Tea Talk Tuesday : Darcy from A Memory of Us

      

Darcy from A Memory of Us

Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

Hi everyone! My name is Darcy and I blog over at A Memory of Us (www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com) A little about me -- I graduated college 1.5 years ago. I'm a Nebraska girl at heart but I followed my then-boyfriend, Tyler, to Kansas City, MO after graduating. Monday through Friday I am working as a System Engineer. Tyler proposed to me on October 31, 2013! We are in the midst of wedding planning now and are officially becoming Mr. and Mrs. April 2015! I could not be more excited. These days I am spending my time wedding planning, blog writing, hanging out with my best gals, and just living life to the fullest! 

Where did you go for college and how did you decide on your major? 

I went to Northwest Missouri State University (go Bearcats!) and graduated with a business management major and database management systems minor. My ultimate career goal is project management so that is how I landed on business management. I added in a minor when I realized I was going to graduate in 3 years without one, haha! (I still left in 3.5 years, though.) I chose to focus on computer science because of the demand for programmers. It is definitely challenging and some days are frustrating but ultimately I love writing code... especially when I get the program to do what I want it to! 

What are some of the fashion blogs that inspired you to create your own? 

The first fashion blog I ever read was Pink Peonies. After, I started discovering more that I loved... especially The Sweetest Thing. 

You mentioned that you enjoy watching beauty videos. What are some of your favorite YouTube channels? 

The Beauty Community on YouTube is seriously amazing! Not kidding when I say I can watch YouTube videos all night after work. Missglamorazzi and TessChristine are my absolute favorites! 

How were you able to grow your blog to what it is today? 

Blogging looks like it would be easy and not a huge time commitment from the outside, but really it takes so much time and work! Network like crazy. People are not just going to stumble across your blog in the beginning. You need to get your name out there so comment on other people's blogs and participate in link ups!

What are some of your apps? 

I don't really use anything that exciting... I love Instagram for social media and 7 Little Words for a fun game. 

Where would you love to travel to at the moment?

LONDON! Tyler has already agreed that London will be where we go for our one year anniversary trip! 

How do you edit your Instagram pictures? 

I really only use the filters on Instagram, however I use picfx for cropping! 

What is the biggest opportunity that has come your way since you began blogging in 2013? 

The biggest opportunity is working with brands and being able to write reviews about the products! The best moment was being featured as Lauren Conrad's chic of the week! 

What are the three makeup products that you have to use on a daily basis? 

Foundation (right now I am just using the sephora brand), mascara (Maybelline the Rocket), and I always fill in my eyebrows! I use the NYX eyebrow kit. 

What kind of camera do you use when taking your pictures for “A Memory of Us”? How about lenses?

18-55 mm lens on a dslr Nikon. 

Where can we find you on social media? 

I only use Instagram and my username is _darcyylynn_ . Hope to "meet" you there!! 

Tea Talk Tuesday : Sloane Kratzman from Sailing the Sea of Style

          

Sloane from Sailing the Sea of Style

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I write a personal style and travel blog called Sailing the Sea of Style. I started my corner of the interwebz in August of 2012, quite randomly but it has turned into something that I will be forever grateful for.

What drew you to sailing and what is one of your favorite memories of sailing?

My dad grew up sailing and it was always been something huge in our family and life. My older brother is a sailing, so it was quite obvious I was going to be one too- ha (-: I've yet to come across a favorite memory.... so I'm not sure. 

What are your 3 favorite travel destinations?

Without a doubt, Florence, Provence, and St.Barths

How have you been able to grow your blog to what it is today?

I am about to be very cliche, but all it takes is passion and dedication. The readers will come as long as you give them a reason too.

Your outfit pictures are absolutely perfect! What camera/lenses do you use and how do you edit your pictures?

I use a Nikon D3200 with several different lenses, but I must give more credit to some my primary photographer, Alexandra Gibbs.

Who are some of your biggest fashion inspirations?

Less "who", but more "where & when". For inspiration, I look to the Euro cities of Stockholm, Coopahagen and London. And of course, the 60s and 70s. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Two words: no.clue. 

What are your three favorite outfits that you’ve featured on your blog in 2014? All time?

These three are some of my favorites- 1,2,3

What are you most looking forward to about high school?

Just a new adventure.

What are your favorite parts about the city?

