Royal (Baby) Blues

Welcome to the world little Prince George Alexander Louis! The world has definitely been watching and waiting for your arrival.

To celebrate, I won't inundate you with any more photos of the Royal Baby's big reveal, or of Kate's unbelievably flawless hair after giving birth (seriously, some things in life are not fair, and her hair falls into that category!) but I thought I'd celebrate with some fun beauty and fashion in shades of Royal (Baby) Blues! And polka dots too, to honor this amazing moment: 

I mean, honestly, what a touching and beautiful little nod to Diana.
(via ABC news)

Polish/Liner/Shorts/Candle/Dress

Have you been watching all the coverage?

And what did you think of the name?! 

Hope y'all are happy and healthy and enjoying this Wednesday! 

Etsy STEAL: Monogrammed Necklaces

Just wanted to bring you a great deal today! 

I know y'all are huge fans of monogrammed necklaces, and I've bought some for friends and family members and even have one myself. So when I saw this on Etsy I knew I had to share it with y'all. It's two monogrammed necklaces for the price of one, and they're adorable!

$30 Acrylic necklace deal Via Vitabravo1 on Etsy

The seller has lots of color choices, and you'll get TWO monogram necklaces for $30,  which is a pretty good price for an acrylic monogrammed necklace! I say run and grab this deal RIGHT NOW!

Oh, and if you've been wanting to get a monogrammed necklace in silver or gold instead of acrylic, this Etsy shop is running the same deal for $50 on metal cut out monogrammed necklaces! This is such a great deal for these necklaces, and you can't go wrong with silver and gold, right?

$50  necklace deal Via Vitabravo1 on Etsy

Are you going to jump on this deal? Let me know if you do!
Have a great Tuesday!
-Hannah

Pick A Pair: Mani-Pedi Combos You'll Love

I got the idea for this post when I was doing my last mani-pedi. I always try to come up with chic, unique, and eye-catching combos for my mani-pedis. It's easy to pull two polishes from the newest collection and have them go together, but it's much more fun to mix and match old favorites and watch them come to life in a new way.
This Spring's collections from Essie and OPI were a little disappointing in my opinion. There were definite winner polishes amongst the bunches, but I didn't end up purchasing much at all, which y'all know is unusual for me! So I've actually really been enjoying shopping my collection and rediscovering old favorites. These are just suggestions, and feel free to look at your collection and change the combos based on what you have. There are no rules when it comes to mani-pedi combos in my book. If you think it works, it probably does! I also want to say that I've set these up so that you can wear them with either polish on your fingers OR toes, so there's no right way to read this!

The combo that inspired this post! I love these polishes together! I think they work with either polish on fingers or toes. I'm currently wearing Ole Caliente on my fingers and Bikini So Teeny on my toes. It just feels more unexpected to have the baby blue on the toes, which I love. Plus, the hot coral on my fingers is to die for! But I'm thinking I'll reverse this one soon! 

This combo is a little cooler in nature. If you don't have Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue, you might have Essie's Butler Please. I like the idea of these two together because they both have purple tones to them. Also, I like to add the Revlon glitter in Radiant as an accent to Pacific Blue sometimes, so that's a fun addition if you're bored! Again, it's up to you which is for fingers and which is for toes!

Zoya Elodie is such a gorgeous color, I feel like it just looks like the inside of a grapefruit! I had to pair it with something equally dynamic, so I chose Essie's Boxer Shorts, which is a blue with shimmer and purple shades to it. This combo will feel really fresh as we head into spring. In a more conservative setting, Elodie works well on fingertips, but I think this combo works well both ways. 

I wanted to do a combo that felt like it would work for someone who had to be in an office setting. This includes a really gorgeous nude shimmer for fingertips from this January's Mariah Carey collection, and my favorite glossy hot pink shimmer from the Minnie Mouse Collection. The shimmers pair well together, and it's a good balance of grown up and girly!

Last, but not least are Where's my Chauffer and Pink Friday! I like these two together because they really bring out the true pastel tones in each other and they were both big sellers in their own collections. I think combined they'd look incredible and feel like Easter came a little early. Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes! 

These are just a few of the combos I came up with this week while I shopped my collection. What are your favorite color combos for spring? Do you shop your collection, or do you have to have something new to keep inspiration flowing? Share your favorite pairs with me please, I'm always looking for a new duo!

Hope you're happy and healthy!
Love,
Hannah

Valentine's Day Phone Backgrounds

I am one of those girls who actually loves Valentine's Day. I may be single, but that definitely doesn't mean I can't enjoy a holiday devoted to love and chocolate.  I always take time to decorate for Valentine's Day and enjoy a day full of chocolate, chick flicks, and time with people I love.
So be a rebel this year and fall in love with the world's most hated holiday! Tell your friends and family you love them, and give out Valentine's like it's a 3rd grade class party.
To help you get into the Valentine's Day spirit, I made 6 fun phone backgrounds for y'all to use!

