Tag: Totes

How to Pack for Success at Your Summer Internship

Not having what you need in your bag during school can be a nightmare, but not having what you need in your bag at your internship is a complete disaster. After five weeks at my summer internship, I have mastered what you do and do not need to make you as successful as possible and make a great impression. Here’s what you need!

1—Tote bag. While these are usually too large for everyday life, they are your new best friend when it comes to packing for any job. They’re large enough to fit everything you need, and you can pick whatever color or pattern you want on the outside to make a total statement.

2—Umbrella. You never know when you could get stuck in the rain so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, there are a lot of super cute designs out there to choose from.

3— Portable Charger. This will become your saving grace! My phone never stays charged all day so this device ensures that I can still check out what’s happening on my Instagram on the go.

4— Lotion or moisturize. Trust me, your hands, face, or sometimes your body will start to feel dry throughout the day.

5— Snacks. Perfect to cure your late afternoon hangry self.

6— Makeup on the go. Compact enough to not take up a lot of room in your bag, but just enough to keep you looking your best from nine to five.

7— Computer. Many internships require you to bring your own computer to get work done. While it is a little bulky, finding the perfect tote can help ensure your laptop won’t get damaged on your commute.

8— Mints. Never get stuck anywhere with bad breath. Use them anytime of the day for a quick refresher.

9— Rollerball perfume. To ensure you smell as fresh as a daisy from morning to night.

10— Headphones. You’ll want them for your commute and your boss might need you to use them in the office.

11— Lipgloss or balm. I apply this more frequently than my other makeup touch-ups so I leave it out on its own. Not only does it keep my lips feeling moisturized, but it’s also the cherry on top of your whole makeup look.

12— Sneakers or walking shoes. My office is pretty far from where my train gets in so I leave earlier to give myself time to walk and enjoy the outdoors. However, if I walk in my work shoes, my feet are dead before I even get there. Packing a lightweight pair of sneakers provides comfort for your daily commute and is easy to fit into your bag.

How has your internship or job been going so far? Anything you can’t live without at work? Let me know in the comments below.

11 Summer Beach Bag Essentials

Summer is finally here, and I can’t wait to hit the beach! I am lucky enough to live near the beach, so my summers mainly consist of sun, sand, and tanning. I basically live at the beach in the summer, so I always need to make sure my beach bag has everything I need. In this post, I will give you the inside scoop on my beach bag essentials. I’m sure most people’s beach bags consist of the same essentials such as a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses, but my beach bag has a few other items to amp up your beach day.

1—Water Bottle. The single most important item to bring to the beach is a water bottle. Being outside all day in the sun and salt water dehydrates your body, so bringing a good water bottle is a necessity. My favorite brand of water bottle is Hydroflask. I have only seen them on the West Coast and in Hawaii, but they keep your water cold for almost 24 hours.

2—Towel. This item is a must if you plan on swimming and tanning.

3—Sunscreen. I always bring one sunscreen for my body and a different sunscreen for my face. I recommend wearing at least 30 SPF (especially on your face) to prevent your skin from getting premature wrinkles.

4—Chapstick. I don’t know about you, but my lips get sunburned too. It’s important to have a chapstick that has SPF.

5—Hat. I do whatever it takes to protect my face from the sun, and a hat is perfect. We all know that having a red, peeling forehead isn’t cute.

6—Sunglasses. Since you aren’t wearing much clothing at the beach, wear a pair of your favorite sunglasses. This is a practical way to show off your own personal style.

7—Mario Badescu Rose Facial Spray. This is a necessity to refresh your face when you start to sweat!

8—Speaker or Headphones. I listen to music all the time, and the beach is no exception.

9—Camera. You never know when you are going to encounter the perfect photo opportunity!

10—Book. I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and I highly recommend it.

11—Maui Babe Browning Lotion. This is the perfect product to help you get your tan on!

What do you keep in your beach bag? Comment below!

20 Carry-On Travel Essentials for Summer

Today, I’m bringing you a few tips on how to pack a carry-on for summer. Flights can be long, and you need to prepare for the journey ahead. I’ve had my fair share of travel mishaps, and I want to make packing for your trip quick and easy. It’s frustrating figuring out how to cram all your essentials into one bag, so I’m here to help! Here are the 20 essentials you need in your carry-on.

1—Large Tote Bag. The color brown or black pairs perfectly with any outfit. The bag I use is from Nordstrom, and it’s reversible. How cool is that?!

