See Summer Better

Welcome back, everyone, and happy Friday! We have just one month of summer left and picking out new eyeglasses for the year has been on my to-do list for weeks now. With fourteen new sunglass frames, fourteen eyeglasses, a concert series and more, Warby Parker has you fully equipped with everything you need to #SeeSummerBetter, and take you into the fall!

One of my favorite things about Warby Parker is their Home Try-On program. Almost all of their styles are available for home try-on, so you can pick your favorite five to test out. With free shipping and free returns, you get to wear your pairs for five days and pick out your favorite! Then, you just log back onto the Warby Parker website and order a new pair with your prescription to keep. Frames start at $95 and include your lenses, complete with anti-glare, anti-scratch, superhydrophobic coating, and 100% UV protection - seriously a deal that can't be beat!

A huge part of my intended career path is giving back to the community at large and creating sustainable wellness. Warby Parker has an amazing initiative to help train men and women in developing countries to give eye exams and sell glasses, and there are lots of really great statistics on their website about this program, which you can check out here. 

Here's my favorite quote about this initiative, which does a great job of explaining some of the most important questions about sustainable wellness:

"It’s a sticky fact of life that kind-hearted gestures can have unintended consequences. Donating is often a temporary solution, not a lasting one. It can contribute to a culture of dependency. It is rarely sustainable. Instead of donating, our partners train men and women to sell glasses for ultra-affordable prices, which allows them to earn a living."

And now, onto the five eyeglasses I picked out for my home try-on!

The three frames pictured above are all part of Warby Parker's #SeeSummerBetter new frames! The first frame is the Stockton frame (pictured in Striped Beach) which available new for summer in the color Whiskey Tortoise. The bottom two are both the same style - Anders - which is a new style for summer 2016. I have been craving something totally new with my eyeglasses, so I love that this frame comes in a completely clear color as well as a tortoise/clear combo. What's your favorite trend for eyewear right now? So many of the vintage styles I never thought I would like are coming back!

Similar to the tortoise shell Anders is the Fillmore frame, which I also got in a half tortoise shell, half clear style. This frame was a bit thicker, which wasn't the best fit with my small face, but I think this is such a staple frame that will look amazing on so many people!

Last, but most certainly not least, is my personal favorite frame, the Percey frame in Scarlet Tortoise. I love love LOVE this unique twist on tortoise because these frames are burgundy! These will be perfect for back to school and the colder months, but are also not too outrageous. If you have golden brown hair like I do, I really recommend checking out a red frame for your eyeglasses! Here are all the Warby Parker frames that come in red. 

I have to say, I am beyond impressed with the Home Try-On program and Warby Parker as a whole! I can't wait to finally get my own pair of glasses in the mail and wear them as we transition from summer to fall with back to school. Over the next few weeks, Warby Parker still has lots of fun #SeeSummerBetter programming happening. If you're in the Washington DC area, or in Manhattan or Brooklyn, be sure to check out their summer concerts in store, featuring some great local bands!

August 4: Shaed 1924 8th Street NW, Suite 105 (Corner of 9th Street and Florida Avenue) Washington, D.C. 20001
August 18: Autre Ne Veut 121 Greene Street (Between Prince and Houston) New York City, NY 10012
August 25: Sam Cohen 55 Bergen Street (Between Boerum and Smith) Brooklyn, NY 11201

I could go on and on about how incredible Warby Parker is as a company, so let me know in the comments below if you'd like more posts working with them! And while we're at it - which frame should I pick? I'm leaning toward Percey but I want to know which frame you guys like best too!