The endless culture and new experiences.

What three locations would you recommend to a friend to visit when they are visiting NYC?

1- The High Line

2- Lunch at BG

3- Brunch at August and shopping on Bleecker St.

Where can we find you on social media?

@sailingseastyle

xoxo

Tea Talk Tuesday : Sydney from Summer Wind

  Meet Sydney from Summer Wind! Not only do we share the same name, but we also share the same love for blogging! I've been following Sydney's blog since before I began my blog and I absolutely love reading Summer Wind every morning. Read below   to learn a little bit about Sydney's exciting and fast                                    paced life in Pittsburgh, PA! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and headed south to get my undergrad degree in PR at James Madison University! Once I graduated, I moved back to Pittsburgh and I now work for a luxury event planning company. I started Summer Wind on a whim my freshman year of college in 2009 and haven't looked back! 

What are some of your favorite places in Pittsburgh?

Without a doubt, Mt. Washington which is an overlook that shows off the entire city. It is breathtaking and my favorite place in all of Pittsburgh. As for food, Little Tokyo is the absolute best for sushi!! 

What are some of your favorite apps? (Both productive and fun!)

Hmmm.. well for photo editing, I absolutely love VSCO cam! I say pay for the extra filters- some are so great! I also really like the Starbucks and RueLaLa apps-- makes coffee drinking and shopping on the go super easy! 

 Favorite summer reads?

Well, I just finished The Fault In Our Stars last month and I was obsessed-- but definitely not a beach read since it is so sad! I recommend Summer at Tiffanys-- a really cute book and an easy read! 

What are some of your favorite Summer/Fall fashion trends?

I am loving the midi skirt trend-- so ladylike and fun! Other than that, I'm not really a trendy kind of girl-- I like to stick to classics! 

What are some of your favorite posts that you've written?

Ohhh this is a hard one! I've written almost 1500 posts on Summer Wind! I love looking back in the early years of Summer Wind since it is like a diary and recaps my college life! It's so much fun to look back on the great memories! 

What are some of your daily reads?

I wish I could say that I have daily reads, but because of my demanding work schedule, I don't get much blog reading in! I really love Atlantic-Pacific!

 How did you decide on James Madison University and what drew you to Public Relations and Writing?

I actually had no idea about JMU before I applied-- my parents had heard good things, so I applied and then went down once I was accepted and absolutely fell in love! I was originally a business major, but decided I wanted something a little more creative and when talking with my adviser, he suggested I take a few classes in PR... I fell in love! I also have always loved writing so it just felt natural to minor in writing--plus it pairs with PR really well! 

What did you love most about joining Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA)?

Definitely my friendships. I'm in my 'bigs' wedding in September and I can confidently say that I made friends for life in ZTA! 

What is your favorite travel destination?

Ohhh.. such a tough one! I would have to say our family's lake house in Georgia because it is so beautiful and when I am down there, I am surrounded by all of my family. I am currently having a severe bout of wanderlust and dreaming of traveling Europe! Hopefully sometime in the next year or so :)

Where can we find you on social media?

I am on all sorts of social media! @SummerWind41490 for both Twitter and Instagram as well as Pinterest and Tumblr!

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Tea Talk Tuesday! If you have a blog of your own and would be interested in being featured, please email me at athousandtomorrowsblog@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you! 

xoxo

Tea Talk Tuesday : Jackie from York Avenue

  

Happy Tuesday! I hope you're enjoying this series as much as I am. I have really loved reaching out to some of my favorite bloggers and getting to know more about themselves and their blogs. This week, Jackie from York Avenue has shared a little bit about her life as an Operating Room Registered Nurse in the Big Apple! 

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

I'm an Operating Room RN by day, and in my spare time I work on my blog and pursue a few different hobbies. I've recently fallen in love with photography, and my DSLR has definitely been one of the best investments I've made. In addition to that I love reading, baking, and exploring NYC. I grew up on Long Island, which is very close to the city, so I always came to visit Manhattan as a kid but never really imagined that I'd end up living here. I'm so glad that I did! I have a lot of fun trying new restaurants, going to different parks, visiting museums, and just walking around exploring different neighborhoods. 

2. What is it like being an Operating Room RN? 

Working in the Operating Room is great! It's exciting, interesting, and fast-paced, and I work with amazingly smart and talented people. No two days are the same and I'm constantly learning new things. 

