Reading Round-Up | November Edition

 (image via: here.)

Sticks and Stones: What to Say/What NOT to Say to Your Partner | Yes and Yes

This guest-post from the Naked Redhead highlights five of the best things you can say to your significant other, and five harmful things.  It's so true.  Did you know that you should say, "I like your face."?  :)

Kick-Asserole; f**k your 'freshman fifteen' | Average College Guy

I love when I come across good college blogs by college guys.  I guess it's interesting to see what's going inside the college guy head.  Well, after reading this post... I definitely have more insight into what's going on in the college guy stomach!  

British vs. American Style: Observations from a British Girl Abroad | College Fashion

Charlotte, a Brit girl studying in my neighbor-state Minnesota, wrote a fabulous post comparing the basic components of British and American college fashion.  This is really one of my favorite posts to date---I found it soo interesting to hear what a British gal thinks of us American college gals' blue jeans and hoodies. :)

Collection: Inspired by 'The Dreamers' | Design is Mine

'The Dreamers' is one of my favorite movies.  I love the music, the French setting, the interiors, the old movie clips, the gorgeous gorgeous (achingly!) gorgeous actors... so I was pleased with this collection.

Too Funny-Tips on How to Become a Style Star Blogger | Sweetie Pie Style

I don't really consider myself a "style blogger."  I mean, I throw some fashion into the mix... but I'm basically a college lifestyle kinda blogger... or even mainly decor.  But for you fashionistas out there (I know you're there) this too cute, too funny chart will help you out with your blogging expeditions... or at least give you a few laughs. 

Top 10 Best College Themed Party Ideas | College Fashion

Who doesn't love a good themed party? My two favorites in this post are the masquerade and toga---but let me know which ones are your faves!

How to Choose a Bottle of Wine | Hello Beautiful

I've just recently discovered how yummy wine is!  But being a wine-newb, I'm always on the lookout for some advice.  This post is short, sweet, and to-the-point when it comes to selecting your wine.

To Blog or Not to Blog? | College Candy

Charlsie weighs in on the dilemma our generation faces: balancing too much of an online presence with too little of one.  Some employers are turned off by any online presence.  Others pass you up if they don't find anything when they google you.  So what's a twenty-something blogger to do?

New Look!

Hey! In case you subscribe via an rss feed or reader, Lovely Undergrad has a new look!  I was going to wait until January 1st, 2011 to release the makeover... but I just couldn't!  All the navigation and menu items are the same.  The big change occurred with the header and background.  The busy, colorful (almost wild!) background is gone and replaced with a nice charcoal gray... though the pattern still exists more subtly in the header.  I hope you like it!  I think it is overall cleaner, simpler, and more elegant.  I sometimes felt like the busy background took away from some of the photos posted.

Anyway... let me know if it looks funny on your computer or anything! xoxo.

Eclectic Color + Pattern

 

This apartment is a perfect example of how to incorporate lots of color, lots of pattern, and lots of unexpected details without causing mass chaos.  The living room is both energetic and cozy, eclectic yet pulled together.  A  basic white sofa is accented with pillows boasting different patterns.  A very unique sideboard makes a bold statement, while a glass coffee table visually lightens up the space.  And oh! Can you spy one of my favorite design trends?  If you guessed books stored in the fireplace, you are correct! 

 

Spruce up your space with some greenery.  Plants will not only add life to your dreary space, but also keep the air nice and fresh.  For added surface space beyond what your coffee table offers, pick up a vintage suitcase from an antique store and slide it underneath.  And that gorgeous pair of shoes that you dropped a whole paycheck on but rarely get to wear?  Use one as a decor accessory!

 

 The warm yellows, reds, and browns cozy up this otherwise creamy space.  Two completely different patterned pillows that share the same color scheme can end up being soul mates. 

 

The vintage trend isn't going away.  Hit up the local thrift or antique shop for unique accessories to dress up your dresser top.  Especially keep an eye out for industrial lamps, colored glass, silver trays, and old photographs.  

