My Current Skincare Rotation

I always treat my skincare routine as a wardrobe kind of situation. My skin is never exactly the same day-to-day, and while it is generally well-behaved as of late, it never hurts to chop and change which products I use in order to fit my skin's needs from day-to-day. I have combination skin, and tend to break out around my chin, but often have a few dry patches around my cheeks fyi. 

Step 1: Cleanse ~ If there's one step in my skincare routine that I never forget to do, its cleansing. I never leave my makeup on at night and I also always cleanse my face in the morning. For a morning cleanse I usually go for the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, which is perfect for the morning because the texture is lightweight and refreshing but never feels stripping. I also will sometimes use the Glossier cleanser at night if I'm wearing little to no makeup on my face or had a day indoors and decided not to wear SPF. On a more regular basis though, at night I remove my makeup with the blue capped Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, which is geared towards waterproof makeup because I wear waterproof mascara. This micellar water does a great job at removing all my makeup but I will go in with the Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm afterwards in order to really cleanse my skin. 

Step 2: "Treatment" ~ Ok so this isn't entirely one step but I wanted to lump all of this stuff together so I didn't have a million steps. Most days I will use an acid toner, my favorite being the Pixi Glow Tonic, right after I cleanse my skin in the morning. Using an acid toner really helps the tone and texture of my skin. Depending on how my skin is, I will sometimes opt to use one of the Glossier Super Serums. I have been loving Super Pure because it has really helped with some congestion that I've been experiencing around my T-Zone. I will go in with Super Bounce when my skin is feeling a bit dry and dehydrated, as it really does help with those two things without leaving my skin feeling overloaded with product or oily. I have used Super Glow for dullness, but haven't used it enough to give it a full recommendation but it does feel nice on the skin albeit a bit watery. At night, after I cleanse I use the Effaclar Duo on any spots or residual scars from past spots that I have. I have been using this product for years and don't see myself straying to another spot treatment any time soon.

Step 3: Moisturize ~ The moisturizer step is the step where I change up the products the most. For the morning I will use moisturizer right after applying a serum, or right after the Glow Tonic if I opt not to use a serum. If my skin is on the dryer side or if it's really cold outside I will use the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich, which I love even though I have slightly oily skin because even though it is rich it really sinks into the skin and feels very moisturizing rather than greasy or heavy. During the warmer months though I will use the original Glossier Priming Moisturizer because it is very lightweight and works really well under makeup (as the name would suggest). At night I really go the whole hog with moisturizer. I always use the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatmentas my eye cream because it is super moisturizing and super thick so it is best used at night. Since I'm only 22 I don't need a targeted anti-aging eye cream and I love this one because it is so basic and so good at making my under eye area so soft. Most nights I will use the Origins Make A Difference Plus moisturizer because it is really rich and creamy but is very basic and, like the eye cream, doesn't do much else but moisturize. I love this cream for nighttime as well because it smells so calming. About twice a week (or more if my skin is really freaking out) I will use the Pai Rosehip Regenerate Oil either by itself or underneath the Origins moisturizer. This oil is amazing at soothing any kind of irritation my skin gets and is a real lifesaver during the winter months when my skin can get very dry almost to the point of eczema. I also find that because it is a rosehip oil it is really good for getting rid of any kind of pigmentation from leftover acne scars, with enough use over time.

P.S. I do use SPF pretty much every day but will go more into that in a later blog post :)

How To Make a Temporary Apartment a Home

Ever since moving away to college almost four years ago I have lived in different apartments. Freshman year I lived in on-campus apartments for first-years, sophomore year I lived in a townhouse off-campus with three other girls, and then junior year I moved into a studio apartment that I am still living in now. Being someone who's mood is very much affected by their surroundings (as discussed in last weeks post), I struggled a bit when I first moved away from home because I found it very difficult to create a space that felt like my own when I wasn't going to live there for very long.

Making an apartment, especially a college apartment, feel homey and like its your own is difficult because 1. chances are you won't be there for a very long period of time and investing in the place can feel like a waste and 2. because it is a rental it can be nearly impossible to make more permanent changes to suit your particular style. However, I've found that making an apartment feel more like a home is possible (even if you're on a budget like me), it just takes a bit of time and experimenting with less traditional decor options.

