Two. Thousand. Eighteen.

Top: Forever 21, Necklace: Versona, Skirt: Boohoo, Earrings: Handmade

We wrapped 2017 up and put it on the shelf. 2018 is here, and no one, including myself, is ready. If 2017 is wild, you best believe 2018 is going to worse. 

I reached some of my major life goals in 2017, and now 2018 is the year of maintaining and accomplishing. Here are my goals for 2018:

1. Getting closer to God: Getting adjusted to college life is not easy for me, and fitting in my time to God seems a little more difficult given the classes, study time, and sorority stuff. Now it is time that I devote to God with more of my time by reading a scripture and praying about my day. Now I need to devote my time for God before it's too late.

2. Getting my life organized: I recently created a schedule for myself with my classes, so I could better plan to times to eat, time to exercise, and see what my schedule holds. Also, I will need time to clean my dorm room because with time it gets really disorganized. So with that, I will keep my room organized and tidy.

3. Keep my health in tact: I gained the "freshman 15" with the help of the campus Chick-fil-a, Starbucks, and fries from the dining hall. This year, I want to significantly decrease the amount of fried foods I eat, cut out sodas, and expand the amount of vegetables I eat. I am close to a Subway beside the dining hall, so I have that to eat that before I go out. I drink enough water, and I want to drink a little more this year, so I'll have my pack of water to take to the dorm as well as bottle filling stations. Then, I need to take more time in the gym, therefore I will incorporate that into my schedule and stick with it. The biggest problems fitting into my clothes is ALWAYS my torso: a pooch belly, flabby triceps, and everything between. So this time in the gym, I want to get a personal trainer so I could see which workouts are the best for me.

4. Maintain my content: I try my best to post at least once a month, and I did from March to December. Now this year, I want to get in more content by posting more outfit posts and college advice, including reaching out to others. Blogging with maintenance can be a good career to pick up on the side, so why not be committed to it? However, I will post some videos on YouTube every once in a while, but I just figured out that I do better posting pictures than stumbling on words in a video. 

Now that I got some things I want to accomplish for 2018, I hope I conquer them before it's too late.

And for everyone to relate, this was how my NYE festivities went:

What are your goals for 2018?

Xoxo, Desi

Finals Week Is Upon Us

Buzz Coffee in Greenville, NC; wristlet: TJ Maxx

Ah, my first college finals week is coming up, and I know it feels very depressing because they are right after Thanksgiving break.

I will show you my tips for getting through finals, from experiencing AP and IB final exams.

1. Review vocabulary.

If you do not know the vocabulary, it merely means that you are not understanding the material. My favorite website/app to use is Quizlet, and what I do is to create your own flashcards or use another person's set. Then I go on "Learn," and go to options and I just do multiple choice questions, and that way I learn better.

2. Wear something comfy.

Because staying in a room during finals takes hours, comfy clothes are recommended. You don't want to continually be itchy from the fabric of your favorite blouse then not able to finish all 55 test questions on time. I recommend a t-shirt and leggings, and bring your toastiest sweater because you could be testing in cold rooms.

3. List out the exams.

List the exam times, locations, and materials for each class on a piece of paper, on your message board, or in your planner so you can get prepared to kill the test.

4. Meal for Champs.

This is a great opportunity to splurge on a meal, whether it is getting extra expresso shots, adding extra fruit/meat, going to an upbeat coffee place, or buying an expensive snack that you have been eyeing on, you deserve it for all of the hard work that you have done.

5. Find your niche.

Find a comfortable place to study. Do you like noisy rooms or quiet rooms. Cold or warm? More or less people? Small or big? Find a room where you can study well.

6. Write it out.

Before an exam, I like to write out formulas, facts that I may forget, and things like that on a piece of blank paper or test if the professor allows. Then when you get to a tricky question that has that stuff, I can go ahead and go over the notes to make it easier on me.

7. Put some respect on it!

Before an exam find an uplifting quote, whether it is from a religious text or online. This fills your head with positivity. Listen to some music, meditate, exercise, pamper yourself.

Your goals for the finals: kick some serious butt!

How do you prepare for finals?

xoxo, Desi

One Shoulder Showstopper

 

Jumpsuit: SheIn, Shoes: Charlotte Russe, Gold Choker: Forever 21, Earrings: TJ Maxx

I was trying to find a nice outfit for my initiation dinner, but I was not feeling a dress. But when I saw this jaw-dropping jumpsuit online you know how it is with me and my money...

