Back To School Essentials (Feat. Amazon)

Ever since I was a child, I have always been very academic and have always valued my education. This hasn't changed since I have gotten older, if anything I have just developed a greater appreciation for it, and with that being said I think it's pretty clear that I am absolutely thrilled when a new school year (or in this case semester) begins. Besides being excited to be back in school and to be pursing my psychology degree, I am also excited because this is the first time in two years that I've gotten to do back to school shopping! In addition, even though I'm perpetually buying clothes and accessories, I have to admit I've gotten a kick out of buying many of my back to school essentials, perhaps I'm just giddy to start this new chapter of my life. (Except for my textbooks, almost $500 dollars later, yikes!)

And along with me returning to school, I also have an exciting announcement that I have become an affiliate of Amazon and will be partnering with them for a handful of posts this semester including this one. (Remember my Winter Beauty Essentials post from the beginning of the week? Yep, that was for Amazon too!) So, for this post I'm going to share my top back to school essentials that I purchase using my Amazon Prime account, which totally made my life a lot easier. (Note, if you are a student, you can try Amazon Prime for 6 months free here.)

A Stylish but Serviceable Backpack

Yeah, I know, a backpack for school is kind of a no brainer. However, I'm sure many of us know the struggle of finding a backpack that is stylish and serviceable. I know that I personally have bought trendy backpacks in the past only to be disappointed with the amount of wear and tear they had shown by the end of the semester. Well, I've finally found a backpack that is as stylish as it is durable and is also affordable! This backpack by the Amazon Shop, Weekend Shopper, is a perfect choice for any college student who wants to carry their books in style. This backpack is roomy, lightweight, and can hold a standard 15.6" laptop.

A Cute and Compact Wallet

I'm sure every girl knows the struggle of trying to carry a purse, a backpack, and whatever other necessities you may need for class. However, now that we have found an attractive and roomy backpack to keep our things in, why don't we just skip the purse and just carry a compact wallet that could neatly tuck away into one of our pockets? This little leather wallet by Orient Bee is perfect for just that! And it also comes in a wide variety of colors so you have tons of options.

A Personal Agenda

I know that in this day and age, most of us (myself included) keep a calendar on our phone. But, when it comes to classes, homework, and in my case, my blog's editorial calendar, I find keeping a physical agenda keeps me much more organized than just relying on my calendar app. Perhaps it's just the act of actually writing something down that helps me remember to do it, however this is definitely one of my classroom necessities and since I need one, it might as well be a cute one! Which is why I chose this adorable gold agenda from my affiliate, Kate Spade New York.

A Smart (and Affordable!) Fitness Tracker

Though I will be the first to admit that I hate the gym and therefore never go, I do however try and keep a healthy lifestyle via diet and exercise on my own. My daily workout routine is generally just an hour of yoga and 30 minutes of walking, but now that I am back downtown, I am walking exceptionally more. So I figured it would be great to get a fitness tracker to see just exactly how much activity I was getting walking to and from class. (and you know all the other parts of Pittsburgh I enjoy hanging out in!) However, I didn't want to break the bank so I decided to give this little fitness watch by LESHP a try and I have to say it works great! This watch tracks steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and active minutes. This watch also can sync to your smart phone and will notify you if you have a text or call, but the last awesome thing about this watch is, is that it is water proof meaning if you enjoy swimming (like me) you can wear it in the pool or on the beach!

Coffee-- I mean, a Travel Mug

I don't know about you, but I personally cannot start my morning without an Americano or a cup of tea. However, I also am not a fan of waking up incredibly early before class either, meaning I generally enjoy my caffeinated beverages on the go more often than not. So naturally I decided I needed a good travel mug and lucky for me my mum got me this adorable rose gold mug by Bubba Brands for Christmas last year! This mug honestly works just as well (if not better) than the Yeti Rambler I received as a Christmas present from DSG, and in my opinion it's more attractive to boot! This mug keeps my tea or coffee warm for up to five and a half hours, even when out running around in the cold Pittsburgh weather, and I have to say I found that quite impressive.

Fun Phone Cases

So okay, maybe this isn't an absolute necessity, but a playful phone case is a great way to show off you style and personality in a subtle way as well as being a great conversation starter, especially while in class and on campus. And the reason I chose this phone case by DOMIRE is simply because hippos are one of my favorite animals (only second to bears, actually) and I just think this phone case is adorable.

A Chic Lunchbox 

The reason a lunchbox has made my back to school essentials list is due to the fact, during my first four years of college I went out to eat a lot. And though it was never anywhere overly expensive the cost really added up and it was not conducive to me saving money (not to mention it wasn't all that good for my waistline either). So I decided this time around, I'm going to practice eating healthily and save money by packing my lunch, which is why I decided to snag this insulated lunchbox by Kate Spade, because nobody wants a warm salad.

An Adorable Umbrella

To finish off this list, I thought it would be a good idea to add an umbrella. There have been so many times that I have rushed out the door to class without checking the weather and then was suck walking home in a downpour from campus. So much like with the lunchbox, this time around I am older and wiser and therefore will always be prepared! That is also the reason I chose a bubble umbrella opposed to a retractable umbrella. The reason this is, is because for one bubble umbrellas definitely keep you dryer, and two because bubble umbrellas are much less prone to getting blown inside out. The reason I chose this SMATI umbrella? Well hey, if I'm going to need an umbrella it might as well be cute!

