The Thing About Long Distance Friendships...

Gabriel and I circa 2012

For those of you who don't know, one of my best friends goes to college 1,300 miles away in Saint Paul, Minnesota, while I reside in good ol' New Hay Hay, Connecticut. And that person? None other than good ol' Gabriel. 

Gabriel and I met about four years ago in my senior expository writing class, where all we did was sit around and talk for the entire period. When I first met them, I honestly was attracted to them. (I'm not anymore) However, by the end of the semester we became fast friends. The next semester we happened to have another class together-sociology. (Another senior year elective where we did absolutely nothing) We dominated that corner where they bought in pretzels on the daily and had our teacher yell at us for bringing unhealthy foods in the am. (aka Cheeseits)
When I graduated, I was unsure about what was going to happen with the majority of my friendships. During the summer, I lost touch with a good portion of my friends because I was on my way to going to college. However, Gabriel wasn't one of those people. In fact, we frequently stayed in touch and went for long walks.
Throughout my first year of college, I became closer to Gabriel but also to their family. I had gotten to know their parents as well as their sister Bethany. They are the most welcoming people I've ever met. I always go to their mother whenever I need advice and consider their little sister to be my own in some ways.
When Gabriel left to go to Minnesota in the fall of 2013, I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen. Everything was going to change surely. They were about to embark on an adventure and meet new people. They would eventually try new things and work on improving themselves for the better.
However, as we grew in entirely different directions, we managed to remain friends. Close friends, even. We argue, yet they are the type of people that I can't stay mad at forever. I guess sometimes people fall into your life for a reason.  Some of this reason is good, while sometimes you just can't figure out why they are there. Gabriel's been there for me for the good, bad and ugly. They were there when I failed my driving test, they were there when I finally passed it and they were there as I went through my many freak outs. (And there were many)
As they say in "Toy Story", Gabriel "you've got a friend in me." Thanks for being so awesome. Also, if you happen to be reading this...don't get a big head over this...;)

Gabriel and I...last week.

Knowing What To Do.

About a week ago something happened at my job. While switching books over to a new system, a familiar patron came over and started to talk to me. Since one of the things which is taught at my job is to be friendly, I listened to the guy talk as I was doing my task. However, 20 minutes later he still wouldn't leave me alone. It wasn't anything bad, I just felt uncomfortable.
He finally left and I went about my business. Towards the end of my time upstairs, he came back and asked me if I was going to be there. Since I wasn't sure, I said I didn't know. He then asked me for my number. I wasn't sure what to do, so call me stupid but I gave it to him.
After this happened, I told my supervisor. She then said I wouldn't be tagging by myself for the next couple of days as well as also giving me some tips on how to handle creepy people like him. I felt safe enough, so I didn't think much of it.
The next day however, I went to go pull books. My boss at first asked if I was okay to do so by myself. Thinking that I would be in fact fine, I put my headphones in and went to go find books.
As I entered the elevator to go onto the third floor, he was in a study room. He said 'Natalie, please come in my study room.' Voice shaking, I said "I'm sorry I had to work." I closed the doors as quickly as possible, got the last book I needed and took the stairs back to where I worked. I took a detour, in case he was following me. Once in the safe premise of my office, I told my boss what happened. We gathered everyone, and no one was allowed out by themselves.
While I was still catching my breath at the desk, I had received a text message from a strange number. Who was it? You guessed it--him. I'm not going to post it here, however, it was basically him being mad about why I didn't want to talk to him. I showed it to my bosses, who helped me block his number from my phone.
This whole thing made me irritated and scared. I dreaded the thought of going back into work and seeing him. (He's a regular patron.) It made me mad because I didn't owe anyone an explanation as to why I don't want to talk to them. It's my right as a person to decide whether or not I want to talk to you.
The reason why I am writing about this is because I wanted to share my experiences for those who may not know what to do in these sorts of situations. It also really bothered me I didn't know what to do.
 I think that it's very important to know, because we should always have those essential street smarts. If you find yourself in a situation like this at work (or anywhere else for that matter), try your best to leave. This means say you have to go or your supervisor is calling you (if you're at work). Be blunt, but also be okay with being rude if you need to. There's a time and a place to be nice, but this isn't it. Whatever you do, don't give him your number or any other kind of personal information. (I made a mistake there, oops.) Finally, tell someone whose an adult or older and wiser than you. This includes your parent, friends or if you're at work all of your bosses.
Just as someone has the right to talk to you, you also have the right not to talk to them. You also have the right to say that you're feeling uncomfortable as well. In these types of situations, if you get a creepy vibe from someone just run as fast as you can. If the harassment continues, consult police or campus police if in the University setting.
Like I said, when it comes to safety also put it first. If someone gives you a creepy vibe, than try to get yourself away from the situation. I believe it's important not only for women to know what to do, but for men as well. Why? Because, friends as they taught us in pre-school....safety first.
Did anything of this nature ever happen to you? Tell me, I would like to hear about your experiences.

