September 30, 2015

Fall Wishlist


A week from Thursday, I'll be headed home for Fall break, which I'm so excited for.  Mostly so I can take plenty of photos for the blog in Fall clothes while not dying of heat.  It's funny because I feel like I want to post fall outfits since many of ya'll are ready to bring out the sweaters, while I'm actually still wearing tank tops and jack rogers! The other day I tried to head outside in a flannel and jeans, but just couldn't do it because it was that hot outside.  Also, I would've gotten some bizarre looks as I walked out of my dorm.

With that being said, Fall is by far my favorite season to shop for.  Maybe that's why I feel like I'm missing out on the opportunities to wear my favorite fall items.  Instead of actually shopping for fall, I've done a lot of window shopping and compiled my ultimate fall wishlist for ya'll who actually will be experiencing fall (ok, getting a little overboard here.  Fall will hit Texas, eventually).

Click on the items to shop and use to arrows to scroll!



What's on your fall wishlist?

September 29, 2015

Watercolor Floral











I'd say this outfit style has been my standard uniform lately.  A flowy, silk top with jeans has been my go-to for class and for going out! I'll pair the outfit with jack rogers for class and wedges at night.  I love how easy these outfits are and how comfortable they are too.  Fall hasn't quite hit Dallas yet, so I may have been a little eager throwing this sweater on, but I do wear it while I'm inside for class. 

Weirdly, I don't think I've really expressed my love for this sweater very much on the blog.  I own it in three colors, (Navy, Tan, and Pink) and find excuses to wear them whenever possible.  Although it's cashmere, I wear these sweaters year round and always take one in my bag with me to class.  Big tip though!! If you can suffice waiting until the next Lilly Pulitzer sale (after new year's most likely) you should! They've been in the sales for the past four or so years for just $78! 







September 28, 2015

Beauty Favorites

I've been a makeup lover ever since I can remember.  In middle school, I used to sit up at night trying on makeup looks that were probably way too mature for my 13 year old self, but I enjoyed practicing only to take it off to go to bed.  I would spend hours watching youtube tutorials when I was younger, and while I don't sit up at night doing my makeup anymore, I still enjoy trying out new products and doing fun looks from time to time.

Eye Shadow
On most days, I'll use my Bobbi Brown eyeshadows on my eyes.  I love Champagne Quartz for a great all over shimmery neutral, and occasionally I'll throw on BSAFJ: on the outer corner.  I also turn to a few other palettes linked below when I want something different! (Use the arrows to scroll!)

Eyeliner and Mascara
It's so secret that I'm a huge mascara lover.  I mean, my first post on this blog was about mascara! I usually layer two mascaras on top of each other because I feel like one mascara can't really do it all.  My favorite by far is Too Faced's Better Than Sex because it adds a ton of volume and length!


Lips
I don't experiment with lip colors on the regular, so I mostly gravitate towards my Nars lipstick in Niagara!


Face
The YSL Touche Eclat foundation has been a favorite of mine for so long, but when I want something with less coverage, or for a lighter summertime look, I always use my smash box CC Cream! 

Blush and Bronzer
At the moment, I have been wearing Nars Laguna Bronzer and Bobbi Brown blush in Apricot.  Occasionally, I'll put on the Bobbi Brown shimmer brick on my cheeks for an extra glow!
What are your favorite beauty products?




September 25, 2015

Friday Finds

Yesterday marked the 100th year that my school has been open.  SMU is celebrating it's centennial homecoming this weekend so there's been a lot of people on campus and a lot going on.  Including so many tests!!! This week I have been crazy busy, so I'm very happy it's over.

Evelyn Henson New Arrivals


I'm so excited that Evelyn Henson has released her Fall collection!!!! I've been anxiously awaiting all the new prints, journals, and PHONE CASES!!! I was so excited see that she included phone cases this time around and couldn't help but fall in love with this save the drama for your llama one! Also, how cute is this journal?  You can get everything for 15% off with the code wisdom15 which is so exciting!

J.Crew Recent Favorites
I've really loved J.Crew's most recent arrivals.  Everything has me craving fall weather so I can dress up in a sweater and vest! I really just can't wait.


Shop Style App!


I recently found out Shop Style had an app!! I'm always searching on Shop Style for new clothing items to feature on the blog or when ya'll ask me questions about certain things on Tumblr.  I had no idea they had an app and I'm so excited to have downloaded it.  The app is seriously the best because you can search for anything and it’ll compile that search from SO many different stores! So like shopbop, bloomingdales, macys, asos, literally every store so you really only have to look in one place.  Also it’s a great way to find new stores/pieces that are perfect!! 




