College Ramblings

Hi, everyone! Since I went home this past weekend, I was lazy and didn't plan out a post for today. So, I just wanted to pop in today and tell you all some exciting news (at least for me). Yesterday I had a meeting with my advisor and we planned out the next few years of my college. I couldn't be more relieved! I was so stressed out about getting done on time (I'm wanting to graduate May of 2016) because I didn't come into college with any AP courses or anything. However, we talked through a great 2 1/2 year plan that I am so excited about!

How is your week so far?

-Carrie

Things I Like/4

{Coffee} for for my coffee obsession

{Desk details} for inspiration

{Lights} for nights out

{A Statement necklace} for my jewelry box

{Embellished dress} for the holiday season

-Carrie

5 Things I Love Today/2

1. Christmas lights around my room
2. Cuddling
3. Wendy's kids meals
4. Taking naps
5. Coffee in the morning

What do you love today?
-Carrie

Fall Must Haves

Because Fall is already upon us, I thought I would show you guys a few things that are necessary for Fall weather.

1. EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint: This lip balm is the best, plus the sweet mint is the perfect flavor. EOS lip balm keeps my lips from chapping and keeps them smooth. What else could you ask for in a lip balm?

2. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Lotion: This is one of the best smelling lotions I've ever come across. It is such a warm scent-perfect for the cooler weather!

3. Aztec sweater: I don't have one of my own yet, but I plan on buying an oversized Aztec sweater soon. It will definitely be a go-to piece because it's layer-able.

4. The Body Shops' Vanilla Body Butter Duo: I've talked about this product before, so i won't go overboard. However, this is perfect for dry skin which cooler weather brings.

5. Brown Lace Up Boots: I bought a pair of lace up boots last year from Target and I still love them. They add a little bit of toughness to an outfit and can bring a whole outfit together.

6. Pumpkin Cupcake Candle: I just bought this candle from Bath and Body Works and I am in love with it! It's such a sweet smell that encompasses Fall perfectly.

7. Skinny Jeans: A good pair of skinny jeans is perfect for boots this Fall. 

What are your Fall must haves?

Happy weekend!

-Carrie

Aztec top
windsorstore.com

American Eagle Outfitters blue legging
ae.com

Steve Madden brown lace up boots
jildorshoes.com

Eos lip treatment
evolutionofsmooth.com

The Body Shop body moisturizer
amazon.com

Cupcake candle
bathandbodyworks.com

Amazon.com Vaseline Body Lotion, Cocoa Butter, 32Ounce
amazon.com

Things I Like/3

{A walk in fall weather} for changing seasons
{A flower crown} to remember summer
{A family} for the future
{A coffee and a muffin} for the perfect snack

-Carrie

Product of the Week/2

Hi, everyone! Today I wanted to share with you all another product I have been loving this week. However, I thought I would just make the topic a weekly post and a new series! So without further ado, here is week two of Product of the Week!

Today's products are concealers from NYX Cosmetics. I bought two full coverage concealers, a green and a yellow.

The green concealer is for red blemishes on the face. Since my face is breaking out this week (TMI?), I have found this to be so useful when concealing the redness on my face.

Because I'm a college student and I tend to stay up late (probably not a good idea), I usually have dark circles under my eyes. I use the yellow concealer to brighten up this area around my eyes and love it!

If you haven't ever tried colored concealers, I would definitely recommend these. Because they are thicker, they tend to stay for a good amount of time and really do work!

What product do you love this week?

Have you tried these concealers?

-Carrie

[The opinions and views shared are my own]

A Few Words

Just a few words to start off your week:

(via Tumblr)

-Carrie

A Concert

Hi, everyone! So today I was planning on giving you all a recap of the Ben Rector concert I went to. However, my stomach had different plans on Wednesday night. Gary and I ate and went to the concert. I made it through the opening act, Tyrone Wells, who was really phenomenal. I noticed my stomach was not feeling very well which happened the last time I went to a concert. I don't know if it's eating before a concert that gets me, or maybe eating with all the smells of beer and perfume mixed with no air. I have no idea. Anyways. I went and sat outside during the break before Ben came out. My stomach hurt to the point where it hurt just to stand up at all, but I couldn't let myself leave. Gary and I ended up hearing Ben perform one song before I ran to the bathroom to throw up. I came back, got to hear a few verses of a song, met Tyrone Wells and then left. I cried the entire way back home because I was so disappointed and in pain. I'm still bummed! I had been looking forward to that concert for weeks.
However, I did get a few pictures and a little bit of video to last me until I (hopefully) get to see him in concert for real.

