For family members or very close friends, or maybe ideas for yourself, these are all great gifts. Note: we're trying to be as gender neutral as possible!
These are truly the most perfect gift for any college girl. We both love these and use them often. Small runs $125, more purselike, and large $145, more tote bag/book bag like.
If you're like A and I, you're attending tons of graduation parties for everyone. Whether it be your bestie from high school, a family friend, or your vice president of French club, we all need gifts. When you're buying lots of gifts for people, it can get expensive. Here are our ideas for gifts at around $30, or under, except for one at $32.
Bonus points if you know the school, though neither of us live/go here! This is an awesome gift. They are $25 and are relatively new. Useful for everyone, boys too!
These are a steal at $23. These are the perfect and durable bags that can go with you to work out when all you want to take are your keys, ipod, and headphones. Cute and unique!
It's almost memorial day weekend!! Yay! It's super important to stay protected, especially this first weekend! No one wants to be fried the first week into the season!
Sunscreen is clearly a summer necessity. As tempting as it is to rub on that banana boat oil, it's going to hurt badly later on. Both of these are via Neutrogena
Of course, hats are essential! See this post here for baseball caps! And we cannot resist this Marley Lilly hat!
At one point or another, I think its safe to say that most of us have read The Great Gatsby. It actually happens to be one of our favorite books! Seriously...we've each read it like 3 times. Not only is it an American classic, but it is a timeless piece of literature above all.
One of the many Great Gatsby covers
Well for those of you who haven't heard, Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and others are starring in The Great Gatsby (the movie!!) coming out on Christmas day of this year. The trailer came out today, and needless to say, it looks as magical, spectacular, grandiose, and over the top as expected. Leonardo also looks beautiful (comeback, anyone?!).
Hello, gorgeous.
While the idea of the book being made into a major motion picture is thrilling, we can't help but wonder if some of the magic of the story will be lost through watching a movie version of the story as opposed to reading it. Realistically though, we're probably going to see the movie regardless.
So this is a bit of a personal post. Less than 12 hours ago I (A) finished my last high school assignment EVER. I can't even put my feelings into words right now. Its surreal. It feels like just a few months ago I was "moving up" from middle school and starting high school as a tiny little freshman.
So much change is happening in my life right now. I'm graduating from high school in under a month. I'm going to be going away to school next year. But before all that, I'm starting my first official job today!
At my school, all of the seniors get internships at different businesses for the last month of school. I'm interning at a non profit organization in New York City and I could not be more excited! I'm looking forward to doing great work for a great cause. And while I'm sad to be done with classes, I feel like this internship is going to be a wonderful experience for me.
So here's to change and wonderful new opportunities. And naturally, I had to share my outfit with you all!
Here is a perfect lemony tasting treat for the summer. We love these for picnics, bbqs, graduation parties, and any time you need a little snack to give in to your sweet tooth. Enjoy!
Ingredients
For the crust:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
For the filling:
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.
Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.
So, as A wraps up exams, and as C's exams commence this week, we realize that there are a few things we must have during exams. No, not the our binders and books, but a few other things that help along the way.
Colored pens are way more fun than the traditional black and blue options. Not only are they cute and fun, they also make it much easier to stay organized from topic to topic, especially for visual learners.
Gum. While we certainly do not support chewing gum in public, we also realize it can help while studying. It gives you something to do mindlessly, and doesn't eating a whole bag of sour patch kids in one sitting (so guilty...). Plus, they say chewing gum helps keep you focused, while I have no idea if it's true, you never know!
Oh, and we have to say that we love love Pandora, as you already know. It's great to study to, or to listen to in between breaks or just as you get organized.
Dress for success is said all the time. What about exam week? Wearing yoga pants and a tee shit makes us want to sleep and feel sloppy. Here is what we wear!
Look 1: The maxi. Easy and comfy. Make sure you have a cardigan so you don't get cold. Wear: Jack Rogers or flip flops.
