Reading Round-Up | August Edition

(image via: here.)

Oh, what a month August has been! I finished summer courses and worked in my hometown. I attended a wedding and went out with friends. I packed up all my stuff and moved into my college apartment. I started my new job in my college town and started fall semester courses. Here are the lovely blog posts that kept me sane and inspired amid all the August chaos:

4 Chic and Easy Lazy Day Outfits | College Fashion
I don't care how comfy they are---I just won't go to class in sweatpants. This fabulous post highlights several easy ways to look stylish and still be comfortable when you have to go to class on a day that you'd rather stay in bed.

What Should You Never Feed a Vampire? | The Raucous Royals
For all you Twilight, Buffy, True Blood, etc. etc. etc. fans out there who partake in the pop culture vampire cult, this is a very interesting article that looks back on where vampirism came from. Some of the facts will surprise you!

How to Paint Furniture | The Inspired Room
As a lover of giving old furniture new make-overs, I'm keeping this post for-ev-er. It includes tips and tools to complete the job and advice on finding the perfect piece of furniture to make-over.

Coralie Bickford-Smith Does it Again | The Ever Dazzling
Here's a little eye-candy for my bookworms out there. These tomes are gorgeous!

Coney Island + Happy Weekend | Ruffled
Though I don't plan on running off to the chapel anytime in the near future, I will admit to browsing wedding blogs and swooning over beautiful photo shoots and wedding details... like this engagement session that is just bursting with color, happiness, and fun. It looks like thee perfect date.

10 Vintage Housewares to Repurpose as Organizers | Apartment Therapy
From our friends at AT, here's a great round-up of ordinary finds that can be transformed into ideal organization solutions. I love all of the ideas, but my favorite has to be a vintage toolbox. I'm on the lookout for one to use as a cosmetic arsenal. ;)

Rush Tips: The Dos and Don'ts of Sorority Recruitment | College Fashion
I'm not a sister myself, but there's a lot of great information packed into this post for you college gals who are going Greek this fall.

Online Minimalism | More Magic Always
I will admit that I'm guilty of excessive internet use---hello! I'm a blogger. Buuut, I really need to show some restraint when it comes to social networking, bookmarking, and subscribing to too many blogs and RSS feeds.

22 Incredible Photos of Faraway Places | BB-Blog
Words can't describe these amazing photos. You just have to check them out.

Lick Away: Blackberry Lime Popsicles | Poppytalk
These look delish. Plus, they're good for you. (:

Bad Romance @ ISU

Something pretty cool happened at my campus today. On central campus there is a campanile that chimes every fifteen minutes and occasionally plays actual songs. Today at noon Tin-Shi Tam, Iowa State University carillonneur and associate professor of music and theatre, performed Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" on the campanile's carillon.

1st Week Simple Pleasures

(image via: here.)

The first week of a semester can be so hectic---new profs, new classmates, syllabi to read, additional books and course materials to buy, etc. etc. So it's at times like these that I find it most important to notice and relish in the simple, splendid pleasures of life.

Garage Sales
Saturday I scored a great deal on an antique dresser, pair of vintage dining chairs, and vintage fan all at the same garage sale. Plus, the garage sale host totally perked up when she heard I was a fan of antiques and vintage things. She recommended a fantastic antique store in a town a few miles away that I can't wait to visit.

Rainy Days Downtown
One day last week while my roomie was at work, I headed downtown. It was rainy, but I had a wonderful time wandering solo from store to store. I really enjoyed browsing the amazing antique store located downtown.

My Roommate
I'm so very lucky to be sharing an apartment with my roommate---we're a perfect match. We have many differences: she's a graduate student, I'm an undergrad; she's from China, I'm born-and-raised Iowan; she's going for her master's in journalism, I'm pursuing my bachelor's in elementary education. We have many similarities, too, when it comes to taste in movies, magazines, books, and fashion. We also have very similar personalities. I'm having so much fun getting to know her and I'm sure we're going to be great roommates as well as great friends.

