Reading Round-Up | May Edition

(image via: here.)

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."

~Henry James

May is complete. And that means summertime is in full swing, darlings! But before we make the mad-dash into sultry June, let's look back at some of my favorite posts of May.

DIY Shopping Bag Decor | Just Flew the Coop
It's not uncommon to see Victoria's Secret bags hung on dorm walls as decor, but here's an easy way to take that up a notch and turn old shopping bags into fashionable wall decor.

How to Make a Hollow Book Safe | [BB-Blog]
You know those books that you open up and they have a secret chamber inside? With all the pages cut out? Here's how to make one. ;)

How to Host a Clothes Swapping Party | Charade
Having a clothes swap party is a fun way to spend the night with your girlfriends, get rid of clothes you don't want, and get some new clothes in the process.

Technology + Juice = 7 min Popsicles! | Poppytalk
These look delicious. :)

Gender Stereotypes, Food Inhalers, and Great News! | Stacy Says
On the radio I heard about some gender stereotypes that are supported by science. Things such as: girls can't drive and men are slobs. Read what Stacy has to say.

Playdate Flashback | Glow in the Dark Soul
I loved this post! Elaine features some of my (and probably your) favorite childhood toys and the changes they've undergone in the last decade or so.

5 Natural Bug Repellents for Your Home | Apartment Therapy
I hate bugs. But I'm not a fan of chemicals. Here are some natural insect repellents that may be of use to you in your living space this summer.

Every Room Tells a Story | More Magic Always
This post features lovely decor and Luinae imagines the story behind each room. It's really a beautiful, inspiring, creative post.

DIY Crate Bookshelf

(above image via: here.)

This easy diy bookshelf was shown off on the blog How to Be Awesome. It is simply several old wooden boxes (easy to find at antique stores) stacked on top of each other. It gives off a very rustic/vintage/industrial vibe. And I love how the books are divided by color.

For more cheap and chic shelving ideas, click here.

Looking Back on Graduation Day

(image via: here.)

I just want to take a moment to congratulate all of the 2010 graduates out there. Whether you're graduating high school, college, or grad school... Congrats from LU!

My brother graduated from high school today! As I sat there in the crowded, ninety-plus-degree, un-airconditioned gymnasium and looked down upon the maroon caps and gown-clad seniors I reminisced upon my own graduation day back in 2007.

I was eighteen. I had a red-and-whtie gingham sundress on underneath my maroon gown and I wore cute strappy white wedges on my feet. I was sweaty and teeming with emotions. I had an engagement ring on my finger, compliments on my high school sweetheart. I was planning on going to school five hours from home the next fall. I was going to major in Interior Design. I dreamt of a fabulous life in Kansas City, designing for tasteful clientele. I was optimistic, invincible, confident, and completely naive. And I was soooo excited.

Now I'm twenty-one. I still fit into that sundress and wear those wedges occasionally, but a lot has changed since then. That "high school sweetheart" turned out to be a huge jerk. I finally wised up, broke up, and got over him. I lost friends and made new ones. I fell in love with a new guy and we've been going strong for nearly two years. I've transferred schools several times. I've changed my major from Interior Design to Secondary Education to Elementary Education. I'm going to school two hours from home next fall. I dream of a simple, quiet, happy life with the one I love---and maybe a turquoise '57 Chevy when I retire.

More Summer Beauty Products

Clairol Herbal Essences
"Totally Twisted"
Curl-Boosting Mousse

I'm not one of those girls who are good at hair. I keep it pretty simple and I try not to do anything too damaging... so I limit myself when it comes to straightening irons. (Plus, straightening takes forrrrever and I just don't have that kinda patience when it comes to doing hair.) In the summertime, I love free-flowing locks. A few days ago, I ran out of my usual Aussie mousse. At Target, I ended up in the Herbal Essences section because Clairol stuff always smells amazing. I picked up a can of the "Totally Twisted" mousse and squirted just a little into my hand. (I know, I know... I'm bad!) It smelled fabulous so I bought it. The best part is that this mousse works great, too. I work it into damp hair, scrunch, half blow dry a few sections with a diffuser, and go out the door. Even after sleeping on my hair, I woke up with great waves. I definitely give this two thumbs up.

