Wednesday Wishlist: Accessories

A pearl necklace

White monogrammed derby hat

Black monogrammed tote bag from Marley Lilly

Black and white chevron garment bag

Always Keep Fighting Shirt

A note about AKF: Always Keep Fighting was set up by Jared Padalecki in partnership with To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit that educates and tries to remove the stigma attached to mental illness and addiction. Jared is one of my favorite actors and TWLOHA is one of my favorite organizations. I really suggest supporting them.

Black monogrammed North Face backpack

Wisdom Teeth Part 2

"Okay, so my whole experience was not rainbows. I refused anything but liquids for awhile and struggled to open my mouth, but I'm doing better. (The timing of this paragraph is Friday night, in case you were wondering.) My mom made a Taco Bell run because, even if I can't have tortillas, I wanted a bean burrito.
According to my doctor, the weekend will be the worst. Joy. I'm finally starting to feel better and behave normally. I can't fully open my mouth yet, but I'm also still swollen."


I haven't taken medicine since the writing of that. I went back to the surgeon to get checked up and the holes rinsed out. I missed the cup a couple of times and spit water and blood all over myself. I'm healing pretty well, but still can't have crunchy foods. I can start eating them again in about two weeks. I'm really excited about that.

More advice: Your gums are gonna bleed a bit after you rinse your mouth. That's normal. Don't sweat it. But try to open your mouth or it will literally freeze that way. It's not going to be as bad as you think it's gonna be, so enjoy those smoothies and milkshakes.

Roadtrip Playlist

Welcome to over three hours of songs to listen to on your next road trip. (Three hours and twenty-eight minutes, to be exact.)

"Strings" by Shawn Mendes
"Body Language" by Jesse McCartney

"Wherever You Go" by Sublime with Rome
"Cheerleader" by Omi
"TKO" by Justin Timberlake
"Back in Black" by AC/DC
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA

"Trap Queen" by Fetty Wap
"Amen" by Halestorm
"21" by Hunter Hayes
"Punk Rock Princess" by Something Corporate
"Gibberish" by Max feat. Hoodie Allen
"Hey Now" by Hoodie Allen
"London Bridge" by Fergie

"Somethin Bad" by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood
"Kids in America" by The Muffs
"Santeria" by Sublime
"American Kids" by Kenny Chesney
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" by Jet
"What You Know" by Two Door Cinema Club
"My First Kiss" by 3OH!3 feat. Ke$ha
"Shake It" by Metro Station
"Shadows" by Breathe Carolina
"Paradise City" by Guns 'n' Roses
"Mr. Brightside" by The Killers

"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
"Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake
"Rehab" by Amy Winehouse
"How to be a Heartbreaker" by Marina and the Diamonds
"Young Volcanoes" by Fall Out Boy
"Stutter" by Marianas Trench
"Cardiac Arrest" by Bad Suns
"Wait on Me" by Rixton
"Social Casualty" by Rixton
"Don't Trust Me" by 3OH!3
"Jumpin, Jumpin" by Destiny's Child
"Say You're Just a Friend" by Austin Mahone feat. Flo Rida
"Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne
"My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson
"Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects
"Everybody" by Backstreet Boys

"Wannabe" by Spice Girls
"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus
"Around the World" by Natalie la Rose feat. Fetty Wap
"I Really Like You" by Carly Rae Jepsen
"Rumour Has It" by Adele
"I Want You Back" by Jackson 5
"All Summer Long" by Kid Rock
"Cowboy Casanova" by Carrie Underwood
"She Ain't You" by New Hollow

"Down" by Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne
"Juliet" by LMNT
"Butterfly" by Crazy Town
"Sexy Can I" by Ray J
"Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" by Luke Bryan
"Country Grammar" by Nelly
"Partition" by Beyoncé


All images/gifs from Google Images and videos are from YouTube

Wednesday Wishlist: Beauty Products

I usually buy more makeup around my birthday and again when school starts. It's a beautiful 6 month schedule that makes buying things like mascara and concealer so much easier.


Clinque BB Cream

I really love Clinique makeup. As someone with sensitive skin (and eyes. I have no idea how I can wear contacts), this is one of the few brands that prevent me from drying out, turning red, breaking out, etc. I'm currently using Covergirl foundation, but I'm looking for something lighter that won't settle as much.


Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral

NARS Contour Blush in Olympia

I swear by NARS products. I love the look and feel, and (the most important!) I don't have a reaction!

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara

Contour Brush Set

Blender Sponge

EcoTools Essential Eye Set Brushes

Urban Decay Naked 3

I'm pale and love smoky eyes. That's why I'm choosing the 3 over Naked or Naked2.

Essie Millionails

Essie Grow Stronger Base

Crystal Nail File

Cuticle Oil

Not Your Mother's Texturizing Spray

Dry Shampoo
(I need some recommendations.)

Chi Flat Iron

Review: Handwritten by Shawn Mendes

Handwritten is Shawn Mendes' debut album, consisting of 12 songs.

Favorite Song: Life of the Party
Least Favorite: Air

1. Life of the Party

I really love the piano and the lyrics to this song. It was the first song I heard by him, and it's my favorite.
Favorite lyric: "Take your shot, it might be scary. Hearts are gonna break, but we don't have the time to be sorry."

2. Stitches

"Stitches" has some of the most relatable lyrics on the entire album. The music videos did an excellent job of conveying the meaning of the song as well.
Favorite lyric: "Just like a moth drawn to a flame, oh you lured me in, I couldn't sense the pain. Your bitter heart cold to the touch, now I'm gonna reap what I sow."

3. Never Be Alone

This is one of the acoustics, and the lyrics are really sweet and it's just a cute love song. (I don't have actual thoughts about this song other than ahsdhfhdlhf, and I don't think that counts as a review.) Favorite lyric: "Take a piece of my heart and make it all your own so when we are apart, you'll never be alone."

4. Kid in Love

"Kid in Love" sounds like Hunter Hayes meets Ed Sheeran meets John Mayer. Basically, I'm in love. (Pun not intended!)
Favorite lyric: "If this is what it's like falling in love, then I don't ever wanna grow up."

5. I Don't Even Know Your Name

This is another song that sounds like John Mayer meets other singer-songwriters, in this case, Sam Smith. If John Mayer were a 16 year old boy, he would be Shawn Mendes. I'm sure of it.
Favorite lyric: "I'm dying, my love, you punched a hole right through my heart."

6. Something Big

This song sounds more dance-able than his others, but it's not really my style. His vocals are killing it, however.
Favorite lyric: "It's like that feeling when you're 'bout to win the medal and you worked so hard that you knew you wouldn't settle."

7. Strings

"Strings" is such an upbeat and fun song. It's the kind of song that makes you think of the guy you're seeing.
Favorite lyric: "Darling I want all the strings attached. I love it when you look at me like that, and you're the only girl that brings me back 'cause baby I want all the strings attached.It's like always and forever. I won't let a moment pass, and when I'm with you I feel better. I want all the strings, all the strings attached." (Oh my, that was a long lyric!)

8. Aftertaste

This song is the one that reminds you of that one ex you're somewhat over, but not quite. The instrumentals and his vocals are amazing and complement each other well.
Favorite lyric: "Turns out that no one can replace me. I'm permanent, you can't erase me. I'll help you remember me, one more kiss is all it takes. I'll leave you with the memory and the aftertaste."

9. Air

It's pretty good, but Astrid's voice gets on my nerves and it's an extremely repetitive song. The verses are extremely short in comparison to the chorus.
Favorite lyric: "Always tryna put your two cents in then expecting me to change. Tried to fix me up but I'm not broken. All you do is leave me stained"

10. Crazy

This song reminds me of the song "The Reason" by Hoobastank in terms of both instrumentals and vocals. The lyrics are beautiful as well. I adore his acoustics.
Favorite lyric: "That I just got this crazy feeling I've been making someone wait for me, for me. You're all I think about when I'm awake, part of every night and every day, and everything's a mess when you're away."

11. A Little Too Much

I enjoy the fact that this is an acoustic song. I feel like acoustics highlight his voice much better than full instrumentals. 
Favorite lyric: "Sometimes it all gets a little too much,
but you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up."

