Classically Trained

Whenever I'm in search for a nice outfit during a busy week, I always fall back to the classic pieces in my closet. I find it's the easiest way to look nice in a short amount of time and feel good about what you're wearing. For me it's usually a fit-and-flair dress, tights, and a pair of flats. I added a printed sweater and a belt to finish the look, and just so happened to have the perfect jacket for the occasion. It was great for a presentation during the busiest (and that means very little sleep) week of the semester. 

My first semester of school is almost over, and I have to admit that it's a bit bitter-sweet. I have had so much work recently, that I am ready for it all to be over, but as my dad pointed out I have already completed 12.5% of my college experience (I obviously did not get his ability to do math). I'm excited for the classes I've signed up for but I'm going to miss the people I've met who started this journey with me. I don't talk to a good portion of the people in my classes, but it's the thought, right? I feel like I'm experiencing growing up in a microcosm right now, and I as much as it excites me, it also scares me a little. I think that's normal. 

Anyways, that is enough teenage angst for one post! On a shallower note, I decided to embrace my inner Arya Stark and cut off a good portion of my hair. I'm really liking it so far, and would suggest it for anyone looking for a low maintenance hair style. I call it "get it up and go." (Not in these pictures though; I definitely did my hair. Didn't want have any false advertising...)

Menswear

I am pretty sure it's a known fact that men's clothes are more comfortable than women's. Take for instance, this insanely comfortable flannel (similar here), which I thrifted last spring, and my DIY boyfriend jeans (similar here), made from actual men's jeans. By adding a pair of heels to this outfit as well as a feminine makeup look, I took these pieces and made them work for my style.  My college goal is to continue to look my best and feel my best, and this outfit definitely helped me achieve that. I developed a sort of motto as I've transitioned my style recently and it goes, Look like New York, act like Mathews County. I've started to pick up a more relaxed, city vibe in my clothing, but everyday I continue to act like my parents and my community raised me, which I think is important. People should change, but they shouldn't forget where they came from. 

Thanksgiving break is fast approaching, and I can't wait to see my friends and family from back home. I haven't seen my best friend since August, so she better be prepared for me to annoy her to death. We are going to spend quality time together whether she wants it or not. I am also going to get the chance to sleep in my bed again and hang out with my family, which is always the best part of going home. I may call my parents almost everyday, but that doesn't make up for actually being together in the same room. Plus, I could definitely use some home cooking at this point. No offense mom, but I never would have said I loved your cooking until I went to college. I took so much for granted before this year. I can only eat chicken tenders and fries so many times before it gets old.

But moving away from food, it seems so strange that my first semester of college is almost over. My communications teacher continues to encourage me to fight for a spot in a comm class next semester, but alas the burden of a Freshman trying to register has fallen on me. I feel like just yesterday I was scared out of my mind to be starting college and now I'm almost half way through with my first year of college. Time definitely gets faster as you grow older.

She Wore Maroon Velvet

I am in love with this velvet dress (similar), which explains why I've worn it for the past three falls. It's so flattering and one of my favorite colors. I got the idea to pair it with my mustard tights after seeing a girl on campus do the inverse, wearing a mustard dress with maroon tights. So shoutout to you, if you're reading this. You looked amazing. 

       My mom came and visited me on Monday and it was really great being able to see her again. I was given lots of candy, which I have sadly eaten more than I should have already, but really the best part was just getting to talk about what was going on in our lives at the moment. I talked about my renewed obsession with America's Next Top Model, she told me how her job was going, and we conversed like we would if I was home. It's those times that make me realize how homesick I get sometimes. 

        However, I am excited about what the rest of the week has in store for me, as I finally become an initiated sister of Alpha Gamma Delta, travel to DC for the day, and participate in the Big Event (a service project) in Ashland. My week is going to be busy, but I'm prepared for it.

Everything Was Blue

Fall is my favorite time of year, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to give up my Spring florals. By adding a jacket, tights, and some wedge booties, I was able to transform this spring dress (similar) into the perfect outfit for a 70 degree, Fall day. The leaves have finally started to change in Ashland, so I might be leaving behind my blue tones for a little bit, to move into a more red-centered style, but blue was perfect for when these pictures were taken, especially considering the amount of rain that followed. 

