1st day of Spring 2012

Time to kick back and relax! why? I'm done for today woohoo! Today was the first day of classes for the spring 2012 semester and so far my classes are good. I'm praying for a stress free and easy semester. Last semester was highly stressful and my grades due to stress and other things that occurred.
It's a new semester and a new year and I'm ready to regroup and start from scratch and do a lot better. My goal for this semester is to obtain at least a 3.0 GPA. I'm really aiming for a 4.0 but I don't want to set the bar to high, trying to stay realistic here!

I want to hear about some of the goals that you all have for yourself this semester. Do you want to learn how to manage your stress better? Maintain a good GPA? Join a new student club/organization? What are your goals? Feel free to leave me a comment in the comment box below and let me know about the goals that you are setting for yourself this semester. The goals don't have to be huge, just go ahead and set them and work towards achieving them.

Best of luck,
Catherine

Happy New Year!! 2012 is here!!

I can't stop shouting "Happy New Year" to every person I run into. I'm so excited to welcome 2012. 2011 was an amazing year. It was filled with many ups and downs but I'm ready to start off fresh and take on new adventures and amazing opportunities.
I know some of you may have been wondering where in the world I was. I'm sorry for my lack of posting by the way. Below is a list of things that kept me busy and away from the blog.

1. I started my junior year of college
2. I had math & English grammar in the same semester (2 hard and stressful classes)
3. I was a summer camp counselor
4. I traveled everywhere this summer (Philadelphia, New York, Washington DC and more)
5. I became a resident assistant in the freshman dorm at school (I'm a temporary mommy to 25 girls..HELP)

Yes, Yes, Yes! I was busy however, this upcoming semester is going to be a lot smoother and easier! Thank God!!!! I will be back with more posts and updates on what's going on with me. I wish you all the best with everything and enjoy every moment of 2012! Best wishes :))

I'm coming back...very soon!!

Hey everyone!!
I apologize for being M.I.A with this blog I have been sooooo busy this past fall semester. I had numerous new responsibilities and opportunities that came my way on top of juggling my academics. I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be back to blogging very soon. To be exact, I will start on New Year's Day. I will be back with more content as well as giveaways, and special announcements that I'm currently working on.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy their holiday break!
TTYL,
Catherine

Tortoise & Blonde

I recently became the new owner of a pair of beautil Tortise & Blonde sunglasses!! I would recommend these to everyone! They are a must have, especially in this 90 degree weather that we have going on in North Carolina. Trust me, I will be using these on my upcoming spring break trip to Miami which I'm soooooooooo excited about. I have already paired these shades with all of my outfits for my trip. I know I'm ranting but I have to let you know all know about these.

I received them as a special gift from a company that I work for, Intern Queen. I'm a Intern Queen Ambassador and I love it. We get so many perks and it's well worth it :)

Check out their websites and check me out in my pair of T&B sunglasses!
http://blog.tortoiseandblonde.com/

Getting Ready!!

Sorry again for my absence. I have been so busy these days. I moved back home from summer camp and then I had to organize and re-pack everything so that I can move back to college. I'm officially entering my junior year of college tomorrow. Classes begin tomorrow bright and early and I'm ready!! I may sound like a nerd by saying this but I love school and I've always have. I don't know what it is but I love it. Once I get adjusted to my class and work schedule I will be blogging on a more consistent basis. If anyone has any questions for me please feel free to email or comment below in the comment box.

P.S. For those of you who haven't purchased your books yet check out  www.campusbookrentals.com . That is a site that I use to rent my textbook instead of spending a huge amount of money on books from my campus bookstore. More about this soon!!!!

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I'm Back!!!!

Sorry that I have been M.I.A from the blog. I missed you all dearly. I was so busy this summer!! I was working as a camp counselor at a summer camp in Poughkeepsie, New York. I had a great time and met a lot of cool people. Another reason that I was away was because I was in Washington D.C. at The White House. Yes, The White House!!!! I had an amazing time and I will never forget it.




I was invited to attend a Community Leaders event hosted by White House Officials on Friday August 5th. The event was a way for community leaders from all over the USA to voice their concerns, goals, stories, issues, etc to WH officials. We had the chance to hear from John Kelly, Jon Carson, Mark Doms, Valerie Jarrett and more! They informed us of different White House goals and initiatives that they are currently working on. They also wanted to get our input on various topics.



Later in the day, we were able to take a tour of The White House!! I was a bit nervous but overall excited. Walking through the White House I felt a sense of appreciation, honor, beauty and more. Everything I saw was beautiful!!! At times I had to pinch myself because it felt like I was dreaming. However, this was no dream!



Once the tour was over, my fellow activist friend and I took off to lunch in the city. Once we were done we headed to the WH conference center where we had the chance to meet with other departments such as The Department of Education and others. Of course I chose to meet with The DOE. All the leaders voiced their concerns about education and other things that were going on in their communities that related to education. It was exciting to listen to other leaders speak on different things that they are doing in their communities and the things they are fighting for.



Overall, I had a great time and I'm truly appreciative of all of it! I would encourage everyone to continue to seek out opportunities to work towards change in your communities and keep going strong with it because you never know where it can lead you to. Who knows, one day you may end up at the White House :)

Catherine

Dress Like a Fashionista ~ Bridget

Meet Bridget!
I am a twenty-two year old recent college graduate from southeastern Pennsylvania. I have developed a love for fashion over the years and enjoy blogging about it. I have a degree in Spanish Education and am in the process of receiving a certificate in fashion styling from the American College of Professional Styling. I am also attending the School of Style this July in Manhattan. I do love teaching but I would really love to become a fashion stylist someday. In my free time I like to spend time with my boyfriend and guinea pig, hang out with my friends, read, and of course GO SHOPPING!


