Weekend Wishlist #2

 Happy weekend! I don't know about y'all but I'm SO ready for the weekend. If you read my last Weekend Wishlist that I did a couple weeks ago, you already know what this post is about! Basically, it's a bunch of things I've been lusting after all week! Here's what made the cut this week:

1. J.Crew Pearl Necklace 
I already have this basic strand of pearls from Bauble Bar but I've been looking for something just as classic but a little different. This J.Crew strand definitely fits the bill! I'm obsessed with the satin bow closure in the back. Unfortunately, I think it was a holiday limited-edition thing, so it's sold out now but I'm still lusting after it! I might have to do an ebay hunt or keep my fingers crossed it comes out again next year!

2. Kate Spade Cobble Hill 'Stacy' Wallet 
 I've been on a mad hunt for a new wallet, and I think I've found my perfect match! I had my eye on this Tory Burch one from Nordstrom, but the Kate Spade version is pretty much identical but a little cheaper. I may or may not have just whipped out my credit card to buy this beauty...oops!

3. Tory Burch Lena Suede Ankle Boots
Of course, no Weekend Wishlist (or any Wishlist for that matter) from me is complete without something from Tory Burch. I recently bought a pair of the black 'Reva' flats and I've been wearing them non-stop. I've also been hunting around from some nude ankle booties for spring and these ones are adorable. They're expensive, which is why I don't own them yet, but they're super versatile so I know I would get a TON of wear out of them. Maybe as a Valentines day treat to myself?

4. Tory Burch Lip Color
And here comes Tory...again! I'm crazy for Tory Burch but that's pretty obvious at this point. I've been dying to try some of her new beauty products and I think this lipstick might be the first one I splurge for. I mostly love the orange, art-deco packaging more than anything else, but hey, that's reason enough to buy it in my book!

5. Tarte Be MATTEnificent Palette 
I rarely include makeup on these lists because, in all honesty, most of my money is budgeted for clothes, shoes, and accessories.  Fashion is just what I love most and where I like to spend my money! But I saw Essie Button talk about this palette on her blog and I couldn't resist checking it out (she always has amazing recommendations). I love Tarte products (a lot!) so the next time I'm in Sephora I definitely have to give this one a closer look!

6. Diptyque Roses Candle
 I talked about these candles in my Valentine's Day Gift Guide and about how I desperately want to get my hands on one! So, of course, I included another one here because they're at the top of my list to try. I feel kind of ridiculous spending that much money on a candle, but I feel like I just have to bite the bullet and try one!

7. Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt
Why do I not own one of these shirts already? I'm Southern and I love Vineyard Vines, you would think I would have one of these. Since it's been so cold this week here in Florida this made the list because it would have been great to wear one of these babies on campus! I chose this one because it's navy (my faovirte color) and I love the pop of hot pink around the neckline. Adorable, but I expect nothing less from Vineyard Vines!

What have you been wishing for this week? Tell me!

Have a fabulous weekend!

xo Sydney  

Style Icon: Kate Middleton

Is anyone else obsessed with Kate Middleton like I am? The duchess is quickly becoming someone I turn to for everyday fashion inspiration! I love classic, timeless style and Kate pretty much embodies just that! She always looks flawless and carries herself with perfect grace and poise. Since I've been going crazy for Polyvore lately, I decided to make this style icon board! While Kate hasn't been spotted wearing any of these exact pieces (yet) I think this emulates her style pretty well. I chose a classic red coat to keep warm in the cold English winters and this adorable polka dot dress! Kate loves her polka dots, and so do I! I also included the classic nude pumps that she wears all the time! I think these might be the actual shoes that Kate wears, but I'm not certain so don't quote me on that. Of course, since Kate is never seen without a flawless look head to toe, I had to add this diamond necklace, a replica of her engagement ring and a chic beige tote to finish off the look!

What do you think of my recreation of Kate's style? Who is one of your favorite style icons? Tell me!

xo Sydney

Brighter Days Ahead

I really can't wait until Summer. Not even just Summer, I'll take Spring too! This January weather really has me feeling down, so I'm trying to keep spirits out by planning all my fun spring/summer outfits. One thing I'm looking to invest in is a new pair of sunglasses. I've never really had a nice pair of sunglasses, usually cheapies from Target are good enough for me. But recently, I've warmed up to the idea of investing in one really nice pair and taking care of them! I'm notorious for breaking sunglasses though, so I'm a little nervous! After browsing online shops for a few hours last night here's what I came up with:

1. Mango Combi Sunglasses

2. Solstice Bottega Veneta Retro Cat Eye

3. Linda Farrow + Kris Van Assche Tortoiseshell D-Frame glasses

4. Ray-ban Dark Brown Aviator

5. Chanel Black Cat Eye

As you can tell I have an affinity for anything tortoiseshell or cat eye! Those Chanel cat eye ones are particularly drool-worthy, if I do say so myself. I think I'll just have to keep drooling for now! Tell me, how do you beat the January blues? Do you imagine all the cute summer clothes coming your way soon? Or do you like winter?

xo Sydney

Brand Favorites: Maybelline

This post marks the beginning of a new series that I'm really excited about! As far as beauty products go, I'm the first to admit that I am not an expert. I do, however, have a fondness for shopping and collecting way too many products! Over the years I've definitely found a few brands that I get along with better than others. For today's post I'm going to focus on my favorite drugstore brand: Maybelline. My love affair with Maybelline is long and well established. There are SO many products I love from them it was really hard to me to choose just 10! But here are the chosen few that really stand out in my book:


1. Dream Bouncy Blush 
I'm not joking when I say I have these in almost every color. These squishy blushes are truly one of a kind! I'll be honest when I say the main reason I love them is for the bouncy texture. I love the natural look of cream blush, but want the staying-power of powder blush. You pretty much get the best of both worlds with these blushes!

2. Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick
Whenever my skin is feeling a little greasy, this is always the foundation I turn to. It's super easy to apply, blends really well and doesn't look shiny! What more could you ask for, really?