Crossing Three Things Off Of The Bucket List.

Howdy, there readers. Last week, I blogged about my summer bucket list. This week, I'm going to tell you all about how I got to cross not one or two, but three things off of my bucket list. In the matter of days mind you.
The first is taking a trip to explore downtown New Haven, which I got to do on Wednesday. I needed to take some pictures for my internship, and Gabriel was my person. After taking pictures at Gabriel's mother's workplace, we decided to go to Atticus, a local bookstore where I ended up purchasing "We Were Liars." We also got iced coffee and had a relaxing afternoon.

I took this selfie so I can blog about it ;)
 I also got my S'mores frappacino. And, it was amazing. It wasn't what I expected, but it was still awesome. I definitely would get it again. Have any of you ever had it?

Finally, I got to go to the Westfarms Mall on Memorial Day with my friends Jene, Joanna, Monica's sister and Monica. We went to the mall, and I snapped up some awesome t-shirts from H &M (honestly, their stuff is awesome.) Then, we went to the Cheesecake Factory, where I had the most amazing sandwich ever.We also wandered around, and went to Charming Charlie, which was the most amazing little accessories store. (and very affordable)

Outside the Cheesecake Factory

What Gets Me Through

As a college student, it seems like everything begins to come at you all at once. I'm talking about all of the responsibilities you may have. You have to go to class because that's where your future will be. You have to prepare for classes (ie study for exams, write papers, do homework, etc) because it's what you need to do to pass. You have to work, because let's face it we all need money. And for some of us, we also have internships, second jobs in case you don't make enough at the first one, and other things we need to take care of. And of course, there's this thing called sleep and have a social life. And they say college is the most free time one would have.
However through the hustle and bustle that is college, there's something that motivates me. For those of you who know, I am majoring in journalism. This past semester was one of my roughest ones, because I had too much going around in all directions. Whether it was being an editor of my college newspaper, having too much going on in classes and of course working at the library I literally felt like I was a chicken running around with no head. What got me through that was therapy and of course getting a break to go to Los Angeles. However, something else did too.
And that is? My passion for journalism.
The nutty thing about all of this is even though I wrote pretty much 24/7, I still enjoyed doing it. I loved every interview, because I got the chance to learn more about the school I went to. Through out it all, it made me a better writer. I've learned so much about the field I chose to do in. I've learned how to quote better and how to become a better reporter.
This summer, I'm excited about two (possibly three) more experiences that I'll have. The first is getting the wonderful opportunity to write for my hometown newspaper. The second is getting to be a Style Guru for College Fashionista. The final, maybe thing, is doing some interviewing for my friend's mom's college community. I'm excited about these opportunities, because it will not only give me experience it will give me a chance to go and do what I love.
You see, the reason why I am so passionate about journalism is simply the fact I get to tell other people's stories. Every interview I've done over the past year was to tell a story of someone else's. I've interviewed countless students for their commentaries, a college campus pastor (my favorite person to date whose story I've written) and that's only just naming a few. I get to learn about their worlds, what makes them happy and why they do what they do. To me, there's no greater joy in that because then you get to get the chance to make a difference.
Even as an opinions editor, I got the chance to do just that. Instead of interviewing people, I took what really mattered to me to make my stories better. Even though I lacked experience, the one thing I was also willing to do was learn. And I did. I learned how to use InDesign and how to balance writing multiple articles in about a week's time. Through my classes, my writing is more sharper and I've learned how to master a lead. I've even tried my hand in feature writing, which is no easy task let me tell you.
I'm proud of my past accomplishments, and I'm proud to call myself a journalist. There's nothing I would rather do other than to sit and interview people. And of course, go home to write an awesome lead and nutgraf. Being passionate about something is important, because after all, there's nothing worse than being stuck at a job you hate for the rest of your life. Even though it might be tough, I still want to be the best journalist I can be. And what gets me through? My passion for the field, as well as the fact I'm truly passionate to do something I truly love.

