Food: College Kitchen Essentials

College is a time of learning, both in and out of the classroom. I didn't have much cooking experience before starting school, and the dining halls were a blessing my first year, but as a sophomore I found myself with an apartment, no meal plan, and a kitchen. So, as college kids move into new apartments this month and learn to cook for themselves instead of eating fast food every night, I decided to make a list of helpful items for a collegiate kitchen. Does NOT include the microwave; you can survive without it.

A handy Magic Bullet meal in a jar.

1. Magic Bullet.

We've all seen the infomercials for this handy little blender, but it really is awesome. I make everything in here. Chicken salad, smoothies, pancake batter, pasta sauce, even margaritas. It comes with everything you need to make each of these meals and recipes for more. Regular blenders are huge and a pain to wash; the Magic Bullet is perfect for a college kitchen and I use mine every day.

2. Crock Pot.

Another must-have for lazy college kids, crockpots greatly simplify dinner and eliminate the temptations of take-out after a long day. Before you leave, you just dump everything into the crock pot, and when you get back you have a home-cooked meal ready for you. I especially love making soup in my crock pot in the winter; it's great to cozy up in front of the TV with a bowl of home-made soup after walking around campus all day in the cold.

3. Egg pan.

This tiny pan is great. I use it to make little pancakes (I'm not so talented at making round, pretty ones), fried eggs for breakfast sandwiches, and any sort of little amount of something you need. Cooking for one, I usually have to cut recipes into 1/4 or 1/8 of the normal size so I can eat it all. This little plan is great because you don't get a large skillet dirty for one hamburger, garlic clove, etc.

4. Hand grater.

I use this for EVERYTHING. Zesting citrus, grating cheese, heck, I even get lazy and grate butter sometimes. I shred chocolate bars into my oatmeal. I even bought a second one because mine was hanging out in the dishwasher too often. It's so easy to use and clean.

What are your must-haves for a dorm or apartment kitchen?

Other: My Favorite Book

The other day, I was missing Paris pretty terribly so I took a trip to Barnes & Noble to buy Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. The book chronicles Hemingway's life in Paris in the 1920's, and it really captures the spirit of the city, especially the Quarter Latin. I particularly enjoyed the book because of its attention to detail: I loved that I would recognize street names, I could taste the wine and oysters he had for dinner, and the scenes where he strolled through the Luxembourg Gardens were wonderful because that was my favorite Parisian pastime.

Several lines made me tear up, and the older Hemingway's reflections on the mistakes he made in his first marriage and how Paris reminds him of those were poignant and real. If you've ever visited Paris, or lived there, especially, this book is a must-read. It takes you back to the cobblestones boulevards and sidewalk cafes, while capturing a portrait of creative life there before it became a tourist staple.

If you've never been to Paris, save money and go immediately. Read this book while you're there, and visit Hemingway's old haunts.

Beauty: Product Review Time!

My recent beauty buys.

Beauty review time!

I bought all of this stuff over the past few weeks and I'm here to review them for you.

1. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow, $6. 

This eyeshadow is supposed to stay on for 24 hours without fading like typical powder eyeshadow, and it does. It looks really great and sparkly and is perfect for a night out. That being said, it does get flaky as the day goes on, and it's nearly impossible to get off! I'd honestly rather just re-apply normal eyeshadow then deal with this stuff. Instead of using it for all-day wear like it's supposed to be used, I just wear it for nights out and take it off after 6-7 hours before bed.

2. Revlon PhotoReady Concealer, $8.

This concealer is the bomb. It's honestly my favorite one I've ever used! The stick is perfect 'cause you can control exactly where you want to cover, and it covers well. I'll definitely be buying this again.

3. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, $8.

I tried this once (my sister had it) and immediately went out and bought it. It works perfectly on damp or dry hair and gives you lovely beach waves! I like it even better than the Bumble & Bumble spray Eleanor uses and it's much cheaper.

4. COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm, $6.

Chubby sticks like this are my favorite! They moisturize your lips and are easier to apply than lipstick or Baby Lips, plus have a great matte finish (I hate glossy lips, ew!). I got this one in blush for everyday wear, but I love the bright pink or red hues as well. I'm definitely picking up a few more.

5. NARS Bronzing Powder, $36.

Yikes, this is expensive! But it's totally worth it. This is my favorite bronzer; it comes in so many shades for any skin tone and blends perfectly for contour and glow. If you can look past the price tag, don't even think before buying it.

6. Essie Nail Polish in Sunday Funday, $8.

This is one of their new summer shades and I love it! I have it on my toes and fingers right now and it's the perfect pop of color for any summer outfit, especially for the beach or pool. Essie is my favorite polish because it goes on well and stays on, and it comes in the most beautiful shades. Sunday Funday is no exception.

7. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Serum, $13.

I actually found this in Paris, on recommendation from a Parisian, so I know it's legit. My hair gets really staticky and frizzy and one tiny drop of this worked through my hair keeps it from disobeying all day. If you have the same problem as I do, try this finishing serum.

8. Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush, $7.

This is my favorite blush! It comes in a ton of colors and is very light and subtle, very pretty. It looks so natural on skin and gives you a great glow for a low price.

9. Maybelline New York Define-A-Brow Pencil, $6.

About six months ago, someone mentioned I should start filling in my eyebrows. I tried it and I've never looked back, it elevates my make-up look to the next level and just makes my features pop! This is a great brow pencil because its thin and easy to blend; you can create exactly the brow you want. If you've never filled in your brows, do it. Now. It's amazing the difference it makes.

Let me know if you have any questions about these products!

Fashion Find: Antonio Melani Amanda Tote

Hey all! As you know, I have a serious handbag fixation, so I couldn't resist sharing the gem I discovered on a quick Dillard's run today. It's the Antonio Melani Amanda Tote, and I am absolutely in love. The bag retails for only $120, but it looks like a much more expensive bag. I actually stopped to look at it because it so closely resembled one of Michael Kors' $300-400 gorgeous creations. Considering my purse problem, I'm so impressed I walked away from this bag without buying four. It comes in several shades including neutral and those trendy neon and jewel tones, and the inside has so many compartments and pockets for perfect organization. It'd be a great office bag or day tote, and could easily fit my 13" MacBook Pro and several folders for a work day.

You can purchase the bag online, here! Let me know if you do, I'd love to hear about it.

Coming soon:

• Travel: Two Days in Ireland
• Beauty Reviews: My Recent Purchases

Fashion: Trendy Tribal

One of my favorite summer trends is the tribal pattern I'm seeing everywhere! It's such a versatile look, and adding a tribal accessory to any look takes it to the next level. Aztec-printed dresses, tops and even leggings are perfect for a summer boho look. I especially love tribal swimwear, how perfect for your vacation!

Tribal pieces to jazz up any summer wardrobe.

Simple accessories perfectly accent this wild skirt.

Monochrome + tribal.

Perfect summer night out look.

Classy + trendy for the beach.

What do you think? Have you added tribal pieces to your closet?

Fashion: Splurge or Save?

Unless you have an unlimited clothing budget (jealous), you have to pick and choose with items you need to splurge on, and where you need to save. When is it better to buy the designer, and when is it better to find a similar off-brand piece?

Timeless, good quality, high-use pieces are worth the extra splurge.

Generally, if something is trendy, I'd say buy a similar. If you think you'll get less than a year of wear out of something, don't spend big money on it. Boyfriend jeans? Save. Chunky sandals? Save. Keep your dollars for classic pieces that will never go out of style, such as a statement handbag, a designer watch, sunglasses you'll wear every day, or a great leather jacket.

Get "trendy" items at discount retailers, not designer boutiques.

For example, the high-low dress trend, while something I love, is sure to be gone next year, so don't spend more than $20-$30 on a dress you'll wear for a summer. If you get your must-have, on-trend, get-compliments-at-work pieces someplace like H&M or Forever 21, you can Neiman Marcus something you'll use and style for years to come.

What do you think? What items are worth the splurge, and where should you save?

Food: Cool, Summer Salads

In the south, the weather right now is unbearable. It's so hot and humid that the though of using the oven or stove and generating any more heat in my stuffy apartment makes me sweat. One of my favorite things to eat in the summer is cool, no-cook salad! They're cheap, quick and absolutely delicious. Most importantly, they're usually really healthy!

My go-to salad is cucumber based (I hate lettuce), and I usually add whatever I have on hand. Olives, tomatoes, goat cheese or feta, sometimes ham cubes. Then I drizzle it with some Italian or balsamic vinaigrette, toss it and go! I usually make a batch at the beginning of the week and have it for lunch.

If you don't want a cucumber base, there are multiple options for healthy, cool salads.

Green Bean Balsamic Salad.

This Green Bean based summer salad is so colorful and looks so filling! Switch up your salad and follow the recipe here.

Bikini-friendly lunch.

This black-eyed pea based salad couldn't get any easier to make - they come in a can! Follow the recipe here for a healthy, yummy lunch option perfect to take to work.

Greek Tortellini Salad.

