Ten-Minute Morning

In college (actually even more in high school) I got used to taking 10 minutes or less to get ready. In high school getting up at 6AM was not an option for someone who needed over 9 hours of sleep at night. To get to school at 7:30 my sister and I couldn't leave the house later than 7:20. So, I RARELY got out of bed earlier than 7AM. I had a few tips that I kept in mind getting up in the morning and also the night before. If you get really good, your "ten minute morning" could be less than ten minutes!

The Night Before// 
              
Clothes - I cannot stress how much time it will save you if you pick out your clothes the         night before. Yes, your mom used to do this for you when you were little, but honestly, it's so much smarter to set your clothes out because even if you're quick at picking out clothes, it'll save you at least 5 minutes. Also, you'll be more likely to pick out something that isn't yoga pants and a t-shirt.

Hair - Still to this day if I want my hair to look somewhat okay, I take a shower, put product in it and straighten or curl it, if I'm going to. It saves (me) about 30 minutes to an hour just by straightening my hair the night before!

School Supplies - I can't tell you how many times I've woken up super late and only to find that I left my charger plugged in by my bed, my laptop on the chair downstairs, and where the hell is my English folder?!? Save all of that time by making sure your book bag is packed and ready to go so you can just grab and go!

In the Morning// 

Wash - Something to never ever skip on is washing your face and (obviously) brushing your teeth. Make this a little bit easier by having some wipes that are pre-wet so all you have to do is swipe and go. Now, moisturize and brush your teeth!

Makeup - Save time by only doing what's important. Foundation, concealer, mascara - yes. But do you need a perfectly winged eyeliner for your 50 minute English class or going to class in high school? I can answer that for you - no. Swipe on a little bit of eye shadow to make it sort of look like you tried and make your eyes pop by adding a couple of layers of mascara.

Hair - Luckily, you straightened or curled your hair if you were going to, so if that's the case then you're good to go! If not, one hairstyle I love that is so super easy is a braided top bun. Put your hair into a pony tail on the very top of your head. Separate that pony tail into two even parts and braid each of them, securing with small rubber bands at the end. Next, wrap those braids around each other around the base of your ponytail. Secure with another ponytail holder. Hairspray so it stays in place.

Clothes - Now it's time to just slip on the clothes you picked out the night before. I chose to do this last so I can change out of my PJs at the very last second! This should take no time, because the hard work is done for you.

Now grab your book bag and you're out of the door! Good luck!

Do you have any tips on a super quick morning?

Expensive to Cheap Clothes

It's happened to the best of us. You are shopping and you see the cutest top ever. Flip the tag over and all you see is $$$.$$. I wish J Crew, Kate Spade, and Michael Kohrs were so much cheaper. But I've realized there are similar options for way cheaper at places like Target and Old Navy. I know some people are all about the labels. However, most of the time, I'm not. If it looks nice, I want it!

So I'm going to give you a few pieces that are from some of the top names today that have similar cheaper options!

Kate Spade:

This wallet right here is from Kate Spade. On the website it's running at about $180.

I ended up getting this wallet from Target for a fraction of the cost at $15. (The color is extremely vibrant in person.

This super cute skirt is priced at an insane $600.

Although it's a little different, I think this skirt is still equally as cute, it's knee length like Kate Spade's as well as you get the floral pattern. This skirt is $60.

Jack Rodgers:

Every preppy girl's closet has at least one pair of Jack Rogers. These are priced at $110.

These knock off Jack Rogers look almost exactly the same but, don't have the name Jack Rogers on it. For $25 I think I'd take the knock offs...

J. Crew:

Many preppy girls also swear by chambray or denim shirts. To me, they look the exact same. Or are they? Honestly I don't even know. But this J Crew chambray shirt is $100...

While this H&M denim shirt is $25.

I understand the want for "labels" but in all honesty, no one cares if you're wearing Target or you're wearing Kate Spade. Chances are, no one's going to notice unless you tell them. As a broke college student, I would much rather have a $15 wallet that doesn't have Kate Spade's name on it. I'm not telling you not to splurge once in a while, but just be cautious with your choices, and make sure there's not a similar, cheaper version of something brand name.

Another thing you can do is check out your local consignment shops. I have a few in my area that carry things like 7 for All Mankind jeans, Miss Me Jeans, Kate Spade and things like that. Even if it is secondhand, you're still getting the brand names you love. Just remember to wash everything before you wear it!

In what areas are you willing to splurge? What areas are you not?