If I Could Redo Prom

Prom season for many is either here or fast approaching and for the last three years, it would always bring some sense of nostalgia. So I got to thinking about something. If I could ever get the chance to go back and redo prom, what kind of dress would it be?
First let me tell you about my prom dress. A wedding shop in the next city over happened to be putting all of their gowns on extreme clearance. So, my mom and I managed to score this $350 gown for only $100 (minus alterations, because I'm short.)

Anyways, if I ever went to prom again or had the chance to redo it, I would wear black. I've always been into wearing black because it's such a classic color for anyone to wear. My biggest inspiration of the black dress would have to be none other than Miss Holly Golightly, aka none other than Miss Audrey Hepburn. If I could, I would rock the LBD/Pearls look like nobody's business. If only I was obsessed with Audrey back in high school..

In addition to Audrey, I would wear any kind of black dress. This one's my favorite because of the lace. I like how timeless it is, because after all who can go wrong with black?

The final type of dress that I would get is a dress inspired by Cinderella. I'm talking about the light blue gown with the sparkles. #perfect I'm in love with these dresses because the color is beautiful as well as the design. Now, I just need a glass slipper. (Attention single guys everywhere--my Prince Charming vacancy is open ;) )

As much as I like my prom gown, a girl can't help but dream right?

 All pictures, minus the one of my dress can be found on my Behind the Blog Board on my Pinterest.

Things I Love Thursday: TJ Maxx

As a college kid, one of the things that I don't have a lot of is money. So, if I can save money while doing some retail therapy, I will. 

Enter the answer to my prayers. TJ Maxx and Marshall's. 

TJ Maxx, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is a store where you can find designer clothes for a cheaper price. You can find brands such as Dooney and Bourke, Micheal Kors and American Eagle for a much cheaper price than their website or even in the stores. (The only other exception is the outlets, which are the best place to find designer clothing/watches/handbags at a cheaper price.) For a college student with a craving for high end fashion, but struggles with making the bank this is a perfect fit. 

One of the keys to scoring big at TJ Maxx is understanding the store changes almost every week. Everytime you go into the store chances are it will be different than the time before. It's also a hit or miss kind of thing. Sometimes, you'll score big while others you'll walk out empty handed. 

For those who want to learn the inside rules of TJ Maxx, here's some tips. First and foremost, if you love something pick it up. Everytime I say I love something but decide to go back at a later date, it's usually gone. Unless there's a lot of things that you like, pick it up. Some of my recent TJ Maxx purchases include a Dooney and Bourke cell phone wallet, a Dooney and Bourke Barrel Bag for $56 dollars and a pair of black Coach shoes. All of these purchases I feel in love with instantly and had to get. If you experience that feeling, pick it up. Otherwise, you'll probably never find them again. Pessimistic, yes. But it's true.

 Second of all, remember just because something's a good deal doesn't mean you'll actually use it. Think about it. Just because something is cute and inexpensive doesn't mean you need it. If it's something that you can't live without than pick it up. If you're not extremely excited about it and can't stop thinking about it than get it. 

Third of all, look everywhere in the store. You can find the most interesting things hidden in the weirdest places. You can find cute stationary (if you're a blogger than I know this will be appealing for you), cute mugs and even books inexpensively. You can find so many things you've probably never think you'd fine. 

So the bottom line-if you're looking for something check your local TJ Maxx. Guarenteed to make shopping ten times better. 

Have you been to TJ Maxx? If so, what are some of your finds there?

Book Review: Lauren Conrad Style

Lauren Conrad is the ultimate boss. She's a clothing designer, an author and the ultimate role model. How many times during the course of "the Hills" you stopped and thought "I want to be her?" Everyone can relate to her issues on the show, and she came out looking like the nice girl. Chances are, that number is higher than you probably would have liked to admit. At least, I speak for myself anyways. However, what made Lauren Conrad, also known as LC more reliable is her book "Lauren Conrad Style." While many of her reality classmates, such as the Kardashians and Snooki wrote books as well, Lauren Conrad stands out because she managed to do it about what she loved. Fashion.
The book is basically a magazine disguised as a book. There's a chapter for everything from getting down the basics, to getting your makeup on point. I like this book because Lauren never tells someone how to dress, but rather gives you inside tips. This goes from how to pack for a trip to making sure you have the perfect handbag for every occasion.
This book is a must have because let's face it. Who hasn't sat in front of the mirror and wondered what to wear? LC got you covered, girl. I recommend this book for anyone out there whose interested in fashion. I especially recommend this book to those who are fashion bloggers or who want to write about fashion. (I'm interning for College Fashionista this summer and will be using this book for ideas. Check my blog's Facebook for more of my CF posts) No matter what the trends are, this book will always be this season's must have.