Love My Eyes Roll-On Loose
Powder Shimmer Eyeshadow

This was an impulse buy. I didn't really need more eyeshadow, but I decided it would be nice to have a white shimmer to do highlighting with. This little roll-on comes in a shiny, cute tube. It applies super easily and leaves a nice shimmer. It's not big, sparkly, or gaudy. I'm planning on carrying this with me in my purse in case I ever need a little bit of gleam on my eyelids. Did I mention that it's very inexpensive?

CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral Blush
in "Pure Romance"

I l♥ve this blush. It's a very sheer, very fine shimmery pink. And it's perfect for summer. I'm not tan enough to wear bronzer without looking like I dusted myself with cinnamon. After applying my usual make-up and favorite Physician's Formula blush, I dust this shimmery mineral powder over my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. I even dusted my collarbone for a little bit of radiance. ;) It's subtle and oh-so-pretty... especially out in the sunlight.

(above via: here.)
Turquoise Nails

Also, I'm enamored with turquoise nail polish. I bought some by that inexpensive Petites brand in "Fiji" and it's absolutely gorgeous. I wasn't sure about wearing a shade of blue on my nails... I'm usually a fan of red, hot pink, or coral-hued nail polishes. But turquoise is my favorite color. And it happens to be the color of the year. So I decided to take the leap. I'm hooked. I think I'll have turquoise nails alllll summerrrr lonnnng.

For my other summer beauty favorites, click here.

Flyboys | 10 Ways to Swoon-Worthy

One of my favorite movies ever... "Flyboys" starring the one and only James Franco. Honest, I do like the movie for more reasons besides being smitten with the lead actor. I have a thing for airplanes... especially old military ones. And I like movies set in days before my time. As I watching, though, I noticed all these ways that the movie makes Rawlings (Franco's character) completely irresistible. So I thought it'd be a little fun and different to write a post about it. (Did you know that Franco is also at the top of Cosmopolitan's Stud Meter this month?!)

Here are the top ten reasons for Rawlings' appeal...

10. His relationship with Lucienne and how he treats her. It's adorable how he's so obvious with how much he likes her. He's so bold and straightforward with his feelings. And then when they finally kiss... he practically melts.

9. Who knew suspenders could be so sexy? James Franco should probably coach every guy on how to remove trousers like that. :P

8. That laid-back, subtly bad-boy, "I don't care" attitude paired up with his strong sense of honor and justice. Rawlings first comes off as a laid-back cowboy but it becomes clear how passionate he is about what he does and the people he cares for.

7. Riding around in an open airplane on a gorgeous day in France. That's arguably one of the best first date ideas... ever. You'd think that the downpour would ruin the moment, but a drenched stud only makes it better.

6. Rawlings is a natural born leader among the men and (while being one of them) definitely stands out amongst them.

5. The way he rides horseback to go and meet Lucienne at her home. And furthermore, the way he goofs off to get laughs out of those kids. That's just cute.

4. The way he rides the motorbike on his way to Paris to see Lucienne in the hospital.

3. He's a fierce flyer and fighter. I'd jump into a plane with him any day.

2. Man in uniform. Need I really say more?

1. Eyebrow raises. Don't laugh. You're probably wondering why eyebrow raises are the number one reason that I find Rawlings irresistible. I can't quite answer your question. There's just something about a gorgeous guy with gorgeous eyes raising one eyebrow... it gets me every time.

There you have it. I'm only really crazy over two movie characters: Rawlings from "Flyboys" and Rhett Butler from "Gone with the Wind". So while you probably won't see a list like this for a while, don't be surprised if a Clark Gable one does pop up sometime in the future. If you haven't seen Flyboys, please do. It's an action-packed, romantic, tear-jerker of a film.

