Outfit: Sweater Dress + Earmuffs.

Photos by Ionela Petriu

sweater dress: Charlotte Russe

 belts: Rue 21 

faux leather jacket: New Yorker 

bag: New York and Co. 

ear puffs: Icing by Claire's 

scarf, boots, headband, leggings: thrifted

I've never been incredibly creative with my winter attire, usually sticking to a sweater, jeans and a jacket. This year, however, I've been trying to mix it up and go easy on the jeans. Leggings have been my go-to's for a while now, but I don't want to be stuck in that rut either. My goal is to have a healthy mix of jeans, leggings, other types of pants, and of course, skirts. For this outfit, I just wanted something comfortable and cute that I could wear and not freeze to death in (this is a difficult goal for me. I get cold incredibly easy). The sweater dress is something I have owned for a while, but never worn. I like the color, the big star on it, the texture, but I was never a fan of the silhouette of it. Now, let's just say the power of belts never ceases to amaze me.

Another thing I have been trying to do is incorporate more bright colors into my outfits. I've never been a daredevil when it comes to color (well... okay, at some point in time I looked like the 80's vomited all over me, but I'd like to forget that), so I've been trying to slowly, but surely integrate color into my outfits. For those of you who are more on the shy side, accessories are definitely the way to work that pop of color, especially bags! New York and Co. has some great ones, and TJ Maxx always brings in beautifully colored Steve Madden bags. They're a bit more expensive for my budget (most are about $40), but that's just because I'm a poor college student. I'm sure many middle class American women would not feel as bad as I would after purchasing one of those bags.

Thank you for reading my various rants about clothing!

Thank you for stopping by! :)

Outfit: Neon Peplum + Boyfriend Jeans.

Photos by Alexandra Hehlen

peplum shirt, boots, earrings: Charlotte Russe 

boyfriend jeans: Aeropostale 

scarf: Romania 

binoculars, bag: garage sale

There's no real story or inspiration or message I'm trying to convey behind this post. I just felt childish and colorful and playful and in a stalking mood, hence the binoculars. I'm pretty sure people would argue that the binocular pictures represent me best. I'm a very....intense person, let us say, when it comes to my passions and obsessions. Everyone and their mother is aware of my Gerard Butler and Anderson Cooper fetish, for example. It's gotten to the point where my boyfriend sends me a picture of the TV every time Anderson

Cooper is on. To be clear, I never actually plan on stalking the guy(s)-- ya know, just casually being in the same city as them, in the same hotel, on the same floor will suffice. Kidding.
I'm not sure how my outfit post turned into a rant about Gerard and Anderson, but hey! Now you have a little more insight into my life...or something.

And now, I leave you with a Gerard Butler fun fact! He's dating a Romanian supermodel whose name is Madalina (which is my full name as well)! So, I know for a fact he likes Romanian Madalinas. So much hope! Now I just need to get the supermodel part down.... yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahno.
Okay, now my rant is completely over, I promise!

Thank you for stopping by :)

Outfit: Printed Pants + Sleeveless Peplum.

Photos by Alexandra Hehlen

headband, necklaces: Icing by Claire's

printed pants: incredibly cheap Romanian store

strapless peplum shirt, high heels: Charlotte Russe

bag, ring: unknown

At some point during my senior year in high school, I decided it was time to experiment with trends, and ended up wearing this pair of printed pants to school. I really liked/still like them, especially the fact that they're skinny, but I still felt self-conscious wearing them among a mass of Hollister-clad individuals. 

Naturally, I didn't show my uncomfortable-ness because I usually just work my clothes as best as I possibly can, even when I don't feel good in them. 

Long story short, I was really into these pants....until some-- uhm---poorly fashion-educated prick decided to comment on them: "Nice PJ's". It didn't help that it was said in a snotty manner. Well, thank you, Mr. Oversized Hoodie and Unwashed Jeans, I'm definitely going to go cry myself to sleep for that one...

While I didn't exactly cry myself to sleep, it did take me a while to work up the courage to wear these pants again, and my newfound obsession for peplum was the perfect excuse to do so!

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, a perfectly festive, perfectly comfortable (assuming you do well with 5-inch heels) New Year's Eve look. And, if you bring a worn out shirt, you can even quickly change into a sleep-appropriate outfit! Thank you, boy in high school, for pointing out the versatility of my favorite printed pants!

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Outfit: Sequin Tee + Fitted Blazer.

Photo by Ionela Petriu
jeans: Aeropostale
boots: random Romanian boutique
everything else: thrifted

On Saturday, I did what any normal, sane person would avoid doing: I went shopping on the weekend leading up to Christmas. Now don't be fooled by my lack of bags. I assure you I did not walk out of that place with only one bag. I do this thing where I stuff a bag within a bag within a bag so my daddy doesn't go on his "bla bla bla wasting money bla bla bla that is all you women are good for" rants, because seriously, I'm a good shopper. I don't really think that paying $5 for a pair of pants is wasting money, given the fact that some people I know pay $30 for an Abercrombie and Fitch shirt and act like it was the best find ever. 

