School Snack Obsessions

College schedules can be pretty hectic and inconsistent. Some days I'll have plenty of time to prepare and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but other days I feel like I'm out of my apartment from 7am to 9pm. On busier days, I try to pack some healthy snacks to munch on so I'm not absolutely starving by the time I sit down to eat a meal (and more prone to binge-eating everything in sight). Here are some of the foods I've been obsessed with lately:

Fall Finds: Moto Jackets Under $100

Throwing on a good jacket is one of the easiest ways to take your wardrobe from summer into fall. Last year, I wore my L.L.Bean olive green utility jacket to death, and I know I'll be bringing it back out in a couple week's time. This season I found a very similar version (with a hood!) at H&M for only $50, and it also comes in a beautiful blush shade.

One piece that I've been on the hunt for is a good faux leather or suede jacket. Personally, I think it's the perfect piece to layer over an outfit for a night out, and it's definitely more chic than the fleece I've been using for the past few years. Although I would ideally like to invest in a real leather or suede jacket that will stand the test of time, I know I'd just be paranoid about it getting spilled on or ruined at a house party, and I'd be too afraid to actually wear it.

Here are some of my favorite options I've come across in my search, all of which are under $100.

Back-to-School Supplies for College

Another summer has come and gone, which means it's officially back-to-school season. I know some schools have already begun the year (my little brother's high school started on August 14!), but thankfully I have until the Tuesday after Labor Day to get my stuff together. 

Thinking back to my high school days, I remember that many of my teachers had very specific requirements when it came to school supplies- a 1.5 inch binder with 3 dividers plus a composition book for assignments, and so on. College professors, I've found, are much more flexible, and pretty much allow for whatever works best for your learning style. After 3 years, I've developed my own system and narrowed down my supplies list to the essentials listed below, keeping me organized and on top of things without feeling overly-cluttered.

Easy Bronzed Makeup

While I don't tend to wear much makeup in the summer, from time to time I like to switch it up and go for something a little more "done" and polished. The products mentioned in this post have been my go-tos lately for when I want to put a little more effort into my look without sacrificing a lot of time. In total, I'd say this routine only takes about 10 minutes! Keep reading to get a step-by-step breakdown.

Collective Haul + Catch-up!

This post is loooong overdue. The end of July and beginning of August were a bit of a whirlwind for me. I went on a family vacation to upstate New York (which included a visit to Niagara Falls), wrapped up a full-time internship, packed my things, and arrived back home in Florida last week for a bit of R&R before the school year starts back up again. Attempting to keep up a blogging schedule was definitely difficult with a 9-5 job, but after navigating through my internship this summer I know I’ll be that much more prepared going forward, especially come college graduation and full-time employment.

Now that I’ve had some time to unwind, I wanted to share a collective haul of some of the new fashion and beauty things I’ve accumulated over the past month or so. I’ve had a chance to wear or use most of these items, so I’ll include some first impressions as well.

Lake Haus

I can't believe how quickly summer is flying by. I started to put together this post and realized that this trip was already two weekends ago! Regardless, I really wanted to share a collection of photos from a weekend that my friends and I spent at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. The weather, company, and plethora of activities that lake like has to offer (from paddleboarding to kayaking to tubing to fishing to cliff jumping...and more!) made for an unforgettable vacation. Even though the trip was brief, it thoroughly convinced me that I need to live on a lake at some point in the future. Keep reading to see all of the pictures!

Photo Diary: Weekend in Rockport

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Rockport, MA. One of my best friends, Kalli, was celebrating her graduation there with her family and decided to invite a few of us to join in on the fun. It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world- we cliff jumped at the quarry, explored quaint little shops downtown, built a bonfire, relaxed by the beach, and had a barbecue on property that overlooked the sea. It couldn’t have been more perfect! I’m so glad I had my camera with me to document some of the highlights, and I’m excited to share the scenery with you all in this post. Enjoy!

Picture-Perfect Rockport

Red/White/Blue

The 4th of July is quickly approaching (*Lana Del Ray's 'National Anthem' plays in background*), so I thought I would put together a patriotic look for today's post. This outfit is perfect for your typical 4th festivities: casual get-togethers, barbecues, firework-watching, etc. It's cute, comfy, and put-together, and details like the scalloped skirt hem and the embroidered hat keep things fun/festive without being over-the-top.