I also want to give a special shout out to the fraternity men who walked past me taking this pictures and didn't make a comment, the couple that passed by me and let me pet their puppy (who might have been the cutest puppy to ever exist), and the large group of bicyclists who scared me unintentionally went they rode by. You made this shoot interesting for me at least. 

Also, I just registered for my spring semester classes, which is extremely weird because I still feel like everything is so new to me, but at the same time I can see how far I have come in the past few months. My best friend and I were texting the other day, and we talked about how much we felt we had grown and changed since coming to college. We both went to separate schools, I came with no one from my graduation class and she went with one other person from our school, but they never see each other, and because of that we felt like we grew during the first week of school. We remarked on how scary it was to walk into the dinning hall and not see each other and/or not having anyone we knew to sit with. It might be a little thing, but no one really ever prepares you for that before going to college. Sure, I understood that I was going to school by myself, but no one can really articulate how it feels to be pretty much on your own for the first month of school. And the funny thing is, over half of my Freshman class was in the same boat, and we still didn't talk about it. Eventually we all make friends and you start to feel like you belong finally, but until then there is a lot of growth that you undergo as a person. As nerve-racking as it was at the time, I'm glad that I experienced that, because now I make a point to eat by myself sometimes, just to have that time to organize my day and think through my week (because College is also jam-packed with stuff to do, and ultimately you will be like me and miss two interest meetings because you forgot to put them in your planner). 

I remember the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie had to be comfortable with being by herself. The few times I've seen it before it hasn't really meant much to me, but that first month of school it really sank in. Sure, I'll still take eating with friends to going solo any day, but at least now I know how to be okay on my own, and I think that's an important to learn, since we are the only constant in our lives. 

The Scruff of Your Knee Socks

My favorite color to wear in Fall is wine. Half of my clothes, including this dress (similar here),  are wine or burgundy, so it's not really surprising that I love it, but Fall gives me an excuse to wear it as much as I like. Not to mention, it's finally cool enough to wear knee socks! I'm not sure what makes them special, but they're just all around better than regular socks and look great with my favorite boots. There is definitely a chill in the air now and I've had to break out a heavy coat for walking to classes. I'm not quite ready for Winter yet, so I'm hoping the cold slows down. I need more time with my knee socks!

Life is certainly getting busier as we move into the middle of October, but it is also filled with lots of great things as well. I may be studying all night, but I'm lucky to have friends who are willing to study with me and parents who are constantly encouraging me (at an earlier time of day). 

Nothing but Blue Skies

If I could wear this outfit everyday, I definitely would. I was so excited when I found this shirt on sale this summer, and couldn't wait until Fall to wear it. Now that Autumn has arrived, I love pairing it with a basic skirt, tights, and my new loafers (similar). All it needed was a statement necklace and my staple pearls.

Apparently Joaquin was a flake, or maybe I just got stood-up, but he certainly did not hit Ashland, Virginia. However, there was enough rain to drive a girl crazy! Not to mention, my beautiful Buick decided it wanted to make a lake in the passenger's floorboard. On the bright side, we finally figured out where the funky smell in my car came from, and it should be gone soon!
The power decided to quite on Ashland last night, and just in time for midterms! Thankfully, all of my tests are behind me now, and I can just look forward to the upcoming fall break. Just two more days! 

Hey There, Joaquin

Not even rain can keep me away from Chicly, Bee. I was so excited when I got these rain boots before school, and now I finally get to wear them! I'm also absolutely obsessed with my new umbrella and my added monogram. I think it really adds extra prep to my puffer vest (Similar)  and gingham shirt. Finally, I added a basic black skirt to my wardrobe (I really didn't have one, and I'm not sure how that happened).

I admitted to my dad yesterday that, though I've braved many a hurricane, I am a bit concerned about Joaquin approaching. According to his psycho-analysis, it's because I've lost the security blanket of my parents, and I'm not going to pretend like he isn't right. I've only been living "on my own" for a month now, and suddenly the universe decides to hit me with a natural disaster. Super! Of course, everything's going to be fine, I live in a cinderblock building after all, but the thing about irrational fears is that they are, well, irrational. Hopefully seeing both of my parents on Saturday will calm me down, or maybe I'll just burst into tears, who knows?! Until then, you'll find me prepping for the possible apocalypse and burying myself in school work.