Society and the Single Girl On Doing Whatever You Want

It seems like society and everyone in the world we live in likes to put labels on well, just about everything. These include but are not limited to: gender, relationship, sexual history and even people without getting a chance to even get to know them. (i.e. calling someone names such as "slut", "virgin," and "dyke."
Label cans, not people.
I've read somewhere in a magazine about a woman who was ashamed to tell the guy she was seeing that she was a virgin. Yet, I've also read about people who have judged others based on their sexual history or clothing. If you do it or don't do, either way you can't win. You can't be too innocent but you also can't be too promiscuous. So, what does that mean exactly?
I'll tell you what it means exactly. Do whatever the hell you want and don't care about what others may think about you.
I'm going to get all personal here and reveal I'm in fact a virgin. While I will keep my experiences with men private on my blog, I do have no shame in revealing that. I am a virgin simply because I choose so. I haven't felt ready to have sex, so I am not going to until I feel like I'm ready. I could wake up tomorrow and decide I am. I'm not, but at the end of the day it's my decision to make. When I'm ready, I will do it. Having a ring on my finger or if someone justifies having it isn't going to go into in my decision.
So listen up if you've had sex, never had sex or are thinking about having sex. No matter what you do, you do you. At the end of the day, everything you do is just that-up to you.
The funny thing about our culture is there will always be someone who will always have something to say about whatever you're doing. There's always going to be someone to critique you, and there will always be someone to make you feel bad about your decisions. Whether you are Jill Duggar or Kim Kardashian, people are going to talk about you.
The key in life is to blast Taylor Swift while doing whatever the hell you want. 

Summer 2015 Bucket List

This summer, I want to get out and actually do things. It seems like during the semester, all I do is worry about how little time I have, and then don't do anything worth blogging  bragging about once the semester starts. However, this summer I want to change that by actually getting out there and doing things. Everyone, here's my Summer 2015 bucket list:

1. Hike Sleeping Giant 
2. Read 10 books. (Or, the majority of my Summer Reading List)
3. See fireworks on the 4th of July 
4. Go to NYC
5. Explore Downtown New Haven 
6. Go to the Beach
7. Go to Westfarms mall 
8. Try the new S'mores Frap at Starbucks
9. Go to the outlets. 

I've decided to make this a blogging thing, so stay tuned to see how many of these things I actually accomplish. My goal is to accomplish 2/3 of them. 

So You Want to Be A Writer?

It's safe to say part of blogging is writing. Over the past year, I've learned so much about writing and style. All of this translated into improvements made on the quality of writing in my blog posts. Sure, I make some spelling mistakes (don't we all!) but here's some writing tips for bloggers, aspiring writers and journalists everywhere.

Go through everything at least once: I know once you're finished with something, you're going to want to print that paper or hit "publish" if you're blogging. But, go through it to make sure everything is spelled right and things aren't repetitive. If things are worded awkwardly, go through it and try to make it worded better.
Avoid thats: One of the bigger things I've learned this year was the word that. For the most part, that is a filler word. For a blog, you're going to want to get to the point. Using filler words will not only put you over your word count, but also delay your message. Having trouble deciding? Write the sentence with out that. If it makes sense, than don't use it.
Read: I believe if you're going to be a great writer, you're going to have to read. A lot. Magazines, newspapers, novels, you name it. I say this because by reading more you're getting your brain to work in ways you've never imagined. Plus, you get ideas for posts, as well as inspiration to try different styles of writing.
Have friends edit it: I have a lot of friends who served as copy editors at the newspaper I worked at. If it's a paper or something, I try to have them edit it. I also spend a lot of time editing papers that my friends give me. Having peers edit your papers, or even blog posts can get you a pair of fresh eyes to notice what you've never previously noticed.
Got writing tips? Share them below! 

