A year.

So I decided today during my well planned out procrastination 

that I'd look back at what I posted a year ago this week. 

A reflection, if you will. 

I've changed so much within the last year, 

and looking back at that post made me proud of how far I have come. 

At this point last year, I had been completely cut off by someone 

I fell head over heels for, 

and who I had in my life for about six years. 

He knew everything about me. 

And he walked out so gracefully, you would have thought he was in a ballet.

I was devastated and yet at the same time, 

I was still exploring my new city, and getting to know people who eventually

 became angels that I couldn't imagine living my life without. 

These simple little lessons are ones that carve you into your ideal self. 

"I've lost a lot, though, too. That comes naturally when you travel over 700 miles away, and I understand that now. We all grow, and like trees our roots spread and thrive where they find they are most alive. I've learned that in order to grow, sometimes you need to let the past be the past. And as much as you would have dropped everything for someone, it's completely worthless if they wouldn't help to pick that everything back up and hand it to you."

 At this point, I had began letting go of fears that had 

for a very long time dictated my life.

I walked outside in a tank top for the first time.

I started conversations instead of staying in bed.

I started to laugh a little harder,

fight a little stronger, 

and love a bit deeper.

To those of you who have followed this traveling soul for the past year, or two, 

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cheers to spring & laughing wholeheartedly.

C'est la vie.

xo, 

K.

July Instagramistory : My favorite month so far.

July.

Hello everyone :)

I'm going to start by apologizing for the lack of posts as of lately. I've been really busy with work, and trying to get stuff together for school which is shockingly happening in less than two months. It's crazy how time flies, as cliche as that sounds, but it really is. 

I just want to thank everyone also, for taking the time to read and follow along with my rambles. As of now, my page has 1900 views. I am utterly amazed at that number. I would never expect that, ever, and I am honestly so proud of how far this little engine has come. Once again, thank you, YOU, whoever you may be reading this now, for doing just that. It means the world, the universe, and everything in between to me. 

I hope everyone is having a beautiful, steamy July so far. Six days in  and we're burning up here in New York.  I wish everyone of you a relaxing, and gorgeous July. It does fly by, as I said before, so even in the midst of everything we have going on in our crazy lives, we still need to take time to enjoy the sun once in a while.

For me, this page is an escape into a world of everything I love. I love to write, and I love style and beauty and I love sharing it with you. So once again, thank you for coming along on this journey with me.

If there is anything you'd like to see this month, please let me know in the comments below.

Have a lovely day, my friends.

Until then, 

K. 

Surround yourself with things that make you happy

Hey guys,

So like I've said in a couple posts now, I'm going to be moving this August down south to go away to school. So like the psycho I am, I've been  recently buying all the things I consider necessary for my apartment, not including furniture..

I work at Pier 1 right now, and am constantly surrounded with ridiculously cute home decor. How is a girl who is moving NOT supposed to buy anything? Answer me that. Well, I buy everything. I can't even help it at this point. The things that I bought today are not entirely necessary...at all, but make me happy. If I'm moving to a completely new place on my own, I'm going to need some things that bring joy into a room. And honestly, I could be spending my money on things that are a lot worse. I picked up a couple things I've really been wanting, and packed them away today in one of my many boxes for safe keeping until I can unpack them and unleash the cuteness into an apartment.

This little ceramic owl full of faux succulents($14.95) has literally been screaming my name for weeks from his shelf. I finally caved today. The best part about him, is that I can't kill his plants. I don't have a green thumb by any means, and would actually feel bad for any live plants that come into my apartment.

Next is this stack of  love mugs($14.95). I actually bought this a couple months ago for my god mother, and was so in love with it that I purchased it for myself. I think the detailing on each mug is really pretty, and will add something to a kitchen counter top.



One thing I can't resist at my store are the sales. The tall box is a glass lazy susan, and was on clearance for $5! I'm planning on using it in either the kitchen, or in my bedroom as a perfume tray. In front of it is a citrus cilantro reed diffuser. Whenever anyone comes into the store and asks for scent recommendations, I always tell them about this one. It smells so fresh and clean, and it's perfect for a kitchen or bathroom.



By the way, remember my little owl friend? Well, he has a friend too. I bought this other owl statue at Pier 1 about three months ago to put next to my bed right now. He looks perfect on my nightstand. I'm not sure why, but owls are so incredibly popular this year, and clearly I've fallen for the trend. How could you resist them? They're freaking adorable.