2—Laptop/Tablet/Phone. Technology will help occupy you on a long flight, so download games or bring a movie to watch for fun.

3—Chargers. Don’t let your phone battery run low!

4—Book/Magazine. If you get tired of devices, bring a book or magazine. Reading helps pass the time, especially when you are immersed in an interesting story.

5—Snacks. Who doesn’t love snacks? Bring some granola bars or nuts for a sweet treat. My favorite brands for granola bars are Kashi and KIND.

6—Notebook, Pen, and Pencil. In case you need to jot down notes or doodle, bring a notebook. A pen will also come in handy if you need to fill out a customs form to visit another country.

7—Wallet. Always bring a valid ID and a passport if you’re traveling abroad, along with cash and a debit or credit card.

8—Sunglasses. Bring these for post-flight if you arrive during the daytime. My favorite are these shades from Quay Australia.

9—Eye Mask. Flights are the perfect time to catch up on sleep, but it’s hard to fall asleep with the lights on. Bring an eye mask so you can sleep peacefully.

10—Headphones. Nothing beats relaxing and listening to your favorite music! I use my Layla headphones from Frends because they are stylish, yet functional (noise-canceling is a plus).

11—Camera. Bring your camera to snap pics and capture memories from your trip. I use a Canon T5i for artsy shots and a GoPro for underwater or active shots.

12—Sweater. Flights are sometimes chilly, so bring a comfy sweater to wear or use as a blanket. H&M has the best lightweight sweaters for the summertime.

13—Makeup Bag. This is perfect for storing small items that you don’t want to lose.

14—Gum/Mints. Always bring gum. It keeps your ears from popping when the pressure changes on the plane.

15—Lotion/Face Moisturizer. The air on planes can dry out your skin, so don’t skimp on the moisturizer.

16—Eye Drops. You never want dry eyes, especially during a long flight.

17—Hand Sanitizer. Germs are everywhere, and you need to protect yourself!

18—Mirror. You never know when you’ll need a quick touch-up.

19—Lip Balm. Who wants chapped lips when you are stuck on a plane?

20—Perfume. Bring this to freshen up after the flight.

What are your travel essentials for summer? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Requirements for Hitting the Beach

Summer is here and if you are anything like me, you are traveling far, far away to hit the beach. One of my favorite parts of summer is my annual family vacation. Over the years I have mastered the ultimate packing list and come up with some of my go-to vacation essentials.

1. Sunglasses—As important as it is to wear sunscreen, it is just as important to protect your eyes. Wearing sunglasses is vital to a successful day at the beach. It’s an acceptable beach accessory; who would say no to that? Whether you are investing in a designer pair or grabbing a pair from your local drugstore, they all get the job done.

2. Tote—A big tote for the beach is necessary to carry all your must-haves. In mine, I carry my wallet, sunscreen, towel, book, sunglasses, snacks, and water at the beach. Having a huge tote to carry all of this makes going to the beach a breeze. If you can find a waterproof tote, you have hit the jackpot.

3. Bluetooth Speaker—I am always listening to music. Having a bluetooth and waterproof speaker has served me well on my summer trips. Small and compact speakers that are also super loud are amazing for the beach. Jamming out and laying out? Count me in.

4. Reusable Bottle—Staying hydrated is always important when you plan on staying out in the sun for hours. Having a reusable water bottle or tumbler on hand is super important when hitting the beach. Whether you’re filling it with water or your beverage of choice, it has always treated me well (also eco-friendly, yay!). I love how mine keeps my water cold for hours so I stay hydrated all day long.

5. Polaroid Camera—Summertime calls for a ton of pictures. I love taking pictures and capturing a moment. Even better, taking a picture and printing it seconds later. Polaroid pictures are the perfect room decoration to remember your favorite moments. Not to mention you don’t have to go through the hassle of having them printed. Write the date at the bottom of the picture and you’ll have it forever.

What are your summertime essentials? Let me know by commenting below!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Spring Simplicity

March’s winter storm has finally brought us April’s sunshine. After months of treacherous wind and freezing temperatures, it is finally time to soak up some sun. Spring is probably my favorite season not only because it is leading into summer, but also I can finally show off my style without being covered up in heavy coats and scarves.