Focus on Bedding ~ I've found that if you're going to spend money on decorating and filling your apartment the best place to do it is on bedding. Considering the fact that you spend about a third of your time in bed, it should be a place where you feel the most comfortable and the most cozy. Especially since I live in a studio apartment, my bed is the biggest piece of furniture in my living space and I am constantly looking at it so I like it to look nice and cozy. I also like to throw blankets over my couch because its not a piece of furniture that I particularly love (my apartment was partially furnished when I moved in) and it does make the piece a lot more cozy and is more personalized to my taste. You don't have to spend a ton of money on bedding but I think a subtly printed duvet cover and nice sheets can make a world of a difference in the overall look of a small apartment.

Add Greenery ~ I talked about this in my last blog post, but I'm going to bring it up yet again, I think one of the nicest ways to spruce up an apartment is by adding greenery, whether it be in the form of houseplants or flowers. This is a relatively cheap way of adding some more color into a small living space, and for me at least, having greenery in my apartment instantly makes me feel better. As clichéd as it is I think succulents are always a good place to start because they look adorable and are relatively easy to take care of, and thats saying something for me because I have the least green thumb there is.

Decorate with Everyday Objects ~ Because my apartment is such a temporary living space I have not felt the need to buy decor for the sake of buying decor. Rather than buying loads of throw pillows and artwork for my walls, I like to decorate my apartment with more everyday objects. One of my favorite parts of my apartment is my little bookshelf, which I have organized all of my books by color. Not only does this part of my apartment serve a practical purpose, but because all of the books are color coordinated it acts as a kind of decor because it is so visually pleasing. I also like to scatter things like my cameras onto surfaces in my apartment because they are representative of my hobbies and I love how the look. In terms of filling up space on the wall, posters and prints are pretty much my go-to for "artwork". I have a glossier poster hanging up, which came with one of my orders (all glossier orders come with a different poster by the way) as well as a print that I randomly bought at Urban Outfitters a few years ago and a poster from a band that my friend got me for a birthday present. I think decorating with more everyday objects is not only a cost-effective way to decorate an apartment, but because they are such personal objects they really show your own hobbies and interests.

Lighting Is Everything ~ When I moved into the apartment that I live in now, the thing I hated about the space was the lighting. There is one overhead fan light in my apartment and not only is the fixture itself pretty awful-looking and outdated, but the light itself is just not pleasing at all and makes the whole apartment look a bit drab. One way I remedied this was getting a floor lamp from Ikea to add a bit of brightness, but also to act as a furniture-like fixture for the apartment. I also added fairy lights around my bed to create a kind of faux-headboard and the light that these string lights adds makes a load of a difference in terms of the way my apartment looks and feels. Lighting is a really cheap way to spruce up and make an apartment seem a lot more cozy and inviting.

The Three Things That Instantly Lift My Mood

Whenever I get stressed or get overwhelmed (which is more often than I'd perhaps like to admit) I really like to have my space be perfect. If my surroundings are organized an decluttered, then I instantly feel better and more relaxed. When I do get stressed or feel down I try to limit my screen time because I find that if I'm not feeling great, scrolling through Instagram and inevitably comparing what I'm feeling to the perfection that people are projecting out into the world is just not good for my state of mind. That's not to say I don't like Instagram or social media, believe me I do (just ask my boyfriend who constantly finds me scrolling through my Instagram feed), I just like to be engaged yet relaxed when I get overwhelmed and I've found that screen time can just put me on autopilot.

One thing I always like to have in my tiny apartment that always lifts my mood is flowers. I think I get this trait from my mom, who usually has about five vases of flowers in our house at any given time. Given that my apartment is so tiny and my window looks out to a parking lot, it's nice to have some greenery in my space and some colorful flowers always make me feel so much better and like I have my shit together. I also love to light candles whenever I feel stressed. I'm a big lover of Diptyque candles, but given that I'm a student I don't exactly have the funds to shill out $60 for a candle. Some of my favorite candles are from PF Candle Co., of which I am currently burning the Black Fig scent, which smells heavenly and like the perfect combination of fruity and woodsy scents. I also am a big fan of the Teakwood and Tobacco scent and the Amber and Moss scent, but I tend to burn those more in the colder months. The final thing that always makes me feel better is reading. I read so much for my college classes that I often forget to set aside time in the evening to read for pleasure, but this year I've set a challenge to read at least one book per month. Reading a book before bed makes me sleep so much better, and like I mentioned before its nice to get a break from screens when you're in a crappy mood. I am currently reading The Disappointment Artist by Jonathan Lathem, which is a collection of essays about the process of being a writer. I really like this book because it being a collection of essays means that it's really easy to dip in and out of.