So, technically, you have to boil the pasta in this recipe but it looks so yummy I wouldn't mind! The tortellini is a great twist to a traditional pasta salad and the Greek veggies are perfect for summer. Follow the recipe here and bring it to your next potluck!

Other summer salads that look delish:

• Greek Bean Salad
• Corn and Chickpea Salad
• Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad (Yum!)

What are your favorite summer salads?

Fashion: The Staple Bag and Statement Bag

When I was younger, I switched handbags nearly as often as I changed my clothes. I had cheap, faux-leather purses in every color of the rainbow. I fondly remember a sunflower yellow hobo I toted for a few years, as well as a cobalt blue bag with a giant flower adorning its front. As I've grown, my taste in handbags has certainly changed. Now, I'm a huge advocate of the staple bag: a classic, generation-transcending, occasion-transcending bag of good quality. Naturally, this sort of purse comes with a heftier price tag. Whether you have a designer or mall budget, you can find a gorgeous staple bag to go with any look.

Gorgeous bags that transcend from office to errands to out to date night.

Even if you can't spend several hundred (or thousand, eek!) dollars on a staple piece, dupes exist for less than $100 and are just as beautiful and versatile as the designer staples.

Staple bags for less than $100 - just as lovely as the designer bags.

However, this summer there is a massive trend amongst designers: bright-colored handbags! A boring suit or LBD can easily stand out with the addition of one of these jewel tone satchels, and a neon purse with a drab office outfit is sure to get you noticed and help your business casual stay trendy.

Colorful bags for summer looks.

What do you think? Should you splurge on a staple bag or replace a cheap one every few months? Is a colored handbag trendy and fun or tacky and obnoxious? Let me know!

Fashion: Maxi Skirts for Summer

Being 5'2", I took one look at the maxi skirt trend taking over fashion magazines and the internet and knew it wasn't for me. I've never met a formal dress I didn't have to hem, and I live in the world of petite pants. But when I moved to Paris and saw so many women absolutely rocking the ankle-grazing trend, I took a $10 gamble on a black, cotton maxi skirt from H&M and never looked back. It's so great for an all-day look because you can wear one for morning coffee and then out that night with just a few styling tweaks.

Solid and pattern maxi skirts for any budget.

Some of my favorite maxi skirts on the market right now.

Add heavier make-up and a pair of heels to dress up a maxi skirt for night.

Examples of day-to-night maxi skirt styling.

Chic celebrity styling.

Jennifer Lawrence, Selena Gomez, Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba rock their maxi style.

What do you think? Are maxi skirts fab or drab? What's the best way to style a maxi skirt for summer?

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Apartment Decor: Inspired by Versailles

Tuesday, I was able to visit the Chateau of Versailles, the ostentatious palace built by Louis XIV. It was massive, the outside austere but the inside lavishly decorated. Rich reds characterized some rooms, while others were accented by a cool blue. Most of the rooms had large chandeliers and dark wood furniture. But one theme screamed at the mobs of tourists making their way through the salons: gold. Every piece, including the walls and ceiling, was adorned by gold. The doors had intricate gold carvings, and the fabrics were embroidered with gold thread. It really gave the place the feel that I'm sure King Louie intended: I have money, and I have style.

Photos from my visit to Versailles.

While most of us apartment dwellers and owners of four-bedroom houses (as opposed to Versailles 700 rooms) can't afford to coat our homes in gold leaf and burgundy silks, we can draw inspiration from this castle to add a royal, elegant touch to our abodes.

Gold pieces to bring the vision of Louis XIV to your home

For an even more budget-friendly Versailles makeover, use gold spray paint to transform a lamp, bookends, or even a small piece of furniture. Inspiration below.

Besides Louis XIV, Versailles had another resident obsessed with style: Marie Antoinette. The queen incorporated soft pastels into Versailles' gold-and-white palette, bringing a feminine touch to the chateau perfect for a bachelorette apartment.

Pieces inspired by Marie Antoinette at Versailles.

If you ever get a chance to visit this fabulous chateau, don't hesitate to go! And take tons of pictures, because you're definitely want to give your home a taste of French elegance.

My Grocery List: Eating for One

Eating and shopping for one person is so difficult. I always end up buying too much or too little, and I feel like I throw out so much food. This year, I'm committing to making grocery lists and meal plans for my weeks so I don't waste anything, and so I try new foods. My plan is to only buy 2-3 types of fruit and 2-3 types of veggies at a time, and switch it up week by week. I also plan to make a lot of cold salads to eat throughout the week when I'm being lazy.

Be sure to buy in-season produce in small quantities.

