OUTFIT: SCALLOPED BACK (COLLAB)

Most ladies love scallops:  really, what's not to like?  They're feminine, classic, and oh-so-summery.
Even though summer is coming to a close, my friend Emma and I are still all for scallops. In fact, I think they should become the latest fall trend...

A BLOGGER'S GUIDE TO SNAPCHAT

In this latest wave of technology, Snapchat is beginning to make its presence known as yet another social media outlet for bloggers to extend beyond their websites.  Even as the app's popularity is rising, many bloggers are still hesitant to use it.  I definitely was; however, I'm thankful that I decided to take the plunge and venture into the world of Snap-blogging.  This is one of those things that's much more straightforward than it looks.

So, how does a blogger go about using Snapchat?  Here are some of the ways that I make the most out of the app:

1. Blog Post Updates:  I love using Snapchat because the ability to share pictures with others becomes so much easier on the app.  I've found that snapping photos of my newest blog posts has really increased my traffic--and best of all, it only takes about two seconds to share!

2. Self-Promotion:  The self-promoting of your blog and other social medias through Snapchat is also incredibly easy.  However, it's best to do this in moderation.  The people who've added you do not want to be spammed with every link to every social media you have, within the span of five minutes.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 7/19/15 -- 7/25/15

And then it was August.  Where does the time go, anyway?

My week was very busy;  from haircuts to orthodontist appointments to a total of sixteen hours of learning choreography (all highlighted events on my Snapchat), it was a little chaotic.  Fun, but chaotic.

Another less than enjoyable event that occurred was my nasty run-in with the corner of a cabinet in my room (don't ask).  However, because of said run-in, that cabinet is going to be transferred to another room and I'll have a perfect blank slate for a new gallery wall!  Always find a silver lining, right?


Via

Now, on to some of my favorite links from the past week:
Speaking of gallery walls, Pinterest has definitely been a lovely resource for free prints and inspiration.
Since you all know that Audrey Hepburn is my idol, you won't be surprised that I found and took this adorable quiz that reveals which Audrey character you are.  I got Funny Face Audrey, and I'm hoping Roman Holiday Audrey was a close second!

MY FANCIFUL GOALS

If you've been to a school in the past ten years, I'm nearly positive that you've made a list of your goals. Of course, if you're a Type H personality (the less stressed and aggressive version of the Type A personality) through and through, you've probably made this list about twenty times in the last three months.  One thing I've learned about myself is that I'm a dreamer;  I enjoy thinking about all of the aspirations and goals I have, and how in the world I'm going to accomplish them.

I've been realizing that not all goals are created equal--that is to say, some goals are put aside because they're deemed too small or eccentric to worry about.  Are you really going to strive for just one day in Paris when you could be thinking about a collegiate education?

However, I think it's important to embrace every single goal you have, no matter how idealistic or spontaneous they might seem, no matter how whimsical and small they might be.  You should still focus on college--but don't forget about Paris, either.

1. Be able to stroll through Rome and understand the conversations going on around me.

I love languages, and the language of Italia is one of my favorites.  When in Rome (assuming I get there)...

2. Go to a fancy dinner and have that "Eliza Doolittle" moment.

Having royalty waltz with me would also be dreamy, but the dinner party will suffice.

BEHIND THE SNAP

Instagram is a key tool that many bloggers use to promote their blog views and other social media followings.  Most of us really enjoy using Instagram, not just to post our own pictures but also to gain inspiration from other bloggers and their seemingly effortless pictures.

Instagram, like any other good thing, has a rougher side to it.  After gazing at all of those seemingly effortless pictures, envy can begin to take root inside of us.  Then we start contrasting our own photos with others', and somehow, we end up wanting to completely scratch every single picture we've ever posted.  It's a vicious cycle, and many of us fall prey to it.

However, it is essential to remember that Instagram is not a realistic representation of anyone's life.  We bloggers are especially guilty of staging unrelated things together just to create an aesthetically pleasing picture;  on the other hand, we hardly ever post pictures of that bad grade we received or the blemishes on our faces.

One of my blogger friends shared this thought-provoking quote with me:  "Do not compare your today with someone else's tomorrow."  The same can be said for this situation:  do not compare your own work with someone else's.  It'd be the equivalent of comparing macarons and hydrangeas (in my eyes, anyway).

I've dug into the deepest recesses of my Instagram snaps to share with you the reality of some of those pictures;  hopefully you'll be laughing by the time you've finished reading!