3. Color Whisper Lip Color 
These are great when you want some color on your lips but don't want the dry, uncomfortable feeling of lipstick or the sticky-mess of a gloss. I guess you could compare these to the Revlon Lip Butters, but I definitely prefer these! They have all the color payoff but they're not as sticky or glossy-looking (which I like) as the Revlon Lip Butters. I love lip products, but HATE sticky ones!

4. Pretty Much Every Mascara! 
I have a very long love affair with Maybelline mascaras! I don't think they've ever brought one out that I didn't like. Seriously. Their formula is always really wet and never clumpy so I love the natural look that I always get from that. It was so hard for me to choose which ones to include in this post but honorable mention has to go out to: The Falsies (I'm weairng this now!), Illegal Length, and Great Lash Lots of Lashes. That was painful, I love all of them so much! I also use the Clear Great Lash on my eyebrows every morning and it's seriously a lifesaver for unruly brows!

5. Eye Studio Color Tattoo 
Although these have been out for a while, they're a recent discovery for me. Most days I rarely bother to wear eyeshadow, but these have completely changed that. They're a cream shadow and they last forever. Really, they don't call these 'tattoo' for nothing! I love that they don't crease ever (that's a major problem for me with eyeshadow) and they're basically fool-proof when applying (another bonus for a fool like me!). My favorite shades are: tough as taupe, bad to the bronze, barely branded, and pomegranate pink. 

6.  Color Elixir Lip Color 
These are a fairly new release but I'm already obsessed! I've showed some self-control *pats self on back* and only purchased two for myself. My favorite shade is Rose Redefined. It's a lovely...well, rose color that's not sticky (we all know how much I hate sticky!) and lasts a lot longer than I expected. I think these are supposed to be a dupe for the YSL Glossy Stains . I've never tried the glossy stains because they're crazy overpriced so I can't really speak on how well they compare. I do, however, love the Maybelline ones and will probably just stick to those! They're all my wallet can handle at the moment. 

7. Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer 
This product is probably the all-star of this post! I use this religiously every day and I credit this beauty for making me look like a presentable human-being every morning. I've tried a lot of different concealers to cover up my raccoon eyes I have in the morning and nothing has even come close to this product! It's a miracle, really. It covers well, brightens, but also isn't too bright, so it still looks really natural. If you haven't tried this yet and suffer from dark circles, just go buy it! You won't be sorry.

8.  Dream Fresh BB Cream
This product is also a new find for me but I love it! I haven't tried very many BB creams because most of them don't do much for me. This one, however, actually gives me a little coverage where I need it but still looks really natural. I don't use it everyday, but it's great when I want a quick 'five minute face' routine.

9. Baby Lips Balm 
Can you tell I'm a lip product junkie yet? These tinted lip balms are great for days when I'm feeling lazy (correction: that's everyday) and want to look really natural. I love the cherry flavor especially because it smells like candy!  They also have new line called Dr. Rescue that's medicated and more of a heavy-duty lip balm. I've been using those non stop since it's been so cold here lately!

10. Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Last, but not least, this gel eyeliner. This product performs like something you would find in Sephora, not on a drugstore shelf! There's been a lot of hype about this product in the beauty blogger/vlogger world and for good reason! I'm terrible at applying eyeliner. Awful, really! No matter how often I practice it just never gets better. So I love that this product is super easy to apply (even for the makeup challenged, like me) and doesn't smudge! I hate smudging almost as much as sticky lip gloss. I've heard this product is a dupe for the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner. Again, i've never tried that eyeliner so I can't attest to that fact. However, I do love this eyeliner and since it's a fraction of the price i'll just stick with it!

Phew! That was a super long list. My fingers are officially cramping up from all this typing.  I hope I didn't bore you! Do you love Maybelline products as much as I do? What are some of your drugstore beauty favorites? Tell me, tell me!

xo Sydney

January Favorites

1. Urban Decay Naked3 Palette -- finally got my hands on this baby! This is by far my favorite in Urban Decay's 'Naked' range of palettes. I love the warm, pink-toned colors! I was hesitant to buy it at first (considering I have the first two and way too much make-up in general) but I eventually caved and I'm so glad I did! If you don't have it yet run and grab it, I promise you won't be disappointed.

2. Clinique Dramatically Different+ Lotion -- I've used Clinique skincare forever, but I change up my moisturizer because sometimes this one leaves me a little greasy. This month, however, it was freezing outside and my skin wasn't happy about it! This moisturizer really saved my dry, flaky skin and didn't break me out in the process. That's just one of the many reasons why me and my super sensitive skin love Clinique skincare so much!

3. Aerie Fragrance -- I got this scent for Christmas and I've been wearing it every day since! Since I'm terrible at describing scents so I'll let the Aerie website take this one: "A fresh blend of sweet fruits, pretty florals and sensual musk." I'd say that pretty much sums it up! I love this scent because it lasts all day but doesn't give me a headache (which is a big problem for me with some perfumes!)

4. AEO Hair Ties -- Not much to say about these except I will never use other hair ties again! These ones are great because they don't mess up your hair. I always sleep with my hair in a pony tail, but I hate when I wake up in the morning with a huge dent in my hair where the hair tie used to be. These don't do that plus I think they look really cute! So that's always a bonus.

5. MAC Lipstick in Russian Red -- I've finally found my perfect red lipstick! Seriously, no one loves a good red lipstick more than me but, before this one, I kind of struggled with it. I loved wearing it but something just looked wrong. The undertones were either too orange or too blue. This one is just right! It's a little more neutral and I'm obsessed. I've even been wearing it to class! That has gotten some weird looks, but I don't care. I love it and no one can take that away from me!

6. Chanel VITALUMIÈRE AQUA-- I don't always wear foundation, but when I do, it's always Chanel Vitalumiere aqua. I've tried a lot of foundations and this one is by far the best. Whenever I try to use something else...I just can't! It never looks nearly as good as this Chanel one. It's a little pricey, but it does last a long time and isn't beautiful, glowing skin worth it? I think so!

