Here's to the last day of 2013...

2014 is literally right around the corner and I'm just thinking about how great 2013 was to me. I'm going to admit, I had an unbelievably rough start but it was up up up from then on. From major academic decisions, to spur of the moment career changes, I literally experienced it all this year. That being said, I definitely learned more than I would have ever expected.

There are three things that this year has really taught me to understand.

Motivation. Look, in college I've learned that you will go nowhere when you lack the initiative and motivation. The motivation to be on top of all the workload. The motivation to talk to someone who is much wiser and experienced than you are. The motivation to surpass your own expectations. The motivation to look into a career that you will enjoy and love and at the same time secure your future. The motivation to finally start something you've been planning to do for months. the motivation to try something new and challenging.  And most importantly, the motivation to be happy and content.

Determinism. Being determined, to me, means seeing things through. Determinism works hand in hand with motivation and means so much more than getting sh*t done. Determinism means having the conviction that you are capable of succeeding. It means being able to face all of life's obstacles even while knowing that you may very well fail in doing so. It means being able to move on and learn from the mistakes you've made and accepting the fact that failure is part of life. Determinism definitely plays a big role in a happy and fulfilling life.

Humility. It's NOT always about YOU. It's NOT always about the things you've done. It's NOT about every single one of your successes. And it most definitely is NOT being looked up to because you're the smartest, prettiest, happiest, or wealthiest. It's more about self growth and how you've helped yourself by succeeding and exceeding your expectations for yourself. It feels good to be right and to be the best at something, but there is no need to shove it down everyone's throat. Sometimes, to be quite honest, it just comes off as insensitive and cocky. I am in no way saying to not be proud of your accomplishments, but there are humble ways in showing off that pride. You just have to know the difference.

I've also learned a few things about shame and what NOT to ever be shameful about, ever.

There is, without a doubt, no shame in:

...making a mistake. You should never ever feel ashamed for making a mistake. We are not perfect beings and we're all entitled to making mistakes every so often.

...taking that last slice of cake at a party. Look, you only get to enjoy the joys of life once. Eat that damn cake and don't feel guilty about it. If it makes you feel better, go out for a run the next day and sweat out those measly calories you gained.

...admitting you're wrong. Just own up to it. Don't make an ass out of yourself trying to prove yourself right when you know fully well your wrong.

...being blunt. Your friend looks fat in that dress? tell her! Then, give her some sane fashion advice. I'd much rather have a blunt and honest friend than someone who's fake.

...embracing who you are. Quirky, crazy, a little out there? So be it! 

...saying no. NO. NO. NO. There's no shame in that

...being scared and vulnerable. Courage is a great trait and there's no denying that. BUT we are entitled to be weak and scared. We don't have to show the world that we are, but don't lie to yourself about it.


So there's that. I've definitely enjoyed this year, but I look forward to 2014 :)

Things I Care About: Education in Third World Countries

For a lifestyle blogger like myself, sometimes I publish posts that tend to come off as superficial or materialistic. However, there are some real world issues that really do matter to me aside from the newest music, or current fashion trends. One of my biggest advocacy is education in the Philippines (my home country, also considered as a third world country in Southeast Asia). I currently work at a non-profit based in New York city that promotes civic engagement and collaboration within the Filipino-American community. Before I was hired to work, I interned for a couple of months and had to do some sociopolitical as well as historical research about the Philippines. I also had to write a speech about a pressing issue that is important to me. Below is the speech I delivered in front of other staff members and fellow interns regarding issues of Philippine higher education.

image via

\Originally published on the Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) website/blog here.

The Tragic Cost of Higher Education in the Philippines

Sixty thousand pesos – That is the average annual cost of tuition for a student entering college in the Philippines. You can expect a high school graduate entering his/her first year of college to shell out somewhere between thirty thousand to up to ninety thousand pesos just for tuition alone.

When you ask Filipino parents about their dreams for their children, an inevitable answer would be to be able to send them to school and finish their education. This isn’t surprising most especially because the Philippines is a nation that values education. For Filipinos, education is a prized possession and a college diploma is one’s ticket to a better life. So it should also come to no surprise that many Filipino parents go beyond their means in order to give their children a decent education.

