Packing for my final Fall Semsester

AH! I can not believe that in a few weeks I will be starting my last year of undergrad!  The past few years have absolutely flown by, and I am once again packing up my closet, ready to head across the country.

Now I am by no means a packing expert!  I actually overpack like no ones business.  So this semester I am making it my goal to only bring what I think I will need.

Here are my Fall essentials!  Bear in mind I go to school in Boston, so I am trying to keep this list weather appropriate! (aka may not be the best packing guide if you go to school in LA)

Tops/Dresses:

• Sweaters
• Simple T-Shirts
• Button-Ups 
• A few professional tops (silk shells, nice peplums ect.) 
• I do bring dresses (mostly for sorority activities) but many are appropriate for late summer/early fall.  
• T-Shirts for working out

Pants

• J. Crew Minnie and Pixie pants (they are beyond comfortable!)
• Thick leggings (I have two from Lululemon and countless from Zella)
• Jeans (Gap and J. Crew are my favorites)
• A few J. Crew "city mini" skirts (ok...well maybe more than a few...)
• Nice business casual skirts 
• Plenty of Nike Shorts 

Outerwear 

• Peacoat (I have a J. Crew one and a Ralph Lauren one)
• Puffer Vests (One from J. Crew and one from Banana Republic) 
• Jean Jacket (for fall and spring-that is if Boston gets a spring this year!)
• Barbour Beadnell coat (aka BAE)
• My basic black Northface (My "going out" jacket!  I use this jacket because it's my oldest and "cheapest" outerwear piece, therefore if something bad happens to it I wont be heartbroken)
• Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt 

Accessories 

• Plenty of Scarves! 
• Jewelry 
• J. Crew camp socks 
• Purses (probably more than necessary!) 

Shoes

• Only one or two pairs of Sandals/Flip-Flops
• Ridding Boots
• LL Bean Boots
• Hunter Rainboots 
• Ballet Flats 
• A few heels for sorority events 
• Wedges 

Best of luck to every college student heading back to school this weekend!  I hope your packing is not as hectic as mine! 

Packing Tip: Place socks inside Boots to help them maintain their shape!  It's also a great way to pack your socks without taking up any extra space! 

DIY Crafts: Old Lilly Planner

Here are a few fun DIY Crafts I have done this summer to spruce up my apartment this fall!

If you would like to do these at home what you'll need:

• Modge Podge
• Paint (I used 
• Scissors 
• Ruler
• Canvases 
• Cork Board
• Fun Paper (I've used my old Lilly Planners and Gold Paper from Michaels)
• Paint Brushes
• Sponges 

Places to Shop

• Michaels
• Blick

Lilly Letters 

 I first purchased wooden letters from Michael's.  These are the style of letters I liked the best.  Then I laid them down on newspaper so an not to make a mess on my family's table.

I traced out the shape of the "C" on the Lilly paper of my choice so I could cut it out to size later.  This allowed me to shape the edges to curves and corners of my letters.

 Using Mod Podge and sponges I spread the Mod Podge on the letter and placed the paper on top, holding it down for about 15 seconds.  Then I dabbed bits of Mod Podge over any edges that didn't stick down.

 I chose to use one pattern for all my letters, though you can mix it up and make the design however you like!

Here are the finished letters.  Afterwards I laid them out on newspaper overnight to dry.  Then I used a hot glue gun to put ribbons on the back to hang the letters in my dorm room.

Canvases and Cork Boards

To make this small canvas I first painted the canvas with pink paint.   After the canvas dried I used a hot glue gun to glue down the gold paper (from Michael's in the scrapbook section).  I finally used Mod Podge to place down the Lilly Print girl.  I allowed it to dry overnight.

For this state cork-board I first used a hot glue gun to glue down the large Lilly patterns (Tip: Glue works better on cork than Mod Podge in my experience).   I then took the gold paper and traced out an outline of California.  I cut out the outline (If your state has many uneven borders I recommend using smaller scissors).  I then hot-glued the California onto the cork board.  Finally I cut out a heart and glued that over San Francisco (my home city!).

I am so excited to hang up my cute crafts in my dorm room this semester!    

Recipe:Eggplant Pizza Bites

An easy and healthy recipe!  This particular one is great because it is also Gluten Free!