7. Dove Shampoo + Conditioner --I've been on the hunt for a really good shampoo and conditioner duo for a while and I think I may have found my perfect match! I'm notorious for switching my shampoo and conditioner but I've been using this one all month and I think I'm going to stick with it! My hair hasn't felt this soft and frizz-free in a long time! Plus, since I'm trying to grow my hair out a bit, the damage repair is a plus. Stay tuned to see if this duo sticks around next month!

8. Essie Nails in 'Shearling Darling' --If you read my #ManiMonday post, then you already saw this! This color has been a favorite for a few months now, especially in January! I'm actually wearing it as I type this! Essie nail polish is some of the best (in my humble opinion) so it won't be the last time you see them featured in a favorites post!

9. Tory Burch 'Reva' Flats--Not exactly a beauty product, but I had to feature them anyway! I bough my first pair of Tory Burch flats this month and I'm hooked! I've had my eye on these 'Reva' flats for a while and I finally decided to just treat myself and buy them. I'm so glad I did! These shoes are just beautiful. At $225 they're definitely an investment piece, but they're so classic and chic that I know I'll get a lot of use out of them! That's how I try to justify it, anyway.


What have you been loving this month? Tell me!

xo Sydney

Manicure Monday

This week's installment of #ManiMonday features a very awkward pic of me from instagram.   You're welcome.  Also, my hair is going au naturale today so excuse it looking awful. Anyway, this week i'm wearing this lovely hot pink shade! It's funny, hot pink nail polish is so unlike me but this week I was just feeling something a little different! A little crazy! Yes, wearing hot pink nail polish is considered crazy in my mundane life. This is from the brand Ruby Wing that I received in my January Birchbox! A post on that will hopefully be coming soon! A cool feature about this polish is that it changes color. So in the sunlight, this hot pink shade should change to a dark red. Now, I have let to leave my apartment today (don't worry I'm going out soon) so I can't speak to it's color-changing ability yet, but I'll report back when I can!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday!

xo Sydney

Let's Be Real

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I saw a post about Aerie's newest campaign on Buzzfeed and felt like I had to blog about this. Positive body image and self confidence are two things I firmly believe in and really want to promote on this blog. They're also two things that I, like a lot of girls my age, really struggle with. It's a sad fact that in our society today, advertisements for beauty products, clothes and lingerie and typically heavily photo shopped. This leaves everyday women held to an impossibly high standard of beauty. Now, I have seen companies jump aboard this 'no photo shopping' train, probably as a sad attempt to appeal to a wider audience of women. I hate it when companies post one non-retouched photo and then pat themselves on the back for a job well done. So major shout-out to the Aerie (American Eagle's sister brand) for starting up, not just a single campaign, but a true advertisement revolution.

According to the article I read, the lingerie brand is aimed at young women, in the hope that they will have a better sense of body confidence from the campaign. The company hopes to make 'normal' women feel good about their bodies and is even asking women to use the #AerieREAL hashtag to share photos of their natural, beautiful selves! Can I get a hallelujah?  They even included a note from the brand that I think everyone should read:

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The real you is sexy. It's true! Personally, I think it's amazing that Aerie has started doing it and I truly hope more brands follow suit. Check out some of the other ads, all the girls look SO beautiful!

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So what are your thoughts on the new advertising technique? Do you think it's inspiring or just another sad attempt to market to 'real' women? Discuss!

xo Sydney

J.Crew Factory New Arrivals!

This is a very dangerous time. For my wallet, I mean. All new arrivals at J.Crew Factory are currently 30% off! It literally causes my physical pain to try and restrain from taking out a student loan to add all these pieces to my closet! That's overly dramatic, but you get my point. Drool over some of the amazing new arrivals with me and fantasize about what I wish I could buy!

Whenever I see these amazing clothes, I start brainstorming all the ways I could wear them and it just makes me want them even more! All of these fabulous pieces and more are currently at the J.Crew Factory website. Go shopping and let me live vicariously through you!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

xo Sydney

Perfect Saturday Night

Staying in tonight? Don't worry, me too. Fear not because I've found something really fun to do...nothing. I've only recently discovered the beauty in doing absolutely nothing. I used to take doing nothing as some type of personal failure. Like if I didn't have a full Saturday night schedule, I was a loser and failing at life. But now that my weeks are hectic, I value my weekend free time so much more! It's really nice to put on some pajamas, pop in a movie, enjoy some amazing food and just relax. So don't feel bad if you don't have big plans tonight, just stay in with me! Here's what I'm planning to make my Saturday night epic:

1. Hair & face masks: since I rarely have time for this during the week, I like to use the weekends to treat myself a little bit! My favorite thing to do is to turn my bathroom into a spa and do a hair and face mask. I love this hair mask from Ojon and this mask from Clinique because my skin and hair have both been super dry lately!

2. Food, food & more food: in case you haven't noticed already, my whole day pretty much revolves around food. If I'm not eating, I'm thinking about what I'm going to eat next. So it's not surprising that yummy snacks are a vital part of any good Saturday night. My favorites are pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and sour patch kids. Three of my favorites, and all classics. You really can't go wrong.

3. Old movies: ok these movies aren't that old (when you're only 19 they're old enough) but they're some of my all time favorite guilty-pleasure movies. After a long week, my brain is exhausted and needs a rest. So why not watch girly, romantic comedies that require little to no cognitive functions? What A Girl Wants, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and The Princess Diaries are three of my all time favorites. If you haven't seen any of these, I beg you, go watch them now!

4. Comfy pajamas: this one is pretty obvious (ok, all of these are pretty obvious) but you have to be comfortable! Besides the food, this one is the most important. So put on your least sexy pajamas (I love these ones from J.Crew) and fuzzy socks (again, I love these from J.Crew) and cuddle in for the night!