Unfortunately, in the Philippines, higher education comes with a hefty price tag. Private schools are notorious for their constant increase in tuition costs mainly because they are profit driven institutions. But even state-run universities and colleges have a difficult time providing financial support to students due to the shrinking financial funding from the government. This makes the costs of higher education stiff for many Filipino households. You’re probably wondering, how about the public school system, isn’t that free and subsidized by the government? Yes that’s true, public schools are subsidized by the government and can be attained for free or at a very low cost. However, the public schooling system only applies to grade school through high school, which means that for a college education it is expected for the student and his/her family to bear the full cost.

Earlier this year, Kristel Tejada, a student from the University of the Philippines-Manila committed suicide after she could no longer fund her own education at the university and after being humiliated due to her incapacity to do so. It is unfortunate for a student to take her own life simply because she couldn’t afford her own education. It is even more upsetting because the University of the Philippines is a state university known for their “Iskolar ng Bayan” (national scholars), and their supposed higher sensitivity for aiding students from less advantaged sectors possessing academic merit and potential.

Regrettably, her suicide is just a symptom of a larger crisis affecting the country’s educational system. Many educational institutions are notorious for implementing a tuition installment plan, which strategically places payment due dates right before exam time. These plans delay and sometimes even prevent students from taking important exams because they are unable to pay their tuition on time. During the time I spent studying in the Philippines, I’ve seen parents and students alike ask for an extension come exam time because they simply couldn’t scrape together funds to be able to pay their tuition in time for exams.

The sad truth is, many Filipino students discover at some point in their college career that they are no longer able to afford tuition. That being said, they either end up transferring to a sub-par institution or drop out of college altogether. I think the youth should not be denied access to a college education simply because of financial constraints. The government should be able to invest more in student loan programs and full scholarships, which in turn give qualified recipients a clear shot at earning their degrees. They should also keep in mind compassion for deserving students from the bottom of the nation’s economic tiers. Consider the possibility of more young people who are better trained at skills and professions because they were given the opportunity to earn a college degree. Consider the possibility of parents less burdened by the high cost of education. Think about what that could possibly do to make our society better.

playlist no. 9

image via flickr

really wishing I was chillin' like this cat right now

Finals, work, and various other responsibilities have been taking over my life these past few weeks, so I really haven't been able to post anything. However, I think I at least owe everyone a playlist this week. So here ya go guys!

I'm going to share a few tunes that have been keeping me sane through my final exam study sessions.

enjoy!

click for the --> 8tracks playlist!!!

monster || eminem ft. rihanna

tennis court || lorde

TKO || justin timberlake

change your life || iggy azalea ft t.i.

can't help || parachute

alone together || fall out boy

white walls || macklemore & ryan lewis

i wish || cher lloyd ft. t.i.

do what u want || lady gaga ft. r. kelly

flawless || beyonce ft. chimamanda ngozi adichie

FU || miley cyrus

city of angels || thirty seconds to mars

fast in my car || paramore

what now || rihanna

sweater weather || the neighbourhood

8,000 miles away

image via CNN.com

On Friday, November 8th Super Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda), believed to be the strongest typhoon ever recorded, made landfall in central Philippines. In the wake of this calamity, the damage it has brought the nation is slowly being unraveled. Many families have lost their homes, their livelihoods, as well as their loved ones. It is feared that the number of lives lost will continue to rise, as the full extent of the damage the typhoon has brought the nation is revealed.

image via CNN.com

The Philippines was my home for almost 13 years. My family originated from the province of Leyte, which received the most damage from the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan. I've spent days sitting in front of both the television and my laptop waiting for news to come out of my mother's hometown (Tacloban and Barugo, Leyte). It has been three days and we have not made contact with any of our relatives who were currently residing in Leyte when the typhoon hit. This weekend, I saw my mom cry helplessly in the wee hours of the morning while sitting in front of her laptop as news slowly trickled in from her province. As for myself, it weakens me to the core just thinking about what could have possibly happened to my relatives back at home, more than 8,000 miles away. It's the helpless, disheartening feeling of being so far away from your loved ones that depletes the hope you have left.

