Kate Spade Purse Review

I bought a new Kate Spade purse on the 4th of July weekend and I’ve used it for about 3 weeks now. I have taken it with me to the movie theater, out shopping, and out to dinner with me so I could see how useful it was in various situations. It can fit my wallet, keys, sunglasses, and a water bottle without it looking stuffed.
Style: “Weselley Rachelle”. There is one long crossbody strap that is adjustable and two small handles attached on the sides.

Here is this style on the Kate Spade website:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color: white and tan with gold hardware. My favorite detail is the spades on the studs.

Here is what it looks like in the shade…

In the sunlight…

Size: the dimensions are 9 inches in height, 12 1/2 inches in width, and almost 5 inches in depth.

Price: Since it was the 4th of July weekend, the outlet store had a great sale going on. With the purse I bought a bottle of leather cleaner. The whole store was 60% off the retail price and then an extra 20% off of that. The leather cleaner was originally $10 retail and I got it for $3. The purse was originally $328 and it was $104.96 with the 60 plus 20 percent off.  All together, I paid $108.16 for both but with taxes, it was $117.08.

I’m pretty happy about my purchase since I personally saved up to buy it myself and I saved almost $230. I know I will get lots of use out of it all year round since the color is so versatile and I can’t wait to style it more often.

I hope y’all found this review helpful, and  if you see this purse at your local Kate Spade outlet store, I highly recommend it. Thanks so much for reading!

Patriotic Prep

Happy 4th of July y’all! Today I put together a few last-minute and simple, festive outfits. The outfits go from casual to dressy, and any can be worn depending on what type of party you’re going to.

I have included what stores I got these pieces at, if I remember where I bought them.

 

Plaid Button Down: Tommy Hilfiger

Denim Shorts: American Eagle

Paired with: white tennis shoes

Red Sweater: Old Navy

Navy Shorts: J. Crew Factory

Paired with: a white embroidered tank top

white American Eagle sandals

Anchor Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger

Khaki Shorts: Target

Paired with: a red tank top

Sperry boat shoes

Red Tunic: Tommy Hilfiger

Paired with: white shorts

white American Eagle sandals

White Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger

Skinny Jeans: Target

Paired with: white American Eagle sandals

Navy Geometric Top: Marshalls

White Jeans: J.C. Penney’s

Paired with: white Payless wedges

Plaid Dress: Francesca’s

Paired with: brown cowboy boots

Blue Gingham Dress: Old Navy

Paired with: beige Franco Sarto wedges (Famous Footwear)

I just realized I have a lot of Old Navy and Tommy Hilfiger (how American of me, lol). Keep in mind that I buy all of my “designer” clothes at outlet malls, so these items are inexpensive and I wear them all year long.

Thanks for reading! I hope y’all have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Being Basic

Today I did a little shopping for some summertime basics. The things I bought are all relatively cheap and all of the items were on sale.

This tank top from Target is super comfortable and is made from a very breathable fabric. Black and white stripes to me are essential all year long, but this tank is great for the summer. Online, I couldn’t find this specific top, but there are other colors in a similar style. The tag on this top said it was $10, but when I paid for it, the price was actually $9. I got it in a size medium.

This grey t-shirt from Marshalls is also super comfortable and soft. It is from the brand Zenana Outfitters and I got it in a size medium so it would be loose. This shirt was $6.99, which is a good price for a basic staple.

I found this next tank top in the misses section and fell in love with it. The geometric design made me think of the greek key pattern and it’s navy and white, so I just had to try it on. I also really love the tassels that are attached at the collar. I got it in a size small, I paid $19.99 for it, and the brand is Max Studio.

I got this NYX concealer in Porcelain, which is the lightest shade they have. I wanted to try out the trend of brightening your face with concealer that I’ve seen all over YouTube. I’ve heard the formula of this concealer stays on all day and I’m excited to try it out. The price was $4.99 at Ulta but I paid $4.16 for it somehow (???), I think there was some kind of deal going on, but I’m not sure.

