Spring Break Glow

Here is a post for those of us who did not go on Spring Break to somewhere tropical and still want that Spring Break glow! Let's be real, everyone looks better with a tan. It's just the truth. Although I am HIGHLY opposed to tanning beds, I do support at home tanners! (& for those of you actually in the sun for Spring Break, please wear sunscreen!!) Also, Lilly's look the best with a tan! I was planning on wearing my Marisa pink seersucker dress for Easter Sunday and would either a. have to tan, or b. have to change because it'll be cold. We'll see!!

If I know I'll be wearing a dress/skirt in the next few days, I'll use Jergens Natural Glow every night before I go to bed. It is supposed to make you up to three shades darker!!

However, for a quick fix, definitely use the Sally Hansen air brush legs. I haven't had the courage to spend over $10 at CVS for this when I know I have a few bottles of the Natural Glow, but I might need to now that everyone will be coming back from Florida tan and I will be the pale girl out in pictures. & an added bonus, it has a slight shimmer :)

For bronzer let me start off by saying that I am not a make up gal. I use basically the same make up routine from MIDDLE SCHOOL. For real. But that'll be for another day. However, I did recently purchase the Bare Minerals bronzer and have fallen in love! I love the Bare Minerals product line and love looking like I have a healthy glow on a gloomy day in the city. This is definitely worth they buy!!

A safe, happy, and tan Spring Break (and first week back) to everyone!!

xoxo,

Molly

Spring Closet Cleaning

So I am on Spring Break right now wishing I was somewhere tropical!! Instead, I am in the Northeast trying to get some practical chores done at home before starting my internship on Monday. Today's task: cleaning out my closet!

I absolutely hate throwing away anything in my closet! My thought is always that one day in the future I'm going to have an occasion where I will have one perfect shirt for that I haven't worn in a while and that is when it will make it's come back!! However, I can't remember a time when this has ever happened.....

So, I have found a phenomenal tip for cleaning out your closet!!

Turn all of your hangers backwards (aka. whatever way they are now, turn them the other way). & every time you wear something, turn the hanger back to the correct way! That way, when you go to clean out your closet in six months you can see what you haven't worn (and probably won't wear again). This can also help if you are worried about repeating an outfit, just wear something that isn't going the right way yet!

(Note: this is not my closet, but I would LOVE it to be)

I am definitely going to try this tip. Good luck with the rest of Spring cleaning and get ready for warmer weather and some sunshine! :)

xoxo,

Molly

Business Casual: Spring/Summer

I have been searching for cute and affordable business casual clothes to wear in the spring and summer for months now! I have realized that I am much better at fall/winter business casual with fall being my favorite season. However, with my internship (with CHOP!!) starting in a few weeks, I had to go back to the basics. Even though I have held summer jobs for about ever, they included a bathing suit for lifeguarding and denim for retail.

So, all weekend I was hunting for the best deals since I would be creating basically a whole new spring/summer wardrobe! I budgeted to incorporate some new pieces into the basics I already have collected over the years.

And just for another detail to take into consideration, I have curves. It is so hard to find pants that fit my small waist (size 2) and my hips (size 6/8). Jeans are hard enough to find, but chinos?! Basically impossible.

Here are some of the great deals I got this weekend that even work for women with curves!

Old Navy Lobster Pants

(currently on sale, $25)

Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khakis

(currently on sale, $25)

J. Crew Factory Skirt

(30% off: SPRINGTOIT)

Liz Claiborne Ankle Pants

(currently on sale, $18!!)

Gap Shorts

(currently on sale, $40 online, $25 outlet)

(15% off: GAPGIFT)

You could say I had a successful weekend!! Outlet shopping is my favorite with all of the great savings for good brands. I also picked up THREE gingham shirts (I am a bit obsessed with gingham) from J. Crew, but then I realized that you could find very similar shirts and colors at Gap Factory Outlet or Old Navy for less than $20! Style steals are my favorite!! Happy spring cleaning and spring shopping :)

xoxo,

Molly

Oh the places you will go

With today being the second day of spring, my second day of spring break, and having some snow on the ground, I am dreaming of travel! There is nothing I love more than travel (when the funds will allow).

For winter break, I went down to Argentina (aka their summer during our winter) and just want to keep the travel bug going!! Literally, I check flights to St. Croix DAILY, well, a few times daily.....

So here are some of my favorite plane outfits!! It's always so hard finding an outfit for the airplane. You never know who you may see or meet in an airport! My best friend did her own little study to show that looking your best in the airport is a good thing! Wearing a tight Lilly, someone asks her to get a drink before the flight. In a casual outfit, nothing. I tend to be more on the casual side, but at least it's better than sweatpants!

1) I love colored denim!! Pair it with a navy blazer and a navy bag to slowly get out of the black funk of winter (all of my winter clothes are black...). And for the daring, pair it with wedges for a super sleek look, and now you can save room in your bag by wearing the wedges!

