Boston Beach Bummin'

Boston is cold. No one really prepared me for this when I moved to Boston from sunny Alabama. I have a college degree, but I'm telling you that I didn't know Boston was in New England until my dad called me during the 2012 Superbowl to see if Boston was pumped that the New England Patriots were playing. So not only am I apparently geographically challenged, but I was also unprepared for the weather that is typical of New England– which is apparently where I live. While there's something to be said for those (loooooong) months of hibernating under a winter coat and eating mac and cheese for every meal to pack on those insulating pounds, there's honestly nothing better than Boston in the summer. 

I've been loving exploring beaches this summer, and one of my new favorite beaches is Long Beach in Nahant, MA. It's the perfect place for day trips because it's only about 30 minutes away from Boston so you feel like you've escaped the city without going too far. If you like to spend your beach trips laying in the sun, there's a huge shoreline for that, with packed sand for running around and playing soccer, and soft sand for lounging in. If you like to spend your beach trips hunting for little critters (like I do) there's an abundance of snails, baby hermit crabs and other creatures that you can check out on the giant rocks at the edge of the shoreline. 

Long Beach parking is only $5 (but I think it may be free on weekdays?!) which is a bargain for Boston area beaches, which usually can run up to $25 for day parking. Before you park, stock up on snacks at one of the various convenience stores around the area, and grab take out lunch at Seaside Pizza , a local eatery that has awesome sandwiches, subs and pizza.

If you don't have access to a car (you can take public transit to Nahant, but it's a little tricky) you can hit the beach at the Boston Harbor Islands instead. The ferry runs from Long Wharf for about $15, and you can hop around the Harbor Islands. Spectacle Island is the closest, and it's only about a 20 minute ferry ride. BONUS: the ferry sells beer. Stock up during those 20 minutes. There's a lifeguarded swimming section, acres to explore, a snack shack and a rocky beach to lounge on. You can see the Boston skyline from the beach, which is so beautiful, and you don't get the enormous crowds that you usually see at a typical beach. 

These two places are super beautiful and fun areas to enjoy summer and take advantage of the warm weather while it's here!

Exploring Boston is one of my favorite things to do, and I'd love to hear if any of you have any favorite outdoor summer spots!

These shoes are made for walkin'

Is anyone else guilty of having an entire closet full of clothes, but being so lazy and only wearing the same outfit every day? Ok this isn't exactly what I do (don't ask my roommates. There is this one shirt I refuse to take off), but I do have those key pieces that I could wear again and again and never get sick of. These shoes are one of them. The most important part about these shoes is that they are an almost complete dupe for the Steve Madden version– and I bought them at Target! I got them a few months ago, and had to wait patiently until it was warm enough in Boston to wear them. Now that it's officially summer, I don't take these babies off. Not kidding, these are so incredibly comfortable, and I wear them with everything. They're perfect for work or a casual outfit, and I recently trekked around NYC wearing them and didn't even get one blister. I went to Target yesterday and these guys were on sale, so obviously I picked up a pair in black for only $17, and I believe the other colors are running for around $24 now. If you're at Target, definitely stop by and grab a pair. You'll wear them everyday and save a ton of money. It's a win-win. 

Steve Madden //Target  

 

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I've got a diploma and I don't know how to use it.

When I started this blog way back in the day as an undergrad, it was a project for one of my PR classes in college. Now, 11 months later, I'm a wise and worldly graduate. I literally never have to do homework again. But, I missed the chance to express my creativity and also keep my mom up to date on my life (hey Mom), so I am back and (possibly even) better than ever. 

Since I've been forced to finish my education and leave the comfort of my daily schedule of Starbucks trips followed by an occasional class, I thought it was only fitting to move my blog off the Boston University host website- although, maybe if I didn't, I could convince them I was still a student and they'd let me stay?? 

    Smiling on the outside, mourning the loss of our childhood and parent-funded eating habits on the inside. 

I'm psyched to get back into the world of expressing my emotions and life via social media, as I was once told that I was a "great friend to have on Facebook because I am so entertaining" after posting consecutively about breaking my graduation cap in half and then dropping my toothbrush down the toilet. It is my life goal to entertain others through my daily life struggles. I think I might be one of those people who is better on the page than in real life.

Anyway, hope you're all ready for it. 

      They gave me a diploma and there are no take-backs. 

iCraft

I spend most of my time looking for things that I've misplaced. Going through my bedroom is usually just one long, disappointing game of Where's Waldo that I rarely win. This not-so-fun game gets a level up when you live with 3 girls. And it's even more challenging when you live with 3 girls who all have the same cell phone charger. I'm always losing mine, and always accidentally taking someone else's. So many people have iPhones that it's easy to mistakenly end up with a friend's charger.

I think that a logical solution to remembering where I've put my stuff would be to reorganize my bedroom. But that's a problem for another day. Instead, I decided to jazz up my cell phone chargers. After this DIY, hopefully I'll be able to keep track of these guys better. Also, they're real cute.

There are a lot of tutorials on Pinterest that show how to glitter your phone chargers. I like to pretend that I've reached a point in my life where I don't have to put glitter on everything I own. This DIY is a simple and mature upgrade that still has the same effect.

 

Supplies:

Phone charger

Ruler

Scissors

Washi Tape (which can be bought at a local craft store)

      

If you've never heard of washi tape, it's literally the greatest craft tape. It's paper-like– almost like masking tape, but much cuter. It's also repositionable, so if you make a mistake you can just try again.

