Sunday Funday: Monogram DIYs!

Hi guys! Today, I thought I'd share some simple and fun DIY projects with you. I've had a crazy and jam-packed couple of days last week, but I'm so glad to be back :)

1.  Boot Decals

What you'll need: pair of rain boots, vinyl sticker paper (usually sold in the scrapbook section), an x-acto knife

*I actually did this DIY a few months ago, and can say that this vinyl is AMAZING! I've worn these boots in torrential downpours and blizzards, and the stickers have held up so well!

I had this idea when I found this pastel pink vinyl paper at Michael's, and knew I had to do it! I didn't include pictures because it seemed a bit redundant, but I basically just printed off my monogram then traced it on to the vinyl, and cut it out! 

I highly suggest using a font that's not in cursive, mainly because it can be tricky to cut it close enough; but hey, if you're up for the challenge or have the time, go for it! I loved how the pink looked on my pastel blue hunter boots, and can't wait to get some more use out of them this fall.

2. Personalized iPhone Case

What you'll need: a clear phone case, scrapbook paper/ pattern, scissors or an x-acto knife, sharpie (optional) 

Let me preface this one by saying I definitely DID NOT invent this idea! I just put my own little spin on it :) I love this idea because it's simple, quick, and I always get tons of compliments!

I picked up this adorable gold scrapbooking paper at A.C. Moore, and honestly did a bunch of trial and error to cut it into the perfect shape to fit the back of my phone.

You could also cut out a picture, like I did of my monogram, then stick it in the middle of the case.

I've done this so many times before, especially with cute group pictures with friends. I also think it'd make a great holiday gift for a family member!

3. Monogram Fonts

What you'll need: ... a computer to download them! :)

I feel like I've always been searching for a nice looking script font for monograms, which can be tricky to find. I compiled a few of my favorites below!

• Cursif *(I found out that a company who sells monogram decals uses this font!)*

• Debonaire Inline (for regular initials)

4. Monogram Canvas

What you'll need: a canvas (ha), acrylic paint, a large circular object to trace, Command hooks

This might be my favorite DIY! Unfortunately though, I have no rhyme or reason on how to create the letters since I just free-handed them. The best tip I can give is to trace something like a smaller garbage can so that you have a circle to follow if you're creating a circle block monogram like I did. Also, I used duct tape to create clean like on letters with straight edges, like the T.

I love how it looks with the coral on my pillow and with the lights I put up!

That's all for today! Hopefully you got some inspiration from my ideas; I think any one of them would make great holiday gifts!

Until next time,

Ti

Past-Present-Future: Step into my Life!

Hey guys! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm just so glad that I survived this week! It's honestly been jam-packed with events from cross-country meets to the PSAT to exams in basically every class!

Past

In the midst of my busy school week, I had the urge to toss up some Christmas lights on my wall! 

I also free-handed the monogram canvas on my wall, and painted it; I am in loooove with how it turned out!

I was so excited to visit my brother at his college!! He plays soccer, so my family went to his school for the day and spent some time with him after :) The school is also walking distance from a bridge with a pedestrian path, and I got some cool pictures of the sunset!

One night, one of my friends sent a mysterious text asking if I was home... 20 minutes later, I was greeted by her and an adorable package of macaroons! She was in the city and said she saw them and thought of me... if that doesn't describe me, I don't know what does!

I also managed to survive my physics exam... cue the confetti!!

Present

To celebrate my survival of this crazy week, my mom and I went shopping! I may or may not have spent all the money I made tutoring and babysitting...but it was totally worth it! (**Expect a fun styling post soon!!)

Today was the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk" that I did with a ton of friends! One of my friend's mom's is a survivor, and it was a great experience being a part of the walk and seeing all the positive energy!

Yes, tutus were my idea ;)

Also, my friend group and I decided that for Halloween, we're being mermaids!! Here's a Pinterest pic we were inspired by, except with a little more coverage since it's been close to 40 degrees here!!

Future

This upcoming week, my school has spirit week! It's always super fun because everyone usually goes all-out and dresses up!