September 24, 2015

DIYs to Try


So many DIYs in this post!! I can't wait to try these out as soon as I get the chance.  From votive candles to crystal topped boxes these are such fun DIYs that can be customized to any style and given as a gift or kept for yourself! 



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Which DIY is your favorite?

September 23, 2015

Super Fast Elegant Curl TUTORIAL





I decided to film a hair tutorial to share with ya'll today after discovering this super easy curl, twist back look right before shooting my free people dress last week.  I wanted to change up my everyday routine and decided to pin my hair back.  I love having my hair out of my face, and I think this is a great way to do it.  Having it already pin backed, I realized how easy it was to curl big sections of my hair into loose waves/curls.  I hope you enjoy this tutorial and please comment if you want to see more videos!

September 22, 2015

DRIFT Modern







Earrings (c/o)

I was so excited to meet and sit down with Traci Clancy, designer at DRIFT Modern last week.  She went to SMU and started designing jewelry in 2014.  Traci is just the sweetest and I'm so happy I was introduced to her brand.  I fell in love with all of her earrings and just knew ya'll would too.

You could definitely call me a jewelry lover.  I'm hardly ever found without a piece of jewelry, though I am loyal to my Brooks Brother's pearls, Hermes Bangle, and Coordinates Connection Cuff, I love to mix in fun pieces here and there.  DRIFT Modern is the perfect way to add a fun touch to an outfit.

I absolutely love the style I'm wearing above, Cap d'Ail.  I can't wait to wear these through the fall and winter with anything from sweaters to formal dresses.  I love that DRIFT Modern offers a great selection of casual to formal earrings for literally almost any occasion.  DRIFT Modern will be your new go-to earring shop!!


September 21, 2015

September Playlist


This has been my go-to study playlist ever since I've gotten back to school.  I love soothing and calm music while I'm studying because it puts me in the right mindset to stay focused and be productive.  James Bay has been a favorite for awhile now, and I've been listening to him on repeat (I'd 100% recommend listening to his other songs as well!).

What have you been listening to recently? 


September 18, 2015

Friday Finds

I swear each week I format Friday Finds differently, I guess I just haven't found a format I love.  So I apologize if every week seems to look a little different.  This week has felt so long but I'm happy the weekend is here because I have so much to do!!

I'm planning on filming a few videos this weekend so leave your requests in the comments down below!

DRIFT Modern

Earlier this week I got the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Traci Clancy, the designer of the gorgeous jewels.  I'm obsessed with her stuff and think that many of you will be too! I'm so happy my friend Mary (you may remember her feature on FF awhile back as Not for Plebs!) introduced us.  I'm sure you'll be seeing DRIFT modern on DoS again very soon, but for now check out her collection!

Baking
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I'm dying to get back in the kitchen.  After cooking almost every night this summer, I'm having serious withdrawals while living in the dorm this year.  I've taken to Pinterest to curate all the recipes I need to try next time I'm home, which coincidentally have been tons of cookie recipes! Peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies?  Chocolate cookies with white chocolate chips?  Twix thumbprint  cookies? YES PLEASE!

September 17, 2015

Free People Floral







dress / shoes (old: dolce vita)  / white bracelet / blue bracelet

This dress is named Emma so of course it seemed like a sign I needed to buy it.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels like they just have to buy something they were contemplating buying after noticing it has their name! It was mean't to be, right? 

Cool and comfortable, this dress is a must for Texas fall (or just fall in general).  I would've worn this back in New Jersey with riding boots and possibly even tights or with a cute vest.  The silhouette is feminine and really comfortable and is really everything I love about wearing dresses.  I prefer wearing dress to class, call me crazy.  So many of my friends are always saying I always look nice for class while everyone else is wearing a t-shirt and nike shorts.  I understand that that's comfortable, but  a dress is that comfortable in my opinion too! Also, you only have to pick out one thing in the morning! Piece of cake! 

Unfortunately, you can't find my boots anywhere online anymore but they're so comfortable and I'd highly recommend Dolce Vita's other bootie options! 


September 16, 2015

Staying Organized While Blogging

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Coming back to school has reminded me how difficult it is to keep up with blogging.  Over the Summer I was graced with more free time then I realized, which made blogging feel so simple.  Don't get me wrong, I love writing Dash of Serendipity, but it is easy to get lost in the shuffle and put it on the backburner.  You may have noticed that my posts during the last week of August were a little unorganized (and some weren't even there!).  I hate not putting enough effort into my posts, so I had to start planning farther ahead of time to make sure each post was as well thought out as I wanted it to be.

