"I Woke Up Like This" (Not A Fashion Blog Post)

I am not a fashion blogger by any means, but I am like your average college student. I have zero to no time between my jobs, schoolwork, and trying to stay sane and have somewhat of a social life. Therefore, I can't (and don't) have the time to spend constantly picking out well out together outfits. However, I still manage to put together reasonably well outfits on a daily basis in under ten minutes. Here's my tips on 'how to look more polished when in reality I just woke up like this.'
Jeans:
As a college student, it's so easy to throw on a pair of leggings and a comfy sweatshirt when going to class. However, we often leave out jeans as being an acceptable part of one's wardrobe. They are mostly comfortable, and inexpensive. Pairing jeans at least with a sweatshirt makes the outfit a tad bit more polished then sweatpants or leggings. I'm a huge fan of the jogging, which looks like jeans, but in reality they are soft and super comfortable on the inside.
Having a key shoe: 
I am a huge fan of leather boots for fall. Whenever I wear leggings, I often pair them with leather boots. Pairing them with a good shoe often makes the outfit feel more put together than simply wearing sneakers with your leggings. Often, my boots look really awesome and put together with the leggings.
Jewelry:
In my opinion, jewelry is awesome. Wearing jewelry is something that gives a plain outfit a little extra 'oomph' when you're trying to get ready. Anything from a pair of simple stud earrings (pearl earrings are a classic) to a watch jewelry can really spice up an outfit.

What are your fashion tips and tricks? Let me know in the comments below!

Book Review-Best of Me

Hey readers! So, I'm trying something completely different, because why not expand my blogging comfort zone! Today I'm reviewing a book that I've read recently called the Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks! And yes, it's coming out in movie form October 17th.
 
Source
The book is about high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda. Dawson's family is considered to be the 'bad seeds' of their small North Carolina town, and Amanda is warned to stay away from him. However, she is drawn to Dawson, who really isn't that bad unlike most of his outlaw family members. The two are together for a year before Amanda's parents intervene by threatening to not pay for Amanda's college if she continues seeing Dawson. Amanda runs to Dawson who realizes that he's not the best for Amanda and cause the two to break up. The two meet for a mutual friend's funeral about 25 years later, and begin to fall in love again. However fate has different plans, like in true Nicholas Sparks fashion.
I'm not going to give away the ending...well because you all should read it.
I honestly thought that the book was excellant. It was a quick and light read, like most of Nicholas Sparks books are. It took me about a week, and it was only 292 pages long, which wasn't too bad at all. There were constant changes of points of view, which I honestly liked about the book, and the ending...well it was upsetting to leave it at that. Just be sure to have a box of tissues ready.
I reccommend this book to anyone who is in the mood for some good, old-fashioned chick lit. I've read many other Nicholas Sparks' novels, and this one didn't disappoint my expectations. It's romantic, sweet, and beautiful. Overall, I liked the book, and if you're looking for a quick read you should check it out.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Men Are From Mars; Women Are From Venus?

Have you ever heard the phrase that men are from mars, and women are from Venus? Gender is something that is a crazy line that continues to be blurred. We don't know much about the world of dating, or relationships. Or, at least I can't speak for myself when I say that. I get so confused when it comes to dating and trying to figure out the way that the opposite sex reacts. There seems to be a formula when it comes to dating--in order to attract a mate you have to follow this protocol. You have to wear a certain thing to become attractive. The guys fight to woo women with fancy dinners, and basically try to one up the other when it comes to getting the girl.

 In our culture, this is why what society calls 'geeks' or 'nerds' often have trouble getting the girl. The alpha, or the football player in our high school reference, are the ones surrounded by the many girls and often are the better looking. The same goes with the girls, with the high school cheerleader always getting the guys and the wallflower wondering when will be her time to shine. The bottom of the food chain in high school are often the ones ignored, no matter what gender they are. It's a popular topic for modern teen movies. 

Even though we behave the same whether we are either in the top, bottom, or middle of the foodchain we still are baffled by the opposite sex. And I wonder why that is. We pretty much work the same. We have beating hearts, air that circulates through our lungs, and see the same world for the most part. But, men are a mystery to me. It's no Nancy Drew novel, but I am still baffled about the mechanisms of  how the men's inner part of their brain work. But why are they so difficult?

