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!

via

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

#ThingsCLoves

1. The white J.Crew jorts. I picked these up on a super sale (read $19.99) and wasn't sure I would even wear them much. Yeah, it was a total impulse purchase because I couldn't resist the price. I've been wearing them constantly. They offer more flexibility with the length and they're so comfy!

2. The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Coral. Ok it's a little pricy at $22.50, but I am so glad that I own one. It's not something I'd buy many of because of the price, but man does it last forever and soften my lips! It is wonderful, and it gives a great color.

3. Benefit Watts Up. This was another impulse buy at the beginning of the summer and I wear it when  I want to only wear that (read: every single day.) It's super easy to apply and literally makes you glow! I wear it on my upper cheek bones and at my brown bone.

4. The Kate Spade New York Gold Coast Ginnie. This was a summer treat after working many long hours. I am so glad that I treated myself to this beauty that I'll use for years to come!

5. lululemon athletica Swiftly headband. This was something I bought because I'm a headband addict and I love the lululemon ones! It's scalloped and so cute, and I think it stays in much longer than the plain slipless headband!

6. Watermelon. This has been a total obsession lately. I think we eat like 4 watermelons a week in my family (no exaggeration, they are that good this year!)

7. Essie Penny Talk. This polish has been getting mixed reviews, but I loved it! I didn't think it was streaky at all and I also thought it was an amazing rose gold!

Let me know what you love!

Love,

C

#ThingsALoves

1. Essie's 'E-nuf is e-nuf' has been on my nails for the past week or so! This 'subdued creamy coral' is simply lovely. 

2. Kate Spade bangles. So delicate and cute. The perfect addition to any outfit. I have the mint colored one that says 'Mint Condition' on the inside. There is a special meaning behind this one- more on that to come!

3. My signet ring that I got for graduation from my parents is something I've been wearing every day. Very special to me for obvious reasons. 

4. Pellegrino. I drink this all day, every day. At every meal. The best. 

5. Kate Spade advertising. Absolutely adorable and so catchy! Pure brilliance. 

6. Cherries! I've been eating these all summer. They're the perfect yummy snack. 

7. I got this Dior mascara about a month ago and I cannot say enough good things about it. The brush, the consistency, and the scent (yes, it's scented!) are all perfect. My new favorite.

What are you loving lately?

Love, 

A

'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)'

A few weeks ago I (A) finished reading Mindy Kaling's book 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)' and I knew I had to do a book review here on KAK!

For those of you who don't know, Mindy Kaling is effing hilarious. She plays Kelly Kapoor on The Office and she actually has a new show coming out called The Mindy Project! Let me just say- I have a total girl crush on Mindy Kaling in that 'I want to be best friends with you because you are soooooo awesome' kind of way. She is ivy league educated, she isn't afraid to tell it like it is, she is totally relatable, and she is just really funny.

Basically, the book is about her life growing up, but told in a comedic autobiography kind of way. She delves into her self esteem issues, embarrassing stories, ex boyfriends, and tiger mom parents. She even throws some unflattering pictures of herself in there for all of us to enjoy! She is real, she is honest, and she will make you laugh out loud.

If you're looking for an easy and fun read, this is a great book choice (I read it in a day on the beach...). Has anyone else read this book? Thoughts? Any other comedic autobiographies out there to recommend? Let us know!

xoxo,
A+C

Shellac Attack!

Last weekend, I got my very first shellac manicure. I was not sure I'd love it, but I think I do! I got mine in OPI Bubble Bath. I got it Saturday, and Wednesday night, no signs of chipping. I've been to the pool and still looking strong. Below are my hands!

Overall, I'd do it again, but only for special occasions or vacations. It cost me $30 + tip, which is like 2 normal manicures. The process was a base coat-under the UV light. 2 coats of Bubble Bath, and under the light after each coat. And then, a top coat, and under the light for 5 minutes! There was no dry time, which I did love. As for removal, I'm not sure how that's going to go. They said to use acetone, but I'm thinking I might go and get a normal manicure so they'll take it off for me :) Any tips appreciated!!

Do you like shellac? Would you try it?

XOXO,

A+C