Keeping up with global affairs

The News.  It is something that I honestly have struggled keeping up with while in college.  As a student who values her sleep I will admit that I tend to sacrifice watching the morning updates for those extra thirty or so minutes of shut-eye, but still as a political science major all my professors require that I am staying up with the top news of the day.  So what are some of my favorite sources for easy, accessible, and most importantly reliable news?

1. Flipboard

This iPhone/iPad app is one of the best, and most used apps on my phone! I downloaded this app a while ago after seeing a recommendation from the College Prepster, but haven't started using it until this summer, and I have to say this app is fantastic!  It is a great way to organize your morning news, and flip through headlines quickly, which as a busy college student is a huge plus!  I love scanning this app every morning as I wait in line for Starbucks, or while ridding the metro!  It helps keep me informed, while letting me customize what news sources I read.  I.e. you can choose what to follow, whether it be BBC, Fox News, NY Times, ect.  They have fashion, home, lifestyle, and food related options too!  Best part the app is completely FREE! 

2. The Skimm

One of my sorority sisters turned me on to this!  The Skimm will email you a morning update of the top headlines in brief, and they will write it in a fresh, almost hilarious fashion.  If you haven't checked out the skimm before you should definately subscribe to their email news!  It's one of the easiest ways for me to check what's going on both domestically and internationally every weekday morning

3. Politico (Political Science Nerds especially!)

Politico I was turned on to during my summer in DC, because well it's what everyone on the Hill seems to be reading.  While it does tend towards Capitol Hill gossip column on occasions, it's writing is accurate, informative, and entertaining all at once.  I use their iPhone app so I can get notifications of any important news reports sent to my phone.  Though fair warning any time their is political chaos in DC be prepared to read about it for days! (After Eric Cantor lost his seat his name was all over their headlines for at least a week).  However this source is very academic and again credible, and while their writing is partisan, they usually have both sides of an issue equally represented.  

Other than those three I will occasionally skim through the BBC's headlines, or the daily email I receive from the Washington Post.  

Let me know what you think of these great news sources, or if you have any suggestions comment below! (I love learning about new ways to get news!) 

Out with the old and in with the new (arrivals!)

Summer online clearance sales are starting to wrap up, and many of my favorite stores are beginning to get new fall arrivals!  Here are some of my favorites I have seen while online window shopping this week!  

J. Crew

I am practically drooling over these new arrivals at J.Crew 

Chelsea Rainboots (also comes in Black, Navy, and Olive)

Harper Scalloped Flats (also comes in Pink, Taupe and Deep Violet)

Quilted Puffer Jacket (also comes in deep green) 

Kendra Scott 

I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Kendra Scott Jewelry, mostly because I am the type of person who doesn't personally love large statement earrings.  However I have been obsessing over these items in her newer collection

Skylette Earings  (also comes in Turquoise, Pink, Black, and Black Iridescent)

Skylen Ring (also comes in White and Turquoise)

I love how simple these pieces are!  In addition they are items I could legitimately see myself wearing on a more everyday basis, rather than special occasions only, which helps me justify purchasing them.  

Nordstroms Anniversary Sale Picks

Here are some of my favorite things I have seen online from the Nordstroms Anniversary Sale:

Zella Leggings

If you like Lululemon you have to try Zella's. Not only are they half the price (or 1/4 of the price when on sale) they are just as comfortable.  Bonus they are thick enough to wear during Boston Winters.  I actually live in these leggings during the winter, so definitely go check them out!

Tory Burch Wallet 

Kate Spade Crossbody Purse 

Eliza J Dress 

Baublebar For Nordstroms Necklace 

Some other popular items in the Sale
-Hunter Rainboots
-Frye Boots
-Kendra Scott Jewelry
-Kate Spade Jewelry
-Lots of Sperry Top-Siders

C Wonder New Arrival Loves

If you haven't heard of C Wonder yet, I'm not quite sure what rock you've been living under, but it is this adorable store that has some great fashion finds!  Recently their new arrivals have been animal inspired, and if you know anything about me, you know I love anything with an animal or animal print on it!  Here are a few of my favorites from their new arrivals!