On the actual day of Halloween, we're all going to a friend's house in Southold (eastern Long Island). We're all beyond excited; since it's a Friday, we'll be sleeping over as well!


That's all I have for today! Talk to you guys next week!

Until next time,

Ti

Feeling Fall Linkup!

Hi guys! I'm overly excited to share today's post with you, because it's actually a linkup run by Carrie, Laura and Jamie. The prompt. if you will, was to style our favorite scarf and answer some questions, which I've done at the end of this post!

I'll quickly share a little sob story with you; Picture this:

You planned out your whole post, outfit and location and all. Each day for the past week, you run to the window and take a peak outside, only to see that the ominous, water-logged clouds have remained in their position for the whole entire week! What's a blogger to do? Venture out into the unknown, and get pictures, obviously (#doitfortheblog). Hence the umbrella in most of the pictures!

Cozy Cable Knit

Here it is! My all-time favorite fall scarf is this unbelievably soft cream knit scarf! The weather here has taken a turn for the winter, and I'm just now accepting it ;)

Smiling through the freezing rain :)))

I also love to pair this scarf with my super warm knitted headband/ear warmer!

...but let's be real, this was my 'tude towards the totally uncooperative chilly weather!

Now onto the questions!

1. What's your favorite fall trend?

Vests!! I'm a sucker for a quilted vest, or any type for that matter! I think they add a nice touch to any fall outfit :) Of course, I have to mention these J. Crew vests which are on sale!

2.What's your favorite Starbucks drink?

Unpopular opinion: tea and coffee really aren't my thing; you'd most likely catch me drinking a peppermint hot chocolate! These are by far my weakness as the colder weather approaches!

Although it's a bit early to be thinking of Christmas, here's one of my favorite mint hot chocolate DIY recipes!

3. If you could only wear one pair of boots this whole season, which pair would they be?

I actually did a post last week mentioning my favorite fall shoes, and my Steve Madden boots definitely take the cake on this one

4. What's your favorite fall activity?

Bonfires x20! I have a mini bonfire pit in my backyard, so I always invite friends over to roast marshmallows and just hangout. Also, since it gets chilly at night, I also invite friends over to go in the outdoor hot tub; this is also really fun to do when it snows, believe it or not!

That's it for today! I'd like to thank the girls who organized the linkup and invited me to participate once again!

Until next time,

Ti :)

Autumn Kicks: 3 Fall Outfits

Hi guys! I don't know about you, but this past week has been absolutely killing me! I have a busy week ahead of me as well, but next week's post is one I'm super excited for so keep an eye out ;)

Today I'll be showing you three of my favorite fall shoes, and how I like to style them!
I live in New York, and it's been pretty chilly lately, especially in the mornings. So, as much as it pains me to say it, it's time to pack away the Jack Rogers and Rainbow flip flops for the season *cue sad music* But at the same time, I can't wait to wear my favorite boots!

Classic Boots

I searched high and low to find these boots in my size, and am so glad that I did! These are from Steve Madden, and are probably my favorite pair of boots (yes, even more than my Tory Burch!)

My family goes ham when it comes to decorating :P

This Free People shirt matched the boots perfectly!

The key with boots that hit at your knee, in my opinion, is to wear either some skinny jeans or a pair of leggings (yes, I do dare wear leggings as pants! They're great quality, I swear!).

 If you opt for a looser fitting pant, it can create the illusion that your upper legs are wider than they really are, so I think a tighter pant really accentuates everything you want to and nothing you don't :)

Ankle Booties

I got these adorable little ankle boots last year, but actually had ZERO clue on how to style them! While this outfit is a bit out of my comfort zone, I really love it. I paired these Matisse boots with some boyfriend jeans from Gap, and a super soft flowy white Tee.