For more photos and info on this colorful home, visit the original post on Freshome.

Black & Blue & Pink All Over

Black & Blue & Pink All Over by LovelyUndergrad

The above Polyvore set is my entry for the Victoria's Secret "I Only Sleep in PINK Holiday Challenge."  The first place winner gets a $500 shopping spree plus a feature on VSPINK.com and the PINK Facebook page.  Two runners up get $250 sprees and the same features.  Head over to Polyvore now to check out the contest, rules, and entries. 

A Hair-Raising Story

 (above: new hair, second hair cut of the day)

I got my haircut twice today.  I was in a styling chair from about 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  Click through for the full, hair-raising story...

Thanksgiving Break

How was your Thanksgiving Break?  These are some of my highlights:

*Arrived home Sunday afternoon.  Got lots of kisses from my doggie.  Went to evening church service with the bf.  And then ate his mom's homemade pizza at his house.

*Met up with two of my hometown girlfriends on Monday.  We gorged ourselves on quesadilla, rice, chips, and salsa.  It was so nice to catch up with them and hear about what's going on in their lives!  

*On Tuesday the bf took me out on a date.  Since our favorite bbq joint was close, I got to have Mexican two days in a row. ;)  Again, extreme fullness ensued.  Then we watched the 'Dancing with the Stars' season finale and chilled with my fam.

*Wednesday night was girls' night with my lovely cousins!  We met up at Grandma's house, snacked on starbursts and twizzers, ate Grandma's sloppy joes, and watched 'Julie & Julia.'  

*Thursday was Thanksgiving, of course!  And I had two!  First was my family Thanksgiving at my Grandma's.  Then the bf and I headed to his family get-together thirty minutes away.  We listened to hip-hop on the way there---singing/rapping along the whole way.  After stuffing ourselves to the point of misery, we headed back to his place and promptly fell asleep on the couch.

*I slept in Friday.  No shopping chaos for me!  I did make two purchases, though.  #1: a pair of black ugg boots that will keep my feet nice and toasty while trudging around campus this winter. And #2: a Tom Brady jersey, even though I'm still longing for him to get a haircut. 

*Today I woke up, finished laundry, and got packed up to head back to school.  Silly me, I left my rear hatch up on my vehicle. It drained the battery and when it came time for me to leave, Dad had to jumpstart me. :/  But the ride was pleasant.  Got my hair cut twice (long story---explanatory post to follow).  And headed back to my apartment to cook a yummy dinner of alfredo and French bread.  Now I'm just winding down and procrastinating unpacking.

Rue | Issue 2

 I really want a mannequin like the one in this space.  

 I love the shadowy hues in this black room.

 This just looks like a whole lotta fun!

 Pink and yellow are a charming pair.

 Bold + eclectic = decorgasm. ;)

These golden leaves remind me of King Midas' story.

Just wanted to share my favorite spreads from the latest (2nd) issue of Rue magazine.
Check out the entire issue here.

Ultimate in Girly Chic

 

For me, this achingly pretty Swedish apartment calls to mind the long-ago days of playing with Barbies.  For me, Barbie wasn't just about fashion.  She was about interior design, too.  I never began a doll-playing session without first setting up my dolls' living space.  Crisp whites, clear acrylics, flirty pink, and cool turquoise abounded.  This 51-square meter apartment brings back those girly childhood memories.  And I would loooove to inhabit this feminine space.

 

To mimic this crib's easy-breezy feminine style, first embrace the white in your apartment or dorm.  Then accent it with lucite, acrylic, or glass furniture and accessories.  Add color (preferably a delicious pink and opulent turquoise) through pillows, blankets, flowers, and minor accessories.  The key is to avoid fluff, frills, or fuss.  This is feminine, luxurious minimalism at its best.  Focus on subtle prints, soft texture, and clean lines.  Avoid baroque details, heavy furniture, and dramatic pattern.

