Valentine's Day Gift Guide!

Hi Ladies!

It is almost February which means that Valentine's day is only a few weeks away! Regardless of your relationship status, we all have ladies in our lives that deserve to be recognized every single day of the year whether it is your mom, sister, grandmother, or friend. This gift guide is compiled with gift ideas under $50! From that gorgeous statement classy cuff to Henri Bendel travel accessories, there is something for every leading gal on your list! 

UMBRELLA | BACKPACK | CUFF (code:collegecatwalk20) | SHIRT | BOOTS | EARRINGS | EYESHADOW | TRAVEL POUCHES

Hope you find a great gift on this list for your loved one or even yourself!

Duster Coats!

Hi Everyone!

Duster coats with a lapel front scream "classy and feminine". I absolutely love the trend and love it even more when it is combined with the year's "it color scheme", nudes!

When SheIn reached out to collaborate, I was over-the-moon ecstatic! This brand is a leading fashion retailer that offers high quality, stylish clothes, accessories, and shoes for great prices! If you see a new style trending on Instagram or in magazines, I bet you that SheIn will have it! They offer a wide selection of high style pieces at an affordable price + FREE shipping and as a college student, it does not get better than that!

Browsing through the SheIn website, I fell in love with this mauve duster coat! It was pretty much love at first site. It is perfect for the fall, winter, and early spring-time. You can dress it with black ripped jeans and white sneaks, thigh-high boots, or with heels like I did. Dress it up or dress it down, it works either way!

Coat: SheIn

Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Old Navy

Heels: Madden Girl

Necklace: Anoki Boutique (code: collegecatwalk20)

Purse: Primark

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Definitely check out SheIn's website for stylish pieces at affordable prices! 

A big thank you to SheIn for sponsoring this post but as always, the opinions are mine! 

Winter BFF: Tights!

Happy Hump Day!

The cold never stops me from wearing dresses and skirts. Year-round, I rarely wear a dress without tights, especially when I have to dress professional for lab and events at school. I have realized that in the past year, I have become obsessed with 2 things -- mugs and tights. It's like Pokemon -- gotta catch em' all!

During the warmer weather I wear sheer tights with most of my dresses and skirts if I am going to an event or class. However in the winter, I wear thick tights with all skirts and dresses, regardless of the occasion simply since it's so freakin' cold! I have realized that adding tights during the winter will make you look not only a little less crazy but a little more classy, too! These Berkshire tights were sent to me along with 2 other more sheer pairs, Shimmer Oqague and Trend. I absolutely love them and honestly have 5 more pairs in my drawer from J.C. Penny that I have accumulated since I started pharmacy school.

This outfit, without the plaid coat, could easily be a summer or spring look but the tights allowed me to dress winter appropriate with a feminine kick without having to pull out my sweater dresses. Don't get me wrong... I love sweater dresses but they just are not as fun!

Outfit Details

Coat - Forever 21 ($13 January 2016)

Top - Forever 21 ($8)

Skirt - Charlotte Russe ($6)

Boots- Sears 

Bracelet - Anoki ($12)

** Holy smokes! I did not realize how affordable this outfit until just now as I just typed that ^ up!

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you are ever in need of a good pair of quality tights, I definitely recommend Berkshire! And don't forget, Forever 21 is having a great sale right now -- take advantage of it!

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.

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

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!