School Fashion

If there's one thing that I'm always comfortable with, it's the looks I get for being over dressed, wearing heels of some sort or a unique lipstick shade aside from the usual nudes/pinks. Fashion is the easiest, and in my opinion the most fun way to express who you are or even who you're trying to be. Being this is the fall semester most of you are enjoying colder weather and snow...well down here in Florida, it's really just "cold" to us... in January. So this is really more for our random "cold" days that ARE NOT right around the corner - Just keep that in mind. But hey, a girl can dream.





The fun part about Florida is the moody weather changes! Not only is it 40 degrees one day and 85 the next, both temperatures could happen within the same day! Yup! You read that right! So for smart dressing, you layer heavier jackets/cardigans/coats on top of thin/light material blouses or t-shirts. That way, you're not shivering in the AM but by lunch you can enjoy the breeze without melting into your own puddle of sweat. Plus, very rarely is it chilly AND gloomy. It's typically sunny and the street stays full of palm trees. Believe it or not, a lot of people here hate Florida because of the lack of seasons. Personally, I love our moody days and paradise livin'




When it comes down to it, these looks might not be for everyone which is acceptable and realistic. Because when it comes down to getting ready for the day, where what you feel good in, what you feel most comfortable in and rock whatever you put on that day. Confidence is key and as long as you think you can pull something off, that's the second that you can - and will.

XO, D.

10 Going-To's

1. I'm going to be a successful Graphic Designer

2. I'm going to be madly in love with my husband

3. I'm never going to not eat a sweet because of an insecurity, only a goal.

4. I'm going to own a red husky in my lifetime

5. I'm never going to lose connection with my family, they're my lifeline.

6. I'm going to try my hardest to leave a positive impression on everyone I meet.

7. I'm going to be well off enough to bring my Mom to Australia and to buy my Daddy his dream boat.

8. I'm going to be at a constant growth and never allow myself to think I've learned all that there is to know.

9. I'm going to not allow negative people to leave a negative impression on my day.

10. I'm going to live with no regrets and no room for sorrows.



What are you going to do?
XO, D

I Dare You

Don't say a negative thing all day.
Out loud OR in your mind.

Let me know how it goes.
XO, D.

The Beauty in Making Mistakes

Most would say mistakes are a way of life. Mistakes can ruin a day, week, month, year or lifetime, others would say. A lot of people would jump on the ship that says once you make a mistake there's no going back.  That on the other hand is not true. Of course, you can't physically go back and you can never take back what you did or said. But a large majority of the time, you can mend what has been broken. The beauty in making mistakes is you're almost always not stuck with the outcome. And even if, in those rare scenarios, if you are stuck with the outcome - it IS always possible to find good in everything that is bad. The beauty in mistakes is that they don't define you. I've made a million and one mistakes, but how I dealt with them and grew from them, that's what defines me, not the act in itself. Making mistakes is a given, absolutely no one lives the perfect life nor are they the perfect person so don't ever be so hard on yourself. The beauty in making mistakes is the opportunity for growth. Don't make the same mistake time and time again. You know the outcome, so why would you continuously do what labeled that act as a mistake in the first place? Mistakes are not to be taken lightly but not to be taken as the do all and end all to your life. Mistakes are just a tap on the shoulder from an idea that probably wasn't the smartest or most thought through. All in all, mistakes don't define you but they do help you become who you are. Don't lash out, don't blame others and never forget that the beauty in making mistakes is that all it is, is a mistake.

School's Back, Bye Summer

    Secret's out, school's actually not out forever. And even though it was out for Summer, that joyous (yet always far less exciting than we imagined) break is coming to an end. For me personally, I'm grateful and not a massive fan of Summer. Living in Florida, there's not a whole lot you can do over the Summer that you can't do every other day of the year; except maybe see a whole lot less of rain and mosquitoes. Summer DOES mean though a slower work season and a pretty empty agenda. Which, even though I love the endless days of cuddles with my man, I am a lover of being a busy bee.

    So here comes school, the peak of my happiness (Aside from Halloween, Christmas and Pumpkin flavored time at Starbucks.) But if you're anything at all like me, you need your packed schedule, juggling your responsibilities and allowed play time, to be 100%, no questions asked organized. So here's my list of back to school must haves that keep my brain staying even slightly more sane.


1. Agenda
   This isn't just a want, it's a need and I'm not being dramatic either. The quickest and easiest way to stay on top of your day to day responsibility is by having it all in front of you (color coating and labeling optional but recommended!) My favorite agendas come from Lilly Pulitzer. They range from all sizes, styles and prices. The great thing about this agenda? You buy one for the remainder of this year AND the following year. So you're all set!

2. Laptop
  Although possible to go through college without a laptop and only having a desktop, it makes classwork and homework a load harder than it has to be. The good thing, it's easy to get a computer that does what standard classes need: The internet and word documents. Check out these laptops at Best Buy that will do everything you need without breaking the bank.

3. Loose Notebook paper, Dividers and a Binder
   This is a given but still a necessity to anyone needing to get organized. Unless told otherwise, I tend to keep everything in the same binder. You keep each class separated but don't have to worry about four different binders to keep up with. Also, if you're in a class and have some free time, you can go over any work needing to be done in other classes.
(tip: have assorted highlighters and have them only used for their specific meanings. EX. Vocabulary, Announced is going to be on the test, Start of a new section, etc.)

