Weekend Wish list/ Friday Fancies.

Happy Friday, ladies! Another week has come and gone so that means we have some beautiful things to lust after this weekend. If my list doesn't satisfy you, remember to hop on over to Long Distance Loving and check out the other Friday Fancies posts!

On my radar this week, we have:

1. Pretty bows to dress up a messy bun. With finals just around the corner, I'm lucky if I have time to wash my hair, let alone straighten/curl it. This means lots of messy buns like this one. A bow would add some charm.
2. With all of the term papers I've been writing, I would love to look down and see some pretty pink nails working away on the key board.
3. Writing my to-do lists would be lovely with this classic notebook and a lovely pink pen.
4. This dress! Isn't see a beauty? I love how the tie-die is featured on such a chic, polished shape. Makes it much more chic college girl than 60's flower child. Mind you, I do have a secret flower child fantasy.
5. It's starting to get warmer around here, but I wouldn't mind keeping my feet on the warmer side for a little while longer. These open toes would still show off my (imaginary) pedicure just fine.
6. Gorgeous rose-gold jewelry would be the perfect addition to this outfit. Bring up the glam factor a bit.
7. I'm absolutely in love with this bag. Coral is by far my favorite color and since she runs at around $150, I actually have a chance at making it mine. Zara also sells it in a gorgeous, electric blue, as well as a ladylike camel. I can see it dressing up all of my casual summer outfits very nicely.

Mina Stone silk dress, $368

Wedge heels, $215
Flap handbag, $149
Jewelry
Carolee pink pearl earring, $30
American Apparel hair accessory, $14
Amazon.com: Essie 162 Ballet Slippers - Nail Polish / Lacquer /..., $4.75
Moleskine Journals - Large Hard Cover Journal - Paper Source, $18
Charm Pen, $390

Awkward & awesome.

I'm a little slow off the mark today, but that's pretty much representative of my whole life these days, so here goes. Let's share some awkward and awesome tales. I've got some doozies this week.

Awkward:

1. Getting home with my boyfriend and him immediately getting rid of the can of tuna that I had left out. He proceeded to write a note on a giant post-it and stuck it to my wall that says "don't leave tuna out." I now have a constant reminder of my lack of domestic skills.
2. People who talk to themselves in group study spaces. I probably do it too, but it's just so annoying. I'm extra irritated because someone is doing it right now.
3. Those self-serve coffee kiosk things. I always hold up the line trying to figure out just the right amount of sugar and milk for my tea.
4. Being so late to do laundry that I had to dig into the bin of clothes that were under goodwill consideration. I suppose this is why my old clothes never make it there.
5. Joining in on another TA's seminar to perform psych research and while participating in another student's study, completely embarrassing myself. Her research was on math performance and she made a point of saying how "simple and elementary level" the questions were. They were single-digit multiplication. We had to fill them out and then write down our time. When I finally finished I looked up and everyone was staring at me, including the teacher. I may have been using some fingers to do the math. It was bad.

Awesome:

1. Salami sandwiches with mustard, cheese and minimal vegetables. Nuff said.
2. When I answer the door for my boyfriend and he immediately kisses my head and tells me I look pretty. I always feel like a little girl in that moment. A very lucky little girl.
3. Profs who sport Doc Martens to lecture.
4. Profs who ask if anyone has done the readings, and in a class of 200, no one raises their hand. She proceeds to laugh very loud and then says "I guess I shouldn't be laughing, I'm the prof. That won't sound too good on the lecture recordings."
5. The fact that #4 & 5 are about the same teacher. Best. Class. Ever.

My mind's eye.

Lately I've been putting a lot of serious thought into my future so when I'm not doing the serious thinking, I'm usually doing the daydreaming about what I will be wearing in this future. Although my college girl life consists of a Wednesday full of:

• Sleeping in (way too late)
• Laundry
• Catching up on forgotten magazines
• Writing term papers

I'm daydreaming about my career girl Wednesday consisting of something more like this:

• Waking up in time to grab tea and toast at the diner down the street from my apartment
• Picking up my dry cleaning
• Catching up on the news (fashion and otherwise) in the blogosphere, for research purposes.
• Writing articles for publication!

So even though my outfit for today looks more like this, in my mind's eye, I'm secretly wearing, typing, and writing with those beauties above...

Blouse, 16,800 JPY

Bruce II tapered pants, $448
Rag & Bone wedge shoes, $448
Proenza Schouler stripe handbag, $1,275
Rose jewelry
Moleskine Journals - Large Hard Cover Journal - Paper Source, $18
Telus BlackBerry Bold 9780 Smartphone - White : Telus - Best Buy..., $500
Golden Agenda Ballpoint Pen, $235

Plaid is rad: an ode to the quick change.

Quick change...

