Winter Holidays in Philly!

Hi Everyone!

Happy 2017!

I am currently at  home away from school for winter break but I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Philadelphia to partake in the city's holiday festivities over the past few weeks! Like many cites, Philadelphia during the holidays is beautiful! The true nature of Philadelphia's "brotherly love" shines even brighter during the holidays. During the semester, even though I have been living in Philly for the past 3 years, I rarely get the chance to experience the holiday festivities to the fullest so this year I made it a priority!

The numerous events, fairs, and festivals occurring at this time of the year is absolutely great and I wanted to experience them all before school starts back up next week. The week before Christmas, my friends and I went to Dilworth Park's Christmas Village which surrounds Philadelphia's City Hall. It truly reminded me of what the holidays are all about and I genuinely felt the love and spirit.

The best part of these events are witnessing the non-Philadelphia residents travel up with their loved ones to enjoy the music, ice-skating, and local pop-up shops (...and I know it is weird but get excited when people ask me for directions for some reason)! Christmas Village had a little something for everyone including delicious hot chocolate, of course!

This very past weekend, I was in the city once again to ring in the new year with some of my dearest friends. During the day we frolicked through the city, induced a few food comas and went to Waterfront Winterfest at Penn's Landing! This area is incredibly beautiful, day and night! Winterfest is everything that you would expect from the name! It has a cabin vibe with faux cabins, fire-pits, marshmallow roasting, iceskating, and an area that serves food and hot beverages all day! Winterfest is open till March, so definitely check it out if you have not yet done so!

I hope you all get the opportunity to experience the great holiday festivities that are in your town/city!  If you are near Philadelphia, definitely check out Christmas Village, Winterfest, and Franklin Square at this time of the year!

NYE Decorations - Pinterest Edition!

Nine more day till 2017! I would say "Where has time gone?" but I say that every single year so I should maybe stop...

As a college student with a tiny apartment, DIY decorations are the most practical way to go with the space and the budget. I have been on Pinterest the last few days looking at a few affordable ideas and I found so many cute ones, some of which I have already tried successfully in the past year. I wanted to share some of them with the original links to the rightful creators in hopes that it may inspire some of you to DIY this year instead of spending the unnecessary money that I know you would rather spend on other things like the next day brunch (or is that just me?)! 

ONE

This is such an adorable idea! You can either DIY it or get it on Etsy (HERE). This is the perfect substitution for a PhotoBooth if you have a small living room where you are hosting a party or pre-game and it hasn't been played out, yet! 

TWO

How creative and easy is this? This is perfect for that bare wall that you have no idea what to do with. You can make the clock as little or as large as you want to make it and for an interactive portion -- you can let your guest change the arms for a countdown! You can use black adhesive for the numbers like the creator did (HERE) or write them one yourself! 

THREE

Party hats done the chic adult way! Simple, cute, and non-oboxious! Your guest will love them! You can use a regular headband like the creator did (HERE) or use the gym stretchy headbands! 

FOUR

Everyone loves hershey kisses and you don't have to pay a seasonal (hiked-up) cost for a bag! A few of these cute baggies can double up as decor and party favors for your guests to enjoy! This link (HERE) also features many more simple DIYs for the holidays! 

FIVE

I have done these before a few years ago they came out so cute! I used some modge-pog that I had laying around but the adhesive that the creator used (HERE) may be easier! If you use a different adhesive like modge-pog, make sure to spray the glitter with hairspray to keep it intact! Before your guest arrive, lay them out on a cute tray and you will best the hostest with the mostest! <3

SIX

When you cheers at the strike of 12, these champagne flutes will be perfect! This is a super easy and affordable DIY and the link (HERE) will take you to a short tutorial video!

I hope you all find something great to make this holiday. DIY projects are always a blast to do with friend and family! Have a safe holiday!

Stocking Stuffers!

Happy Holidays! 

Its the most wonderful time of the year! Shopping for presents is so much fun as well as a hassle. I hate leaving my house at this time of the year because everyone and their moms are out shopping for presents and trying to take advantage of the awesome deals. I definitely do not blame them but I have never been a casual shopper. By "casual shopper" I mean- I never walk into a mall aimlessly. I always know what I am getting for someone and exactly where to find it. I walk fast store to store and never window shop because dealing with the crowds is probably my biggest fear. 

This year as I was shopping for people, I realized that there were so many little goodies that I wanted to get for everyone that wasn't "big" enough to wrap as a lone present but was perfect as a stocking stuffer! For that reason, I complied a list of my favorites and wanted to share them with you! 

Here is a little breakdown: 

The light switch thingy-magig (1) is from Icing! My best friend got one for me as a part of my birthday gift and since then I have gifted it to 3 people! For your beauty junkie, lipstick sets and perfumes would be perfect! The Grace perfume (4) and NYX (6) lip cream set are from Ulta at a very affordable price for your all things beauty lover! For your skincare junkie, gifting quality products from Pur~lisse (2) and Kiehl's (7&8) would make them feel luxurious every morning and helping them achieve great skin really says "I love you"! 