 

A common theme in decor (and an important rule for college students to remember) is "Less is More."  Don't have a side table for your magazines?  Well, you reeeeally don't need one.  What you do need is a comfy chair to sit in and a good light to illuminate the glossy pages of the latest issue.  Just be sure to keep the magazines in a neat stack for an carefree but elegant effect.

 

And now for my favorite part of this apartment: the bed.  It's so simple, so clean, and so fresh.  The white bedding blends right into the white walls, but the cool accents of pale blue and lime green brighten the space up.  It's such a tranquil bed---and that's important with all the chaos that goes on in life.  And really... what's more glamorous than Warhol's gorgeous Monroe hanging as a statement piece?  

To explore more of this minimal, feminine apartment... check out the original post at Freshome.

 Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies!

3 Perfect Girls' Nights In

Eat Pray Love comes out on dvd today!  This movie always makes me crave several things: Italian food (namely pizza and spaghetti), wine, a trip to Rome, and James Franco.  So whip up some delicious pasta, toast some garlic bread, and pour some wine while you and your girlfriend(s) enjoy "il dolce far niente" together. 

 

Feeling more extravagant?  Get your hands on any and all desserts.  Cupcakes, strawberries, raspberries, cheesecake. (Bonus points if you score some macaroons!)  With the champagne flowing, drool over Count Axel von Fersen in Sophia Copolla's decadant film Marie Antoinette.  And your girlfriends... let them eat cake!

Since Sex and the City 2 just recently came out on dvd, now's the perfect time for a double chick flick night.  Experiment in making the perfect martinis.  Load up on fingerfoods.  And have the latest issue of Cosmo nearby for the naughty girltalk that is sure to ensue. 

Jessica Gaga?

 

So whatdya think?  I've gone Gaga---platinum blonde hair, five-pound bangs, and all.

Actually... I just gave myself a makeover with Taaz, which is super fun & addicting.

Brazilian Avant-garde

 

This is one-of-a-kind apartment in Brazil was originally a painting studio.  Unfortunately, college dorms and apartments are far from anything like a big, wide-open loft.  But there's a lot of inspiration to be found in this raw, eclectic space.  What first caught my eye was the couch---or lack of one.  Instead of a traditional sofa, there are two big mattress cushions piled high with 20 (that's what I counted!) pillows that serve as an ingenious and uber-comfy place to hang out, nap, etc.  Low profile furniture gives a room more head space, so it seems larger.  Granted, this loft is lofty to begin with.  But a similar low profile arrangement in your dorm or apartment will give the illusion of higher ceilings. 

 I love unexpected mixes in decor.  Concrete walls contrast with the furry rug.  A fancy chandelier contrasts with the sleek modern lines of the table.  The fur and chandelier warm up what would otherwise be stark and cold. I also like the framed art display and the skull resting on two vibrant pink books.

The masculinity of this bedroom is both classy and simple yet sexy.  Black and gray are such a classic pair that work anywhere.  The nightstand vignette mixing aged gold and the shiny of modern steel is handsome. 

 College students, and people in general, tend to fill bookcases up.  Bookcases serve as an opportunity to store books and showcase accessories.  It is an impulsive to just keep piling stuff on the bookcase.  But this photo shows how a little restraint can lead to a big impact.  Less really is more.  Stack your books horizontally and leave the bookcase mostly empty.  It'll end up looking more like art than a catchall.  

For more pictures of this unique Brazilian apartment, check out the original post at the Freshome website. 

Decorgasm

decor-gasm: n. A reaction to a style of decor so profound that it is more than mere appreciation and approaches a point of carnality comparable to orgasm. May also be specifically applied to this reaction to Art Deco decor, making deco-rgasm.  (Thank you, Urban Dictionary.)

"The clean lines and subtle shading of that mural are so aesthetically exciting I nearly had a decorgasm!"