Check out C Wonder's site for more great new arrivals! Happy shopping everyone! 

Wednesday Wish list!

I have a very bad habit of constantly looking through my favorite stores websites after work, and seeing that my internship is unpaid I am unfortunately trying to save my money.  So no shopping for me until next fall most likely, here are some things I have been eyeing on the internet.

This Maxi Dress from Nordstroms 

This Maxi Dress from Nordstroms

This C Wonder Skirt

These great Moon and Lola Mugs!

And This Jewelry from Fornash!

Summer in DC: Part 1

Hi y'all!  It's hard to believe that I have been in DC for over a month now!  Time has flown by so fast.  Working full time, studying, and trying to explore has given me so much to do this summer, I barely sleep at all (thank goodness for Starbucks, am I right?).   The best part about DC in the summer is that there are lots of activities to attend, museums to see, and food to eat.  I thought that since it has been a little over a month now I would share some of my favorite parts of my summer so far!

Photos in order from top left, clockwise -- Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and World War 2 Memorial

Day one of my program we started with a tour of all the monuments and memorials (on memorial day fittingly enough!)  It was interesting to learn all about the history of the monuments and wars, and it helps make you appreciate so much what our troops are doing for us.  Some fun facts from my tours are, first, the Washington Monument is made up of marble and gravity! Yes you heard me right, there is no cement holding together the blocks that built it (which could end very badly in an earthquake!).  Second, the Vietnam memorial was designed by a Yale student, who submitted an assignment from an architecture class (her professor incidentally gave her a C on the assignment, and submitted a design himself, only to lose the contest). 

This photo I took after my first day of my internship on Capitol Hill!  I always love walking by the Capitol every morning and afternoon!  Fun Fact about the Capitol: There are tunnels that connect all buildings associated with congress (senate, house, and the Library of Congress), and there are special subways that will take members and their staff from the capitol to the different house and senate buildings.  In addition one could practically live in the Capitol, there are shops, a gym, multiple food courts, a doctor, dry cleaners, Bank, Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks.  It's fun to grab your morning coffee and try and see if you can spot a representative!  

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)!  Another building I pass everyday on my way to and from work.  I love this part of my morning because I always know when important SCOTUS rulings are about to come out without even reading the news, because I'll see all the cameras lined up everyday, and if it is a particularly controversial case (like Hobby Lobby) you will see protestors.  

A few weeks ago I went paddle boating on the tidal basin with some friends from my program.  It was a great day to get outside, get some sun, and great exercise!  

I doubt a true political junkie like myself could ever take a trip to DC without making a pitstop at the White House!  Unfortunately no POTUS sightings as of yet, though the summer is still young!

A photo of Robert E Lee's old house at Arlington Cemetery.  If you're in DC definitely make sure you stop by Arlington Cemetery.   I was unfortunately too slow at contacting my mother to look up where my great-great-great-grandfather was located, but it did spur my mother into researching our family history more.  Little did I know that I apparently come from an old military family from the south, and there is even a book published about my great-great-grandmother!  Arlington is a great part of America's wartime history.

One of the best parts about working on Capitol Hill as an intern: Free Lobbyist Events!  Aka free Ice Cream for me.  The perfect way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon in DC.  Also a great event for networking with other hill staff members.

One of the first museums I was lucky enough to visit in DC!  If you happen to go to DC I highly recommend looking at the Newseum!  They're exhibits are thought provoking and informative.  My personal favorite however was the First Puppies Exhibit (highlighting everyone's favorite presidential pooches).  

Finally the last is a photo I took while enjoying one of DC's most popular summer events, Jazz in the Sculpture Garden.  It's a great place to go for some music, drinks, and spending time with good friends.  There are so many great social events offered in DC during the summer that it is hard not to take advantage of all the city has to offer!  If you are ever in DC during the summer this event was a great way to relax after a long week.  It's every friday starting around 5pm, in the Sculpture Gardens (my group took the red line to the China Town/Gallery Pl. Metro stop).    

That's a wrap up of my DC summer highlights from the first half of my trip here.  I'll post part two once my summer is finished!   