Things I Love Thursday; Dooney and Bourke Shopper Tote

Dooney and Bourke is one of the best purse brands in my opinion. It's one of the best brands because the purses last forever, despite the hefty price tag.

One of my favorite purses by them is the shopper tote. The shopper tote, can be in leather or nylon. I own two of them-one in black and one in yellow flowers. I like these totes because they can fit everything you need in more. I'm talking about an iPad, water bottle, planner, and all of the big things. One of the things that's hard for me to find in a purse is finding one that's big enough to fit everything I needed. I carried this to school everyday and it fit all of the things that I needed. It also was stylish enough to carry out with friends and go to work.

I recommend this bag for anyone cause it's lightweight, and it holds everything that you need. I like the black one because it goes with everything and I like the floral one because it's the perfect summer bag. It's perfect for college students or anyone looking for the perfect tote.

And I haven't told you all the best part. Since it's a Dooney, the quality is amazing. I'm talking about you can carry it everywhere and it will still look brand new. Even though Dooney and Bourke is a bit pricy, it lasts for years and years. Which is what I want in a purse, so I am willing to spend the extra dough. (On occasion, or like the black one, I got as a gift.)
What's your favorite purse? Let me know in the comments below!  

Summer 2015 Wish List

Hi my name is Natalie and I'm a shopaholic. I'm trying to save money, however, there's a few pieces out there that are making that really difficult. Here's what's on my summer wish list this upcoming summer:

Source
Dooney and Bourke pouchette in Mint and Black:
I'm a huge fan of the wristlet game, and since I don't have to carry a heavy bag everywhere I go I typically take a wristlet everywhere but work. However, now that I have car keys I can't just carry a wristlet everywhere. So, the pouchette comes in because it can fit my wallet, car keys and my lip balm. The mint has been my favorite color as of late, however I would get one in that color as well as black. (Black is a basic color, but for now I'm just getting the mint.)

Source
LC Lauren Conrad Minnie Mouse T-Shirt:
I'm in love with the new Lauren Conrad collection! I love the t-shirt collections, because they are cute and fun. And of course, Lauren Conrad does it right. I can't wait to head to Kohl's to get one!

Source
Alex and Ani Elephant Bangle:
Elephants are my favorite animals, so naturally I want to add this to my #charmedarms collection.
What is on your summer wish list? Comment below!

Summer Reading List

In the summer, I have the urge to read. It must be because back in my elementary school days, we used to have summer reading contests where if you read the most amount of books, you'd win a prize. This summer is no exception, especially since I work in a library and have more free time then I normally do. This summer however, I have a few books that I wanted to get a chance to read. As per usual.
Hopefully, by the end of the summer I'll be finishing up this list! I'm currently reading Inferno by Dan Brown and just finished "Opposite of Lonilness."By the end of the summer, I'll update you on whether or not I finish this list! (Or how much I complete) My goal is to read about ten books this summer, and of course all of these books.

Nice Is Just a Place in France by the Betches
The One and Only by Emily Giffin
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
The Complete works of William Shakespeare
I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne
#GirlBoss by 
The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Fill In Boyfriend
Infamous by Lauren Conrad
Shopaholic to the Stars

What I Learned This Semester

This semester was one of the hardest I've ever had. For the first time well ever, I was extremely overwhelmed to the point where I felt like I couldn't get out of the crumbling weight of everything I had to do. As a result, I had to drop a class and went to therapy. I felt like I had no reason to be overwhelmed when others I knew had three jobs and six classes. Who was I to complain with four classes and two jobs?

For a while I was depressed and really stressed to put it simply. All I did was write and do school related things. I never had time for fun.

Then, I went to L.A. and started my therapy sessions. And something changed. I decided to do things for me to make me happy. I often felt like I was surrounded with people who simply weren't happy. They constantly complained about everything and wanted to be the center of attention. In L.A., I made friends that actually cared more about how awful their life is and people who had goals in life. They were ambitious and actually made the changes. I think the trip really opened my eyes about happiness and eliminating those who who didn't actually care about me. Or people that I felt really weren't worth my time. Yes, it may sound rude. However, there's something about who you surround yourself with. They begin to rub off on you and make you feel awful about yourself.

