Summer Favorites

On my recent trip to Chick-fil-a, I got to purchase their newest drink. And this was not the first time I purchased. Perhaps, when they first advertised the new drink it had my favorite things in a drink, so I had to go. And this drink inspired me to write a post about my summer favorites!

1. Watermelon Mint Lemonade from Chick-fil-a: If you read the first paragraph thoroughly this is the drink I am describing. Watermelon, mint, and CFA lemonade all in one is literally heaven on earth! They are great drinks to take pictures with during summer. Speaking of that...
2. Mango Black Tea Lemonade from Starbucks: Ah the last Starbucks trip before I graduated (and many more to come after that) I picked up this drink as a "pick me up" on the way to the movies with one of my high school friends. The taste is a bit mango-y with hints of black tea, but the sourness of the lemonade made this one of my favorite summer drinks.
3. Dermasil Dry Skin Treatment: This was a graduation gift from church, and I was so excited to try this stuff. I have combo skin, but I am more on the dry side than the oily, so this was perfect! I fell in love as I apply it on my face because my face became soft to touch, and it was glowing (no highlighter needed). I incorporate this product into my routine, day and night, because your face needs to be moisturized, amirite? Overall, I will continue to use it until I find a product that works just as good or better.
4. Milani Color Statement Matte Lipstick in (Dreamy or Naked): This color has hints of pink, but a pretty nude to compliment my skin tone as long as I have a darker lip pencil. For softer makeup looks, this is my go-to. Actually for summer this color is my new go-to.
5. Old Navy Tie-Dye Watercolor Tee: Wow, this top is actually on sale at Old Navy. I am obsessed with tie dye print that resembles watercolor (if I am too extra at describing prints), and also the color blue (for editing awesome summer photos scroll down on this post ;-)). I wore this for the last day of being a high school student and another event that I can't think of. But this top looks really amazing with a choker, long necklace, white bottoms, earthly brown shoes. Who knows, I would definitely put this into a fourth of July outfit. 
6. White Skort: I am slowly falling in love with certain pieces from Stein Mart it isn't even funny. Fun tip, if you are looking for a mini skirt/skort, the petite section of the store has a few gems. Just pick the size that fits your liking, and voila! I wore this with the tee, and it has plenty of compliments. I fell in love with the gold accents in the front, and bam! I have a summer skort that will go with many cute things. I am thinking of getting a black see through top and a black cami underneath to go with it along with grungy black shoes.
7. Easy A: Last, but certainly not least, I am a comedy and chick flick person when it comes to movies. Easy A puts the the two genres together. Trying not to spill the beans, but it is related to The Scarlet Letter, but in a modern twist: girl gets derided with a huge rumor that she was sexually active, then turns into a weird reputation. But for anyone who is in high school, PLEASE WATCH THIS MOVIE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

And a bonus, here you have it:

• If you want to improve your likes on IG, Twitter, and all that jazz, I suggest you hit up VSCO cam. If you like to pay for stuff of the phone (or waiting until it becomes free), I recommend getting a C1 filter. HB1 and A5 are also good alternatives. I like to keep the temperature on high, and selecting a blue shadows and highlights tint. For the highlight and shadows tints, I usually go on the higher side of the tint, but if it is necessary to add color I will go on with the highest.

These are all of my favorites, and I am excited to scope for more. Desi out!

#CollegeGirlz: Dorm Stuff Part 2

On the recent trip to TJ Maxx, I have found many stinking cute room decor and essential bedding stuff (the things that make it comfortable). I found something faux fur, so that's checked off the list.

Then the mattress pad, mattress protector, and the pillow protectors are checked off the list, too.

Now all I need for bedding is a memory foam topper, a couple of blankets, and maybe a quilt to go over or under my comforter. The pillow protectors are satin, which is a beneficial fabric for my hair. I long for a pink pom pom blanket, but I also would like a white/cream or grey faux fur blanket and maybe a white waffle blanket. I apologize for needing many blankets because I get really cold quick! There are many options to choose from, oh my! Also, I will need desk lamp/mirror all in one, so I will head to other stores for better deals or cuter ones. Then maybe for this weekend or so, I plan on starting on the headboard for my bed, and I wanted to have either a solid or a fun print (or a textured fabric headboard is really cute).