Sounds like a pretty awesome night, right? Personally, I think this is a way better plan than going out. If you're not quite in the relaxation mood, invite some friends over and play games! That would make it even more fabulous. Whatever you plan to do, I hope you have a relaxing weekend!

xo Sydney

Peter Pilotto for Target

I'm a Target fanatic. Who isn't? Honestly, I try to avoid Target altogether but it is physically impossible for me to go into that store and not spend WAY too much money (we're talking $100 minimum). The internet and blogosphere are all buzzing about the newest designer collaboration Target is putting out for Spring 2014. Honestly, I love when Target collaborates with designers. I think it's a great way to take high fashion and make it wearable and obtainable for everyday women (like me!). It's also great marketing tactic for Target and the designers, but I'm never really thrilled by the collections themselves. It's probably because the Target near me leaves a little something to be desired, but I usually find the best stuff in the simple, everyday Target brands like Merona and Xhiliration. Sure, the quality isn't fantastic and most things don't last very long but it's cheap and you can find great basics!

The new collection they're releasing in early February, however, might just change all that! This time they've clashed with the British duo behind Peter Pilotto. To be honest, I had never heard of this designer before (I'm a little naive in the high fashion department) but after doing some research, they seem to be very well know for their bright, abstract prints. So no one was more surprised than me when I fell in love with this collection. There is nothing bright, abstract or even printed for that matter in my wardrobe at all. But that's kind of the reason I love it. I'm really looking to change up my style for spring and I think this might be the perfect way! So here's a list of a few pieces I might just have to stalk the website for come February 9.

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This dress is one of my favorites from the collection. It's beautiful and loud but not so over-the-top that it's completely unwearable. Expect a blog post of me wearing this, if I can get my hands on it! (fingers crossed) 

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What are some of your favorites from this collection? Will you be stopping into Target to check it out? Let me know in the comments below! 

xo Sydney

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Infinity Bracelet // Nordstrom Pavé Link Bracelet // Chloé Scalloped Ballerina Flats //Diptyque 'Rosa Mundi' Candle //Tory Burch 'Robinson' Wallet on a Chain // Kate Spade Earrings //Chloé 'Roses de Chloé' Eau de Toilette // Deborah Lippmann Nails // Tory Burch Makeup Collection //Alexandra Ferguson 'XOXO' pouch // Kate Spade 'Brighton Girl' iPhone Case
 


Happy Friday everyone!!

This week, instead of a weekend wishlist, I'm doing something a little different. It's still pretty much a list of things I want, just formatted to help those looking for some Valentines day gift ideas! Valentine's day is almost here already (scary, I know) and though I'm not a big fan of the holiday myself I do love getting ideas for gifts. If I'm being totally honest, I love getting candy/chocolate for Valentine's day but a little extra thought goes a long way. I prefer to get a nice gift and then go buy a bunch of candy for myself when it all goes on sale on the 15th! So here are some ideas for the ladies in your life or (if you're like me) for yourself! Who says we can't be our own valentines??

Hope you all have a fabulous day!

xo Sydney

Throwback Thursday

Oh man am I excited for this post! I am a very nostalgic person, it's true. I love listening to old music and watching old TV shows, because I have very distinct memories associated with different songs/episodes. I see posts all the time on Buzzfeed, Pinterest, Tumblr other websites that talk about 'twenty five things only 90's kids will understand.' I LOVE these posts. Not only can they make a nineteen-year-old feel really old, they bring back a ton of memories that never fail to make me laugh. So, in honor of the typical #throwbackthursday tag that goes around Instagram and Twitter like crazy every Thursday, reminisce with me on some of my favorite memories of the early 00's.  

 1. Hey Juliet//LMNT 

Was anyone else as obsessed with this song as I was? I shouldn't say was, actually, because I still drive around in my car and jam out to this song on occasion (read: all the time). 

2. I Want Candy//Aaron Carter 

 

There a two things that make this video amazing. One, it's Aaron Carter! Two, it's the Lizzie McGuire Christmas Special! C'mon I can't be the only one who was obsessed with Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda. I remember thinking that show was hilarious (hey, I was only like ten years old) and wishing I was as cute and blonde as Hilary Duff was.  I can listen to this song over and over again and it never gets old! Plus, I always imagine myself as Lizzie dancing in this music video in a winter wonderland and then Aaron gives me a kiss on the cheek and says "Merry Christmas, Lizzie McGuire." It makes any bad day a million times better!

3. Boy Meets World 

Eric Matthews is my spirit animal. Seriously, something about this show just melts my heart. I miss it SO much! I honestly had a small heart attack when they announced the new 'Girl Meets World' spin-off airing this year! I can't wait to see it, and I hope it's good! I don't expect it to be as amazing as the original series, especially once it gets in the hands of the Disney Channel (it's bound to be pretty cheesy then) but I still have high hopes. But really, Boy Meets World was a staple in my childhood. I remember begging my mom to let me stay up late to watch Cory, Sean and Topanga. I also remember wishing I had a really awesome name like Topanga. I also remember I promised myself I would name my own daughter Topanga. Who knows? Maybe I will!

4. So You Wanna Win 5 Dollars 

Let it be known that it was extremely hard to only pick one "The Amanda Show" skit. I tried to find a 'best of' montage but alas, there were just too many good moments to shove into one little video. I chose this one because it stars two of my favorite recurring characters. One of them is Drake Bell as 'Tony Pajamas' and Amanda Bynes as 'Judge Trudy'. Amanda Bynes (pre-public breakdown) is an amazing comedic actress. I thought it was funny at the time but now it's even more hilarious! I could waste hours on YouTube watching old The Amanda Show clips (and I often do just that!). Also, bonus points for Amanda Bynes because 'What a Girl Wants' is one of my favorite movies. Shout out to Colin Firth for being so devilishly handsome in it, too.