Oh, and don't tell my boyfriend about this post. ;)

♥Amore

p.s. The sources for all the photos above were really random... as I used Google to image search. But if you're longing to know the original source, just click on the picture itself. :)

My Dwelling | Circa 1966

I came across the above image in a university photo archive. It's a photograph of one of the kitchens in an apartment like the one I'll be living in this fall. And it was taken in 1966! I'm fairly certain that not much has changed... except possibly the curtains.

Amore.

Shabby & Chic in Tokyo

When I stumbled across Cottonblue's set called "My Home", I was immediately delighted. Her home is a mere 70 square meters in a seaside town near Tokyo. Cottonblue uses white in such a fresh and pretty way. Here are my favorite highlights of her romantic, cozy, utterly lovely home... (take some notes so that you can borrow her decor ideas for your own apartment or dorm.)

To see Cottonblue's complete home tour set, click here.

The pink and blue are just so comely amidst all the white.

I love the fabric in the cabinet windows and her collection of cannisters.

Her desk is a splendid workspace. I adore the message
board she made using an old vintage frame (on the left).

Here's a darling corner of her home.

A cozy corner of her bedroom.

White candle holders she got at a flea market.

I fancy these turquoise iron baskets.

My Dwelling | Floor Plan

Above is a floor plan of what my apartment will be like this fall. It's a two-story, two-bedroom, on-campus townhouse that dates back to about the sixties. I will be sharing with a roommate. I'm not sure which bedroom is mine, but it doesn't matter much because they're identical. The space is very small and probably a bit dated, but I love the challenge of a small space. I'm excited to plan my bedroom decor and work with my roomie when it comes to decorating our kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

Btw, my roommate is an international student that hails from China. I have not met her in person, but we've connected via Facebook. She's a journalism-major and (from what I see of her photos) is also very fashionable. I look forward to meeting her and learning all about her culture!

Amore.

$ummer Money Tips

(image via: here.)

Goodbye, school. Hello, summer.

Here are some tips for having a money-making and money-saving summer break:

• Forgo the expensive vacation and the luxury hotels and airfare that go with it. Instead, get your friends together for a road trip.

• Working this summer? Put a little bit of each paycheck into your savings account and Do. Not. Touch. It. If you put as little as $50 aside each week for ten weeks, you'll have $500 in savings. That's roughly enough to cover books for a term. $75 a week turns into $750. After taking care of books, you'll have some cash to spare for a little back-to-school shopping. And by putting $100 aside, you'll end up with a lump sum of 1K!

• Drive as little as possible this summer. Opt to ride your bike or walk. Not only will you be doing something good for the environment, but it'll be good for your figure, too. ;) And you'll save lots of money on gas prices.

• Take a hiatus from shopping. I know, it'll be hard. It's summer and there are adorable flip-flops, cute bikinis, and sweet sundresses to buy. Restrain yourself by setting a budget, only shopping off the clearance rack, or substituting vintage and thrift shops for expensive clothing boutiques and trips to the mall.

• Go natural when it comes to cosmetics. Make-up can make for expensive purchases. So stick to a tinted moisturizer with SPF, bronzer, mascara, and lip gloss for a minimal but oh-so-summery and sexy look. You'll save money by not having to stock up on eye-shadows, blush, lipstick, etc.

• If you have time and really need to bring in the big bucks this summer vacation, take up a second job. From babysitting to bartending, it'll increase your weekly income.

• Instead of hitting the bars every weekend, get together at friends' houses instead. You'll get more food and drinks for your money.
  

• Opt for cheap thrills and simple pleasures when it comes to dating. Picnics, stargazing, campfires, outdoor concerts, long walks, laying on the beach... of these make for cheap but hot dates.
  

• Reward yourself for sticking to inexpensive entertainment. If you've been sticking to low-key entertainment the last few weekends, allow yourself to splurge just a little one weekend. Go to a movie or take a little shopping trip.

• Lounge at the beach or lake shore instead of the pool. You won't have to pay to get in. You won't have to smell the stinky chlorine. And beaches are far more scenic.