I usually shy away from boyfriend jeans for two reasons: 1) my extremely long and lanky legs usually make the jeans hit at a weird spot on my leg, and 2) I honestly can't fill them out, and they tend to look baggy on me! Nevertheless, I think they totally work :)

I think that a pant with looser bottoms or ones that roll up, like boyfriend jeans, are great for short boots because otherwise for me, it looks like my ankles are sorta awkwardly small... Hopefully I'm making sense, but yeah, I opt for a flowier bottom pant :)

Flats

The new Tory Burch Revas are God-sent! Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but I am in LOVE!

I'm a lover of any ballet flat to start with, and these gold Revas are no different

For me, cuffed jeans and ballet flats go together like PB & jelly (which I ironically dislike...but you get the point!). I chose a simple white oxford and my new favorite Anthropology scarf, along with a dark wash pair of Ditto jeans. 

I love this outfit because it has a simple color palette, but still looks sophisticated!

(P.S. Can we just take moment to appreciate out Halloween/ Autumn decorations... I'm obsessed.)

That's all for today! I'm so glad to get this post up finally, especially since these pictures were taken last week. But... school.... need I say more?? See you guys next week!

Until next time, 

Ti

Post Delay//Upcoming Post

Hey guys!! I wanted to update you to let it be known that I took some pictures this past weekend for a fashion post that I'm über excited to share, but I honestly ran out of time. 

My school work kinda piled on, and I really wanted to put my best effort into it, so I decided to wait until this weekend to post it. 

On another note, while I was babysitting I got the chance to try out one of those metallic tattoos!

They're really cool, and mine has lasted for almost a week so far :)

Also, my friends and I went to a recently-made-famous diner, well-known for their AMAZING milkshakes!

They were actually the best thing, like ever!!

Again, sorry for the delay, but I promise that Sunday's post will be better!! :)

Until next time,

Ti

Attest to Stress: How to take a Break

Hi guys! I had a few ideas for today's post, but with school being oh-so-prevalent in everyone's lives, I decided to write about some ways to relax with the hustle and bustle of exams, AP classes, SATs... Oy vey. I'll stop before everyone gets stressed just thinking about it! So, here are some ways I like to take a break!

1. Take a Hike

I love to just go for a jog when I start to get uneasy about school work! If you're not a runner like me, then take your pet, best friend, or anyone else and just go for a walk. I think fresh air does wonders for the mind, and it really clears out my mind! 

These Lululemon shorts are definitely my favorites!

If you're able to, I love cracking a window and letting some fresh air in as well; I live in a suuuuper quiet neighborhood, so there's never much going on and I can relax :)

2. Light a Candle

Especially since fall is just around the corner (2 days to be exact!), I think it's a great idea to pick up some festive candles! It's honestly hysterical how happy I get when I walk in the house to find that my mom is burning my favorite candle (Cinnamon Pecan Swirl)!

It's also been scientifically proven (really!) that different scents while studying actually help you retain new information; what a great excuse!

On a random note, we just decorated my house for autumn, and lemme say that it's definitely making me more accepting of the chilly weather!

3. Get baking

I know that some of my friends as well as so many other people turn to food when they get stressed. Instead of grabbing a not-so-healthy snack, why not bake! I like to pick something that doesn't take a lot of time and isn't super complicated, so that way you won't get frustrated if it doesn't come out perfect (let's be real, when have I ever baked anything remotely normal)! After going through Pinterest, here are some of my top recipes:

• Triple Vanilla Brownies (my fave!)
• Chocolate Rice Krispy Balls (super easy!)
• Edible Cookie Dough (I love this on waffles)

4. Get together with some friends

If you're feeling pounded by school, I think it's a great idea to have some friends over! I did this recently with a group of girls, and we had a bonfire! It was a lot of fun, and great to just talk to everyone and know that we're all in the same boat when it comes to school stress.

That's all for today! I had a crazy exam-filled week this past week, so I'm planning on having a post next week with some more of my own pictures :) Have a great week everyone!

Also, let me know how you combat stress!! (really, I could use some of your advice too!) 