How I Found My Personal Style

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved clothes and fashion, and I've always had a very strong vision of what I like to wear. However, that's not to say that my style has stayed the same, in fact it has changed quite a bit especially in the past year. I think that is mainly down to the fact that I 1. have started to feel more like an adult than I ever have before and 2. because I have started to consume more and more fashion content. I thought today I'd share a few tips on what I found most helpful to hone my style.

Do a Thorough Wardrobe Clear-Out ~ When I really got an itch to revamp my wardrobe I started out by clearing out everything in my closet, and by everything I mean everything. When I had everything laid out I realized how much stuff I had in my closet that hadn't been worn in years. I had shirts that I had not worn since high school and so many other things that just would not fit my aesthetic at all now. I would recommend taking everything physically out of your wardrobe/closet/drawers just so that you can see everything and consider every piece to either keep or get rid of. It has also helped me to do pretty consistent clear-outs on a smaller scale if I don't find myself wearing certain pieces or if I want to replace something that already exists in my closet with a newer or better version.

Take Inspiration from Everywhere ~ I think taking inspiration from everywhere has really helped me hone in my personal style, because at the end of the day I think that what you wear is a direct reflection of your personality and interests. I personally take a lot of my inspiration from the music I listen to and my parents. I am a big fan of rock music, especially 60s and 70s rock like The Beatles, the Stones, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Ramones, and the list just goes on and on. I love the toughness of rock music and emulating that in my style and combining it with slightly more feminine pieces has made me really be able to express what I like beyond just fashion. My parents also are big influences on my fashion. A few months ago I found an amazing picture of my dad in the late 70s wearing the most amazing white Levi 501s. I've loved Levis for as long as I've been wearing jeans but that picture really made me love 501s that much more, especially since 70s fashion is back in style. My mom's philosophy of buying classic tailored pieces(oh and not to mention her intense love of black boots) has also been a massive influence on my style. I don't buy much trend-driven clothing, but rather interesting and well-made basics that are versatile and can be dressed up or down.

Devour Fashion Content ~ As I mentioned before, I've been consuming even more fashion content than I did before. I've taken more interest in it and found it so much more entertaining than I ever have in the past. I watched a video with Camille Rowe and British Vogue where she goes through her closet and explains her fashion philosophy, which is very much in-line with mine, where she prioritizes comfort over everything and likes to elevate the most basic outfit like jeans and a t-shirt, with fun vintage tees and amazing-fitting jeans. I also love Lizzy Hadfield, for really interesting takes on rather minimalistic outfits. Lizzy's instagram is absolutely incredible, her blog is incredibly well-written, and her YouTube videos on testing fashion basics are amazing and so well-thought out. Anna fromThe Anna Edit also has great taste and really focuses on basic, classic pieces that look really smart and minimalist. I've found that consuming a lot of fashion content has re-inspired me to be experimental with my wardrobe, while allowing me to really pick out styles I do like and styles that I don't think would be best suited on me.

Play Dress-Up ~ After I did my full wardrobe clear-out and found new ideas for outfits, I took it upon myself to try on as many outfit combinations as possible. I also made a concerted effort to use the inspiration I had found on the fashion bloggers and accounts that I had seen to put together pieces that I had never put together before and see if they worked. I found this really helpful for cutting down on feeling the urge to fill holes in my wardrobe because sometimes pairing a piece with a piece you wouldn't normally pair it with is enough to see the piece in a totally different light. For me, this was the most crucial part in honing in my style because it allowed me to use the clothes I already own and experiment with them so I'm not getting stuck in a fashion rut.