The Campus
Iowa State truly has one of the most beautiful campuses. And despite the flooding that occurred a couple weeks ago, it is as beautiful as ever with its stately buildings, rolling green grass, and lush trees. As I hurry from class to class and bus stop to bus stop, I remind myself to take a moment and take in how lovely my surroundings really are.

My Kindle
I love my Kindle. I carry it everywhere. I read while I'm waiting, while I'm walking, while I'm riding the bus. I'm currently engrossed in Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind"... something I've always wanted to read and that I'm very pleased with so far.

Living in an Apartment
I love apartment living vs. the dorms. I really enjoy having my own bathroom and kitchen. I love being able to bake---I made lemon bars the other night! I like coming home and plopping down on the couch in the living room and turning on the tv just like I would at home. I love my bedroom---it's very lovely so far! (I'm still working on getting photos---I'm having camera difficulties. :S) And I really love that if you exit through our back sliding glass doors we have a little patio. The sun shines there in the afternoon and it is thee perfect place to read Marie Claire, Cosmo, and Real Simple. Plus, I have a nice big bed vs. the skinny little twin bed that dorms provide. I loooove my bed!

School Night Dates
Because of conflicting schedules, heavy homework, and work shifts... my bf and I don't get a lot of "us" time right away this semester. Normally, we'd hang on the weekends, but weekends are looking to be quite busy this month, too, with work and weddings and such. So it was super wonderful to go out on date with him Thursday night. We walked to a nearby Mexican restaurant, ate, talked, walked back to my place, and got to relax with each other for a while. I appreciated that time together so much. :)

Cafes au Lait
Half steamed milk and half coffee... need I say more? These are what get me through my morning classes. And I have morning class every day. :/ Ha. It's worth it though since I get done early in the afternoon. (...I'll just keep telling myself that despite how hard it is to get out of my amazingly comfy bed some mornings.)

Eat Pray Love

Last Saturday, my roomie and I ventured off to the cinema to see Eat Pray Love. Both of us really, really enjoyed it. I mean, we enjoyed it more than I can really find the words to say. We were both so moved and amazed---it inspired such a great conversation on the drive home and when we sat down in our apartment. Here are the top 10 reasons I enjoyed Eat Pray Love:

1. James Franco. To be utterly honest, I must admit that James Franco is pretty much the sole purpose I went to this movie. I know nothing about the book. I know nothing about the author. I really knew nothing about the movie except that Mr. Franco was in it. I openly confess that James Franco makes me swoon. And swoon is exactly what I did as soon as he appeared on screen. I covet Julia Roberts for her moments in bed with my celebrity crush! :P

2. Italy. I've always been captivated by Italy and a whole fourth of this movie was bursting with everything Italian---the sensual language, awe-inspiring architecture, fascinating history, delicious food, romantic men, and one of my favorite concepts: "the art of doing nothing." How I would sooo love to roam those winding Italian streets and admire everything around me. How I would love to stuff my face with spaghetti and bread day in and out. How I would love to see the Colosseum, Italian vistas, and handsome Italian men. (Though never as handsome as #1, of course!)

3. Beauty and body image. When Liz (Julia Roberts' character) and her friend Sofi are in Naples for pizza, Liz scarfs hers down while Sofi stares longingly at her own. Sofi talks about how she has gained ten pounds and a "muffin top" since she has been in Italy. And Liz replies with some of the wisest words... I could not find the actual quote, but it goes something to the affect of this: *Has a man ever left the room when you've taken your clothes off? Has he ever just taken off as soon as he saw you naked? No, because he's just happy to be in the room with a naked woman.* (I swear I'll find the real quote asap!) But it's the idea that is important. Women can stress so much over five or ten pounds to the point that we don't feel beautiful if we're not under a certain weight. But when it comes down to it, if we love ourselves and love our beauty a man who loves us will love us for that, too.

