5 (Non-Scary) Halloween Movies to Watch Today + How to Stream Them

Happy Halloween! Halloween is never as much fun during the middle of the week as it is on a weekend. If you'll be staying in tonight, here are 5 movies that I love to get you in the spirit. Scary movies freak me out and I will literally not sleep for months afterward, so these are all Vic-approved for your viewing pleasure!

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas | This was one of those movies that I was worried about being afraid of for the longest time, and turns out that I actually really love this movie! There are so many showings of this on TV right now, so check your local TV Guide to find out when it is playing on cable, or rent it to watch on Amazon using the link. One of the best things about this movie is that it doubles as a Christmas film, so it will be playing for the rest of the fall and winter. Tim Burton is the OG at ringing in the holidays a little too early, I suppose.

The Rocky Horror Glee Show | I couldn't find a version of the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show online, but with some of its outdated scenes and questionable humor, one of my favorite ways to take in this film in a new way is to watch the Glee remake episode. I know this isn't a full length movie, but Glee is free to watch on Netflix and this episode is probably my all-time favorite! I used to marathon this with my roommates during Halloween in college, and odds are I will probably have a FaceTime / Glee sesh with them to watch this "together" this year.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown | Of course, where would I be without including this classic. I love that this film is available to stream online! Every year at Halloween time, I would watch this one night at school to get in the spirit of the fall season, and streaming was the easiest way to do that. Plus, the musical score for the Charlie Brown holiday films is wonderful and I love listening to it throughout the fall and winter.

Little Shop of Horrors (1960) | I'll admit that I haven't seen this version of Little Shop of Horrors, but I am familiar with the 1986 version because my dance company did an amazing production of it back in the day! It would be fun to compare this movie to the 1986 version and see how they stack up, which is cheesier, which has better acting, etc. The 1960 version is available for free with Amazon Prime, but if you want to see the version from 1986, you can rent or purchase it through Amazon as well.

Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost | I can't quite say where my initial memory of this movie stems from, but I know that I have seen in multiple times over the years and almost certainly through Cartoon Network. In particular, I remember attending an overnight dance competition one time and watching this movie on the TV in our hotel room and "casting" our fellow dancers as the different Mystery Incorporated characters. I'm including this here not so much because it's one of my favorites, but because I have such fond memories associated with it (how many people actually remember Cartoon Network? I was Deedee and Dexter with my brother for Halloween last year!)

Fall Looks Inspired by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Welcome to the last Fall Looks post before Halloween! These posts have been such a fun way for me to incorporate current trends into fall and Halloween outfits so that you can get some ideas for how to work your regular clothing into great costumes. Sometimes there is so much pressure to spend lots of money on a Halloween costume, but that doesn't have to be the case! There are so many creative ways to use your normal clothes to make great outfits, and even if you decide to go out and purchase something, you can consciously choose to purchase pieces you will wear again and again.

I have been on a nostalgia kick and the ubiquitous 90s fashion trends that are back on the scene hasn't helped. I used to love watching the Mary-Kate and Ashley "You're Invited" movies and they are always sporting pairs of delightfully mismatched overalls. Lucky for us, overalls of all shapes and sizes are making a comeback! (Overalls, overall dresses, shorteralls, the list is endless...)

You probably also have some white sneakers or Converse around the house, as well as a good old t-shirt. This look is so easy to throw on and as a bonus it's super comfortable if you are walking around trick-or-treating or at an event. Add a backwards baseball cap for good measure, grab your bestie, and this would make the perfect pair costume for the holiday! Once you're back home and ready to tackle November, you can repurpose your overalls for casual weekend looks, friendsgiving parties, and holiday shopping.

7 Lifestyle Podcasts to Start Your Day

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Podcasts are slowly becoming one of my favorite forms of media - I can put one on while driving, cleaning, or checking emails, and I end up getting 2 things done in the same amount of time. Here's what I've been enjoying:

The Influencer Podcast | If you run a blog, Instagram, or are an "influencer" in any form, this podcast has great suggestions and tips for making the most of your influence and turning your side hustle into a full-on business. I mostly love the short episodes called Influencer Insights that provide quick and helpful tips for blogging, but I also will listen to longer episodes if the topics catches my attention.

Gals on the Go | Hosted by two of my favorite ladies on YouTube, this podcast is like sitting down with your best friends and chatting for an hour. I love that they cover topics ranging from dating in college to fall lifestyle favorites, and no matter what they are talking about I love hearing what Brooke and Danielle have to say!

