Happy Halloween!

After today, I can start focusing on my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. In the meantime, here are some Halloween pics to make you melt.

A Letter to My Freshman Self

College has been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences for me. I've come so far, learned so much and I have changed so much. I am infinitely thankful for every experience I've had, but I still wish I could have told myself some things three years ago.

Kelsey-

Cheerleading is something you have always known and loved. It was your life and your passion. It was where your friends were and it was what makes you happiest. Don't forget these things when it gets hard, and when it comes time to stay at school while everyone else is home. But don't feel like you need to get attached. Branch out. Meet new people. Make lots of friends. And when it stops filling your heart with happiness and satisfaction, don't be afraid to let it go. It has led you to some amazing people and taught you some amazing lessons, but it's okay to let go when something isn't your passion anymore.

When you're just starting school, Andrew is a new thing and long distance relationships — relationships in general — are foreign to you. Keep him a priority in your life. Make friends and have fun but know that this relationship will grow into something greater and always make sure he knows how important he is. And don't let the tough times get you down. They get better and you get happier and it makes your love stronger. Hang onto him.

Your friends from home will always be your friends. People have made you think that high school friends fade away, but yours will always be there for you. Make time for them, think of them and keep in touch. You will see them at home and no matter how fun school is, they will always be your family.

Your parents know a lot. Before you left for school you argued constantly but they know best. Bring a rain coat, get some snow boots and save your money. Spend time with them when they visit and when you're at home, and appreciate everything they've taught you, everything they've given you.

Schoolwork is important. It's not as easy as high school was. You will need to read and study and see your professors. You will probably not be able to do your work in bed. Work hard and don't just float by. Learn as much as you possibly can.

Start having healthy habits as soon as possible. Eat fruits and vegetables and stay away from gross processed foods. Work out. Stretch. It will make you so much happier and you will feel so much better in the long run.

It's okay to change your mind. Maybe you don't want to work at a magazine and that's completely okay. Broaden your horizons and try different things. Your biggest risk will end up being your favorite job.

Your biggest challenge at school with be your friendships. The people you meet in the beginning will not necessarily be your lifelong friends. Friendships might end messily and make you sad and you will question everything. But they will lead you to where you belong. You will want to transfer but you shouldn't. You will feel alone, but you're not. So many things will fall through and you'll feel like everything is going terribly wrong, but it's actually going perfectly right. You will find where you belong. You will be happy. You have always had amazing friends and you will find more. Promise.

College is not what you will expect. It's different in a million ways. It's better, it's worse. It will change you and it will shape you into the adult you want to be. You are not going to end where you started. You will have a million experiences and they will all teach you something. Some lessons are more painful than others, but they are all worthwhile.

Go to the Botanical Gardens, explore Brooklyn, get a blowout. Experience the rest of senior year and don't take a second of it for granted.

-K

Kate Spade Surprise

Oh. Another Kate Spade Surprise Sale. I can't. There are so many great things in this one and I want them all.



The bow on this bag is so cute.



Basically the perfect bag. The leather. The color. The shape. So classic and beautiful.



Kate's Eat Cake For Breakfast pieces are Classic Kate. This is one of the original bags, and I have been love it since it sold out on the site. I even contemplated buying the clutch off eBay. It's just so cute. I'm struggling to resist.



I love love love the shape and structure of this bag. More than I should...



Holy perfect. The most beautiful brown color plus a bow and the long strap and short straps. I need.



I have a crossbody bag I use now for when I go out, but this bag is so cute. Time for an upgrade...



This beautiful purple color has been everywhere this season and this wristlet would be the perfect way to have a splash of color without having to commit to a whole purple handbag.



This dress. I've had my eye on this pattern ever since it was released in July and I haven't been able to let it go since. Gorgeous.

Outfit Inspiration: Mackenzie Horan

Mackenzie's blog — Design Darling—was one of the first I came across and followed. Her classic style with fun little details was something that really spoke to me, as well as her love for all things navy and pink. Now I totally look to her blog for all kinds of style inspiration, and if I'm feeling uninspired while planning my outfits, I'll definitely think "what would Mackenzie wear?" and my crisis is solved shortly. I also blogged about Mackenzie here on Lovelyish. 

  

 

Does she not have the classiest tastes?

Ann Taylor Knocks It Out of the Park

My mom likes Ann Taylor. I like Loft sometimes. I've always seen the two as a workplace-attire kind of deal, but lately, Ann Taylor has been pumping out so many things that I would legitimately wear. So chic and classy.



I don't know what it is about leather, but I'm all for it this fall. This top adds the perfect amount to be edgy while still being feminine and delicate.



Tops with cut-outs that aren't fully cut out, like this one, are the perfect way to show a little skin or cleavage while still being completely covered.