4. Self indulgence. Not just with the carbs, but one of my favorite parts of the movie is when Liz purchases a beautiful silken nightie at a clothing boutique in Italy. She doesn't buy it to get all "sexed up" for some man in her life. She buys it for herself. She goes back to her little hotel room, puts on the silky number, sits down on the floor with some food and wine, and takes part in the Italian "art of doing nothing." As Americans we tend to go go go and only take a break when someone tells us to. Or some people do the opposite and be lazy all of the time. But this moment emphasizes the importance of taking a break when you need one. I'm personally a big fan of putting on a comfy little nightgown and lounging around my room looking and feeling beautiful but doing absolutely nothing. You should try it sometime. :)

5. Eating and not feeling guilty. This one kind of ties into #'s 3 and 4. In the movie, Liz rediscovers her passion for food and the taste of food after years of just eating to get by. She has a "relationship" with her spaghetti and I absolutely love the scenes where she's just sitting by herself in Italy chowing down on pasta, bread, wine, and desserts. Eating and enjoying food does not make a person fat or unhealthy or whatnot. It's part of tasting every bit of life. You only live once and I'm not going to deprive myself of a plate of carb-loaded pasta just because I'm scared of not being stick-thin.

6. Julia Roberts. This surprised me. I'm normally not a big Julia Roberts fan. I kinda go back and forth with her---she either interests me or annoys me. But in this movie she definitely captivated me. She was so beautiful and so easy to relate to. This movie has turned me into a fan.

7. All of the other characters, their relationships, and their stories. While movie focused on its main character Liz, I loved that it explored the lives and histories of the people she encountered: her friends in Italy, Richard from Texas (who cracked me up, btw!), the young and beautiful Madhu, and, of course, Felipe. I just loved the glimpses into the other character's souls and how they impacted Liz and how she impacted them in return.

8. India and Bali. While Italy was my favorite, I still found the scenery of India and Bali to be incredible. But what was most interesting was how different the three places were. The shock of going from leisurely Italy and chaotic India was jolting. And then Bali had an atmosphere of its own as well.

9. Eat Pray Love was simultaneously an escape and a deep look inward. It was so captivating and engrossing that I felt like I was really there in Italy and India and Bali. At the same time, the emotional struggles for happiness was so easy to connect to and the pursuit of happiness in life was so easy to relate to that I found myself looking into a mirror. I live a completely different life from Liz, but in her I saw myself, my passions, my loves, my heartaches, my struggles, and my moments of feeling lost in life.

10. The movie was moving and inspiring! It's the first movie in a very long time that has touched my heart in this kind of way. I wept a lot during the movie (which isn't unusual for me) but it wasn't for one reason. I cried because I was happy, or because I was touched. Because I understood heartbreak. Because I understood feeling lost. And even because Italy was just that achingly beautiful that I was moved to tears. I definitely want to read the book now. And I'm definitely going to focus more on my life when it comes to eating, praying, loving, enjoying life, and finding my way.

I definitely recommend this movie for a girls' night out or even by yourself! I'm resisting the urge to go see it again and I can't wait for it to come out on dvd. :)

200!

(image via: here.)

Sooo... today I logged on and saw that Lovely Undergrad now has 200+ lovely followers. I just want to let all of you (whether you follow via Blogger, GoogleReader, Facebook, or just stop by on occasion) that I tremendously appreciate your readership and comments. This blog began as a little past-time and has grown into a passion. Please continue to stop by, leave comments, and send any feedback/questions/comments to [email protected]. Thank you soooo much!!

XOXO to you all!

How *not* to look like a Freshman this fall

(image via: here.)

Are you a Freshman stressed out about looking lost, awkward, or barely old enough to be on campus? Here are some quick, easy tips for you:

1. Ditch the high school garb. Nobody cares that you played for the such-and-such high school tennis team or sang for the so-and-so senior high choir. You're in college now and you're all part of one big school. So leave the high school spirit tees behind, or if you must bring them along... use them as sleepwear only.
2. Easy does it on the school spirit. Yes, you're totally psyched about being a college student. Yes, you've scored three free school t-shirts in one day. Yes, everyone else is wearing their university attire, too. But have some restraint and don't wear it all at once or all during the first week. Better yet, save it for the first football game or something.