I am not a morning person in any sense of the word. I enjoy lazy snuggles in bed with tea and my favorite blogs, followed by afternoon classes. Unfortunately this is not always a possibility, but lucky for me, one of the perks of living in the university's residence is that I'm no more than 10 minutes on foot from my class. So on these mornings when my alarm clock wakes me up, rather than the birdies outside my window, I reach for a comfier outfit. Today my outfit included LULU lemon leggings, a Joe Fresh tunic, thrifted boots and a thrifted belt. But, like most days, I change around noon (after I've adapted to life outside my bed) into something a little more styled. This included the same tunic and boots but I swapped in an American Apparel dress, and Joe Fresh tights. I love how the same boots and top can carry you from a lazy, comfy lecture to a more styled, seminar-worthy outfit.

Which version of this outfit do you ladies like better? Do you follow the same pattern as I do?

Come away with me.

It's been a couple of weeks since I've done one of these babies, but since this Monday morning is feeling rather daunting, I think that a trip is in order. So on this (soon-to-be) fine day we are packing up our bags and flying off to... Prague!

We are fortunate enough to wake up in this amazing apartment.

Look how charming it is!

For the day, we pick out an outfit like this. The dress is comfy, and

will keep us feeling chic, stylish, and impeccably put-together all day long!

First things first: we warm up with a delicious (and adorable!) mug of hot chocolate...

...While we catch up on emails!

We spend the day working on our sweet little blog, cataloguing the

photos from the weekend, brainstorming ideas for this week's posts

and of course, tweeting away on our progress.

After we get all of our work done, we head out for an adventure on our bike.

As we wind through the old, cobblestone streets, we look up and see this!

She sure looks pretty, but I hope she's holding on tight!

We continue on our way, admiring the sights of our beautiful city...

look at those cherry blossoms!

After a while, we head home to our apartment and snuggle in to watch movies,

eat dinner, and maybe sneak in another mug of hot chocolate!

Happy Monday, ladies!

{All images courtesy of Pinterest.}

15 minute meals: Creamy avocado appetizers

I have a confession. Most every meal I consume includes avocado, and it's usually in this form. Avocado, herb & garlic cream cheese, and whole grain crackers are beyond delicious together. Once a day, at least, you can find me at my computer, trolling the blogs and eating this exact concoction. It's clearly a very simple "recipe" but it makes for a great snack. My boyfriend always asks for it! The next time you're at the grocery store, make sure to pick up...

1. Whole grain stoned wheat thins.
2. Philadelphia herb & garlic flavored cream cheese. They have a light version, which I always bought before the boyfriend was included, but he thinks light is stupid. Boys.
3. Ripe avocados (check that they're slightly soft when you squeeze them).

Follow the directions above and you'll have a delicious and easy snack!

Weekend Wish list/ Friday Fancies.

Just like last Friday, I'm doubling up this weekend wish list with a Friday Fancies over at Long Distance Loving! It's just so fun to join in with other blogs but I'm rather scarce for time so this works out well! I really like this outfit because it revolves around a gorgeous, floor sweeping skirt, in one of my favorite colors for spring, no less. Secretly, this is the kind of outfit I imagine myself in, showing up to the offices of Marie Claire or Glamour in 5 years...

1. Fun striped bag to add a pop of color to the outfit... and match my lips!
2. Silky, slouchy shirt tucked in would add some casual chic to the floor-length skirt.
3. Specs to make me look (and feel!) professional.
4. Coral-red lipstick would act as the pop of color on my face, with the rest of my makeup muted.
5. The beautiful white bold Blackberry could replace my current red Crackberry.
6. Of course this skirt! Isn't it a beauty?? So glamourous. I would twirl all day.
7. An iPad and pretty case would help me get the job done stylishly. Plus, I feel like my favorite blogs and online magazines would look even more adorable on there. To me, it's secretly worth the $ just for that.
8. These wedges would look beautiful when I pull my skirt up to keep it dirt free (or just to do the lady-like thing where you pull your skirt up a teensy bit. Either one).

{Last week I felt like a bag blogger because I didn't add in the links so you ladies could find the items I selected! But from now on, you will be able to shop until your heart is content... mind you, this weekend's selections are rather pricey! But shop away, it's good for the economy, after all...}

Alexander Wang draped top, 468 EUR
Antik Batik cotton skirt, 176 GBP
Christian louboutin wedge, $545
Rebecca Minkoff stripe handbag, $395
Sunglass, $10
Forever21 wide belt, $6.80
MAC Lipstick, $15
Smythson Leather iPad case, $290

Awkward & awesome.

Awkward:

1. Business phone calls when there is construction noise on the other end and you're both trying to be professional but it's down-right impossible.
2. Last night I met my boyfriend downtown after his class and then we went over to my family's hotel. Him and I were having a hushed conversation in the hall when my dad says "come on Laura, they're having a secret conversation and we don't want that." Thanks...
3. When you paint your nails and you are suddenly completely useless for like 20 minutes.
4. The knock that we heard at our hotel room door last night. Me and Laura were being very loud jumping on the bed and giggling (you know, grownup stuff) and so we thought the neighbor was coming to yell at us. The knocker was a rather intoxicated 20-something guy. Turns out his lady-friend was in 1007, not 1005.
5. Having to ask a boy you don't know to take care of a spider for you. Yes, I know I should be able to do it myself, but I can't. End of story.
6. The fact that my brand new twitter accounts consists of like 75% food related tweets. What I'm eating, what I wish I was eating...