4. Whiteout tape
   I think the name says enough. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days...make sure you're prepared for them.

5. Index Cards
   The most effective way to study since used to learn the ABC's.

6. Calculator
    Hopefully you're not in a math class that bans calculators (aka the worst thing you could possibly hear in a math class) but even if they're allowed, they can be pricey. But they can also be the only way to succeed in 'faking it' (or at least that's how I make it through the worst subject known to man.)

7. Headphones
   Seems like a want, not a need....and for the most part that is true. But I can't tell you how many hours I've spent on campus using my headphones. When you have a three hour break in between classes, you tend to get creative...or have a lot of down time. Personally, headphones are not something I want to be caught without. Especially on days in the computer labs where you catch yourself questioning whether or not you're okay with sharing little black headphones with someone else's ear wax.

Might be what you need to hear..

There are a lot of standing issues that are happening recently in society. The Dentist and the lion, The Public and Caitlin Jenner, Gay Rights being legal but not necessarily accepted - all valid. But there's a standing issue that is looked over, one that didn't occur to me was such a prominent issue until a couple months back. Ever since then, it has run through my brain time and time again because no matter how badly I try to justify it, nothing adds up. But we all have done and will continue to do this unless you have a good talking with yourself...

What do you settle for? What is it that you let him/her get off the hook for? Is it disrespect? Is it inconsideration? Or is it the hypocritical "You can't do that but I can" demeanor? Is he/she controlling? Insensitive? Aggressive? Is it the lack of commitment because something just always happens to be in the way of "The right time"?

The truth is, you most likely relate to one, if not more of those. Which is what I've come to the intranet to say.

If you find yourself hurting and keeping something in for lack of confrontation or fear of the end result, that in itself is enough to tell you that something is wrong. Want a slap in the face? You're the reason it's continuing.

Too many people put up with continuous behavior that leaves them in bad moods, a ruined day, or crying in the shower so no one will ask what's wrong.

What's wrong with people today you ask? What's wrong is apparently it's wrong to have standards, but even worse for them to be high. What's wrong is you think you're in the wrong if you hate the way they talk to you. What's wrong is you think you're in the wrong if you got them mad by speaking up. What's wrong is you're the one to apologize for feeling deeply because of the lack of them not feeling enough. Do you see where I'm going with this? What's wrong is it's considered "cliche" when someone says the phrase that's not taken seriously enough by any of us - You deserve the World. That may seem like a lot to ask for but why not? Why can't your happiness come first? Why can't you speak up when you're hurting or take the painful route and leave when you feel more broken than you feel joy. Don't you dare say the good out weighs the bad, don't you dare say you're staying together for the kids and don't you ever, ever let the long lines of "I'm Sorry" be their get away free card.

You deserve to feel cherished. Every. Single. Day. Because YOU deserve the World. Why would you let yourself settle for anything else? You only get one shot at life, why would you spend it fighting for your own happiness when you can fight your way out of anything and everything toxic in your life instead?

Pick yourself today. 

XO, D.

Girl Code

There's a particular code that comes with having girl friends. Girls are powerful, independent, and strong. But that doesn't mean that they don't need other girls to have their back. There are manners, then there's girl code. A chic-bible for the classy. Your parents aren't going to tell you about this one, so I'm taking the honor of informing the uninformed.

How she feels about her ex, you feel about her ex.

If your gf has a bf, and she's happy - you're happy. If your gf and her bf are fighting, you and her bf are also fighting. If your gf and her bf are better, you're both better. And if your gf and her bf break up, you are never ever to even think about him. How he's doing shouldn't be your business and what he's doing shouldn't be you.

If your gf is being hit on and looks uncomfortable, you're her lesbian lover that was in the bathroom for too long.

Girls have to stick together. That's it, plain and simple. So it's your responsibility to have her back at all times. Whether she needs a wing woman or an easy way out of expressing she's just currently not into males just to get away from a creepy one - you're her right hand.

Say no such thing!

When you care about someone, there's nothing wrong with them. Of course I'm not saying they become an angelic, do-gooder that over night doesn't have any flaws when you announce them your friend. But I am saying that you do not, ever and I mean EVER say anything negative about your girlfriends to anyone else. Talking negatively about people you share your time with shows your character - not theirs. Leave the rumor talking and trash talking to Gossip Girl.

Speak Up, Don't Keep Quiet

If your gf is making a bad choice, don't tell her she's being an idiot. That's never the right way to go. Just casually let her know she could be making better decisions and give her some alternative options. Everyone does reckless things in their lifetime and as long as it's not character changing or against her morals, let the wild bird fly. Just know when it's time to clip her wings if things get out of hand.

Be Supportive of All Girls

If you have a mutual hatred of a girl because of that one time when she slept with the guy you've been eyeing for a couple a months, it's a small one sided feud that is more than likely thriving in your mind. A short lived feud, might I add, that does eventually need to be looked past. Don't be a grudge holder, there really is nothing cute about that. And if we're all being realistic here, girls to core are all struggling. Whether they are, will or have before - you've bound to been insecure about the same things or mutually cried yourself to sleep because of the guy who broke your heart. My point is, girls need other girls. We struggle enough as is, we don't need unknown female-shaming to add to the stress. So next time, smile at the girl that passes you in Target on your weekly "I love Target" sprees. 

Besides, it won't hurt. 

XO, D.