3. Go to class in style. You may have this idea that college students loaf off to class in sweatpants or even pjs. Please refrain from doing so. It's so much more fun and more attractive to dress totally cute and show off your sense of fashion. Cute clothes can still be comfortable. And don't cover yourself head-to-toe in name brands. Experiment instead.

4. Ditch the map. On the first few days of classes, Freshman either wander aimlessly or have their eyes glued to a huge map as they attempt to maneuver the campus. Cheat this by scoping out the campus beforehand! Orientation and campus tours don't count. You need to print off your schedule and find your class locations and the routes that you'll take to get to those places. Do it shortly before classes so that when classes do begin everything will be fresh in your mind and you won't have to ask for directions or pull out that hefty map.

5. Don't lumber around with a twenty-pound backpack stuffed full of every textbook and a notebook for each on the first two days of class. Chances are, you won't need that load. The first class meetings are usually to discuss course expectations, the syllabus, and needed supplies. There's no sense in lugging that huge psychology book to class if the professor is just going to hand out some forms and send you on your way after only fifteen minutes. Instead, pack lightly with essentials like a notebook and pen to take notes about what you will need to bring to class in coming days.

6. Don't travel in huge groups. You might be feeling insecure and excited about your new group of friends that you met in the dorm. But instead of going everywhere in one big flock, split up and agree to meet each other at places like the dining hall or activity center. Walking to the dining hall in a group of ten or eleven screams Freshman! Walking in groups of two or three... not so much.

7. Embrace independence. I'm not talking about the you-can-stay-up-as-late-as-you-want and fill-your-plate-with-whatever-you-want-to-eat kind of independence. But the independence of being alone gracefully. You can't always be surrounded by your friends. You may have to eat alone in the dining hall, pass time by yourself between classes, etc. Most Freshman tend to go everywhere and do everything in mobs. If you find yourself eating alone in the caf, don't fret or curl up into a little ball of insecurity... keep your head up, smile, and just eat... like the upperclassmen do.

8. Sharpen up your small-talk. Instead of asking people what grade their in, ask what year they are. Don't ask the oh-so-typical questions like "So what major are you?" and "Where did you go to high school?"

9. If you have old friends at college with you, don't cling to them. You'll find yourself creating a safe zone and it will be harder to make new friends because you'll appear to be less approachable. Same thing goes with bf/gf relationships. Sure, you love to go to school with your sweetie. But it'll be better for the both of you if you both branch out and make friends.

10. Don't try too hard. Be yourself and have fun!

Smell Good this Fall

I'm a sucker for Victoria's Secret fragrance products---especially the Secret Garden collection. My favorite is, always has been, and (I'm pretty sure) always will be the Strawberries & Champagne scent... it smells delicious! The whole collection exudes yummy luxury. The only one I'm not crazy about is Love Spell... only because it was all the rage when I was in high school, which made me kind of sick of smelling it on every girl that passed in the hallway. I can still recognize it when a nearby girl is wearing it.

Besides Strawberries & Champagne, I'm a big fan of the Vanilla Lace. I also picked up Secret Charm and Pure Seduction today and can't decide which one I love more!!

I know that many are divided on whether VS fragrant products smell good or are just too strong. I personally like them. They are strong and I keep that in mind---I don't slather myself in it. ;) They all smell delicious, feel great on my skin, and give off some luxury.

Where you do stand? What are your favorite scents from VS?




I also picked up a small body mist of Sexy Little Things Noir today---I love the fragrance, but the perfume is just too strong so I opted for the body mist. It was a good choice. I ♥ it.

Update from the Library

Hello lovelies,

I promise I have not forgotten about you or this blog! I arrived in Ames on Sunday and got all moved in. On Monday I grocery-shopped, organized/decorated my room, and got a tour/orientation of the department store where I'll be working. Later in the evening, I did some hardcore cleaning of the bathroom and kitchen. (It's not that the place was dirty... I just like to clean everything myself when I move into somewhere new.) On Tuesday my roomie and I dodged the rain to hit up Hobby Lobby, Target, and the mall---I got a super-cute dress. :) And Wednesday (yesterday) I was able to see my handsome boyfriend for a bit and help him move some stuff into his apartment. Last night I also worked my first shift. Today I've been on campus: getting a new ID card, purchasing the latest issue of Real Simple, and attempting to find some reliable internet access. (The wireless connections have been screwy lately...)