I also learned how much I love writing. Between the constant papers and articles, one would think I would decide to crack and quit. However, it made me realize how much I really loved writing, because although the list of things to do felt over whelming, I actually enjoyed what I was doing. With every interview and every article, I noticed I was getting better. Better at writing, better at interviews and a better journalist. If you love something, you want to enhance your skills. In a way, this semester taught me that everyone needs improvement. I can't wait until the second half of my journalism major starts, because then I would get even better. 

Furthermore, there's some other things I've learned this semester. I've learned to never take pictures in New York. I learned how to write a better lead. I learned what shows to watch once you've finished watching a show on Netflix. And lastly, I learned everything happens for a reason. 

So, internship time?

New York I Love You, XOXO

 
A Pretty Building.
Hey there upper East Siders, blogger girl here with an enlightening tale of four Connecticut girls who made their way to the Big Apple. What started out as a conference, turned into an endeavor for adventure.
 
Monica, with map. (This picture was taken by Jess)
Spotted in Grand Central, my friends Jess, Jene, Monica and I headed to NYU where of course we couldn't find our way. We took the subway however, Monica's trusty map lead us wrong so we had to resort to Siri. Once we found NYU, we managed to find out the conference started two hours later than it actually planned. So we just stared around and looked at this lovely view.
Once the conference started, we soon realized that there was only one journalism thing so we decided to leave and enjoy the view instead. And explore.
 
Fountain.
We ate lunch at Bareburger, where I created my very own chicken sandwich. It was delicious. (I also took a picture of it, cause it was that good.)

After that, we got Macrons (my first time), and explored a little. We ended up walking about seven miles, and explored a good part of Manhatten. This trip, although exhausting was worth it, because right before finals, everyone deserves a break, right? We had such a great time, and I'm so glad that I could still maintain friendships that I made in California. They are such great friends, and I hope to spend some time in the summer with them!
You know you love me,
XOXO
(Some selfies, the top one is Monica's picture)
 

What's In My Bag?

I've seen these quite a bit in the blog land a lot lately, so I wanted to do one of my own. Why? Cause purses are fun, and I love to talk about them.

The bag: A Pansy Nylon Dooney and Bourke Shopper in Yellow. I love this bag because it's so light and it fits pretty much everything. I love that whenever I need to bring my iPad or my computer it can fit those two without much trouble. I also have the shopper in black, and I totally am in love with it because it fits everything and no matter what I do to it, it still manages to look pretty great. Yes, they are a bit pricy, but if you're looking for a bag I recommend them.

What's Inside:
iPhone Four with Audrey Hepburn Case
iPod Classic 30 GB with Purple JVC Headphones
iPhone charger and Halo Charging Stick
Happy Girls are the Prettiest Makeup Bag
EOS Chapstick Egg
EOS Lotion
Coach Smartphone Wristlet Wallet
Tissues
Planner
Pens
Asprin

2005 Called, It Wants It iPod Back

For those of you who don't know, I am a huge music fan. As long as I could remember, I've always had a craving to listen to a ton of music. My musical taste is eclectic, varying from Taylor Swift to Ozzy and everything in between. Needless, to say I'm the type of person who listens to an iPod rather than load up her phone with music. (I've actually wrote about this recently on here, check it out here) Therefore, I've had an iPod loaded with my favorite tunes ever since 2006 (actually I've had a Sandisk MP3 Player before getting an iPod shuffle back then). However, one of my biggest problems was fitting everything onto my iPod. I always liked a lot of music, however, fitting it onto my iPod was always a struggle.
I always wanted a classic, however, it was a bit pricy. $250 for pretty much the introductory model wasn't the way that I wanted to go, especially since I was lusting after them since I was in middle school so I always had nanos and touches.
Recently, however my middle school self would be happy. A few years ago, I had purchased an iPod nano from the refurbished part of Apple's store. (Which I recommend totally, because it saved me a lot of money) While running, I noticed the volume button on it wasn't working. Since I knew it wasn't worth it to replace it, I got my old iPod touch (which was only 8 GB and only held a 1/5 of what I actually had.) I knew then that I needed to get a new one, because this wasn't going to work.
I decided that I wanted the classic because I need something that holds everything but the kitchen sink. When I went to the Apple Site I quickly learned that they discontinued it.
So, I decided to hit the eBay for the first time. After doing some research on it, I finally found a great deal on a 30 GB iPod Video (or Classic as it's name) in black. It was a refurbished one, and it works wonderfully. And so far, I'm enjoying it. I like it that it holds everything that I need and more. I also am happy that I can put my videos on it and have it on in one place.
This is my first purchase on eBay. However for those of you who are shopping on eBay for the first time, let me give you some tips. Do your research on the product before you buy so you know what's a fair price for you to pay. Then, search for it on eBay. Luckily, eBay has a bunch of filters that you can apply to it so you can get the perfect results. For example, you can filter it so you can get options with the "buy it now" option or in the exact price range that you want.
I'm not too familiar with the site, however, option for things that have an auction ending in a few minutes will definately help you get what you want. Also read clearly about the product's condition. Typically, the more description the better off it is. Finally, read the reviews of other customers. If it's all good, then go for it.
At the end of the day, I'm happy with my purchase and that I got a new iPod out of the deal. Her name is Betty, by the way.
What was your first eBay purchase? How do you get your music?