For that person that loves everything fashion, always remember that jewelry fits all! These (3&5) are my current favorite jewelry pieces from Anoki Boutique (code: collegecatwalk20)! Last but not least, the mugs are from Anthropologie (9) and are practically owned by every blogger. Currently on sale, you can get your coffee lover a gold or a black initial mug for only $8!

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE

I hope this post helps you this holiday season!

Jewels Under $25!

Hi Fashionistas! 

Happy holidays!!! I just love this time of the year! It's maybe because I only have 2 more weeks left of the semester before I get to enter a month off freedom!

This Thanksgiving break, I spent lots of time planning out presents for my loved ones and taking advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. As I was shopping, it dawned on me that it is the perfect time to start my Gift Guide series that I love to do! Starting it off this year is my "Jewels under $25" post featuring baubles that you can get for under $25 for all your loved ones from Anoki Boutique! 

Anoki Boutique is an independent online boutique that offers chic, classy, and affordable jewelry styles. The quality is great and they  currently have 30% off EVERYTHING till Monday! All of the pieces in the picture below are under $25 on regular price so with the 30% off it is even more awesome. They also offer free shipping so you don't have to worry about any hidden fees--just shop away! 

Jewelry is my favorite thing to gift because timeless jewelry pieces are items that people keep for ages so it is kind of like giving a present that just keeps on giving. :) 

Visit: www. anokiboutique.com 

Code: THANKS30

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT

Hope you find something lovely to gift this holiday season! Love you! 

Maintain Hydrated Skin During The Fall!

Hi Beauties!

Fall is upon us but some days it feels like winter...
Everyday before I start to get ready, I look down out of my window from the 14th floor to see how the  people of Philadelphia are dressed. I usually check for jackets, scarves, and umbrellas because we all know being stuck in the rain without an umbrella is a curse!

One thing that I notice every time October comes around is that the summer glow on everyone's skin starts to fade. I mean I don't blame y'all, the cold irritates my skin so much that I look like a cracked and dry prune on a daily. Today I wanted to share some tips on how you can secure the hydration in your skin...or just fake it! Here we go...

1. Fake It With Eyeshadow!
Losing that tan glow on your body can be such a heartache. If you notice your skin looking dry or pale, mix a tad bit of loose bronze glitter shadow with your body lotion before you apply it your legs and arms. The shimmer will reflect the light and give your body a glowing appearance.

2. NYX Dewy Setting Spray
This spray is a serious game changer! I spray it on my matte foundation and no matter how dry or flaky my skin is underneath, it instantly transforms my look by giving it a hydrated and dewy appearance!

3. Moisturize Before Bed
I cannot stress the importance of moisturizing before bed! If you want to wake up to healthy and hydrated skin, always moisturize at night. You can go the extra step and wear socks and gloves to lock in the moisture after applying lotion to your feet and hands. This is super important for preventing aging skin, as well!

4. Night-time Serum
For a year now, I have been into hydrating face serums instead of moisturizers. To each their own, but for me I feel that serums penetrate my skin deeper and give me a plump and hydrated look in the morning. If you want to wear both a serum and a moisturizer, apply a serum BEFORE the moisturizer so it can seep into your skin without a barrier.

5. Eye Cream
If someone tells you that you don't need eye cream, just stop talking to them. Lol jk! But seriously, under-eye moisture is so important! Dermatologists say that the age of 19 is a great time to start wearing nighttime eye cream. The skin underneath your eyes is incredible thinner than the rest of your face which means that it will age quicker. Buy a moisturizing eye cream (I get mine from Marshalls) and dab some on every night! The 10 years older you will thank me :)

I hope this helps you lock in the moisture this fall! 

Fall's Cutest Booties!

Hi Beauties!

Just because it went from blazing heat to "what the heck I need a jacket!", that doesn't mean you need to run out and drop all of your cash on the first pair of cute booties you see. There are so many booties in the world for a reasonable price so check these out before you commit to spending $600 on those Stuart Weitzmans.

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Top 5 Skin and Body Care!

Hey Beauties!

Do you ever go to sleep with your makeup on and lie to yourself that it is totally not a big deal? Well, I sure do. I am the biggest liar to myself when it comes to washing my face at night but recently with the summer heat, I have been on a mission to improve my skin so I can avoid wearing foundation. Through this eager journey of mine, I have found some awesome-sauce skin weapons that have seriously changed my life. For those of you who are trying to do the same, I thought I would share some affordable or "totally worth the price-tag" skincare items to help you too!

Dove Dry Spray
I'm quite aware that the underarms are not usually the part of your skin that  you think about when you hear "skincare" but, I am going to change that and bring your attention to this amazing product. This spray, really deodorant, retails for $7 at the regular drugstore. I use it in the morning and it keeps me smelling fresh and floraly all day! If you are one of those girls that secrete rose smelling odor, good for you but for gals like me, we need that clinical strength stuff! My favorite thing about this spray is that it doesn't leave the chalky white residue behind AND it is so easy to wash off in the shower.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Omg. This. Product. Is. Life.
I use it at night 15 minutes before my moisturizer. When I wake up in the morning, I always notice that my skin appears healthier, more youthful, and a little plump (in a good way) compared to the night before. It seriously just keeps getting better and better day after day! I was a little skeptical about it initially but when my sister bought me a skincare set from Kheils which included the serum, I gave it a try and was amazed.