This sums up my second dorm room haul, and I will post more stuff as it is coming along. Desi out!

They Always Say Congratulations

On the night of June 8, 2017, I have officially graduated high school. This is a really beautiful milestone to make in your life, and all through these 4 years of crazy situations, I am glad to make it through. From taking tiresome online AP classes to participating in many orchestral ensembles to serving my school in the student government I cherished many moments that embed in my life forever.


Now to graduation day

Dress:Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Charlotte Russe 

The weekend after graduation, I had a graduation lunch with close friends and family at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Top and skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Belk (G by Guess), Necklace: Versona, Choker: TJ Maxx, Earrings: Belk

Now I am opening my new chapter to college, and I could never be more excited! For those who graduated, wells wishes on your future endeavors. It's L17!

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#CollegeGirlz: Dorm Stuff Part 1

Ah, my first college post on my blog. Well, I will be attending East Carolina University as a freshman in the fall. For the fall semester, I will major in marketing and minor in music performance. Then hopefully in the spring semester and beyond, I will major in music performance and minor in marketing. I still want a career in marketing though, but since music is my passion, why not major in it?

That is the basic college info.

Now onto the post that is more important than this basic college info, I will be talking about my early dorm stuff. I am so excited to tell you what is going to be in my dorm, and to show you the outcome. Hopefully I end up on HGTV, if I must.

Hopefully, I will have the roommate I wanted, and her name is Bailey from Smithfield. I chose her as my roommate because we have similar music preferences (we can talk about our BTS army draft for days), she is a great person to talk our high school experiences, we have plans to rush a sorority, we LOVE fashion and makeup, and overall she is a great person with work with and to go on wild adventures with!

Our room theme is "luxurious on a budget," which is inspired by the lavish dorms at Ole Miss and also After Five Designs. The color palette for the room is white, grey, and taupe with touches of pink and gold. I started looking for dorm pieces at Target and I am excited to show you everything!

The first one is a candle holder, which is powered by batteries. Initially, we are not allowed to have candles at our dorm, but when I saw that the candle holder had a "imitation" candle I picked it up. I really think that it is neat, but when I get the batteries and finally get to work it, I will tell you what the product really does.

Since most string lights use iridescent light, which is prohibited from our dorms, LED lights have to do. I came across the pink lights that are powered by batteries. Using string lights make the room (especially the walls) look colorful without painting the walls (which is a major taboo).

Lastly, I have fabric to use for a DIY pillow project. This is originally a tablecloth, but it should serve for many decorative purposes.

Overall, I am proud of what I accomplished so far when it comes to getting stuff for my dorm at college, and I am looking forward to getting more things! Desi out!

It's L17: What to Wear For Graduation When You Have a Dress Code

It must be nice when some schools allow you to wear anything you want for your graduation. However, here's for the girls (including me) who have a specific dress code to follow in order to walk across the stage.

All-Black Dresses

My school's graduation dress code, if I want to wear a dress, is that the dress must be all black and no longer than the gown. If this is you, then here are some suggestions:

Least modest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

In the middle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Most modest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The black graduation dress is best paired with all black heels. A high neck dress is best paired with large hoops and maybe a small pendant necklace.

All-White Dresses

If the dress must be white (true white, not an off white) here are some suggestions:

Least modest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
In the middle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Most modest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The white graduation dress is best paired with all black, brown, white, or nude heels. A wrap neck, v-neck, or any low neck dress is cute with a choker, pendant necklace and studs or neutral colored statement earrings.

White+Black Combo
If you are not a dress person, then some schools may allow a white top and black bottoms. Here are some suggestions:

White Tops: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Black Skirts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Black Pants: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

This outfit is paired with a black skirt, but you can alternate it with pants if you like. The outfit is paired with black hose and black classic shape pumps. If you plan to wear a choker neck, then I recommend a small necklace (or none at all) and large earrings. If you are wearing a necklace, studs are also fine.