However, as one commentator on the CNN news site said,
"[it's] time to get to know the hardy Filipino people…unbelievably resilient, long-suffering, good-natured, uber friendly, loyal, ingenious, and a bunch of survivors. At the end of the day, the Filipinos will just shake off the dirt from their clothes, and go about their business…and SMILE. They do not complain much, they will bear as long as they can. Maybe this is why they were given the 'privilege' of bearing the burden of the strongest typhoon ever recorded. The indomitable human spirit at its finest” 

This being said, the Philippines remains to be a resilient nation filled with kindhearted people. Let's all work together to help the nation rise up from ruins that this typhoon has left them in.

for those interested in aiding in the ongoing relief efforts in the Philippines, please follow the links below to see how you can help:

Huffington Post

USA Today

CNN World

Rappler.com

isabel marant pour H&M

Is it just me, or is everyone else excited for the launch of Isabel Marant's collab collection with H&M?
I am in love with the rich and earthy palette too! Such great pieces.
Don't forget, the collection will arrive in H&M stores on November, 14th!

If you want to see more, head to Vogue UK's site HERE

but for now, here's a few photos of the collection :)


 
 
 
 

bored? watch a movie!

Okay, I'm a big movie junkie (on top of being a makeup/food/clothes junkie), so I spend a good amount of time browsing the web and queuing  up my movie playlist. (YES, i have a movie playlist. Just in case of emergencies). Most of the movies I watch are horror/slasher/thriller/indie films, but don't worry I watch my fair share of romcoms here and there (I mean, who doesn't?).

But, anyway I'm rambling... I'm just here to share a few movies that I've watched out of sheer boredom, in no particular order. Brace yourself for my weird taste in movies (it's just as weird as my taste in music, so nothing really new here).

So, go ahead and grab some popcorn, find a cozy spot, and take your pick!

Easy A

If you're really in the mood for something funny and entertaining here's a good one for ya. You'll also love all the Scarlet Letter allusions, because I know that we all had to read that book in high school. Also if you love Emma Stone, and/or you want to take a look back at how incredibly cute and hilarious Amanda Bynes was - minus the crazy blonde wig she's been donning - give this one a try.

The Great Gatsby

Granted, I wasn't really taken aback by this adaptation, it still was really entertaining to watch. the storyline for me really fell flat, but at least the movie looked really beautiful and the movie soundtrack was amazing! (I mean Leo is handsome as ever, and Carey Mulligan looked really pretty). Baz Luhrmann never fails to entertain his audiences with his crazy antics on screen anyway so we all expected this.

Evil Dead

Okay okay... This really wasn't such a great movie. BUT it still is pretty entertaining. I did say this list was for the moments when you just get bored out of your mind, so there's my excuse. Still love the original though. (also, don't watch this if you're not a big fan of gory/bloody movies, you might just regurgitate all that popcorn you just inhaled)

Side Effects

Don't watch this if you have the tendency to be paranoid after watching freaky movies. This will give you a good mindfuck right after you watch it. But what better way to NOT be bored than watching a really really freaky/weird movie. Overall, good movie though.

Melancholia

Yeah yeah... independent film... artsy... Kirsten Dunst AND Alexander Skarsgard... end of the world... great musical arrangements... need I say more? But in all seriousness, this was a great film to watch.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Okay, can I please just say how great Rooney Mara is in this movie alongside the ever so charming Daniel Craig?! The cinematography is great and really gets you into the whole thriller movie mode. Definitely worth the watch (even if you're not bored).

This Is The End

If you just want a good laugh, and see Emma Watson beat the crap out of a group of adult men (including James Franco, Jonah Hill, and Seth Rogen). Plus, you'll love all of the cameos throughout the movie, and everyone's just hilarious.

playlist no. 8

just a few tunes that have been on repeat for most of my study sessions.

enjoy!

image via tumblr

click HERE to listen to the playlist on 8tracks!

royals || lorde

wrecking ball || miley cyrus

almost is never enough || ariana grande ft. nathan sykes

kiss me slowly || parachute

burn || ellie goulding

beautiful || mariah carey ft. miguel

live for || the weeknd ft. drake

youth || foxes

kiss me || ed sheeran

i never told you || colbie caillat

alive || krewella

oath || cher lloyd ft. becky g.

pour it up || rihanna

work bitch || britney spears

stay the night || zedd ft. hayley williams

5 mistakes twenty somethings are making right now

 

image via

I'm not going to deny it, but I am definitely guilty of all of these.