Sooo... I will have pictures up of my apartment soonly. I still have some minor touches to put on my bedroom and some major touches to put on the living room. (I have a feeling the living room is going to be a challenge.) I will also have posts up as soon as the internet issues in my apartment are worked out. It's super frustrating. :/

I finally found internet access at the library. I'm cozied up in my favorite chair on the fourth floor balcony (hence the photo above). But unfortunately my little netbook is near dying and I left my power cable at the apartment. ::sigh::

Otherwise all is well. I work again Saturday, my bf moves up for good on Sunday, and classes start on Monday. What a whirlwind! I hope that your ends of summer/beginnings of the school year are going splendidly.

Soonly!

(un)Make the bed

(image via: here.)

An unmade bed walks the thin line between messy and romantic. One of my favorite messy but utterly romantic beds is the glimpse of Cecilia and Robbie's bed in the film Atonement.

Here are some other beds that are messy but lovely:

(image via: Matt E L)

(image via: khintonslash)

(image via: cassie lynn)

(image via: lizrary)

What do you think about unmade beds? Is it just too messy looking for you? Or the next time your mom scolds you for an unmade bed, will you insist that you're making a romantic decor statement?

5 Bras Every College Girl Needs | Guest Post!

Treacle is a 25 year old knickers junkie who started writing because her friends threatened to tape her mouth shut if she didn’t stop talking about her underwear. She welcomes lingerie lovers of every nation and persuasion to her blog, The Lingerie Addict.
 

No matter your age, bras are a necessary part of every woman’s wardrobe. Simply put, your clothes won’t look their best without the right undergarments. But there’s not really enough space in a dorm room for a designer lingerie wardrobe, and I probably don’t have to tell you that the life of a busy undergrad is a bit different from everyone else’s. So, with that in mind, what are the 5 essential bras that every fashionable college girl must have? Here’s exactly you need, direct from The Lingerie Addict!
 

1)      Sports Bra—Why start off with the sports bra? Because staying fit and healthy is one of the most important things you do while in college. Exercising does more than help you avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15,” it sets good lifelong habits  Just make sure to buy the right size and the right level of support. Few things are more uncomfortable than working out in an ill-fitting sports bra. 
 

2)      T-shirt Bra—Also known as a contour bra, this is the definitive all-purpose undergarment. It goes with most everything, and the molded cups give you a smooth, seamless silhouette without adding bulk.  I also recommend a t-shirt bra if one of your breasts is slightly larger than the other; because the cups keep their shape (even when empty), they’re perfect for equalizing any disparities.
 

3)      Convertible Bra — Backless, strapless, one-shouldered, halterneck, or racerback…a convertible bra can handle it all. This is the bra for your hottest, sexiest, and most daring clothing…especially if you’re not the kind of girl who can’t go braless on a whim. To maximize your options, look for a combo t-shirt bra and convertible bra while shopping.
 

4)      Push-up or Minimizer Bra—It goes without saying that the one you purchase will depend on your bust size, but every woman needs the option to have a little more (or a little less) when she so chooses. A push-up bra will give you that extra va-va-voom for special occasions, while the minimizer bra will “tone things down”…sometimes by as much as 2 inches!
 

5)    Soft Bra—Also known as a “sleep bra,” soft bras should be an option no matter the time of day. A soft bra gives you the support you need, but gently, without a lot of wires or hooks or padding. They’re ideal for casual days, when you want to lounge around and read a book, but still feel “appropriate.”
 

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, I hope this brief guide helps you find the lingerie that’s right for you. If you have any questions, or would like some specific recommendations, please feel free to contact me anytime via e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook. Happy shopping!

Thanks soooo much, Treacle! xoxo!