 

 

Simply measure the area of the charger you'd like to cover. I covered the plug part (what is this part even called?!) first, and it was about an inch tall. I cut the edges and folded down any extra. I also applied the washi tape to the USB part of the charger.

 

 

So easy! I tried some different patterns on different chargers and on the end of my headphones.   

  

 

You can apply a coat of Mod Podge to ensure that the tape won't come off, but if you're a commitment-phobe then skip this step. If you ever get bored of the design you can just peel the tape off.

This is an easy upgrade that'll give you a distinct (and cute) charger without going over the top.

Now let's hope that I'll be able to keep track of them.

This bag holds everything. including the kitchen sink (and a pair of shoes)

It's finally that time of year that is always the most stressful for college students– finals season. For me, this season is the time that I am not only stressed out, but am also most likely to embarrass myself. There is really nothing graceful about watching me lug around a bag full of library books through the unpredictable Boston weather. I've become pretty acquainted with the sidewalks in front of my classrooms because when you don't own snow boots, you spend a lot of time falling on ice.

Since it's my senior year, I thought it was about time to stock up on weather appropriate clothing. So I took the plunge and bought snow boots. And gloves. I thought I'd share my lazy day outfit for appearing put together during finals week, while still staying warm and bundled. (Note: there are no snow boots present, but it wasn't icy enough outside yet for me to trip. Just wait.)

  

The best part about this outfit is my bag, which I bought as a part of my stubborn refusal to wear a backpack. It's the Lo & Sons O.M.G. Bag , and it is honestly the best bag I have ever owned.

When I leave the house, I like to pack everything I own and also have room to return with souvenirs. But really, I think most students can relate to the fact that we are constantly carrying around a ton of stuff to campus in order to avoid the trek home to pick up things between classes.

This bag is large enough to hold all of my school supplies (i.e. my lucky pencil and my laptop) as well as daily necessities (wallet, Starbucks gold card, Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino, portable Starbucks employee... the usual), a change of clothes for sorority chapter, and there is even a special compartment for a pair of shoes. It helps me stay organized in style and keeps all of my stuff with me throughout the day so I don't spend time running walking back and forth to my apartment.

O.M.G actually stands for Overnight and Medium Gym Bag. I can attest to the fact that it also makes a great overnight bag and airplane carry on. No idea how it does as a gym bag. (And I don't plan to find out).

Check out the Lo & Sons video below to see just how much you can fit in the O.M.G Bag

http://vimeo.com/54687915

Lo & Sons is offering 20% off on all orders until Dec. 31st.

Pictures by my super chic friend Schuyler Silverman for her style column for CollegeFashionista

 

Mini Pies for Skinny Thighs

We take pies very seriously at my house. My family also takes exercising very seriously. I'm not on board of that train yet. Maybe it will come with age (but probably not). For now, however, I've found the solution for indulging in pie and not feeling too guilty: Mini Pies.

These bite-sized pies are baked into 4 oz mason jars, so you get a sweet treat without having to bake an entire pie. Below I've given instructions for mini apple and  mini blueberry pies, but you can make these with basically any filling you'd like.

Supplies:

4 oz glass canning jars (which can be purchased here , or at a craft store)

             

Ingredients:

Pre-made pie crust (I used Pillsbury Pie Crusts)

Makes 2 Mini Apple Pies:

1 Cup peeled and chopped apples (I used Gala, but any kind will work)

2 Tablespoons sugar

A pinch ground nutmeg

A pinch of salt

1/8 Teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon lemon juice

Makes 6 Mini Blueberry Pies:

3/8 Cup sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 Cup all-purpose flour

1/4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon allspice

2 1/2 Cups fresh blueberries

1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 Tablespoon melted butter

         

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Unroll the pie dough, and use the top of the jar as a cookie cutter to cut circles that will becoming the topping of the pie.

                  

Use the remaining dough to line the jars all the way to the top. You can just random stick pieces of dough right onto the walls of the jar.

After your jars are lined, you simply mix together your fillings.

For the apple pies, mix together the apples, sugar, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon and lemon juice in a medium bowl.

                 

                       

Scoop the filling into the jars. You'll use about 1/2 cup per jar.

For the blueberry pies, mix together the sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, allspice, blueberries, lemon juice and melted butter.

             

           

Stir the bluebabies around until they're fully coated with sugar, spice and everything carbs, then scoop them into the jars, too.

Finally, top your pies with the dough you've already cut out. This is the most fun part, and you can be as creative as you want– just make sure the lid of your pie has at least one slit in it for steam to escape while the pie bakes.

   

Weave strips of dough in and out for a lattice pattern, or use a fork to create designs on the pie's edges.

Pop the jars into the oven for about 30 minutes. The pies will be golden brown on top and the insides will be bubbly when they're ready.

Then dig in!

Obviously you'll want to eat these all in one sitting, but because they're in jars, you can twist the lid on and stick them in the fridge for later (if you have more self control than me). Also, you can make the pies in advance and store them in the freezer. Just pull them out and bake them fresh when you get a craving for home-cooked pie.

These can also be cute holiday gifts for friends and family; they're so simple but impressive.

 In the words of my dad, "this is actually way better than I thought it would be!" I think that's a ringing endorsement because he finished his off and is already requesting one for  tonight.