Monthly Roundup: July 2016

This month has been absolutely awesome! Check out my favorite moment, quote, and more below. Plus a sneak peek at some Jaywalk stuff to come (wink wink) and more!

song of the month: angela, the lumineers

I heard this song for the first time a few weeks ago from one of Kate Cole's playlists (go check her out if you don't follow her already: tumblr / spotify) and I fell in love! I love the swingy rhythm, the lyrics, and the instrumentals. I've been listening on repeat and can't get enough of this song, so I have to check out the rest of the album also! Give it a listen here.

trend of the month: matte liquid lipsticks

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Before going away this month, my sister and I stopped by CVS to pick up some last minute beauty essentials for our trip. We both were in need of a good nude lip color, and have been seeing so much about the Kylie lip kits and other liquid lipsticks. We each picked up a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (I got the shade Stockholm and she got Zurich) and we LOVE them so far! They are buttery smooth and smell like vanilla cupcakes (an ode to the ever-so-great Lip Smackers back in the day) and they dry to a beautiful matte that doesn't leave your lips dry, flaky, or cracked. The Stockholm color is literally the same color as my natural lip, so it's been tricky to tell when the product wears off, but overall I think these are really long lasting and I'm in love. Next up on my list are Morocco, Prague and Seoul. I also love Vancouver!! 

video of the month: instead, mather dance company

WOW, guys. One of my amazing friends from dance, Polly, shared a link to this video and I was completely in awe of this performance the entire time. You don't normally see boy-girl-boy trios at dance competition, so I was intrigued from the beginning and these three work so beautifully together to tell the story. I love the song choice, the partnering choreo, and the way that Madelyne's costume flows when she moves. Watch it and be amazed.

moment of the month: norwegian breakaway to berumda

This month, my family went on such a fun cruise to Bermuda! We spent two and a half days on the island jetskiing, taking a speedboat around the entire island, exploring St. George's, and seeing the stunning Horseshoe Bay! We did some shopping in the Royal Naval Dockyard and enjoyed the warm weather, and overall had the most amazing time. Bermuda is seriously one of the most beautiful places EVER, and I love a lot of the natural sustainability initiatives they use there to collect water, keep cool, and protect the island. The second I got home, I was looking up ways to get back! Next year, Bermuda is hosting the America's Cup and every shop was decked out in gear for the big boating event, which is so fun and exciting! Maybe I can get myself there for the Cup ;)

fashion item of the month: OMG clutch, rebecca minkoff

I found this super fun clutch (no longer available) at the store before I went on vacation, and knew that it would add such a fun touch to my outfits now and when I head back to school. I love the varsity letters and the classic black/white/red combo. This wristlet is the perfect size for my phone and essentials - I was even able to fit my RayBans in their case into this bag for pool days. I'm absolutely loving this cheeky bag, and know I will get so much use out of it back on campus too!

quote of the month

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I love this quote because it reminds me that although we tend to compare our situation to that of other's, in reality we have the ability to do anything we set our minds to so long as we put in the work. This summer has been all about work for me - planning blog posts, researching programs, and getting set up for another busy year of school! Just one month left until I turn 21 (woohoo!!) and head back to start my second half of college. It's absolutely crazy to think about, but I can't wait! How was your July? Let me know what your favorite trend was this past month!!

Three Photo Frame DIYs to Spice Up Your Dorm or Apartment

Happy Monday everyone! Today I'm teaming up with Her Campus and Bed, Bath and Beyond to show you three ways to use a fun photo frame in your dorm room or apartment. Now that I'm moving into a real apartment for junior year, fun DIYs and inexpensive products have been my lifesavers! I purchased two of the amazing picture frame from Bed, Bath and Beyond pictured below (similar here) and I'm really looking forward to using them in my apartment next year. Now, let's get into the three ways you can DIY this photo frame for your dorm or apartment!

Weekly Calendar

Since I don't have classes on Friday this coming semester, this frame perfectly fits in all the days of the week that I'll have work to do! As long as you get a photo frame with glass instead of plastic, you can easily use dry erase markers to write information onto the frame and wipe it off as the week ends or as events change. For this DIY, I found some scrapbook paper at home from an old school project, and cut four different patterns into 4x4 squares to put into the frame. I wrote M, T, W, Th on the papers with a Sharpie before inserting them, and from there you can just grab your dry erase markers and have fun!! 

