavor of creamer! It's the most cost efficient, but I would love to try cinnamon or hazelnut during the summer time. 

I actually ended up brewing the coffee overnight, last night. I made myself some this morning, and it was nothing short of amazing. My usual coffee won't keep me awake, but this one sure did! It's concentrated with caffeine, but doesn't have the bitter taste. I might just skip the creamer and go to World Market to pick up a bottle of syrup and call it good! 

Another thing that I have recently come across at little coffee bars at home! Here is a gorgeous inspirational picture!
Are you freaking kidding me?? That is the cutest thing that I've ever seen! Here's another one!
Who doesn't want one of these!!! So cute! When we get our own place, I'm considering getting on of these. I've always imagined hosting more gatherings at my home, but we haven't really gotten around to doing that at our current place. If I do find myself hosting quite a bit, I will end up getting a cart like this. 

Let me know if you guys have tried the cold brew method or not. Tell me what you think.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

New Workplace!

Yet another post due to procrastinating on homework. I promise that it will all be done today! Anyways, definitely going to get back on the track on the topic of me!
This weekend, I'll be getting... a new desk! I know, so exciting, right? (sarcasm) But really, I'm extremely excited to have a fresh work place that will be my own and that I can be extremely productive with. Another thing that I'm excited about is decorating the area, of course! We're going to go shopping on Sunday after church for some cute office supplies. I already have a couple of things, but I would like to share what my desk essentials are with you guys :)


Notebooks. I can't get enough of notebooks. I know that I have so many already and they generally don't get used beyond their first couple of pages. But I love them none the less. I have a couple of Rifle and Co notebooks, some Jonathan Adler, some Mead, etc. I'm not going to lie, I'm probably going to buy some more today. I know that they're basically going to sit there until I really need to use them, but I just can't help it! Maybe I won't buy them because then I know that they won't be going to waste. 


File holders. I have so many various folders with different purposes and it's really hard to keep track of them if I don't know where all of them are! So I decided to get a file holder that will fit everything including some notebooks that I'm using at the same time. I'm so excited to get this cute white folder holder.



Sticky notes or notepads. I love cute sticky notes. I once found the cutest sticky note pad at Target at the dollar section. I wanted to get more, but they never came back :( I also got this other pack of sticky notes that have different purposes. It's all one big pad, but they section off into to-do list sticky notes, or task for the week sticky notes.


Pencil holder. Now, I have a couple of old candle holders that obviously don't have their candle in them, and I like to reuse them to old my pencils. They're much much cheaper than getting an actual pencil holder, and some times, they're much more stylish. 


Pencils. I love basic wooden #2 pencils. I'll probably pick up another pack pretty soon, too. Maybe some cute color pencils. Anyways, I know that it's sometimes inconvenient to have to sharpen your pencil, but at least they look cute!


Cards. Now, I know that a lot of people don't think about this, but I like to keep an assortment of cards. Thank you cards, birthday cards, greeting cards, etc. I also have a box that is monogrammed with my initials, and they're reserved for the fancy kind of events. You never really know when you're going to have to write a card. You also don't have to go out and get them individually, it's much cheaper to just buy a box of them, much like Christmas cards. 


Fake flowers. My favorite flower is the peony. As you may know, it is a seasonal flower. I used to go to the market to get fresh flowers every week or so, but that always adds up, and I don't like near the public market anymore. I found a cute vase with a fake peony at Target, and I think that it just adds a little bit of sophistication to the desk.


Office caddy. Thumbtacks, paper clips, rubber bands. Where to put them all?? I like getting one of those mesh holders that you can get at Target or Walmart to hold all of them. You can also get them at the Container store, too. It's nice to have these things at your disposal and all in one spot. 


Cork board. Having a cork board reminds me of the days that I lived in the dorms. They're fun, but they are honestly very practical. You can hand up reminders, or pictures, etc. I like to keep cute pictures of cards that I've gotten. You may also like dry erase boards which you can also write on while being able to magnetize any notes and such. I'm still debating on which one I should get.