Summer Beauty Standouts

Seeing as tomorrow officially marks the first day of summer, I decided to devote this post to some of the products that tend to get more use during these hot months. Especially with the lack of central AC in Boston, I’ve been gravitating toward products that will help prevent oiliness and keep me feeling refreshed. I’ve pulled a good selection of some old favorites and new discoveries. Enjoy!

TBT: Two Timeless Pieces

As it is Thursday, I thought it would be fun to write a little "tbt" fashion post. Back in high school, I took my senior pictures with one of my favorite teachers, who also happens to be an amazing photographer. I remember spending a lot of time thinking about the clothing I would wear, not wanting to look back on the photos in the future regretting my fashion choices. Thankfully, four years later, I still love (and wear!) the pieces I decided on. The floral maxi dress is a perfect spring/summer staple, and the simple silhouette makes it timeless. And you can't go wrong with a little black dress- this one is made of the comfiest cotton, and the v-neck and fit-and-flare style are flattering on so many body types. At the end of this post I've linked some current options similar to these two timeless staples. Enjoy!

Intern Diaries: 5 Things I Learned From My First Week

To continue on with my "Intern Diaries" series here on Beantown Blush, I thought it would be fitting to stray from beauty and fashion for a moment to give a recap of what I learned this past week- my first week on the job. Even if you've had multiple internships before, every company operates differently, so you never really know what to expect until you step into the office yourself. I was definitely nervous leading up to that first morning, but as the week went on I started to formulate some key takeaways...

Tropical Jumpsuit

I wanted to put together one more quick outfit post from my visit to St. Simons Island. The weather was beautiful and sunny, and seeing as I was on an island, I thought this tropical jumpsuit that I found at Marshalls, paired with my favorite J.Crew metallic sandals, was the perfect outfit for the trip. First of all, a jumpsuit is super easy to throw on in a hurry, and second of all, it's a great day-to-night piece- I wore it when we went shopping during the day and also in the evening to dinner. I linked some similar options at the end of this post. Enjoy!

May Pinspiration

One of my favorite things to do when I'm feeling particularly uninspired is to go back through my pins on Pinterest. Aside from Instagram, it's my favorite social media platform, feeding me ideas on anything and everything. I'll visit the site searching for a couple pictures to give to my hairdresser before an appointment, and wind up spending hours browsing pictures of chic celebrities, impeccably organized laundry rooms, and adorable bunnies. Regardless,  I've accumulated some great summer inspo lately, so I thought I'd share my favorites from the past month in this post. Enjoy!

Wishing I had an occasion to wear a dress like one of these...

St. Simons Island

Over Memorial Day weekend, I got the chance to visit St. Simons Island, GA. As I had only been there once before for a brief day-trip, I had such a wonderful time exploring the Island, biking to the beach, and eating some great seafood.

Affordable One Piece Swimsuits

With Memorial Day Weekend officially kicking off the summer season, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my top swimwear picks. One pieces are everything right now, and I'm definitely looking to try the trend when I hit the beach over the next few months.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

DIY Moisturizing Hair Mask

I get weirdly excited about haircuts. I just feel so much lighter and more refreshed after my hair has been thoroughly conditioned and my dead ends have been snipped off. So when I got a call yesterday from my hairdresser saying he had to reschedule my appointment, I was pretty bummed, especially because I was looking forward to having a fresh cut for my Memorial Day weekend vacation. Knowing I wouldn't be getting the salon treatment before the trip, I decided to make a little DIY moisturizing hair mask using ingredients I had in my kitchen to attempt to make my strands look a little less like they haven't been trimmed in 4 months... It turned out to be surprisingly effective!

Intern Diaries Vol. III: First Week Fashion

It's safe to say that the first few days of a new job or internship are the most stressful. You'll likely be occupied with things like navigating the office, figuring out your role, and meeting your coworkers, just to name a few. The last thing you want to be worried about is how you look. It's so important, especially in that first week, to wear something you feel 100% comfortable and confident in. For me, I've learned that my fool-proof outfit, especially if I'm not entirely sure how formal the office will be, is a dress (I particularly love shift and fit-and-flare silhouettes) paired with a structured blazer and comfortable, broken-in leather flats.