• If you prefer tanning to sunscreen (shame on you!) don't dish out money for tanning bed sessions. You'll soak up plenty of natural sun outside.

• Taking summer courses? Take them through a nearby community college. The commute may be worth the reduced cost. And you'll save money in the long run.

• Have a yard sale. You'll get rid of some things you don't need and bring in some money to buy the things you do need. Donate what doesn't sell.

• Give your hair a break. Forget scheduling any summer hair appointments. Let your strands flow long and loose. Dying for highlights? Drench your hair with lemon juice and lay out in the sun. Your strands will lighten naturally.

Friendly Reminder: Share Your Space!

(image via: here.)

Dear dorm-dwellers and apartment-renters,

The school year is over and the summer fun has just begun! As you look back on all the photos you took during the 09-10 academic year, do you have any of your dorm or apartment? If you happen to find some, you should share them with Lovely Undergrad!

If you have a fabulously designed place and want to show it off... post photos of it.

If you have a disaster that needs desperate help with organization, function, furniture arrangement, or overall design... post photos of it so that you can receive valuable advice and inspiration.

If you don't want your photos in the Flickr group, but would like to be featured in a post... send me the pics via email at lovelyundergrad[at]live[dot]com.

And when the end of summer finally comes around, you can submit photos of your new dwelling, too! :)

5 More DIY Headboards

Dress up a salvaged chain-link gate with a blanket or quilt.

Buy some cheap plywood from your
local home improvement store.
Sand, stain, and seal it. You'll have
a sleek, modern headboard.

Do your most brilliant ideas hit you right
as your head hits the pillow? Or do you
have some crazy dreams that you wake
up and want to remember? Using a chalk-
board as a headboard is your solution.

Old doors can be found at thrift stores, flea
markets, and architectural salvage shops.
And they make for some gorgeous headboards.

For instructions to create this
beautiful, glowing headboard... click here.

(All photos in this post are from diyideas.com.)

For more headboard inspiration on Lovely Undergrad, check out these two posts:

• 11 DIY Headboards for Your Dorm
• 7 Stylish Headboard Ideas

Must-See: Letters to Juliet

Last Friday night I visited a nearby town and went out with a new girl-friend of mine. :) It was so much fun and a much-needed girls' night. As much as I enjoy hanging out with my bf and his crew, a girl needs girly time. M and I went to the theatre and saw Letters to Juliet, which I highly recommend.

While the movie is definitely romantic, I would recommend this for you and your girl-friends as opposed to a date night. It's a chick flick. And a tear jerker... but not in the usual way. (I almost always shed a few tears during any movie.) I wept during this one. Good tears, though. Happy crying. Happy, swooning, thrilled crying.

Basically, Letters to Juliet is the story of Sophie (played by the amazingly talented and amazingly pretty Amanda Seyfried); Sophie's a "fact-checker" who aspires to become a journalist. She's engaged to a goofy, crazy, Italian guy who is getting ready to open a restaurant in NYC. She accompanies her fiance to Verona, Italy so that he can meet with suppliers. But once in Italy, they end up spending more time apart than together. He wants to meet with suppliers, sample noodles, visit vineyards, and go to auctions. She wants to explore and take in the beauty and history of the locale.

While wandering through Verona one day, Sophie ends up at the house of Juliet Capulet. (The Juliet from Romeo & Juliet.) There are lots of young women there, pouring their hearts into letters and posting the letters on a brick wall. Sophie lingers in the courtyard long after all the other young women leave. A woman comes, gathers the letters into basket, and leaves. Her curiosity getting the best of her, Sophie follows the woman and ends up meeting the Secretaries of Juliet, a handful of female writers that answer the young womens' letters about love address to Juliet Capulet.

When Sophie finds a letter in the wall from fifty years ago, she writes the woman and encourages her to find her long-lost first love. The letter reaches its original writer Claire and inspires her to leave England and visit Italy with her grandson Charlie. This begins a great adventure for Sophie as she accompanies the woman and her handsome (although difficult to get along with) grandson. The three journey through the Italian countryside in search of Lorenzo. Along the way there is laughter, tears, unexpected romance, heartbreak, and always present hope.

