May Flowers & Exciting News!

While this spring has not seen many warm days yet, that doesn't mean I don't think about them!    I've been craving warmer weather...since about February! This Friday's Fancies is all about floral prints, and while I don't own many floral print items, I have been day dreaming about adding more to my wardrobe!

May Flowers by karamalo featuring zanzan

I wouldn't normally buy a dress like this, but I am beginning to like this vintage style more and more (only on rare occasions). I think this outfit would look adorable for a day relaxing in the park!

I recently bought this floral tee at Urban Outfitters on a whim, and I LOVE it. It's perfect for throwing on with shorts or jeans. (Maybe even a skirt too!)

Lastly, I received some good news regarding my plans for next year! As I looked into teaching more and more, I discovered that school counseling, as a career, fits my personality more so than teaching.  I applied for programs through two different schools, and I got into my top choice! The school is still in Chicago, and I could not be happier :)

Friday Fancies

I have a confession.  I am not a girl who is big into jewelry. I know, I know... In fact I only have one statement necklace, and I don't know if it can even be considered a true statement necklace.  The only jewelry I wear everyday are stud earrings that are usually pearls or my gold bow earrings.  Bracelets and watches that actually fit my super tiny wrists are hard to find, so I usually just have a hair tie on my wrist :(  If I was brave enough to accessorize with lots of jewelry, this is what I would wear! 

In fact, I am going to a wedding next weekend, and I will be wearing this exact dress! (It was supposed to be my New Years Dress, but with a snow storm on the way, it did not arrive in time) I think adding more jewelry into my wardrobe seriously should be one of my New Years Resolutions!

Bling Bling by karamalo

Labor Day Weekend Plans

Happy four day weekend!!!

After class I am heading to my college town for a fun weekend with Tim & friends (sooo excited!!). Unfortunately for me, the weather will most likely not be holding up due to the hurricane. The forecast calls for storms starting Friday night until Tuesday...yikes! I wanted to do {long distance loving}'s Friday Fancie this week, and since it may be a rain filled weekend, let's be real...I'm going to be in pj's allll weekend and play Kinect games :) However, I might squeeze a P90X session in there or two!

P.S. I think I am just a little bit obsessed with polka dot socks.....

I'm Going on a Road Trip!

I decided to do my first ever Friday's Friday's Fancies since I'm going on a (somewhat) road trip after class to my college town for a fun and relaxing weekend! I love going on road trips anywhere and everywhere! Here is what I would bring on a typical road trip! Don't be fooled by the socks - I always have to bring socks on road trips, in movie theaters, to friends' houses, etc because my feet get so cold easily!

What do you guys like to bring on road trips?

Back in the USA!

    I'm finally back in the States from my Europe trip with Tim and some of his siblings! I had SO SO much fun and I wish I got to see more (maybe I'll go back one day...wishful thinking)! I am still getting over the jet lag and need to do laundry/unpack, but I will put up an entire post dedicated to the trip!

    Back in April, Vera Bradley had their annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale and this was the first year I went! They usually have items anywhere from 40 - 70% off in their most successful prints! I took my mom and one of my friends from school. There were dedicated (or maybe somewhat crazy) ladies there who go every year and buy huge bags full of everything Vera Bradley. Even though I only got four things, I feel like they were items I really needed and I feel like I am stocked up on Vera Bradley for another 3 or 4 years!

1) One of the Vera Bradley items I had been wanting most was a messenger/computer bag I could take to school with me or on short trips. The print shown is not the print I bought; it's here and it's called Sittin' in a Tree. They only had a few select prints and if I could pick any print this is not the one I would want, but I promise it looks better in person...not so brown. This bag is called the Metropolitan and has a laptop sleeve and plenty of room for other books or random items. It will definitely come in handy!

2) The second item I got is their small duffel bag. The duffel bags are what people go crazy for at this sale, so I headed for this first thing! I feel that the small duffel is the perfect size for me for weekend trips! I actually brought it to Europe as my carry on and it worked out so well!