Why I Can't Wait For Summer.

Summertime is finally here. Happiness and cheer. 

Summer is by far my favorite season of all time. It's when I can put the textbooks away and bring out all of those happy and easy books. It's when everything suddenly becomes worry free, other then when the tide reaches your beach chair and you've become broke with the amount of lemonade you buy. 

Well, this summer will have that. But, this summer has some other things to look foreword to. For starters, this is the summer that I'll be turning 21. Although I'm unsure how I'll be celebrating it but I know it's going to be awesome. I really want to go to the casino, because then I can play 21 when I turn 21. However, if I don't it's okay.

The main reason why I'm excited about the start of the summer is that I'll soon be able to see my best friend Alessia. Alessia was the foreign exchange student at my high school a few years back and lives in Italy. I haven't seen her in almost two years. On July 13, she'll be coming to America and I'm so excited to see her and catch up. We'll probably go get Fro Yo and gossip about boys. I'm so happy that we've kept in touch through out the years, and am looking foreword to seeing her again. 

So, what's your summer plans? Let me know in the comments below. 

End of the Semester Photo Diary

These past few weeks have been so busy with events from school, final projects and just life in general. Here's a quick recap, in case you all were wondering what I've been up to as of late.
The Big Event:
For those of you who don't know, the Big Event is an event at most college campuses where many gather to volunteer. This year, Monica and I decided to get together. We ended up raking leaves at a local park which was really fun. It felt so good to give back and learn more about New Haven's history.

Monica and I. Monica is wearing the free T-Shirt we got.
New Haven Adventures with Squad:
A few weeks ago, my friends from the newspaper and I decided to go to a Mediterranean restuarant in downtown New Haven. After eating, we ventured to Blue State, where I had a warm apple cider, and then we went to a bunch of various shops across New Haven. We ended our adventure with a sweet treat-fro yo. Since I'm now lactose intolerant, I got dairy free yogurt, which actually wasn't half bad. And of course, we took mad selfies.

Jene and Monica. Jess had to leave early.
 
What lactose intolerant kids eat when at Fro Yo.
Lighthouse Park with other Squad: 
One Sunday we decided to hang out after I got out of work. Our destination? Light House park, where we took a ton of photos, thanks to Theresa's boyfriend. We then hit up Olive Garden, where there was a lot of breadsticks and yummy food.

Friends (Theresa and Verenized)

I try to be cute sometimes.


The beach as the sun sets. 

Getting Bit by the Beading Bug.

Hey everyone! For those of you who don't know, I'm very into making bracelets and other forms of jewelry. Lately, however, it seems like I've been bitten by the beading bug. I'm not sure if it's because I want some new baubles and want the best look possible, or because I simply find it relaxing. Either way, I've decided to show off some of the "rocks that I got." Well, more like shiny bead stuff that I made.

 Between elephants and hamsa hands, I've been busy! I'm excited about my latest projects because they are so pretty and are perfect for spring, such as the starfish bracelet featured below. As school ends, I'll be fast at work with some new beads.

I get my beads from many different craft stores. They can be expensive, so the trick is to get the coupons, and if they have student discounts (for my college readers out there), use them. One of my favorite steals was this hamsa bracelet below. Between the hands and the beads, it only cost five dollars to make. That's a steal, because these bracelets can be pricy.

Do you have a hobby? Or do you want to know about beading? Let me know in the comments below! If popular, I'll do some DIYs over the summer!