Lastly, I got the NYX setting powder in translucent. I got this because I want to learn how to “bake” my face properly. Lately, I have begun to notice how many creases form under my eyes after I put concealer on and just setting my whole face with 1 layer of powder. The bags under my eyes may or may not be due to my lack of sleep during finals week but nonetheless, I don’t want to look like a zombie anymore. This powder is the exact same price and amount as the Ulta brand setting powder, but today it must have been discounted because it was $8.32 rather than the original $9.99.

I hope you enjoyed this random little haul. I got these things because I’m pretty sure most girls in America have very similar items and it would make it easier to translate my personal style to things everyone already owns in their closet. Conformity does make the world go ’round 🙂

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you like the try-on picture I included.

UTMB Pre-Med Conference

I had a fun time with my AMSA chapter this past weekend. On Friday we participated in the Relay for Life. It was fun, but I really should have brought a jacket with me, it got colder the later I stayed. The event was from 7 pm to 2 in the morning, but I left early to get ready for the conference the next day.

 

I woke up at 3 am with only 2 hours of sleep (way to go Caitlin). I got dressed and ready, then we left campus at 3:45. The drive to Galveston was about 3 hours from Nacogdoches, so we got there about 10 minutes before 7 am. We were the first group there, and were able to eat the breakfast UTMB provided at 7:30.

 

Throughout the conference, we followed this schedule. It varied depending on what group you were put in, and for me, it worked out perfectly because I got to go to all the workshops that interested me.

As you can see, I checked off everything and made note of where I went so I could share it with y’all.

At the beginning of the conference, they explained how UTMB was different from other schools in regards to their classes. I think that the integrated curriculum that they have is very interesting. The speakers boasted how the program was unique to their system and how other schools were asking them for help to use this technique in their programs. During our lunch break, we got to ask current medical students questions about their classes at UTMB and what it was like to live in Galveston. Because of the integrated curriculum, they said that not many people attended class since it was videoed and put online. I guess that’s cool if you are better at learning at your own pace and can focus at home, but I would say that I would be one of the people who made sure I attended every class. I just feel that if you’re paying thousands of dollars to learn the material, you might as well be present in lecture so you can ask questions immediately and won’t forget to ask about a topic later.

 

Later on in the day they were giving tours of the campus, but our whole group agreed that we were too exhausted to stay any longer. Overall, the campus seemed nice and everyone involved with the conference was very friendly and were happy to answer any questions that we had.

Here are some pictures (in front of my dorm’s laundry room) of what I wore to the conference. The dress code was business casual. The jacket came in handy during the workshop lectures because the auditorium was kept cool. I accessorized with one pair of pearl earrings ( I have two piercings in each ear) and two rings on the same hand, basically what I wear every day. I also brought a small black cross body purse to carry my phone, keys, wallet, and other small items.

• Blazer and Pants are both from JC Penney
• Heels are from Payless
• Blouse is from Kohl’s (several years ago)

I was planning on going to A&M’s pre-medical symposium next weekend, but I missed the deadline to register for it. I’m pretty sad about it, but hopefully they’ll have one next semester. Anyways, I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experience at the first pre-med conference I attended.

 

Mad for {Easter} Plaid

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

I didn’t realize it until I was dressed this morning, but both of the outfits I had planned for the day and mass were both plaid!

I got my top from Forever 21 last summer. I thought it would be the perfect shirt to wear since the weather was nice and the pastel plaid made it festive. I wore it with jean shorts and white sandals, both from American Eagle. This outfit was great for the car ride I took back to school this afternoon.

Me and my dog Ella

For Easter mass, I wore the gingham dress I featured in my last post, which is from Old Navy. The cardigan and sandals are both from American Eagle.

I’m so thankful this Easter for everyone who reads and supports this blog! I hope y’all have had a wonderful Easter and a blessed Lenten season! Thank you for reading!

 Colossians 3:1-4

 

Spring Break Shopping

I did a lot of shopping over my spring break and I think I found some good deals! Here’s what I bought:

Kendra Scott Dani Earrings in Abalone: I got these for half off because it is my birthday month and I’m really excited to wear them! I love the various pastel shades in this pair, which will be great for wearing them with lots of different outfits. This pair of earrings is my first Kendra Scott purchase, but definitely not my last!