What are some of your back to school essentials and must haves? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me about them at StarkRavingChic! Want to show off one of your adorable essentials in action? Feel free to tag me on your Instagram Story at @StarkRavingChic. Later babes, and happy studying!

Xx, Bree

#OOTD: Monochromatic Madness (Feat. SheIn + Rocksbox)

One of my fondest memories from grade school at Mount Gallitzin Academy was the adorable little uniforms we got to wear. Even though as I got older and went to OLSH for high school and hated uniforms, MGA's will always hold a special place in my heart, and are honestly probably the reason why even as an adult I still just adore jumpers! Unfortunately, jumpers are seemingly extremely hard to come by so for the past four years I have unsuccessfully found one that I liked (or any at all for that matter, aside from playing with the idea of begrudgingly purchasing one from School Bells). However, while I was talking to a representative from my sponsor SheIn, I mentioned my predicament and lucky for me they actually had an adorable jumper in stock. So they sent me it along with a daring mesh detailed blouse to style for this post.

Black Magic

I don't know about you, but recently I've really been digging the "soft goth" or "pastel goth" trend lately. I don't know what it is about this style trend, but I've been really drawn to it since the latter half of 2016 and have just been dying to experiment with it. So to fulfill my wish, I decided to channel my inner Marina Diamandis and pair this stylish jumper with a mesh detailed blouse, black skinnies, and some sky high booties. And though most would think dressing in a monochromatic outfit would be a boring style choice, I beg to differ because there is actually a lot you can do to bring a monochromatic ensemble to life.

To give this outfit some more flare, the first thing I did was pair this jumper, black skinny jeans, and boots combo with this charming mesh detailed top. As I am sure many of you know, mesh detailing is a huge style trend this year and for good reason: mesh is an awesome way to add depth to an outfit due to the fact it adds contrast and nicely breaks up an outfit. This blouse's detailing also adds a touch of playfulness to this outfit, giving it a softer feel.

Speaking of adding depth to a monochromatic outfit, another great way to do this is by layering and picking the right accessories. As you can see, I chose to pair this jumper with this pretty mesh detailed blouse not only because I wanted to go for a pastel goth look, but because of the way this jumper and the blouse compliment each other. Due to how this jumper is cut and the way the mesh detailing is placed on the blouse makes this duo a perfect pair.

Lastly, to add the finishing touches to this fun outfit, I chose to wear my wide brimmed felt hat and my round sunnies from SheIn. I also decided to wear this gorgeous Jenny Bird Pollux pendant necklace along with my Jenny Bird Moonsong cuff. The reason I chose these accessoiries and jewelry to go with this outfit was due to their industrial and steampunk-esque feel, which I felt complimented the soft goth vibe of this outfit perfectly.

One Last Look

What are some ways that you add life to a monochromatic outfit? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me about it at @StarkRavingChic! Have a photo you want to show off? Feel free to tag me on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic. Later dolls!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% free when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here! 

Winter Beauty Survival Guide (My Top Winter Beauty Products)

Well folks, it is that time of year again when the city turns into a frozen tundra and wind is whipping through the streets. After a seemingly endless fall, winter is finally (sadly) upon us here in the 'Burgh. And of course with dreadful weather comes the potential for a vast amount of beauty disasters. From dry brittle hair, rosacea on our faces (not the kind of rosy cheeks we asked for, Mother Nature), to crocodile skin on our hands and feet, cold weather really wreaks havoc on all of our appearances. However, since class is back in session, and being back in school at Point Park University and interning as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista means I will be spending a good time outside in this frigid weather. So, I decided to take some action and find the best remedies to fight Old Man Winter and am going to share my findings here with you!

Maintain Your Luscious Locks (And Avoid Hat Hair)

I don't know about all of you, but I for one know my hair gets extremely brittle in the winter time and unfortunately that means a whole lot of split ends. However this first product which I found via Vogue is an absolute God sent! This my friends, is the Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Biding Leave In Crème. All you need to do to set this product into action is simply rake it through damp hair and let it work it's magic. The reason I feel this crème is so effective is because it contains nourishing coconut oil which is known to have ultra healing benefits, and smells amazing too! This product honestly did a great job at rejuvenating my damaged hair and preventing split ends.

So since we now have our split end problem under control, we should probably talk about ensuring a healthy scalp too. Once again, I am featuring one of my favorite hair care brands, and that brand is Amika! As we all know I love Amika's "Spoil My Hair" Kit, but I also have recently become a fan of their "Triple RX Mask" as well. The reason this mask is perfect for scalp health is because it is designed to nourish and repaired dried out, over stressed hair. After using the Triple RX Mask I noticed significant changes in my scalp, the main one being it that no longer feels dry or irritated. The other perk of this product is, is that it also leaves your entire head of hair feeling silky smooth, and adds a touch of shine.