The Glossy Podcast | This podcast is so cool because it is designed to interview people who are at the forefront of fashion, beauty, and technology. I love the unique spin on this podcast and the intelligent, thought-provoking conversations that this podcasts promotes.

Good + Social | I have only just started listening to this podcast, but it has the coolest theme! The team at Good + Social interviews people who are active in creating sustainable, for-good businesses. This podcast is right up my alley and is brand new so I am excited about the potential for new episodes!

Often Ambitious | This is another new addition to my list, but the ladies of Often Ambitious are funny, insightful, and provide real commentary about what works and what doesn't when it comes to being an influencer or businesswoman. 

The goop Podcast | I have a newfound fascination with the goop brand and think the GP and her team and honestly incredible! They are masters of branding! This podcast provides really in depth interviews with people who have unique and/or controversial opinions on their area of expertise. Two of my favorite episodes so far were with Bryan Stevenson (who was my commencement speaker!) and the 10 year anniversary episode with Gwyneth herself, where she opened up about her parents, her divorce, and her motivations. It was so interesting and I felt so connected to her story! Plus, she has the most relaxing voice of all time.

WorkParty | Based on a book that recently came out, WorkParty talks all things business with incredible women. I love the upbeat energy of the podcast and the no-BS attitude of it all. And I absolutely LOVED the episode with Kristen Bell, who not only is the funniest and most down-to-earth actress maybe ever, but she also runs a wonderful company that is giving back through the sale and donation of granola and nutrition bars. To learn more about Kristen's company, read here.

Clothing Donation for Your Fall Wardrobe Clean-Out

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Tis the season of packing up closets full of dresses, tshirts, and shorts to be replaced with tall boots, turtlenecks, and blanket scarves. I did a swap of my closet this past weekend and one the things I like most about cleaning my closet is making piles of clothes I no longer wear or things that don't fit anymore to donate, sell, or give to friends. Unless at item is totally warn out, has stains that can't possibly removed, or is damaged and dingy, I like putting clothes I no longer want or need back into the 'system' so that someone else can love the item too!

Especially when so many clothes now are made from synthetic materials, donating or repurposing clothing has become more important. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), over 10 million tons of textiles were put into landfills in 2014. That is roughly 64% of all the textiles generated in 2014! Though significant portions of recycled clothing still end up in landfills, I feel that donating them has the potential benefit of prolonging how long it takes for clothes to make it to the landfill, and in the meantime we can educate people and promote more mindful consumption.  

If you are interested in donating lightly used clothing, here are some stores that offer incentives, mostly in the form of store credit to be used on future purchases. 

J . C R E W

What to donate: Gently worn outerwear

What you get: $25 off your purchase of $125 or more

R E F O R M A T I O N  x  T H R E D U P

What to donate: women's and kid's clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, and jewelry

What you get: Credit to Reformation based on which items ThredUp accepts

M A D E W E L L

What to donate: lightly worn denim jeans

What you get: $20 off a pair of Madewell denim

H & M

What to donate: clothes or textiles from any brand

What you get: 15% of next in-store purchase at H&M

One way to ensure that your clothes will end up directly in the hands of others is to host a clothing swap with friends or bring the clothes directly to a facility that needs them, such as a women's shelter. At home, my dance company often used to partner with HomeFront, which accepts clothing donations of gently-worn clothing in good condition. At school in Baltimore, House of Ruth is a similar organization that my sorority sometimes partnered with. Both are incredible organizations that make real impact on the women in their communities, so if you are looking for a place to directly donate clothes this fall, I highly recommend both!

For more of my thoughts on building a sustainable wardrobe, check out How I Think Sustainably About Fast Fashion and My Top Wear No Evil Factors.

3 Go-To Smoothie Recipes

Happy Monday everyone! I have been making smoothies a lot recently for breakfast and lunch, and I wanted to share my go-to recipes with you. These keep me full for a decently long time and are so easy to take on the go. I use a bullet blender to make all my smoothies and it is perfect for one serving of whatever kind of smoothie you are in the mood for. Also, a note about these recipes: I don't measure my ingredients, so please forgive me for the non-specific amounts used! I honestly just use my best judgement for each ingredient based on how thin/thick I want the smoothie to be.

M I X E D  B E R R Y

+ handful of frozen blueberries (I buy them fresh and freeze them!)