By Eden van den Bogaard via Thought Catalog

1. You don’t manage your time properly.

Let me guess what your day is like: After sifting through emails, you scroll through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and before you know it, it’s noon. After eating lunch you answer a few emails, and respond to a few other things before beginning actual work. It’s not a surprise there’s not much getting done when you actually start working mid-afternoon.

2. You don’t prioritize.

Again, social media isn’t so much of a priority that it has to take up 70% of your day. Also, when you’re replying to emails you’re mostly being re-active, rather than pro-active. Doesn’t it feel better to get a reply email rather than being the one replying all the time? Other things like working on making lasting relationships should probably be another priority. Surrounding yourself with positive and genuine people will almost always trump random’s you’ve met in a dive bar.

3. You get wasted at networking events and instead of making real connections you become Facebook friends with some girl who is interning at an art gallery.

We’ve all been there. You to go some networking event, drink too much wine and forgot that you are actually there for work and not to socialize. There’s a fine line between the two and you need to figure that shit out. Make connections, get contacts and then do whatever you like (to an extent).

4. Shopping is not a necessity.

This one is mostly for women, but can be also used generally. Let’s be real here: we’re all guilty of wanting to look good; though buying a outfit, shoes, Iphone etc. doesn’t really matter when you have to sit at home each weekend eating ramen noodles because you have no money.

5. You spend insane amounts of money on things.

Korean pop-up restaurants, shopping at whole foods or going for champagne picnics, you know you’re guilty.
This could probably be included with #2 but I feel like this is a whole other planet that should be mentioned. Guess what? Going out for dinner four times a week isn’t the norm. Spending most of your cash on rare cheese from the Swiss Alps, nori, kombucha and hazelnut butter is probably eating up your paycheck (pun intended). This is the kind of lifestyle you all want, yet living within your means is something you just don’t understand.

back to school: backpackin' it

I'm a huge fan of bags and purses and since it's back to school season I'm going to share my favorite kind of bag: backpacks!

You can carry around backpacks that don't make you look like a 12-year-old straight out of 6th grade. The main thing I love about backpacks is the functionality. I also don't mind having both of my hands free even when I'm lugging my books around campus.
I mean, backpacks can be just as fashionable and stylish as your trusty ole' tote or satchel.

So here are a few of my favorite backpack picks!

Patterned backpacks: I love love love patterned backpacks in different colors and textures. Also, they come in a variety of materials such as canvas, nylon, and even polyester.

top row:

Victoria's Secret PINK Backpack | $40, victoriassecret.com
Roxy Wild One Mini Backpack | $44, roxy.com
Herschel Supply Co 'Post' Backpack | $60, nordstrom.com
bottom row:
Kirra Mixed Media Rucksack Backpack | $31, pacsun.com
POVERTY FLATS by rian Stripey Back Pack | $60, dsw.com
Vans Deana Chambray Dots Backpack | $27, pacsun.com

Leather (or faux leather) backpacks: Leather backpacks come in different shapes and sizes. They can be a little bit pricier than say, canvas backpacks, but they will definitely last you for a long time.
If you're not a big fan of authentic leather, there are also other options such as vegan leather, PU leather, leatherette, and other types of faux leather.

top row:

Madewell The Transport Rucksack | $200, madewell.com
Free People Chaplin Leather Backpack | $298, freepeople.com
Coach Studio Legacy Leather Backpack | $258, coach.com
bottom row:
Zipped Up Leather Knapsack (vegan leather) | $40, brandymelvilleusa.com
ASOS Studded Backpack (PU leather) | $32, asos.com
Zip It Backpack (faux leather) | $70, nastygal.com

playlist no. 7

currently still vacationing in the sunshine state but,

here's another one of my weird mix of songs

enjoy!

don't forget to click HERE to listen to the playlist on 8tracks!

