Studying Already? Here's how to make the best coffee!

I am only in the first week of classes and I have already spent way too much time hitting the books. The one thing that keeps me sane during those long hours is a nice hot and bubbly cup of coffee or a creamy latte. However, living on a student's budget makes it hard for me to run to the corner Starbucks and pay for a 5 dollar caffeinated treat every time I need a boost, so I have learned to be my own barista. Here are some tips on saving money on your java but still enjoying every sip: 

• Buy an espresso maker (if you are a latte lover or crave cappuccinos). Sure, there are a lot of machines that can have a price tag reaching $1000, but I grabbed my espresso maker at WalMart for a mere $130 and it works just as well (and has lasted me over a year so far). This will enable you to pull espresso shots and foam milk, the moves required to create a latte, americano, cappuccino or anything else you crave from the Starbucks menu. 
• Buy fresh beans and a coffee grinder. Ground coffee beans only stay fresh for a few days, so instead of asking for your beans pre ground, buy whole beans and a grinder, your coffee will taste MUCH more fresh. Plus, whole beans stay good for a few months. 
• Get some tasty syrup. This is something I only just started doing, the syrup adds that extra shot of flavor to your cup of joe. You can pick up any flavors like vanilla, hazelnut or mint at your local coffee shop. 
• Splurge on quality beans. There is not much to say to this one, find beans that you like and that have been roasted correctly... In other words- beware of the supermarket. 

Those are some of my ideas for making coffee shop- like- coffee in the comfort of your very own home. Believe me, you will never want coffee from anywhere else! 

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something 

Keeping Focused- 5 ways to stay on track this year

Hello readers,


Since the theme for many of my posts has been getting back to school and accepting an end to the summer months, I thought I would share with you some of my tips for staying focused and on track through school while still maintaining a social life. 

1. Keep an agenda. If you will walk away retaining any of these tips, please let it be to get an agenda. You cannot possibly remember all your assignments, appointments and professors' office hours... so write it down! I like to write down when things are due as well as when I should be working on them. 
2. Cut down on the four day weekend binges. Believe me, when monday coming rolling around and you realize you have a final in 2 days that you haven't started studying for you will regret it. Having fun is defiantly part of the college experience, but hardly anyone I know can get work done when they are nursing a massive hang over. 
3. Get involved. There is nothing that will take you off track more than having too much free time, this will lead to procrastination- the evil enemy that every college student faces. Plus, extra curricular activities will look great on your resume or application to graduate school. 
4. Study in the library or in a place you can focus. When it comes to studying to each his own, but I find that when I am studying somewhere that I cannot do anything else it helps me to get a lot more work done. Set a time for yourself (say you will be at the library from 9am-3pm) and after that you are free to do your own thing. 
5. Get organized. Make sure you have all the resources you need at your finger tips at all times. Spending two hours looking for your first year economics text book will take away from your studying time, not to mention drive you crazy. 

There are some of my tips for staying on track, does anyone else have tips that work for them? Share with me! 

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something 

Internship: Things to to before it ends

So today marks the last day of my summer internship. I have learned so much through the last four months and could not be any happier with my experience. While in the process of leaving, I have made sure to do the following things:

• Ask for letters of recommendation. In my case I had about 5 managers and supervisors whom I reported to, you may be in the same situation; in this case ask for letters from those who know your work the best.
• Write thank you letters to your team/managers. This is common etiquette. Frequently your team or managers will do the same. Thank them for taking the time to teach you new things and guide you through your internship (lord knows they probably had something better to do).
• Take all personal files with you or delete them. If you have a file from school or your resume saved on your corporate desktop, its best to erase it or transfer it to a USB for your personal use.
• Leave your workstation as you found it (provided it was clean). Even though you may never work here again, you want to leave a good impression with everyone you worked with. This includes not creating any extra work for anyone.
• If you plan to apply for another internship soon (which I do), make sure you ask your supervisor if you may list them as a reference.
• Update your resume. I typically do this within the first month of my internship; but nevertheless, your tasks and projects are still fresh in your mind so now is a good time to summarize them.
• Collect all contact information of managers. It is a good idea to write down your managers’ emails and phone numbers. It would be nice to send them occasional updates on yourself or greetings to keep in touch.

