Labor Day Looks

By that we mean-White Jeans! If you're a purist, this is your last weekend to wear white jeans! Here are our looks!

Look 1: Low key and chic.

Look 2: More colorful and bold for a cocktail party.

Look 3: Yellow and of course sporting those cork Jacks!

Let us know if you follow the white rule!

Love,

A+C

Just "Brow-sing"

Back are the big brows. Full brows are natural and beautiful. Gone are those little so called baby eye brows. The fullness is back and I love it. It's something I've been working on myself-so instead of waxing, try this!

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Don't these just look more healthy and natural? There are a few steps to simple full brow maintenance.

1. Brush Them. They make these super perfect little eye brow brushes to groom them. Here is a great one from Spear that I have myself.

2. Tweeze them as needed.

3. Stop Waxing. This is hard for me, and I'm sure that I'll get mine waxed again at some point, at least for some maintenance, but they take away the fullness!

4. Get a brow gel. I purchased Benefit Speed Brow, which I do really like. However, it was very expensive for .1 oz. Other brands make them triple the size for $5-6 more. I'll go that route the next time. Brush the gel on and use your brush for the arch.

4. Fill in brows if yours happen to be sparse. They make powders for this, but eye shadow in a similar color usually works too!

Do you love full brows? Will you be keeping yours fuller this fall?

xoxo,

A+C

Email Request Part 2: Going Out Looks (College)

This same reader wanted some advice for going out looks that were classy and put together. Here are our ideas!

Look 1: Colored jeans and lace top. The polka dot details are delicate and show a little skin. Also, colored jeans can be worn many ways,

Look 2: Fun top and dark skinnies. A classic going out outfit. Throw on some silky print top with dark skinnies and a pair of heels.

Look 3: This is the wild card. The classic lace LBD redone with a cobalt statement necklace and matching heels.

Let us know what you wear going out. Thanks for the request!

Love,

A+C

Email Request Part 1: Class College Outfits

One of our readers emailed us and asked us if we do a post on fall class looks. This reader said she found herself gravitating towards jeans/sweaters/boots/scarves all fall. (and who could blame her?) Here are our ideas to help her branch out!

Look 1: The big sweater and leggings. This is the warm and comfy but put together look. Throw over a puffer vest and some great black boots and you're set. (note: I thought the leggings were black, but now I'm thinking they aren't. I had the intention of them being black, my apologies.

Look 2: Cords and a cute top. Cords are a great alternative to jeans. They are comfortable but so put together. They are as easy to find outfits for as jeans are, but they are just that one step above. (I'm obsessed with this top!)

Look 3: Colored and jeans and bold sweater. This is a great go to fall look-nice and bold. Still comfy and chic. Throw on some loafers and you're set.

Part 2 comes tomorrow!

Love,

A+C

How To Not Lose Pony Tail Holders

(...and other thoughts on being a woman) Major bonus if you can point out the reference in parentheses! It's a simple thing. We all lose pony tail holders. We all have them everywhere. We all buy a 24 pack of them every other time we go to Target. But, I've discovered the easiest way ever to not lose them!

You'll Need:
Pony tail holders and a binder ring. (1 inch)

Easy as pie! Put them on the ring and you won't lose all of them :)

Let us know if you'll try this trick or if you already do this!
XOXO,
A+C

Caffeine Cutbacks

Back to school means an increased need for energy (aka caffeine). Those empty calories of soda and coffee can sure add up. Here are some of our tips to drinking more healthily!

1. Soda Substitute: Pellegrino + Lemon. You still get that carbonation with out the calories! Throw in some lemon for a little more flavor!

2. Always carry a water bottle. There are so many cute ones out there, like the Tervis Tumbler one. It helps to insure that you're always drinking water, which is so good for your body! You might even drink the recommended 8 glasses!