3. Where did you go to college and how did you decide on your major?

I went to SUNY Fredonia in upstate New York for two years and then finished up my last two years of college at Stony Brook University on Long Island. I decided on a Psychology major because I found the subject to be fascinating, and still do! Psychology is a huge part of everyday life, though we don't often think of it that way. After I finished my Bachelor's in Psych I went back to school for nursing because I knew that it would be a really interesting career path. It's full of variety and you can do so many things with it, so I definitely think I made a good choice! 

4. What are your three favorite brunch spots in NYC?

I'm obsessed with brunch, so I'm constantly looking for new favorites! Sarabeth's is one of my top choices. I've been to their Upper East Side and Central Park South locations, and both are lovely. I love the atmosphere, and their pancakes are amazingly delicious. Another place I've only been to once, but which really stuck with me, is called Clinton St. Baking Company, on the Lower East Side. There's always an insane wait, but it was actually worth it. Their hot chocolate and pancakes were seriously AMAZING. My mouth waters just thinking about it! Note to self: go back as soon as possible! Lastly, I really like Alices Tea Cup. They also have a few locations (the Upper East Side one being my favorite, of course!), and I just love how whimsical and cute everything is in there. Aside from the charming decor though, the food is actually quite delicious as well! They have the most fantastic buttermilk scones with clotted cream and jam...so yummy! It's a fun place that you'll really only find in a city like New York. Places like that are part of what I love about this city!

5. What drew you to NYC, and what do you love most about living there?

I came to NYC because I was incredibly lucky to get an amazing job here. After nursing school I decided it would be great to really get out on my own and see what city life would be like. So far, it's been amazing and I'm so glad that I moved here. I also wanted to stay close to where my family is, so this is really the ideal place to be. 

6. What are some of your interior design inspirations (people, locations)?

For interior design, I'm constantly inspired by anything that Michelle Adams does. She has an aesthetic that I really relate to, and I usually love anything designed or styled by her. I love the edginess of Kelly Wearstler's home goods, and I'm also always inspired by other bloggers, such as Elements of Style and Live Creating Yourself. ABC Carpet and Home and Anthropologie are two stores that always get my creative juices flowing as well!

7. What are your three favorite food related posts you’ve written?

Great question! I love writing food posts, since I'm a huge fan of baking and food photography. I was really proud of my Snickerdoodles post, because it was one of the first I did with my DSLR and I just really loved how the photos came out. I also love my second birthday cake post, because I just love that cake and the memories I have of baking it with my family every year (it's a bit of a tradition). My Olive-Oil Granola post is a favorite as well because I like the photography and I love that recipe, which I've made a zillion times! 

8. Favorite books and movies for summer?

For summer, I'm psyched to continue reading the Game of Thrones books. I just started the first one after getting obsessed with the TV show, and I'm loving it! I'm also excited for The Vacationers by Emma Straub, which seems like a great summer read, and to try The Fault in Our Stars, after seeing the movie and really enjoying it (through the amazing amount of tears it brought on!). I'm not too good at keeping up with movies, but I am excited for the Gone Girl movie to come out! 

9. What is your current go to bag?

My current go-to bag for summer is my Madewell Perforated Transport Tote. I have the tote in black and use it constantly, so when I saw the perforated version I knew I had to scoop it up! I've hardly stopped using it since it arrived, which is how I know it was a wise purchase. It's so lightweight, holds a ton, and it's completely versatile. The neutral caramel color goes with anything, and the perforations are a perfect little touch for summer. 

10. What is one of the biggest achievements you’ve had since you began blogging?

My biggest achievements since starting blogging have definitely been my home tours on The Everygirl, Houzz, and Apartment Therapy. I was pretty shocked and incredibly flattered that these great websites wanted to publish my apartment, and it was so incredibly exciting to get to share my space with such a wide audience. It's really interesting seeing how different photographers capture the space in different ways, and I'm just really grateful for all three experiences. 

11. What is one piece of advice you would give to high school girls? College?

For high school girls, I would say be yourself! It's so hard at the time, but don't worry about fitting in with the cool kids or what other people are saying and doing. Don't follow the crowd. Looking back on high school, I wish I had just been more relaxed and not worried so much about what people were thinking of me. For college girls, I would say try to figure out what you're passionate about. College flies by and then it's time to make major decisions about what you want to do with the rest of your life, so pay attention to where your talents lie and what subjects and activities make you happy. 