Anyway, I'll save the shopping rant for a different time. I just want to say that going shopping this weekend was a very scarring experience. I'm usually a pretty in-your-face, touchy-feely person, but the amount of claustrophobia that I experienced during that trip was ridiculous. The mall resembled a jungle, and the concept of survival of the fittest definitely came to mind. If you can survive the hour-long lines, the people rubbing against you, and the suffocating atmosphere, then you're golden. Some good did come out of it. I purchased some beautifully chic and cheap items that will be featured at some point this winter break in a haul post. 

Until then, I leave you with my comfy shopping outfit- a simple jeans-boots combination, accessorized with a striped blazer and scarf, and showing some holiday cheer with the help of a festive headband and sequin-y shirt :)

Happy Holidays, folks :)

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Outfit: Red Boots + Animal Print.

Photo by Ionela Petriu
headband and scarf: unknown/most likely thrifted
bag: Red by Marc Ecko
sweater:  Buffalo Exchange
jeans: OP (from Walmart)
boots: Charlotte Russe
jacket: Rue 21

Well, it's definitely been a while since I've come around these parts of the internet, and I'm beyond glad to be back! These past few weeks have been incredibly stressful, with finals, and the thought of having to go back home for an entire month, and just a whole bunch of stuff, including a lack of motivation to dress as I normally would. Sadly, I can now say I am a college student. I have entered the sweatshirt/pajama pants/sweatpants community. I promise I still try to make it look fashionable, but it has definitely been a bit scary for me. No matter though! I am now back, and, with a month-long winter break ahead of me, you are definitely going to be seeing a lot more of this girl around the blogosphere :)

Today was my second day back, and I went shopping with my parents. The outcome was severely disappointing, as I only purchased one item (sequin skirt for about $5 at Wet Seal...I'd call it a good deal, yes), but there's bound to be more shopping trips throughout the month, so I'm not too worried.

Meanwhile, I leave you with my first winter outfit in ages! I purchased this faux fur leopard print jacket last year for about $10 at Rue 21, and it has always seemed a bit too daring for my taste. Today, however, I took a chance and decided to keep everything else relatively neutral. I still wanted a pop of color, present here in the form of my newly purchased Charlotte Russe cowboy booties (Cyber Monday steal!!!). Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way this look turned out. It was comfy and cozy and great for the cold weather without being too puffy.

Stay tuned! There will definitely be more to come soon :)

Thank you for stopping by!

Lifestyle: Freshman Year Advice.

Though this is not in any sense going to be a fashionable post, I do suggest you read up on all of the college expertise I have acquired within the past few months. Just kidding about the expertise part, but I do have some decent advice about surviving college and all that jazz :):

1. First off, work out. Most, if not all schools have free gym benefits for full time students, and relatively cheap ones for part timers. If simply hitting the treadmill or weights won't work for you, there's always fun classes like Zumba, yoga, and body blast! The Freshmen 15 aren't just a myth and you are bound to get closer to them if you don't have incorporate some sort of physical activity into your lifestyle. Plus, you indirectly pay for that stuff, so might as well use it! 
2. Secondly, learn to say no. This doesn't necessarily pertain to drinking, drugs, or sex, but all peer pressure activities. Think about it! In high school we all enjoyed having our little car and being what we deemed as 'independent'. Well, true independence comes from learning how to be your own person and not doing things just because everyone's doing it. I'm not saying any of these things are bad things to try, but it should be your decision, and you should have legitimate reasons. Curiosity is a good enough reason as long as it is purely your curiosity and not other people's beliefs shoved down your throat.
3. Thirdly, enjoy your own company. This is depressingly underrated in college, but it's okay to feel a bit overwhelmed with the social scene and just step back sometimes. This entire experience should be about figuring out who YOU are and what's a better way to do that than simply spending time in your own head? Reading a book, watching a movie, lounging around, working out, going for a walk in your beautiful campus are all such pleasant and relaxing activities! At some point in time everybody needs a break from the world! Plus, who cares that you chose to spend one Saturday night in your dorm instead of going out with friends? You have 4 entire years of this, and it's so much more exciting when going out doesn't become a routine!
4. Fourthly, try not to study in the dorms. Now, the thing about the dorms is that it's really easy to get distracted. Someone stops by to say hi and you end up wasting all this precious time you could be using to get things done, and then you stress out, and then you go on Facebook and bitch about how much of a procrastinator you are, which leads to more procrastination and so on and so forth. College libraries are pretty nice places to spend your time in, and if you manage it wisely, there's plenty of time left for the social scene. Do your work in libraries, computer labs, and even if the outdoors if the weather permits, but use the dorms as a space for sleeping and socializing more than anything. The library is such a nice resource and it would be a pity to not take full advantage of it. 
5. Completely contrasting one of my main points, but be a 'yes' man. Here's the catch. You should learn how to say no for situations in which you truly have no interest in doing whatever people are trying to get you to do. Now, if your reasons for not wanting to go a certain place or try a certain thing is strictly the fear of the unknown, don't just write it off based on that fear! College is the perfect time to come out of your shell and try some new things! Honestly, you're only young once, and if you stay locked up your entire life you're bound to regret it later on. Live a little, but within reason :).

