Do It Yourself: Peppermint Bark

As this class and group blog is coming to an end, I thought I would do a post to change things up a bit. This won’t help you find a reasonably budgeted dress or a gift to give your girlfriend this december, but how to make your own peppermint bark! (which by the way makes for a great holiday treat to bring to some of your upcoming christmas events. I made this from scratch and will easily show you each steps to making some great chocolate treats. This is creative treat and recipe that I designed on my own! I know this does not fall under fashion, but just like my DIY home decors, this is a creative do it yourself for college students to make at home! Its so simple! Enjoy!

Materials:

Chocolate chips (white or milk), candy canes, cookie sheet pan, wax paper, a microwave

step one: Place a handful of your chocolate chips in a bowl and place it in the microwave for less then a minute. Chocolate can burn so you have to watch it in the microwave & make sure it hasn’t gotten choppy and burnt.

step two: I bought a pack of small candy canes and broke them up into pieces my hands. Crush to make pieces as big as you want.

step three: Pour your chocolate onto the cookie pan that has wax paper over it. (The wax paper will slide right off.)

step four: After spreading your chocolate evenly, place your peppermint crumbles all over.

Ta Da!!

thanks!

Haylee

12 days of dresses

The Holidays are here, and I know we all need the perfect dresses for these holiday parties just around the corner. This time of the year, it is all about the beads, sequins, and sparkle! I am so excited to share with you readers my 12 days of dresses for this December. As a college student, the price of these fancy red dresses are what is most important. All of these dresses range in price. Depending on the designer and your personal budget, here are my 12 favorite holiday dresses ranging from $35 to $250. After all, it is the holidays.. so why not treat yourself!

1. Black Longsleeve Simple Dress

You cannot go wrong with this, especially for those who do not have hundreds of dollars to spend. You can find this Jack by BB Dakota Olivia dress at Revolveclothing.com

2. Free People Velvet Dress

I am loving this $98 Free People dress for those who are attending less dressier parties this holidayseason! Pair it with black booties and you are good to go! Love the velvet!

3. Michael Stars Rhinestone Dolman Dress

This black and sophisticated dress adds a little bit of sparkle for only $94. Buy it aRevolveclothing.com

4. Urban Outiftters Silence and Noise Strapless Studded Dress.

Attention shoppers… this dress is $14.99! What a deal! Also comes in three other colors!

5. Jules Dress in Wildcat – J.Crew

This holiday, it is all about the animal print! How cute is this printed wildcat dress! You will definitely make a statement walking into the party with this one! Pair with black pumps, tights, and some simple jewelry. $188

6. Madewell Sparklight Slip Dress

I love this dress because you can do so much with it! It is simple and cute, but jazz it up with tights, booties, and a fur coat. $165

7. Tibi Honeycomb Jacquard Strapless Dress

You obviously cannot go wrong with a dress by Tibi. I love this simple but very chic holiday dress for $219

8. Backstage Wilde Dress in Gold

Shine in this gold dress for $176. Beautiful with black shoes and a fun cocktail ring! Get it at Singer22.com

9. Forever21 Black Sheer Sleeve Dress

Keep it simple and conservative for $24.80!

10. Forever21 Lace Bottice Dress

Rock this amazing camel colored lace dress with your bronze holiday glow and some red lips! $24.80

11. Long sleeve Dee Sparkle Dress by Guess

This Dress has holiday written all over it! Add gold shoes and earrings and your ready for Christmas! You can find this great dress at Guess.com for $108

12. Forever21 Silver Maxi Dress

Max out in this beautiful shiny maxi dress for $29.80!!!! Pair it with black pumps!

Top Five: Holiday Edition

Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Personally, it is never to early to start thinking about christmas gifts. With these next few weeks quickly approaching, as college students we are going to be so bombarded with studying, final exams, thanksgiving break, and of course finishing your classes strongly. Why not get these gift ideas out of the way? This list is my top five favorite gifts for the holidays. These five pieces are all under 100 dollars, but range at low to higher prices.

a perfect game day outfit

It’s football season, but you do not want to spend all your allowance money on a new shirt for every home game or tailgate. Below, I put together a few cute outfits that will make you football ready. The best part is, it is reusing the same shirt. To demonstrate I took a random college t shirt I had in my closet. With a few ideas, I turned one tee shirt into a perfect game day outfit. With any of these outfits, feel free to add any type of accessory or arm candy for finishing touches!

1. College T shirt, American Apparel Washed Out shorts, Converse tennis shoes, and a perfect little white bow.

This outfit it cute yet appropriate. Especially for that first season opening game in the heat.

2. College T shirt, High Waisted Mini Shorts, and a scarf. This is dressing your t shirt up a tad bit and adding a little more femininity then the previous outfit. Like I said, a few bangles and a cute head piece, you are all set!