What are some of your favorite songs/tv shows from growing up? Let me know, I love being nostalgic!

xo Sydney

Daily Reminder

It's that time of year when I'm really starting to feel the weight of a new semester. My internship just started and I can already feel the pressure of the added workload. The relaxing cloud of the first couple weeks has finally faded and I've officially had to force myself out of winter vacation mode. It's time to focus, which is always difficult for me to do, especially when I have other things (like blogging!) that I'd much rather be doing. Finally, I'm starting to realize how much work I've actually piled onto my plate for myself. It's that feeling where, no matter how much I'm doing, nothing seems like it's enough. Something's just not quite right, you know?

Whenever I get these feelings, I know I need to stop and really think about my life. In my daily routine is really easy for me to get focused on me. Me, me, me, and more me, that's really all I think about all day. I don't try to do it, it just naturally happens and it's easy to get set into that selfish sort of 'auto-pilot' mode. I'm in college worried about grades and my future, so I think it's a pretty normal thing. It does bother me though, so as often as I can I try and just relax, remind myself of how lucky I am, and be grateful. I don't think any of us do this often enough.

Since I'm a very visual person, I've always loved surrounding myself with inspirational quotes and words of wisdom. I'm planning doing a tour of my room soon, so you'll see that! I feel like, if you can visualize something, it will be easier for you to achieve. So if something is spelled out right in front of you everyday, you'll incorporate that wisdom in your everyday life.  I have multiple different inspiration boards throughout my room (even one in my car, crazy enough!) and my 'Quotes & Inspiration' board on Pinterest is overflowing. Because I've dealt with different anxieties in the past, one thing I find that always helps me is to stop, take a deep breath, and repeat something (a comforting or inspiration phrase, for example). This just helps me to pause my life for a second and look at the bigger picture. Sometimes I get too focused on myself and I let my trivial anxieties control my life and emotions. I think we all do this from time to time so it's good to get a reminder to just relax, take a deep breath, and count your blessings! I've included some quotes I found on Pinterest that have been particualry helpful for me this week so I hope you enjoy! 

Have a beautiful day, 

xo Sydney

Sick Days

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be struck with a pretty bad chest cold. I had big plans for the weekend (i.e. mostly cleaning and catching up on homework) but all had to be pushed aside to nurse myself back to health. Thankfully I didn't have the flu (flu season is in full force) or a sore throat (literally, the worst thing ever in my opinion) so I mustered the strength to browse Pinterest for a remedy. You can find a solution for everything on Pinterest, it's actually amazing. So I typed in "cold remedies" and I saw something popped up multiple times.

It was an apple cider vinegar/honey/water concoction. It had been pinned thousands and thousands of times so it must be effective, right? I was still hesitant to try it mostly because of the apple cider vinegar. I've heard over and over again how beneficial apple cider vinegar is, for your skin especially. I'm willing to try a lot of things to get beautiful skin but apple cider vinegar is just nasty. I get sick when I try to swallow even a teaspoon of that stuff (TMI?). I decided to try it anyway. I felt terrible, and I didn't want to just sit around doing nothing whilst I coughed up another lung. I dug around in the pantry, found my ingredients, mixed the correct proportions (see picture above) and braced myself for the worst. To my surprise, it wasn't terrible. I found the sweet honey cut out the sour taste of the vinegar and made it just tolerable enough. You're supposed to repeat every 3 hours, but I did it about every hour. The more you do it, the quicker it starts working right? (Note: this logic is usually WRONG. Proceed at your own risk.)

I love holistic remedies, but I usually find they're not nearly as effective as popping a Tylenol.  While this remedy certainly isn't going to cure you of the plague, I did find it soothed my throat and prevented me from coughing up my lungs. I think it was probably the apple cider vinegar. I guess that nasty stuff really is magic, after all.  So next time you're feeling a little under the weather, try my new favorite virtual pharmacy--Pinterest! I have a new found respect for Pinterest, now that I know it's methods are actually effective.

What are your favorite sick day remedies?

xo Sydney

Manicure Monday

Happy Monday! 

As much as I love long weekends, they always end up throwing me off for the rest of the week. I almost missed this post because I didn't even realize it was Monday! I've pretty much been sick in bed all weekend thanks to a lovely chest cold, so I've had lots of time to brainstorm new blog post ideas! I like the idea of consistency, so for today I thought I would try a #ManiMonday post. I see this hashtag all the time on Instagram & Twitter and always love getting great ideas for nails. Although, I have to admit, I am NOT a fan of any kind of nail art (sorry!). I love polka dots and rhinestones on my clothes but on my nails...not so much! So here's my (quite simple) look for the week:

I love the look of crisp, clean, well-manicured nails but I'm extremely lazy when it comes to doing my own. Whenever I get even the slightest chip, I have to remove/re-paint my polish immediately, so I usually just avoid painting them altogether. This week though, I decided to pamper myself and go a little darker. The shade I'm wearing in this pic is Essie's Shearling Darling--a little homage to the huge burgundy/oxblood nail trend that was crazy popular last fall. I don't have much experience with nail polish but Essie is probably my favorite brand! I was obsessed with their recent fall collection (take a look here) especially the dark navy shade 'After School Boy Blazer'. I don't think they've released their spring 2014 line yet but i'm excited to see what the color range will be this time!

xo Sydney 

P.S. Yes, I have a tattoo!

SAG Awards 2014

Less than a week after the Golden Globes and already more amazing dresses to chat about! Unfortunately, due to a bad chest cold I fell asleep (thank you, Benedryl) and missed the live red carpet show. Catching up online later wasn't quite the same but somehow I managed. Here are my picks for best dressed! This was tough, there were some really amazing dresses this show!

1. Jennifer Garner

 

(source: Getty images via Popsugar) 

 It's a good thing I wasn't invited to the SAGs this year, because Jen and I would have had to battle it out over this dress. I'm pretty sure she could take me, but this dress is the epitome of my style. Simple, classic and navy. I'm dying over this rich, navy blue shade. I also love how she kept it so clean with no necklace and a gorgeous pair of statement earrings. It also includes one of my all time favorite color combinations (black and navy) with the little black belt around the waist. So chic! It pains me to admit it, but she rocks this dress way better than I would have.