Shoes
If you are a heel person and want to wear heels, feel free to wear them. However, if you are not used to heels, then I highly do not recommend heels because you will walk awkward in them. All options are closed toe and closed back because most graduation dress codes require them. If you are allowed to wear open toe/open back, feel free. But if you have to wear closed toe/back, here are heels and flats that I recommend in black, white, brown, and nude.
Black: heels, flats
White: heels, flats
Brown: heels, flats
Nude: heels, flats(in blush)

If you plan to wear heels to graduation, BREAK THEM IN BEFORE YOU WEAR THEM. It feels awkward when a person tries to wear a new pair of heels, and some barely walk in them. Or even worse, they trip and fall. And that happens every single year. Also feet cushions are key for a comfortable pair of heels. I prefer gel or memory foam because they feel home-y to the feet.

I hope this guide helps those who are looking for amazing graduation outfit ideas under a strict dress code. For all of the 2017 graduates, congratulations and I hope for the best for your future! Desi, out!

Mellow Yellow

I am at the point where North Carolina's weather is really angering me. From 80-degree hotness in February to a stormy night, to a day where you feel nothing outside, to recently snowing and freezing my butt off, I feel like my closet is not prepared for this madness. This last Friday's outfit consisted my feelings all in one.

(Choker: Forever 21, Top: Belk, Tank Top; Old Navy or JC Penney, Skirt: Forever 21)

I consider the color yellow to be a bright cheerful color. In this outfit this is a muted, yet cheery mustard yellow that juxtaposes the dark mushy olive green. The soft, flowy lace in the top and also in the tank top itself compliments with the edginess of the black choker(I am establishing a choker collection by later). This represents how the sun competes with the clouds, rain, and even a couple of thunderstorms here and there.

I paired this outfit with brown boots to introduce a second neutral that ties the look together. These boots from Charlotte Russe are easy boots to walk in and add sassiness to any outfit.

By the way, I am impressed with the brown background that compliments the outfit.

Yep. Welcome to North Carolina.

Desi out!

Best Moments of 2016 // What's Going to Happen in 2017

2016 has been a wild year in my opinion from this year's upsetting election, interesting celebrity feuds, major moments in sports, and surprising events. The events that happened in 2016 makes me uncertain about 2017, and I believe that 2017 could be better or worse in the world around me. Without further ado, let me share some of my 2016 moments

• Took the real ACT/SAT
• Experienced junior year prom
• Got accepted into college
• Actually became elected as a student body officer
• Opened a savings account
• Had my first job
• Voted in the general election for the first time
• And surviving it
• Got my first scholarship offer
• Became a legal adult
• Revamped this wonderful blog
• Got at least 100 likes on an Instagram picture
• Increasing my love for makeup
• And becoming a senior
• Being a part of my school's best homecoming ever
• While also surviving Hurricane Matthew
• And reviving and increasing my love for multi flavored jelly beans (I still hate top banana and the rotten egg)
• And expanding my fashion taste (the everything preppy phase is gone for now)
• And became Twitter famous
  
  

In the year 2017 (if the world does not get into chaos during that year) I plan to...

• Graduate high school
• Expand my blog a bit
• Read more often
• Work out more to a better body image
• Try a raw vegan diet for up to a week
• Do something with my friends during spring break
• Get more scholarships
• And to get a laptop
• Post more content into my blog
• Make senior year prom amazing
• Maybe throw a graduation party
• Get my full provisional license
• Get enrolled into college
• Join a sorority when I'm there
• Maybe become famous for once
• And also find myself an underground shelter just in case if the world roams wild

Okay, if 2017 becomes just like 2016 or even worse, I am not going to hype 2017 at all. I am just going to let things happen, words be said, and people do what they do. At the end of the day, I can not complain of what 2017 has in store for us. Desi out!