12. What’s your favorite section of NYC other than the UES (Upper East Side)?

Other than the UES, which I'm obsessed with, I actually really like the Upper West Side. It's similar to the Upper East, but has it's own distinctive personality. It's gorgeous in terms of architecture and the beautiful side streets lined with townhouses, and Central Park is right there, which is just lovely. There are many great shops, bakeries, and restaurants. It's somewhat residential and not too crowded as far as NYC neighborhoods go. I just think it's very picturesque and has a great vibe. 

13. What are some pieces you feel every woman should have in her closet?

As far as fashion goes, I live a very casual life! I wear scrubs to work so I can't really speak to work clothes, but for someone like me, I would say a great fitting and COMFORTABLE pair of jeans is a must, along with a great pair of white jeans and black jeans. I think an army green jacket is always great, and lately I've been all about Converse sneakers paired with skinnies. A great, perfect fitting white tee is a classic and a must (I love the Everlane u-neck), and a stylish raincoat is very important too. Great rain and snow boots are also a city essential, which I've sadly yet to find! A few standout, high-quality bags can also elevate any outfit I think, and they're great investments if you pick something classic. 

14. Where can we find you on social media?

I'm on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads...stop by and say hello if you'd like!

Have a great Tuesday! 

xoxo

P.S. If you have a blog of your own and are interested in being featured in "Tea Talk Tuessday" please shoot me an email at athousandtomorrowsblog@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you! 

These Shoes Were Made for (Beaching)

I love summer shoes! There is so much variety, so many beautiful color options. After spending too much time on social media (Tumblr and Pinterest especially) I have loved seeing how other bloggers and teens style their favorite summer (comfort) shoes.

For me, once the weather is suitable for open toed shoes, they're coming out of their boxes! Here in Charleston, our summer shoes come out as early as the end of March/early April, so trying to find cute pairs to tide us over from then until September/October is both a challenge and fun! 

My go to shoes for summer have to be my Jack Rogers and some casual sandals from Target! (You cannot go wrong with Target sandals. who's with me?)

Gap Two Band Woven Sandals // Gap Espadrille Wedge Sandals // Platinum Classic Jack Rogers // Authentic Original 2 Eye Boat Shoe // Morganne Suede Flats // Classic Espadrilles Sandals // Abbee d'Orsay Flat // Rainbow Leather Flip Flops // Sperry Saylor Wedge // Leta d'Orsay Black Flat // Gap Classic Leather Sandals

I really wish I could pull off some type of wedge (or heel in general) but I'm so cautious about it because of my already 5'10" height. 

Let's not forget to mention that by putting together this look book there are now 11 new pairs of shoes I really want need. 

What are your summer comfort shoes? 

xoxo

  

Tea Talk Tuesday : Madison from The Book Worm Blogger

     

This week, Madison has taken over the blog and is telling us a little bit about herself. I have known Madison since I was in 4th grade and when she started her own blog I was so happy to have such a close friend to talk about anything and everything blog related! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I'm 15, and I currently go to West Potomac High School. I just recently started to blog, and I am falling more and more in love with it everyday. I love to dance, and I was on the JV Dance Team, which was such a privilege. I also adore words. Books and writing pretty much make up my life. I have a loving and awesome family made up of my mom, my dad, a little brother, and two little sisters. They are so supportive of everything I do, and I seriously couldn't have asked for anything better. I am also blessed to have such close and inspiring friends who keep me in check. 

How long have you been blogging and what motivates you to write every day?

I've had my blog for I think almost a year now, but I didn't really keep up with my blog until around December of last year. I'm honestly not really sure why all of the sudden I started blogging a lot, but I think it had a lot to do with [Sydney's] blog. For me, blogging is kind of like an online journal. I use my blog to not only give reviews on books (which is something I absolutely love doing), but also to kind of write about my life and what's going on. I want to be able to look back and see what I have done in my life.

How do you handle school and your blog?

Handling school and my blog can get pretty tough at times, especially now that finals are coming up. I usually wait until I finish most of my homework before I actually write my post, but I have everything planned out beforehand. I'll sit down on weekends and take a look at my week and decide what would be best for me to write throughout the week. That way I'm not sitting for an hour trying to come up with an idea for my blog when I probably should be finishing up an essay.