I loved this movie! There are so many breathtaking vistas of Italian farms and vineyards. The little Italian villages are so charming. Sophie is easy to relate to and like. Her fiance is out there... he's passionate about noodles. Claire is a remarkable and inspiring woman. And Charlie is soooo easy on the eyes... plus, he's terribly funny.

What I really love about this movie is how uplifting it was. It's definitely a feel-good romance as opposed to a heart-breaker.

Grab your girls and go see this movie... SOONLY. :)

Optimist Creed

I found the following creed in a la la Lovely post. I thought it was lovely and inspiring.

(image via: here.)

The Optimist Creed
by Christian Larson

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and
prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that
there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only
for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success
of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press
on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and
give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too
noble for anger, too strong for fear and
too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact
to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your
side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Benefits of Raspberries

(above image via: here.)

Raspberries are my favorite fruit. I love the rich pinkish red color, the melt-in-my-mouth texture, and the sweetness. Plus, raspberries are apparently beneficial to my health. :) Here's why you should stock up on these decadent little berries, too:

Raspberries can protect you from diseases.

• Raspberries contain phytonuetrients, which help to prevent damage in your body's cells by neutralizing the activities of cancer-causing free radicals.
• Raspberries also contain flavonoids like anthocyanins. These anthocyanins give raspberries antioxident properties.
• Plus, raspberries have antimicrobial agents that stop the overgrowth of certain bacteria and fungi in the linings of your body.

Raspberries contain antioxidants.

• I'm sure you hear about antioxidants everywhere... but that's because they're good for you! Raspberries contain antioxidant elligatannins, which allow for anti-cancer development activity.
• Plus, raspberries contain Vitamin C and anthocyanins, which also contribute to antioxidant activities.

Raspberries can protect you from oxygen-related damage.

• Raspberries also contain manganese. Vitamin C and manganese protect body tissues from oxygen-related damage.
• Plus, raspberries provide copper, folate, riboflavins, magnesium, B vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Raspberries can protect you from vision loss.

• The antioxidants in fruits can act against loss of vision. So by adding raspberries to your diet, you may be protecting yourself from mascular degeneration and other age-related diseases.

So eat up!

Amore.

Survey Time

(image via: here.)

Dear LU Readers,

I adore you and want to know more about you. So I've compiled a survey of 50 questions about you and your college experiences. Up there on the menu at the far right is the word "Survey." Click there or here and you'll be taken to the survey. Answer 25 questions now and 25 later in the week. Or do it all at once. Feel free to skip questions that you feel are too personal.

Copy and paste the questions and send your answers via e-mail to lovelyundergrad[at]live[dot]com.

Pretty please do this. :) I promise not to divulge any of your information/answers. I just want to know more about you. You can always ask me questions, too, by visiting my formspring. Ask me anything!

Home is where you hang your coat...

(above image via: ApartmentTherapy)

Love the look of an old-fashioned coat-tree, but don't have the floorspace? Consider applying one of these Coat Tree decals to a wall near your entry. Simple screw in hooks or press on adhesive hooks... and you'll have a fabulous coat tree in no time. (Check with your landlord or resident advisor before screwing anything into your walls, of course.)

Or if you do have the space and some money to spare... opt for the real thing. Urban Outfitters sells this one for under $70:

Or, if you're more thrifty... hit up local antique stores and thrift shops. Even a dull wooden coat tree can be transformed with a fresh coat of boldly hued paint.

Amore.

"Like" LU on FB, pretty please

(above image via: here.)

If you didn't already know, Lovely Undergrad has a fairly new page up over on Facebook. There's going to be some good stuff going on... including some forum discussions about decorating, making the grade, and college life in general. You can also share pictures of your college life in the photo section.

Head on over and "like" Lovely Undergrad soonly.