Loving Lately: Early Fall Favorites

Hey guys! Today I'm gonna be telling you about some of my recent obsessions, especially since fall is coming upon us! I live in the Northeast, and I honestly feel like it went from 85 to 60 degrees LIKE THAT (hey, I don't hate it). Aaaaaaaany who, here are a few of my favorite things (ha-who else sang that in their head??)

1) Transitioning Pieces

This outfit above has been one of my absolute FAVES recently! Yes, I totally, completely, without a doubt splurged on these Tory Burch Revas! Do not fear though; my mom was oh-so-kind as to split the price with me, of course with the ultimatum that we share ;) Lemme just say that for the record: yes, they are immensely stiff before you break them in, but the new design without the elastic is 100X more comfortable!

I picked up this baby pink infinity scarf from Anthropology, and it's actually the softest thing I own!! My Gap jeans have been a recent go-to as well, and they're surprisingly loose yet flattering :)

When I really feel like looking quite polished (ie. any day I DON'T have gym!), I like to wear statement pants! These ones are from J. Crew, and I personally think they flatter any body type. I paired them with these (again, baby pink-aka my fave neutral) Nine West Flats, and a statement necklace from a local boutique.

2) Beauty Department: Colored Lip

Though I usually tend to just grab some chapstick in the morning, my Revlon lip butters have really changed my ways! Specifically in the fall, I can almost always be seen wearing the color "Raspberry Pie", pictured in the middle. What I love about the lip butters is that they feel like a balm, and I found that they dry a bit matte, so they last the whole day! Seriously, I think everyone needs Raspberry Pie!!

3) Nails & Jewels

I've been a bit tired and stressed lately; not only from school, but also because I seem to have come down with a cold. A fresh mani can really make you feel rejuvenated! It really didn't photograph well, but Essie's After School Boy Blazer is one of my favorite darker colors for the fall! It's the perfect navy blue, and I can already tell I'll be coming back to it ;) And although it isn't specifically fall-related, I've been wearing more rings recently. Above are some of my top picks :)

 4) Moisturize

 With colder weather comes dry skin; that is, unless, you have a good body lotion! This one is my all-time-without-a-doubt-FAVORITE! It's Sabon's butter cream in the scent "Sweet Summer." The best way I think I can describe it is to compare it to a certain Loreal hair detangler-you know, that one in the green bottle? It's the perfect balance of sweet and fruity without being overbearing, and people actually compliment me on it!

5) Snackin'

Alright, this one's pretty random, but my mom and I made a trip to Trader Joe's and picked up the famous Cookie Butter! I'm warning you now: it's honestly SO addicting!!! I love to dip some honey wheat pretzels in this mixture of deliciousness, and it makes the perf indulging snack combo of salty and sweet.

6) Throwback...Friday?

VV pajamas because why not...

So on Friday night, some friends and I decided to get together and watch a movie; and what we came up with was the Lizzie McGuire Movie! One of my friends suggested that we all wear our pajamas, and it was a really fun night! We plan on doing something like this each week, and it's definitely a fun and relaxing reward after a week chock-full of school and track.

That's all I have for you guys today! What are you looking forward to this fall? Let me know!

Until next time,

Ti

Past-Present-Future: School & The Works

Hi guys! I'm sososo ecstatic to be blogging today :) I was pretty upset to have missed a week from blogging, and hate making excuses, but hear me out! Between school hitting me like an avalanche (does that even make sense) and my computer having a plethora of issues (including having a meltdown while writing this post, blogging has been nearly impossible. This post will be slightly haphazard because I have quite a few topic I'd like to hit, so let's get started!

Past

SCHOOL: As some of you may know I actually started school last Tuesday, the 2nd. So here's the low-down so far:
-I pretty much love all of my teachers
-I have so much class and homework that I might drown in it (but actually!!)
In case you were curious, here's all my binders and supplies:

Spot the Jack Roger creepin'

Ok I had to include this... these post-its were as big as the size of a school desk!

Because why not monogram everything...

Above is my bag I got for the school year! Since I worked the whole summer, I decided to splurge a bit and got this parfait Rebecca Minkoff bag! It's the perfect size, and I love the long strap :)

Present

 My family also had a barbecue recently for the end of summer, and I got to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while!

