My Crazy/Awesome 2014

It seems like every blogger this week has posted a 'Year in Review!' full of their cool outfits and fun adventures. But even though I'm just starting out, I think I had a pretty blog-worthy year. So, here's just a sampling of the ridiculous, amazing, awesome, memorable, and totally crazy things I did this year.

Being next to New York City means I get to do amazing things like intern at CBS News. I could not have had these opportunities at another school and things like this remind me why I chose Hofstra.

Joining Zeta Phi Eta was the best decision I made at Hofstra- I have the best tree, and I know these girls will be with me for life. This year I took a little and then a grandlittle, not to mention a niece and a grand-neice! I could not have asked for a better group of best friends than my Travel Tree!

I got to travel to Korea??! Sometimes I forget that this trip was real, and I can't wait to go back.

I got to dance on Broadway with some of my best friends and some incredibly talented people- that's something I never thought I'd be able to say!

I worked on the social media team at the Women in the World summit and saw some of the most inspiring women come together to share their ideas. 

I had the best spring break ever with an awesome group of girls. 

I started dating a pretty cool dude who does nerdy couples costumes with me.

I'm still friends with these goobers even 2+ years after graduation. I'll probably be stuck with them until I'm 90 and that's fine with me!

There is no way for me to fit everything I did in 2014 into one post (that's what my blog is for!). But putting this together made me realize just how much I did! It would take me hours to pour through countless posts, thousands of photos, hundred of texts, tweets, and Instagram posts, just to compile a fraction of the memories I made this year.

I'm so grateful for my family, my friends, and all of the people who have helped me get to where I am. I never dreamed that, well, any of this could happen! I'm still close with all my high school friends, I've taken some amazing trips, I've made even more friends, and I've had a blast.

2015 is starting off with a bang with my semester in Amsterdam and will end with me graduating college (cue panic attack because I will soon be saying "I'm graduating this year."). I have no idea what to expect in the meantime but I cannot wait to see what this year has in store and the great things I am going to do!

What's In My Bag: Travel Edition

With the holidays ending and everyone hitting the road, there comes the dilemma of what to take in your purse while traveling, especially when you're taking a plane. As someone who spends a lot of decent amount of time on a plane traveling from TX to NYC, I am constantly switching my school bag or my internship bag into a carry-on bag.

The carry-on is something every one should master, even if you don't travel very often. Since I will be abroad next semester I really have to get this down (looking at you, discount airlines). So, here are my absolute must-haves when on the road.

For shorter trips (a week or less, but it always depends on where I am going) I like to bring just my iPad since I can do pretty much everything on it, I have a portable keyboard, and it holds all my books. For longer trips, I bring my laptop, but now that I have a MacBook Air (which weighs nothing) I find myself bringing it along more and more.

That little pink stick is the greatest invention ever- a portable charger. My dad bought one for me online (unsure of the brand but this one is similar) and I bring it everywhere. It's great for long day trips into the city where chargers are scarce or long plane rides with unreliable seat outlets. It has saved me many, many times.

I always have sunglasses with me, even if it's cloudy. These Ray Ban club masters are my new obsession and I can't stop wearing them!

Since I jumped on the blanket scarf trend over Thanksgiving (I have this one from Charlotte Russe, right now it's only $5!!) I have been wearing mine nearly every day. I love bringing scarves on planes to use as a shawl, blanket, pillow, or just to hide my static-y plane hair.

Pretty much everything else here can always be found in my purse (even the M&Ms, sometimes you need a snack!). I bought this Anne Klein bag for $20, unused, at a resale store and it has become my go-to bag- it's even big enough to fit my laptop!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and you all have a Happy New Year!

The Holidays are Here!

Can y'all believe that Thanksgiving is tomorrow?? And you know what that means- Christmas is coming! The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year- I can't wait for the tree to go up and to exchange presents on Christmas morning. I know some people already have their lights up, and a few start listening to Christmas music at 12:01 on November 1st. I try to contain my excitement and wait at least until after Thanksgiving (although Zac and I did watch Love, Actually last week).

Since the holidays are coming, that means it's time to start thinking about holiday outfits! The good thing about being in college is that most of my 'holiday parties' require little more than a crazy Christmas sweater or a pair of red jeans. But I still have a few formal events and of course Christmas events with my family. I wanted to put together a few looks that will work for any holiday gathering, whether you're sipping cocoa by the fire or laughing over cocktails at your office party.

1. This is totally something I could wear to my casual-dressy Christmas Eve celebration with my family! I sometimes all the time overdress, but this is the perfect mix of casual with a little festive sparkle. The hot pink skater skirt is a fresh look amongst a sea of red and green, and the sequined Alice + Olivia top add just enough glitter! The black tights and ankle boots help tone down the rest of the outfit.

2. If your Christmas is a low-key affair, this combination is festive without being over the top. And who wouldn't love to wear those plaid loafers all season long? 

3. I have been lusting after this Kate Spade dress since I first saw Carly from The College Prepster rocking it at NYFW. Since it won't be in my budget for a long, looooong time, I can still dream, right? This all-Kate look is something I would love to rock at a fancier event like Zac's formal, but you could wear it at a cocktail gathering or maybe even an office party if it's held at a venue other than your workplace. 

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving! I've been home since Thursday, and thankfully avoided the winter storm that's about to batter the North East! Fingers crossed there's better weather when I return to school...Happy Thanksgiving! 

Oheka

Anyone who has seen the new Taylor Swift video for 'Blank Space' knows it was filmed on a big, beautiful estate that looks like a replica of a European palace. Most people don't know that the video was filmed entirely at Oheka Castle on Long Island.

Built in 1919 on the highest point on the island, Oheka is one of the most famous mansions on the Gold Coast. Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, and Royal Pains were all filmed here, as was the classic Citizen Kane (it was the replacement for Hearst's San Simeon estate), and it served as inspiration for Gatsby's estate. Most people know it now, of course, thanks to T-Swift. I actually just watched the video for the first time Saturday morning (mostly because I wanted to see Oheka and mostly because people won't stop talking about it!).

Zac and I visited Oheka last weekend for dinner, and I already want to move in (yeah, that'll never happen). You can, however, stay in the guest rooms in the castle, or host a wedding or event. Kevin Jonas, Megyn Kelly, Joey Fatone, and Anthony Weiner have all been married at Oheka.

This is actually the valet parking area when you pull into the estate after driving up the massive driveway (which is where they're riding horses in the video). 

via YouTube

Look familiar?

Duck spring rolls and calamari to start.

Chicken for Zac...

And salmon and shrimp for me!

Unfortunately they didn't allow us to ride bikes around the study...

Trying to sneak into the suites...

Outfit details: Dress, Prabal Gurung for Target (available on ebay). Heels, Cosmopolitan (they look just like the Valentino Rockstud heels only they were $12!). Necklace, J. Crew.