Noxema Face Wipe
Stings like a B, but it is well worth it! I have been using these for years now but after I came back home for the summer, I totally forgot about them. I started to break out like crazy one day and purchased some more, it was then that I remembered why I love them. No matter how much you wash your face, one wipe at night will ensure to add a great layer of acne fighting medicine as well as wipe off any leftover makeup and sweat residue.

Garnier Cleansing Water
This has officially replaced makeup wipes for me. I wasn't expecting much for $9 but I thought I would give it a whirl and I'm glad I did. This "water" practically removes all of my makeup, waterproof or not! One cotton round is all that you need!

Dermalogica Overnight Treatment
Best acne/pimple overnight treatment ever. It reduces the size of pimples overnight. I even use it in the morning if I am going to be lounging at home. I have tried so many different brands over the years, but this one seems to work for me pimple after pimple. Absolutely LOVE IT!

Splurge VS. Steal: Valentino & BCBG!

Hi Saavy-istas!

I realize that I have not posted a "Splurge VS. Steal" in a very long time but this is one that I have been meaning to share! After scoring that big girl job, girls dream about purchasing their first pair of Louboutins but I have always had my eye on the Valentino Rockstud Pointed Toe Heels.

I fell in love with the rockstud look the very first time I laid my eyes on them but I knew it was a forbidden love after I saw the hefty price tag. However on a random day, when I was casually browsing DSW's website, I saw a pair of heels that looked just like them. I took a double take, but the BCBG brand confirmed it was not a no brand knock-off. I was floored, I could not believe the resemblance.

For a fraction of the cost, you can get a pair of the Darron Two-Tone Patent Pumps for that same luxurious Valentino look!

I hope you enjoyed the post! Cannot wait to share my next Splurge VS. Steal with you all! 

Nordstrom Half-Annual Sale!

Hi Fashionistas!

I know you don't live under a rock, but just incase if you do--come out because the Nordstrom half-yearly sale is going on RIGHT NOW, girl!

DISCLAIMER: I am by no means saying this is the most bomb of all the Nordstrom sales, but hey, I love me a good sale.

Anywho boo, I wanted to share some of the goodies that I've been eyeing. Like any great sale, I love to add things to my cart and just stare at them. This is what I call cyber window shopping! The sale ends on June 5th and it is going on in-stores and online so if you are looking for some cute new splurges--check it out.

Just remember, don't spend it all on this sale...the Nordstrom anniversary sale is coming up soon on July 22nd!

CONVERSE | SWIMSUIT | TOMS | RM CROSSBODY | NECKLACE | RAINBOOTS | FLATS | WATCH

Best False Lashes For Your Eye Shape!

Hi Beauties!

Whenever I think about makeup game changers, false lashes pop up first in my mind! Just like everyone else, I hated false lashes when I first tried to apply a pair. I ended up with lash glue all over my eyelid and even on my eyebrow! After I learned to properly apply them, I faced a whole other battle --finding the best style.

This was the hardest part for me. It was so disappointing to go through the entire application process only to find out that the lash style made me look sleepy, extra diva, or just plain weird. Eventually, after a few trial and errors, I realized that it all depends on the shape of the eye and I found the best styles suited for me. Now for the most part, I can confidently purchase a pair, regardless of the brand.

This post is inspired by a few friends that asked me to help them apply falsies this past weekend. I found myself telling each girl to buy a different pair after looking at their eye shape so I thought I would share a quick "cheat sheet" you can use when purchasing your next pair of lashes.

PS: All the lashes pictured are byArdell, a super affordable drugstore brand found almost everywhere, including Ulta! 

ALMOND

Almost all pairs can suit a gal with almond shaped eyes but for a more natural "I woke up like this" kind of look-- gear yourself towards thick lashes that have the hairs clumped together in smaller bunches along the lash line and wisp out on the outer corners.

HOODED

Girls with hooded lashes should think "bell-curve". You want lashes to be the longest in the middle and gradually get shorter towards the outer ends. 

MONOLID

Though most lashes will work, the crisscross lashes are the best for this shape! A blend of longer and shorter lashes in a crisscross fashion will brighten the eyes and have your lashes looking voluminous! This pair can work too! 

ROUND

I learned this the hard way. For round eyes, try to avoid the super thick BAM lashes. Your eyes will look significantly smaller and weighed down. Instead, go for longer dramatic lashes that fan out. 

CLOSE-SET 

What are close set eyes? If both of the eyes are closer to one another than the width of one eye, it is a close set. Though this is not exactly regarding the shape of the eye, certain lashes will look the best with this feature. Try to choose lashes that are thicker and wispier on the ends of the lashes, and shorter and more sparse towards the inner corner. 

WIDE-SET

Wide set eyes are the opposite, they are further apart. For this feature, lashes that are shorter and thinner on the outer corner and longer/thicker in the center will bring the drama and focus to the center of the face.

Remember there are so many pairs of lashes out there that will work for multiple eye shapes, this is just a guide!

Hope this helps!