Femme

February 1, 2016Leave a comment

Peace and Blessings (PC: Cara Difabio, obvi)

Hey, hello, hi. So… I’ve been insanely busy being a senior in college (internally and externally cringing at that last sentence) and haven’t had much time to write a post. So, my apologies.

This post will be short and (not so) sweet, as I sit here writing while watching Grease Live on Fox . Danny and Sandy forever.

Any who, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about gender roles (here’s to looking at all of the politically correct friends of mine), and how women are depicted and treated in society. Why, you may ask? Because my friends and I were recently chatting about all of our less than pleasant encounters out on the town. Okay, so more like drunk men feeling like it is perfectly acceptable to grab women unsolicited, and even compliment them on certain body parts.

Since when is it okay to “compliment” a stranger on their chest or bottom? (el oh el I said bottom. I seldom say bottom, but I didn’t quite know how casual to be here to be honest).

I should think never. Like, literally, I cannot think of one instance where that remark would be welcome. Not only is it disrespectful, it is creepy and uncomfortable. I hope that over the next few years we can realize the error in these behaviors.

Personally, I rather be complimented on my brain, quick-wit, ability to put away a hamburger or read ten books in two weeks. There are so many aspects to a woman. Many of which have nothing to do with the way she looks.

So, next time you feel the sudden urge to make a remark that you know doesn’t feel right (here’s to looking at you random sketchy middle-aged man), here’s a wild thought: just don’t. Don’t say it, don’t act on it, hell, try not to even think it. I can guarantee you that it won’t be one of those moments you look back on and regret.

Okay, enough of the ranting–for now, el oh el. Like I said, short and (not so) sweet.

Some exciting news coming up on the next post, which hopefully will be within the next week!

Stay classy, sassy and beautiful people!

Apps and Naps

January 15, 2016Leave a comment

My body’s reaction to my final semester of college PC: Cara Difabio

Oh hey, hello there. It’s me. I hope everyone had the best holiday and is staying warm wherever the new year may have taken you.

As I begin to think about packing (yes, I go back to Boston Sunday) for my last semester in Boston, it dawns on me that A. I am procrastinating and 2. These are my last days home as an undergraduate (commence panic attack). While I spend these last few days home alternating between job applications and napping, I realize that more or less, the only thing standing between me and my diploma is four months and three classes.

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

I remember trying to decide what colleges to apply to, and whether early decision was the right choice for me (I knew I wanted to go to BU right away, and luckily I got in ED). I realized a few weeks ago that my future has been planned out for me from birth.

Okay, not in the dramatic way where my parents decided who I would marry, where I would live or anything like that. But rather, I knew what was expected of me from the moment my twin sister and I stepped foot on the hallowed ground of our elite private school at the ripe age of 11.

My parents worked hard to make sure my sisters and I understood that things in life did not come easy, that despite our comfortable lives, hard work remained a necessity.

My grandparents, on both sides of the family tree, worked hard to build lives for themselves. I feel #blessed to have such great role models in my life. Don’t get me wrong, much to my parents chagrin I somehow still feel that I know the answer to everything despite my young 21-years. Go figure.

I never questioned if I would finish high school and attend college. I never wondered if I would get a Bachelor’s degree, or an Associate’s. The future always held positivity. Not necessarily in the up-beat definition, but rather in the factual way. I just knew. I knew I would go to college. I knew I would go for four years. I knew my parents would be proud no matter what, but I also knew that I craved… knowledge.

Here I am, four years later, and I realize that all of this is about to change. I no longer know what the future holds. I know where I’d like to live, what I’d like to do (and put my education and tuition to good use). The real question lies in what will happen.

This stage of my life is all about… well, about‘s. I can tell I am on the brink, the cusp, the edge of glory if you will, of something. Something big. A change- graduation?

So, while my friends shy away from the g-word, I cling to my visceral reaction because I know it is not quite here yet. I know that I have some time, a few more months to understand that this isn’t the end, but just the beginning. An end of a chapter, but still in the first few pages in the book that makes up my life… so to speak. Wow could I be anymore cliche?

Well, that’s enough about that. Expect another post sometime next week from Boston!

Stay classy, sassy and warm, beautiful peeps!

Florida Fashion: Lauren Miley

January 8, 2016January 8, 2016Leave a comment

Every state has a different take on winter style. As a Florida born gal, (why did I just say gal?) growing up in the *freezing* 50 degree winters, I thought I knew how to dress for the cold.

I moved to Boston 18 years later, and basically froze (my heart- jk lol, my hair, you name it, I froze it). But for those of you reading this blog in Florida, I thought, hey I have friends who are cute and keep it fresh down here below the Mason Dixon Line, where our cold fronts consist of a shivery 55 degrees.

Enter my friend Lauren, a 22-year-old senior at Florida Southern College, nicknamed ‘Smilez’ because of her last name… and her, well, smiling.

While Lauren was born in Illinois, she’s lived in the Sunshine State for the last six years. After Lauren raked in some Christmas clothing goodies, we decided a photo shoot was in order.