Forever 21 Scoopneck tank tops: Not going to lie, I got both because they were less than $6 each. I also figured that I could dress them up under cardigans, wear them casually with a pair of shorts, or as a workout top. I got both in a size medium and they fit snugly, ending at the hips. (The black one is showing the front and they gray is showing the back, with a slightly lower scoop than the front)

Blue Aerie Lace Bralette: When I saw this, I immediately fell in love with the periwinkle color and the lace detail. I got it in a size medium and it fits very comfortably. I also like the racer back shape of the back with the small oval cut-out. This bralette was $20 on sale, which I think is a good price for something you can wear with almost anything.

J. Crew Navy Chino Shorts: I was in need of some new navy shorts, so I was really happy when I found these at the factory for only $20. This pair has the 3 inch inseam, and I’m hoping they won’t chafe my legs. I got them in a size 6 and they fit comfortably.

J. Crew Neon Pink Laser-cut top: I really like the combination of the small floral cutouts and the vibrant color. Since the top is more of a boxy shape and not very fitted, I got it in a size small so it wouldn’t look so baggy. This top also came in other nice colors like kelly green and royal blue, but the pink of this top just screamed spring and summer to me. I bought both the shorts and this top because I had a birthday discount from the J. Crew factory emails.

Tommy Hilfiger Red and Navy Rope Tunic: Y’all, I’m OBSESSED with this top. You can’t tell very well from this picture, but the diamond shapes of this top are are detailed with rope-like lines, adding a nice nautical touch. The left sleeve is unrolled, while the right sleeve can be rolled to reveal more navy to compliment the collar and bottom hem. I got this tunic in a size medium so it would be flowy and not too tight.I can’t wait to wear this with some white pants and wedges or with shorts and Sperrys this summer.

Old Navy Gingham Navy Sundress: I think this dress will be perfect for summer days spent shopping or for the beach. The dress has adjustable straps and the back has elastic ruching. I got it in a size small so it wouldn’t be too baggy around my waist. It low key reminds me of when I was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween in Kindergarten, which is probably why I was drawn to it. Also, this dress was only $18, which is a good deal for such a classic summer piece.

I’m really happy with the items I bought over the break and I’m excited to style them for Spring!

Thanks for reading!

 

L.L. Bean Boots Review

 

I’ve had my Bean Boots for about a week now, so here I will give you a general review and my first impression!

Style: 6 inch.  Since it doesn’t even really snow in Texas, I got the 6 inch instead of the 8. The wait time was also longer and the price was slightly higher for the 8 inch boots.

Color: Tan & Brown. I like the navy, but I thought the brown would match more of my outfits.

Size: I usually wear a 7 or 7.5 in shoes, but recommended by the website, I ordered a Women’s 6.

Width: Narrow AA. I have no problem with any type of socks in these boots. I am able to comfortably wear thin and thick socks even with the smallest width.

Price: $99.00 (with free shipping!!)

Ordering and Shipping: My Mom ordered them for me in November for Christmas, but by then, Bean Boots were already severely backordered. The order was processed and sent out on January 28th and I got them in the mail last Friday, February 5th.

 

 

As you can see from the pictures above, the boots still have plenty of room to comfortably wear leggings or jeans that need to be rolled at the bottom.

I am very happy with these boots, so much so that I have worn them almost every day this past week! They are very comfortable to walk in, all day, and when walking across campus. I have noticed that sometimes the inside of my boots make a squeaking sound when I walk; it might be from my socks rubbing against the leather? Nonetheless, I highly recommend these boots to everyone for the fall and winter season, even in Texas!

Thanks so much for reading, I hope y’all enjoyed my first review-type post.

A Day in Houston

Today I went on a spontaneous day trip to Houston with my Aunt and sisters.
We started our day by visiting the Biscuit Paint Wall in the Montrose area.

  We then drove to the Heights area and found this postcard mural.

We also ate lunch in the Heights at Torchy’s Tacos.

I had the “Republican ” taco and indicated by the sign in the next photo, it really was “damn good.”

 After lunch we went into a few shops and then went to the Chocolate Bar (not pictured) for some hot chocolate to warm us up.

Downtown Houston Skyline near the Buffalo Bayou Bridge

I had a good time today with my family, and I’m glad I got to explore more of Houston while on break.

 

Do you have any suggestions for places to visit in Houston?