Earlier this month I attended Smart Girls Summit and had the amazing opportunity to meet some fabulous bloggers that are my age. One of the girls that I met was absolutely adorable and as sweet as can be so I decided to interview her for our Teen Blogger Showcase series. Meet Sammy. Like I said, Sammy is a sweetheart. She’s incredibly fashionable (duh, she has a fashion blog) and her Instagram game is always on point. Be sure to follow her blog and her Instagram, you won’t be sorry! xox, Chloe
Who’s getting fit? I am. A little known fact about me is that I used to do triathlons. In fact, at 13 years old I became the youngest finisher of the New York City Triathlon. Another little known fact about me is that the reason I first got into the blogging world is through triathlons; I used to blog about every race and event that I competed in. What I’m trying to say is that I used to be fit and strong. Now I want to be as fit and strong as I was when I was thirteen (it’s crazy to think that I was thirteen five whole years ago — it seems like yesterday). Anyway, in New York I walked at least six miles everyday. And it felt great. Walking, for me, was a way to transition myself back into the fit lifestyle. Now that I’m home, and not in the walkable NYC anymore, I just want to go out and run and take group fitness classes all day long. So I have been. GO ME.
As most of you know (or should know) I can’t go out into public without somehow embarrassing myself. So I have a funny story for ya today…
Yesterday I took a circuit class with my mom and it was a fabulous workout. I’m so sore today which is great. Unfortunately my eye is a little sore too which is not so great. Insert story here:
The circuits of the class were rowing machines (I was on my high school’s crew team freshman year, sophomore year, and sophomore year round two so that was no big deal for me), kettle bells, yoga mats for ab exercises, benches for dips, and resistance bands.
The first circuit that I started with yesterday was the resistance band thing. My mom and I were the only two in our circuit because everyone else in the class had spread out. Since I’m no pro when it comes to resistance bands, I (of course) picked up the one that is the hardest. I went to put my foot down so that I could do the proper arm lift-y things. Then…. the band snapped. And hit me. In the face. On the eye.
At first I was kind of stunned at what just happened. I mean A GIANT RUBBER BAND JUST SNAPPED ME IN THE EYE. Then I realized that that’s not supposed to happen. My mom of course witnessed the whole thing and was dying laughing. Then I started laughing and crying at the same time (because it really hurt but was really funny at the same time). So I now have a bruise around my eye (it’s not a black eye, fortunately).
Note to self: when starting a new workout class, start with the circuit that you actually know how to do.
Here’s how the class went as told by GIFs (btw I don’t care if you pronounce it with a g or a j, I’ll be your friend either way)…
Me walking into the class ready to rock it.
When my mom tells me we should start with resistance bands.
Then trying to figure out which band to use.
Attempting to look fit with the chosen resistance band
My mom’s reaction when the band snaps my face
My reaction + some giggles
After I got over the initial shock and actually realized what just happend
Then realizing that I just gotta be me.
I'm probably not the only person who's ever been snapped in the face with a resistance band, right? Wait... don't answer that.
I hope you enjoyed this post, it's a little different from the normal posts, but it's the real me. So like it or leave it ;)
xox, Chloe
It’s a good thing I’m a blogger so that I can call my obsessive pinning “work.” I honestly think that I pin 100+ new things a day. I’m addicted. I was definitely one of those kids that collected magazines just so that on a rainy day I could cut out pictures and typography so that I could make mood boards. I think that’s why I have such a serious addiction to Pinterest. It’s just that pretty pictures make my heart beat fast. I’ve decided to create a little roundup of a few of my favorite inspiring pins that have recently caught my eye. If you’re needing some inspiration, then we’ve got you covered. These pictures are almost too perfect (kidding, there’s no such thing).
Instagram Life Vs. Real Life (this pin hit the nail on the head)
I’m OBSESSED with her outfit. It’s super stylish and looks amazingly comfortable at the same time. gimme
Peach pie is my all time favorite summer dessert, and this one looks indescribably delicious.
Someone please buy me a one way ticket to the nearest beach.
I’m not a cat purrson, but this cutie has me by my heartstrings.