+ handful of raspberries or blackberries

+ 4-5 small strawberries cut into fourths

+ about 3 scoops plain whole milk yogurt 

+ whole milk

O R A N G E  M A N G O

+ one large slice of pre-sliced mango, cut into chunks

+ one whole banana sliced

+ a few spoonfuls of the mango juice (from the jar of pre-sliced mangos)

BLEND this together first

+ 2-3 scoops of plain whole milk yogurt

+ orange juice

S T R A W B E R R Y  B A N A N A

+ 5-6 strawberries cut into fourths

+ one whole banana sliced

+ about 3 scoops plain whole milk yogurt

+ whole milk

Feel free to substitute the yogurt and milk for any variety you prefer (I sometimes like to use vanilla yogurt instead). You can also make these as "parfaits" for breakfast by using a yogurt base, adding some granola on top, and then topping everything off with your favorite type of fruit. Here is my favorite way to make a yogurt bowl for breakfast! 

Neutral Scarves

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Scarves are one of my favorite fall-time accessories, especially when I'm not wearing a turtleneck. With short hair, I always find that my ears, neck, and shoulders are cold in the fall and winter, so wearing a big scarf is one way to solve this problem. 

Years ago, I was gifted an amazing plaid blanket scarf from Abercrombie (this one is similar) that I wear all. the. time. The only problem is that it's bright red and a bit Christmas-y, so I usually only like wearing it between between the beginning of November and the new year, but I'll push it through January and even February because it's so warm and I love it so much. Since this item is so often worn, I feel like I need to invest in another, more neutral toned scarf that serves the same purpose and can be worn before and after the holiday season. I'm linking some of my favorite finds below!

Midweek Five | October 17

This past weekend, I went full-on fall and visited not one, but two, farms. My friend Jacqui and I had been dying to get some cider, walk through a corn maze, and maybe pick some apples. This weekend absolutely did not disappoint!

O N E

I am late on the bandwagon about this one -- but one of the other things we did over the weekend was watch To All The Boys I've Loved Before, which I hadn't seen yet. I LOVED it. The story was so cute and this was the perfect chill girl's weekend movie. I might need to put the book on my ever-growing reading list!

T W O

This week I am crossing a few of my 101 in 1001 items off my list, like using my planner for 2 weeks straight and taking daily vitamins for a month. I am impressed with how easily I am getting through this list, even if it's just a little at a time.

T H R E E

Another task on my to-do list is swapping my closet over to fall clothes. This is always such a huge undertaking but the weather is finally a lot cooler and I need to start wearing warmer outfits. One of my fall uniforms is a lightweight turtleneck, black jeans, this vest, and booties, so I'm excited to break those items out of winter storage.

F O U R

Last week, the IPCC report on climate change was released, and highlighted new predictions for how long certain practices can last before our climate average temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees C (0.5 degrees C less than previous reports have allowed). I have wanted to write a full blog post about this subject but am at a loss for words, so if you have any questions about the report or what this means for the global population, comment them down below!

F I V E
I have yet to listen to this podcast, but I recently saw some people talking about the new Good + Social podcast, which talks about companies that are focused on corporate sustainability and social responsibility. I'm eager to give it a listen and share my feedback with you all.

Fall Looks Inspired by Seinfeld's Elaine Benes

It's time for another fall inspiration look! I have really noticed that this season many of the fall trends reflect the styles worn by our favorite 90s movie and television characters. The plaid skirts and turtlenecks I've seen in stores recently encouraged me to share this set of looks, and today I want to talk about one of my favorite television characters of all time, Elaine Benes!

Whether Elaine is buying up her favorite contraceptives or unimaginably frustrated because a friend likes her shoes, she is a character I think we can all relate to a little bit. Her iconic style is also making another round his season. Tiny floral prints, flowy dresses, and oversized blazers are everywhere we look. And though Elaine is more often seen carrying a messenger bag or tiny backpack, I think she would 100% approve of the hands-free belt bag trend that is taking place this season. Her makeup is always neat but minimalistic (she would totally be a Glossier rep!) and she loves a brown lip as much as the next 90s girl.

While you might not wear all of these pieces together on a daily basis, putting together these trends at once would make for a great Elaine Benes costume for Halloween. Otherwise, stick to one or two items at a time for a hint of her trends in your regular wardrobe rotation.

Moodboard for Fall 2018

Today I'm sharing my moodboard for the season! I am really loving texture, animal print, and lots of neutrals for this time of year. Instead of stark black and white, I am leaning more toward cool nudes and softer blacks and grays. For inspiration, I am loving the satins and tulle from my ballet days, with bolder statements like leopard furs. I also am feeling the vibes of sitting outdoors at night roasting marshmallows and playing on that warmth in my wardrobe.