College takes up a lot of time.  Between classes, homework, friends (FOMO all day long...), it's hard to take out a second of the day to type up a draft for a post.  However, in my class schedule I have a few hour long breaks in the day where I am essentially passing time before my next class.  Instead of just sitting around browsing shop bop (we've all been there), I like to use this time to plan out some posts.  Whether this means I'm actually typing them up or just picking a date for each post to go live, every bit helps. 

I like to take about 20 minutes at the beginning of each month to brainstorm ideas for posts.  I'll write things down in my agenda for each day I want to post.  Then, I can look at the beginning of each week and see what I have planned for the blog.  A few of these things may not feel relevant to the week, or I may have come up with a new, better idea, so I will take the post I had originally planned and push it back a few days or weeks.  Even if I don't end up using these posts right away, it's nice that they're there in case. 

When I shoot outfit posts, I like to get in a few if I can.  Even if I won't be using all of these outfits right away, I love having this bank of outfits that I can use when appropriate.  Can I also just say that forgetting about an outfit post and then finding it a few weeks later is the best feeling? It's like a little present you forgot about sitting there on your computer. 

Writing a post for every weekday of the month can get challenging, but it's so rewarding looking back and realizing how many posts you've consistently written.  It's important to stay dedicated and focused but also have a lot of fun! Blogging is something that's fun and fairly light hearted and should be taken as a way to relax from the day.

I always love answering any blogging questions I get (you can contact me here).  If you have any questions at all about starting a blog, writing posts, etc don't hesitate to contact me!

September 15, 2015

Navy and White Dress







dress / shoes / necklace (old)

I had seen this dress on a few other people before I found it, and ultimately tried it on, while shopping in bloomingdale's one day.  I am so happy I decided to try it on because it is one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing.  The fabric is soft and stretchy and the silhouette is flattering.  The dress can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and I think it can easily transition into Fall and Winter.  This is a great dress to have in case of emergency (when you have nothing in your closet... we've all been there) because it's fairly professional looking yet still very fun.  



September 14, 2015

Decor Loves


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Since coming back to school I've found myself procrastinating on One Kings Lane and Pinterest too often looking at bedrooms and other accessories.  This year I'm living in a dorm room again, but I already can't wait to live in an apartment next year.   Dreaming of more space, a kitchen and all that comes with the rite of passage.  Is it embarrassing that I've already started planning how I want to arrange my room? I may or may not have a "secret" pinterest board dedicated to design ideas.

I found these pillows the other day while browsing online and absolutely fell in love.  They're sophisticated but still have a lot of color,  which is so fun to design around.  I love the pinks, blues, and yellow that are present in the pillow's pattern.

What design finds have caught your eye recently?

September 11, 2015

Friday Finds

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Free fonts to fall in love with and use to label everything.

Maaajor Throwback, I had a coat just like this freshman year of high school!

Looking for a perfect shade of blue for your next manicure? This will narrow the search!

Is it too soon to start planning my apartment for next year around this pillow?


September 9, 2015

Exciting GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago I hit 25,000 followers on my Tumblr.  I can't believe how much my blog has grown and was absolutely floored when I saw that that many people had liked my blog enough to give it a follow! To celebrate, I decided to host a GIVEAWAY to say thank you for supporting my blog!


I'm giving away a few things that I absolutely love from Lilly Pulitzer.  Ya'll know I love the Murfee Scarves and wear them all the time so I am so excited to gift one of them to one of you! You can also win a set of Lilly Pulitzer note cards and a citrus shaped necklace! 

I love all of these items and I hope one of you will too! So how do you enter to win? 

Well you can enter using the widget below... 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

or you can also enter in two additional ways!!! You can head over to my Tumblr and follow the steps on this photo for an extra entry and you can also head over to my Instagram and follow the steps there! Two extra entries in addition to the 7 listed in the widget!!

Lilly Pulitzer Swing Dress








I love this dress because it's unlike other dresses I've seen Lilly Pulitzer do before.  The shape is great because it's so comfortable and flattering and the pattern is fun and perfect for early Fall.  I've worn it as styled above, but it can also be worn with a fun necklace and wedges for a more formal occasion.  Anytime I find a dress that's so versatile like this one, I can't give it up.
 

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