 The next thing I purchased is probably the only actual product I purchased that I need. It's an ALL OUT OF list, and it lists all different foods ranging from frozen foods, to canned foods, to drinks and all types of things that you need in the house! It has a magnet on the bag so it'll stick right to the fridge. I bought my mom one of these a while ago, because she always has ten lists when she goes to the grocery store. Since I'll be food shopping for myself, like a big girl now, I'm hoping this will help to keep me from throwing random crap into my cart. (it probably won't, but whatevs.)


Plus, I think a fridge with nothing on it is totally boring. Cute magnets, and pads like this add a bit of character to a kitchen. 
And, for such a handy little list pad, it was only like $6!

And here it is all packed up and ready to go. The silver bowl looking thing is actually a coaster I've had on my nightstand and cannot forget to bring. It's also from Pier1. I spend just about my entire paycheck in the store. It's really a bad habit. But like I said, I'm excited to start the moving process and buying cute things to decorate my new apartment. 

Here's my theory...if you surround yourself with things that make you happy, not only material items, but people, music, anything, you will become happy. 


Do you guys have any suggestions on stores to shop in for apartment necessities? I've never moved before, so I'm buying on a whim! Also, if you're away at school and living on your own, what do you consider completely necessary to keep on hand? 
Let me know!
Talk to you all soon, hope you're enjoying the day wherever you may be.
Until then, I'll keep shopping. 
- K.

The stress test.

Oh hey,

Okay, so like I said earlier I'm a girl. I think we have established that.
If you're like me...(which by the way, if you are, I apologize..) and you're in college, it's almost the end!

I'm about 3 pages away from ripping my hair out, and a month away from finals.
So we know what that means right?

Dear mother nature, thank you for realizing how much I have on my plate, and adding skin flare up's just to stress me out even more.

 I'm 20. We freak out over things like this.
 It's normal. And it's okay. And it's gross. I know.

 I have found something this past week that combats these lovely things that appear on your face the morning   of a presentation. Here it is, and I have to give full credit to DulceCandy87 on 
YouTube for presenting this creation sent straight from god to us combination skin girls.

It's an anti-stress dead sea mineral
facial mask, that I have literally used three times and my skin is completely clear.Yes, you're going to look like a smurf for a little while, but in the end it is totally worth it. There is no redness, no bumps, and no zits! I swear, it's a miracle. My skin is considered combination-oily. Thank you Italian genes.

Okay, so here's what you do...well, what I've been doing.

Squeeze about a quarter sized amount into your hand, one for each side of your face...and spread it evenly over your face. Let it set for about 10 minutes. Continue on doing whatever you were doing, and then it's time to rinse. Here's what I found works really well. I take my Up&Up facial scrub for blemishes and blackheads from target, it's basically the St.Ives apricot scrub, just two dollars cheaper, and use about a dime sized amount to scrub off the mask. I think the combination of these two literally went to war with any blemishes on my face from this past week.

I did this twice a week before I went to sleep. I woke up and saw a total difference in my skin, no joke.

Want to hear the best part?
 This is a drug store item. You can find it at CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, and probably Target and Walmart as well for under $5. I told you it was the best part.

All together the scrub and the mask cost about $7. Total score.
I can't talk for all skin types, because like I said I only have one type.

Let me know if you try it!
Until then,
-K.

Out with the old, up with the new.

My name is Kristen. 

I am a 20 year old fashion merchandising student from New York. 

I'm on a journey, and I'm deciding to document it.

And, I'm inviting you with me. 

This blog is going to consist of fashion, beauty, home&decor and random posts about my upcoming move.

Hopefully, it will be helpful and offer advice to anyone who is at the same stage, or anyone just looking for a place to relax. I love learning from other people. Learning about style, learning that there is a difference in styles between states, or even just towns. Tips and tricks about beauty, from hair to makeup and skincare.

I have love for all things fashion, as I said above I'm a student in the fashion industry. I will be moving from my comfort zone to a whole new world in a state that is hours away from here. It's going to be wild. Not in the stereotypical college crazy wild definition. Wild in the context of being new, and a new outer body experience.

I find comfort in knowing that there are people out there who are just as stressed with finals, projects, and pressure as I am. Not that I would wish anyone stress, it's just nice to know that you're not alone in this world. It's big, and it's scary.

As time goes on, so do we. Every day is something different. We work, we play, we love, and we continue. 

I hope you all enjoy this ride. 

Until then, 

- K.