3. It is starting to get a little cooler especially during these late night overtime football games. Throw on your comfy and cute pair of jeans with a skinny yet noticeable belt.

4. Keeping it simple. Cut up, wrinkled, and wash out jeans are EVERYTHING. Paired with your t shirt. ENOUGH SAID!

5. Lastly, add your t shirt with a white denim, and top it off with some cute little flats. These ballet flats are by Yosi Samra. I live in them. They are comfortable and chic. They make any t shirt look great.

I hope this gave you a few ideas for any upcoming college sports games you plan on attending!

P.S- sorry for the back to back double post. Hope this satisfies some people!

Thanks!

Haylee

P.S.S– another great idea is to cut up these t shirts. Cut it into a boxy crop tee, an 80’s styled slouch t shirt, a tight and flattering tank top, or just rock it as it is!

DIY: DORM ADDITION #2!

Sometimes I notice that I get sick of my space way too easily. It isn’t the best characteristic to have because I work so hard decorating, but by the next day new things are in and old things are long gone! I have come to realize that my taste is simple, clean, airy, and timeless. All things important for a dorm room. You want to be able to have a fun space, but with out it looking too cluttered and over the top. Your dorm room or apartment bedroom needs to be a space to go when you need to relax, study, etc. By making it clean and fresh, you can still bring in little pops of fun and color.

This project was inspired by something similar I saw at a home decor store not too long ago. The only difference is that this one cost about 1/4 of the real thing! It is similar, but I added a little bit of a twist.

Needed Materials:

1. Wire

2. Fake Flowers

3. Plastic Bottles/Canister type of holder

4. Hot Glue Gun

DIY:

Start by taking a long piece of wire and start to bend it to make a old vintage look to it. Use that wire to wrap it around the top of your bottle, and hot glue it in place. Repeat the first step and leave as much space as needed in between each bottle. When you have as many as you want, cut your flowers to the appropriate length. Depending on your look you can choose a simple flower or a fun accent color that matches your bedroom. It is also up to you on the length of your flower. You can leave some hanging or cut it to where it sits right on the top of the bottle.

Hope those steps weren’t too hard to follow. Here is a picture of the finishing work.

Enjoy!

P.s- I hung it above my mirror right when you enter my room. I get a beautiful pop of color and a little inspiration when I arrive at my bedroom!

a quick wednesday night post

I know most people can agree with me when I say it is extremely difficult to be a college student, eating on a budget while still keeping an eye on the amount of calories you take in daily. It is so hard to find good snacks or meals that wont leave you feeling regretful. Here is my tip: if you are on a budget but needing to find some good yet healthy indulgences… don’t spend the money on cheap and high calorie food products. Use the money you do have to buy things that will help keep you on track to a healthy eating pattern and lifestyle. With a lot of research, I have found my two top must have products that most definitely satisfy the craving. Nothing is better then a daily snack and dessert….

1. Snack

While doing some grocery shopping at Sprouts,  I came across these delicious, natural, and flourless muffins. Dee’s muffins are each between 110-140 calories depending on which flavor you choose. I cannot get enough of these muffins. They are big, filling, and so delicious. Spray on your “I can’t believe it’s not butter” and you have the perfect snack.

2. Dessert

Who needs ice cream? I would rather have a Banana Baby! These are the perfect savory treats you need at the end of a long day. Banana Babies are around 130 calories and taste just as good as a double scoop of chocolate ice cream! I promise you, once you try it you won’t want anything else but this delicious treat! You can find Banana Babies in Milk Chocolate, Dark, and covered in nuts at any Whole Foods Market.

Anyways, I know that isn’t much, but that is just a start to your new eating plan! Markets such as Sprouts and Whole foods do tend to be a little bit more expensive, but I bet they still fall under your budget! So why not make the switch???

Keep Calm and Eat Healthy!

Xo,

Haylee

top 8

Are you a college student living on a budget but wanting to be the best dressed on campus? Here is my list of ways to shop affordable and look like a million bucks.

1. Stay updated on your latest fashion blogs. These websites will be a bible to the fashion world that will give you great style techniques and inspirations.

2. RESEARCH. It is always fun to research and look up new designers. I always find new designers when I am browsing the internet. The best part is that some of these new and upcoming designers do indeed make affordable clothes! Look it up!

3. Do not settle. Find the item you want, but do not just settle for the first price you see. I garuntee you can find it cheaper if you just be patient and look further. You can find anything on the internet these days.

4. Buy a $10 t shirt, but dress it up like it was worth $100. Be Confident!

5. Find designer brands for less. Shop stores such as Marshalls, Nordstroms Rack, Saks off fifth, T.J Max Runway….and much more. These stores offer designer looks for the best of the best & lowest prices. Sounds perfect to me.

6. Be vintage. Stores are selling t shirts that they made into crop tops for $88 dollars these days. Take an old vintage t shirt and do a little DIY project. Rock band 80s tees are always a good layering piece for fall.