He sounds even better than on his album!
-Carrie

Things I Like/2

{A cup of coffee} for the early mornings
{Ezekiel 36:26} as a reminder
{Braids} for hair inspiration
{A colorful dress} for fun nights out

-Carrie

Budgeting

Hi, everyone! Today's topic is budgeting. Some of you may stop reading now, but I hope you'll stay! I promise it's not as scary as it sounds!
Although I started budgeting this summer, I am not new to the subject at all. My parents used to attend one of Dave Ramsey's finance classes and my sister and I used to accompany them. Budgeting has always been in my subconscious, but I've never acted on it. However, over the summer, with my Freshman year of college behind me, I decided I needed to start giving this whole budgeting thing a chance.
I realized during my Freshman year of college that I was spending my money twice as much as I was saving. I didn't care that I was constantly spending which I really regret now. It dawned on me that if I wanted to get a jumpstart on future purchases such as an apartment when I graduate, I needed to work harder. First of all, I want to tell you all that this is what works best for me. It doesn't mean it will work for you, but I do encourage you to start thinking about budgeting especially if you are a college student.
So, this is what I came up with.

The Budget: 
10% for tithe
20% for spending (recreational and groceries)
30% for gas
40% for savings

Categories:
1. Tithe: Growing up, my parents always stressed tithe. I would give every once in a while, but now I see the importance of giving to my church. Because I am getting paid on a regular basis, this ensures that I will always have some amount for tithing.
2. Spending: This category is for groceries and recreational spending such as going out to eat, concert tickets, makeup, and so on. When I go home, my parents usually send me back to school with a few groceries. However, sometimes I don't go home for a month and I have a meal plan, so I usually weigh the options week by week and decide what I'll be spending on.
3. Gas: Because I work and live on campus, I don't drive that much. This category adds up over time, so when I do need to buy gas I'll have enough to pay for a full tank.
4. Savings: Plain and simple. This money goes directly into my savings account.

How to: 
Let's say my paycheck is for $109.84
10% = $10.98
20% = $21.97
30% = $32.95
40% = $43.94

I round the first three numbers:
$11
$22
$32
Add them up and subtract them from $109.84, which is $44.84. This amount is what I will put in savings because having all the cents just makes everything way too messy.

So, when I go to the bank, I will get the tithe amount, spending amount, and gas amount in cash (sometimes I will opt for getting gas put in my checking account because it saves more time at the pump) and then put my savings amount into my savings account.
Once I get back home with my cash, I put the correct amounts of cash into their envelopes. I use envelopes to guarantee that I won't spend any more than what is in the envelope. Once that money is gone, it's gone until I get paid again. If I don't use all the money in my gas envelope, I cannot put it in my spending. It must stay in its designated envelope. Using envelopes really helps me to think before I buy (no impulse buying here!) and helps me be wiser about what I spend my money on.

If you have read all of this, thank you so much! I hope that I have helped you in some way, or have given you an idea! If you have questions/comments please feel free to email me :)

-Carrie

Weekend In Photos/2

^^I was trying to imitate Gary's pose (but it just looks like I need to use the restroom)

Gary and I spent our Saturday morning making breakfast together. We also went thrifting where I bought two books for $1.50 (I'd call that a deal!), we hiked at Moss Rock (if you live in the Birmingham area, you need to go!), we walked a few trails on Lakeshore, ate at Saw's, hammocked, and watched The Great Gatsby.
It was perfect.

What did you do this weekend?

-Carrie

Life Lately/1

Hi, everyone! Life for me this week has been so low-key. Within the last two weeks, I've had four exams, but thankfully they've been spread out for the most part. This means that I'm free from exams until the end of the month! (Yay!)
For the rest of the week and into the weekend, I have to go to work, I need to catch up on laundry, I'm going to paint my nails, go grocery shopping, work on a few crafts and then on Saturday, I have Gary all to myself (he's been working a whole lot and I only get to see him sometimes ranging from thirty minutes to maybe two hours)! I'm so excited :)
Next week, we're going to Ben Rector's concert in Birmingham!