3. Get into tea. Tea is a great winter treat. Even though it's still warm out, you can drink fruitier teas! Passion Fruit tea is the best, and mix in some sparkling water and you have a soda substitute!

4. Try to make your own coffee. And use a french press or a keurig. That way you're only drinking one serving, and not four with a traditional coffee pot! Also, try using sugar in the raw and skim milk!

But...we know you need Starbucks sometimes! (we all do...) Here is a list of drinks under 100 Calories!

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Of course, it's still ok to drink a soda from time to time, no need to deprive yourself!

How do you cutback on caffeine?

XOXO,

A+C

Three Product Face

You have an 8AM class. You're just going to Starbucks and coming back right away. You're super tired and have a migraine. Of course, you feel bad about yourself or you're rushing. But, you're interested in that hot guy in your French class. Alas, the three product makeup regimen. 

This is perfect for when you oversleep or you're only going to be out for a minute, but you just want to have a little something on your face.

1. Mascara: Always a quick and easy swipe, but will make a huge difference in your eyes!

2. Highlighter. Super easy, will give you a little bit of a glow, but it's not blush/bronzer.

3. Lipgloss. Some semi-neutral lipgloss is great to throw in your purse.

(add cover up if needed!)

Do you ever get ready in a pinch-what are your three must haves on a rushed/lazy makeup day?

Love,

A+C

Tumblr Request: C's Skin Routine

So, I received a request on tumblr to post my skin routine. I have very dry skin (Sahara desert dry.) Somehow, I still manage to keep a clear face. My routine is super simple, but super effective for me.

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Cetaphil. Cetaphil is my holy grail. It works so fantastically. It's highly effective at cleaning your face and even removing makeup! Here's the unpopular thing I do: wash my face only at night. I find that washing my face in the morning dries out my skin more than it already is.

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Neutrogena SPF 15 Moisturizer. I apply this twice a day and I have been using this for about a year, and I think it works just as well as the $30 Boscia one I used before.

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Neutrogena Eye Make Up Remover. I use this after I use Cetaphil but before I moisturize. I rinse off after, but I think Cetaphil does such a good job at removing my eye makeup!

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St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I use this once or twice a week. I find that any more than that is too drying for my skin, but it's important to exfoliate!

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Clean&Clear Persa Gel 10. This stuff will cure a little zit in a day. I only use this if I am desperate because it's so drying to your skin, but it works miracles!

Do we use any of the same products? Do you have a suggestion for me? Let me know!

Love,

C

Guest Post: sLe from Bourbon Pearls and Wildcats: College Advice

Hello Readers! We called in a pro for this post-sLe from Bourbon, Pearls, and Wildcats! She has some super valuable advice any college student can use! Thanks again, sLe for writing this post! Be sure to check her blog (linked) to see our post on 5 For Fall Favorites!

Enjoy,

A+C 

Hello Readers!! I’m Sara from the blog, Bourbon Pearls and Wildcats, and I am so excited to be posting today for A&C! My post today will be about advice for all the college freshman out there! I promise that I’m more than qualified as I started my senior year of college this past Tuesday. Don’t forget to stop by my blog to check out A&C’s post on their Top 5 Wearable Fall Trends! Alright, let’s jump right in!

Dorm Life: By now you’ve either already moved in or will soon be moving into your dorm. Congratulations on your first “home away from home”! The best part about dorm life is it opens up a whole new world of independence but also responsibility. Here are my tips on how to make the best of dorm life:

1.     Respect your roommate: Living in such close quarters with someone you might not have met until moving day can be hard at times, especially if y’all don’t hit it off immediately. Some of you will become insta-BFFs with your roomie and some not so much. No matter which relationship you have, it’s still important to respect them. If there’s mutual respect, then conflict resolution will be a LOT easier.