Lastly, I'm going to cover one of my personal biggest winter beauty pet peeves and that is having to deal with hat hair. Ugh, we all go through it at one point of another when it's too damn cold to simply stick with a hooded coat or go hatless, but hat hair is generally just a part of winter. However, one of the stylists from La Pomponnee  gave me a little trick that has worked gloriously to keep my hair from looking squished and that simple tip is hairspray! All you need to do is lift the sections of your hair that tend to be a problem and give them a spray starting from the base (or root) of your hair to about half the length of the section. This just adds a little bounce so your hair won't squish as easily! And for the record my favorite hairspray is Bed Head's "Hard Head" Hairspray.

 

 

 

 

Keep Your Face Radiant & Your Lips Kissable

One main issue I come across every winter is how to avoid getting windburn while walking to and from class of those cold and blustery days. However recently, I decided to purchase Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion because I had read so many rave reviews about it and thought maybe I should give it a try to help repair my poor weathered cheeks. Well I have to say this product really did live up to all of the hype! Within a matter of just days I noticed my skin was rejuvenated and softer. Needless to say I would 100% recommend this product.

Next up, though we all know the importance of taking of vitamins, how many of us really do? Well upon so research as well as actually listening to the advice my mother gave me (See mum, I do listen!) I decided to try some hair, skin, and nail vitamins to help with my dry winter skin. Well these gummy vitamins by Nature's Bounty actually have seemed to have helped quite a bit! No only is my skin less irritated due to using my Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, it now is even beginning to feel healthier! Not to mention my nails seem to be stronger now too. And to boot these gummy vitamins from Nature's Bounty are actually delicious!

 

 

 

 

And of course, your cheeks aren't the only thing that takes abuse from the frightful winter weather, but so do your lips! Let's be honest, everybody that lives in a cold climate end up with sore chapped lips at one point or another. However, to heal and prevent anymore chapping this season I swear by Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. This stuff has helped heal my chapped lips for years! I've been using Burt's Bees since high school and honestly there isn't a flavor I don't like. Each one smells great, applies easily, and definitely sooths and nourishes damaged lips, leaving them smooth and extra kissable.

Happy Hands Are For Holding

As a kid, I always had itchy, dry, and cracked hands in the winter time. Of course this was from playing out in the cold without caring for them properly. However, during my adolescent and adult life, I've since learned the importance of pampering and protecting my hands from brutal winter weather, and the first step to doing this is finding a great hand lotion. After years of seeking for the right one, I finally found that Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream is the best product to use on weather damaged hands! The reason I say this is because this product is approved for sensitive skin, and also is fragrance free which is great because sometimes that can cause discomfort with cracked hands and even irritate them more.

So though this one may be a bit obvious, I figured I should mention it anyways. Along with properly moisturizing your hands with a cream, it is also very important to be sure that you are using a moisturizing hand soap as well! Everyone knows that chapped and irritated hands are due to dryness, so though washing your hands is important, avoiding harsh antibacterial soap can be a key way to keep your hands smooth and healthy, hence where moisturizing hand soap comes in. My pick of moisturizing hand soaps has to be Deep Seep's Coconut Oil Hand Wash. This hand wash leaves your hands feeling squeaky clean as well as refreshed and smooth after each use. This hand wash also is 100% natural and smells great too!

Don't Forget To Treat Your Feet

Yes! I know this sounds crazy but it is in deed true: though your feet are tucked away inside boots and slippers during the winter season, they too suffer the harsh side effects of the cold weather! So, to remedy that and to shoe your toes you haven't forgotten them, the first thing I suggest doing is investing in a pumice stone and a good foot scrub! First, the reason you need a good pumice stone is to help exfoliate your feet. Exfoliating your feet is important because it rids them of all the dead and dry skin that has built up over the season, there for making moisturizers more effective.

Of course if you're going to treat and exfoliate your feet you need a good and reliable foot scrub. So my suggestion is to check out Pure Body Naturals' Himalayan Salt Foot Scrub. With light, sweet aromas of grape and almond you'll give yourself and you feet a nice and relaxing break after a long day. This scrub also helps ease tension in the arches of your feet due to its natural healing attributes and also leaves your skin feeling soft and rejuvenated.  

After a nice hot bath and home foot exfoliating treatment, the next best thing aside from curling up with a cup of tea and a good book is adding the finishing touches to your foot treatment. And just like with your hands and face one of the key things you can do to keep your feet healthy in the winter is moisturize them. With that being said, Gold Bond has made this list for the second time due to the fact their Softening Foot Cream works absolute wonders! This foot cream kept my feet feeling nice, soft and smooth all winter long thus far.

Last but not least, the final step to to treating your feet is to snag a pair of aloe socks! The reason aloe socks are an important part of this routine is they help lock in the moisturizing affects of the Softening Foot Cream, as well as giving you something fuzzy and cozy to slip on your feet. Not to mention, these socks will also help keep your feet warm, because if we are all being honest here, having popsicle toes doesn't exactly scream "let's cuddle!". (John knows all too well about this little issue.)

What are some of your favorite winter weather remedies? Tell me about them in the comments below or tweet me at @StarkRavingChic!

Xx, Bree