How are you celebrating this Valentine's Day? Share your plans with me, I love to hear about cute Valentine's Day plans! 

With lots of LOVE,

Hannah 

PS- Just wanted to apologize for not posting much lately! I've been very ill and struggling to get better, and I just haven't had energy to blog. Hopefully I'll be back at it all the time soon!

Monogrammed iPhone Case Rant

As some of y'all may know, I just got my first iPhone (or any smart phone at all) this summer for my 20th birthday. I wanted to find the perfect case, and I spent a lot of time thinking about what to get. However, I knew then (and still believe now) that I'm too clumsy to get something based solely on looks.
So, in July I ordered a monogrammed otterbox for my iPhone. I felt like this was the perfect marriage of style and protection for my phone. I absolutely LOVED it, but it was rather pricey. After tax it was about $75. For that price, I really expected high quality and style. That lasted.
I hate to give a negative review on my blog, but I know enough people who have looked at these cases in my circle of blogging friends that I felt the need to say something.

To quickly and very honestly sum up my experience buying this phone case from In This Very Room: I ordered in mid-July, and the case took more than a month to get to me. Prices were high, but I did get a free shipping coupon from their facebook. Overall, they do price these monogrammed Otterbox cases a bit lower than other places I've seen them, however I can't speak for the quality of other retailers. When I got it my only issue was the absolutely ridiculous wait time. I get that it's personalized, but their site says "Up to TWO weeks" not 4-5.
Here's where my real issue has come in. The actual case is typical Otterbox Commuter quality BUT I paid an extra $30ish to get this case monogrammed. So I do expect that part to hold up!  I thought I'd give you a visual of how much it's chipped in 6 months.

Here's my phone case when I received it in August.

I love the design and monogram. 

Overall, very happy with initial quality despite wait time. 

Ok so here's a close up of my case in early November (so about 3 months after I received the case) when I decided to contact In This Very Room. You can see the beginnings of chips around all the edges where pink is showing through. 

November 2012

Finally, here's my case yesterday. The chips have become really obvious and the case looks much older than 6 months. Also, to be clear I was NEVER contacted after I sent two separate messages to In This Very Room via their website. I mostly wanted to find out if it was a fluke and I could get a refund or if this was just the quality of the product. Since I never heard, I really have to assume it's a product quality problem.

Monogrammed iPhone Otterbox case after about 6 months.

As I said, I really don't like to write negative reviews or posts on this blog, but I do think it's important for people to know that these popular monogrammed Otterbox cases don't hold up at all. The good thing about my case is that (because it's an Otterbox) it really has kept my phone safe!

Overall Experience Recap:

• Long wait time for phone case to arrive (twice listed wait time on site)
• Chips began early on and have continued to get worse. I treat my phone well but it chips from everyday use.
• I contacted the site twice with photos and a question about my issues with the case, and never heard back. 
• At six months wear is very obvious and I'm looking at replacing it with a new case.

So that leads me to my current dilemma: what should I replace this case with now? I still want the safety and function of the Otterbox, but I would like something cute too!
If you have any recommendations for quality, sturdy iPhone 4S cases at reasonable prices please comment and let me know!
Next Monday I'm planning to do a roundup of cases I'm looking at. Maybe y'all can help me choose?
Any input is appreciated!

Stay beautiful,
Hannah

PS- Leave your blog link in the comments if you're a recent follower and you haven't commented yet! I want to follow everyone but I'm having some issues with blogger! Thanks y'all! Sorry for the negative post!

Bowtie Bracelets: Save or Splurge?

I've been seeing these bowtie bracelets around campus more and more. Kiel James Patrick is a brand known for handmade, northern prep style accessories. In the past, I've never found any of them that really suited me (especially considering the higher prices!) but I will admit that I've fallen for these cute bowtie bracelets.

Kiel James Patrick Vickers' Bow Collection- $58 each

The Twiggy Bracelet is absolutely my favorite. I love the pink and navy! 

However, as much as I think these are beautifully made and adorable, I'm not ready to shell out $58 for a bracelet like this.
So, I did what I always do and searched Etsy for an alternative! I'm a big fan of supporting Etsy shops because you can get great handmade products at a good price while supporting a small business.
Lo and behold, Etsy had a few great options. My favorite of the Etsy shops offering these bracelets is Georgia Brown Designs.

Georgia Brown Designs offers a great selection of handmade bowtie bracelets, and will even do custom bracelets!  The best part? They're only $18!! That's a huge savings!