Clockwise from top left:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

Testing No-Churn Unicorn Ice Cream

I feel like unicorns have been everywhere lately, particularly after the huge "Unicorn Frappuccino" craze at Starbucks. While scrolling through Pinterest the other week, I stumbled across some "unicorn" recipes, and this colorful DIY ice cream from Popsugar particularly caught my eye. Because it requires only a few ingredients, I wanted to test it out and see if it was as tasty as it is pretty.

Fun Finds for Summer

Now that I'm back home in Florida, I've been shopping around for some new pieces for the summer season, from clothing to swimsuits to accessories. For me, summer is all about tropical prints and bright colors, so I wanted to round up some of my favorite items that are more playful and unique than your everyday basics (without being too over the top).

Blooming in Blush

If you can't already tell by the name of my blog, I'm a little obsessed with blush. I found this midi skirt from Charlotte Russe for only $15 (this shimmery one also caught my eye), and it's such a great statement piece to have on hand for spring and summer. Even just paired with a simple black t-shirt and some nude flats, the pleats and structure of the skirt make for a chic, put-together look. On this particular spring day, my friend/photographer Taylor and I decided to do a little house-hunting in Brookline ;) Enjoy!

Fake Tan Plan for Summer

I will be back home in Florida in exactly 3 days! I'm looking forward to the sunshine (it's been pretty dreary here lately), but I am not looking forward to how pasty my skin will look in comparison to my bronzed/glowing/sun-kissed friends and family members. Since it takes me a painstakingly long time to get a tan line, and because I'm not trying to get skin cancer or premature wrinkles, I like to help my skin out a bit by adding some fake color. Here are some of the products I'll be relying on most this summer to keep my skin looking healthy and (somewhat) less pale.

OOTD: Classic Blues

I'm taking advantage of the beautiful spring scenery yet again for another OOTD. Even though finals are around the corner, it's easy for my spirits to be lifted when there are tulips and cherry blossoms blooming on nearly every block. That's one of my favorite things about Boston- it's certainly a bustling city, but you don't have to venture far to connect with nature.

Pamper Routine

With finals week coming up, it's nice to take time to pamper yourself. Spending precious minutes on skincare may seem like the last thing you should do when you have 4 exams to study for, but it's important for both your mental and physical health to enjoy some self-care and relaxation. Even a quick pamper can be super refreshing and rejuvenating! Keep reading to see what I like to do when I set aside time to treat myself.

(my apologies for the smudgy mirror)

Intern Diaries Vol. II: Totes Prepared

After launching my "Intern Diaries" series, I've had a lot of fun brainstorming tips and advice to share with you all based on my own personal experience. In the first volume of the series, I gave the low-down on getting the internship, but in this post I want to touch on how to prepare for life on the job- more specifically, what to pack in your work bag to cover your day-to-day needs. Keep reading to see some chic yet functional tote bag recommendations, as well as what I plan to have on hand in my bag this summer.

OOTD: Denim & Florals

It's finally spring here in Boston! With the weather getting warmer and the flowers beginning to bloom, I decided to take advantage of the scenery at a nearby park.

Testing 3-Ingredient Pancakes (Vegan-Friendly)

I have definitely gotten in a rut with breakfast foods. My typical selection is either greek yogurt, oatmeal, or an english muffin, and if I'm really in a rush I'll just grab a protein bar as I'm heading out the door. After scrolling through Pinterest to try and find some healthy food inspiration, a couple of 3-ingredient vegan pancake pins caught my eye. First of all, I already owned all of the ingredients, and second of all, I've been wanting to try more vegan-friendly, plant-based recipes (Niomi Smart is a huge health inspiration for me, as well as my friend Kailey, who has her own mommy blog). My current diet definitely isn't vegan, or even vegetarian, but I think incorporating meals like this into my routine is a good start.