Personally, I like to keep my style relatively casual but also featuring some of my staple clothing items. During the spring, everyone breaks out their favorite sundresses and rompers, but as a college student, it can be difficult going in between the warmth of outside and the frigidness of the classrooms. This is where the signature jean jacket comes into play. Jean jackets are definitely a staple item this season because it can pull together a whole outfit and keep us college students warm when we are in class. As for my personal touch, I am a huge Birkenstock fan. I know people either love or hate these controversial sandals, but I definitely am a supporter. They come in such a wide variety of styles and colors that they can keep an outfit casual while also keeping your feet comfy.

In this look, I tie together popular spring trends and my own personal touches. By sticking to my casually simple style, I wear a pair of plain black jeans along with a white top. To give a little color, and to keep me warm during class, I rock a semi-distressed jean jacket. To finish off the look, I rock my black leather Birkenstock sandals, a Kate Spade tote, and a pair of sunglasses.

I am slowly transitioning into the more vibrant spring-like colors, but I like to stick to my roots with my black jeans because they can make any outfit. As a college student, it can be difficult to find the time to put together a fashionable look, but with a few staple items such as black jeans and simple tops, you can pull together a great outfit. You can also flare up your look with a light jacket or cardigan that are pastel to incorporate some springtime vibes.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Sunny Spring in the City

We’ve had some lovely weather for some of this month, and I definitely took advantage of being able to dress for summer in the middle of April, as eighty degree weather is not the norm during this season. I wanted to create a versatile look that would work for spending the day in the park but also for a late evening dinner. For this, I pulled a little bit of inspiration from everywhere, embracing the bohemian country look in the middle of a bustling and contemporary city.

For this look, I pulled out a simple, white, frilly, cold-shoulder top and paired it with my favorite pair of bootcut, medium wash Madewell denim jeans, which are also high-waisted and are perfect for the warmer seasons. I added some lace-up, black Madewell sandals. I also added some dainty accessories to complete the look, including a gold heart chain, a plain black choker, a lovely souvenir bracelet from Hawaii, and a thin gold watch. The tote is an Etsy find with a classic advertisement illustration print. This is the perfect everyday piece, as it also works for any occasion.

This sort of boho-country look remains a constant trend during the summer months, and as a whole, this look is my sort of go-to look during the warmer seasons. It’s casual enough, yet can easily work for grabbing dinner or drinks. A little bit of flair was added to the outfit with the tote and the gladiator sandals. This outfit represented my go-to summer style and ultimately served as an early nod to the warmer months to look forward to. While I do wish that this weather would linger a little while longer, it was nice to get in the summery spirit with a great look and to be able to walk through the city without a jacket on.

FASHION FROM ABROAD: Culottes and Stripes

Fashion is a global industry that allows us to connect with other people. We have fashion capitals in different countries, each one with their own unique style. VCU’s study abroad program allows other students from different countries to come to our university and add some diversity to our city by showing us their culture and customs through their unique street style.

Although the street style in New York, Milan, and Paris is always seen around Fashion Week and always exciting to look forward to see, Korean street style is definitely something to keep up with. Their style and ability to create such new trendy looks makes stand out from other fashion capitals. Like many fashion lovers they are risk takers and not afraid to play with bold patterns, bright colors, and detailed embroidery. Another style that is commonly seen around, and a definite contrast to the bold looks, is the minimalist style.

This fashionista’s outfit perfectly embodied the minimalist chic look. She put together simple pieces with unique qualities that came to form a effortlessly cool and put together look.

She kept the color scheme pretty neutral by sticking with the classical black and white outfit with a subtle pop of color in the accessories. Culottes have been seen all over Korean and have become a staple in most peoples closet. They can make your entire look effortlessly chic compared to wearing the everyday skinny jean. This fashionista contrasted these culottes with a black and white striped sweater. The fit of this  sweater was a little more boxy than others and made it look more structured. That different structure of the  sweater, is part of what makes this look so unique and stand out in the streets of Richmond. It is an example of Korean minimal looks, how one small detail can pull the look together. She also paired it with some all black sneakers. These are for sure the best and most comfortable shoes to walk around the city in. Too add a little edge to the plain sneakers she opted for some ankle cream socks.

Accessories for this look were minimal but gave the outfit the right pop of color. The gold watch was another one of the small details that made the outfit look put together yet casual. The layered bracelets were a fun way of showing her personality. Each had a fun memory and story of her adventures back at home that she shared with us. Lastly her fun orange hat gave some brightness to her mostly neutral outfit.