sleepyhead || passion pit

drunk || ed sheeran

burn || ellie goulding

islands || the xx

primadonna || marina & the diamonds

everything has changed || taylor swift ft. ed sheeran

this is gospel || panic! at the disco 

such great heights || the postal service

applause || lady gaga

holy grail || jay z feat. justin timberlake

gold || neon hitch

acapella || karmin

high for this || ellie goulding (the weeknd cover)

popular song || mika ft. ariana grande

 love in the sky || the weeknd

room inspiration: white spaces

I have always been a fan of crisp white spaces or even just predominantly white spaces. Whether it be desks, bathrooms, bedrooms, any kind of room really. There's just something about how clean and soothing white spaces look. It seriously is just a blank canvas and you can work with it however way you want.

White spaces can fit any personality, any mood, any style and any function.

Here is some inspiration on your future white spaces!

Love in the Sky

by: The Weeknd

I've always been a real big fan of the Weeknd, so here's a short snippet video for Love in the Sky from his album Kiss Land
enoy!

From College to the Real World

So I'm actually only going to be a junior in college this coming fall, but it honestly feels like I'm going to get hit in the face by the so-called "real world" really soon.

Also, I'm just becoming a big fan of the Thought Catalog and all their good blurbs about anything and everything.

So, I'll just leave this here for myself and for anybody else who cares.

20 Things That Will Happen When You Leave College And Meet With The Real World

By Gráinne Houston via Thought Catalog

1. Leaving your college dorm will not be the movie moment you expected.

There will be no sepia toned edges as you stare around your empty room and remember everything that has happened to you over the past three years. In reality you will be too busy packing boxes and cleaning stains off the walls to really grasp the weight of the change that is about to take place

2. The reality that the best three years of your life are now over

…will not hit you until some random Tuesday three weeks after you’ve left and you’re walking past a shop and hear a song that you and your friends danced to one night when you were hammered on tequila in some sleazy club.
This once harmless memory will now have you fighting back tears as you blindly stumble through crowds trying to find a safe place to fall apart.

3. Returning to your parents house,

…no matter how temporary, will now feel like a once favourite sweater which has inexplicably shrunk and been ripped in odd places and now irritates your skin.

4. You will spend nights going through your contacts looking for some old friends to hang out with,

…and no one will be available because whilst you were off getting a degree they were moving on with their lives and the sad truth is that everyone moves on and moves apart.

5. Your family will fail to realise that in your time at college you managed to be a fully functioning human being

…who was capable of living their own life and making their own decisions, no matter how you try to show them this, they will persist in treating you like a 16-year old once again.

6. You will be devastated by the realisation that lying in bed eating cheetos and watching Gilmore Girls is not an acceptable way to spend your day.

7. Despite your ardent determination to not settle for any job that isn’t related to your degree in some way,

…you will inevitably end up waiting tables in a local restaurant after you realise getting a job in your degree field is akin to catching a leprechaun.

8. You will be baffled by the fact that most people only go out once a week, and instead prefer to sit in at night and watch Newsnight.

Where the hell did all the two-for-one shot offers go? And why is no one up for “Just one drink”?

9. You will gain five pounds due to comfort eating because it’s the only way you can deal with all these crazy changes.

You will then lose three pounds after setting yourself a crazy ambitious exercise regime to fill all your free time not spent studying (read: partying).

10. You will quickly lose touch with those people from college that you swore blind one drunken night that you would keep in touch with.

It’s not that you don’t have the time to contact them; it’s just that you don’t know what to say to them now that the common ground you shared is no longer there.

11. When people ask you what you do,

…your safety net will soon become, “Well I’m in between jobs right now because I’ve just finished my degree.”

12. You will also quickly learn that people in the working world don’t really care what you studied or where you went to college,

…what they hear when you talk about tough exams is that you were getting drunk on watered down vodka and living off baked beans for the last three years whilst they have been holding down a full time job and trying to cope with their mortgage payments.

13. Your priorities will change.

You will sacrifice a night out to be able to afford the train fare to that promising job interview. An apartment in the right area will take precedence over an apartment with a table big enough for beer pong.

14. You will make different friends, ones who have real life worries instead of “OMG, Donna kissed Gerry last night and Tina totally lost it!”

And you will find yourself grateful for this.