Spring Beauty Swapout

With warmer weather finally here, I thought I'd go over a few beauty products I've introduced into my routine, from skin to hair to makeup. Some of these are older items that I'm trying to use up (#springcleaning), and others are new discoveries that are quickly becoming favorites. In no particular order...

Easter Dress Finds Under $50

I can't believe how quickly Easter is approaching! Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it's the perfect time to treat yourself to some candy (bring on the Cadbury Mini Eggs!) and a new dress. I've rounded up some of my favorite finds for the occasion, from florals to gingham to pastels. Most importantly, all are under $50. Enjoy!

LuLu's Give Me a Print Light Blue Shift Dress ($48)
Also comes in pink, yellow, and gray!

OOTD: Jumpsuits & Bows

I recently rediscovered this jumpsuit that I purchased from Uniqlo last summer. It's super affordable, chic, and comfortable, yet I only wore it a handful of times. Looking back, I have no idea why... I think at the time I didn't realize how versatile it could be, and thought I could only reserve it for "dressier" occasions. Regardless, I'm glad I finally decided to be a bit more experimental, because it turns out it pairs really nicely with a blouse or even a simple t-shirt underneath.

The weather here hasn't been very spring-like (it was 35 and rainy yesterday :/ ), so layering has been my best friend. I love the way this cream and black long sleeve Forever 21 blouse looks as a base layer, and the bow adds a cute touch. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention- the jumpsuit looks great with both heels and flats!

Jumpsuit: Uniqlo (this year they have a sleeved and a camisole version!) // Blouse: Forever 21 (similar) // Flats: Banana Republic (newest version)

Victoria Beckham for Target

The Victoria Beckham x Target collection launches in just 6 short days! After seeing previews online and on Victoria's social media accounts for the past month or so, I cannot wait to get my hands on some of her pieces. I've always admired her style (tbt to when she was never seen without heels on... truly inspirational), and I was so impressed with how seamlessly she transitioned from Spice Girl to elite fashion designer when she launched her brand almost 10 years ago. I've browsed her collections on occasion for inspiration, but even her ready-to-wear pieces cost a minimum of around $1,000. On the contrary, most of her Target items are only $30-$40, and I can see many of them making great workwear staples (while still being different and fun). Keep reading to see my favorites from the collection...

Loafer Love

As you may have been able to tell from some of my previous posts, I've been on the hunt for a good pair of loafers this season. I was absolutely obsessed with this pair from J.Crew, but I couldn't justify shelling out that much cash. Luckily, when I was browsing the DSW website a few weeks ago, I stumbled across this pair of mules for only $40. Given that they looked much more expensive (ahem @Gucci), on top of they fact that I happened to have a $10 certificate, I placed an order within minutes.

Intern Diaries: Vol. I

In my opinion, one of the major sources of stress for college students is the pressure to find an internship. These days it seems like employer standards are rising exponentially for college grads. When applying for competitive full-time positions, it's hard to get away with babysitting and mowing lawns during your summers off (Ahh, how I miss being paid in cash). Because internships are one of the major ways to set yourself apart on your resume, I thought I'd start a series about my experience with internships. Today I'm going to talk about the most common question regarding internships: "How do I get one?!" In later editions I'd love to go into topics like interviewing, office etiquette, etc. But for now, keep reading to see my top tips on landing an internship.

Foundation Routine

Most days, I keep my face makeup simple with some tinted moisturizer or concealer. But when I'm going for a full-coverage, budge-proof base, these are the products I reach for. The result is flawless, but still natural-looking skin. Keep reading to see my favorite face products and how I use them!

Step 1: Moisturize

Dry skin and full-coverage foundation definitely don't mix well, so I always make sure to have a layer of lightweight moisturizer underneath my makeup. For daytime, I prefer something with SPF (like this), and for night I love this one that I received as a part of my Sephora birthday gift. Because my skin is combination/oily, I definitely can't get away with anything too thick or rich. Glowy is great, but greasy isn't cute.

Step 2: Prime

When I really want things to last, I find that this setting spray (you might recognize it from a recent haul) works really well underneath my makeup as a primer. Other traditional primers I've tried haven't really made a difference in my makeup's longevity, so I usually pass. But this All-Nighter spray is a great double duty product, and I can definitely see myself using it for special occasions or in the humid summer months as both a primer and setting spray.