Look 2: Shorts and a cardigan. Cute and put together. easy. Wear with Jack Rogers or Sperry's
Look 3: Go this route if it's not blazing hot where you live or if you're cold. Flats work best here,
Exams. Blah. The APs are mostly over, but soon it will be time for you to start studying for typical school exams. We've both been through many semesters of exams, and have found a few helpful tricks along the way.
Start early. Yes, we know this is hard. Studying early doesn't always work out because you're working on other things. But it's so important to not procrastinate, trust us, we've learned that the hard way.
Sleep. Yes, we know that pulling all nighters is super common before exams. We also know that we won't really remember cellular respiration we studied at 4AM for an exam at 10AM. There have been many studies shown that prove you need at least some sleep.
Plan out a schedule. This doesn't have to be down to the minute, but it should be planned out so that you know you have enough time to get it all together.
Do you get study guides? If so, lucky lucky you. Do them. All by yourself. Yes, collaborating with your bestie might save time, but you're not going to retain things that Janie Smith emailed you the day before the exam.
Dress for success. (see post soon!) No, you don't need to wear a suit, but being put together is crucial, you'll feel better about yourself.
Take time to relax in between subjects. Just 10 minutes. Mediate. Shower. Play with your pet. something to clear your head.
Morning of, do something that makes you feel good. Does getting a skinny vanilla iced latte make your mornings better? Anything like that or even as simple as using a different soap in the shower. Something to start your day off positively.
Eat breakfast. No one wants a growling stomach in exams.
Lastly, and most importantly, let go post exam. It's over. You can't change it. Whatever happens, happens. You just need to know you tried your best.
Grace- Great suggestion!! Love it. FYI- Any of our followers who have any suggestions for posts, don't hesitate to let us know. Seriously though, we love hearing from you.
Look 1: I'm not going to lie, this is undoubtedly my favorite look of the three. I'm all about looking chic on the beach. I'm also 100% terrified of the sun, so naturally I had to include a big floppy hat for this look. And don't forget the sunnies! And the tunic!
Look 2: I'm a big supporter of the nautical look. Throw on some cute white jeans, navy and white stripes, and some cute espadrilles and you're ready to go for basically any occasion. Whether its a meal at the club or a casual day at work, this look is so versatile. Please note- These Jack Rogers espadrilles add a whole other level of cuteness with the metallic color!
Look 3: I'm such a foodie. Any allocation of time that allows me to stay out late dining with friends is a love of mine (that's like...what the summer is all about). I'm also a big supporter of wearing as much white as possible during the warmer months because HELLO- it makes you look tanner than you are! This is my go to dinner outfit. White Lilly dress and turquoise Jack Rogers sandals. Done and done.
So, we've received a few requests of graduation dress ideas. It's difficult to come up with something to wear under your cap and gown! Here are a few ideas.
Our friend Grace at SmileCouture suggested this post to us, so thanks Grace! Here are my three go to summer looks! Watch for A's in the near future!
Look 1: This is obviously my favorite look-the swim suit, shades, and flip flops. I live in bathing suits all summer. This was my favorite one last summer.
Look 2: The cardigan and white jeans look. I wear this so much, from dinner at the club to meeting my friends at Starbucks. I love my white jeans and how polished they feel.
Look 3: Running around. Naturally, J.Crew 3" chinos are my summer uniform.
We apologize for the lack of post Monday, we just messed up!!
The weather in NY is finally starting to feel like Springtime weather should feel. The sun is out and the temps are up. Today, I (A) fully intend on driving around town with my hair down, the windows open, the roof down, and the music blasting. Here's one of my current favorites that I will undoubtedly have on repeat.
What songs will you be blasting as you cruise around enjoying this beautiful weather?
Macaroon have become a total phenomenon. They have become the trendy dessert, right with cake pops! My (C) neighbor recently made some and brought a few over for my family to try. While nothing beats Laduree, these were pretty darn good. We had lemon ones. My mother recently ordered this book from Amazon that my neighbor used.
[aside: there seems to be some debate over the spelling: "macaroon vs. macaron" They are indeed two different things, but I have been seeing it both ways. If anyone knows for sure, let us know.]
