Update: September, 2013.

Hello lovelies.

I know, I've been MIA lately. 

I've been adjusting to a southern state of mind, a new school, a new job, and missing my family and friends (puppies included) dearly. 

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be here finally. I'm following my dreams. I'm so proud of myself for pushing myself to do this. I very easily could have stayed home, got my associates, and just worked. I needed a change, and this is where it lead me. Beautiful, warm, sunny, Charlotte. 

It's not New York, though. Not being home when the September issue of Vogue came out discussing it in the a building at NCC is very strange to me. Not feeling crisp, cool, September New York air is weird. Not wearing sweaters, scarves, and boots, in the middle of September has taken some getting use to. But I like it. It's a big leap outside of my comfort zone. These things may seem very pointless to you, but when you've been use to something for 20 years, and in a week it all changes, it's strange...

I met my best friend. I know, you're probably thinking, what are you talking about? It's a long story. After five years, a friend of a friend of a friend, who I had never physically met, became my best friend. He probably knows more about me than I do about myself. And after 5 years, we met. I'm a happy girl. This isn't a catfish story, ladies and gentlemen. I'll leave it at that.

I just wanted to give a bit of an update because I've been swamped with work, and school this last week. 

I just want it to get a little chilly here.

Just a bit. 

Like high 50's low 60's, and I'll be fine.  

Let me know what you guys would like to see in the upcoming weeks.

I hope September is treating you all well.

Until then, 

-K.

Motd: September 12, 2013

Makeup of the Day!

This look is my simple, everyday, go to makeup look!

It's so quick, and only uses a couple eye products.

Start out with a clear base on the eye, and use a tiny bit of primer. 

Using the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, apply the lightest shade, foxy, across the lid and up to the brow bone. 

Next, apply your liquid liner. I like a thick winged line, but this step is up to you.

I apply a mixed of Pistol and Suspect into the crease, and top it off with a little bit of Half Baked right about the crease. 

Next, apply a little Booty Call, or Foxy, under the brow for a highlight.

I curl my lashes, and apply a couple different mascaras to get the volume I want.

And that's it!

Simple enough, right?

What is your go to makeup look for fall?

Do you stick to neutrals, or add some color?

Let me know!

Until next time,

K.

Sending love back home.

I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. There's only one way in, and one way out, and that's through the city. Now, when I say the city, I'm referencing Manhattan. The most beautiful city in the world.

I've never been away from home for more than a couple days at a time, let alone lived somewhere else on my own. I love it here in Charlotte, but today my heart is a bit heavy. 12 years ago, our lives were changed. Without warning, thousands of people, my people, New Yorkers and those from near and far, had their lives ended a bit earlier than expected. 

You will never ever understand what September 11th means to a New Yorker, or someone who was impacted by this tragedy, you just won't. 

Today, I'll keep my head high, and send constant prayers 700 miles north to my friends, family, and to my precious city.

I love you New York.

I will never forget.

Until next time,

Kristen.

Home away from home

Before:

        After!

Just added some details to our suite to make it feel a little more girly, and a little more like home. One of my first posts was about adding details to your room, and surrounding yourself with things that make you smile. If my walls were bare, and there was nothing to brighten up a dull space, it would be easy to hate staying in a dorm. But, I'm so happy to be here, and that I've finally settled in. 

My room mates are amazing, and so sweet. I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to go into this journey with.

How are you all doing?

Let me know!

Until then,

-K.

1.

My first day here & moving in

So I know I didn't post yesterday, but if you were wide awake in a car for 14 hours, you wouldn't have posted either. I'm so happy to be here. Leaving home was tough, especially saying goodbye to my sister, and my best friend of 14 years. The thing is, I'm so use to being able to drive 3 minutes down the road and see him. I'm use to waking up and walking across the hall and seeing my sister. It's the "going-away" thing that's kind of freaking me out. But settling in is helping. I set up most of my room today, and am just waiting on a few more finishing touches. One more trip to target, and I'll be done. 

I'm going to post more within the next few days, probably not as consistently as I have been recently. 

How are you guys doing? 

If you started college, please let me know how long it took you to unpack your clothes.

Because I don't know if it's okay that it took me 5 hours to unpack and fold my clothes.

The shopping really caught up to me.

I'll talk to you all soon!

And i'll be sure to post pictures once everything is set in place.

Until then!

-K.

App Discoveries: Print Studio

I'll be the first one to say it. 
I am terrible with technology. 
Cue the eye rolls because I write a blog.
 This is simple to me.
 Because there's just typing, and posting. But any type of extra clicking really throws me off. I know, in this day in age, any 20 year old should be able to work a computer, or any new gadget. 
Nope.
Not this girl.

But I'm obsessed with social media. I know, now I'm contradicting myself.
But, my all time favorite app has got to be instagram.
I'm obsessed...it's probably not healthy.

