Coffee Catchup

It has been way too long since I've posted on the blog consistently but so much has been happening! I figured it was about time to update you all on what I've been up to, so I'm launching a new series: Coffee Catchup where once a month I'll hop on and round up what I've been up to that month! Now, grab a coffee and let's get into the interesting stuff.


#1 Moving to Des Moines

As most of you probably already know my boyfriend and I moved to Des Moines in April and we are loving it! Seriously, if anyone in their 20's is looking for a decently affordable place to live with lots of great places to eat and tons of things to do Des Moines is definitely worth looking into! We were a little hesitant about moving to a bigger city but we are so glad we made the leap! There is so much going on in this town that boredom won't ever enter your vocabulary. We looked at a ton of different housing options before moving here and while we fell in love with a few, most did not include parking which would end up being around $250 per month alone. Ouch! We actually ended up living at the very last place we looked at which is infuriatingly hilarious given how many different places we looked at but it's downtown, includes free parking, an amazing community of people, and a dog park! Which brings us to my next update, or should I say pupdate!

#2 We Rescued 2 Dogs

If you know me at all you know I'm a huge dog lover. Seriously, I'm the girl who actually squeals when I see a dog in public. (Sorry Chris!) It's actually kind of a funny story how we came to adopt these two, so I have to tell you. Shortly after we moved here we discovered that our building has a get-together called "Yappy Hour" every Wednesday night where everyone brings their dogs outside to the dog park so the dogs can play and the owners can socialize. It's so much fun! The first few weeks we went just to meet our neighbors and get our puppy fix. After a few weeks we toyed around with the idea of getting A dog. Singular. One dog. Well Chris, against his better judgement, let me drag him to the animal shelter around the block from our new place where we asked if they had any dogs. It seemed they mostly only had cats but she said they had two dogs, brother and sister (Freya and Odin), who had just arrived. However, the brother (Odin) was already pending adoption. This broke my heart because they are 4 years old and have been together their entire lives and the thought of someone splitting them up left me devastated. We fell in love with both dogs, they have totally different personalities and it is so funny to watch them interact! We begged the adoption counselor to reconsider splitting them up but she said that there wasn't much she could do. We agreed that we couldn't leave Freya there by herself so we signed a contract that day and headed directly to PetSmart to pick up all the supplies we needed for our new pup! We were set to pick her up the next morning so we could have that night to get everything we needed and get the apartment ready for her. Little did we know, life had other plans! When we returned to the shelter the next morning the same adoption counselor from the previous day was working and she informed us that Odin's adoption had fallen through. The people planning to adopt him didn't have the heart to split them up so she asked if we wanted both of them. I had told Chris the night before that I wanted both of them and that if for some reason Odin's adoption didn't work out we would either take both of them or neither because I couldn't be the one responsible for splitting them up. So we decided on the spot that we would take them both. We asked her to keep them for a little while longer while we ran back to PetSmart to get another set of everything, she agreed. So like little kids at Christmas we ran back to buy more supplies and go back to get our new puppers! We signed all the rest of the paperwork and brought them home that day and they have been so happy! We've definitely seen their personalities come out and they both LOVE to snuggle. There has definitely been some times where we've been overwhelmed by the fact that we never meant to have two dogs but it has been such a gift! You can enjoy some wonderfully weird pictures of them below.

#3 New Jobs

Obviously with moving comes the stress of finding a new job. For both of us, we didn't want to settle into something we weren't passionate about and we wanted to get into the career fields we want to end up in. We have both been so incredibly lucky to find jobs we love! I took a job as an Ophthalmic Technician at Iowa Retina Consultants and I love it! Most of you don't know this because I don't talk about it very often but I have worked in eye care for about 4 and a half years now and I can't imagine myself doing anything else. Chris got an amazing job in the legal department at Meredith Corporation. He wants to go on to law school eventually, and this job is great for getting his foot in the door and getting some legal experience before he takes the LSAT and applies for law school. I'm so proud of him!

So that's just a little taste of what has been going on lately, as well as me updating the blog! I feel like my life and style has changed a lot in the past year so I've been trying to figure out how to balance blogging with working full time and trying to have a social life and to be honest it's been super hard. I'm starting to fall into a routine finally so you should see a lot more posts here soon! I've also been revamping the blog to reflect my more casual but still classy approach to my personal style. I feel like my outfits have been a lot more simple lately and as much as I love my Lilly and always will I just don't find myself reaching for it like I used to. I'm excited to share my new style that I hope will be not only attainable for everyone but also affordable. I'm really excited to change things around here, so look forward to hearing from me more!