2.     Follow the rules: Yes, you’re an adult but there are still rules that go with living in a dorm. Typically the only strict rules have to do with visiting hours for the opposite sex (if you’re on a same-sex hall/floor), alcohol & drugs, animals, and quiet hours. These rules exist to benefit EVERYONE on the hall/floor and not to try to control you. Follow the rules and you’ll be golden. Don’t follow the rules and you’ll end up dealing with your RA and possibly further disciplinary action depending on the severity.

3.     Keep it clean: A clean dorm is a happy dorm! In college, your dorm room is your bedroom, kitchen, and living room all in one. Chances are you’ll have people over to hang out, study, etc so make sure it’s kept nice & tidy. You don’t want to be stressing about if you have clothes everywhere or random trash when you invite people over on a whim.

*another tip for dorm living is do not spend an arm and leg on bedding. Your bed also doubles as a couch if you’ve got people over so I recommend shopping at Target or TJ Maxx. They both have reasonably priced and cute bedding that you won’t mind if something happens to it. Also, bring a 2^nd set of sheets. That way you can immediately put clean sheets on when you go to wash the ones that are currently on.

Social Life- Being in college offers ENDLESS possibilities as far as social activities go. There is seriously something for every interest. A few things that go for most schools:

1.     Greek Life: Being a sorority sister, going Greek is always my go-to when it comes to giving advice about how to get involved on campus. Not only does being a member of a Greek organization provide you with skills and networking that will benefit you post-graduation, they also provide lifelong friendships and a support system as an undergrad. Yes, they are a significant commitment and yes, there is a financial obligation but all of that is so secondary to the bonds you will form with your sisters/brothers. Of course, if you don’t go Greek, there are still PLENTY of options to be involved!

2.     Student Government: What is better than being the voice for your fellow students when it comes to communicating your needs to the administration? It is very easy to become involved in SGA because most start out your involvement as Freshman Class representatives. From there, you can move up and run for offices that you feel passionate about. Having a competent student government is so crucial to the success of the students.

3.     Intramurals: Did you play sports in high school or maybe just as a pastime? Intramurals are perfect for you! Common intramurals at school are: flag football, soccer, basketball, tennis, and softball. It’s easy to join a team because typically your dorm will field a team OR you can field your own if you have enough friends interested. Intramurals can get pretty competitive but they are all in good fun.

Academics: You’re fresh out of high school and might think that college will be easy…you’re in for a reality check. Yes, some classes are easy but a lot of them are HARD. It’s also an adjustment from having a very personal relationship with your teachers in HS to having a college professor that might not know your name at the end of the semester (especially relevant in huge lecture classes). Here are just a few tips on how to be successful while you’re getting the hang of college!

1.     8 am classes are the devil: You might think that just because you woke up early for HS that it will be easy in college…nope. When you’re responsible for waking yourself up and actually making the decision to GO to class, it’s a whole different story. I highly suggest not having a class before 10am, 9:30 at the earliest.

2.     It is OK to drop a class: Let’s say you’re in a core class that didn’t seem so hard at first but now you’re drowning. Don’t panic, you can fix this. You’re able to withdraw (drop) a class before a certain date (typically 6 weeks into the course). You’ll receive a temporary W for the course but once you take it again, it will be replaced with your earned letter grade. Dropping a class does not affect your GPA but does affect your earned credit hours & attempted credit hours. Talk to your advisor before dropping a course to make sure it doesn’t affect any scholarships you have. But typically, dropping one or two classes in your time at school will not have a negative impact. It is much better to take a W and re-take than get an F (that WILL affect your GPA) and still have to re-take it.

3.     Communicate with your Professors: Going up to your Prof at the end of your first class & introducing yourself will go a long way. They will be able to immediately put a face to the name on their roll which in freshman core classes, can be 150+. This will benefit you when final grading comes around, especially if you need a little boost to get a higher grade. If they can remember your face and the fact that you made it a point to communicate with them the entire semester, chances are they will help you out. It’s also important to utilize their office hours if you have questions on any material. Make sure you don’t skip out on their appointment and come prepared with specific questions. Both your time and theirs are valuable.