Most Used Make Up Products

My aunt and uncle got me a MacBook laptop for school (and obviously other things) and it came in today! I'm super excited! I was using an old Compaq computer that was my grandfathers. If you haven't ever heard of Compaq computers then that's okay because I hadn't either.

Anyways! I've been wanting to talk about my makeup for a while. I don't really over do it on make up. Most of the time in summer I don't even wear makeup unless I'm going out. But during the school year I wear makeup everyday. I'm not the type to really do elaborate makeup. For one, I'm not very good at it. Second, I feel like I look weird really done up.

Here's a picture of everything I use on a daily basis:

Eye liner: I will use literally any eye liner ever. I usually use black pencil. Right now I'm using Rimmel.

Foundation: CoverGirl TruBlend. I LOVE THIS. I recently just got it and it's wonderful. It covers SO well and it stays ALL DAY. The perfect foundation. 10/10 definitely would recommend.

Eyelash curler: It was literally $3 in the checkout line at Forever 21. I bought it on a whim because mine was really bad. It actually works really well.

Eye shadow: Right now I'm using a trio from CoverGirl. I usually stick with a light color on the top of my lid, a slightly darker color up to my brow and a dark brown on the outer corners. I usually just look for a pallet that has all of these. I really like this one. All of the colors look perfect as I imagine them to look.

Bronzer powder: I literally have no idea who makes this. It works really well though. It gives me a little extra color when I need it.

Blush: Rimmel London is the brand I use. I really like this color. It's pinkish, and it goes on well, but it's not too pink.

Mascara: Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express. I have THE worst luck when it comes to mascara. I feel like every single mascara makes my eyelashes clumpy and I hate it! But this one doesn't! It goes on really well. It volumes and it lengthens. Which is nice because you usually can't find a mascara that doesn't do that. I definitely recommend this kind.

Well that's it! I usually wear chapstick, and 9.99/10 times it's EOS. I literally have 10 different flavors.

How do I get it all off? Check out this post.

What kind of make up brands do you use?

Face Cleaning Routine

My face cleaning routine isn't anything special. But I do have a pretty set routine. I used to not though. I used to never ever wash my face even when I wore makeup.

Recently I started doing this routine. When I wake up in the morning I wash my face with this:

I moisturize with this:

Then I put make up on or not it depends on what I'm doing that day. If I come back from whatever I'm doing and I'm done having my make up on I use this to get it off:

If I'm feeling extra lazy and I don't feel like using that Neutrogena Blackhead Remover scrub at night I use one of these:

And then moisturize.

It's not too much but it works for me and my routine keeps break out low!

What is your face cleaning routine?

Love Yourself

Today I got into a twitter fight. I know. A twitter fight is probably the least classy thing anyone could do. And it was all over because I retweeted something that aparently someone else didn't like. Then she said something mean about Kayla. And that's when it turned bad. My blood started boiling and I couldn't be stopped then. After a while though, Kayla came over and we started laughing about the whole thing and giving sarcastic answers to this girl and her girlfriend. Next thing we know all they can say is how we're fat. Really? That's all you can come up with? At first, I laughed it off like, haha yeah I'm so fat. I know right? But as the day went on it actually started to get to me. Like am I really that fat? They even went to the point to call Kayla and beluga whale. That is beyond messed up.

At yoga tonight I noticed I pushed myself a little bit further. Going lower on the squats, going higher and lower on the push ups, and going deeper into every stretch. And in the back of my mind I kept thinking "I need to get skinnier. I need to get skinnier." I didn't even notice I was doing that until halfway through the class.

I'm someone who has had body image and self image issues for about my whole life. For the past few weeks (maybe even months) I've noticed I'm more positive about myself and if my body  is one way, then so be it. From when I was 14 to about 16 I struggled with eating. I would skip multiple meals, diet, or just simply not even eat. I did this because for years people told me I was fat. And I heard it so much that I started to believe it myself. And It was terrible. I had a terrible two or so years.

I haven't done anything like that in so long. But when I hear people say those mean things to Kayla and I, I get so insecure and I hate it. I hate that someone so stupid and irrelevant is making me change the way I think about myself.

But you know what. I'm  not going to let it happen anymore. I'm happy with who I am. I love my body, I take care of my body. I have a girlfriend who loves me and a family who would do anything for me. I don't need to listen to irrelevant biotches about their stupid opinion of me. And you shouldn't either.

If there is someone in your life saying things that are hurting you, cut them off. Don't listen to them. When they say something, laugh. Don't let it get to you. Because you're awesome. You're beautiful, powerful, smart, caring, and going to be way more successful than any of those people trying to bring you down. DON'T LET THEM. You do you. I promise you'll be much happier.