2. Lupita Nyong'o

(source: Getty images via Popsugar)

This girl has some seriously amazing taste when it comes to choosing red carpet gowns! I never saw 12 Years A Slave (and I don't really plan to) but she deserves the SAG just for looking this amazing. With her beautiful skin tone bright colors just pop! My pale, pasty complexion would have been completely washed out by this color so needless to say I am extremely jealous. What I love most about Lupita is how effortless her looks are! She just shows up on a red carpet for the first time looking like a pro. After amazing gowns at both the Golden Globes and SAG awards I'm dying to see what she pulls out for the Oscars!  

3.  Hannah Simone

(source: Getty images via Popsugar)

In all honesty, it took me a while to figure out who this girl is. Apparently her name is Hannah Simone and she plays Zooey Deschanel's best friend on New Girl. I've never seen the show, but regardless of who she is, she looks fantastic! Some called this Marchesa gown a little boring, but I think it's an ethereal, classic beauty. I also love the applique around the neckline! Her hairstyle was perfect for the dress and I'm also extremely jealous that she looks so amazing with bangs. Bangs are a bit of an issue for me because I love them but they don't love me. I'm a sucker for any simple, flow-y, neutral dress so of course this had to make my list!

Honorable Mention:  Anna Gunn's Clutch (yes, just her clutch)

(source: Getty images via Popsugar)

Breaking Bad is one of my all time favorite shows, so it's only natural that I would obsessed with this clutch. Sure her dress was nice, but we need to talk about this clutch. I love it when actresses take a risk and do something quirky for the red carpet! It was custom made for her but I have a feeling there will be replicas available very soon. I think it was a great way to honor an amazing series! 

Now that the SAG awards are over I'm counting down the days to the Oscars (there are 43 days left, in case you were wondering). I have extremely high expectations (Lupita Nyong'o, I'm looking at you!) so I can't wait to see to lives up to them! But for now what were your favorite looks/moments from the SAG awards? 

xo Sydney

Weekend Wishlist

Making lists is one of my favorite things to do. I have thousands of notebooks all filled with different kinds of lists: to-do lists, grocery lists and wishlists. Since I'm a very visual person there's something aesthetically pleasing with seeing everything written out in front of me. I go crazy if there are a bunch of things swimming around in my head at once! I need to write things down! This may sound odd to some but I love shopping around on different websites and creating wishlists for myself. I honestly can't even tell you how many different wishlists I have floating around on the internet right now. The list ranges from Nordstrom to Jcrew to Madewell to Kate Spade and many, many others. These are not tiny lists either. Most people will make a wishlist, add a few things they have their eye on, and then move on with their day. Me, on the other hand, oh no I don't mess around! Just my Jcrew wishlist alone has over fifty items in it (and that's not even including the things that are sold out!). I can spend hours, or maybe even days, just making 'dream' shopping lists.So you see, I have a problem. At least if my bank account magically fills up one day I'll know right where to start. Until that happens, I thought I should make this into something productive by turning it into a weekly series on my blog! So here are a few things I've been drooling over this past week. Enjoy!

1. L. Erickson 'Ballet Bow' Barrette
There's nothing I love more in the world than tortoise print. My tortoise Ray Bans never leave my head and I'm seriously considering investing in a pair of good tortoise reading glasses (and I don't even need reading glasses). This bow barrette is just too adorable I couldn't help but include it in my list. It is however priced at a steep $89.00. Yes, $89.00 for a barrette. I definitely couldn't justify that purchase (yet) so I'm on the hunt for a (much) cheaper alternative.

 

2. Chloé Eau de Parfum Spray 

Confession time: I've never owned a bottle of really nice perfume. For some reason I always invested my money elsewhere. For a long time I was content with the cheap stuff from Bath and Body Works, but recently I've really been wanting to step it up a bit. I've heard so many amazing reviews about this Chloé scent that I had to add it to the list. The bottle is also right up my alley: simple, neutral and very elegant. In a word: obsessed! This is going at the top of my birthday wishlist (note: my birthday isn't until July so I'm going to be waiting a while). 

3. Kate Spade 'Metro' watch
As mentioned above, my Kate Spade wishlist is excessive. They should add a gadget to their website that says 'add everything on site to wishlist' to make my life a little easier. Because really, I want everything. I just love how quirky and fun the brand is! Since spring is coming I've been looking to add a little more color to my wardrobe. Lord knows I love my neutrals, but I think a little pop of purple on the wrist is a great idea for spring!

4. J.Crew Minnie Pant 
Because, if you have a wishlist that doesn't have something from J.Crew on it is it really even a wishlist? No, it's not. Like I said before, my wishlist at this place is embarrassing. At the top of it, though, has to be the Minnie pants. I can't believe I don't already own a pair of these. I have a pair of the Pixie pants that I wear so often it's really, really unhygienic. These pants sum of my style so perfectly: simple, classic, and neutral. The more I talk about them the closer and closer I get to just whipping out my credit card and biting the bullet. Also, I love the New Balance sneakers the model is wearing. If only I had the style of a J.Crew stylist...

So that's it for my wishlist this weekend! Since I have a serious shopping addiction you can bet there will be a whole new list next week with lots of gorgeous goodies! Until then, what's currently at the top of your wishlist? Tell me!


Disclaimer: none of the links above are affiliate. They're simply used so you know where the image came from.

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xo Sydney

Shop My Boutique

I'm a Chloe + Isabel merchandiser! 