After being able to write about this fashionista I was able to learn more about a whole new side of fashion. It definitely encouraged me too look more into Korean fashion and make me look forward to keep up with the next Seoul Fashion Week. By being able to relate to people from completely different countries through our style and taste is a prime example of the many ways fashion is able to bring people together. We can share our ideas which allows us to expand the fashion industry and keep it constantly changing.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Off-The-Shoulders

So it’s March, and I don’t know about you guys, but I am anticipating spring to come real soon. Now usually in Indiana, PA, it’s freezing, but it looks like winter has went on a little vacation giving students across campus an opportunity to pull those spring pieces out of their closets.

As I was walking to the library to meet with a group, I couldn’t help but notice this Fashionista. What spoke to me was the gracefulness of her outfit and the confident attitude she carried with it. Midterms week did not phase her one bit, as stress doesn’t go well with her outfit anyway.

This subtly sexy, but not too revealing, dress is the perfect warm-weather staple piece. If you take a good look at the details on the off-the-shoulder dress, you will appreciate the accessories she paired with it 10 times more. The navy dress was the perfect color up against her skin tone and neutral/gold accessories always win with the dark blue hue. Although she did not wear much jewelry, the gold hoop earrings were just enough to take her outfit to the next level. The gold earrings embraced her sophisticated and chic style. The Fashionista was carrying a light tan tote with gold details that enhanced the color and prints in the dress. She finishes her look with a pair of rose pink, lace-up flats, which are a must-have in your wardrobe. Chunky heels are in. The femininity of the shoe offset by the chunkiness of the heels make them the most fun pair of shoes to have.

Remember: The only way to kill this off-the-shoulder style is to purchase a high-quality, perfect-fitting strapless bra.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Sunshine, Shoulders, & Sangria

While it may be snowing like crazy in parts of the United States, temperatures are on the rise here in Madrid and the fashion trends are starting to show it. Jean jackets and cardigans are slowly replacing winter coats, flats, and booties are replacing riding boots, and the monochrome look is gradually starting to be paired with pops of spring colors.

This is one of my favorite times of year for fashion. I love that I can still rock my all-black everything wardrobe but also add in pops of those spring colors I’ve been missing all winter. While Madrileños are not too quick to shed their winter coats (it was 68 degrees fahrenheit yesterday and there were people walking their dogs in their puffy winter coats) I decided it was time to ditch mine as soon as the temperature started to reach the 40s.

One trend that is extremely popular in Madrid this season are off-the-shoulder blouses. While they have been considered “in fashion” for a few seasons now, they are starting to have a very strong appearance this spring. Spanish brands such as Zara, Mango, Sfera, and Desigual are all rocking the off-the-shoulder look in their spring collections. I personally love this trend. It is a great way to get some sun without having to break out the summer tank tops in March.

Another popular way that Madrileños are dressing this spring is they are adding festive spring colors into their wardrobe by sticking to their all-black everything mindset and using their tote bag to promote their spring enthusiasm. I have definitely caught on to this trend. I purchased the Pepe Moll bag, shown above last week, and have been unable to separate myself from it ever since. It is a great piece that is not only stylish, but also very practical for class!

Overall, springtime is right around the corner along with some exciting trends. My style advice? Get yourself an off-the-shoulder top and a great bag to accent it and you’ll be set for this upcoming season!

STYLE ADVICE: Spring Forward

After spending half the year dressing for snow and freezing weather, we always look forward to packing up our heavy winter jackets and clunky weather boots. As the winter season comes to an end, we are reminded of the sun and finally receive a taste of spring. Although this time of the year is much needed after a Midwest winter, it is usually one of the most difficult times to dress for. We find ourselves debating whether it is either too warm or too cold for certain outfits but this Fashionista found just the right balance.

Our Fashionista is rocking the perfect transition outfit for spring, with some staples you can easily find in your wardrobe. She paired a dark gray cable knit turtleneck with a medium wash jean to break up the look. As for accessories, she wore the most picture-perfect olive green sneakers and combined it with an oversize black tote. Her jewelry was kept very minimal with chunky diamond studded earrings and a silver ring.

Her outfit already gives a very relaxed feel, perfect for class or running errands, but we can’t help but love her perfect sock bun. A trend that gained a lot of attention a few years back is making a come back on Saint Mary’s campus thanks to this Fashionista. This outfit combines sporty, casual, and sophisticated elements making it easily wearable for any college Fashionista to style day-to-day on campus.

Find your favorite chunky sweater, and add you favorite pair of jeans (whether you like skinny jeans, boyfriends jeans, or anything in the middle). Top off your spring transition outfit with your go-to sneakers for a laidback look.