The Fight Against Dry Skin

I have the most insane dry skin. The dryness starts around November (sometimes October) and doesn't get back to normal until around March. That's FOUR FULL MONTHS of desert dryness on my face. My skin tends to be the driest from the cheekbones down and is the worst around my nose and mouth. By the end of the day the skin and makeup around my nose and mouth is usually flaky, itchy, irritated, and really just not cute at all. I get really self-conscious about the dryness, and I've made it my goal this Winter to find the best products to combat my dry skin. While I still haven't found the perfect moisturizer, I've found some other products and skin care methods that have worked wonders!

Cup O' Coffee Mask

I caved and bought this mask at Lush when I was in Philadelphia. It's a mask/scrub that is super hydrating and doubles as an exfoliator because of the ground coffee in the mask. I leave it on my face for 5-10 minutes right after I get out of the shower. When it's time too remove the mask I like to wet my fingertips and massage the grinds onto my face and then rinse off the scrub. My face always feels so soft and silky after using this mask. I've been using it twice a week followed by my normal moisturizer and toning spray.

Nivea Cream 

Like I said before, my nose and mouth are my problem areas when it comes to dryness. I use Nivea cream only where my skin is the driest because it is a heavier cream. I'll dab a little around my mouth and nose before I go to bed and usually wake up with nice moisturized skin! 

Greek Yogurt & Honey Mask

If you are into easy DIY masks, this one is for you! All you have to do is mix 2 tbs plain full-fat Greek yogurt and 1 tsp honey. Make absolutely sure that you get full-fat yogurt to maximize the moisturizing benefits of the mask. After you blend your ingredients, paint the mask onto your face with a foundation brush for even coverage and leave it on for 15-20 minutes! I love how this mask feels on my face; it's nice, chilly, and feels very luxurious on the skin.

Toning Spray
Toning spray is a great way to re-hydrate your face through out the day. I'm currently using e.l.f's setting spray that contains aloe, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E. I like to use it after I moisturize, to set my makeup, and to spritz on my face when I need a pick-me-up during the day.

I hope that these products I've fallen in love with will be able to work as much magic in your life as they have in mine. Please let me know if you have any favorite moisturizing products! My poor skin needs all the help it can get.

xo. Brooke

Top 5 Podcasts For Ladies

I recently found out that one of my favorite humans, Sophia Amoruso, has a weekly podcast called #girlboss radio and I knew I had to give this podcast thing a try. I looked to see if any of my other favorite ladies had podcasts of their own, and guess what... THEY DO. In the past couple of months my time getting ready in the morning, driving, and showering have been spent listening to some of my biggest role models! These podcasts (among others) have been a huge source of inspiration, motivation, advice, information, and of course comedy. I don't see my newfound obsession with podcasts fading anytime soon.

Listen Here

#girlboss radio

In this podcast, Sophia Amoruso (founder of Nasty Gal and the original #GIRLBOSS), interviews some of her favorite #girlbosses. Her guests range from stylists to comedy writers and just about everything in-between. Sophia is also hilarious, sarcastic, smart, and sassy- all qualities I admire in a lady.

Listen Here

Women Of The Hour

This podcast is hosted by a lady we all admire (and if you don't I feel sorry for you) Lena Dunham. Lena is one of my favorite feminists because she isn't afraid to be open and talk about the more touchy topics women are currently facing in society. What I love most about this particular podcast is the balance between the serious topics and humor. This is probably partially due to the fact that Lena is an amazing comedian and human.

Listen Here

Oh Boy by Man Repeller

Oh Boy is probably the most motivating podcast I listen to. Jay Buim interviews successful women in all different career fields (mostly creative). It's so interesting listening to how these awesome women achieved their goals and became successful pursuing their passions! I would definitely encourage all college-aged women to listen to this podcast. It's definitely helped to reduce my personal stress about the future and my career.

Listen Here

Stuff Mom Never Told You 
This podcast from HowStuffWorks is hosted by Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin. Cristen and Caroline cover just about every topic related to women you can imagine. Some of the most recent podcasts have covered topics such as marriage, tarot reading, abortion, adult acne, etc. It's a super informative and entertaining podcast for both women AND men. 

Listen Here

Monocycle with Leandra Medine

This is the perfect podcast to listen to on your lunch break or walk to class because most of them are only 10 minutes long. Leandra Medine is the founder of Man Repeller, and listening to Monocycle is basically like having a conversation with one of your best gal pals. (Love you, Leandra)

Some other podcasts I love (& I hope you will too) are:

• The Broad Experience
• Call Your Girlfriend
• Stuff You Should Know
• TED Radio Hour
• Call Your Girlfriend
• She Does
• Millennial

Please please please hit up the comment section if you have any podcasts you love that I didn't list. I'm always looking for more!

xo. Brooke

My Life as a Fashion Major

I started college as a pre-nursing major and realized very quickly how much I hated it. When I told my parents I wanted to switch my major toApparel Merchandising and Product Development (AMPD) after my first semester of college they weren't happy. I was super discouraged because they weren't on board with me pursuing what I was passionate about. I soon realized that the reason my parents weren't too fond of my decision to switch to such an "unconventional" major was because they didn't really understand what it was. Two years later, I still find myself in the position of having to "justify" my choice of major to people who hear the word apparel and immediately judge me. I figured it's time to explain why I chose to pursue a degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development and answer several other questions I get asked most frequently!