I have really enjoyed my internship. I learned to use my schooling in a practical environment and made some valuable contacts. Now I get about a month break before I will start applying to my next one…

Sincerely yours,

The Twenty Something

Lauren Conrad for Kohl's- my picks from the collection

As you may know, Lauren Conrad launched a collection for Kohl's; the look-book was released in March of this year. Her line is for the fashionista on a budget, like me (who has the money to spend on trendy designer gear when they have expensive tuition bills and really expensive textbooks to pay for?)

Lauren Conrad is one of my all-time favorite celebreties, the main reason is that I adore her effortless fashion sense- oh and I LOVE her hair (post bleach blonde phase). 

I find her line to be feminine and flowy with a retro twist in her more structured pieces- just how I like it! 

Here I have put together a collection of my favorite pieces from her new line. Enjoy!

Sincerely yours,

The Twenty Something

Five Essential Beauty Products

We all have our tried and true beauty secrets that keep us going, but I (a self-proclaimed Sephora addict) want to share with you my very favorite products. I assure you they have proven their worth time and time again.

1. A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara

You have probably heard this before, but this is the best mascara on the market. It volumizes, makes my lashes go for days, and stays on through a full day of classes, work and social gatherings. I like to buy "A Little Bit BADgal"  because I have a tendency of using a mascara a little too long, the small bottle gives me a good reminder of when I need to stock up.

2. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying lotion and Dramatically Different Moisturizer

 These products are part of a 3 step regime that work wonders. While the soap and clarifying lotion leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, the moisturizer works well for creating your softest skin imaginable.

3. Moon Beam Luminizer  by Benefit 

 I have fair skin, so I am always looking for an extra umph in my complexion. This product does just that. Just dab a few dots on your cheek bone and brow bone and you have a fresh and dewy goddess-worthy look. There is also a little shimmer in this, so when it hits the lights, your cheekbones look fab.

4. Mac Iridescent Powder/ Pressed. 
   

I love this stuff, so much that I have gone through about 4 in the last 5 years. It is great to hide any unwanted shine, or to simply create a flawless and smooth complexion.

5.      Rosebud Salve

 This product has a cult following, and I am first to admit that I am part of it. It keeps your lips smooth and kissable; you can even apply it on other parts of your body to keep hydrated. My favorite spot is my elbows; finally they don’t look like my grandfather’s ankles anymore. Try it in a delicious mint flavor as well which it provides a great tingly feeling! 

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something 

Totes,Totes,Totes

I, along with many other twenty-somethings, am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my first jaunt back into classes. In light of this is the topic for today- the tote bag. This bag will be your trusty side-kick for the next few months, so I suggest investing a pretty penny (or what ever your budget will allow) on a strapping new one.

So what are the kinds of things you need to think about when purchasing your new companion? The first will be what you are going to need to fit in it. Drawing from some personal experience,I have created a general list:

• Your laptop
• Your personal belongings (wallet, cell phone, keys, sunglasses) 
• A few textbooks (one or two, when I have a big trip to the library I whip out my very ugly, yet super handy backpack) 
• Your agenda

Next, you are going to have to make sure this bag can endure everything that you plan to put it through. In my case this includes rain, hail, snow, and below freezing temperatures. Buy a bag that is durable and won't be ruined if exposed to the elements.

Last but not least, you should pick something chic that will coordinate with whatever outfit you decide to wear on any given day. I would recommend a tote in a neutral color- but if you are going to go with a pattern, make sure it is based on a neutral.