Instagram Photo Showcase

Print out some of your favorite Instagram photos that remind you of home, your favorite memories, or match the aesthetic of your room. I included a picture from Bermuda, the beach, some fun day trips I took, as well as a photo of my college campus (we're doing massive construction on the Quad this year, so I won't get to look at this view anymore). I also printed out tons of other pics so that I can swap out my photos to match the season or whatever mood I'm in!

Notes / Chores Board

Another great DIY is using a frame, similarly to the weekly calendar, as a notes board for you and your roommates. Since I'm living with three of my friends this coming year, I made a box for each of us so that we can write little notes, reminders, or keep track of chores we have to do. I cut purple construction paper into 4x4 squares and wrote each of our names on the top in Sharpie, and then put the squares into the frame! I really love this DIY and think that it's soo cute to have in your kitchen or living room!

While I was at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, I also found this incredible throw pillow. Seriously, how wild is this thing?! I need new bedding because I'll be upgrading to a full bed from a twin XL this year, and so I donated all my old bedding from my dorm. I wasn't sure what kind of vibe I wanted for my new room until I found this pillow - so now I have been gathering tons of inspiration on my Pinterest board and searching the interwebs for the best comforter set. If you don't already, be sure to follow my Instagram account to see the rest of my campaign with Bed, Bath, and Beyond!! 

Thank you to Her Campus and Bed, Bath and Beyond for sponsoring this post.

5 School Supplies I CANNOT Live Without

one // two // three // four // five

Every school supply is important, but some come in handy more than others. These five products are the ones I find myself reaching for again and again!

Planner | I use my planner every single day to keep organized. This is where I write all my homework assignments, make lists of what I need to get done each day, and schedule out my time.

Wite Out Tape | Events and assignment deadlines are constantly changing, and Wite Out has been my savior for keeping my planner neat. I hate taking up room by crossing things out, so I can just write back over old information with a quick swipe of this tape. And no drying time!

Post It Note Cube | If you have ever been in my bedroom, you'll notice I put sticky notes all over the place. These are my reminders to get stuff done! I have a large cube I bought at the beginning of last year and I have conquered about a third of it so far. It really comes in handy when I need to jot down ideas last minute or as I'm running out the door.

Papermate Flair Pens | What I love about these pens are the color variety. I swear by Bic Atlantis Blue Ballpoint Pens for everyday, but when I need to color-code, these are my go-to. Some of my colors are running out because I use them so much, and I know I'll repurchase when the time comes!

Stapler | Don't be that guy who doesn't have his lab report stapled together at the beginning of class! Make sure to have a stapler in your room or on your person (you can get a mini one unless you're my brother and like to carry around the full size version) at all times for those paper-stapling necessities. Your professors, and your forgetful classmates, will thank you.

I can't believe July is more than halfway over!! Comment below with what types of Back to School content you'd like to see as we approach school time!

Coffee Table Decor

books: lauren conrad // kate spade one // barbie // alexa chung // hony // kate spade two

decor: coasters // mirrored tray // succulents // candle  (similar) // ceramic hand // birdcage tray

I can't say I have any coffee tables to decorate right now, but shelves count too! I'm super pumped about having a living room next year, and these are some fun books and decorative touches I would add to the space to bring out my personality. Of course, I don't have an apartment all to myself just yet, but in the meantime a girl can dream. My favorite thing here has to be that ceramic hand - I desperately want one for either my bedroom or my apartment living room!! (Second place goes to the Barbie book because one of my sorority sisters, Lauren, has it and we're both obsessed #dreamteam)

What's your favorite coffee table book? I have read both of Lauren Conrad's books and now there is a new one out called Celebrate - all about party planning and throwing! It's on my wishlist for sure.