I try to keep on hand most of the time:

Grains

• Whole wheat bread (as small of units as I can buy)
• Whole wheat English muffins or bagel thins (alternating between them so they don't go bad)
• Whole wheat pasta
• Rice

Dairy

• Skim milk
• Laughing cow cheese or cottage cheese (low fat, alternating)
• Low fat cheese sticks
• Feta (occasionally)

Protein

• Turkey burgers
• Tilapia/Salmon
• Occasionally chicken breast for grilling
• Eggs

Legumes/Nuts

• Black eyed peas or chickpeas
• Black beans
• Peanut butter

Veggies

• Pick 2-3 of: broccoli, green beans, asparagus, cauliflower, bell peppers, peas, corn, etc.
• Baby carrots and/or cucumbers
• Olives

Fruits

• One or two "whole" fruits: plums, grapefruit, clementines, bananas, etc.
• Grapes, pineapple or cherries
• Apples or cantaloupe

Other

• Olive oil
• Healthy dressings
• Mustard
• BBQ sauce
• Healthy crackers
• Dark chocolate
• Tea

I buy a good bit of the stuff that doesn't go bad (sauces, pastas, canned beans, etc.) and hit up the store about once a week for fresh produce, grains and proteins. Everything on this list can be found for relatively cheap if you pick veggies and fruit that are in season and don't buy too many. For me, the most important thing is keeping junk food out of the house. If I buy it, it'll be gone instantly and I won't eat my healthy food. If I just keep good food in the house, and let myself splurge when I'm out occasionally, I do so much better.

Post-Europe Cleanse: No More Cheese!

Okay, maybe I can have a little cheese.

After six weeks in Europe munching endlessly on white bread, fromage and all kinds of dessert, my body feels pretty terrible. I'm also quite dehydrated due to the lack of water refills with meals and water fountains around Paris, so I need to get back in shape. Since this is my first weekend back in America, I'm giving myself a few days to enjoy my favorite foods such as BBQ, Mexican and fried chicken that I haven't had in several months. But once my taste for North American cuisine is satiated, I'm going on a meal plan and getting back to running. I've started to outline my meal plan and grocery list that I'm hoping to stick to for a month before cheating.

I love packing lunches to eat between classes.

Breakfast:

• Option 1: whole wheat english muffin, peanut butter, plum/clementine
• Option 2: hard boiled egg, grapes, cheese stick/cottage cheese
• Option 3: whole wheat bagel thin with Weight Watchers cream cheese, apple

Snack:

• Option 1: Greek yogurt
• Option 2: healthy crackers and laughing cow
• Option 3: carrot sticks

Lunch:

• Option 1: cucumber salad
• Option 2: pasta/quinoa salad
• Option 3: turkey on whole wheat
• with cucumber and laughing cow
• with mustard
• with apple and brie

Snack: 

• Option 1: Luna bar
• Option 2: apples and peanut butter
• Option 3: green smoothie

Dinner:

• Option 1: turkey burger, bbq sauce, broccoli
• Option 2: tilapia, rice, green beans
• Option 3: rice and beans dish

On my busier days when I don't go home for hours, I'll be combining some snacks and meals (i.e. turkey sandwich and carrot sticks) and alternating which veggies and fruits I use, but this is the basic plan! No white bread, limited cheese, and no nasty, processed food. Since it's summer in the South, I want to use my oven as little as possible so everything but dinner is fresh and cold. 

Once I get started with this plan I'll let you know how it's going!

Paris, je t'aime: My Don't-Miss List

Yesterday, I arrived back in Atlanta after spending most of the summer in Paris, France! Obviously, it was an incredible, life-changing experience. I fell in love with a city and a culture, as well as the lovely group of people on the trip with me. There will probably be many, many more posts about my summer in Paris but I just wanted to touch on it while the memories are still fresh.

The Eiffel Tower on our last night.