4.     GO to class & make friends: I cannot stress enough just how important going to class is. There will be mornings that you just don’t want to get out of your warm bed or times you’d rather skip and hang with friends…but don’t. Missing one class sets you back more than you imagine. On top of that, it can also affect your grade if there is an attendance policy. Don’t let laziness hurt your GPA. But, if there is a time that you’re ill or have an emergency, it’s always good to have a dependable friend in all of your classes. It’s an easy way to get notes you might have missed and also form study groups.

Health: Staying healthy during your freshman year is critical. For the first time you’re 100% on your own when it comes to nutrition, exercise, and going to the infirmary when you’re sick. Easy tips to avoid going on a downward spiral health wise:

1.     The freshman 15 DOES exist: As a freshman, you’ll be on a meal plan which means you eat almost all your meals on campus. Most of the time, the unhealthy options outweigh the healthy ones but it is still possible to maintain a balanced diet while on a meal plan. Just because you can eat hot dogs, french fries, and pizza everyday doesn’t mean you should. Easy rule of thumb is to have a protein, veggie, and fruit at every meal. Also, drink lots of water. I highly suggest a Camelbak water bottle with a built in filter so that you can fill it up from any tap or water fountain. Keeping healthy snack options in your dorm is also a good idea that way you’re not running to a vending machine whenever you get a little hungry.

2.     Work it out: Colleges usually have amazing fitness centers because they want their students to be healthy. Take advantage of it! You’ve already paid for it in your tuition/fees so don’t waste your money. The gym is a fabulous place to meet people, especially if you take a group fitness class. Zumba, cardio kickboxing, and hip hop dance are my personal favs! These are typically taught by students who have been trained and certified.

3.     The Infirmary is your friend: If you’re feeling a little under the weather, get yourself to the health clinic ASAP! A lot of college students brush off minor colds as nothing until it turns into something serious. Getting an infection taken care of soon is very important so that you don’t get worse and potentially miss classes.

Well that’s all the crucial advice that I have for y’all! I really hope that this has been an informative post. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at pearlscurlsandasoutherngirl {at} gmail {dot} com

Big thanks to A&C for letting me post on their amazing blog!

-sLe

8 Great Bags To Bring To Campus

Packing up for college? Here are some of the obvious (and not so obvious) bags that you should bring with you!

1. Large Longchamp (other variant of tote.) We love our Longchamps. We carry them everywhere, and think everyone should bring one to campus or another variation of "grown up" and durable tote bag!

2. Coin Purse. Fill one up with quarters! Frequently, You'll need these for laundry! Do yourself a favor and fill one up now, so you're not fishing around your bag for spare change.

3. Backpack. If you have a heavy load of books to go to class or the library, it will save your back a ton to have a backpack!

4. An Inexpensive Crossbody. No one wants to bring an expensive Kate Spade crossbody to bars or frat houses. Buy an inexpensive one (i.e Forever21) that can get destroyed so you don't have to stress over your bag!

5. A Cell Phone Wristlet. This saves you so much hassle! We've already posted about this here, and we still are passionate about ours. Perfect for going to the dining hall when all you want is your swap card and phone.

6. A Nice Leather Bag. This is professional for anything formal you might have to go to, or interviews, or other meetings. It's good to start practicing for the real world when those Vineyard Vines tote bags won't always cut it!

7. A Duffel. Perfect for going overnight or for a long weekend. These are much easier to store than suitcases!

8. Laptop Bag. It's essential to keep your laptop protected. Whether you want an actual bag or just a sleeve, they are both crucial to have. Added bonus: so many cute and still protective ones actually do exist!

Anything we forgot?? 

Love,

A+C

5 Necessary Things (often forgotten) To Bring To College

This post was inspired after listening to my cousins give advice to our other cousin going away to college. Basically, this is all stuff they wish they would have had in school, but kind of forgot! I had to pass on the wisdom to our fellow readers!