15. You will invest in business suits and pencil skirts

…and you will feel majorly out of your comfort zone wearing them, until one day you wake up and put on your office clothes, catch yourself in the mirror and think: “Hey, I look good!”

16. Now that you no longer carry the status of student,

…which seemed oh so cool at the time, you will find people treat you with more respect.

17. Eventually, after three months of viewing the kind of apartments that belong in a horror movie, you will find the perfect place for you.

Moving into your own place will give you back the freedom you lost when you left college and you will spend your first night in your new place just wandering around touching thing thinking ‘This is mine now.’

18. Having your own place again

…means days spent in your underwear watching a Mad Men marathon is now achievable, but somehow you will never quite find the time to do this, you will be too busy doing productive things like meeting new friends for coffee or redecorating your bedroom.

19. Your parents stop dropping around food parcels and commenting that you need to find a better job,

…instead you actually overhear them describing you to one of their colleagues with a definite hint of pride in their voice.

20. One day, whilst filling out your tax returns or watering your herb garden

…or some other twenty-something activity, you will hear the same bad pop song that you and your friends danced to whilst hammered on tequila in a sleazy club way back when, and you will smile at the memory, and realise how much you’ve changed for the better

favorite combinations: crop tops & maxis for summer

Okay, so we're all not a fan of this heat. But, that doesn't stop anyone from dressing well right?
So I figured, why not share one of my favorite combinations this summer?!

the good ol' crop top paired with our favorite maxis give us lovely gals the opportunity to show off just enough skin and be comfortable at the same time. I know some of you are probably wondering why in the world you would ever wear a maxi skirt in this heat. To be quite honest, they're just really comfortable and most maxi skirt options are summer friendly (e.g. shear/semi shear maxis, jersey material maxi skirts, and so on.)

Here are a few looks!
p.s. if you think it's a little too risque to show your midriff, there are crop tops that are long enough to be tucked into your maxi skirt (also, high-waisted maxis can be styled so your midriff is hidden)

25 Things to Do Before You Turn 25

I turned 21 about two months ago, and from then on I feel like the aging process have just gone extremely fast for me. I seriously feel like I'm always running out of time.

 

So I guess before I make that bucket list, here are 25 things I can do before I turn 25
via Thoughts Catalog 

1. Make peace with your parents. Whether you finally recognize that they actually have your best interests in mind or you forgive them for being flawed human beings, you can’t happily enter adulthood with that familial brand of resentment.

2. Kiss someone you think is out of your league; kiss models and med students and entrepreneurs with part-time lives in Dubai and don’t worry about if they’re going to call you afterward.

3. Minimize your passivity.

4. Work a service job to gain some understanding of how tipping works, how to keep your cool around assholes, how a few kind words can change someone’s day.

5. Recognize freedom as a 5:30 a.m. trip to the diner with a bunch of strangers you’ve just met.

6. Try not to beat yourself up over having obtained a ‘useless’ Bachelor’s Degree. Debt is hell, and things didn’t pan out quite like you expected, but you did get to go to college, and having a degree isn’t the worst thing in the world to have. We will figure this mess out, I think, probably; the point is you’re not worth less just because there hasn’t been an immediate pay off for going to school. Be patient, work with what you have, and remember that a lot of us are in this together.

7. If you’re employed in any capacity, open a savings account. You never know when you might be unemployed or in desperate need of getting away for a few days. Even $10 a week is $520 more a year than you would’ve had otherwise.

8. Make a habit of going outside, enjoying the light, relearning your friends, forgetting the internet.

9. Go on a 4-day, brunch-fueled bender.

10. Start a relationship with your crush by telling them that you want them. Directly. Like, look them in the face and say it to them. Say, I want you. I want to be with you.

11. Learn to say ‘no’ — to yourself. Don’t keep wearing high heels if you hate them; don’t keep smoking if you’re disgusted by the way you smell the morning after; stop wasting entire days on your couch if you’re going to complain about missing the sun.

12. Take time to revisit the places that made you who you are: the apartment you grew up in, your middle school, your hometown. These places may or may not be here forever; you definitely won’t be.