The Perfect Host/Hostess Gifts for the Holidays

Hey guys! I wanted to start off the holiday posts with a list of small gifts that would make the perfect gift for your holiday host or hostess! I like to keep a basket in my closet with small gifts so that when I get invited to things like a housewarming party, or a holiday I have something for the person who has so kindly shared their home with us. I don't think these gifts need to be extravagant, just a small token of your appreciation because typically they are providing food, drinks and a space to spend time with the people close to you. I try to find things that I know will get used and won't just sit in a closet. The best part of this list? All of these gifts are under $50!


#1 Hearth and Hand Wooden Vase 

This vase is so beautiful and simple, it could go with virtually anyone's decor. There is something to be said for a clean and classic vase, this is it but with a really cool twist. It's something that is sure to be used for fresh flowers all year! This would be perfect filled with seasonal flowers, it's sure to be appreciated.

#2 Acacia Wood Cheese Board + Tool Set

This adorable set would make a perfect gift for any occasion, it's so stunning that nobody would guess it's under $30! This is sure to get some use for anyone who loves to entertain! The fact that the tools all store nicely in the bottom is an added bonus.

#3 Capri Blue Fir + Firewood Candle

If you've ever smelled the Volcano candle that everyone knows and loves and wished they had a holiday version you're in luck. This fir and firewood candle smells like Christmas to me, it smells like sitting next to a warm campfire in an outing of pine trees. This is the perfect holiday gift and it doesn't hurt that the jar is beautiful too.

#4 Hearth + Hand Stoneware Scalloped Cake Stand

This is such a pretty addition to anyone's kitchen, especially if your host loves to bake. The white makes any dessert pop and it's perfect for displaying delicious thanksgiving pies. This is absolutely something that will get used for every occasion all year. It's so elegant nobody would ever guess how inexpensive it is!

#5 Cast Iron Trivet

Personally I think this would make a great gift for any occasion because I'm not sure about you but I can never have enough trivets, especially when I'm serving a big meal like Thanksgiving. This one also just happens to be decorative enough to be displayed as well. The cast iron makes this trivet super heavy duty too so it can hold up to even the heaviest pots and pans.

#6 Stoneware Serving Bowl Trio

The perfect gift for the host who loves to entertain. This cute little bowl trio is perfect for dips, salsa, or condiments at a summer bbq! It could also be used as prep bowls while cooking. This multipurpose gift is sure to see some use around any kitchen.

#7 Capri Blue Volcano Candle

Last but certainly not least is the hugely popular Capri Blue Volcano Candle. This candle is perfect for burning all year round and the jar itself is perfect for anyone's decor. It can even be repurposed after the candle is gone. I actually have mine holding cotton pads in my bathroom!




Let me know if you picked up any of these for gifts this year or if you're like me and have a gift basket always stocked and ready for whatever occasion comes your way!

My Favorite Fall Comfort Food

Hey guys, long time no talk! I've been revamping the blog a lot lately to include more lifestyle posts and to share things that I really love whether that be clothing, food, or fun things to do! I miss blogging but life has been changing a lot lately so I'm finally getting back into a routine, I apologize that it's been so long, I miss y'all!

To kick off my return to blogging I wanted to share my favorite fall comfort food with you! During fall, and quite frankly all year, I am a sucker for anything pumpkin. I'm not kidding you; candles, pumpkin bars, coffee, everything. I hoard that stuff during fall like it's nobody's business. So I figured I'd spread the love, if you're as obsessed as I am, you have to make this pasta! It looks beautiful which means it would be perfect for entertaining but it's simple and so delicious that it's also the perfect comfort food for a lazy night in and a Halloween movie marathon (Hocus Pocus anyone?)

PUMPKIN PASTA

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Spaghetti or Alfredo Noodles 
• 1 1/2 cups Pureed Pumpkin (plain do not use pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil 
• 2 cups Milk or Heavy Cream 
• 1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan 
• 1 Tbsp. Parsley (you can use fresh, I use dried because it's always in my cupboard)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 clove Minced Garlic (I use already minced garlic in a jar so I use about 2 Tbsp. but I love garlic so you can cut back some if you don't want it to be too strong)
• 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
• 1 cup Chicken or Vegetables Broth

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. 
2. Add minced garlic and cook one minute until fragrant (don't let it brown)
3. Add broth and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in the milk or heavy cream, pumpkin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and simmer for ten minutes. 
5. Cook your pasta per the directions to al dente. 
6. Mix your pasta with the sauce and cook for a minute. 
7. Top with the parsley and parmesan cheese. 