Describe your personal style

My personal style is really difficult to describe. I would say the word to describe it would be eclectic and whimsical. I love color and print and like to stand out among the crowd. I am constantly mixing vintage in with new pieces to create a funky look.

Growing up, were you always into fashion & beauty? Also, describe your personal style over the years and how have they changed.

I loved dressing up as a child. I would constantly rummage through my grandmother’s jewelry and scarves and pretend I was a glamour queen. I started wearing make-up very early and was lucky enough to have a mom who let me experiment. When I was in high school I was more into looking like everyone else with a slight twist because we had a dress code. Once I got into college I started reading more fashion forward magazines like Nylon and making trips to the Goodwill. It was a fantastic evolution.

For college fashionistas on a budget, what are some tips and advice that you would suggest?

Well as a recent college grad I can def. feel the pain of fashionistas on a budget. I recommend shopping at stores that you can afford. I always get compliments on my clothes and unless someone asks where it’s from, they don’t need to know. Check out thrift stores! I get tons of compliments on items I pick up at the Goodwill and Salvation Army. Also, treat your clothes with kindness… when I was in college I bought a metal drying rack that saved a lot of clothes from fading and shrinking. If there is one piece you just HAVE to have, use cost per wear. For example… do you want a $100 purse? Think about how much you will use it and your budget. If you can afford it and use it 50 times, that’s $2 per wear…. not too bad! That is if AND ONLY IF you have the money… if you are broke look for a budget version of the bag.

What are your fashionista five must haves?

1. A great watch (I have a large, boyfriend-style Fossil watch that I love)

2. A good and comfortable pair of heels in a neutral color

3. A well made bag that is the perfect size for you (I love my Longchamp Le Pliage bag)

4. A good pair of sunglass (Raybans are awesome)

5. Good mascara (Some of my faves are Lancome, Maybelline, and Dior)



Name two of your favorite fashion designers.

Christopher Kane and Sarah Burton for McQueen

What types of stores do you typically shop at?

H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Asos on-line, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Aldo, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, and DSW.

Who is your fashionista icon and why?

Carrie Bradshaw. I started watching SATC during my style evolution and it was a huge influence on how I dressed. I believe Carrie is the ultimate fashionista because she is not afraid to wear what she wants and is always bold with her style.

What are some makeup tips that you would suggest to college fashionistas?

Invest in good products. When I turned 21, I treated myself to a makeover at MAC. You don’t have to buy everything from the makeover but I would recommend a good concealer and foundation/tinted moisturizer. Mascara is something you don’t need to spend a lot on, especially if you buy a brand like Maybelline. After a night out or of studying, the three things you need are concealer, mascara, and blush. Put on some lip balm and you are good to go.

If you could be a stylist for a day for a celebrity, which celeb would that be and why?

I would have to say Rachel Bilson because she already has such incredible taste. She and I have a similar style and I think we would work well together.

Random This or That Questions

Stiletto's or Flats?

Love them both but I am a comfort girl at heart so flats.

Paris or New York City

Once again love them both but NYC is my city.

Mac or Sephora

In my ideal world MAC would be sold in Sephora, but I love MAC.

Dress Like a Fashionista ~ Kathleen

Meet Kathleen

Kathleen Lira is an 18 year old student from Philippines. I have a

bright personality, I know how to have fun the sag way and I

optimistically believes I’ll bounce back on top. I actually

interviewing fashion blogger and post it on my blog and create some

other stuffs and share it to the world.


Describe your personal style

My style is transitional. It is undefined. I don’t stick in just one

style. It also depends on the place that I go to. You would always see

me in a simple shirt or pants but in pictures, There, I can show you

outfits that I don’t really use when I’m outside the house. I love

anything neon and leopard. I always keep my look trendy and I always

go for a classic one.

For college fashionistas on a budget, what are some tips and advice


that you would suggest?

Don’t spend too much to the things that will easily corrupted. Always

don’t follow some trends, Trends are just passing and gone. If you’ll

buy some of fashionable trends after it will be obsolescent to the

public you can’t even use that again. Find your clothes on Thrift

stores there’s a lot of fashionista clothes there and all of them are

branded. But my advice is just wear whatever makes you happy!





What are your fashionista five must haves?
Head Accessory, a pair of a skinny jeans, a dress, nice shirt and a smile.

Name two of your favorite fashion designers.
Alexander Wang and Stella Mcartney.

What types of stores do you typically shop at?
Usually thrift store (Ukay! what we called here) and in a local stores or malls.


Who is your fashionista icon and why?
I have so many lots to mention but most of people that I looked up to

are fashion bloggers especially Tricia

Gosingtian(Triciawillgoplaces.tumblr.com) I think that her blog is one

of the reason who inspires me to put up my own fashion blog and Andrea

Torres(Stylescrapbook.com) because living in Paris is just so amazing!



If you could be a stylist for a day for a celebrity, which celeb would


that be and why?
I think it could be Selena Gomez! Because I think she is not choosy in

choosing what she wants to wear not like the other celebrities, plus

she had that natural look that there’s no need for her put a lot of

accessories or cute outfits. Her beautiful face was already her

fashion statement.

Random This or That Questions
Stiletto's or Flats?
Stilettos, It will always looks you fierce.

Paris or New York City
Paris

Mac or Sephora
Mac

To learn more about Kathleen's personal style, make sure to check out her blog here http://www.kathastrophee.com/.