Step 3: Apply Foundation

In the past, wearing foundation made me feel less confident, because I felt like people could totally tell that I was wearing a layer of makeup on my face. But the combination of this Make Up For Ever foundation and Beauty Blender is a dream. While the matte aspect might turn some people away, don't let it scare you! The foundation is pretty thick, but when thinned out and applied with a damp beauty blender, it becomes super lightweight and really does give a "velvet" finish, and because it doesn't cling to any dry patches, I can wear it year-round. I also find that the coverage is enough for me to skip concealer on most days, but if my under-eyes are particularly tired, I add some of my go-to Maybelline Age Rewind.

Step 4: Set

To ensure that nothing slides around, I use my favorite powder (less than $4 from the drugstore) to set everything in place. I follow that with a couple more sprays of All-Nighter, which helps the powder sink into the skin better and give an even more natural look (without sacrificing coverage).

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Lastly, to add a bit of color and dimension, I use the work of art that is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette. I was lucky enough to receive this as a birthday gift from my sister, and I'm in love. I alternate between the first and second colors (Dim Light and Incandescent Light) as highlighting powders for under my eyes and on the high points of my face, and the last color (Radiant Light) is the perfect bronze shade for my cheeks (no blush necessary). The powders are really "finely-milled" (lol I've always wanted to use that phrase) and aren't overly-pigmented, so you don't have to worry about things looking too heavy or unnatural.

And that's it! My current go-to base. I hope you enjoyed this little beauty post :)

xoxo Lizzie

Spring Wishlist

Happy Spring!! In honor of the start of a new season, I thought I'd put together a quick post sharing some of the fashion pieces I have my eye on. There's something about the "spring cleaning" mentality that makes me want to refresh my wardrobe by mixing in a few new items. Because a couple of my picks are from J.Crew (their spring collection is irresistible), I wanted to let you know that they are currently offering 30% off everything until Friday! Enjoy!

ASOS Petite Skater Dress with Cotton Lace Trim

Pink Gingham

After writing my "What I Packed for Spring Break" post, I wanted to share one of the looks I put together with the pieces I brought with me to Florida. I have to admit that looking at these pictures is pretty painful considering I'm currently back in Boston with record low temps and a foot of snow on the ground :( Nonetheless, spring has to be just around the corner (right...?), and I know this white skirt/button down shirt combo will be a recurring theme in my wardrobe over the spring & summer seasons.

Luscious Lemon Bars

In middle school, I found this lemon bar recipe in a pamphlet from Publix (aka the queen of southern grocery stores), and I've been going back to it ever since. It's super simple, and most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry. With the spring and summer months quickly approaching, these bars would make the perfect citrusy treat. Keep reading to see how they're made:

Raiding My Mom's Beauty Cabinet

One of the best things about coming home is getting to try new beauty products, courtesy of my mom's (and my sister's) makeup bags. From skincare to makeup, here's a roundup of a few of the things I've been testing out while home for spring break.

(Sidenote: quick apology to my sister Emily because I definitely didn't ask for permission to use any of her products...lol oops)

What I Packed for Spring Break

I am currently back home in sunny Florida for 10 whole days for my spring break, so I thought I'd share what I packed with you all! Since I was restricted to a carry-on luggage, I definitely pared things down and packed a few versatile pieces that I could mix and match. Keep reading to see the full run down...

The $6 Staple

A few months ago, I picked up this extremely cheap stretch knit flare skirt from Forever21 on a whim. Since then, I have gotten so much wear out of it for multiple reasons:
1. You can dress it up or dress it down
2. You don't really have to worry about ruining it, since it's only $6
3. It's super soft and comfortable

Keep reading to see how I styled it for an everyday look

February Pinspiration

With February coming to a rapid close, I wanted to put together a post with some of my favorite things I have pinned on Pinterest over the past month. Enjoy!