7. Fake it till you make it! Just because your fur slip ons aren’t real uggs doesnt mean you can’t make them look FABULOUS! just say they are real;)

8. Be yourself!

BYE!

My number one MUST HAVE

Denim is always in. Clearly. But fashion is taking denim to a whole new level. There is nothing better then a pair of ripped up vintage jean shorts or a pair of baggy boyfriend jeans. But the new denim piece that has been making a statement for sometime now is the denim top. This fall look is all about layering. Right now, my number one must have is a denim button down top. They can be worn in so many ways that no one would even recognize how many times you are reusing this great piece. Layer, hide, or show it off…. you will not be able to go wrong with a denim top. We have seen it erupt in the fashion world, but now here are a few ways to take it into fall…

1. Dinner party

Need an outfit classy for a dinner party but edgy for your personality? Button your denim top and tuck it into some suede or wool shorts. Layer it with tights, socks, booties, and some chunky accessories. Throw your hair in a sleek high pony tail, and tease the tail. You are now ready for a classy but wild evening out on the town.

2. Out and About

It is getting colder and all you want to do it throw on something cute yet comfy and warm for your many errands of the day. Throw on your leggings and fabulous combat boots. Second, add a fun t shirt or printed top. Lastly, add your denim top. Here, the button down will almost be used as an open cardigan or jacket. Pile on your arm candy for a little more fun and fashion. Like I said, its all about layering. Stack those bangles as high as you can. More is well…. MORE!

3. Casual night

If you don’t want to look too dressed up for the night, this look is perfect to dress down your outfit. You aren’t sure what you are doing, but you want to look appropriate. Look clean and classy in a skirt and tucked in tank top. (I have worn with all black) Add tights if weather appropriate. Finish your look with some great booties or heels, and your denim top kept open. Take the two bottom ends and tie the top as if you were wearing a cropped jacket or so!

I hope you like my ideas!!

 

DIY: cheap decor

Growing up with a interior decorator as my mom, I was more excited about decorating my dorm room then actually going to college. I picked out my beddings and revolved that around my main color schemes. I spent my summer making knick knacks, going dorm room shopping, and bedazzling block letters of my initials. I know some of you may have not been as into it as me, but there is still some fun for everyone in decorating a dorm room. Not only can it spice up your room, but it can also fall under your decorating budget. Here is a little project I did to add some vibrant colors to my room. Do it yourself: dorm room addition…

Supplies:

1. Canvas: Pick up some small cheap canvases. You can usually find these at a local craft store such as Michaels or Joanns. They are cheaper if you buy them in a pack of five or so. You will want to use more then one anyway!

2. Spray Paint : Grab a can of spray paint in a color of your choice. You may want this to be bright or soft depending on the next step.

3. Fake Flowers

4. Hot Glue gun

Crafting time!

Spray paint the canvas in one color and set aside to dry. Then cut the stems off the flowers and hot glue the flowers to the canvas. It is as simple as that. Depending on your colors you can do a soft background paint with a big pop of color with the flowers. Or vice versa. As an art freak I was inspired but a painting I saw a while back. This gives just about the same idea but with a cheaper value!

Ta Da!

  X, Haylee

Top 3 Fall Essentials

Fall is here! Although the Texas heat is still taking over, we are officially in the season of fall! Fall is the BIGGEST time of the year in the fashion industry. Fashions Night Out, NYC Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Vogue’s annual September Issue, and so much more!! Fall is always HUGE in the world of fashion. It represents the biggest transitions of seasons through out the year! We say goodbye to our sandals and denim shorts, and hello to suede boots and fun scarves! There is so much to do with a good fall wardrobe. But here are my top three fall fashion must haves for the cold weathers ahead!!

1. Fur Vest

A Fur Vest is a must have. While it is pretty and cool you can throw it on with an easy short sleeve shirt, leggings, and ballet flats. But when the cold breeze comes our way, pair it with a long sleeve shirt, wool shorts, tights, socks, and boots. Add some bangles and a scarf and you are winter ready.

2. Riding Boots

A great pair of riding boots are always great to have. I literally throw mine on with everything. They can make a boring outfit look edgy and chic. Show off your black or chestnut leather boot with a slick pair of tights, leggings, or skinny jeans. You always want to do a tight leg to tuck into your boots. Black on black is a personal favorite allowing your legs to look tall and perfect. Since the leg is skinny, throw on an oversized bulky sweater and your in an ideal fall outfit!

3. Wrap Dress

The Wrap Dress was discovered by the one and only Diane Von Furstenberg. In 1973, she made this ionic fashion garment. It is chic, sexy, classic, and loots great on any body type! It is a timeless piece that will go to great use in your closet. Top it off with flats on a warmer day, tights & boots on a cold day. Lastly, add a chunky necklace and you are good to go!

Happy Fall!

X,

Haylee