Monday, December 30, 2013

Best of 2013: Music

Music has always been a passion of mine and I genuinely enjoy all kinds of music (except like heavy metal scream...I'll never understand that). I'm constantly looking for new music/artists/bands and I've definitely come across some amazing artists this year. Here are 5 of my favorite songs from this year, take a listen if you haven't heard before and let me know what you think! 

1. After performing at my school's homecoming concert, I'm BEYOND obsessed with Hoodie Allen. Beyond. His music is fun, catchy, and the acoustic versions are heart melting. I'm also a big fan of him personally, he seems like he's down to earth and very grateful for all his fans. He tweets links to download his music for free too, which I think is amazing. It was hard for me to pick a favorite song but I think this is the one that could convert anyone into a Hoodie fan. 


2. I've been a Summer Set fan for a long time now and I was lucky enough to see them in concert on Halloween this year! I absolutely died when I met the lead singer, Brian, after the show. He's adorable and has the voice of an angel. I can never get this song stuck out of my head so beware - very addicting. 


3. Here's another artist that I was lucky enough to see in concert and meet this year! He's a friend of a friend in Nashville so my roommate and I got to hang with Jon and the band on their tour bus before the show, so cool! So excited his new album is coming out on January 14th (also my birthday!). He's more well known for his single Up All Night but I like this one better. 


4. I've recently discovered Lana and I worship her now. She's sassy and her songs are almost hypnotic, I'm just obsessed. This one's my favorite, although this entire album is perfection. 


5. I don't care what anyone says, I have loved and will always love Blurred Lines. Some lyrics are meant to be taken literally and some aren't. It's simply a fun song and critics went overboard analyzing it. Okay, rant over. How can you not enjoy the three hotties singing it either? Just makes me want to dance! Give It 2 U is also pure gold. #THICKE 


Honorable mentions: 
  • 23 - Mike Will Made-It (feat. Miley, Wiz, Juicy J)
  • This is How We Roll - Florida Georgia Line (feat. Luke Bryan)
  • Swoon - Timeflies
  • Best Day Ever - One Direction 
  • I Love It - Icona Pop 


Anyone else a fan of these songs or artists? If not, I hope you are now! 

xoxo,

rFe 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Best of 2013: Clothes

It's so hard to believe 2013 is almost over! I've been reminiscing on the past year a lot lately and honestly, 2013 treated me pretty well. There's always ups and downs but this has definitely been one of the best years form me thus far! It's so weird to think next year I'll be halfway done with my first year of law school and living in unknown city (as of now). So many changes! Since clothes are one of my biggest passions (I would argue that shopping is a hobby, maybe even a sport) I decided to compile a list of all my favorite clothes I've gotten within the past year.

1. The first item is SO easy. My roommates and I call this dandy "the magic sweater." I have never been so obsessed with an item of clothing like this sweater. I own three out of the four colors, only because I haven't been able to find the fourth color in my size. On the hanger it looks pretty ordinary but I picked it up because it was so incredibly soft. The second I tried it on, I was sold. It's THE perfect oversized sweater and surprisingly so flattering on. It's long enough to wear with leggings (love) so that's what I pair it with as well as a scarf and riding or combat boots. Seriously the easiest outfit to throw together, I probably wear that combo at least twice a week. I buy my sweaters from a store in Minnesota called Len but I found it online and that's actually less expensive too. I have the black, grey, and navy ones! If you're in need a sweater, I would highly recommend this one. I believe Nordy's also sells this brand but I couldn't find the exact sweater on their website.

2. I'm a pretty avid riding boot fan but I invested in these babies this fall and could not be happier with them. I feel like the combat boot trend kind of hit last year but every single shoe store and department store started carrying them this year. I found it difficult to find a pair that was different than the one (Steven Madden) pair I saw literally everyone wearing. Finally I found this pair at Aldo and fell in love with the dark burgundy color. I wear a lot of black and grey so I thought these would be a nice pop of color for my wardrobe. I loved this pair from Aldo as well but I already have a few pairs of boots in that color. I've had a lot of fun incorporating these combat boots into my wardrobe!