Well, its safe to say that I don't have the answer to this, despite my education in modern magazines. There's always a section in Cosmo and in Seventeen about love and relationships. How can you get this person to like you? How can you seal the deal and become someone's girlfriend? It's like they have the secret formula to getting this, and we the consumer who wants it more than anything so we'll line up to get it like the new iPhone. Are we that different, though? 

Well men and women tend to percieve things differently. Women tend to want men that will come up to them as they are a damsel in distress with a white horse. Men want something different, but I'm not exactly sure what that is. But, the one thing that we all have no matter what gender we are (even if you are gender-queer; I haven't forgotton about you) the complete and utter confusion about the opposite sex still remains. Every high school melodrama and teenage angst pretty much has to do with it. Do they like me? Do they not like me?
So, are men from Mars? Are women from Venus? We may be coming from two separate planets, but we unite on the one thing--the complete and utter confusion of trying to figure out if someone likes you. In the mean time while you look for an answer if someone likes you, I'll be combing through the latest issue of Seventeen.
That's all folks..

Manicure In A Bottle..

Welcome to the new Things I Love Tuesday, which has been revamped to the Things I Love Tuesdays! I am so excited for this new feature, as well as to introduce you to a new favorite product of mine! 

I like having painted nails more than anything. However, I don't like having the nail polish chip. Or having the nail polish take forever to dry. I've tried everything under the sun, from the nail strips that Sally Hansen puts out, to fast drying nail polish. However, it seemed like I couldn't have one without the other, which made it really annoying to paint my nails without making a giant mess out of everything.

Sally Hansen has heard my prayers. They recently came out with this nail polish line called Complete Salon Manicure. Although it's a bit more pricier than the other nail polishes that Sally Hansen offers, it was well worth it. (If you have a CVS card, then you might get Extra Care bucks towards it. That's what I did, and combined with a coupon, I paid virtually nothing.) I got the Kook A Mango color, which was a mix between red and pink. I have a thing about red nail polish, and it's constantly a go to when I paint my nails. 

I liked the nail polish because it dried quickly, and it dried kind of like a UV polish did. The product claims to have a top and bottom coat, which I did notice how shiny my nails were, and loved!I liked the color too, because red nail polish is a classic. Overall, it's a manicure in a bottle. But, even though it's a bit more expensive then I would like to be, I would totally buy more in this line. With the ExtraCare coupons, of course. 

So, if you're looking for a few new polishes, I suggest giving the Complete Manicure collection a try. I know that I would be going back for more!

Single By Choice

There is this song by the band 'The Bangles' called 'Single by Choice.' Despite the fact that I haven't listened to it for about two years, it's been stuck in my head lately. As a single girl, I can relate to it, because many people I know think that being with someone is their main priority in life. Needless to say, it's strange that some people believe that every woman needs a man in her life to complete her. Or, at least I do.
I've heard all of the things that people in relationships say to you when you're single. First, the ever so annoying question of 'why are you still single?' It is usually followed by the equally annoying 'You should try Tinder', 'stop watching Netflix and actually go and be social', or 'you'll find a good guy when you're least expecting it.'
How about no? #sorrysonotsorry
I am not single by choice, but single by fate. I've tried the whole online dating thing, but I would rather not be looked at like a piece of meat. Let's face it, the types of guys on Tinder are a bit obnxious, and I find them to be very obnoxious. Once again, I am so not sorry for my opinion. I work two jobs, and I go to school, which I want to actually succeed in doing. At the end of the week, I find Netflix to be a relaxing way to kick back and enjoy my day as it comes. I also don't like going out clubbing because I don't want to date the kinds of guys that hang out in bars. I  don't want to be someone's hook-up, or someone's one night stand. I am not that kind of girl, nor will I ever be.
Romantic movies have also clouded my judgement into being a combonation of fate, and in the end, the guy will come to you. Life is not like the movies, although let's face it sometimes you wish that Justin Long was your knight in shining armor to save you when you're a damsel in distress. Am I the only one who wants that? No, just me..okay cool.
As a younger girl, I've played with Barbie, who naturally has a Ken right beside her. Barbie was superwoman with her many outfits, and career choices. But, she had to have Ken by her side. (I was a 90s kid, this was before they broke up.)  Naturally, this programs girls into thinking that they have to have a man, in order to be successful.
I've been single for five years this October. Yes, that's a long time I know, and I'm working on getting some cats to become the crazy cat lady. (Except I'm allergic, so I don't know how that's going to go, so whatever) I believe that love is going to happen to me well whenever it does. I am the victim of fate, so hopefully I'll have my own love story to share with you before I go onto becoming queen of the universe. I believe that there's more to life than just becoming someone's wish, contrary to popular belief.
Of course, over the past five years I've been the type of person to see cute couples on my social networking and just for a second have a pang of jealousy to wishing that I was in their shoes. As a private person, I am not sure if I'll want to post my relationship status for my 1,000+ friends to see, at least not right away. I am the type of person to gag whenever there's a post about love, well most of the time.
 I'm not axing relationships, because I do eventually want to be in one. I do want the ending to my movie. However, I don't want that to be the only point of validation that I have. I don't want to be viewed as pathetic when I say 'I'm single.' Not having a boyfriend isn't the end of the world, despite what others may tell you. Eventually I'll find my man with my glass slipper. But, don't take pity on me because I haven't found the one that makes me happy. In the mean time, can we celebrate the fact that I work two jobs, and go to school and still manage to keep my sanity?
Thank you, and good day.