As an aside, my moodboard this year hasn't changed much from the one that I made back in 2016, but with a more 1970s flair. If you're interested, check out that other moodboard here.

Midweek Five | October 10

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How great is this little graphic!? I am loving these fall days that are still warm and sunny but with a cool breeze, but I know that colder, darker days are coming. Here's what else I'm loving right now:

O N E

If you aren't already familiar with Darling Media, they are a wonderful magazine and online blog that shares inspiring articles for females. However, my favorite thing they do is send out daily newsletters, which always capture my attention and only take 1 or 2 minutes to read through. They address major ideas about mental health, the imposter syndrome, and more! Sign up for these wonderful emails here.

T W O

I have become a recent YouTube fiend and one of my new favorite channels belongs to Ellie June. She makes beautifully edited and filmed videos on a variety of topics from mindfulness, morning routines, and fashion. I really enjoy watching her videos because she is so calm and her videos have a laid-back vibe. Definitely give her videos a watch!

T H R E E

Throughout the summer and early fall, I have been giving myself pretty regular at-home manicures. Sometimes I will go to the salon if I want my nails properly cut and filed, but most of the time I can do a decent job on my own. When I do go to my nail salon, I have noticed that they use this gel topcoat even on regular polish. I swear - this stuff makes my manicures last a week or more. I happened to have a bottle of the same topcoat at home and I have been using it myself or a really long-lasting manicure.

F O U R

One of my most popular posts of all time is this moodboard that I made back in 2016. I love sharing what's inspiring me seasonally and it seems that you all love those kinds of posts as well! I also shared this moodboard for the summer back in June, and on Friday I will be sharing another fall inspiration board, so be on the lookout for that.

F I V E
Halloween is coming! I might not have any plans right now, but I am starting to pick up some costume ideas here and there. Ones that I'm loving- this, this, and this.

Reviewing my Current Skincare Routine

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I posted back in July about my current makeup routine and which products live up to the natural or cruelty free hype. Not surprisingly, many of the items I use daily are from companies that use harsh chemicals and test on animals (at least in some countries). For most, this doesn't meet the true definition of cruelty free or natural. One of my 101 in 1001 goals is to swap out some of my beauty products for natural items, which doesn't only apply to makeup -- it also means skincare and what I put on my body and hair, too! Today, I wanted to share about my current skincare routine, which isn't actually that many products. I am lucky to have pretty normal skin that isn't sensitive to scents, abrasiveness, or new products. My skin does tend to get much drier in the winter, but overall my skin is very easy to maintain. 

W A S H

Dove White Beauty Bar | As a brand of Unilever, Dove is not a cruelty-free brand. Dove also uses some of the chemical that consumers are warned against. Though it is no remedy for animal testing, I would like to point out that Dove, however, does do an exceptional job of partnering with charities and organizations that promote female empowerment and self-confidence in girls and women. I mention this because social causes is one of the factors that I deem important in my Wear No Evil guide. On another note, I find that the Dove Beauty Bars are best at not making my skin feel stripped and squeaky after washing.

E X F O L I A T E

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub | This exfoliator seems to be doing great things, as it is listed as paraben-free and using all natural exfoliants. However, there are other chemicals listed in the ingredient list that are problematic for skin. Another potential highlight for St. Ives is that the brand is touted as natural, but it is another branch of Unilever, and we all know what that means. There was also a lawsuit against Unilever at the end of 2016 because of this scrub, so do with that what you will. I use this product maaaybe once a week at the most, and I haven't noticed any problems so far.

M O I S T U R I Z E

Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream (c/o Influenster) | This is my current moisturizer because I received it in an Influenster box right when I ran out of my trusty Neutrogena product. They essentially are the same thing, but one is just more expensive and a different color. This one is formulated without parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which is pretty significant when it comes to harsh chemicals. Saturday Skin as a brand is known for its exclusive peptide formula, which some people argue aren't great for the skin either. But, this brand is also cruelty-free, vegan, and doesn't use artificial colors or fragrances. Overall, this is a great product line to try out if you want natural beauty products.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | In concept, this product is really similar to the Saturday Skin moisturizer. The consistency and texture is the same, and they make my skin feel the same way. However, Johnson & Johnson is the parent company of Neutrogena, and their animal testing policy allows for testing where the law requires it (such as in China), but because their products are sold their, the company cannot be deemed cruelty-free. 