What are your plans for this weekend? What have you been up to?

-Carrie

Product of the Week/1: Neutrogena Triple Moisture

Hey, everyone! I have a product to tell you all about today! 

I bought Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Leave-In Cream this summer after I came back from Florida. I had noticed my hair was extra dry and unmanageable from having to constantly wash it because of the saltwater and chlorine. I had heard about this cream from a blogger and thought I'd try it. Let me tell you, this stuff is so good! I usually put it in my hair when it's damp after a shower or when it's dry and it's almost like it works right away. This cream makes your hair feel softer and healthier. What else could you ask for?

Have you tried Neutrogena's Triple Moisture?

-Carrie

[The opinions and views shared are my own]

Things I Like/1

{Dear Mr. Potter,} for reminiscing
{Donuts} for brightening the morning
{Start each day with a grateful heart} for positivity
{A kiss} for the helpless romantics
{A Jay Gatsby Party} for fun

-Carrie

Revlon Colorstay 24 hrs Liquid Foundation

Hi, everyone! Today I have a product review of Revlon's Colorstay 24hrs Liquid Foundation for normal/dry skin. This time around, I wanted to cut to the chase with using a different review format. So, let's jump right in!
1. As with most liquid foundations, a little bit goes a long way
2. It doesn't run. However, it's not heavy on the face
3. Although I haven't worn this foundation for 24 hours, (someone please tell me who wears makeup for 24 hrs!) I have found that it does stay on for at least 8 hours
4. It's not cake-y
5. You will need a really good makeup remover because it does stay so well. I use Neutrogena's makeup remover cleansing wipes  and have no problem at all removing this foundation
6. There is a variety of options
7. It blends well

Have you tried Revlon's new liquid foundation?
What liquid foundations do you like?

-Carrie

College Series/2 How To Stay Focused

Hi, everyone! Today I'm back with the second post of my college series that I started early this past summer. Today's topic is how to stay focused while studying. I am the absolute worst when it comes to staying focused. I have tried going to the library, which only resulted in people watching, sitting on my bed, which resulted in sleeping, and many other techniques. However, I have finally found one that works for me! I would definitely encourage everyone to find their own way because finding your way sooner, the better. So, let's get started!

1. Make a list of what you want to get done. 
Write down (in no specific order) of all the things you want to get done. Make sure they're specific. This way, you can cross each off as you get them done. I am a lover of making lists! Crossing things off my list lets me know that I've done what I needed to do, gives me a feeling of accomplishment, and shows me all of the things I have finished.

2. Eat a snack. 
This is a very simple tip, but it is a very important one. Make sure you eat some sort of snack before you start studying. The grumbling of your stomach will only distract you and put off doing your work!

3. Avoid sitting on your bed.
If you decide to stay in your room and study, avoid sitting on your bed. Sitting on your bed will only make you tired and less likely to study! Believe me, I have taken far too many naps while studying because of this.

4. Use a timer.
This may sound odd, but I have found that using a timer when I study helps me focus so much better! I use the timer setting on my clock app and set a timer for 15 minutes which is the time I dedicate to studying, then set the timer for 5 minutes in which I dedicate to taking a break, then I set the timer back to 15 minutes for studying, and so on. This way, you are not rereading the same paragraph of a chapter over and over again. If you find yourself becoming too tired, take 5 minutes to have a dance party in your room!

I hope this post has given you insight to an option for studying! Let me know what you think of it in the comments below!

How do you study?

-Carrie

Polish Obsession

Hi, everyone! I wanted to share with you all my new nail polish obsession-"Bold Gold" from Maybelline's Color Show. I have a feeling I'll be wearing this metallic all fall and winter!

What nail colors do you love this season?

-Carrie

Fall To Do List

(via Pinterest) 

Hi, everyone! Fall is quickly approaching here in Alabama! I can almost smell Thanksgiving dinner in the air. I've already pulled out my boots and sweaters. Because I am so excited for the arrival of cooler weather, I've made a Fall To Do List:

-Pick pumpkins from a patch

-Bake

-Go apple picking

-Find the perfect fall candle

-Have a bonfire & make s'mores

-Make apple cider

-Movie night with friends

-Go hiking

-Try a crockpot recipe

-Read at least one book

-Eat my heart's desire of apple butter

What do you want to do this Fall?

-Carrie