Blush + Ruffel Sleves + Metallics = Obsessed (@bychloewen)

Signs of Spring

The weather has been beautiful lately: sunny skies, low winds, and high temps (if you count 40-50 degrees as high). Now that some of the snow has melted, I've been able to ditch my bulky winter coats and snow boots in exchange for lighter layers and cute flats. I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that spring is just around the corner!

Healthy(ish) Treats

With spring break quickly approaching, I'm trying to curb my massive sweet tooth with some slightly healthier options. I have a really hard time cutting out desserts, but when I have some of these foods on hand I don't feel like I'm depriving myself.

Shoe Crush

I've had my eye on some new pairs of shoes lately, so I thought I'd make a quick post to share which ones caught my attention.

Clockwise, from top left:

1. Steve Madden Cyylo Loafer: As you can probably tell, I'm on the hunt for a good pair of loafers. I think they're such a sleek and classy wardrobe stable that work with both dressy and casual outfits. I definitely want to try these on in-store to make sure I find a pair that lets me walk more than a few blocks without getting blisters
2. Bellini Brittany Velvet Loafer: A more fun take on loafers, I love that this pair has both leopard print and tassels but doesn't look tacky
3. Banana Republic Scalloped Robin Ballet Flat: I'm obsessed with the scalloped detailing on these!! I have another pair of leather flats from Banana that have broken in really nicely. They also have 40% promotions fairly regularly, which would put these at about $60. I would get a ton of wear out of these at work, so I'd say that price isn't bad at all for such a staple shoe
4. Adidas NEO Courtesy Sneaker: I already mentioned these in my Valentine's Day Gift Guide, but I think these are such a cute take on the sneaker trend. Not to mention they're extremely practical for walking to class, running errands, etc
5. Charles by Charles David Gunter Over the Knee Boot: I am struggling to find a good pair of over the knee boots. I saw these in DSW and loved the black suede and the low heel. The wide calf version was perfect for my legs (#athletestruggles) but they didn't have my size. Ugh
6. G.H. Bass and Co. Whitney Loafer: These loafers come in so many cute colors and look extremely well-made. I first saw them when the impeccable Blair Eadie styled the pink pair, and now I feel like I have to have them...
7. Steve Madden Adelphi Bootie: These are definitely a trendy pair, but I couldn't resist the pink/velvet combo. And I feel like you can't go wrong with ankle booties since you can essentially wear them year-round

Let me know if you've had any great shoe discoveries lately!

xoxo Lizzie

Snow Day Chic

With BU's first official snow day of 2017 in the books, I thought I would share an outfit idea for those below-freezing days when motivation is lacking...but you still want to look cute.

Sephora Goodies

I recently stopped by Sephora to use up a gift card I had received for Christmas. Considering everything in that store catches my eye, it was very difficult to decide what to purchase. Keep reading to see some of my initial thoughts!

SUGARFIX by BaubleBar for Target

BaubleBar have launched a new collection available exclusively at Target! While I’ve always loved browsing BaubleBar’s website, I’ve never ordered from them. Their prices are definitely reasonable, but I still couldn’t really justify spending $30-$50 on a trendy piece of jewelry that might fade out of style within a couple months. However, the SUGARFIX collection is more affordable than their typical products, and the pieces are all totally up my alley- feminine, fun, and sparkly. Naturally I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites… aka I included 5 pairs of earrings (seriously though the earrings are arguably the best part of the collection), but I hope you like my picks nonetheless! 

Camel & Cream

I can't get enough of this camel turtleneck I received for Christmas. It's timeless, classy, and there's just something about it that makes you look like you have your life together. I wore it to class earlier this week with a pair of black leggings and riding boots, and I loved the way the different neutral tones looked together.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

I rounded up some of my favorite things that I've seen for sale this season that would make perfect gifts for Valentine's Day. Give them to your bae, your friends, or yourself! I've covered the bases from clothing to shoes to beauty to accessories.

Ciaté Liquid Velvet Lipstick Review

For Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a trio of adorable mini liquid lipsticks from my best friend. Knowing Ciaté only as a nail polish brand, I was excited to try out their makeup range and put their products to the test. Keeping reading to see my thoughts...

L to R: Wonderland, Starlet, and Pin Up