3. Every girl needs a little black dress and I stumbled upon this classic at Nordstrom Rack. I've always been a fan of Diane von Furstenberg but this was my first DVF purchase! Her clothes are absolutely beautiful and so well made, which usually means they're out of my price range. I certainly wasn't looking for a LBD but it was so gorgeous and I knew this style of dress would look great on. This is why I generally don't try something on if it's out of my price range because I guarantee, it will ALWAYS look amazing. Definitely was an investment to say the least but it was worth the splurge and because it's such a classic, I know I'll have it for a long time.


4. I've never been much of a watch person but that has certainly changed this year. Another steal from Nordstrom Rack, I wear this Kate Spade watch everyday now. I actually wear more gold jewelry than silver, I think gold is making comeback :) I like pairing it with other bracelets and it's pretty much an essential to my wardrobe now. A black Kate Spade watch is next on my list! Please and thanks Santa.


5. This one is easy too. I really hate jeans, HATE them. They're terribly uncomfortable. I do think leggings are pants (as long as your butt is covered) and I wear leggings wayyy more than I wear jeans...until now. These are the softest pair of jeans I've ever worn and if I didn't know better, I would think they were pajama jeans. Super flattering on too so that's just another plus! I got this pair of Hudson's at a boutique in my hometown and I don't think I'll ever be able to wear a different pair of jeans again. Since I don't wear jeans that often, it's hard for me to justify paying $189 per pair (mine were 50% off at the boutique). Nordstrom Rack and Off Saks Fifth Avenue are usually my go to for designer jeans and they do carry Hudson's but I've yet to find a pair as soft as mine. Hopefully if I keep looking, I'll find another pair!

Side note: I also recently discovered AG Jeans and they are wonderful. I got this pair from (surprise, surprise) Nordstrom Rack, didn't realize how obsessed with that store I was! The olive color looks great with all my black/grey/cream tops. The material is a stretch sateen so they're soft, almost velvety, and unbelievable comfortable. Didn't realize comfort was such a stable for me either! I'd definitely recommend trying Hudson or AG for denim if you're looking for a new brand.

That pretty much sums up my favorites from 2013! I guess these are all more fall and winter clothes but it's hard to even remember wearing summer clothes right now! I am looking forward to Spring Break when I can break out my Lilly, colored denim, whites, and Jacks though :)

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.

Xoxo,

rFe


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Back in black

In retrospect, 2013 wasn't exactly my best year in terms of blogging. A whopping five posts is less than overwhelming...BUT I am entering the New Year with a new frame of mind and new resolution to get back into the blogging world! I was recently inspired by the show Courtney Loves Dallas. If you don't know (but you should, she's fantastic) is centered around Courtney Kerr, a Dallas socialite, fashionista, and blogger! The show really reminded me how much I do enjoy blogging and how great of an outlet it can be.

Anyhoo, here's what I've been up to the past couple months. I've been studying my life away for the LSAT and yes, it's just as horrible as it sounds. I took a class over the summer, took both the October and December LSAT, and now I'm just waiting to get my score back so I can start applying to law schools! It's a terribly frightening and exciting time, most especially because I have no idea where I want to go to school. I literally can't even tell you what region of the U.S. It's that bad. I can see myself on the West Coast soaking up the California sun, on the East Coast enjoying the magical city of NYC, down South fulfilling my ambitions of becoming a Southern belle, or maybe staying in Minneapolis with all the amazing friends I've made these past three years. I just don't know what to do! More on that later...Other than that, I've moved into a brand new apartment with three of my best friends and it's been the best experience I could have asked for. These girls are my family and I literally don't know how I would survive without their love, support, and happiness they bring into my life. I'm almost 22 now and I'm at the point where most of my friends are in serious relationships and a few are engaged already. Obviously, I'm still living the single life but what's new? Just as I have a knack for randomly picking out the most expensive item in a store, I also have a knack for picking the douchiest of men. It's really making me question my life decisions because my best friend is planning her summer wedding and I'm at school trying to convince my friends to go to the bar with me because "Tuesdays are the new Saturdays!" Seriously though...they are, I love Tuesdays. Whatever, I'll find my Chuck Bass eventually (pray for me).

Well, that's enough about me! Blogging on the reg is one of my many New Years resolutions and I'm actually too excited about it. Does anyone else already have their resolutions picked out? You'll hear more from me soon :)

xoxo,

rFe