Love Jewelry? Shop my boutique here: http://www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/sydneybrodie

Sarcastic Tuesday

I love sarcastic Tuesday.
No really I do love it, the sarcasm hasn't started quite yet. I tried to wait until Saturday or Sunday to be sarcastic (for the sake of alliteration) but I just couldn't hold it in any longer. The purpose of this blog isn't for me to rant and make rude comments about really annoying people I don't even know. Although I think I should start a second blog, strictly for that purpose. Really though I don't mean to come off as a rude or ungrateful person because that's not who I am. There are just some things that I really don't understand about society/weird things people do that I feel the need to share.

The main topic of this week's sarcastic Tuesday is...

Snacking in the Library

I'm a stress eater. When I'm studying for a test no one gets the munchies quite like I do. That's what I thought anyway until I started studying in the library. Yes, I only started studying in the library recently. Hold your judgements, I have studied before I just did it in my room or I would find a nice, peaceful place outdoors. Someplace that was always quiet. I always found the library to have too many distractions. People talking, eating, tapping their pencils in rhythmic patters. It's all just too much for me! I need silence.

I decided to change that during finals week of last semester when my roommates decided to throw a party on a really rainy day (therefore both of my previous options were out). So I grabbed my backpack and begrudgingly headed for the library. It was a Saturday night when most people have better things to do, so I scored a quiet spot in the corner all to myself. With a table to myself, my own personal outlet to charge my laptop and dead silence I felt like I was living the dream. I should have assumed it would only be a matter of time before the vultures descended on my prime piece of library real estate. They always seem innocent at first. They smile politely and quietly set their stuff down as if to say I come in peace. That's all a part of the trap.

It's not people that I have a problem with per se. I'm not the most social person, I'll be the first to admit that. What I really don't understand is why some people are just drawn to other people. What I mean is, the library could be completely empty and that one person will feel the need to sit right next to me. It happens other places too like movie theaters, restaurants, and on the bus. If I walked into the library and only saw one other person working, I would sit as far away from that person as humanely possible. It's just the respectable thing to do.

 I really didn't have a problem with the kid that sat next to me this time until he reached into his backpack and pull out a bag of chips. Immediately we had a problem. We had a problem because there is not a quiet way to eat chips in the library. There is an unwritten list of library-appropriate foods and chips just aren't on it. Sorry. After he fumbled with the bag for a few minutes struggling to open it, my concentration was gone, I no longer cared about my statistics exam and now the only thing I could focus on was hating this kid and his obnoxious bag of chips. I glanced up at him and gave one of my quintessential Are you really going to keep doing that? looks. I'm pretty famous for those looks, actually. I don't like to use them often but he gave me no other option. He gave me a timid smile and whispered "sorry."

Sorry. He definitely wasn't sorry. Sorry that he couldn't get the bag open and stuff his face with chips, maybe. But sorry that he was making too much noise? doubtful. If he were really sorry about the noise he would have stuffed the bag back into his backpack and left it at that. Instead he ripped open the bag with his teeth, shoved a handful into his mouth and crunched, crunched, crunched. Even the 100 year old security guard was staring at him now so I knew it wasn't just me and my overly sensitive hearing.

At this point I was practically glaring at him. However, he had his headphones in his ears and was completely engrossed in a physics problem blissfully unaware of how incredibly annoying he was. Once the chips were gone, he quieted down a bit and I (foolishly) thought we had the snacking situation under control. That is, until he pulled out an entire stalk of celery and a jar of peanut butter. Yes, a whole stalk of celery and an entire jar of peanut butter. There was nothing snack-size about this situation. Now, I love peanut butter more than anything in the world. Truly if you put peanut butter on a cockroach I WILL eat that cockroach but an entire jar in the library seems a bit excessive to me (and I'm the Queen of being excessive). As far as the celery goes, I hate celery, so I wasn't too concerned about that. At this point I had just had enough. I packed up my things, deliberately making as much noise as I possibly could (although my efforts went unnoticed, of course). I marched towards the stairs and made as dramatic of an exit as I could manage. Again, this action went completely unnoticed but over dramatizing things always makes me feel a little bit better.

Will I ever study in the library again? If I run out of other things to complain about, probably. Until then, however, I will stick to hibernating in my room where I can study in peace. And my roommates really need to stop having parties. This is really all their fault. 

xo Sydney

Review: It's a 10!

As far as my beauty routine goes, my hair definitely demands the most attention. It's been a source of serious strife for as long as I can remember. Here's a little background: I have long, naturally curly that get's really oily at the roots and really dried out/breaks off at the ends. Sounds like a yummy combination doesn't it? Because of my incredibly demanding and picky hair (thank you genetics) I rarely find products that I love and stick with. This changed however, when I discovered the It's a 10 haircare line. They make all kinds of shampoo, conditioner, hair masks and styling products. I've found three products that I love so far but I will definitely be trying more.

1. Miracle Oil plus Keratin ($24.99 available at Target)
This product is the most recent addition to my collection but it's quickly become one of my standout favorites. Because my hair is so prone to breakage, I get really excited whenever something is marketed as a keratin treatment. I use this when my hair is wet before blow drying and then right after to mend my hair and prevent frizz. Living in Florida with 100% humidity every day is definitely a blessing and curse. This product is great at fighting the effects of the unpredictable weather and keeps my hair looking (somewhat) presentable throughout the day. That's all I can ask, really.

2. Miracle Deep Conditioner plus Keratin ($17.00 available at Amazon)
This product is by far my favorite of the 3! Then again I've really never met a hair mask that I didn't like. This one steps it up a notch by adding keratin (add keratin to anything and I'm sold). I use this sparingly because a) it's a small bottle and b) it's expensive. I focus the product on the ends of my hair because my roots have more then enough moisture on their own. It repairs my damaged ends and leaves my hair way softer and shinier than it was before. I'm in love!

3. Miracle Leave-in Product ($17.99 available at Target)
This beauty is the oldest product in my collection and a tried and true favorite. I've been using this product for a few years now. For me, that's a huge deal. I never used any other hair product for that long. This is just the best leave in conditioner I've ever found. It does ten different things at once (hence the name, it's a 10) and I love anything that will save me time when styling my hair. I really can't imagine my hair routine without this product and if they ever discontinue it...I can't even imagine!