I don't have a link of the original (I'm 99% sure I saw it on tumblr one day and just memorized it because it's so simple!).  Though if you search Eggplant Pizza on google many recipes pop up!  All you need is:

-Eggplant
-Tomato Sauce
-Grated Cheese (I usually use either Parmesan or Mozzarella)
-Italian Spices (I usually use Basil and Oregano)
-Salt
-Olive Oil (optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2.Cut the Eggplant into thin disks.  Try to make the disks as uniform in width as possible so they all cook evenly.  I usually can get 8-12 disks out of one medium Eggplant.
3. Lay the disks out on a plate with a paper towel and throw a dash of salt on top.  The salt is used to remove excess water from the eggplant.  Place a paper towel over the Eggplant to absorb the water.  Leave for at least 10 minutes (though you can leave for longer if you need to run errands or something).
4. Take Eggplant off of plate, and lay out on either a non-stick cooking sheet or tin foil.  Make sure to pre-grease the cooking sheet with olive oil before baking.
5.Take a spoonful of tomato sauce for each disk, and spread evenly across.
6. Put cheese on top of each disk (use as much as you would like, though the more you use, the more likely it may slide off during the cooking process!  I recommend about 1 or 2 tablespoons for each disk.)
7. Top off with some italian seasonings for flavor.
8. Bake until the cheese melts full and starts to turn slightly brown.
9.  Let cool and enjoy!

Back to School essentials

Here are some great back to school essentials for fall! 

C Wonder flower purse
cwonder.com

kate spade new york ballpoint pen
lifeguardpress.com

Lilly Pulitzer 2014-15 Large Agenda, Orange Grove Monkeys
bloomingdales.com

Kate Spade Idiom Pencils, Set of 10
gracioushome.com

Five Star Wirebound Notebook, 1-Subject, 100 Wide-Ruled Sheets, 10.5 x...
amazon.com

Lilly Pulitzer Tumbler w/ Straw Beach Rose
swoozies.com

Le Pliage Longchamp
longchamp.com

Fall Fashions

Pictured Above
-J.Crew Excursion Vest
-J.Crew Sweater
-J.Crew Chambray Button Up
-J. Crew Stripe Tee
-J. Crew Navy Gingham Button Up
-Longchamp Le Pilage 
-J.Crew Pixie Pants
-J.Crew City Mini (Now back in stock at the factory stores!)
-Gap 1969 Jeans
-Barbour Beadnell Jacket
-Hunter Rainboots
-Tory Burch Reva Flats
-Sam Edleman Penny Boots (available at Nordstoms)
-Ray Ban Aviators 

These are my fall staple pieces that get worn WAY too often once the weather start turning (especially the J.Crew pixie pants!  So comfy!).  Sorry for the fairly monochromatic color scheme (I swear there is more color in my closet!) though I am definitely a supporter of #navyornothing, and when I am not wearing navy I can usually be seen with some form of black on.  But really those colors are just so easy to wear and complimentary.  Now all that needs to be added in is a bright red Starbucks cup (Pumpkin Spice Latte please!) and I am ready for fall semester! 

My I hope everyone is as excited as I am for the return of fall!

Lilly Pulitzer Fall Collection

Lilly Pulitzer has been on my mind a lot this week!  While anxiously awaiting the arrival of my sale purchases (the first of which is due tomorrow!)  I have been browsing through the website looking at some of their dresses for fall!  Here are a few of my favorites!

Windsor Strapless Dress 

Ember Shift Dress  

Betty Silk Racerback Tank

Plus these two scarves! 

Murfee Scarves in Tusk in Sun and Electric Feel 

Lilly Pulitzer End of Summer Sale!

As every girl on my tumblr dash this morning I too woke up way to early to shop one of the few Lilly Pulitzer sales a year.  Here are a few of the goodies I got this morning! 

 I easily spent a months worth of babysitting in one morning, but it was worth it!  I have been loving the Watch Out and She Shells print, and I have been in love with that Maxi Dress since Lilly released it last spring!  So excited to style these great pieces

-Ashlynn Keyhole Maxi Dress in Pop Pink on the Square 

-Murfee Scarves in Sea Soiree and She Shells 

-Tabbie Tank in Watch Out

-Jewelry Case in Southern Charm 

I hope everyone else had a successful morning!  

Breakfast of Champions: Smoothies

Raspberry, Blueberry, Cucumber, and Orange-Ginger Icelandic Yogurt

Since coming home and having access to my mother's Vitamix I have been making smoothies for breakfast every day!

My favorite thing about smoothies is that you can combine any certain ingredients you like and still have something that tastes good!   I have really never been one to follow a recipe, I just rather love throwing food in and seeing what comes out.  I've also loved that smoothie recipes you can easily adjust.  I'm allergic to bananas and soy, both of which tend to be prevalent in smoothie recipes, but when you make them at home you can put in and leave out whatever products you don't like!

