Obsessed: Alex and Ani

My aunt recently moved to Providence, Rhode Island; this is where I discovered my love for Alex and Ani! While shopping around in Newport after having dinner at the Black Pearl, we found Alex and Ani (everyone had on the bangles). I instantly fell in love; I have a bangle obsession.

Each bangle is expandable, so it can fit anyone!! And, they're affordable enough to collect! These are the five that I have and love to mix with a black and gold watch. I also have a little obsession with mixing silver and gold...

Fleur de Lis: Traditionally used to represent French Royalty, the Fleur de Lis is a symbol of perfection, enlightenment, and life. The three petals are associated with the protection of the Holy Trinity. Wear the French Royalty Bangle as a representation of your faith in the changes and regeneration of life.

Delta Zeta: Women are bonded in the deep, mysterious ways of nature. Intuitive and open hearted, they keep the Earthly balance that comes with consistently nurturing loved ones. Committed to tradition and upholding the spirit of philanthropy, sorority sisters are lifelong friends that ignite positive change.

Birthstone: October, known as the love stone, allows the wearer to continually give affect and express adoration, Wear the Rose birthstone to motivate kindness, forgiveness, and compassion.

Fleur de Lis | Delta Zeta | Birthstone

Silver Beads | Black and Gold

xoxo,

Molly

Travel: Paris

Paris, France is my favorite city in the whole world. If I knew French, I would want to live there! However, my mom recently bought a learn French in ten days car CD and every time they asked to go from English to French, I would repeat in Spanish. Looks like I'll be tackling the world one language at a time!! (It's a good thing I recently went to South America!!)

Taking a trip down memory lane, it's been three and a half years since I have been in Paris. I was only there for a long weekend during my month abroad, but it has left such a lasting impact that is indescribable. I am obsessed with everything dealing with the Eiffel Tower or Fleur de Lis. 

The reason for this trip down memory lane: my parents are currently in Paris right now for my mom's birthday!! I couldn't be happier (and a tad jealous). The photos they have been sending me are unreal and make me miss Paris more than anything. I met some of my best friends on that trip and we can still reminisce about napping in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, having lunch in the park by the Eiffel Tower, climbing the Eiffel Tower, spending ALL day in the Louvre, etc. 

So I'm sharing some favorites I have that has brought Paris to Pennsylvania!! I have this photo framed in so many locations (on my desk, on my book shelf, in a scrapbook, and in a collage). Along with that, I have a small Eiffel Tower on my desk and Eiffel Tower pillows and the Eiffel Tower Tiffany's charm. However, I really need these Eiffel Tower place card holders (only $12 at Target!). And my Fleur de Lis obsession is just the same. I recently got a Fleur de Lis bangle from Alex and Ani to go with Fleur de Lis book ends. I have even thought about getting the Fleur de Lis tattooed on the back of my neck to symbolize perfection, enlightenment, and life. And the toile memo board will be my next purchase! It would go great with my red toile placemats! It's just natural for me to bring Paris with me everywhere; I'm obsessed.

Eiffel Tower Place Card Holders | Eiffel Tower Canvas 

French Script Pillows | French Toile Memo Board

Alex and Ani Fleur de Lis Bangle

Tiffany Eiffel Tower Charm

xoxo,
Molly

Wrap Snap & Go!

So for Valentine's Day I decided to try something different with my naturally wavy hair. I straighten it sometimes, but usually let it wave naturally. However, I have decided to embrace Valentine's Day with some real curls!

Note: my hair does not stay in curls. Curlers and curling irons do not work. I'm not even sure how many bottles of hair spray I used way back when for prom! It just doesn't work, and I like to pretend that it does.

However, I have been using Wrap Snap & Go! since I was in elementary school and never really got the hang of it. Up until recently I would try sleeping in them with wet hair, and my hair would still be wet the next morning and the curls would fall once my hair was dry.

Then, over the summer I attempted the Wrap Snap and Go! again, sleeping in them with dry hair and the next morning I had curls!! To get the desired look of naturally polished slightly curly hair I flipped my hair over and shook the majority of the curls out (they fell by lunch, I forgot the hair spray). So last night I tried again and was a bit more successful! Although, I sprayed the curls while still in the Wrap Snap & Go! coils and after I took the ringlets out, mistake! I should have shook the curls out to the desired style and then sprayed!! Oops!

Here are how the curls held up throughout the day! I still loved them and it was much easier than blowdrying my hair again or attempting any other sort of style, I just unraveled my curls!! Next time, I definitely recommend flipping your hair over and shaking the ringlets out before spraying hairspray in order to have a more "every day" type look. This was just a bit too fancy, but it's Valentine's Day and looking preppy and polished is never a bad thing.

Wrap Snap & Go! at Walgreens $10.99

Wrap Snap & Go! Tutorial Commercial

xoxo,

Molly

Bundle Up

Last winter, I was lucky enough to not have to buy a new winter coat for my new lifestyle in Philadelphia. I was sliding by on pea coats and rain coats! However, this winter has been and still is freezing!! Last weekend it snowed!! Basically, I can't stress enough the need for a nice winter coat. Whether you're walking to class or walking to the gym, you need to be warm while still locking polished and put together.

For Christmas I got this coat from Land's End and could not be happier! I struggled and struggled on the color (going between black and this evergreen forest). However, I have a black pea coat, a black North Face, two black dress coats, and a number of black sweatshirts; it was time for some color in my wardrobe other than my tan trench coat (also from Land's End). And let me say, it paid off! I wear this coat every day and get at least one compliment per day on my coat!! I could be wearing my pajamas underneath and no one would know since the coat looks so polished alone, and even more so with a scarf!! Also, not only can the hood be taken off, but the fur lining and the belt come off as well (not sure why you would take the belt off though).