Things That My Future Husband/Partner Should Know

This was inspired by this Thought Catalog article!
Everyone in this world always dream about the type of person that you want to marry. I'm not sure of what I'm going to do with my life in that department, but I do have an idea of the type of person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. He has to be awesome, like to cuddle with me, and of course be able to...well make me feel like a million bucks whenever I am in his presence. But, there's somethings that I feel like my partner should know in my life. Here's the things that my future husband should know about me..if he happens to be reading this then he will probably have some kind of advantage.

1. I have a Snoopy addiction, and chances are that our house will have tons of Snoopy themed things. #dealwithit
2. I put up a front that makes me all tough but in reality I want you to hold me close and tell me that I'm pretty. I push people away, but in reality, I want them to become closer. That's what I do when I'm hurt or sad. 
3. I worry too much. I'll worry that I'm being annoying, and I'll worry that you'll leave me. Please ignore the worry, because I really can't control it. 
4. I promise there will be lots of cookies in our home. 
5. I want us to never go to bed angry. 
6. I want you to know that I'd love you no matter what. Unless you came home with someone else, because then it's over.
7.  If we have children, then our family will be my first priority.
8. I promise to always come home to you, and tell you about my day. I promise to not become obsessed with my job, because you're also something that is worth more than money.
9. Sometimes, all I want you to do is hold me. 
10. I swear like a sailor. 

At this point in my life, I can't see myself being married. (I'm only 20.) But if you're out there, I hope to find you. Wherever you happen to be. 

Society and the Single Girl-Domestic Drama

Recently, I was cooking with my mother. FIrst of all, let me tell you all-- I am not the world's best cook. Anyways, I was epically failing so she turns around and says 'your husband is going to leave you if you don't learn how to cook.' When I said that I may or may not want to get married she gave me a look as if to say 'well, what else are you going to do?'

Woah. 

Hold on. 

What does marriage have to do with not being such a good cook? 

In our society, gender plays a huge role even though nobody would want to admit it. Girls are taught how to tend to others, and cook/bake. Guys are taught to build things and to be adventerous. Guys have the career, and the girl is the one at home in an apron baking apple pie. Women can never have a career, and have a family. They have to be adaptable to the man, almost to the point where they depend on them. 

Ok. No. 

I can't cook, and I want to be in a relationship where I am someone's equal. I don't want to do the whole housewife thing. I don't want to tend to children and be a stay at home mom. At the same time, I don't want to do the Miranda Pressely thing where I am a total slave to my job, and my family just sees me on occaision. Why does it have to be one or the other? 

We live in a society where if you go to bend the rules its okay, but if you dare to break them than you are shunned. I don't get why that is. Why can't the man cook, if he wants to? Why can't the man and the woman be the breadwinner of the family? Why do we even have to wear a white dress to validate that our relationship is forever? 

I don't have the answer to all of that perfectly honest. I do know how I feel about this. Personally, at this point in my life I don't know what is going to happen. I could get married. I might not-I might end up being in a partnership instead. I want someone that will accept me despite the fact that I can't cook, can write like Carrie Bradshaw, and want to spend lazy Sundays watching 'New Girl.' Every relationship is different, like every person on the planet. Domestic abilities shouldn't be a factor of whether or not a mate is okay. 

So to all of the girls out there who are single, in their early 20s like me. Be yourself. Burn pancakes. Spend your Sundays watching Netflix. Eat a lot of cupcakes. Whether you have a plus one, or no one remember that you will always be fabolous. 

And that's a fact.