Here are a few of their gorgeous options:

Georgia Brown Designs Custom bow tie bracelets- can be customized for your favorite sports team or just in a favorite color! 

If I had to pick one, I'm definitely a fan of this navy polka dotted option. Y'all know I'm a total sucker for navy. 

Georgia Brown Designs Navy Dot bracelet- $18 

A few more bracelets! Aren't these darling? 

So what do you think? Save or splurge? I think both KJP and Georgia Brown Designs offer a great selection of these cute bowtie bracelets. There are some differences between the bracelets from the two brands, so it really is a matter of preference.  KJP has a wider selection and may just be more your style, but I think there's definitely something to be said for saving $40!

UPDATE: Katie Brown at Georgia Brown Designs left a coupon for readers! It's POLISH10 :) 

Stay beautiful,

Hannah 

You Little Stud!

So if you didn't know, I chopped my hair all off this fall. About a month after surgery, I was itching to cut my hair and tired of having my long bob get stuck in my neck brace (oh yes, neurosurgery is that glamorous!) So I took the plunge and chopped it all off.

One of the perks of pixie cuts is that no matter how small earrings you wear are, they're totally visible! I've never enjoyed earrings as much as I have since I got short hair, but I've really fallen in love with little studs.

To find: (One) (Two) (Three) (Four) (Five) (Six) (Seven)

Stud earrings are great because they add a little extra style without distracting from your makeup or outfit. You can also find them pretty much everywhere from Target to Kate Spade.

Have you traded in your heavy dangling earrings for a more lightweight option? What do you think of studs? Any favorite places to shop for them? Share with me, I'm always looking for cute jewelry options!

Stay beautiful,
Hannah

Dorm Room Domesticity- A Guide to Cute Cups

Since returning to dorm life, I've realized the major importance of having cute cups. It's super important to stay hydrated whether or not you're dealing with chronic illness like I am. I know many people have New Year's Resolutions revolving around drinking more water, so I thought this little guide would be helpful.

Speaking of cups, have you seen Anna Kendrick performing the Cups song from Pitch Perfect live? If not, you need to watch this. Such a great voice!

Ok, back to business.
Here are some cute cups I've been eyeing- from classic Tervis tumblers to some great Etsy finds!
My biggest requirement for dorm drinkware is that it's all made of plastic. There's no reason to have extra breakables in a dorm room.

Tervis Tumblers: These are a cult favorite. They can hold drinks that are hot or cold, and they're tough as nails. Plus, they come in a range of designs and their website even allows you to personalize or design your own tumbler insert.
My cousin Josh actually designed one for me this Christmas! He's 12, so it ended up being a dog paw print/bone pattern with my name in red, but it's so sweet and personal and will always remind me of how sweet my little cousin is!

Tervis offers a few sets now for easier ordering. I love this Shades of Distinction set ($40) with black and white lace! How pretty would these be with a bright fuchsia lid? Definitely chic for class, too! 

The great thing about Tervis is that they have SO many options! You can get everything from this cute, nautical number ($11) to tumblers with your favorite brand or organization represented on them. Whatever you love- you can put it on a tumbler! 

Tervis has also added an option to customize your own design in their "Tervis CustoMYzer"  I made this  one really quickly using a Lilly Pulitzer wallpaper I had on my computer. The possibilities are endless with this, though! A 16 oz tumbler with lid is $25 customized. I like this option a lot because you're able to get the Tervis quality with any cute design you want! 

Lifeguard Press:  Lifeguard Press features a few brands, including Lilly Pulitzer. Just flipping through, a few caught my eye!

Dylan's Candy Bar Tumber with Straw- Candy Spill ($12). This tumbler is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth! I love tumblers with straws, too!  

Lilly Pulitzer Tumbler Set of 8 in Nice To See You ($16)- These are great for guests . Plus, a little (or a lot) of Lilly always adds to your room! I chose not to include the thicker plastic tumblers with straws because I know people who have had trouble with their Lilly straw tumblers breaking.

If Lilly isn't your style, try the Jonathan Adler Tumbler Set of  6 in Gothic Rose ($14) 

Etsy- Etsy has become my favorite resource for shopping lately! You can get such unique products and support small businesses at the same time! Plus, Etsy sellers tend to be incredibly nice and offer a lot of customization options!

Patterned Double Insulated Tumbler by MSMudpieBoutique- $13 Also comes with monogram (not shown)

Monogram Tumbler with Candy Cane Straw from VinylDesignsByCJ ($12.95) In LOVE with these straws. 
You can also get this in script monogram. So cute and nostalgic! 

Vinyl Monogrammed Tumbler from brandiwalk ($15)- I love the Tervis style look and the multi-colored scalloped monogram. Perfect for going from the dorm to the car or anywhere, really!