Lonny Aug/Sep 2010, Part 1

Rachel Ashwell's shabby chic decor:



Cath Kidston's pretty florals:


Sarah Winslow's elegant apartment:

And Ben Brougham's eclectic collections:



Those were my favorites in the August/September 2010 issue of Lonny, a beautiful online decor magazine. Click here to view Lonny.

A+ Dorm Make-Over

I am head-over-heels for this dorm room make-over that I came across. It's definitely one of the most creative, most colorful, and most lovely dorms I've ever seen. The color palette is a refreshing mix of pale yellow, warm beige, and eye-popping reddish coral. It blends patterns and textures in an effortless fashion. And the vintage accents make it utterly irresistible to me.

So here (above) is the dorm before. It's your typical dorm room. Cold tile floors. Cinder-block walls reminiscent of a prison cell. Harsh lighting. Bland furniture. ...But try to imagine it as a blank canvas.

I have a thing for birdcages... so this little art/photo display is right up my alley. By attaching photographs and postcards with clothes pins, they're easy to take down and replace.

The desk space is fantastic because it is organized, functional, and still inspiring. Decorative touches are given the upper shelf while necessary items like textbooks and school supplies are given the main drag of the desk so that they're within easy reach.

The headboards are my absolute favorite! These headboards were diy'ed with burlap sacks. It's beautiful, vintage, and eco-conscious. One of the headboards runs length wise while the other...

...is positioned at the top of the bed. I'm also swooning over the bed-dressings. The variety of quilted texture, floral patterns, and pretty colors is really lovely.

This dorm room exudes character, colorful taste, and vintage charms. The best part about it is that it is all cosmetic. The only furniture brought in was a different desk chair. Otherwise, everything already provided in the dorm was played upon. This room really shows how much you can do with bedding, a good rug, some inspiration, and a lot of creativity.

Needless to say, I'm in love with the space. ;)

All photos in this post are from MyHomeIdeas.com. There are more photos of this dorm there (19 in all!) so go check it out.

Move-In Day

Hey, Lovelies!

I'm currently on my way to back to college. From what I can gather, Ames is in better condition than it was a few days ago. Roads are no longer under water. People are allowed to shower, flush the john, and do laundry. Campus activities and move-in dates are all still on schedule. The only drawback is that the city is still under the boil ordinance---no water can be used to drink, cook, wash dishes, or brush your teeth unless it has been boiled for five minutes. But other than that, move-in is a go. I'm excited to start decorating my new place. I'll have pictures up soonly! (Tonight or tomorrow.) :)

Have a lovely Sunday.

Multi-Tasking Room Inspiration

Sherry of Young House Love has smartly designed an office/guest-room/play-room. I wanted to share it hear on Lovely Undergrad because as college students, our dorms and apartments also need to be multi-functioning spaces. A dorm room has to serve as a place to sleep, study, eat, relax, and hang out. And small apartments (such as efficiencies) often fall into the same category.

The bed in the room is a pull-out sofa bed. If I could have had one of these in my dorm last fall, I definitely would have. Forget the old legend that sofa beds are notoriously uncomfortable. Today's sofa beds combine function, aesthetic appeal, and comfort. As a sofa, you have a nice place to curl up and study or for friends to gather on weekend nights. As a bed, you have an plush headboard. Sofa beds make it possible to transform your dorm or efficiency apartment from living room to bedroom in a matter of minutes.

The desk in this multi-tasking space is kept clean and clutter-free by collecting notebooks, paper, and even the laptop in an organization box.

A long enough desk can easily make space for two people to study. Colorful postcards make a simple yet fun wall display. And additional storage is tucked underneath the desk.

Here's the room as a play-room for children. Since most of us college students don't need a "play-room," imagine this as the opportunity for your hang out space. The bed disappears into the sofa, freeing up lots of floor space. A plush rug offers a soft landing pad. Storage ottomans can keep track of dvds, books, etc.

And a bookcase holds books, framed photos, and decor accessories.


All photos in this post are from Young House Love.