* I additionally use other dermatologist-prescribed products *

R E M O V E

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towlettes | Given what I just talked about regarding the Hydro Boost moisturizer, the makeup remover wipes are also neither natural nor cruelty-free. Additionally, there was a recent news story saying that these wipes have caused horrible rashes and I even saw news from a high school classmate that works in esthetics saying that these are not good for your skin. Though I am sure there are some truth to these statements, along the same vein of what I said about St. Ives, I have used these wipes for years and never experienced a problem yet.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads | Almay is a branch of Revlon, which has a similar policy to both Unilever and Johnson & Johnson about allowing animal testing in countries such as China, where it is required by law. These wipes, therefore, are not cruelty-free. Weirdly enough, there are no ingredients listed on the webpage for this makeup remover, though they are marketed as hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

R E C A P

One of my biggest takeaways from reviewing my skincare routine is that since I don't use very many products, this may be one area where I could make easier switches to natural beauty. I would love to test more of the Saturday Skin line and find other inexpensive brands for my skin such as Simple and Kopari Beauty.

7 Leadership and Career Books to Read if You Want to Make a Difference

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Today's blog post is a quick recap of some of the books I have read recently that are focused on leadership practices and/or career development. One of my favorite things about reading is getting to read a variety of books about different topics and ideas, not just novel after novel. These 7 books range from old classics to newfound favorites and each one of them is inspiring in their own way. With my degree in environmental sciences and a minor in entrepreneurship and leadership, I am always thinking about ways we can make the world better and love hearing stories from people who are active in the field. Without further ado, let's get on with the list!

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

I read this book a few years ago after it was gifted to me and I really enjoyed this classic! If you are familiar with business books, you most likely have read or heard of this one. Carnegie provides great advice for working with others, committing to understanding others' points of view, and  general business savvy. It's been a while since I have picked this book up again, but I love having it on my shelf to reference.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits is such an interesting read! This book really delves into some great ideas about making yourself not only efficient, but effective as well. Covey recommends spending time refueling your mind and body, creating a personal mission statement, and also talks about effective communication. I loved how this book is broken into 7 digestible habits, and though the book takes a little while to get through, I think it is well worth the read. This book also captured my attention because Covey addresses the broader concept of spirituality at parts, and I find it fascinating how many messages of religion / the Bible are re-purposed as business and leadership advice. It is my general understanding that many of the individuals who write such novels have very robust spiritual lives, and that in turn helps to make them better leaders. So interesting! (If you are curious about this topic, let me know and I'd love to share more of my thoughts on it in a separate post) My last comment about The 7 Habits is that it comes with fun quizzes and workshops to help test your personal effectiveness. I took the online quiz to see how I stack up, and I definitely need to work on a few of these habits. The book also has encouraged me to develop a personal mission statement. Should I do a more in-depth post on that as well?

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer

This is another digestible leadership book that I found really fascinating! The entire paradigm for this book is focused on being above or below an imaginary line, which is so easy to put into practice in daily life. This book was also the foundation of my independent study during my senior spring, for which I created a marketing plan for a lecture at my university with the author, Jim Dethmer. In a surprising turn of events, I found out that Dethmer had previously worked in religion, which explains why he also references ideas such as loving-kindness. He and Covey both share unique perspectives by combining everyday business advice with the importance of mindful, or even spiritual, behavior.

The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
This is my most recently finished book, and I loved all the advice this book had to share! The authors provided unique insight to some of the biological, genetic, and psychological reasons why confidence is much harder to come by in women than in men, and they share great anecdotes and interview key players in understanding how to give women a confidence boost in the workplace and in life. 

Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht 
Written by the creator of anonymous Internet personality DKNY PR GIRL, this book shares the story of how Licht thought outside the box to utilize social media in a new way for fashion companies. She shares great career building advice and information on creating a personal brand. This was such a fun read and made me wish that the DKNY PR GIRL account was still active!

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas by David Bornstein
This read tells the story of so many amazing people who are making a difference in the world. I actually first stumbled upon this book when it was assigned as the textbook for my social entrepreneurship class in Denmark, and though I didn't read it cover to cover at the time, I knew that I wanted to give it a second look. Each chapter tells the story of a different social entrepreneur, the problem he/she wanted to solve, and the challenges that came along with starting their business. If you are interested in starting a business or in learning about companies with unique missions, this is a great read!