Awesome:

1. Having your dad in town to load your fridge and cupboards up with (free!) groceries.
2. The warm, sunny weather we had today. Something about these days makes everything in life seem instantly more doable. I feel like the world is my oyster (cheesy, but I do).
3. A 200-year-old love letter was just found! Drama and romance just ooze from the old-school french writing that has now been translated thanks to Facebook. My mind is just spinning imagining their love story. Read it here.
4. Having a sister who says things like "if they don't give you that job, it's their mistake. You're made for it." Love that kid.
5. I'm wearing sandals right now for the first time this year! They're splendid in all of their full-on, tootsie-bearing, pedicure-requiring glory.
6. Having a boyfriend who is willing to go on a food-run when I have to stay at work all evening. Plus, he always gets my order just right.

PS. Remember this? Turned my Soy Chai latte into a stealth message for someone special the other night :)

Slumber in the city.

Last night I stayed downtown with my sister and dad and after dinner with my boyfriend we went back to the hotel and Laura and I had an amazing time... Our activities included:

• Far too much Starbucks way past our bedtime (Soy Chai for me, Americano for her).
• Jumping on the bed... my parents don't even tell us to stop anymore!
• Popcorn and Criminal Minds.
• Setting up her Twitter account and spending a LONG time trying to figure out how to add each other. Not exactly tech savvy genes we have.
• Admiring the beautiful view from our room.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

>Good:

• The fact that this sweater warrants a snuggly feeling in my heart.
• My assignment is finito (that's another language for finished).
• I just switched to Google Chrome and I LOOOVE it. I am currently using the Kate Spade theme. Trust me, makes blogging so much more fun.
• I get to have dinner with my dad and sister tonight! I asked my boyfriend to come and when he said yes, I put on the whole "do you actually want to come, or are you just saying that?" Refer to ugly section...

Bad:

• It's still only Tuesday.
• I have yet to fill my belly this morning, resulting in said belly grumbling in class.
• The speed with which my room reverts back to messy from (relatively) clean.

Ugly:

• It may or may not be that time of the month, and I may or may not be a rather scary person to be with today. I apologize in advance to all cashiers, baristas and boyfriends that I come in contact with today.

Spring: Let's celebrate with shoes!

When I'm on the hunt for warm-weather shoes, I look for what I call the 3 B's: Bows, Baubles and Brights. Pretty much every year I end up with a different version of a shoe, but it will no doubt fall in one of these three categories (or sometimes more than one!) I love these shoes because they:

1. go great with a pretty pedicure... coral, turquoise, violet and mint are my personal summertime favorites.
2. they're fun for summertime adventures and the pictures that come along with them.
3. they brighten up all of those summer basics! Denim shorts and stripes become my warm-weather staples, so these babies go quite nicely.

15 minute meals: oatmeal

This is like the simplest thing ever, but it makes a fantastic breakfast. Or, if you're like me and enjoy mixed up meals, then it's a great anytime meal. You can do this two ways: either you can buy plain oats (or whatever they're called) and then add hot milk/water and then add brown sugar for sweetening, ORRR you can do what I do, and buy the pre-made little packages by Quaker. This is simpler for me as I don't really have any space in my little room.

I like to eat this with a banana, but other fruit would certainly suffice. It's also delicious with a cup of tea. I love oatmeal because my mom always told me it will keep your belly full longer. I find that it makes a great addition to a Sunday morning snuggled up in bed!

Weekend wish list.

This weekend wish list is doubling as a Friday Fancies over at Long Distance Loving! Have you guys checked out the blog... adorable. Anyways, I know I have featured some of these items before but I just love them so much!

How is your Saturday treating you? Any big plans for tonight?

PS: I've joined the twitter revolution! Look over on the right for the new button and follow if you're interested!

In this city.

Friday:

• Virtual window shopping
• Snacks
• Reading
• Snuggles
• Finally putting away laundry
• Admiring my thrift store finds
• Planning our next club event

Amidst all of this lazy fun, my boyfriend and I got into a very heated discussion. Details aside, I would like to share a lesson I learned. I seriously do not know everything. Nor am I always the good guy in an argument. I'll explain. I have this problem where I withdraw during heavy conversations. When I don't like what the person is saying and/or I am angry, I just stop talking. My mom always said this more powerful than yelling and yesterday my boyfriend asked me to imagine what it's like for the other person to just have to sit in silence. It occurred to me when he said that just how bad of a position I put him in when I act this way. I have vowed to try and learn a better way of communicating!

Do you ladies ever find that the boys in your life end up teaching you really big, important lessons? I suppose it's a special thing when a relationship causes you to grow as a person!