I love taking pictures, and editing them, and seeing how beautiful something can become. 
But one day I know instagram will be a thing of the past, and all those beautiful little memories will be gone with the wind. I discovered something to savor them! It's called print studio. It's an app that, for a fee, lets you print out your already edited instagram photos. You can choose either a 2x2, 4x4, or other size prints, and the amount that you want done! They print out, like you can see from my pictures about, like tiny Polaroids. 
I'm so in love. 
I feel like this is very pinteresty of me.

If you're like me, and love these little photos, you should definitely check this app out.
The ones I chose were the basic 2x2's, and I printed 48 of them for $15. 
My plan is to hang them in my dorm. 
Once I figure out how I'm going to do it, I'll post a picture.

I love it! 
Check it out. 
Again it's called Print Studio on the app store. 

Until next time!
-K.

2.

2.

Well, it's finally here. 

In less than 24 hours I'll be driving to Charlotte. 

See, the thing is....this wasn't my plan. 

Less than 6 months ago, if you would have asked me where I would be today, I would have told you I'd be living in LA, going to FIDM, and getting a visual degree. 

I guess God does really have a plan for us all. We get thrown curve balls, and bumps in the road. 

I was devastated when I realized I couldn't go to California, because that had always been my dream. I'd get my associates, move to LA, get an apartment, and get my bachelors from FIDM. 

Life is strange.

 It doesn't all always go as we had planned. 

But things didn't work out. I realized I'm not a millionaire. Shocking, right? We're not all a Kardashian making hundreds of thousands of dollars for every move we make. And unless I wanted to burden myself with unimaginable debt, LA would stay west, and this girl would stay east. I'm happy. I'm so happy I made this choice, even though some times I think about what my life could have been like if I would have done it. 

I'm so proud of what I've accomplished so far. And I take every changed dream, as a lesson learned. Never believe anything until you see it. Even a glimpse. Never trust words, but actions. Make your life the best you can. You have the chance to do anything you want, do it. Take the leap. Move 700 miles away. Believe in yourself. Take a deep breath, and let the moments pass. And be happy at the end of the day. Because that's all we should be. Happy.

I'm going to try to post before I leave tomorrow, if I get a chance, or maybe even post from the car. We'll see.

Until tomorrow, 
-K.

Instagramistory : August, 2013

See you next year, August. 

You've been short, sweet, and to the point. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer.

Ciao for now, 

-K.

3.

The real countdown.
3.
I started to pack up my car today. I'm use to shoving furniture into cars, and learned various tricks and tips from work. I'm just not use to seeing MY life in boxes in the back of MY car.

It's not fully packed yet, about 3/4's full, and I need about another 1 1/2 cars in order to pack everything I'd like to bring. 

I'm amazed that I'm not a complete and utter mess yet.
I cry watching the Hannah Montana movie, yet I'm leaving in less than 48 hours and I'm fine. 
I think it's the nerves, though.
I'm trying to make sure everything else  is all together before I start to fall apart.

I also think I've prepared myself so much for this moment over the last few weeks that I'm ready. I'm ready to run, and see new land. 

Because twenty four hours from right now I'll be saying goodbye to my family, my best friend, my puppies, and everything I've known for the last twenty years and moving 700 miles away. 

For everyone who begins school in a few hours, I wish you nothing but the best. 
Put on your brave face, no matter how terrified you are for this new chapter, and rock it.
Absolutely take on the world. It's yours. 
I'm ready, are you?
Until tomorrow, 
-K.

ITunes Lovin' : August 2013

Hello Darlings,

This month literally flew by.

 I can't  believe it's September.

(I say this every month, but every month I sincerely mean it.)

Without further adieu, here are my purchased and most played songs from August..

How She Rolls - Chase Rice

Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips

Goodbye Girl - Luke Bryan

Roller Coaster- Luke Bryan

Play it Again- Luke Bryan

Out Like That - Luke Bryan

That's My Kind of Night - Luke Bryan

(Clearly I'm obsessed)

No Interruptions - Hoodie Allen

No Faith in Brooklyn - Hoodie Allen

Eighteen Cool - Hoodie Allen

( and again, obsessed)

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus

Words I Couldn't Say - Leighton Meester

Gorilla - Bruno Mars

Little Bit Gypsy - Kellie Pickler

Speakers Blown- Hit the Lights

I hope you all had an amazing summer!

Until next time, 

-K.

The start of goodbye. 4.

4.

Okay, okay, so I know I skipped number five. 

The thing is, all I did yesterday was work, and  do laundry. Nothing blog worthy in my eyes. 

Tonight though was kind of strange for me. I've worked at my job for two years, and I had to say goodbye to my coworkers tonight. 

It's strange because as upset as I am to say goodbye to them, and as much as a baby as I am, I didn't cry. 

Are we only allotted a certain amount of tears per pre-college week? 

I want to say thank you to my team though, for my beautiful flowers and my favorite pillow in the whole world, which matches perfectly with my bedding. It'll make my dorm feel just a little bit more like home. I love you guys so much, you're not just my coworkers, you've become my second family. I've probably spent more time with some of you than I have with my own family in the last six months. I've had a blast. 

Until tomorrow when the real packing begins, 

-K.