Beach Vacation Packing List

one (top + bottom) // two // three // four // five // six // seven (similar) // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve

These pieces are perfect for a trip to the beach, whether it be just for the day or longer! A lip balm with SPF and a moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated all day long, and prevent any peeling if you get sunburn, and if you prefer not to get color, then a bronzer will still warm up your whole look. Breezy shorts and tops are perfect for hot and humid days on the boardwalk, and a fun tote bag can take you from the sandy beach to dinner at night. Don't forget to pack flip flops for the morning when you head to the beach - I know I am always remembering mine at the last minute! A fun bikini or a classic one piece are the perfect choices to stand out, and those wedges (I loved them when I saw them on Caitlin Covington) add pizzazz for nights out. Keep the rest of your accessories simple with a standard pair of sunnies and a basic bangle!

I'm itching to get back on a beach for some sun and reading! I always love bringing magazines with me to the beach, and love new suggestions. What's your favorite magazine?

Tips for Starting Your Own Blog

Although I would consider myself a small scale blogger, I've been asked many times about my tips and tricks for starting your own blog and how to keep up with it. So, I figured I would share my best advice below. By no means am I an expert or a professional, just a girl who loves to have fun on the internet and write about all things girly! But, if you even have the slightest bit of curiosity about starting a blog, I highly recommend giving it a go!

Post consistently | One of the most important things I've noticed about starting a blog is that if you don't post consistently, it will be very hard to take off. Unless you have a major following on some other social media platform that follows you over to your blog, you need to post at least once, but most likely more than that, each week in order to gain a decent readership.

Plan ahead | Scheduling your posts is one of the best things you can do! I've tried blogging both ways, with and without scheduling, and find that having scheduled posts works so much better. This way, you can get a few weeks or even a month ahead on posts without stressing about having to write last minute.  Have a plan (my posts are MWF at noon!) and just make sure to update any needed content before they go live! 

Interact | Ask questions, respond to questions and comments, and use your hashtags wisely. Check out your followers and follow anyone back whose content you really admire. Don't be afraid to communicate with your followers and other bloggers that you enjoy!

Join networks | There are so many Blogger Networks and Influencer groups that you can join! You can see the groups I am a part of on my sidebar. These are great for posting and sharing your content with other bloggers, connecting for giveaways and collaborations, and getting help with anything blogging related. A lot of times these groups will also offer paid sponsorships and other opportunities for exposure. 

Connect | It's important to have more than just a blog! Link your posts to Instagram, Twitter, and other social media accounts you have. Make a Facebook page where you highlight your blog posts or include a Pinterest widget on your blog so that followers can see your favorite pins!

Monetize, Analyze + Personalize | Keep up with your analytics! You can use Google Analytics or another service that can monitor your monthly users, visitors, and more. Next, monetizing your blog is a great way to make money while doing what you love! I use ShopStyle, an affiliate link program, that makes money off of clicks. You put a lot of time and effort into your blog, and affiliate links and other monetization tools are a great way to tangibly benefit from all your hard work! Lastly, personalizing your blog using a domain name and a paid layout helps to pull your blog together! I'm currently in the process of purchasing a domain name (and even switching my URL?!) and I can't stress enough how helpful it can be! It adds such a professional quality to your blog.

Get feedback | Ask your family, friends, and other bloggers to provide feedback on your blog. As difficult as it can be to hear, constructive criticism can really help improve your content and target areas that you need to work on. Ask people if they like your writing style, photos, type of content, length of posts, etc. Any bit of information you can get will be useful for redirecting future posts!

Find a niche | Not every blogger can write about the same things. Sit down and brainstorm what you want your personal 'brand' to be, and really follow through with it. Create content that speaks to who you are in a much more detailed sense, don't just copy what everyone else is doing! 

Do it for you | If you are considering starting a blog, the most important thing is that you do it for the right reasons (a la Bachelorette). Don't blog because you think you'll get free products or become famous. Write about what inspires you and feel free to get personal with it. Make your blog your own, and follow through with it because it's something you genuinely enjoy.