These are my main pieces of advice for the everyday college student. I hope they somehow provided you with a new outlook on life and you've discovered yourself while reading these lines or something enlightening like that. Remember, work hard, have fun, and stay relatively stylish! Step away from the frumpy sweatpants/frumpy sweatshirt duo! (Though that is a bit hypocritical of me to say, as I just came back from my lab wearing that exact combination- in my defense, the sweater was sequiny and the sweatpants were skinny). 

I hope you enjoyed this post, and most importantly, I hope you're enjoying your time in college :)

Thank you for stopping by!

Outfit: Oversized Blazer + Printed Shorts.

Photos by Amanda Cantrell
necklace: Icing by Claire's
 top: Charlotte Russe
shorts: Wet Seal
shoes: Plato's Closet
jacket/blazer: Forever 21

Though I don't think I live in the most fascinating of places, one thing I do appreciate about Southern New Mexico is getting to wear shorts and spaghetti straps in November, when everyone I know back North is bundling up in 3 layers of sweaters and scarves. Sadly, it's beginning to feel like fall here as well, but here is my last true summer outfit before the season of slouch begins.

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Outfit: Peter Pan Collar + Fancy Pants.

Photos by Amanda Cantrell

blouse: Charlotte Russe

shoes: Christian Siriano for Payless

pants: thrifted

 pearls: stolen from mother's collection

Ever since I entered college, sleep hasn't really been on my top priorities list. It does sound cliche, but it really has nothing to do with the "Social Life, Sleep, Grades: Pick two" stereotype. My take on it is that you can have all three. I mean, you can socialize in class, while you work on getting good grades, and then sleep when you have to, right? Anyway, getting to my point. Well, I haven't exactly been getting the amounts of sleep that I need simply because I waste my time like none other. I get my homework done, get all excited because there's time to sleep, then somehow end up socializing with people until ridiculously late hours.

This behavior does have its positive outcomes, though. I've developed a habit of trying to dress extra nice every time I'm about to: a. fall asleep in class, or b. fail an important exam. I guess I feel much more motivated to stay awake and get through the day when I get a bunch of compliments. I usually wear really bright colors during such times. There's something about the energy that comes along with wearing hot pink...
This was my outfit yesterday, when I was extremely tired/sad/angry and everything in between! I tried something slightly business-y and formal, but still fun :)

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Outfit: Utility Jacket + Mustard Tights.

Photos by Amanda Cantrell
jacket: Charlotte Russe
booties: Madden Girl (purchased at Ross)
 tights: Charlotte Russe
skirt: Forever 21
 fringe shirt: Rue 21
 ring: thrifted
 bag: thrifted

Just a quick outfit post showcasing my new-ish Madden Girl fall booties and Charlotte Russe jacket. I felt really inspired by the colors of fall. After all, it is October.

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Outfit: Greek Maxi + Statement Necklace.

Photos by Amanda Cantrell

dress- Forever21

necklace- thrifted

shoes- Xhilaration

This dress is my prized possession! It's originally a Forever 21 dress, but I bought it at Plato's Closet for $10. It's perfect for those days when you don't want to actively try to find a good outfit. Usually maxi dresses in general are perfect for those days. Slip on a dress, put on a pair of generic wedges and there you have it! Bonus: if you do wear a maxi dress with wedges, it adds to your height! And I, for one, absolutely love looking tall :)

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Style: Burlesque Bra DIY.

Roughly two weeks ago, I found out about a contest that is going on at a local fabric store. Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our entire town has been going wild with raising funds for cancer research, and this contest happens to be my favorite way of doing so. The purpose is to embellish a bra, and turn it in at the store alongside a $5 fee. The bras will be put up around the store with a donation jar. The bra that attracts the most donations wins. The grand prize is a $1,000 sewing machine. Other prizes include giftcards for the store! Here is the bra I created! My inspiration were the roaring 20's. I am beyond obsessed with flappers! Overall, I think my design ended up being a cross between flapper and cabaret. Hopefully it's nice enough to win me at least a little prize :)

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