Summer Lilly Loves for 2014

My Current Lilly Loves

It's summertime and that means it's time to pull out your Lilly Pulitzer dresses!   Going to school in the Northeast this year was rough to say the least.  It continued to snow until April, which is exactly when I started wearing my Lilly (once at a Model UN conference and the second time to my sorority's senior brunch!).  The horribly long winter also convinced me to treat myself to new sorority letters, which I happened to get in a Lilly Pulitzer Print (which I got in True Blue Loves Me, from University Shop on Etsy!)  Needless to say I was very excited to wear my Lilly this summer!

Lilly is great to wear in the summer!  The prints and patters are so fun and easy to style for an everyday look, as well as for more formal dinner occasions, or even as part of your work day look! (I love scouting out Lilly on Capitol Hill and on my metro commute everyday--I've been wearing my more formal Lilly to work as well!) Now as I wait for my Lilly planner to arrive I have been looking through the Lilly Pulitzer website eyeing some really cute summer looks!  Here are two of my favorite prints!

(All photos from lillypulitzer.com)

This is probably my favorite of their Summer prints (and currently my desktop background!).  I love the nautical theme it evokes as well as the color scheme!  If this dress came in a maxi dress or a scarf I would be sold in a heartbeat!  Though I do love the look on this skirt!  It's perfect for a nice warm summer day!   

Tate Skirt

My other current print obsession is Let's Cha Cha!  

I loved everything in this print from last summer (in the multi-colored scheme), and this year nothing is different!  I still think this print is fun, and I am definitely eying a few pieces in it!  Below are my favorites in Let's Cha Cha!

Cordon Racerback Tank Dress

Marlisa Strapless Maxi Dress 

I'm always a huge fan of Maxi Dresses and was very disappointed to miss out on the Tria Maxi Dress in Let's Cha Cha at last year's Lilly End of Summer Sale!  Hopefully I may be able to snag one of these pieces in the near future!  Both are great summer dresses that would be great for a shopping day or a casual dinner date!  

These are just two of my favorite prints from their summer collection!  I'm also a fan of She She Shells, Oh Cabana Boy, and Lobstah Roll! 

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello!  My name is Claire, (or theprettiest-pearl on tumblr), and I have finally gotten around to checking something of my Summer to-do list: Start a real (aka not tumblr) blog!  This has been something I have been toying with the idea of doing for a while, but today I decided I was going to start it!

This blog will most likely be a blog for fashion and lifestyle (I can also make Greek life posts if people are interested in those!).  I am a self proclaimed prep, and lover of JCrew, Lilly Pulitzer, and Kate Middleton (especially her style!)

Just so you can get to know me better here are 10 fun facts about me!
1. I have a serious caffeine and Netflix addiction  (my favorite shows to binge watch are Scandal, Bones, the West Wing, Law and Order SVU, Friday Night Lights, Gossip Girl, and Grey's Anatomy-- and I'm always looking for new good show suggestions!)
2. I am studying political science and international relations in college, and I am planning on going to either (or both) graduate school (likely for a Masters in Public Policy or Foreign Affairs) or Law school.
3. I am a rising senior in college, and will be graduating this May!
4. I am a proud member of Greek life (but as I am serving on panhel next year I am disaffiliated with my chapter until January)
5. I am spending my summer in Washington DC interning on Capitol Hill
6. I am originally from California (hence my love for the sun) but go to college in the Northeast
7. My favorite stores are Nordstroms, Lilly Pulitzer, JCrew (and their Factory store), Gap, Banana Republic and Vineyard Vines
8. I also do Model UN in my (limited) free time
9. I love traveling!  I have been abroad to London (where I studied and interned), as well as China, France, Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.  In addition I have an incredibly long travel list for the future, and I plan on traveling a lot when I'm older.  My favorite places I have been are Hawaii, London, Italy (Venice) and Lisbon (aka if I really like your country it is likely you have been eliminated from the world cup!)
10. I love animals (elephants are my personal favorite) and I have two dogs!

Please feel free to reach out to me and check out my Tumblr page (http://theprettiest-pearl.tumblr.com/)