Comment below if you have any questions about blogging or would like to see content explaining monetization / choosing a blog name / anything else!

How I Edit My Instagram Posts + Instagram Theme

Today I thought I would share how I edit my Instagram posts! I recently started trying out an Instagram theme, which I accomplish by editing all my photos using the same exact settings. My favorite way to do this is with VSCO, because it is 1. free to download on the App store and 2. you can copy and paste your edits from one photo to another!

Here is the original photo that I started with! This delicious donut is from a local Baltimore doughnut shop that my friends and I love going to! I mentioned this lovely shop in my Baltimore travel guide.

I started out by adding a filter to this photo. I like the C1 vibrant filter, but I toned it down a little to only +10, instead of the full +12.

Next I added just a teeny bit of contrast to my photo. I like adding contrast because it makes your whites whiter and your darks darker (I sound like a detergent commercial lol).

To amp up the warm tones in the photo, I added a little bit of warm in the Temperature filter. This changes whether the photo looks more blue or more red. I like adding warmer tones to my photos because it reminds me of warm, sunny days! 

Last but not least, I add a little bit of grain to my photos. This gives them a touch of vintage feel, but not so much where they are blurry or weird to look at. 

This was the final product! I cropped this photo into a square when I uploaded it to Instagram the other day. Boy, I wish I had that donut again! If you live in the Baltimore area, I highly suggest checking out B. Doughnut. Do you have a favorite breakfast spot? And let me know what your thoughts are about Instagram themes - yay or nay?

14 Amazing Date Party Dresses Under $150

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I am already anxious for all of the fun date functions that will happen when I arrive back on campus next fall. Finding the perfect dress is important for all the Insta-worthy pictures you'll be taking, and these ones in bright colors, fun fabrics, and classic cuts will do the trick! What is your go-to date party dress color? I'm on the hunt for the perfect green dress!

Active Vacation/Trip Packing List

one // two (similar) // three // four // five // six // seven // eight (another great style here!)

For longer vacations and day trips alike, all the items pictured above are essentials if you're planning to be active. Whether that be hiking, spending a day at the amusement park, or lots of sightseeing, if you're going to be on your feet walking around all day, there are just some things you gotta have.

Make sure to pack a portable charger so that your phone doesn't die mid-day while taking pics, and carry just the essentials in a cute and stylish backpack. Denim shorts, a fun tee, and some classic Nike's are simple enough to be comfy but still have a fun vibe to them (the Nike's are super on trend right now).

I'm seriously eager to hop on a plane and go play in Disney World after putting together this comfy casual look. I could go on the Peter Pan ride all day long! Do you have a favorite Disney ride??

Basic Resume Writing: What to Include

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to talk a bit about writing resumes, and what you should include and/or leave off of yours. Internships, student employment opportunities, and even study abroad programs will require a resume as part of your application, so it's important to know how to write your resume appropriately.

Always begin your resume with your name, local address, and other contact information (phone number or email). This will be the header for the rest of your resume and will allow employers or program directors to know exactly how to contact you if need be. 

As a college student, make sure to include what university you attend as well as your year. Don't forget to update this information frequently as you get older (same goes for the local address if your dorm changes year to year). Then, list your major(s) and any minors you might have, and your GPA.

When it comes to involvement, you want to list the activities you participate in at your university. When applying to colleges, you can include your high school extra-curriculars, but after you graduate be sure to remove most things you did in high school and replace it with the clubs and organizations you participate in at college, especially noting any leadership roles or special positions you might have. Special skills and awards you have from high school have their own section, but this is not the place for them.

The next section of your resume should list work experience. Include any summer jobs, part-time jobs, or work you do outside of school that you get paid for. Be sure to have contact information and a person of reference from each workplace in case future employers want to know. 