Below are some stylish options: 

Top Row: Tory Burch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DVF, Burberry 

Bottom Row: Juicy Couture, Burberry, Prada, Tods 

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something

Sorority Recruitment part 2

 Okay, so here are my picks for some other events one might encounter while rushing a sorority. Enjoy!

 

Philanthropy

Going to a philanthropy event is usually a casual affair. Some examples are; helping out at the nearby mission or doing a bottle or clothing drive. All of these activities require a girl to be comfy and casual; however, this doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice a little bit of personal style. For this outfit I went for a basic black skinny jean and a pair flats on the bottom. On top wearing a stylish yet comfortable sweater is essential (we do live in Canada, sweaters are almost always essential anytime after August). Crew neck sweaters are very hot this fall. To make the outfit pop, I added a scarf. Personally whenever I feel an outfit is in the need of some pizzazz I like to add a colorful scarf.

 

Athletic

Really, there is no “dress code” for getting active with your potential new sisters. However, I have to take this opportunity to express my love for lulu lemon workout gear. It always fits great, holds everything in properly and lasts for years. I have some lulu pants that I bought when I was 15 and I still workout in them!
No matter what you wear for those rush yoga sessions, cardio classes or whatever the girls come up with, remember to have a smile on your face and a positive attitude (even if you do hate doing 12 different kinds of ab workouts). 

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something

Obsession of the Week- Moroccan Oil

Amazing! 

I just got my hair cut last week and my hair stylist recommended this product for smoother hair that looks glossy after being abused by heat (blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron etc.). She put some in my hair for me to try, needless to say it looked great. At first I just thought I was being fooled by the professional blow-out, BUT I have used it twice on my own since and my hair has never looked better!

To use: put a tiny amount in your hair when it is wet, blow dry, straighten, curl (whatever) and voila! ! An Herbal Essences-commercial-worthy do.

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something

Canadian Sorority Recruitment

It is that time of year again- school will be commencing in less than three weeks. In most Canadian universities, the first thing on most students' minds is not Greek life or what organization they are going to rush. This is because Greek life is not as popular in Canada as it is in the states; however, sororities and fraternities are out there and they are fantastic.

At my school there are 8-10 Greek Letter Organizations both local and international. These organizations do not participate in the kind of recruitment one might see in movies or on "Greek", they have their own way of doing things.

Recruitment in Canada usually takes place over 2-3 weeks and consists of going to various events (mixers, sisterhoods, philanthropy etc.) and getting to know the sisters- basically seeing if you can find a fit. From here different organizations have different ways of giving bids.

Joining a sorority was the best decision I have made so far in university. It gives you experience with volunteering for your community, planning events and the opportunity to work on selling yourself (something that is a must in your post-university life). 

Here I'll provide a few tips for how to make a great impression on the sororities you are rushing. Keep in mind that I only have experience rushing about different three sororities. Every organization is wonderful in their own way and has different standards for the girls they give bids too. Here we go: 

• Go to as many events as you can possibly make. I'm not saying to skip your Thursday night class so you can attend a mixer with XYZ sorority, but go to as many events as your schedule allows. This will give the girls a better impression of who you are and how committed you are to their organization
• Stay away from the boys. I know it may seem like a bonus that a lot of Canadian organizations' recruitment allows mixers with fraternities (hey, you may even meet a future boyfriend), but don't be fooled. The girls will be watching to make sure you aren't just in it for the boys... plus if you hook up with a frat guy while attending at mixer this is going to reflect poorly on the organization, not to mention the fact that you most likely won't be getting a bid. 
• Be a class act. Try to be polished and put together when you attend events, this will reflect on how you present yourself and give a good first impression. Here are some items of clothing that would be appropriate for different events. 

Social Mixer

White Blouse

Wearing a skirt and a blouse would be cute and fancy enough for a social gathering. However, if you are going to wear something short make sure to keep it modest with your top. I would say the same rule does not apply for pants and a low top... keep the cleavage to a minimum or the girls (and guys) will get the wrong idea.