I actually just ordered a pair of pumps from Target but these are so perfect. I can't stop thinking about them. The chunky heel. And the black and blue. So so so perfect.



The bow. I am in love.



And more bows, with a smaller heel. But I could definitely see these working with dark jeans at the office for a more casual look.



I don't know what it is about riding pants, but I've been all about them this season. I'm in no way an equestrian, but the comfy, stretchy fabric and the leather details call to me.

I spent way too much money last week treating myself for my birthday, but when I get home for Thanksgiving, I'm definitely going to have to hit the mall. Oops.

Best Week Ever

21 is off to an amazing start. I turned 21 at midnight on Tuesday, but even Tuesday during the day was perfect. My boss asked me to come back to intern with Paramount in the spring. I got my paychecks that had been lost in the mail. I got to see a screening of a major movie. I booked my flight to Florida for Spring Break. I met Paul Rudd. It wasn't even my birthday and I was having the best day.

And then at midnight, Kaitie made sure my birthday started off just right. I was writing a paper but she came in my room and counted down until midnight, and had a shot waiting for me. In the morning I found that she had decorated our living room, baked me cupcakes and left me a present. (Pumpkin spice coffee and k cups and a new mug and sassy party napkins. In an American flag gift bag.) I had class all day but when I got back, her and her boyfriend went with me to a bar and we had drinks. She did such a good job at making my day just how I wanted it, without me even having to ask.



After telling me last Friday that he probably wouldn't be able to come home for Thanksgiving, Andrew even told me yesterday that he actually is coming home!

Thursday, the VP bought me breakfast and complimented my shirt (just a little personal victory) and I got to leave early and take a cab. I got an A on an essay I wrote and I had two packages waiting for me.

On Friday, my bosses got me a cupcake and a card and some wine and we celebrated my birthday. Kaitie texted me at the end of the day and invited me to a drink up downtown that ended up being one of the funnest nights I've had at school.

And Saturday, I slept until 2 and then had dinner at Otto, one of my favorite restaurants, with five of my closest friends. I am just so happy.

I know this kind of happiness might not last, but at this point, I'm just enjoying it so much.  Everything that could go right did, and I've just been leaning in to all the positive energy and the more I enjoy it, more positive things keep happening.

Next week, Erin and Kara are coming down and then the weekend after, my parents and Bridget are coming. My birthday is turning into a month long extravaganza. I don't hate it.

If this is any indication of how my year is going to be, I can't wait.

 

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Birthday Girl

 

I have been waiting so long to turn 21. Andrew turned 21 two summers ago and since then, I've slowly watched all of my friends turn while I sat and watched and waited. Not that I necessarily need to be, but I just want to be. And now I am. Today is a busy Wednesday, but I have lots planned and I can't wait :)

Life Lately

The past week or so has been, usual, a whirlwind. Thursday was another Senior Night, and the weekend was full of planning, shopping, sleeping and doing classwork.

Senior Night's theme was Animal Kingdom, where everyone was supposed to dress as an animal. I wasn't happy about this theme (nowhere near as entertaining as Childhood Dream Jobs) but nevertheless, it was still fun.

[caption id="attachment_1503" align="aligncenter" width="392"] kaitie as a mouse (duh) and me in my cheetah shirt...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1504" align="aligncenter" width="392"] once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader[/caption]

Friday night I passed out and Saturday I slept until three. Woops. Saturday night we went to Kaitie's boyfriend's house for a party, and on Sunday I just grocery shopped and did some homework.



 

My sister and I also decided on a location for our Spring Break Adventure: Harry Potter World! It's a pretty affordable trip, and the two of us will have an amazing time there.

Wednesday is my 21st, so I'll definitely have lots on my plate this week!

Gut Trusting

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I kind of know who I want to be without knowing what I want to be. I have strong opinions about what I like, and I know when something feels right. My gut knows what to do better than my brain most times.

Last year I was overcome by an extreme feeling of FOMO when everyone I knew was either abroad or on vacation over spring break. My rough year and finite expenses landed me back in Rochester for the week, and I was insanely jealous. Even Bridget got to go to Italy. I promised myself that I would do something over Spring Break my senior year.

I figured I would end up in Atlanta visiting Andrew, but because of his quarter system, my Spring Break is his finals week. A terrible time for me to come visit. So when my roommate asked if I wanted to come to Cancun with her and an enormous group of people I only sort of know, I almost didn't think twice before dropping eleven hundred dollars and joining the crew. But as soon as I texted my mom and she asked "is this something you really want to do?" I knew it wasn't.

I was unbelievably happy to have been thought of. And when she invited me, Kaitie also added, "if you don't feel comfortable, that's totally okay. I just want you to know we thought of you." I was so happy they invited me it almost didn't matter what I decided.