1. Sewing Kit. Your button falls off of your Chambray Popover, a staple in your closet. You can't fix it unless you have a sewing kit! Also, if you don't know how to sew, now would be the time to learn. Even if you can't master the art, a friend should be able to help out!

2. A Bathing Suit (or 2). Even if you don't live on the coast, chances are that in August, someone will live close to college and have a pool in their apartment and invite you to swim. You wouldn't want to turn that chance down, would you? If you're at school near the coast, you might want to bring to for a random beach weekend!

3. A Box of Rice. Yeah, this one is so crazy. But after listening to my cousin tell the story about how her iPhone got knocked into the toilet in her bathroom, she really regretted not having this! Think about how easy it really is to get that phone waterlogged. If it gets broken, you have to deal with a logistical nightmare of replacing your phone (see next necessity)

4. Legal/Important Documents. No, not just your SSN, Insurance, License, and Birth Certificate, but things like cell phone contract info, laptop insurance, college payment information, and medical records. Why? You'd rather have these now then need them and have to call up mom to send them!

5. Headphones (x2). Why? These things tend to get lost all the time (ask me, I lose them like nobody's business!) Leave a pair in your school bag for libraries, and one on your nightstand for that loud roommate!

Hope this advice helped you like it helped my cousin! What do you think is often forgotten but needed at school?

Love,

A+C

Keeping In Touch With Friends

It's that time of the year. You're going away to college or your friends are going away to college. You might be a senior at a school in Connecticut, your best might be going to school in California. Your close group of friends will be at schools in Ohio, Florida, New York, and Texas. How do you keep in touch?!

1. Set times to skype/call. Or days! Maybe you have a last minute conflict-don't sweat! Sundays are always good-that's when lots of homesickness kicks in, you'll want to be in contact!

2. Text your friends randomly. The girl in your freshman seminar has that same backpack as your bestie? Text her and say it made her think of her! Just send a hope you have a good morning text to your friends occasionally. It will for sure bring a smile to their day!

3. Keep up with their tweets/facebook/blogs. You'll be able to stay in the loop without talking to them!

4. Start a group text. GroupMe is a great app for your friends with iPhones! It's super easy and quick. Plus you can share dorm room pictures, mixer pictures etc.

5. Plan to see them when you're all home. A lunch or dinner at your favorite local restaurant and watching movies usually does the trick!

How will you stay in touch with your friends?

Love,

A+C

Makeup Haul

It's C here! I just wanted to share some of the makeup I've purchased in the last month or so! (no, I didn't buy all of this at once!) A will be sharing some of hers too in the near future!

Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick: a tried and true favorite. I ran out of my old one! I use this constantly, and have been since 8th grade!

Benefit They're Real Mascara: So in love with this-I had to replace it after mine got mixed up and lost, but it's a great formula and makes your lashes huge!

Urban Decay Primer Potion: I don't know how I didn't prime my eyes before this summer-they make a huge huge difference. Your eyeshadows last longer and don't crease. I might purchase this in another color so I could wear it alone on lazy days!

Sephora 500 Point Award-I knew I had to snatch this up!

Benefit The Porefessional Primer: Pretty good sample size, I have not tried it yet, but will definitely see how I like it and have heard great things!

Mini Benefit They're Real Mascara: Yay! This one is already in my purse!

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer: I already love this stuff so much and it hasn't even been a week. It's perfect for medium/fair complexions and it smells great! I can totally tell it's a brown based bronzer, and not orange like so many others are!

NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm: I totally have contemplated buying this color for a long time, but the $24 price tag held me back. I am so glad I bought it! I love love love the color and the shimmer makes it a great basic gloss, and it's also my favorite blush. However, I don't really love the taste/smell of it compared to SmashBox and Revlon.