Sisterhood

Romper

Boyfriend Cardigan

Michael Kors Shoulder Tote

 Your outfit for a sisterhood event will vary depending on the event. Keep in mind that you want to be comfy and durable. Some sisterhoods I have been to in the past include potlucks, movie nights, wii competitions... the list goes on. Just make sure you are modest and comfortable to move or sit for a long period of time. I have put a romper (obviously one of the most comfortable piece of clothing there is) and a boyfriend cardigan to cover the shoulders and arms. 

Tomorrow I will post what to wear to a philanthropy and athletic event. 

Happy Hump-day!

Sincerely Yours,

The Twenty Something

Leggings, Jeggings and Skinnies

Okay so we've all heard about how great these are, how horrible, how inappropriate and how they are on their way out. But I would like to take this opportunity to proclaim to the world- I love all things slim and trim, that includes, leggings, jeggings and skinnies. However, they must be worn a certain way. Read below to see my recommendations for how to successfully pull off these comfy bottoms.

Leggings. 

As a university student, leggings have become an essensial part of my dailey wardrobe.(I like American Apparel brand best, they even have a thicker option for those cold winter days) This is not saying that they can be worn everywhere or with just anything. Below are some rules:

• When wearing leggings, one must make sure whatever they are wearing over top must cover their bottom, otherwise you run the chance of over exposure. 
• Although the model is doing this in the picture, please try to avoid wearing leggings with any kind of heal. I think shoes like flats, sandals and boots work just fine- anything else can too closely resemble the 80's.
• Even if you have the most amazing body imaginable, try to keep the top half of your outfit on the baggier side of things. Because you are going super tight on your bum and thighs means that you should probably keep things modest everywhere else. 

Jeggings

I have to say that I don't own a pair of jeggings, and probably never will, I can get the style I desire with leggings or skinnies. However, if you are looking for something like a legging but with a more structured and thicker material jeggings are for you. All rules apply with leggings, just because they are made of jean material does not give anyone an excuse to flaunt every nook and cranny of your behind to a stranger.

Skinny Jeans

A great pair of dark wash jeans is something you should invest in. I like seven for all mankind, they fit well and have a great wash. These jeans are so versatile because while you can wear them with a classic legging outfit (long billowy top or sweater and boots), you can also pair them with a great jacket and button up for those casual Fridays. One of my favorite looks with dark skinny jeans is to pair them with a great silky top and a pair of pumps for a night on the town!

There you have it folks, my opinion on what some people like to call fashion disastors. Love them, hate them, but please give good reasons for your argument.

Final word- please don't go around knocking these styles until you have tried them, leggings may in fact be the comfiest pair of "pants" I have ever worn.

Sincerly yours,

The Twenty Something

Brave New Blogging World

Hello World! 

Welcome to my blog

Let me start things off my introducing myself. I am in my early twenties and currently studying communications and public relations at a university in Ottawa, Ontario. I could not be more excited about my upcoming life. While my life has been prone to many twists and turns, there are three specific things that keep me going; Fashion, Friends and my Future. Let me explain...

I love all things fashion, actually fashion blogs were what inspired me to get writing in the first place! I plan to post some of my dearest secrets and obsessions as I go along. 

That covers the first part of my blog, my next is friends. Friends, romance, you name it and I have something to say about it. I want to document my life and relationship struggles with you so that hopefully you won't make some of the same mistakes I did. 

Next, a future, I know this seems a little intense for someone who just enters their twenties, but this is something I cannot get out of my mind. Whether it is where I am going to live in five years to what kind of career I am going to embark upon, even where my next internship will be, there is not one thing I haven't thought about. 

I truly believe that once one has all the three F's figured out, they can lead a successful and happy life. 

So please, follow me, comment and try not to stress over everything. (don't worry I have it covered). 

Sincerly Yours,

The Twenty Something