Why did you choose to major in AMPD?

I took a sewing class my senior year of high school, and very quickly became obsessed with learning about garment construction, different fabrics, and how what I learned in my sewing class applied to the industry. My sewing teacher, Mrs. Blanton, told me all the time that I needed to go into fashion, but I was set on nursing. That is, until I got to college and had to take college science classes (shoutout to people who dig that stuff, because I really thought it sucked). I was so unhappy and wasn't passionate about anything I was learning. I realized that I was craving the feeling I had in my high school sewing class, and when I researched the AMPD program at the U of A and read through the curriculum, I immediately knew that I needed to switch. My experience as an AMPD major has been absolutely incredible and I'm loving every minute of it.

What kind of classes do you take?

One of the things I love most about my AMPD program is that basically every section of the industry is represented in the curriculum. We learn about buying, design, marketing, merchandising, trend forecasting, textile science, etc. The fashion industry has so many different parts that work together, so the fact that they make sure we know about all of it is awesome. Many university fashion programs focus mostly on design, which is great, but not everyone is cut out to be a designer. You wouldn't think that the University of Arkansas would have a good fashion program, but I can honestly say that I am proud of the education I am getting as an AMPD major at the university. I feel as though I am getting a well-rounded education and will be very prepared to enter into any part of the fashion industry when I graduate. 

What do you want to do?

A lot of people think that I'm going to college to be a manager at a clothing store... No. That is actually like the last thing I want to do. Right now I'm really interested in styling and visual merchandising, but I'd probably accept any corporate fashion job offered to me following graduation. When I think dream about my future, I like to imagine myself working as a stylist on shoots for Anthropologie... In November I applied for a styling internship at Anthropologie just to see if I could get it. On December 19 I was notified that I was selected to travel to Philadelphia and interview for the position this past friday for their recruiting day! It would be a dream come true if I end up actually getting the internship, and I know now from talking with Megan and Kristen (my interviewers) that I definitely want to work for Anthropologie one day.

I would like to end this post with some "tips" for people thinking of majoring in fashion:

1. Just because you like shopping doesn't mean you'll like studying fashion.
2. It's not a blow-off major. Be prepared to work hard, and bruise your finger tips from being poked repeatedly with pins in your construction classes.
3. Professors make great references (and friends), make sure they know how hard you work!
4. Dress well for class. Your professors will notice if you show up to class looking like you just rolled out of bed every day. It's okay every once in a while, but try to look presentable the majority of the time. 
5. Find your style. College is the time for you to create your brand. Find out who you are, tailor your style to that, and stick with it! There is no better feeling than knowing that what you're wearing is the perfect reflection of who you are.

xo. Brooke

2016: Year of the #GIRLBOSS

Source

Sophia Amoruso is one of my many many many female role models. She started her company Nasty Gal selling vintage clothing on Ebay in 2006, and has now sold over $100 million in apparel and accessories. Sophia's New York Times Bestselling book, #GIRLBOSS was my inspiration for this post, and has sparked my motivation for the coming year. If you haven't read #GIRLBOSS yet, please do yourself a favor and read the freaking book, especially if you plan to pursue a career in the fashion industry. After about a year of waiting, I FINALLY got the book for Christmas, and ever since I've started reading it I feel like someone (probably Sophia) set a fire inside of me. I just want to go out there and kick butt at everything I do because I AM A FREAKING #GIRLBOSS!!

In the coming year, I will continue to apply/interview for a summer internship, turn 21, go on a study tour to New York, do my summer internship, apply/interview for real life jobs, and graduate college. 2016 will be the most eventful year of my life so far, and I cannot even begin to put into words how pumped I am to work hard and be a total #GIRLBOSS. Now was the perfect time for me to read this book. I desperately needed to feel the sense of confidence and empowerment I got from reading #GIRLBOSS before I have to go out and start "selling myself" (for lack of better words) to possible future employers. 

Instead of having a list of cliche new year's resolutions, I decided to stick to a mantra to live by in 2016. Of course, the mantra is one of my favorite quotes from #GIRLBOSS. "A #GIRLBOSS is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it". This quote is within the first 15 pages of the book, and Sophia continues to repeat her message throughout the book- #GIRLBOSSes work hard to get what they want. That is exactly what I plan to do this year! 

Happy New Year, and I hope you all embrace your inner #GIRLBOSS in 2016! 

