Her Campus

Check out my latest article on HerCampus.com!
http://www.hercampus.com/school/uc-irvine/green-envy

Monday

Forever 21 tan sparkly sweater and necklace, Zara mint skinnies, Steve Madden oversized clutch, Payless nude heels

Today is a Monday I've been dreading more than most, because I know how busy of a week I have ahead of me. With presentations to present, exams to take, and articles to write, I know I'm going to be wishing for sweat pants and a mindless movie by Wednesday. So far, I've managed to check 3 things off my to-do list (one of which includes getting myself out of bed and into the shower), all before lunch time. And I put on a presentable outfit. That's a pretty good start to a Monday, wouldn't you say? 

Leopard

 

Leopard print shirt, Zara emerald skinnies, Forever 21 trench coat, JustFab faux ostrich tote, Tory Burch flats, NY&Co bracelet

Even with the recent 3-day weekend, this week has felt incredibly long. To get out of that mid-week rut, I paired this leopard print shirt with my new emerald skinny jeans from Zara. Bold prints and colored denim--what more could I ask for? There's something about leopard print that provides an instant pick-me-up. Plus, it's perfect for a day of classes, a Starbucks break with friends, and an evening meeting (paired with the perfect trench, of course).  Hope you're all having a lovely week!

 

Green with Envy

When I found out that Pantone had named Emerald the color of the year, I was beyond excited.  Not only is Emerald my birthstone (shout out to all you May babies out there!), but it is also a gorgeous jewel tone that I love wearing to add a little something special to my outfits. This unique color evokes glamour and sophistication, and you can rock it this season as well! Keep it fresh with "Pretty Edgy" by Essie for your next manicure, or exude elegance with beautiful green teardrop earrings or a statement ring. You can even add this color to your everyday life with a chic chevron iPhone case or a comfortable throw pillow to brighten up your bedroom. No matter how you choose to wear this color, you can be sure your friends will be green with envy. (you know this post wouldn't have been complete without that cliché!)    

Tulle party dress
shopruche.com

Tory burch tote bag
nordstrom.com

Amrita singh
amritasingh.com

Kate Spade twist jewelry
katespade.com

Gemstone jewelry
baublebar.com

Tear drop earrings
baublebar.com

Tory burch belt
toryburch.com

Essie nail polish
essie.com

Emerald green paisley throw pillows from Zazzle.com
zazzle.com

Classes and Colors

Forever 21 linen blazer & necklace, Target v-neck, Foreign Exchange jeans, Tory Burch flats, JustFab purse, Charlotte Russe bracelet

Usually, I save such vibrant colors for the summer. But when such a beautiful day sneaks up on us in the midst of typical January weather, I can't help but pull out bright colors; they are just so refreshing. I love my green blazer from Forever 21-- it is the perfect combination of polished yet comfortable for the 5 hours of class I have to sit through twice a week. I mean, even if I fall asleep during lecture, at least I look good, right? right.

Weekend Chic

Forever 21 shirt, H&M oxblood skinnies, Payless nude wedges, H&M nude tote, Nordstrom studs

For me, the best weekends consist of breakfast at lunch time, comfortable clothes, and blogging. And this weekend, I was lucky enough to enjoy all three. Colored denim is my favorite way to stay comfortable yet chic at the same time. These oxblood skinny jeans have been a staple in my winter wardrobe this season--not just because I feel so on-trend when I use the term "oxblood"--but whether I pair them with a striped shirt, like today, or a sparkly sweater for a night out, they are always a safe bet when I'm at a loss for what to wear. So now you know my secret--I like to match my on-trend clothing with my on-trend vocabulary. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Simple Nothings

~mini notebooks with inspirational quotes on the front cover~

This week was a little hectic with the start of a new quarter, a freezing apartment, and my numerous attempts at getting organized. As crazy as life can get, I really believe in the magic of the small things we sometimes tend to overlook. It's these little things that keep me going and make me smile when there is simply nothing else left to do. Here are my favorites from this week; I hope they brighten up your day the way they did mine.

~a fun coffee mug that makes early mornings slightly more bearable~

 ~my new glasses with a bit more character than usual~

~fresh blueberry donuts from M&M Donuts at 2am~

~a coaster with an motivational reminder on my grandma's coffee table~

Firsts

 

Zara sweater, Windsor scarf, Kohl's jeggings, Target boots, JustFab purse, Michael Kors watch

Firsts of anything are always nerve-wracking. Today was the first day back to school after winter vacation and my first ever outfit of the day post. It was also the first time I wrote the date this year, and as expected, I wrote "2012" and didn't realize that it's 2013 until half way through lecture. 

After three weeks of break, it's almost painful to set an alarm, get out of bed at a decent time, and put on clothes that don't consist of sweat pants and fuzzy socks. I cheated and wore jeggings--the next best thing to sweats--and a cozy sweater. I finished the outfit off with a bright coral purse to hold my laptop and notebooks and to add some color amongst all the neutrals. My chocolate colored boots made for a warm and comfortable walk across campus, and I would be lying if I told you I didn't wear fuzzy socks underneath.  

Dreams

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."

My mom forwarded this quote to me in an email today, and it couldn't be more fitting for the start of a new year. Here's to new ideas, dedication, and success in 2013!