12. This is What it Takes

It's a good song, but it should not have been the final song on the standard version. It practically kills the vibe.
Favorite lyric: "And if this is what it takes, then let me be the one to bear the pain.Oh if this is what it takes, I'll break down these walls that are in our way."

Overall:
The album is extremely good, but it's loaded with acoustics. If you like the acoustic vibe, you'll adore this album, but otherwise, I suggest specific songs.
8.5/10
Needs improvement in repetitiveness
Excellent vocals however

Top Five Collegiate Blogs to Follow

Even though I'm only a sophomore, I follow several collegiates because their study tips are golden. My school treats us like we are older than we really are, which means that we have to shape up and learn what works and what doesn't. To help y'all out, I've compiled a list of my favorite blogs.

1. Mostly Morgan by Morgan Timm
Mostly Morgan is a lifestyle blog (kind of like mine!) but she also talks a lot about blogging. Some of her posts inspired me to include an about me and a contact me page. (The contact me page is a work in progress.) Her Collegiate Guide and her posts tabbed studying are absolutely amazing.
Favorite posts from her:
The Ultimate Guide to Finals
The Collegiates Guide to Taking Notes
Collegiate's Guide to Saving Money

2. My Life as Hayden by Hayden Lee
Hayden is a rising junior in college at Troy University in Alabama. Her cooler diys (found in her cross bar) are easy to follow. If I make one, I'll be sure to post how it went. Her best posts are her "How to Survive Your Dorm Room" series. Here's all the links-in order, of course
Dorm Room Closet
Dorm Bathroom
Your Bed
Everything Else

3. Organized Charm by Kirsten Horton
Although Kirsten is not a technical collegiate, she was recently in grad school. She really helped me and one of my best friends stay organized last year. She was also one of the first blogs I followed when I decided to start blogging again.
Index Card Assignment Timeline
Standardized Test Studying
Bloom's Taxonomy for Studying

4. Prep Avenue by Shannon
I've recently discovered Prep Avenue through pinterest (as I did most of these blogs!) and might I say, I'm in love! Besides the packing lists (which I'm including for any collegiate readers' sakes), I also really love her tutorial for creating monogrammed stickers. Although the program she used is no longer available, it is still a useful tool.
The 10 Most Forgotten Things
College Packing List (Updated Version)
BONUS: Monogrammed Stickers

5. The Pink and Green Prep
Although The Pink and Green Prep will no longer be updated, there is so much useful information on the site. I enjoy her "what's in my bag?" and what to wear posts. These are her two most recent What to Wears.
What to Wear: Sorority Formal
What to Wear: Basketball Game
What's in My Bag

Reflection on: Wisdom Teeth Removal

Yesterday, I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed. My face is still swollen on one side and my lower jaw hurts like mad. Luckily, eating hasn't been too hard yet. Opening and closing my mouth hurt up until this morning, and the cleaning is a pain. (Let's be realistic!) I should be all healed within a week, but I'll be sure to update once I go back to the doctor.

Word of advice: Get yours out early if you don't have room. They will not have attached to the nerve, so you will heal much faster and have less pain when they come out. It's what my mom, doctor, and I decided on, and I'm thankful that's what happened. One of my friends waited and was in pain for several weeks and had a hard time focusing in school from all the added pain of waiting until they were nearly formed. This is one of the few medical procedures where getting it removed before problems arise is best. If you ever have any questions, feel free to comment or email me! (My email is on my contact me page.)

Sophomore Year Goals

With school starting in just under a month, I've decided to make a series of back to school posts. The first are my goals for sophomore year.

1) Keep up my 4.0
2) Post at least twice a week
3) Make a regional cut in swimming
4) Get more pageviews on my blog. I'm personally hoping for around 15-20 a day, but consistently getting around 15 would be wonderful as well.
5) Buy a DSLR so my photos look nicer.
6) Spend more time with my friends and boyfriend.
7) Enjoy life to the fullest
8) Become a better Christian (however, this is also a long term goal, so I was not sure if that belonged with this post.)

Now on Bloglovin'!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

After some debate, I've chosen to join Bloglovin! Hopefully some of you will choose to join me. For now, this post is the way to add me, but I will soon post my link in the sidebar.