If you have any personal experience (writing my blog falls into this category) you can certainly include it on your resume! It may even be useful to have two copies of your resume, one with and one without personal experience, depending on who it is that needs your resume. For environmental science work, employers probably don't need to know about my blog as an asset to my application, but a marketing firm might want to know about those online endeavors.

If you have any major awards, grants, or scholarships that you feel are essential to list on your resume, you can include another section to highlight those. Only include the most important items, not every award you received on your Senior Award Night in high school. 

Lastly, be sure to include any valuable skills you have. Knowing a second language, proficiency with a type of software, and personal skills are good to include here.

Some last minute pointers: Keep it simple! You should avoid hard-to-read fonts, bright colors, or crazy templates. If you want to use bullet points, make sure they are generic bullets and no wild swirls, stars, or other motifs. Headers (Work Experience / Skills / etc) should be bolded, and years should be included where necessary. Also, don't go overboard! Your resume should fit onto a single page.

Writing a simple resume definitely doesn't need to be as difficult as it seems. There are also tons of templates, guidelines, and mock resumes online that you can use to get some ideas. Good luck landing the position of your dreams!

Happy July Fourth!

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Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful Fourth of July with family and friends! Take the day to enjoy some good barbecue, warm weather, and fireworks. Happy Independence Day everyone!

June Fashion Recap

Can you believe that July is already here?! This past month, I was inspired by my issue of People Style Watch so much! This month they really nailed it with the best of summer fashion, and so I knew I needed to share a little bit about some of my favorite looks from the issue, as well as some of my other top picks for the summertime!

Gingham | This is one of my favorite summer prints, especially in the classic navy or bright blue. J. Crew shorts are such a fun way to wear this pattern.

Blue Nail Polish | Really just anything blue, for that matter. I almost always opt for some form of navy or blue when shopping for clothes, and I love pairing classic blues and whites in the summer!

Bright Green | My friends have always told me that my eyes stand out so much more when I wear green, but there isn't a whole lot of it in my closet. I have a dark green peacoat, but I'm looking to add more bright greens into my wardrobe this summer. Bonus points if I can find a super cute dress or romper for date party, like the one pictured above.

White Midi Dress | I wrote a whole separate post on how much I'm digging white midi dresses this season, but I think this Topshop one (currently sold out) takes first place for its style and 'cool' factor.

Pink Lens Sunglasses | I have no reason to purchase oodles of sunnies, but if I did, I would go for a fun mirrored lens in pink or green! If mirrored glasses isn't your vibe, these ones are SO. COOL.

Embroidery | I'm in awe of the embroidered pieces that have come out this season. It's so fresh and fun, and gives me an alternative to the classic blue and white. I love the floral patterns and bold colors. They remind me of my favorite American Girl doll, Josefina. She had the most wonderful outfits!

Espadrilles | There are tons of cute wedge espadrille options on the market, but these orange motif ones really stole my heart when I was searching online. I live for cheeky shoes like these.

Beach Reads | My bucket list this summer includes reading a lot more just-for-fun books, since I don't have time at school. So far, so good.

Pom Poms | Put them on everything and I'll be a happy camper. 

Red + Blue Mixed Stripes | This way I don't have to decide which color I want to buy the shirt in. It's such a nice twist on the classic without being crazy. 

Pineapple Shoes | Quite the unrealistic purchase, but I did audibly gasp when I saw the Dominica wedges featured in a Kate Spade email. Anyone who knows me IRL can tell you about my obsession with pineapples.

Tweed Officewear | This one is a true shout-out to my love Jacqui, who has been absolutely rocking this Banana Republic white tweed dress for her internship this summer. I will most definitely be borrowing this when I get back to school ;)

On a side note, I have noticed an (unfortunate) lack of dresses in my summer wardrobe. Where are your favorite places to buy easy, breezy summer dresses? And if you haven't already, please fill out my Reader Survey!! This will help me post the best possible content for y'all!! xoxox