And I forgot to mention, it is currently on sale!! Check it out here!!

Wondering what to wear with this fabulous winter piece? Check out some of my favorites below for some inspiration! :)

1. Land's End Coat

2. Cheetah Scarf

3. Gap Scarf in Tartan

4. Monogrammed Scarf

4. Hunter Boots

xoxo,

Molly

Dinner Deal: Valentine's Edition

As if we all don't know, this Thursday is Valentine's Day. February 14th does not have to be "single awareness day." This Hallmark holiday is supposed to represent love and reminding your loved ones that they are loved. In celebration of love, I recommend you wear red or pink, pick up some conversation hearts, and celebrate with the people you love! Here are some good celebration ideas:

With your girlfriends, Galentine's Day:

Gather your closest friends and spend time with them on this regular Thursday night. Go out for happy hour, have a themed dessert party (the theme being pink champagne!), or get take-out and rent a feel good movie. To take it to the next level, go to CVS and get some cute Valentine's Day cards you used to give out in elementary school and attach one to a bottle of wine for a great hostess gift! Make it a great girls night!

With your special someone, date night:

Get dressed up, throw on some red lipstick, and hit the town! Date night can be anything from a local coffee shop to your dining hall with some candles to a fancy dinner in Center City. Make it even more special, choose some where neither of you have been before! It's always fun to try new food and make new memories :) 

The Deal of the Day:

Click Me!!

Stumbling around Google and Facebook today led me to this fantastic date deal! $35 for $100 worth of dining credits and two movie tickets! It's the best dinner and a movie deal I have ever heard of. Whether you're going with your best friend or boy friend, this deal is worth it. 

Final note: if you are planning on going out this Thursday, make reservations today!! In a Zagat survey, 44% of respondents stated that they plan on eating out this Valentine's Day. Don't forget to make reservations today to be one of the 44%! 

xoxo,

Molly

Go Red

With February being "Go Red for Women" for heart disease (the number one killer for women) and Valentine's Day in the middle of the month (this week, eek!!) it can be hard to fit reds and pinks into a winter wardrobe! During the winter I strictly stick to black and neutrals, which is odd since I only wear bright colors and Lilly during the summer. However, today I have decided to embrace color in small ways. If retail stores can start selling their spring line, then I can start wearing brighter colors!

Another perk of wearing red, Macy's will give you 20% off of your purchase! I recently bought brown riding boots and surprisingly got 20% off for wearing a red vest! I took this as a sign the I need to start breaking out the pinks and reds, even if it's just in accessories.

Nail polish is the easiest way to add a pop of color to any outfit!! OPI has always been my favorite with the quirky polish names! Today I have on The Trill of Brazil; yesterday was You're a Pisa Work. The best part about nail polish, it can be changed daily!! And I know I always feel better after a mani/pedi. Just like nail polish, jewelry is a versatile statement that goes great with black!! Before you leave the house, throw on some red and gold bangles or a statement necklace with that great LBD and some red lipstick and you'll be ready to go for any occasion in February. 

Last but not least, let's talk about monograms. I can never pass up a good monogram and C. Wonder has become my latest obsession since the grand opening in King of Prussia. Everything is so perfect, polished, and preppy that I just can't say no!! This clutch is the perfect size, a great pop of color, and since it's only one letter you can make it your first or last name! It's just too perfect to pass up this month. Go Red!!

1. OPI The Trill of Brazil | OPI So Hot it Berns

2. BaubleBar Bangles

3. C. Wonder Clutch

4. Kate Spade Lipstick

5. Statement Necklace 

xoxo,

Molly

Gym: C25k

I have never been able to keep resolutions for very long. However, it has taken me about a month to stay true to the "I'm going to go to the gym more" new years resolution. I've learned that the ONLY way I will go to the gym is if I put it in my google calendar and planner. You need to be accountable for going to the gym just as you would be accountable going to class. From this, I have set aside four days per week to go to the gym.

Going to the gym is just my yearly new years goal, but it will help check some things off my bucket list! I have never ever been an athlete. Really, I was a swimmer and then a dancer. Running has never been my "thing"; my family actually makes fun of me when I try to run. So, this has brought me to wanting to run a 5k. In grade school and middle school we had to run a mile in gym, this was the extent of my running. But now, I am determined to run a 5k!!

In the beginning of February, I downloaded the C25k app (couch to 5k). I mean, if there were ever a program to get me running, that would be the one. In the past week it has actually been working! Now I just need to keep up with it for the next seven weeks. My best friend is the biggest motivator since she is doing it as well. It really is so much easier to go to the gym when someone else is motivating you to.

So here is a typical gym outfit for me. You always have to look good, even when it's at the gym and you don't think you could ever look cute. (Attention: cute guys like to work out and will most definitely be at the gym). You can never go wrong in a nice pair of yoga pants. I get mine from Nike or Old Navy has comparable and affordable options! Being curvy, I do not think that shorts are the most flattering, no matter how many pairs of monogramed norts I buy. Yoga pants or the capris are the best option for staying comfortable and looking good. 

Accessories are a must at the gym. Essentials include: your iPhone (or iPod), a cute water bottle (I am obsessed with the Lilly tumbler or my monogramed sorority tumbler), and a hat (you never know when you want to hide your hair while still looking presentable and preppy). I tend to throw everything in my Longchamp including some chapstick, which you should never be without. And please do not fret about makeup! I know leaving the house without it can be scary and I do not recommend heavy eye make up for the gym. However, BareMinerals is light and gives a completely natural look. I mean, I go to the gym to feel better and to stay healthy all while still looking presentable and polished.

Nike Pants | Gray Top | Pink Top

BareMinerals | Burt's Bees | Polo Hat

Sneakers | Lilly Tumbler | Longchamp

xoxo,

Molly