3) Since high school, I had kept my makeup in a Vera Bradley medium cosmetic bag. It has a liner to protect the fabric and I just think it's the perfect size to take your makeup on trips, keep in your dorm room, etc. I hadn't replaced mine in nearly 4 years, so I was excited to get a brand new one!

4) I decided that a bathroom hanging organizer was something I needed not only for my Europe trip, but for other trips as well (including my summer job as a camp counselor this summer in Maine)! I was excited about this print, which surprised me because I am normally not a pink girl! It's perfect for holding full sized shampoos, conditioners, shaving cream, and much more! In fact you could probably fit your makeup in the bottom pouch as well! The metal hanger is very sturdy and I can tell this item will last me a long time!

I know some people feel that Vera Bradley products are "grandma-like", but I really think they have upped their game with VERY cute prints this spring! Their products are no longer for just grandmas anymore!

Have any of you purchased Vera Bradley items? What do you think of them?

I'm in Barcelona!

From London, Tim and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to Barcelona for 4 days! I couldn't have been more excited since it is on the coast of Spain! I sure am brushing up on my Spanish days back in high school. There is hardly anyone that speaks English here, but we are managing these few days just fine! Since I can't get internet on my phone here (it will rack up the phone bill), I sadly cannot post photos on my Twitter while I am in Europe.

Today, we spent the day relaxing on the beach that is a 15 minute walk from our hotel! Relaxing on the beach is one of my favorite things about summer! I am definitely a warm weather girl. I am convinced we must look like locals because people have come up to us speaking Spanish and asking for directions, hah! Again, since I cannot post pictures I decided to add what I brought with me for the day!

Barcelona Beach Day by karamalo featuring essie nail polish

• I could not find my exact dress from Billabong on Polyvore, but mine is very similar to this one. I only use mine as a cover up because it is a bit too short for me to wear as a dress. I am in love with this print/style!

• I sadly do not own true Ray Ban sunglasses, but the off brand is just fine with me! These go with everything I swear.

• My go to makeup product would have to be mascara. I was blessed with long, dark eyelashes but mascara gives them that extra something! If I'm going to the beach or pool, I always put on my clear mascara and curl my eyelashes so I don't have to worry about black mascara running just in case I decide to get in the water.

• I picked up the latest Glamour magazine at the Heathrow airport in London before my flight. I'm not sure if it's the same edition currently in the US, but it came with a free facial toner that I am excited to use!

• Currently I have Essie Mint Candy Apple on my fingernails. I know I am late on the mint polish bandwagon, but I think it's the perfect color for summer and I just got the mint J. Crew chinos which I am in love with! On my toes, I always have a coral polish. I am forgetting the exact color because I left my nail polish back in the states (oops)!

• A camera is essential on any big excursion! I know my camera is not a professional one, but I can't help but love my Nixon Coolpix! I love how compact it is and how it gets the job done. The self timer came in handy today as well, because Tim and I did not know how to say "can you take our picture?" in Spanish.

• I remember when I was rushing as a freshman, and a girl asked me, "if you could be any type of shoe which one would it be?". I answered with the gladiator type sandal because they are stylish and comfortable! These sandals were $12 at Target, what a steal!

• You can't go wrong with lip balm! I used to religiously buy/wear Burt's Bees (even though Tim hates the smell of it, haha). I decided to try the Eos lip balms and I am not even close to being done with mine! I (and Tim) approve of the smell also!

Tomorrow, we are going on a Fat Tire bike tour around the city! I know it's going to be exciting because Tim and I went on a bike tour hosted by the same company in London. If any of you ever go to Barcelona, Berlin, London, or Paris I highly recommend them! Their tour guides are on the younger side with a great sense of humor and give advice on what else to check out in your city that's worth your time and money. You can find their link, here. 

Have any of you traveled to Europe?