What are some of your favorite posts that you've written?

Since I'm kind of just starting out with blogging, I don't have a ton of posts, but my favorites, have to be "Motivation for the Month: May," "Night Before Our Stars, pt. 2," "Weekly Fangirl Fetish: Eleanor and Park," and "Weekly Fangirl Fetish: When Godly People Do Ungodly Things." 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

The sad thing is, I really don't know what I want to do with my life when I get out of high school. In 5 years, hopefully I'll be at a fairly good college studying Business Administration and English. It sounds really boring, but I want to be able to get a secure job that will allow me to write on the side, so that hopefully I will be able to become an author when I get older. And I've always loved marketing, so Business Administration doesn't sound so bad. 

What would be your dream job and why?

My dream job would either be an editor or an author. Obviously writing is my passion, and I love to read as well, so getting paid to read aspiring author's works or write as an author myself would be amazing. If I were to become an author, I really want to write a story that means something, probably targeted towards young adults.

What are you most looking forward to about sophomore year?

There are actually a ton of things I'm looking forward to sophomore year. For one, I'm moving back to South Carolina and I'm going back to School of the Arts for Creative Writing, which is just so surreal for me. It is such a blessing from God. I am super excited to see all of my old friends and be able to go to school with them again. I will also get to write every day again, which will be SO nice after taking a break for a year. Of course, I will also be able to start driving, which is weird and really freaky to think about. Also, I won't be a freshmen anymore, so no more bottom of the food chain for me!

What are some of your essential pieces in your closet?

Some pieces of clothing that I absolutely adore include a neutral colored skirt, a polka-dot sundress, brown oxford high heels, and my Hogwarts sweatshirt (she adds sheepishly). I love the skirt because I can wear it with literally every shirt I own, and there's this black design on the bottom to keep the skirt still neutral but more exciting. The sundress is so comfy to wear, yet it still looks like I put more effort into my outfit. I adore the high heels. I usually wear them to church, but they go with any of my dresses and they are just so adorable. I think the sweatshirt is pretty self-explanatory. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, so naturally the sweatshirt goes anywhere I go. It's nice because I can just throw it on when I get cold, and it has super warm and comfy material.

What books would you recommend to read this summer?

It depends on what you personally like to read, but I really enjoyed Rainbow Rowell's books, Eleanor & Park and Fangirl. I also suggest The Great Gatsby if you haven't read it, because the whole novel has a very summery feel and is a great read. If you're looking for something more inspirational this summer, I suggest anything Beth Moore, Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagen, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (this one covers a bit more depressing subjects), and Stargirl by Jerri Spinelli. (Stargirl is a much easier book at a lower reading level, but it is extremely well written.

What is your favorite part about dancing and writing?

This answer is going to be extremely cliche, but my favorite part about writing and dancing is that I feel at home. When I'm on the stage performing or I am sitting with a journal and pen in my hand is when I feel most comfortable and confident with myself. I can be a fairly shy person and I don't really share my thoughts very often, but I can become someone else when I write or dance, which helps me share what I have to say to the world. My favorite part is when I am writing/dancing, and I am so involved in the story I am sharing that I lose myself in this little world that I created. It's the best feeling.

What is your favorite part about going to SOA?

When I first showed up at School of the Arts in the 6th grade, I was kind of a mess. I had no idea what I loved to do, I was pretty far from God, I was trying too hard to be someone I wasn't, and I didn't have a ton of friends. School of the Arts really helped me turn around my life. I am able to do something I love for an hour and a half every day. I love how I am able to focus on writing, and I am learning how to become a strong and original writer. It's so amazing that I got the privilege to go to a school like that. I also feel like everyone is so much more accepting of other people, and moving to Virginia for a year definitely helped me appreciate that. Going to a more accepting school allowed me to grow as a person and understand who I am - I was allowed to be an artist who preferred to look at the world differently, and I loved that. The teachers understood that everyone was different, and I find that so rare nowadays. I also got to be around people that shared the same passion as I do, and that helped me find common ground with potential friends. School of the Arts helped me find my voice through both writing and through the atmosphere the school provides, and I am so thankful for that.
{Madison went to the same school I currently go to and I have missed her so much this past year! If you're new to the blog, School of the Arts is a school in which you audition into, and choose one of the 8 majors : Visual Arts, Strings, Piano, Vocal, Band, Theater, Dance, and Creative Writing) You spend 90 minutes every day in your major and can attend starting at grade 6, all the way to your Senior year.}

Where can we find you on social media? 