These last two tumblers are both from Etsy shop TAMStyle and cost $12.50. I like that this seller does Collegiate and even a few funny tumblers in addition to the monogrammed styles. 

Target: I usually get a lot of my dorm drinkware at Target because it's both cute and affordable but their online selection is a little sparse right now. However, I do like this Valentine's Day collection, since it is my favorite holiday!

Photo via Target

So what do you drink out of in your dorm? Do you have a favorite place to buy tumblers? I'm always looking for more!

Stay beautiful (and hydrated!),
Hannah

Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer Sale Haul

Yesterday was a big day for Lilly lovers! I happened to be in the car for the start of the sale, on the way to Chapel Hill for a bunch of doctor's appointments. I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to shop it, but my handy iPhone saved me!  I got a few great pieces and I thought I'd share! I'm SO looking forward to it all getting here.

Clare Silk Dress in Multi Getaway Garden- A silk jersey Lilly dress has been on my wishlist for a while. It's my favorite of their fabrics, and I just think they're great dresses. However, charging $258 for this dress felt like a bit much. A lot much, really. I got it for $59! Thrilled.

Hart Top in Bomber Blue Hush- I love Lilly tanks because they're so versatile. This has a zipper in the back, and is nice enough to wear out, but can also be layered under a quick cardigan for an easy peasy outfit for class. This was $24.

Murfette Scarf in Cameo White Sweet Nothings- My GOAL for this sale was to get a Murfee or a Murfette. By the time I got on at 5 til 8 (seriously) the Murfees were gone. Ugh! However, I love this print and I can't wait to throw this on with a white tee and jeans.  Grabbed it for $29.

The last two things I got were surprises for me. Lilly marked down a lot of Sorority collection items! I  spent a combined $20 on these two little things. Always love to add some extra Lilly ADPi print to my dorm.

Dry Erase Board in Shorely Blue Alpha Delta Pi

Printed Frame in Shorely Blue Alpha Delta Pi

So that's my haul! I feel like I did really well for being in my car and it being my first Lilly sale experience! I can't wait for it all to get to Charlotte!

Did y'all set alarms for the Lilly sale? Tell me what you snagged! There were some fantastic deals!  I helped my mom get some stuff for an upcoming Hawaii trip she has too! We had a great time shopping on the road haha! 

Stay beautiful,

Hannah 

Monogram Mail

I have become totally hooked on Etsy! I have always loved browsing Etsy, but I often got overwhelmed by choices and just decided not to order things. I finally ended up ordering a few really exciting things in the past few weeks, so I thought I'd share and give some love to the amazing Etsy shops I ordered from.
Oh, and you'll notice a theme. I have a monogram problem, y'all. Also a pink and navy problem.  I'm going to justify it and call it a signature, that sounds better.

I'm beginning to assemble a little collection. 

School Bag:
I have been looking for a great school tote for a while. I wanted something useful, unique, and monogrammed. I fell in love with this Monogrammed Super Feature Tote from Bow Peep on Etsy. I love that it has outer pockets for quick access to my water bottle, glasses, and iPhone (or whatever I decide!) It's also a great deal at around $25.

This is my bag!  It comes in a variety of colors and with several ribbons and monogram styles,  so if navy and pink is not your signature there are plenty of other options :) 

Vinyl Decals:
I have looked at tons of monogrammed decals for my car and computer. Tons. I wanted one for my computer and one for my car, and I wanted to get a good deal. Etsy has a zillion fantastic options, but I was super pleased with my Vinyl Chatter order.  I ended up deciding on a circle decal for my car (so that it will be a little sturdier) and a vine monogram for my laptop. I am in love with the results!

When they first arrived! 

The vine monogram was huge and looks amazing on my laptop. I love that it's navy, it was a surprisingly hard color to find!

I still need to go put my circle decal on my car! Hopefully I will before I move back to Queens.
I'm ordering some sorority letter decals from the same shop sometime soon for my car. I'll post those when I get them!

Key Fob: 
I got totally overwhelmed by the ribbon choices in The Preppy Patch, in the best possible way. They have so many adorable, wonderful options.  I knew I wanted something navy and pink to match my bag, and I ended up going with this key fob with the added wristlet length. I also messaged the super sweet shop owner and asked about Greek lettering, and she did it on the back in my sorority's colors (not pictured because I'm a recruitment counselor, sorry!) for free! How nice is that?

The little ribbons on the end were also a little extra. This shop had great options and amazing service. I'm in love with the final product! 

I highly recommend ALL THREE of these shops and all of these products. Let them know Hannah sent you, and definitely leave me any of your favorite Etsy shops in the comments.

Stay beautiful,
Hannah
(or should I say hBr)