School can also kinda be stuck in the "present" category, since I should probably be doing some work right now... but hey, everyone needs a break!

I also wanted to talk about my new go-to nail color, which is "Show me the Ring" by Essie! It's definitely a new favorite, and totally reminds me of platinum Jack rogers!

If you haven't heard about Frank, I'm glad to say I'm the one who "enlightened" you ;) I found the "Frank Body" instagram a while back, and was intrigued! Basically, the brand is called Frank and they make 3 different body scrubs, all varying in ingredients, though similarly using coffee as a key ingredient. I don't have any skin issues per se, but the before and after pictures people post truly speak for themselves!! It's super hydrating, and I am IN LOVE! I'll def be purchasing Frank again

Future

My future is honestly filled with homework, homework, and then some :P Nonetheless, I am making it a point to stress less this year, and set some goals to help keep me level-headed! I suggest doing something like this, whether it be finishing homework a day early or just setting your outfit aside the night before :)

Also, I've not only worked over the summer but also picked up some extra babysitting jobs and have some extra cash! I've been eyeing the latest Lauren James T's, and have especially been lusting over the one below! 

Odd fact #20587 about Tianna: She has an abnormal obsession with old-fashioned, mid-1900 pick-up trucks, and this t-shirt was probably made specifically for her.

That's all I have for you guys today! I'd like to apologize again for the skipped week of a post, and wanted to let it be known that I'm making every effort to stay as consistent as possible! :)

Until next time,

Ti :)

A Week in the Life {Weekly Recap}

Hi guys! So for this week's post, I was feeling pretty sentimental/inspirational and decided to do something different. Here it goes!

So basically, this post is about the past 2 weeks of my oh-so-interesting life (lol). Lately in my group of friends there has been some minor drama, which is very out of the norm for us. It's all pretty much cleared up now, but let me say one thing: I really, truly, dislike playing the mediator/taking sides.

I also received some monogram stickers in the mail! I put them on my calculator and agenda, and still have a third one I was planning on using for a folder.

My friend group situation did stress me out a bit, so what did I do? Accidentally made cookie batter for FOUR HUNDRED COOKIES (woops).

{"Ox" is a running track joke lol}

They were pretty good though, if I do say so myself ;)

Not to mention I happened to also make waaaayyyyy too much icing. But hey, it's all good.

My family also had the pleasure of being able to stay in a friend's beach house for the week. Because my work schedule allowed me to (wooo!), my mom and I drove out a few days later and stayed for a day. 

This was my FAVE part of the house!! It was a huge room facing the backyard surrounded by screens, so no bugs! It was the perf place to read, and brainstorm some blog posts (heh).

Here's also where I got a little inspiring. So on the shore close the house, we happened to find the beach literally LITTERED with perfect scallop shells! My dad and I used to always comb the beaches near us in search of perfect shells so this was super fun!

I also started thinking. The reason we got so excited was because we put value in those shells. For some people, they're probably thinking,"Ok, cool, you found something the tide washed up..." which is pretty true. But since we made the shells important, it made us happy.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is if you put some value and importance behind everyday things (even if it's someone making you a cup of coffee in the morning), it can really make you happy and life your mood :)

 Kinda going along with that, if you've been reading my blog, you know my odd macaroon obsessions. I found this print on pinterest and made it my iPhone background! It really makes me happy just to look at it :)

Busy busy week! My mom and I headed to the Hamptons one weekend and did some shopping.

I'm totally creepy, but there's Adam Sandler in the orange shirt!!

It was really nice being able to spend some time with my mom. We stopped for lunch at this adorable little cafe, and I pretty much had the best salad OF MY LIFE.

Lastly, it was one of my good friend's birthday, and she had a nice bonfire at her house! I was pretty excited to get some use out of my funky romper that's a bit of my usual style :)

That's all for today! I think for next week, I'll be doing some back to school fashion ideas, since I don't start school until the day after labor day. If you've already started, maybe you can use some of my ideas!