That's it! It's seriously that simple. I'd love to know if you try this recipe and what you think!

The College Series: Do's & Don'ts of Sorority Recruitment

Hey y'all! The next few posts in the College Series have been highly requested and they're all about sorority rush. Let me know if you guys have any questions and I can do a Q&A post about rush as well!

DO

Do: Be Yourself 

This should be fairly obvious but we are trying to get to know you and hundreds of other girls as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to be yourself and don't be afraid of being judged. 

Do: Smile! 

It makes us feel more comfortable as well as the girls around you. Smiling makes you seem more fun and approachable, trust me we're doing the same thing. 

Do: Be Positive

Try to be excited for every house, even if you have your eye on a certain sorority. It's not fair to not give a chapter a chance, you don't know them. You might fall in love with a chapter you never saw yourself in. Make it a point to find something positive about every chapter, you'll be in a better mood that way. 

Do: Make Sure You're Comfortable

This goes especially to those of you with huge campuses where the houses are spread out all over. Not every campus has sorority row, which can equal lots of walking. I know those brand new heels seem like a good idea, but instead opt for a cute pair of flats or some comfortable wedges. This goes for clothes too. Don't wear a dress or a romper that you constantly have to pull down. 

Do: Pack Your Purse

Take a bag, this is honestly so important. The whole process involves a lot of really long days and having some Band-Aids, water, gum, and snacks will make you a well loved person among your fellow PNMs. 

Do: Ask Questions

Think of this as a job interview except more fun. Be willing to ask any questions that you have about the chapter, the girls, or anything else. It makes it less awkward for us when you ask questions instead of us having to force small talk or grill you. 

Do: Be Prepared

It is a long process, which involves being asked the same questions over and over. Don't get annoyed everyone is trying to get to know you. We all know how repetitive it is, we went through it too. 

Do: Get Your Zzzzz's

Like I said before, it's a handful of really long days. Don't go out and party during rush (this can actually hurt your chances at getting a bid) but also make it a point to go to bed earlier and get up for breakfast. 

Do: Talk to Your Rho Chi (Recruitment Counselors)

They've been through the whole process and they're here to help you. Don't be shy about asking them any questions you might have or even just asking them for advice. Don't ask about what sorority they're in because they aren't allowed to tell you anyway. 

Do: Make Friends

Lots of the girls from your pledge class, whether they get bids or not, will become some of your earliest friends in college. Take the time to talk to everyone else too, everyone is in the same boat. Plus, making friends in your pledge class makes it feel less awkward because you don't feel alone in the process. 

Do: Dress to Impress
Having a hard time choosing between that skirt and your favorite Lilly shift? Go with the Lilly. It's hard to be overdressed for rush so just wear something that you love that makes you feel confident.

Do: Know What You're Getting Into
Sorority life can get expensive and it is a large time commitment between chapter meetings, retreats, and social events. Be prepared and do your research.

Do: Make Sure You're Doing This for the Right Reasons
One of the best things about rushing is finding a group of girls who you share interests and you can make friends so quickly. These are girls you'll most likely keep as friends for the rest of your life. Don't do this for the attention, the reputation, or the parties.


DON'T

Don't: Talk About the 3 B's
Booze, Boys, and the Bible. Try to keep topics light during recruitment. Religion might come up if you're talking with a faith based sorority though, then it's totally fine!

Don't: Swear
It's just not appealing, you're trying to make your best impression in a short amount of time. Just don't do it.

Don't: Have Your Heart Set
First of all it's unfair to not give all the chapters a chance, especially based only on things you've heard. Give everyone a chance. You never know, the chapter you never considered might be your favorite. It also hurts more if you have your heart set on one sorority and don't get a bid so don't put yourself in that position.

Don't: Be Intimidated
Recruitment is just kind of a strange and overwhelming experience. You're tired and you're having chants yelled at you all while being stared at by hundreds of girls knowing they are going to judge you based on a short amount of time getting to know you. That being said, if you do feel intimidated it's okay just try not to be nervous.

Don't: Take Anything Personally
Like I said we're all trying to get to know huge groups of girls in such a short amount of time based entirely off of quick conversations and small talk. If we just don't click don't take it personally.

Don't: Complain
Recruitment is a long, exhausting process. We know you're tired, we've been through the process too and honestly we are just as tired as you are. Plus our throats are sore from chanting constantly. Be excited, it makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

Don't: Worry!
This is so important! It's okay if you don't get a bid there are so many other ways to get involved on campus and make friends. If you really want in and don't get a bid during formal recruitment keep an eye out for informal recruitment sometime in the spring, or you can always try again next year.