Benefit Speed Brow Eye Brow Gel: This is an odd little product. It's basically to keep your brows groomed and under control. I love it! I love that full brows are in for fall, so I didn't want to wax mine but I knew I needed a little extra help to keep mine from looking unruly! It's super easy and has made a huge difference for me.

Have you bought any new makeup recently? Let us know!

Love,

C

C's School Supply Must Haves

Naturally, my favorite part about going back to school is school supply shopping! Yes, I am that crazy neurotic girl who has to have very particular everything, but whatever gets me to study, right? Here are my top 5!

1. PB Teen Pencil Case: How cute is the print on this pencil case? They have many other super cute prints, and they are super durable and a great size! Another great part? They only cost $9.50, and you can get them monogrammed!

2. Pilot G2 Pens: These are the only pens I'll buy! They are really great-thick print, but they don't bleed. They are definitely pricy, but they last a long time, as long as you don't lose them ;)

3. Five Star Reinforced Loose Leaf: Once you try this out, you'll be totally converted. It doesn't bleed through and it doesn't tear out of my binders! You can totally buy it on sale now-so stock up!

4. Jumbo Paper Clips: These are the best things ever. Not only do they look cool, they serve a purpose! Page marking in my textbooks! I just move them around to keep track of units/chapters. Also great for marking the weeks in your planner!

5. Sharpie Generation Highlighters: These last a whole year. They don't smear. They are super cute. Enough said!

Love,
C

A's School Supply Necessities

I have to be honest, one of my favorite parts of preparing for school to start is the mass amount of supply shopping that goes down. I'm a huge fan of big shopping outings to Staples or Target to buy all of the necessities. Without a doubt, my top 5 school supply necessities are as follows...

01. Planner: This is undoubtedly the most important school supply in my eyes. My planner keeps my organized and together. My planner helps me avoid being forgetful. Basically, my planner keeps my sane. The large Lilly Pulitzer planner is my go to! 

02. Index Cards: Preferably neon (just because). They're great for vocabulary and key terms. They're especially good for writing down key information when preparing for tests. 

03. Highlighters: These come in such handy if you're like me and you get overwhelmed by long reading assignments! They're great for identifying and highlighting important information in a book or long passage. 

04. Paperclips: They just make organizing so easy! Especially if you don't have a stapler on hand, they make it easy to group different papers and files together easily. 

05. Post Its: Post its can really serve so many purposes. Personally, I like to use post its as reminders. I stick them all over my desk and my laptop to remind myself of everything from project deadlines, lunch dates, birthdays, and even KAK posts! 

What are your school supply must haves? 

C's top five is tomorrow! 

xoxo, 

A

01. Afrojack & Shermanology- Can't Stop Me (Radio Edit)

02. B.o.B ft. Taylor Swift- Both of Us

03. Demi Lovato- Give Your Heart A Break

04. Sublime- Summertime (Doin' Time)

05. Afrojack ft. Eva Simmons- Take Over Control (Radio Edit)

06. Marina and the Diamonds- Primadonna

07. Lana Del Rey- National Anthem

08. The Weeknd- High for This

09. Flo Rida- Whistle

10. Van Morrison- Brown Eyed Girl

What are you listening to? Let us know!

xoxo,

A+C

SOTD and NOTD

So many of you may be used to the typical OOTD post ('outfit of the day' for those of you who don't know), but today we're bring you our S(tack) O(f) T(he) D(ay) and N(ail) O(f) T(he) D(ay) respectively. 

A is wearing...

Nail Color- 'E-nuf is E-nuf' by Essie

Stack- Sprout Watch

David Yurman Pearl Cable Classics Bracelet

Kate Spade Idiom Bangle (Mint Condition)

C is wearing...