This SheIn one shouldered flare jumpsuit was one of the most beautiful purchases I have gotten in my entire life. The one shoulder neckline had a layer thing. Then the dress cinches you really well at the waistline oh my goodness. Now the fun part: the flare legs were a little cropped, but it gets better. They are a high low type of deal, and I love it!

Since the dress was all black, I had to put in something just as spontaneous as the dress, but not in competition. These fabulous Charlotte Russe pumps add some flirty foral impression, but does not draw away from the frilly dress.

Also I had to add some elegance with a gold chain necklace from Forever 21 and metallic earrings from TJ Maxx to add to the outfit. 

Here you have it folks: extra elegance. What is one showstopper piece in your closet?

My Curtsy Obsession

Throughout my life, my peers always complimented me as a person with an amazing fashion sense. As blogging and Youtube are always great ways to show off my style in order to make money, it takes over hundreds of viewers and subscribers in order to make a living. And you know it takes a while(as in months-years), especially being a broke college student adulting around. 

A great app that lets you show off your style to make money in the matter of days and weeks is Curtsy! You make your closet a store, and girls near you rent your clothes. All you need to do is:

1. Upload the Curtsy app

2. Create an account

3. Tap the post button with the camera

4. Insert a picture of the item for rent

5. Input details about your product (price to rent at, color, style, sizing, occasion, etc.)

And your item is available for girls to rent!

I haven't had girls renting my products yet, but hopefully someone appreciates my closet enough for someone to have a piece of my style.

Go through my Curtsy here (link only works on mobile, not computer/laptop) and you get $10 credit!

Happy renting, Desi out!

Gameday Getway

Top, skirt, and earrings: Forever 21; Necklace and sunglasses: Catalog Connection; Purse: gifted; Shoes: TJ Maxx, Choker and pin: from my sorority

I had a fun gameday: the tailgates were LIT, I experienced a first home game win, and most of all I was  killin' it in this off-the-chain outfit!

This was a purple out; however you don't see that much cute purple in stores. Until I went to Forever 21 and saw with light purple cropped long sleeve top, I HAD to cop it. 

I went full on baddie in this super cute quilted leather skirt, big hoop earrings and hardware toed booties. Then I went a little gaudy with the gold wrap beaded necklace and crossbody purse. I had to put on a pair of stylish shades for this sunny day.

Gamedays in college are a great opportunity to dress the heck up in school colors and be a little fancy (you can't get to much of it) with your outfit.

How do you dress up for ganeday?

Chunky Sweaters Came in a Little Early This Year

Sweater: TJ Maxx, Skirt:Boohoo.com, Necklace:Versona, Boots: Target, Earrings: Forever 21, Bag(not shown much): Nine West

Gucci Mane's bricksquad came in a little early this year when 10/17 came around, it became cold. And after scoping through TJ Maxx and finding out that up-ed their sweater game this year, I HAD to put my sweaters to good use.

This sweater is literally one of the best tops I purchased this year. It is a dolman sleeve, and I could throw it with any bottom to make it look good.

The envelope skort has come to play in order to add a pop of color to this outfit full of tans. The over-the-knee boots add extra warmth and style without freezing me legs to death.

Then I had to have my metallics with this Kendra Scott-inspired necklace and HUGE gold hoops. I don't know about you, but I am obsessed with huge hoops that scream BADDIE across it.

Who is pumped for sweater season? Comment what is your favorite sweater for this season.

Just a Little Glimpse of Summer

Top: a friend's closet, Jeans: Target, Shoes: Wish, Bag: Stein Mart, Hoops: Belk

Please don't tell me that I can't wear white jeans after Labor Day. I am so shook that this look is inspired by Show Me Your Mumu because of the boho vibe, and apparently this particular brand is known for its lavish flare pants. I recently liked Mumu's post on Instagram (@showmeyourmumu) about cutting of the hem of your favorite flare jeans, and I am LIVING.

This top has a unique choker neck design so I don't have to wear a necklace, which is rare for me because I love to have something around my neck when I dress up. I love this flowiness under the bust, which is really popular among girls dressing up on the go.

Cutting off the hem of the flare jeans is the best decision of my life. Not only it is great for petite frames like me, but it adds a dimension to the look. Then I have to complete this look with an edgy sandal from Wish which is cheaply made, but worth it because it is very trendy and it adds something unique to the outfit.

This look is great for out and about whether you are going out to eat, or to a casual party.

What fashion rule would you break?

Desi out!