"Decorgasm" is my new favorite word.  And here on the blog, it's going to be a regular feature.  Sometimes I come across rooms that are just soooo gorgeous that I want to share them simply so that you can swoon, too.  And I've already openly admitted that I have a severe furniture fetish.  I'm so glad I finally have a term for my passionate reaction to beautiful decor and furniture!

Dear Tom Brady,

Dear Tom Brady,

I'm super glad that you and the Pats won again today!  But puh-leeeease get a haircut.  I'm not feeling the Bieber Fever do.  : /  Go back to being mancandy soonly!

Love always,
Jessica ♥

No-Shave-November

(image via: here.)

It's that time of year again.  And ladies, I want to hear what you have to say about No Shave November.  Haven't heard of it?  Haven't you noticed the sudden abundance of young bearded men on your campus?  Where have all the clean-shaven lads gone?  Well, during this fall month men everywhere pledge to not shave for an entire month.  They often shave one last time near the end of October and don't do it again until December.  The mission: grow a beard. 

Now---don't get me wrong.  A little facial hair can be a good thing.  Two fine examples:

(images via: here and here.)

But when it gets this far... 

I'm out.  (image via: here.)

And personally, I'm a fan of the clean-shaven or just-a-lil-scruffy look.  Five o'clock shadows make me swoon.  But what about you?  Do you fawn over furry faces?  Or are you already longing for December?

Beards: yay or nay?  (image via: here.)

Thanksgiving Threads

If your Thanksgiving happens to be an elegant affair, forgo the go-to LBD and indulge in rich jewel tones instead.  Don't be afraid to pair unexpected hues like a deep merlot dress with dark turquoise pumps.  Instead of flat black tights, opt for patterned black for extra texture and interest.  Accent your attire with a little sparkle in all the right places: perhaps a sequined shrug to cover up bare shoulders, a silky gold clutch to hold touch-up cosmetics, and an ornate statement ring as your sole piece of jewelry.  You'll be the belle of the Thanksgiving ball.

Perhaps you're itching to hit up the bar scene with friends you haven't seen all semester.  Lots of bars host "night before Thanksgiving" bar crawls, so call up your estranged gal pals and get grooving on the dancefloor.  Black+Navy is a gorgeous color match.  Start with a sequin-embellished top and dark, flattering skinny jeans.  Throw on a cropped blazer to keep warm and some hot little booties to amp up your booty.  Complete the look with faux-sapphire studs and a simple black leather wristlet.  The club can't even handle you now.

If the turkey-time bar crawls aren't for you, Thanksgiving Break is a perfect opportunity to meet up with old friends at a coffee house and share how your semesters have been going.  Catch up on the latest gossip, find out who's dating who, and argue over whose professor is thee worst.  Keep it cute and simple with lightwash skinny jeans, a tank, flats, and a soft, embellished cardigan.  Pair contrasting colors like pink and green for a bold statement.  And top it all off with adorable bow earrings and a fabulous purse.

The big family dinner is perhaps the best part about Thanksgiving.  Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and on and on and on.  Comfort is key at this Thanksgiving highlight.  Jeans are just too constricting for this kind of food marathon.  Wear an uber-comfy sweater dress with basic black leggings because with an expandable waistline, you'll be able to stuff your face some more.  And when the tryptophan kicks in, you'll be ready to lounge... or take a turkey-induced nap.

We can't talk about Thanksgiving without mentioning the great American sport of football, can we?  Whether everyone gathers around the tv or piles out into the backyard for a game of your own, football is tradition.  If you have any inclination of wanting to show off your mad quarterback skills or get squished on the the couch by your fanatic uncles and cousins, dress appropriately.  Worn-in bootcut blue jeans are ideal.  Layer a bright-colored tank under a comfy sweatshirt.  Lace up your chucks.  And put on a scarf so that grandma doesn't have to yell at you for nearly catching your death of a cold.  If you're showing your football spirit because of a boyfriend or crush, forget the floral perfume and spritz on some pumpkin-spice-scented body spray instead.  Studies show (and Cosmo says) that the smell of pumpkin pie is a big turn-on for men.  Who knew?!