11 Highlights From My 21st Year

This past Wednesday I turned 22 and I feel like I am well and truly in my 20s, which has made me have mixed feelings. On the one hand your twenties are some of the most exciting and fun years, but its also the decade full of very extreme change and tough future-oriented decisions. 21 definitely gave me a taste of a lot of the negative and positive aspects of being a 20-something and while it was not always the easiest year, it was one of the most rewarding on a personal, academic, and professional level. 

Turning 21 ~ My 21st birthday was definitely a night that I will remember forever. Where I go to college there is a tradition to do a bar crawl on your 21st birthday, and while I would never ever want to do the bar crawl again (no one needs to consume that much alcohol on two separate occasions lol) it was easily one of funnest and most quintessentially "college" nights with my friends. 

Spending More Time with Friends ~ Over the summer my life went through a pretty massive shift, which I have discussed before but it made me realize how amazing and important my friends are to me and my happiness. For the first time in awhile I made a concerted effort to see my friends consistently and go out and truly be a 21 year old. I learned this summer that even though I don't have a giant friend group, the friends I have are my rock and if shit hits the fan they will always be there. 

Outside Lands 2016 ~ In August I went to my third Outside Lands, and much to my surprise, one of my friends was able to get us media passes, which meant that we could go backstage and even be onstage for several performances. It was easily one of the most incredible experiences and while going to three-day-long festivals are never a completely smooth experience, it was the most fun I had had in awhile. I have never danced or laughed harder than I did at OSL 2016.

Starting My Last Year of College ~ September marked the beginning of my final year in college. It's definitely been a bitter-sweet experience and I'm sure I will be bawling during my graduation. If anything, knowing this is my final year has made me take advantage of everything my college town has to offer because I won't be staying here after I graduate. It's made me spend a lot more time with my friends at school too because chances are we will all be going in different directions after college and these are the last moments for us to all be together.

Practicing Self-Care ~ Whether it's lighting my favorite candle, watching an old movie, or doing a face mask, this year has taught me to just take a pause and treat myself every once and awhile when things get stressful.

Returning to Photography ~ I've been really into photography since I was a teenager and I took two photography classes when I was in high school. However, because my schedule was so crazy for a good five months in the middle of the year, going out and taking pictures got put on the back burner. As a challenge to myself, I've been trying to post one Instagram per week and to shoot one roll of film per month. So far it's going pretty well and I will definitely be sharing my film photos in an upcoming content series!

Doing Yoga ~ Following along the whole self-care theme of this year, I have gotten really into doing yoga. I have spoken about doing yoga before on this blog but I really came to appreciate it this year especially since I have never been busier or more stressed than I was at certain points this year. I just love yoga because it allows me to be calm and centered while getting a good workout in.

Finishing Senior Thesis ~ Part of the reason why I've been so absentee from this blog is because I was in the process of finishing up my senior thesis in order to graduate from undergrad. I finished my thesis in March and I have never worked harder or been more dedicated to a project in my life. While it was one of the most demanding projects I have ever worked on, it is something that I will forever be proud of and it felt amazing to have a project that I can point to as the culmination of my academic career as an undergraduate. 

Traveling ~ I also got to travel a lot more as a 21 year old and it's something that I become more and more comfortable with and excited about as time goes on. I've always loved traveling but its nice to be able to do it as an adult with my friends and boyfriend. This past March I went to New York and Chicago and while they were both cities I had been to before, it was a whole new experience since I was with different people and I was able to do and see so much more. 

Spending Time with Family ~ With all of the massive changes that have happened this year, I have learned to appreciate my time with family that much more. I love my family and am very close to them and I think I had a real turnaround moment this year when I realized that once I graduate I probably won't have as much time to see them as I have in the past. Some of the best memories over the past year have been with my family and I think as you reach adulthood, you begin to see your family in a whole new light and appreciate them for different reasons. 

Truly Being Challenged ~ Between thesis, starting my last year of college, planning for the future, and all of the changes in my personal life I really have been challenged this year both in terms of what I want out of life and who I want to surround myself with. It sounds really cheesy but I think I have found a good balance of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and surrounding myself with people who make me want to leave my comfort zone, without being pushed to my limits. If there's anything I've learned this year, it's that balance is key and not being challenged at all whether its at school or in a relationship, is never good. Being challenged is the only thing that keeps you moving forward.