A few things I love putting in:
-Icelandic Yogurt (thicker than Greek Yogurt, more protein, less calories, and tastes delicious!  I use Sigi's Brand either plain or orange and ginger)
-Cucumber
-Arugula (this will greatly effect the taste of your smoothie, so make sure you use it sparingly!)
-Watermelon (and substituting Watermelon Juice for water in smoothie recipes--they're 90% water anyway right!)

A few things I leave out!
-Bananas (I'm allergic!)
-Protein Powder (I've just never been a fan of the taste!--I use either Greek or Icelandic Yogurt to get my protein punch!)

A few great Recipes I've been loving! 
-Raspberries, Blueberries, Cucumber and Yogurt
-Watermelon + Berries! (Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Soy Free!)
-Mango, Orange, Cucumber, Blueberry and Yogurt

DC Favorites

So now that my summer has wrapped up in DC I decided to make a list of things to do for any of my readers if you ever happen to be in Washington DC!

Sights and Museums:  Lots of Museums in Washington DC are free!  Make sure to check out the National Archives (pop by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), the Smithsonian, and the National Gallery of Art.  If you are willing to pay money I also highly recommend the Newseum!

Politics?:  Visit the Capitol and Library of Congress if you have a Chance! Both buildings are beautiful and fun to walk around.  In addition try and visit your local representative and senator while in Washington DC if you would like.  Note if you want a tour of the White House that needs to be set up through your representative a couple months in advance!

Outdoor Activities:  Rock Creek Park trail is a nice walk/running trail throughout the city!  Starts in Woodly Park and I would run to Georgetown regularly!  Paddle Boarding on the Tidal Basin was also an great experience!  Check out the National Botanic Garden as well!

Shopping:  Georgetown is one of my favorite places in the city to go shopping! It has all the stores I like, and a great atmosphere with lots of cute restaurants!

Food:  There is great food all over the city!  Here are a few of my favorite DC places that I was able to eat at during the summer
    -Open City in Woodly Park/Adams Morgan
    -Lebanese Taverna in Woodly Park/Adams Morgan
    -Italian Pizza Kitchen in Woodly Park/Adams Morgan
    - Mission in Dupont Circle (Mexican Food)
    - Zorba's Cafe in Dupont Circle (Greek)
    - Elephant Castle (National Mall/Farragut North)
    - GCDC in Farragut North (Grilled Cheese! --SO GOOD!)
    -Ben's Chili Bowl in U-Street and at the Naitonal's Stadium (DC icon)
    -Madhatter in Dupont Circle (They have great lunch food!)

Also make sure to check out one of DC's many great farmer's markets!  I would go to the one in Dupont Circle because it was the closest to my building, but there are many throughout the city!

Summer in DC: Part 2

My exciting summer in DC is almost over!  It is so hard to believe.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was getting on a plane, and now I am about to get getting on one again to go home.  While I am excited that I can see my family again, I will definitely miss this amazing city!  Here is a quick wrap up of the last month of my summer here!

4th of July Fireworks

There is no better place to be than DC on the 4th of July!  The energy in this city is amazing, and the fireworks were easily some of the best I have ever seen!  Please forgive the quality in some of these pictures, they were from my iphone!  

House Intern Lecture Series

Secretary of Homeland Security 

One aspect of working on Capitol Hill that is really great is they organize lectures for all the interns to attend!  I have been able to go and see a few amazing speeches.  

Nationals Game! 

I am a HUGE baseball fan!  While the Nationals are not my personal favorite team, I still love going to baseball games! The atmosphere of being at a game is great and I always have a good time, regardless of what team is playing.   Plus the National's have a great Stadium!  Lots of good food and drinks!



Monuments: Nighttime edition!

Lincoln Memorial

Korean War Memorial 

Washington Monument

Me posing in front of the Capitol! 

If you visit DC, you have to see the monuments at night!  There is something very magical about walking around the national mall past dark!

This summer has been filled with so many amazing adventures!  Hopefully one day I'll be back in this amazing city!  However I must admit I am excited to go home for a few relaxing weeks (and missing the West Coast Winter!)   If you ever have any questions about DC feel free to ask!  Later this week I'll try to post a DC favorites list!  

Apartment Furnishes

This September I will be moving into my first apartment!  I am beyond excited.  I will be living with two friends (and sorority sisters), and I am very excited to begin decorating. Now I have done a bunch of DIY crafts (which I'll post about at a later date!), but recently I have become obsessed with searching for cute apartment furnishes.  Here are a few of my favorite finds!

This Calendar from Anthropologie 

These fun pillows from Anthropologie 

State Map from Design Darling (also offered in Texas, Manhattan, and Nantucket)

Scalloped organizer from Design Darling (they also have a pink organizer)