1. "Happy Halloween--XOXO, Gossip Girl"

What You See:  Look, another blogger jumping on the Gossip Girl bandwagon!

The Reality:  I took this picture about thirty times to get my face and hair just perfect.  Fun fact:  I never even dressed up for Halloween, I've never watched one episode of Gossip Girl, and that headband is from the kid's section in Target.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 7/12/15 -- 7/18/15

Half of July is already gone--is it time to start panicking yet?

The fact that I finally got my permit was cause for much panicking in my household (most of which was done by myself).  Besides overcoming that dilemma, I also went shopping at my favorite store and breakfasted at my favorite place, IHOP.  These banana pudding pancakes were a lovely pick-me-up!

Since I'm a huge Hamptons decor lover, I was thrilled to have found this house, a beautiful template for what I'd eventually love to reside in.  Everything's perfect, except for the price tag, of course!

I'll be honest with you, I've also been religiously reading all of the History In High Heels travel posts.  One of my absolute favorites features all of the lovely aspects of the French Riviera.

SWITCHING SEASONS STYLE

I cannot believe that half of July is already gone!  It's practically August, which means it's practically September, and therefore, practically fall.

This may be a terrifying thought, but what I find even more unsettling is trying to put together a fall wardrobe--without whizzing to the nearest clothing store.  Autumn can be unpredictable in the weather category, and that doesn't make clothing choices any simpler, either.

Though it's tempting to splurge on the brightest and lightest of summer pieces now, it's more proactive to start looking at some transitional items.  Cardigans and simple tees are just a sampling of the "switching seasons" style that we'll all have to adapt to:

Shirts

From your basic striped to chambray to embroidered, simple tees and tanks are lovely staples to add to a fickle wardrobe.

SUMMER READS

Summertime is usually more laid back and carefree.  This can be pleasant for a while, but it becomes tedious pretty quickly.  Since we don't want to lounge around and watch Netflix for two months, we're challenged with finding new activities to engage in.

One of the things I find myself doing practically everyday is reading.  From books to blogs, there's reading material everywhere--and it doesn't have to be for that summer reading assignment.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 7/5/15 -- 7/11/15

Here we are, in the hottest days of summer, and our pool deflates.  That was a bummer--but thankfully, that was the only real downer that occurred this week.


Via

Now, on to some of my favorite links from the past week:
If you didn't already know this about me, I love reading other blogs.  Not just because they're one of my main sources of inspiration and because I really enjoy reading in general, but also because I love looking at different blog designs.  When I was a beginner blogger, I had no idea about HTML code or widgets or any variation of the kind.  Now that I've had to delve into the darkest parts of the Blogger interface, I can really appreciate the time it takes to do some of those cool things on different bloggers' pages.  Anyway, I just stumbled upon Quaintrelle, and in all honesty, it's one of the most beautifully designed blogs I've ever seen--paired with exquisite writing.

THE INFERIORITY COMPLEX

Since I've been on this I Love Lucy craze, I stumbled across one of the older episodes, comically titled "The Inferiority Complex."  Essentially, the episode is about Lucy's sudden depression, which is caused by her belief that she can't do anything right.  With all of her blubbering and Ricky's scheming, it made for a pretty good laugh--that is, until I stepped back and realized that I'm going through the exact same slump.

Sometimes, I feel as though I can't do anything to my satisfaction.  I can't do anything right.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 6/28/15 -- 7/4/15

Independence Day's here, and you know what that means:  summer assignments are now added to the grind.  It also means fireworks and outfit posts galore, but to me, it's a special reminder of the last month of summer.


Via

Now, on to some of my favorite links from the past week:
Since I've been really intrigued by travel as of late, I was glad to have found a realistic packing guide for a European vacation.  Now all I need is my passport and plane tickets.
I've got my eye on this flowy cami on sale at Old Navy...

OUTFIT: JULY STRIPES (COLLAB)

I have a quick confession to make:  I've never been a huge Fourth of July fanatic.  We definitely celebrate it in my family;  however, while everyone else is out gawking at fireworks, we're usually inside gawking at the dinner my mom has whipped up.

Fourth of July fan or not, I am in love with stripes.  I'm surprised that I don't have twenty striped shirts in my closet.  Since stripes are such a staple--and they're truly patriotic--Katelyn from The Yellow Spectacles and I have decided to share our favorite outfits from our striped inventories.

Toby also happens to love stripes (although he admits he'll always have a special place in his heart for paw prints).