Things I Learned

• French designer brands are cheaper in Paris. American designer brands are more expensive in Paris, so get those back home and splurge on a Longchamp or Louis.
• In fact, everything is expensive in Paris. Be prepared to wince when you get your credit card statement.
• Getting drunk in Paris is either going to cost you $5 or $50. A great bottle of wine at Carrefour or Franprix is as cheap as water, but going to bar is going to run you about $10/drink, even for beer.
• Get out of the tourist areas (Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, etc.) and experience real Paris. I fell in love with la Ville Lumière when strolling through Saint-Germain-des-Pres, reading at the Jardin du Luxembourg and picnicking by Pont Neuf, far away from the pickpockets and Americans in running shorts.
• Who said French people were rude? I met some incredibly wonderful, helpful French people and were able to learn so much from them.
• The Metro is great. It's cheap, convenient  fast and relatively clean (until a drunk college students vomits on the platform). I'm really going to miss it. That being said, the RER (the train that takes you to the 'burbs) is awful. Avoid it if at all possible, and if you really want to see Versailles go early!
• Instead of paying to eat at a brasserie, go to one of the outdoor markets (I recommend the Bastille) or one of the huge grocery stories at the Galeries Lafayette or Bon Marche and pick up food to cook or eat outside.
• Don't spend all of your time at museums - they're tourist traps. Sure, make sure you hit up Rodin and the Musee d'Orsay, but you'll experience Paris better if you pick other spots. I love the parks, cemeteries and boulevards of Paris much more than any hall of paintings full of obnoxious tour groups.
• Traveling around Europe is so easy! If you have time, book a Megabus or Ryanair for a weekend trip to the UK or somewhere else in western or central Europe. Very cheap and low stress.
• If you want to see the churches like Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur, go during worship. It's a much more authentic experience, especially on Sundays with everywhere else in Paris is closed.
• Seriously, Paris shuts down on Sundays. Go to a church (even if you aren't Catholic, it's something to see and they're used to visitors), then spend your afternoon in one of the jardins or le Marais (the Jewish quarter is wide open on Sunday).
• Most importantly, don't worry about seeing and doing everything. Just experience the city the way you end up experiencing the city. If you get lost and miss something, so what? Relax, buy a street crepe and stroll around. You're guaranteed to find something great.

My Don't-Miss List

• The Latin Quarter. It's full of universities and bookstores, but go to one of the pedestrian streets and buy a crepe, panini or gyro before you explore! The street food there is great.
• Saint-Germain-des-Pres is a great place to shop without worrying about pickpockets. Visit famous Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots to dine like Satre, Picasso and Hemingway.
• Montmartre is as gimmicky as it gets, but the sunset views of the city are worth it. Walk up from the Moulin Rouge to really experience the quartier, and try to go in the Sacre-Coeur during mass.
• The Jardin du Luxembourg is my favorite place to go in Paris. Get a book and a picnic (or a to-go meal from the neighboring McDo) and spend an afternoon there.
• Le Marais - the gay, jewish quarter - is full of interesting stores both cheap and designer, and has a lovely park (Place des Vosges) in the middle. It's also a great place to people-watch or spend a Sunday après-midi. 
• Walk the Champs-Elysees. If you have on your walking shoes, start at the Louvre, go through the Tuileries, Place de la Concorde and all the way to the Arc du Triomphe to see it all. If you're less mobile, start at the Grand Palais. It's a gorgeously glamorous street - but expensive!
• Get a bottle of cheap wine and watch the sunset by the Seine. The best, most Parisian spots to do this are the park below Pont Neuf on the Ile-de-la-Cite or the Jardin Tino Rossi. But beware - no bathrooms.
• Obviously go the Eiffel Tower sparkle. My favorite way to do this is on the Champ de Mars with - no surprise here - a bottle of vin.
• Go to a French bar and meet French people. Rue de Cannettes and Rue Princesse were our regular spot, but any neighborhood will have a nightlife area.
• Do some museums, but don't occupy yourselves too much with it. My favorites are the Musee Rodin, the Musee d'Orsay, les Invalides, l'Orangerie, and obviously the Louvre. Just watch for pickpockets and overzealous tourists with cameras.
• Get off the Metro at the Opera station, and walk past the famous Opera Garnier to the Galeries Lafayette. Check out the Tiffany glass dome, then take the escalators up to the gorgeous terrace. Drink a peach smoothie and take in the views.
• Got to Notre Dame, and then progress to the center of the island to the flower market.

There will be much more about the city I love so much in the future, but you can always email me if you have questions!

My Grown-Up Blog

This is not my first time creating and operating a blog. From a juvenile Tumblr dedicated to a certain British boy band, to a failed attempt at becoming a fashion guru, to a Blogspot about my study abroad in Paris that was quickly abandoned because I simply didn't have time, I'm an experience blogger.
Since I turn twenty in about two months, I decided it was time for a grown-up blogs. I know my twenties are going to be a time I want to remember, plus I take an unhealthy amount of iPhone pictures of my daily attempts and adventures.
Living on my own for the first time, I've learned a lot about myself and the world around me. I learned that I'm not a very good cook, DIY is the way to go, I can't be trusted with a credit card, and that I want to see every inch of this planet. Some days I want to pack my bags and move to Paris, and others I want a four bedroom home by the coast and a corgi. I'm an International Affairs and Romance Languages major - a fitting field of study for my admiration for the world and its people - and, as much as I love my Southern roots, you better believe I won't be staying in one place long.

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