I still want to travel, though. While a big group trip to Mexico might not be for me, I've set in motion the idea for Bridget and I to take a trip together. As soon as I mentioned it, even my mom said, "that's much more your style." And she's right. I'd much rather travel with someone I know and trust and who knows me well, who I can enjoy myself with and who I can relax with. 

There aren't any plans yet, we're going to talk it out when my family comes up in a few weeks, but I know this was the right decision for me. My gut never lies.

Currently

There are so many things that have become essential to me, but there are also some essentials that are kind of indulgences. Here are a few (unnecessary) things I have been loving lately;



Clinique Superprimer: I've raved about this before, but I really can't say enough great things about it. I especially love how it smooths out my skin when I'm not even wearing anything over it. The perfect way to look put together in a hurry.

American Horror Story: I'm obsessed. I watched the entire first season in a week, and I'm almost done with the second season. It's perfect for halloween-time, and is scary and horrific while still having a plot and love stories. Amazing. I literally cannot get enough.

iPad Mini:I've had my iPad for a while now, but it's still so great. I use it to watch Netflix and to read and to do readings for class and to listen to music. It's just something that's become essential to me this year.

Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Herbal Tea: I bought this on a whim the other day while grocery shopping, but it's great. It tastes like apples and cinnamon and has a teeny bit of a spicy bite to it. It's perfect to drink in bed with the windows open on a brisk fall night.

Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece: My mom ordered me this fleece last summer during Patagonia's sale, and since the temperatures have dropped, I've been living in it. It's so soft and warm, I just wish it was office appropriate.

Slightly Obsessed with Candles

I've never been one to really like candles. I only like using the long lighters and I honestly don't think I've ever lit a match. But lately, the thought of a candle with a gentle scent and soft light just seems so relaxing. I can't imagine something more soothing for while I'm snuggled in bed reading and drinking tea.

So I've been on the hunt for the candles that I've been seeing literally all over different blogs. I want to spend a whole day smelling all of the different combinations, but I do know that I like the scent of lavender and that it is relaxing. I'm just afraid it would start to get overpowering.

Candles I'm considering: Archipelago  Botanicals| Antica Farmacista | Tocca

Diptyque |  Molton Brown

Jo Malone |  Nest Fragrances | Fresh

Not only are the scents good, but the candles themselves are beautiful, and add to the decor of the space (my room).

Also, totally forgot to add it to the collage, but I'm absolutely obsessing over this Kate Spade one. Obviously.

Candles have officially been Wishlisted.

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Easy Weekend

On Friday I mentioned how tough last week was on me. I worked long days and had late nights, I was battling a gross cold and I had an incident involving my anxiety meds getting lost in the mail. So yes, there were also a few panic attacks. But by Friday night — after a slightly irresponsible trip to the Bronx post office at 9:30 PM — everything was straightened out, and I could finally begin my long weekend.

Friday night I passed out. I was exhausted from the week and the stress. I slept on Saturday and just generally took things slow. It was amazing. I knew I wanted to go to the City to do a little shopping, but I allowed myself to take my time. I had breakfast. I went to the gym. I drank coffee in bed.

Running errands in the City is one of my most favorite things. It allows me time with myself to think clearly and just relax. I was really in the CIty to find a dress for my birthday dinner. (Only 8 more days until this girl is 21!!) And the Upper West Side did not have what I was looking for.

It did, however, have the most heavenly quesadilla I've ever had. I'm a sucker for Mexican food and margaritas and there's a tiny little place —the Burrito Box — that I had been meaning to try. It. Was. Delicious.

[caption id="attachment_1481" align="aligncenter" width="392"] The best quesadilla I've ever ingested[/caption]

Then I went downtown to Nordstrom Rack at Union Square. NR never lets me down, and I ended up finding the most perfect dress. I'm picky. But something I really love is searching for exactly what I want and finding it at the perfect price. I also found a pair of Kate earrings I couldn't say no to.





I picked up some groceries and then took a train back to the Bronx. I was exhausted, and I snuggled up on the couch to watch Saturday Night Live, and then I passed out.

Sunday I slept really late. It was one of those days where I slept so late that my mom had to call to make sure I was still alive. Aside from when I went to the gym, I stayed in bed all day watching Netflix. It was exactly what I needed. I even got to talk to some of my friends from home, which was also great and made my day.

Monday I started easing back into the week. I have my one and only midterm on Thursday, so I started on a study guide for that class, while I still had time, and did some laundry. I made sure to take it easy, keeping stress levels low.

I'm super thrilled that this week is only four days. And that Thursday night is another Senior Night. And this weekend, I'm heading to Long Island (for the first time!!) with a friend, Julie, for some falltivities. And my 21st birthday is a week from Wednesday. 

Life has been good.

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