Before I sign off, I would like to ask that you guys keep my home town in your thoughts. Rowlett was among the two cities hit the hardest by Saturday's tornadoes in Texas. The EF4 left many people and pets without homes. There is never a "good time" for something like this to happen, but the day after Christmas just seems far too unfair. Please be sending good thoughts to Rowlett during the cleanup and rebuilding that will take place in the coming months.

xo. Brooke

Lazy Girl Style

Source

It's FINALLY Winter break and I could not be more stoked! It's so nice to be able to relax at home and not have to worry about classes, homework, projects, papers, etc. Unfortunately, I started my off break by getting my wisdom teeth removed, so I'll be hanging out at home for the next few days. It's totally okay though because I get to watch TV, knit, color, and eat ice cream all day long which rocks. (P.S. Thank you Allison for the adult coloring book)

I don't know about you guys, but when I'm at home I want to be as comfortable as possible. The downside of this is that I also don't really like going out in public looking like I just rolled out of bed (this is generally how I look at home). I obviously will dress up if I know I'm going to be going somewhere that day, but if I wake up without any plans for the day I search for the comfiest clothes I own. I want to give you guys some style inspiration for some comfy AND cute outfits to copy this Winter break because you deserve to be comfortable! Also, while at home you're at risk of running into former classmates (yeet), so you have to look somewhat socially acceptable.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Stay cozy & chic this Winter break, friends!

xo. Brooke

Holiday Playlist

As you know, I start listening to Christmas music in November (at the latest). I know that they're all basically just different versions of the same songs, but I love them nonetheless. Since it is finals season and college students will soon be driving home for the holidays I decided to share a holiday playlist to make studying and driving home a little more joyful. If you're already home for the holidays, feel free to listen while you decorate some Christmas cookies or do some other festive activity those of us still at school wish we could do. You can find my holiday playlist on Spotify, it's titled "Young, Wild & Broke: Christmas"!

1. O Holy Night- *NSYNC
2. That's Christmas to Me- Pentatonix
3. All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey
4. The 12 Days of Christmas- Straight No Chaser
5. What Child Is This- Francesca Battistelli
6. Wrapped in Red- Kelly Clarkson
7. Here Comes santa Claus- Elvis presley
8. Merry Christmas Darling- Christina Perri
9. Where Christmas Is Found- Cameron Mitchell & aprilemade
10. Warm and Fuzzy Time of Year- Billy Gilman
11. Jingle Bells- Michael Buble (feat. The Puppini Sisters)
12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Bing Crosby
13. Mistletoe and Holly- Frank Sinatra
14. Something About December- Christina Perri
15. Ave Maria- Josh Groban
16. Infany Holy, Infant Lowly- BYU Vocal Point
17. Marshmallow World- Francesca Battistelli
18. The First Noel- Pentatonix
19. Just For Now- Kelly Clarkson
20. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays- *NSYNC
21. Blue Christmas- Elvis Presley
22. This Christmas- Straight No Chaser
23. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
24. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen- BYU Vocal Point
25. My Only Wish (This Year)- Brittney Spears
26. Last Christmas- Ariana Grande
27. Baby, It's Cold Outside- Seth MacFarlane
28. It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Andy Williams
29. Silver Bells- Dean Martin
30. Mary, Did You Know?- Pentatonix

Before I sign off, I would like to share the story behind the photo used for this post. That festive *NSYNC photo is usually my go-to background on my laptop during the month December. Sadly, my laptop is STILL being worked on so I won't be able to enjoy the full month of joy that this photo brings me. Note to University of Arkansas students: if your laptop breaks, don't take it to the bookstore to be worked on unless you want to be without at laptop for over 2 weeks. 

xo. Brooke

DIY Holiday: A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess is my go-to blog for anything DIY. All of their DIY projects are super cute and have very detailed photos and instructions making them easy to actually DIY. I have been on Pinterest everyday for the past week trying to find the perfect DIY ornament for #BloggersDeckTheHalls, an ornament exchange for bloggers hosted by Cristina on Campus and Not Your Average Southern Belle. I ended up buying one, but I came across some great Holiday DIY projects (all from A Beautiful Mess) that I would love to share with you guys! I definitely plan on making at least a couple of these projects for my apartment and maybe as additions to some Christmas gifts! (Also, I apologize for any formatting issues... I've been laptop-less for a week, so this post was written on my phone!

DIY

Pom-Pom Garland

This Pom-Pom garland is so fun! Its a pretty affordable and easy project that will make your holiday mantle decor pop!

DIY

Winter Village

I absolutely adore this project. I have never seen anything quite like it before! How cute would this be in a little girl's room?!

DIY

Gold Leather + Fur Stocking

I have been wanting to make my own stockings ever since I started sewing about 3 years ago. I love the idea of using metallic leather and fur!

DIY

Porcelain Holiday Tree Lights

My mantle needs SO MANY of these tree lights! They look so easy too... This may be a nice pre-finals project for me.

DIY

Eye Ornaments

These are probably some of the cutest ornaments I've ever seen. I think if I find the time to make some for myself I'd add some glittery red and pink lip ornaments to the mix as well! 

Happy holiday crafting! 

xo. Brooke