13. Find a hobby that makes being alone feel lovely and empowering and like something to look
forward to.

14. Think you know yourself until you meet someone better than you.

15. Forget who you are, what your priorities are, and how a person should be.

16. Identify your fears and instead of letting them dictate your every move, find and talk to people who have overcome them. Don’t settle for experiencing .000002% of what the world has to offer because you’re afraid of getting on a plane.

17. Make a habit of cleaning up and letting go. Just because it fit at one point doesn’t mean you need to keep it forever — whether ‘it’ is your favorite pair of pants or your ex.

18. Stop hating yourself.

19. Go out and watch that movie, read that book, listen to that band you already lied about watching, reading, listening to.

20. Take advantage of health insurance while you have it.

21. Make a habit of telling people how you feel, whether it means writing a gushing fan-girl email to someone whose work you love or telling your boss why you deserve a raise.

22. Date someone who says, “I love you” first.

23. Leave the country under the premise of “finding yourself.” This will be unsuccessful. Places do not change people. Instead, do a lot of solo drinking, read a lot of books, have sex in dirty hostels, and come home when you start to miss it.

24. Suck it up and buy a Macbook Pro.

25. Quit that job that’s making you miserable, end the relationship that makes you act like a lunatic, lose the friend whose sole purpose in life is making you feel like you’re perpetually on the verge of vomiting. You’re young, you’re resilient, there are other jobs and relationships and friends if you’re patient and open.

the internship game

As you may or may not know, right when I finished my sophomore year of college, I set out on the hunt for an internship. Not too long ago I interviewed for a non profit organization for their internship program and was finally offered the internship about a week ago. So, I just wanted to talk a little bit about this whole internship game. (okay, maybe i'll talk about it a lot)

Why search for an interview you ask? Well, to be quite honest I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. BUT, after talking to some people and doing a hefty amount of research I knew why I wanted and needed an internship. It's all about learning and experience but in addition to that, it will also help me land the right job after I graduate.

For the past few years, and well into my first two years of college I've only held a meager part-time retail job. My job, by all means, gave me a lot of experience (and continues to do so) but the real question is, "is it the right kind of experience, and is it enough?"

playlist no. 6

Okay, this playlist is going to be a little dubstep heavy. This isn't crazy party dubstep, but more of a laid back set of dubstep tracks and remixes. Although, you might see a few other genres here and there...

So, enjoy!
click HERE to listen to the playlist on 8tracks

wildflowers (exhale efreet) || made in heights

seeing stars (vexare remix) || first state ft. sarah howells

aurora (dubstep) || urban contact

while the city dreams || ficci

clarity || zedd

radioactive (synchronice remix) || imagine dragons

get lucky || daft punk ft. pharrell williams

rez (bassnectar remix) || underworld

earthquake || little boots

crave you (adventure club remix) || flight facilities

cracks (flux pavilion remix) || freestylers

in the dark || dev

i know the truth || pretty lights

sail || awolnation

what you know (feed me cover) || two door cinema

my daily makeup essentials

I'm not really big on using a lot of makeup on myself, but I am a bit of a makeup junkie. I love trying out beauty products every so often that I do end up having a lot of makeup products laying around in my room.
However, with that said, I do have a few established staple products that I've been using daily for quite a while now. I'm also going to include the tools/brushes that I've been using as well.

playlist no. 5

I try to make it a tradition to go on a road trip every summer with my family. So, this summer we decided to drive up to Canada to do some sight seeing and to visit relatives/family friends along the way.

The drive was about 8 hours long, so here are just some songs I was cruisin' to :)

yay for road trip playlists!

click HERE to listen to the playlist on 8tracks

bubblegum bitch || marina and the diamonds

cake boy || hoodie allen

summertime sadness || lana del rey

she is love || parachute

still into you || paramore

my songs know what you did in the dark (light 'em up) || fall out boy

same love || macklemore

we can't stop || miley cyrus

i love it || icona pop

anything could happen || ellie goulding

up in the air || 30 seconds to mars

animal || the cab

natalie || bruno mars

walking on a dream || empire of the sun

pompeii || bastille

let her go || passenger

give me love || ed sheeran

skinny love || birdy (cover)

anna sun || walk the moon

something good can work || two door cinema club

snack ideas anyone?