All in all I seriously love this brand! I'm already making a list of products I want to try next. I have my eye on the miracle silk conditioner.  Miracle? Silk? The marketing team at it's a 10 definitely deserves a shout out for that one, I'm drooling just thinking about it! Let me know if you've tried any amazing hair products, I'm always looking for amazing recommendations!

xo Sydney

Disclaimer: this is NOT a sponsored post (although I wish it was!) I am not affiliated with It's a 10 in any way, I just genuinely love their products. Also, the links to Target and Amazon are not affiliate links and I won't make any money off of them (again, I wish I did though.)

Get Yourself Together

One of my favorite motivational reads! 

Recently I've become obsessed with reading books, browsing blogs, and stalking the LinkedIn accounts of successful businesswomen. Maybe it's because I'm interested in what these women have to say, their experiences in the business world and how it can improve my life, personally and professionally.  Or maybe it's because I realized I'm graduating from college in 16 months and really need to get my life together. If I'm being honest it's probably a combination of both. Either way, i'm here to share some of the sites I've found to be particularly helpful and some of my favorite nuggets of advice that they have to offer.

1. Levo League
How did I ever survive without this site? That's a bit dramatic, but seriously, it's an awesome website! You can create a profile (follow my profile here) and follow lots of different prominent men and women who are doing big things in business! Most of them are entrepreneurs with lots of amazing advice to offer. You can ask questions (that they actually answer themselves) or browse older questions to get advice. It's like an online mentor available 24/7! They also have a blog with thousands of great articles like interview tips (I really need to take my own advice and read those again) and networking advice. They also do a great series called Office Hours where they interview powerful people in a variety of different industries. One of my favorites was an interview with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. She's amazing and I love her. I'm also obsessed with her book Lean In. Watch her Office Hours here, I think you'll be just as inspired as I was.

2. Classy Career Girl 
I discovered this blog with perusing Levo League's article on the top 5 blogs for young professionals. The title of this blog really drew me in because, let's be honest here, who doesn't want to be a classy career girl? The writer (Anna is her name) has amazing tips on job searching, networking, and increasing productivity. One of my favorite things she does are Motivational Monday's. They're weekly snippets of advice that never fail to leave me oozing with inspiration. I even wanted to start my own Motivational Monday's on this blog but...well, i'm not that motivational so i'll just leave it to the professionals. You go Anna!

As much as I appreciate the technology revolution and the convenience of blogs, I still love a good old fashioned book. I've read two recently that have really changed my outlook on life.

1. 20 Something, 20 Everything (pictured above) by: Christine Hassler
Buy it here
This book really helped me out at the end of my freshman year when I was feeling a little bit lost. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and it seemed like everyone around me already had life figured out. (Disclaimer: I technically read this book when I was 19 but i still got a lot out of it, do not be dismayed by the title). Christine provided me with the comforting thoughts that a lot of women struggle to find their identity in their twenties. What I loved most about this book was how she used personal examples from her own life and lives of people she knows. It made everything that much more personal, like she was there giving me the advice herself. Basically, this book teaches you how to make the most of this time in your life instead of wasting away hours on your computer, sitting on your butt and eating Ben and Jerry's red velvet cake ice cream...which may or may not be exactly what i'm doing right now. Oh well, at least I now have the skills to change my life if I decide I want to later.  

2. What I know Now: Letters to My Younger Self by: Various women
Buy it here
If you're looking to be motivated, but are still really lazy and want an easy read this is the book for you. It's filled with letters written by prominent women such as Madeline Albright, Maya Angelou, Ann Curry and a bunch of others (most of whom I had never heard of before but their stories are still inspiring, nevertheless.) The women wrote these letters for themselves at pivotal points in their life. Each one begins with a short introduction about all the hardships each one had overcome and everything she has since accomplished. I'll be honest, those introductions sometimes left me feeling a little insignificant but the letters were always heartfelt. I even got a little emotional at a few of them.

So that pretty much sums up my favorite resources if you're looking to feel inspired! Tell me in the comments if you've been inspired lately! I love getting book/blog recommendations becuase i'm always looking for something new to read!

xo Sydney


Disclaimer: the links provided above to amazon to purchase products are NOT affiliate links. I won't make any money if you do actually buy the book from that link. Despite the fact that I spend way too much money on their site, Amazon still has no idea who I am and does not sponsor me.

Chloe + Isabel

It's no secret that I have an (unhealthy) obsession with Jewelry. Since becoming a merchandiser with Chloe + Isabel this problem has become (exponentially) worse.  I love me some bling and I don't discriminate. I love necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, and rings in all shapes and sizes. Statement necklaces are my favorite and last time I counted I had over thirty. I'm embarrassed to admit this but I can't even turn on my TV anymore because I've transformed it into a makeshift jewelery stand. Whatever, I didn't like watching TV anyway. It makes me less productive. In all seriousness though, I was recently forced to sell some of my personal pieces before I ended up on an episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive. The intervention my friends and family had to stage to get me to do that was a tad dramatic, if you ask me, but I eventually gave in and got rid of some stuff.

So if you're interested in developing a serious addiction to jewelry that may or may not lead to an intervention, think about becoming a merchandiser! It's really an awesome company and they're extremely helpful every step of the way. Their slogan is adorable as well: "be creative. be confident. be you." How could you not love that? Why yes, Chloe + Isabel, I am all of those things! If any of you are interested in joining the team you can apply here! Be sure to mention that I sent you :)

Or if you're more the mellow type and not interested in addiction/becoming a hoarder simply shop around my boutique, I dare you not to find something you like!

 Sydney Brodie's Boutique

Also, follow Chloe + Isabel on tumblr (adorably titled "The Nest") here for tips, cute outfit ideas and how to style jewelry. You'll also be the first to know when they have amazing sales. If you have any questions feel free to email me: [email protected] I would love to chat!

xo Sydney