Don't: Talk About Other Houses
Don't be the girl who goes around telling chapters how much you dislike a chapter, their house, or their girls. Many of us have friends in all different sororities on campus and you could be talking about someone's best friend. You never know who you might offend, so you're better off being positive and talking about yourself or asking questions.


That's all I can think of! If you guys have any questions about sorority recruitment I'd be more than happy to answer them! Feel free to drop me a comment here, shoot me an email or send me a DM on Instagram! I'll be answering everyone's questions!

Also be on the lookout for the next couple of posts in The College Series they will be all about sorority recruitment!

Lillybee in IC

Hey y'all! Recently I got accepted to the campus rep program for Lillybee University and they sent me the cutest shoes in my school colors! I was so excited to shoot these, I have to say this is one of my all-time favorite posts!

Lillybee University makes shoes and bags inspired by different colleges! They are so adorable! I'm in love with the flats and the wedges, they're so comfortable too which makes them perfect for dressing up or down for game day! They come with multiple colors of interchangeable bows too. Lillybee University also has a sorority line if you're looking for a unique way to wear your letters!

I have more awesome items from them, so be on the lookout for more posts!

First up are the ballet flats, these are so comfy and versatile. They are perfect for wearing to campus events, to class, and especially for game day! There are tons of colleges available too, you can check out the flats here.

Next up are these super cute bow flip flops, these would be really cute if you're looking for a cuter pair of shower shoes (since college showers are not somewhere to go barefoot)! You can shop them here.

Saving my personal favorites for last, these wedges are just to die for! They are super comfortable and would make the perfect addition to any game day outfit! You can shop them here. 

They also sent me the absolute cutest rainboots but it has been way too hot and there hasn't been any rain lately. I'll post about those the second I'm able to wear them! 

The College Series: How to Set Up Your Schedule

Hey y'all! I'm back with another post in The College Series and this one is full of helpful tips on how to set up your schedule to make the most of your time and make your college transition go smoothly! Let's get started!

Avoid 8:00 AM Classes 

I know everybody says this, but it's so true. When you're given total freedom to do what you want when you want you're going to want to sleep in. Let's be honest. If you HAVE to schedule an 8:00 AM try to make it a lab since they are usually only once a week. 

Give Yourself a Lunch Break

Trust me on this one. Don't schedule classes from 9:00-3:00, you will end up starving and not paying attention. Give yourself one class block to eat lunch. It's worth it, otherwise make sure you have a good breakfast and plenty of healthy snacks in your backpack.

Night Classes Suck

Thankfully, I've never had to take one but I have heard from multiple friends who did and I have yet to meet someone who liked them. They take away a lot of your opportunities to work, have free time with friends, and sometimes even eat. If you can avoid them, do it. 

Don't Leave a Huge Gap

If you're anything like me and have very little self motivation this is the worst thing you can do. It might sound awesome to you to be able to have two or three hours between classes but it's not. Chances are you'll get busy, fall asleep, or just be lazy and not go to class. 

Stack Them Up

I know back to back classes, especially tough classes, don't sound fun but having class all throughout the day is worse. The best thing I ever did was set up my schedule to have class from 9:00 until noon and 1:00 until 2:00 then I was done for the day. This gives you plenty of time to relax, do homework, get some hours in at work, eat dinner, and workout. It even leaves time for binge watching Netflix, you can thank me later. 

Get Into a Routine

I know it sounds brutal to wake up early even on weekends and days when you don't have early classes. It makes it so much easier when that alarm goes off on days when you do have class though. Get into the habit of waking up at the same time every day whether you need to or not. If you get tired during the day, take a quick power nap. 

Wake Up Early to Schedule Your Classes

I cannot stress this enough. Classes go FAST, especially if you're in a popular major with lots of students. Upperclassmen typically get first pick at classes and underclassmen are left with the rest. If they tell you that you can log in and schedule your classes starting at 7:00 AM set and alarm and wake up early. You'll get into the classes you need that way and you won't have to go around begging professors to add you or being put on a wait list. 

Hopefully you've found some of these tips helpful. Have some more useful tips about setting up your schedule? Drop a comment below or shoot me an email! 

My Favorite Summer Reads

Hey y'all! So I'm doing something a little different today and I'm excited! My whole life I've been a really avid reader, I'm just a very curious person so I love learning things through books. I've always been really into mysteries or anything pertaining to medicine. So I want to share with you some really great books I've read lately in case you're looking for a good beach read! I've linked all the books so you don't have to search around, all you have to do is click the title!

Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer 

Nancy Thayer is a fantastic author. I've read a few of her books and every one of them is a great read!  You should absolutely pick one up if you need a good beach read. Nantucket Sisters and Summer House have been my two favorites so far! 

Internal Medicine by Terrence Holt

So this is the nerdy side of me coming out, but I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone considering a career in medicine or any Pre-Med students. It's a great insight into the field of medical from the perspective of a medical resident. Let me know if you decide to check this out, I'd love to know what you thought!

It Takes One by Kate Kessler

For anyone who loves mystery, this one is for you. I'm a huge fan of crime, thriller, mystery novels and this one did not disappoint. Just take my word on this, you NEED to read it. It's so good.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Okay so if you haven't read this, or at least heard about it, you might live under a rock. That being said, if you haven't read it yet you definitely need to. It's pretty much impossible to put down so make sure you bring another book since you'll fly through this one. 

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

Okay so if you don't read anything else on this list, read this one. It's a collection of essays and short stories from an aspiring writer. The twist? Sadly, Marina was killed in a car accident just days after graduating from Yale. This book is just a haunting collection of fantastic work from a successful girl who left the world too soon. 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This book has all the makings of a great beach read. It's got drama, mystery, family, and and crime. This isn't one you want to miss, it's definitely worth the read. 

Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

A great, cheeky book for all the twenty-somethings who feel lost in love. This is such a great book for a day spent relaxing. It's a funny look into the thoughts many of us have. Give it a shot!

I'd love to know if you've picked up any of these and what you thought! Let me know if you've already read any of them too, maybe we can even start a blogger book club! 📚

SheIn Haul + Tips

Hey y'all! By now I'm sure most of you have heard about SheIn (previously SheInside) a fashion company based overseas. You've most likely seen your favorite bloggers rocking an item that they brag about being so inexpensive but you've wondered if it's too good to be true. Will it look that good on you? Is the quality okay? Well you've come to the right place. I've purchased from SheIn a handful of times and I've acquired lots of quality items, so I'm here to show you my latest haul and give complete reviews of every item, as well as links! Let's get started with some tips:

Manage Your Expectations
You're getting what you pay for. Every so often you come across an item that has outstanding reviews and comes in with just overall great quality. It happens, but be aware that you can also receive items that aren't exactly high-quality. That being said I've never returned anything for being poor quality.

Look For Reviews
One of the best ways to see what an item looks like in real life and get an accurate picture of the quality is to look for reviews. You can also look through the Style Gallery, which is where people who have received the item post pictures of them wearing it to help other people get an idea of what it looks like in real life.

Be Willing to Write Reviews
Help a fellow shopper out. Lots of people depend on the reviews to help them decide whether or not to purchase an item, if you buy an item, especially one with no reviews, go write a quick review or post a picture to help out the next person who wants to buy the item. Plus, writing reviews gets you points which can eventually be redeemed for discounts.

Pay for Expedited Shipping
These items are shipping from overseas, so be aware that some items can take up to a month to ship. They usually do a great job about getting the items out in a week or two but you can speed this process along by paying for expedited shipping. It's only a few dollars and you'll most likely get your items within 7 days.

The first item up is the pink scalloped off the shoulder top that everyone on Instagram has been asking about. It's so adorable! It's hands down my favorite item I've ever ordered from them, it's pretty good quality. I did notice that it's just barely see-through, but not enough to worry about. The elastic is good quality and stays up well. Sizing runs true to size, I ordered a medium.

Next up is this palm leaf printed blouse. The material on this is a bit weird but overall it's a cute top. I will say I ordered a medium and it's pretty big on me, so I would definitely recommend ordering a size down in this one, maybe even two. The colors and print are gorgeous in person! The zipper on the back is good quality and functional. 

Next I ordered this laser cut navy off the shoulder dress. I will say on this the material is kind of stiff and uncomfortable. The dress does fit loose though so it's tolerable. The detailing is really cute and well done. The elastic stays off the shoulder on this too. This can really easily be dressed up or down, so it's a good buy for summer. This felt to me like it ran big too, if you don't want to order your current size you should size down one.

Lastly, I ordered this blush pink casual jacket. I thought it would be great for spring and summer for chilly nights and rainy days. The material does feel a little cheap and so do the "metal" accents but all around it's a great value. Fit is true to size and the color is great too.

So that sums up my most recent haul from SheIn and some helpful tips and tricks I use when I shop their site. If you have any questions or comments feel free to drop a comment below!