I'm on Twitter (@TheBookworm123), Instagram (thebookwormblogger), and Pinterest (balletshooz, under the board ~blogging~).

As Madison is a fairly new blogger, go and show her some love and add her to your Daily Reads list! 

xoxo

Branding, Organization, and Selling Yourself as a Blogger

It has been almost a year (July 1 2013!) since I started my little corner of the interweb here at A Thousand Tomorrows, formally known as Everyday Southern Prep. I have learned so much and have found that writing is a hobby of mine that relieves stress and lets me create new ideas and content. It has been an absolute joy writing this past year and I cannot wait to see what is to come. 

With this being said, I have learned lots of important things you need to consider while blogging, such as the importance of organization, branding, and "selling yourself" on social media. Each blogger has their own little differences when it comes to branding themselves, whether it be how they describe their blog, style, or content. I have read so many blog posts about blogging tips, how to brand yourself on twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc. (and how to utilize these social media platforms!), creating the best content, and organizing each week. 
For me, organizing is the key to blogging. I use a master calendar along with an Excel Spread Sheet to log every post and its views and reader response. I do not have a calendar solely dedicated to blogging, because the calendar I use is fine for both school and blog work. I simply pencil in the post I want to plan for that certain date.  Recently, I plugged all my posts into my Google Calendar. I cannot carry my calendar around with me, as it doesn't fit in my purse, so if I need to quickly glance at my blog plans, it's all accessible on my phone. It's also easy to edit! 
Carrying around a small notebook is always a good idea for every woman, but for us bloggers, notebooks can hold thousands of blog post ideas and inspiration. I find myself taking notes on my phone, on scratch pieces of paper, and napkins, so having one notebook to compile all these ideas makes it much more organized (key theme here!) and easy to read/navigate.  I mentioned that I have recently started using Excel. As well as logging each post with its views and response, I log my blog ideas here as well. That way if I were to misplace my notebook, its all on my computer. 
With my blog growing slowly each day, I have been thinking about investing more in different items to help brand myself and the blog. A simple solution? Business Cards. They can be customized just for you/your blog and can say everything needed - name, email, web address, social media handles, and phone number. 
Keeping a weekly to do list for your blog can also help tremendously. I tend to keep a master to do list for the entire week, whether it be errands, school, home chores, or blog work, but staying organized in that way also helps - and you feel great when you're able to scratch something off of the list! 
One thing that every blogger will tell you when you ask them how they were able to grow their blog and connect with others will be the usage of Social Media Platforms. Sharing links, mentioning other bloggers, following bloggers, and linking up with blogs when possible will greatly increase your traffic and (hopefully!) keep some readers for the long run! I always had a love for Instagram before I started blogging, but since then my love for Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, and Google Plus (and even emailing!) has shot through the roof. If you can allot a simple 10 minutes each day to a few of these platforms and share your own posts as well as others, you're going to capture at least one persons eye (fingers crossed) and allow them to then go on and share about your personal blog. 
Lots of these tips seem to apply to blogging, but some can even apply if you're going into a job or interview - selling yourself is HUGE in these settings as well! 
Being a high school sophomore (eek!) can be rough because of the constant judging when it comes to quirky things that most people don't do - such as blogging. There are 4 girls I know of (now 3, since Kira has moved on to another local high school) that blog in my grade, and just a couple upperclassmen. Having to share what you do and love can be tough with people that don't always understand how you love writing your heart out to the tiny corner you've made for yourself on the internet, but being able to stand up and strongly state that is something even I'm still struggling with. I don't know how long this blog will last, but being able to share what I love with you, my readers, really inspires me to keep writing. (I'm getting sappy!) 
I'm going to save my feelings about this blogs growth and readers for my 1st Birthday Post, but just know that  I have learned so much from you as my reader and I am so thankful for you. 
xoxo

Tiny Prints : Bestie's Birthday Gift Guide

I love buying gifts for my friends, whether it be at Christmas or for their upcoming birthday! I find myself always going for the stereotypical gifts, such as earrings, a gift card, or a book - but Tiny Prints has an endless selection of gifts for every friend. And, with my friend's Sweet Sixteens coming up there's a little room for splurging and personalization! 