Nail Color: Essie Tart Deco

Stack: David Yurman Pearl Cable Classics Bracelet

Michael Kors Blair Multifunction Watch

Cross Bracelet purchased @ Notre Dame in Paris

Love,

A+C

Guest Post: Back To School Essentials

Hello, everyone! It’s Grace from Smile Couture and I am so thrilled that the fabulous A & C are letting me borrow their blog today! I thought I’d talk about my back to school essentials, as it is getting to that much-anticipated time of year. I’ve grown up with a strict uniform (even riding boots aren’t allowed!), so my choices are a bit limited, but I also place a lot of importance on keeping it unique, because it’s really just no fun to feel lost in a sea of girls with the same purse and planner as you. Here are my picks to keep it fresh and classic:

A headband: I’m not advocating stocking up on super wild/first season of Gossip girl style ones. However, it’s great to have a few plain ones in your repertoire so you can look put together on those days when you have no time to put any real effort into your hair!

Good flats: I’ve learned the hard way that cheap ones just aren’t a good idea for trekking across the school (and I mean that; the cute Urban Outfitters flats were SO not worth the blisters freshman year). Get them broken in and in a quality fabric, and you’ll really be set. The authentic original topsiders are also a great and comfortable alternative. A pencil case: This one is unavoidable! In years past, I’ve come to prefer using a cosmetic pouch (they’re lined and so adorable!), so this year I love the simplicity and practicality of this Sea Bags one. Be sure to fill it with all of the necessary gel pens, printed pencils, and neon highlighters!

Light jacket: I think it’s a universally recognized truth that a light jacket is a fall essential. Patagonias and North Faces are both nice options that really withstand a lot of the wear and tear that accompanies school, but I also think Barbour’s a great option because it’s waterproof and really elevates an outfit to something Alexa Chung or Olivia Palermo would wear!

The bag: Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a tote fiend (I’ve used J. Crew, Kate Spade, Longchamp, and Vineyard Vines in years past), but they’re not the best for transporting heavier textbooks (if that’s not an issue, though, go for it!). This Madewell one is a great example of fashion-meets-function, and I’m getting mine monogrammed. I would steer away from script monograms, though, as I don’t think they lend as classic of a look.

Planner: I feel as though I’m not as reliant on my planner as most, but I still think it’s great to have for keeping track of assignments and such! I’m currently using a Lilly, but I plan on switching to Erin Condren because I think they’re a little more functional and still offer nice designs!

Best,

Grace

Perfectly Preppy Backpack

A new school year calls for a new (monogrammed) school bag. After doing some research on the internet, I (A) figured that with the mass amount of books I'm going to be carrying from class to class, a backpack made the most sense for me...especially in the interest of my shoulder/back health. Throughout high school, I always carried my books in a Vineyard Vines tote, but I decided that with the big change coming up (COLLEGE!) I wanted to change up my bag as well!

Let me tell you- I could not be happier that I did! My new bag is from Monogram Chick and I am thrilled with the finished product!

How gorgeous is it?! I am so so so happy! Monogram Chick did an absolutely fabulous job. The backpack measures to be 16 inches tall x 12 inches wide x 5 inches tall. It has one big pocket, one medium pocket, and one small pocket to fit all of my books perfectly. I can't wait to use this for school! 

Sarah even included a personalized note in the bag, which I thought was an incredibly sweet touch! I am a sucker for wonderful customer service. 

xoxo, 

A

Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet- The Perfect Summertime Treat!

As an ice cream alternative, we've been loving sorbet lately! Here's a lovely recipe that we found and are dying to try. Let us know what you think!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup Mint Simple Syrup, recipe follows
• 2 cups 100 percent pomegranate juice (recommended: Pom Wonderful)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Special equipment: an ice cream maker

In a glass pitcher, combine the Mint Simple Syrup, pomegranate juice, and orange juice. Pour the pomegranate mixture in an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. During the last 10 minutes of freezing time, add the mini chocolate chips.

Scoop the sorbet into dessert bowls and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Mint Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 packed cup packed fresh mint leaves

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Yield: 1 cup

Enjoy!

xoxo, 

A+C