The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz
I haven't finished this book yet, but so far I am really enjoying it! Novogratz's autobiographical story talks about how she quit her comfortable job working for Chase bank to pursue her passion in Africa. With her financial savvy, Novogratz helps analyze the opportunity for microloan banks for females and started her own incredible business out of it. Not only does this book discuss the importance of social enterprises, it also explains the public health concept that educating females and giving them opportunity is one of the most effective ways to relieve poverty in developing nations.

Do you have a favorite business or career book I should read? I am always adding to my Goodreads list!

Young Alumni Weekend 2018

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be sharing a little recap of this past weekend, when I went back to my college campus for my first Young Alumni Weekend! I was only there for two days, but it was the best little trip and I had so much fun seeing all of my friends again. I realize now just how difficult it is to do everything and see everyone in such a short amount of time, and it's no comparison for the four years you spend at school when you are in walking distance from all of your best friends all the time. But I had the best weekend and wanted to share a little about what I did, since making this visit was one of my 101 in 1001 bucket list goals.

I took the train into Baltimore and got into Penn Station with enough time to make it back to campus, change and head over to the football game. A group of my friends and I took a nice walk through one part of campus and grabbed coffee on our way to the game. It was hotter outside than we anticipated, since New York and New Jersey are leaning toward fall a bit more these days. We stayed at the game until half-time, and then decided that we were all hungry for a pre-dinner snack. 

We walked through other parts of campus, including two of our favorite buildings, on our way to Carma's Cafe, which is located right next to campus. They have the best cold sesame noodles, so I got the noodles with a side salad and their peach mint iced tea. Everything was just as delicious as I remember, and I also highly recommend their TCB (Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie) sandwich if you stop by for a more filling meal. It tastes just like Thanksgiving! We snapped a few pictures of campus and met up with my friend, David, who took the group shot above with his DSLR camera. He is on campus completing his master's degree, so it was nice to see him again since he lives further away.

After going to Carma's Cafe, we all stopped back at our friend Sabrina's house (who amazingly hosted us even though she had so much work to do -- such a trooper!) for a quick nap and then decided to get a real meal before we went out to the Tent Party. Of course, we couldn't come back to campus without getting our favorite Indian food at Tamber's, which is a staple on the Hopkins campus. It's been around for years and a few of my friends whose parents went to Hopkins as well say that their moms and dads enjoyed Tamber's just as much as we do!

Tamber's has so many great menu items, but because I don't go very often I knew I had to get my favorite chicken tikka masala. It was such a yummy meal and then we got dressed and ready for the tent party. We stopped by another friend's apartment before heading over to the tent, and had a blast the whole night. My favorite thing about the tent this year was the wide selection of drinks they had, from pumpkin ales to pink lemonade shandies (I'm kicking myself for not trying the shandy until they had run out). On our way back from the tent, we made a pitstop to sit on top of the Hopkins sign and reminisce about campus. I am notoriously afraid of heights and really don't like having to climb on the sign, but I wanted to do it anyway because my chance are becoming fewer and more far between.

The next morning, our massive group of 12 headed downtown to Fell's Point for a great brunch! We went to the Waterfront Hotel Bar, which is located on the water and has a great brunch menu as well as an incredible bottomless. I got the breakfast burrito and tater tots, plus mimosas. It was so much food and delicious! I love the charm of the Fell's Point neighborhood, and after brunch we walked around on the pier and enjoyed the perfect weather before packing up to head back home. It was seriously the best weekend ever and I can't wait to head back to campus in the spring for one of the many busy weekends that happen in April. Hopkins is fortunate to have 2 alumni weekends each year, one for recent graduates and one for all past grads. The spring weekend coincides with lacrosse season and is always one of the best weekends of the year!

Football Game Outfit: college shirt / shorts / sneakers / sunglasses

Tent Party Outfit: sweater (old, similar here) / skirt / sandals

Brunch Outfit: jacket / jumpsuit / heels (old, similar here)

Fall Looks Inspired by Scooby Doo's Velma

Happy October! Last week, I went shopping for clothes to wear to our big tent party at Hopkins's homecoming weekend, and I found so many plaid skirt and turtleneck combos! I kept trying on different plaid skirts with turtlenecks and each time I thought, "Wow, I look like Velma from Scooby Doo." That 60s and 70s school-girl inspired look is very popular for this fall, and I thought it would be a good idea to pair up some cute skirts and turtlenecks I found that would make for adorable outfits (plus an option that would work for a modernized Velma Halloween costume)!