I find that adding personalization to gifts makes it that much more exciting for the receiver - and the giver can have some fun picking out the right colors and styles! I've received a few personalized gifts for birthdays, such as a large 'S' that I have hanging on my wall, a monogrammed waterbottle, and a frame full of photos of myself and a close friend - and these gifts are always some of my favorite keepsakes. 



click here to view all the details of all the products! 

Tiny Prints has a wide array of gifts for all occasions other than Birthdays! There's products for buisness workers, graduates, mothers and fathers - you cannot go wrong with the endless options. 

xoxo

Tea Talk Tuesday : Julianna from Sass del Sur

   

This week Julianna joins us from Sass del Sur! She's guest posted for the blog before and I am so glad to have her back to get to know her on a more personal level! Enjoy! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I am Julianna, and I will be a high school junior this fall. I live in the beautiful state of Georgia, and I love everything about being from the South. I have a strong passion for sports and fashion.

How long have you been blogging and what motivates you to write every day?

I have been blogging for just over a year now, and it can be hard to motivate myself all the time. But blogging is something I absolutely love, and I find motivation from literally everything around me.

As you’re entering your junior year of high school, what piece(s) of advice could you give to other high school girls? My advice is to do your best to realize that high school won’t matter in a couple years. I know that it all may seem like the end of the world, but it isn’t. Just get through it doing the best you can. Get good grades. Have amazing friends. Don't worry about petty drama. 

How do you handle school and your blog?

Oh my gosh, this is the hardest part about blogging in my opinion. Some days I just DO NOT want to write another post at 11 at night. I try my best to schedule posts on the weekends, but if I don’t get one written, I hope all my readers understand that school comes first. Always. 

Where do you love to shop?

I am kinda weird, but I love shopping at Staples for office supplies. Clothes wise, I love Target, Old Navy, and this botique in my town called Lizard Thicket. J.Crew, Lilly Pulitzer, and Vineyard Vines are of course staples in my wardrobe, but I prefer to window shop there. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I will be 21 which is absolutely crazy. Hopefully, I will be getting ready to finish my last year of college at the University of Kentucky and getting ready to go to graduate school and have a really cool life. I also hope to still have this blog! 

What are some of your essentials in your closet?

Anything with stripes is crucial to my wardrobe. My mom thinks I am crazy every time I want something else with stripes... Then of course chino shorts, and my favorite shoes are Keds. 

What are some of your favorite posts that you’ve written?

I love my Game Day series that I just started. 

What are some of your daily reads? (blog wise)

I always make sure to read Carly’s blog TheCollege Prepster and Krista’s blog Covering the Bases.   

Where can we find you on social media? 

I’m @juliannakearn on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! My tumblr is unitedsassofamerica.tumblr.com. I'm obsessed with social media, so you should definitely follow me. :) 

Go and show Julianna some love today and tell her that I sent you! I'm sure you're going to fall in love with her blog!

xoxo

Julep : Peony Pink

I featured my first installment of how I would create my own personal (and perfect!) nail polish color this past  Thursday and to go along with that classic navy color, you cannot go wrong with the color of a pink peony as shown below. 

Like I said on Thursday, Julep is currently having a contest to see who can "create" the perfect nail polish color! You can enter here - it takes less than a minute; and, with a trip to NYC on the line it is so worth it! By the way, I have a few Julep Nail Polishes in my own personal stock and love them so much - they are amazing quality and have endless selections when it comes to color choices! Check out their new summer line here! 

{ pinterest } { mackenzie horan's instagram } { carly's instagram } { tumblr }

Mackenzie and Carly's instagrams are both so perfect - from the colors to the quality, I wish I could "love" them rather than just like them! Since Mackenzie's favorite colors are navy and pink, it's no doubt you would see them all over her blog and social media! 

And now for the combo! Seeing the two perfect colors together makes it so real and more perfect. 

{ pinterest } { mackenzie horan's instagram } { carly's instagram } { tumblr }

If you could create your own custom color, what would it be?

xoxo

I was asked by Julep to participate with their company to create my own personal color, but am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are my own - thank you for supporting A Thousand Tomorrows!