I've been trying to fight the urge to just grab whatever junk food I have at home, so I've been really creative with my snacking these past few days. Here's one of the snacks I came up with:

1 medium banana | 100 cal.

2 pieces dark chocolate & almond mini biscotti | 80 cal. each

1 teaspoon of nutella | 33 cal.

this tiny plate is quite filling actually, but not completely healthy ( I mean, just one mini biscotti is 80 calories!? might have to find an alternative for that one). It doesn't hurt to try right? And anyway, this is definitely healthier than a bag of chips.

playlist no. 4

 

okay, so I'm not really doing playlist fridays anymore because I have such a hard time remembering to actually post these things on a Friday. Soooo, I guess I'm just going to post playlists on a random basis :)

I think by now, you guys have figured out that I have a weird taste in music

so here we go!

Viices || Made In Heights

Hurricane || Bridgit Mendler
Treasure || Bruno Mars
Paper Doll || John Mayer
We Can't Stop || Miley Cyrus
Wildfire (SBTRKT) || Jeni Suk (cover)
Radioactive || Imagine Dragons
Figure 8 || Ellie Goulding
Love Somebody || Maroon 5
No Interruption || Hoodie Allen

summer to-do list

Since today is the first day of summer, I figured I should have a little to-do list with some of the things I'd love to do over the course of this season.

1. Get this blog up and running
2. Go on a little road trip (which I usually do every summer, so hopefully I get to do it this summer as well!)
3. Attend a summer concert (any concert! concerts are always fun)
4. Re-learn to play the guitar
5. Figure out a work-out routine (yoga, spinning, zumba, running, etc.)
6. Invest in a new camera
7. Spend at least a weekend at the beach (unfortunately, I get really busy over the summer that it's actually a rarity for me to spend time down the shore)
8. Try out at least 5 new food places (I'm a foodie!)
9. Host a little summer get together w| my close friends
10. Attend an outdoor movie night

Hope I inspired some of you guys to make a little to-do list of your own.
Have a wonderful first day of summer!

out with the old...

...and in with the new

I did a little bit of overhauling around here (I mean nothing big really) and changed my banner, layout, and fixed some other loose ends. Nobody really keeps track of me on here other than a select few who actually know I "blog" but I've been wanting to do this blogging thing for maybe two years now.

 via

Now, I'm progressively getting my shit (for lack of a better word, sorry!) together and figured I should add this blog to the list of things I want to get accomplished this year.

So here we go!
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

healthy snacking

Just a few minutes ago I had to choose between a can of Pringles and a banana to snack on. Of course, I chose the can of Pringles... and then soon after ate the banana. I clearly need to reevaluate this whole 'try to eat healthy' thing. I am definitely struggling.

Well anyway, enough of me rambling. Just wanted to put this here as a friendly reminder of the wide array of options I have when it comes to snacking the healthy(er) way

via The Healthy Cook

• 1. Frozen Grapes (I used to eat these in college all the time- they are amazing)
• 2. String Cheese
• 3. Banana
• 4. Frozen Banana (peel it first, stick in the freezer overnight- it’s like a yummy popsicle)
• 5. Low-fat Yogurt
• 6. Sugar-free or fat-free pudding
• 7. Apple dipped in Peanut Butter (or spread peanut butter on top of apple slice and top with pecans … so good!)
• 8. 100-calorie bag of popcorn
• 9. Applesauce
• 10. Raw veggies with hummus (my new favorite!)

a bunch more healthy snacks after the jump!

quote of the day

"We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way. It's miserable and magical..."

- 22, Taylor Swift

figuring it out...

 

 photo

Sometimes I wonder how people close in age as me have their life together and their goals set, as if they have no more cares in the world. I’m not even going to deny it and say that I’m not jealous of some people and how they’ve managed to figure things out this early on in life. 

But then, I just remind myself that I’m enjoying exploring the different possibilities that life has got to offer, slowly but surely.

One day, my time will come and everything will just fall right into place. I’m sure it doesn’t sound realistic to some, but believe it or not I am working to achieve what I want in life. And, sooner or later (but of course, hopefully sooner) I’ll be right where I want to be.