2) I could live everyday in my white Polo button down, literally. I have so many outfits for it and bring it everywhere I go. It is year round and can be transformed into a spring look tucked into a casual high waited skirt of any color! I love it with the navy for right now! And let's talk about how much I LOVE those shoes! Bows, patent leather, multiple colors? I will be purchasing every pair of these for the season!

3) This is my go to everything outfit, especially on the plane. I live in straight leg jeans and a v-neck cable knit sweater. Throw a polo pop underneath if you need to take it off at your destination (aka if you're going somewhere warm). Pair it all with a pair of flats and a fun bag and you're ready to go anywhere!!

Have a safe, warm, happy, & healthy Spring travels!

xoxo,

Molly

5 easy ways to relieve stress

With finals right around the corner and so many papers, projects and presentations coming up I feel like all I do is complain. My roommates are probably fed up with me talking about my work load. But, I am trying to find the little things in life and not to sweat the small stuff (this is a really hard concept for me since I am very type-a). 

There are no "quick fixes" to stress, because the stressor is probably still there. However, it can be helpful to take breaks and find some ways to relieve stress other than complaining. Here are five easy ways to relieve stress that you can do at home:

1) Make a cup of coffee or tea | I am quite partial to coffee, but a cup of peppermint tea will always do the trick! Just sitting on the couch watching television or reading a book for about thirty minutes. Take that half hour to unwind and regroup.

2) Indulge in something sweet | Let's be honest, I love cupcakes. Except I cut the bottom off of cupcakes and put it on the top to make it a cupcake sandwich. Sometimes I really just need a kick of sugar to enjoy and to put me back to work.

3) Paint your nails | I have acrylic nails, so I don't paint my nails myself a lot. But, when I do it's just a nice feeling to have perfect, fun nails! Pinks are always my favorite, especially for the spring and summer.

4) Make a to-do list | I am OBSESSED with to-do lists. I have a different list for each class, for work, for life, and a master to-do list for everything. It's a little Type A obsessive, but it does help to plan out work for the week and make sure that everything is getting accomplished on time.

5) Light a few candles | I don't do this as often as I should. I love lighting candles and it provides the best aroma for studying. My favorite are the Christmas cranberry scents, but you can never go wrong with anything vanilla.

xoxo,

Molly

Spring Obsessions

Over the weekend, Philadelphia had a wonderful taste of the spring weather to come!! Except now I am sitting in my apartment bundled in my favorite Stone Harbor rugby shirt procrastinating writing a paper on child psychopathology.

Is Spring too much to ask for?! Why can't it be throw on my favorite J Crew shorts, button down, Sperry's, and hat weather? Or Lilly and wedges weather? And is it too much to ask for for bikini, beach blanket, and summer nights weather?

So here's to Spring, warmer weather, Lilly dresses, jean shorts, wedges, bright colors and the sun!

Let's talk about how much I love Ray-Bans but am afraid of purchasing a pair and have them end up like the rest of my sunglasses (at the bottom of my purse scratched). And those wedges are from Target! I just bought them in nude and cannot wait to go between those and some Tory sandals. And you can't go wrong with some Vineyard Vines and C. Wonder accessories. C. Wonder could be one of my new favorite stores since I went to their opening in King of Prussia!! 

I can honestly say that my closet is a bit lacking this year (especially now that I will be going on co-op soon and need a constant supply of CHOP appropriate clothes). It's a good thing there is a shopping trip planned for the future and the promise of Spring!

Ray-Ban | Earrings

Wedges | Shorts

Hat | Sandals

xoxo,

Molly

Five Facts About Me!

We all have our secrets, and sometimes we are open books. But have you ever stopped and assessed the subtleties in your life? They are what make us all so unique. Here are five things I have come up with about myself that most people don't know about me! Enjoy :)

1. I only wear Polo Argyle socks

2. My hair is naturally blonde

3. I don't like chocolate cake (or cupcakes)

4. My family was a Nielsen Family
5. My favorite season is Fall

xoxo,
Molly

Everyday can be "Monday"

"I'll start going to the gym on Monday," "I'll start that diet on Monday," "on Monday....."

We've all been there. Pushing off the little things until the hypothetical "Monday." However, I always find myself saying something will happen or start on Monday, and then I forget about it. Typical.

So, here's to making everyday that hypothetical "Monday"!!

TODAY, start that diet, start that exercise, start a new book, take up a new hobby. Make today the first of something! Weeks actually start on Sunday's anyways, so why not start this new journey on a Wednesday?!

My "Monday" is going vegan for the next two weeks! My best friend has been vegan for about ten months now and cannot help but rave about how good it feels to cut out chemicals and animal products. This also helps because I am lactose intolerant and really shouldn't be eating dairy anyways....but cheese is just too good!! I'm probably 80% vegan already. However, I want to show commitment, kick start my new and improved "healthy" plan, and maybe even treat this as a little cleanse for spring break (even though I have no tropical plans for that). The hardest part will be not eating eggs for breakfast and sprinkling cheese on meals!! I think it's possible though! Wish me luck through this new "Monday" start (on a Wednesday)!

xoxo,

Molly