Please sit back with some hot coco if you’re up North, and some sunscreen if you’re in Florida, and enjoy these sunny pics I took of one of my best friends at Mandarin Park in good old Jacksonville, Florida.

And no, we did not intend this photo shoot to be a Ray Ban add, just a happy bonus.

Jacket: Stein Mart

Jeans: Target

Tank: J Crew

Booties & Necklace: Express

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Smiles for days

Hope you enjoyed this post and random array of pics.

Stay classy, sassy and beautiful people!

2016.

January 1, 2016Leave a comment

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Shady Ladies

Holy mother of God how can it be 2016?! You know what this means… this is the end of the beginning. Or perhaps just a new beginning altogether. My classmates and I, being the class of 2016, will (hopefully) receive our diplomas in a few short months. I am turning 22 in six weeks. I know I say this all the time, and I am somewhat of a broken record when it comes to certain things, but I honestly have no idea where the time went.

As I sit here, still in Florida, it’s easy for me to lose count of the days and just succumb to the every day life of a college student on winter break, free of responsibilities and commitments. I can feel the death stares from the post-grad readers. Don’t hate the playa hate the game.

Now that it is officially 2016, the only thing I can think about is crossing that Scarlet and White stage in May with a diploma from Boston University. I’m terrified, excited, exhilarated and all around amazed at how quickly the last four years flew by.

From an early age I never had to worry about what my next step would be, other than finishing my college applications and hoping I got into my top choice schools (#blessed). Now, I wake up in the morning and wonder if I’ll get a job come May, find a place to live and be happy. Because in the end, isn’t that the main goal? Happiness?

The prospect of leaving my friends and moving terrifies me. I have to keep reminding myself that I’ve already done that once. I’ve moved 1,100 miles. I left my friends in Florida and went off to add to my list of fellow loons I call my friends, in the hopes of finding new ones in Massachusetts. I’m a big believer in the idea that you have to leave your comfort zone in order to find yourself.

So what makes this next chapter any different than the equally scary ones before? I guess it’s the fact that nothing is certain. Wherever I end up, whomever I end up becoming, I know that the people in my life today played a considerable roll in helping me achieve whatever comes my way.

Enough of the seriousness. I guess 2016 already has my overactive brain on overdrive. I hope you and your loved ones rang in the new year in as much style and silliness as my friends and I did last night.

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75% of the squad

Stay warm (or cool if you’re in FL) classy and sassy you beautiful people.

XOXO

A Diabetic Winter Break

December 29, 2015Leave a comment

A few hours ago at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Wow, I am the worst with posting lately. I know most of my posts say something to that effect, but this really takes the gold(man) on the longest I’ve gone without posting. My apologies.

I hope you and your loved ones had an amazing holiday, filled with great food, good times and even better people. I know my time at home has been filled with smiles and laughter. I know this for the obvious reason of being present, but also because one of my best friend’s brother’s pointed out, half of our conversations consist of hysteric laughter. What can I say? My friends and I are pretty funny, and coincidentally our own best audience.

Clearly, this time of year really makes me feel some sort of way. Okay, maybe I’m also just a much more emotional sort of person that I’d like to admit (my twin would definitely agree with this sentiment), but there’s something about being home for the holidays that makes me grateful for the crazy people in my life. I say crazy because if you knew them, you’d agree.

While I’ve been home for winter break I’m getting quite the tuneup. Spending this winter break taking care of the procedures I’ve been putting off over the last year, and hopefully setting myself up for a healthier 2016. Oh em gee. 2016. I graduate in the next four months.

Anyways, putting the oncoming nervous breakdown aside, as an acknowledged control freak, having anesthesia and entrusting others with my blood sugar numbers during minor sinus surgery was stressful (to say the least) as a relatively new diabetic. I really wasn’t too concerned with my sinuses or the recovery period, etc. What I was concerned about, you may ask? Dropping too low during the procedure, something that the doctors were of course extensively trained in handling, with dextrose (glucose/sugar) on the standby.

Basically, This is real this is me I worry so damn much. That’s one thing about having all of these medical issues, that only certain things worry me now. I was not nervous for the potential pain of the procedure, the issues I might have afterwards with my breathing until my sinuses healed, or even really any potential bruising or issues with appearance (that was not likely to happen at all so good thing I didn’t worry about it el oh el). What I was worried about? Being out in la la land for the day and leaving my body in the hands of extremely talented and educated people who’s job it is to make people live.

Needless to say, I was fine, as I’m sure you were all waiting with baited breath to hear. But I learned a lot about myself and my apparent trust issues. Oh, I was also reminded as to how amazing my parents are at taking care of me. I may be in my twenties, but damn is it nice to have my mom their to hold my hand and make me laugh.

Up next week: my knee! Minor minor minor stuff people, so no worries. Also, expect another segment of Fashionable Friend of the Month.

Stay… cool? and beautiful peeps!

P.S. It’s still in the 80’s here in Florida, but stay warm wherever you’re reading this!