If you like these inspiring pins, then be sure to follow us! Like I said before, I'm an obsessive pinner. You will always have something inspiring to look at on Pinterest if you follow us, and that's a promise!
xox Chloe
I’m obsessed with cheese. It’s starting to become a problem. When I order food at an Italian restaurant I always ask for parmesan cheese with a side of pasta. I don’t order “chips and queso” I order “queso and chips.” The first aisle I walk down in Costco is the cheese aisle because it’s simply the best. Embarrassingly enough, I sprinkle a little cheese on everything I eat; watermelon and feta do taste amazing together, I swear. Ever since I discovered brie though, I’ve realized that no other cheese compares. It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, and it tastes good for breakfast, snacks, lunch, appetizers and dinner. It’s just the perfect cheese. My mouth is literally watering as I type about it.
A few years ago I discovered the apple + brie combo and I can honestly say that it’s the best food combo to ever be invented. It’s better than chips and salsa, milkshakes and french fries, and cream cheese and lox. No exaggeration. Then, just recently, I realized that slapping the apple and brie onto a perfectly toasted piece of bread and adding a few pieces of arugula would be the best of the best. Apple, brie, and arugula toast is amazing. It is, it really is. I gobbled up the piece of toast pictured below like a caveman who walked the entire Bering Land Bridge without eating (that's probably impossible, but it made for a good simile).
So if you’re feeling a little hungry, you just want to make an amazing piece of toast, you want to show off your gourmet lunch to your friends at school, or you want to impress a family member with your mad cooking skills then stop reading this (after you comment, that is) and go do it. I promise you won’t regret it. Actually, you probably will regret it because you will want to make an entire loaf of bread’s worth. But it’s totally worth it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that apple, brie, and arugula toast is the best of the best.
All you have to do is slice an apple, slice some brie, and place a little bit (or a lot a bit, depending on your taste buds) of arugula on a perfectly toasted piece of bread. It's that simple. Dangerously simple as I like to say.
How sick is this clear Magimix toaster (c/o) that we used? I swear it makes the perfect golden brown piece of toast. Every. Darn. Time. And you can see through it. Plus (yeah there are more perks...) the toast pops up high enough that you don't have to worry about burnt finger tips.
If you do make this toast then be sure to post a picture of it and tag us (@popcosmo)!! We really want to see your creations!!
xox Chloe
hey, hey, hey!
Long time no talk, am I right? Well I'm back at it. Finally. Being a New York City intern is exhausting (and super amazing, educational, and fun at the same time) and I didn't have any time to blog. I'm writing this while sitting on my airplane on my way home from my month long adventure in New York City and I don't even know what to think. I had so much fun, got a little homesick, worked hard, and spent way too much money at way too many coffee shops. And I learned a lot too. I decided that I should share a list of what I learned during the month of living on my own without my mom, dad, and brother.
Are ya ready?
If yes, then yay.
If not, then go grab a trendy coffee.
ONE: New Yorkers really do wear all black. It's like there's a constant funeral occurring in the city. I have to admit, I started dressing like a New Yorker and found that all black is awesome. Especially if a waiter/waitress spills your lunch all over you. Or if there's a random rain shower (I'd rather not be a part of a wet t-shirt contest, thank you). Or if you get really sunburnt and want to look less like a lobster and more like a chic upper east sider. Or if you're so tired and don't want to have to worry about what to wear to work. All of these lessons were learned from experience, mind you. Plus, if you wear all black then everything in your closet automatically matches.
All black is basically a win, win, win, win, win (etc.) situation. Yep, Mom, you were right.
TWO: New Yorkers abbreviate everything. Lulu Lemon is just Lulu. Bed, Bath, and Beyond? It's just Bed Bath. The word dinner is just "din." And don't even bother saying definitely, totally, ridiculous and amazing in their entirety. They are simply, def, totes, ridic and amaze.
THREE: Soul Cycle is as amazing as people say it is. Thankfully I didn't try a class until my last day otherwise I would have blown my entire life savings on a spin class every night. Think dark rooms, screaming instructors, getting extremely sweaty, and loud music. Now that I type that it doesn't sound as appealing, but trust me, it was fab (see, I'm so New York).
FOUR: Food is really expensive. I thought that I would be totally fine with the amount of money that I brought along for my trip, but I was wrong. Fancy restaurants in Kentucky have meals that are anywhere from $12-$25. In New York City, a casual restaurant is the same, if not more expensive. It’s insane. But, all the food is so yummy. And the bagels really are better.
FIVE: New York City is the most inspiring place. I know you’ve probably heard it before, and you’re going to hear it again, but NYC is a place where motivated people make their dreams happen. Everyone has a twinkle in their eye and a pep in their step and it makes it that more fun to be a part of such an inspiring and motivated environment. I can definitely see myself getting my first job in the city after college.
So there ya go, five things I learned while in New York. I know they aren’t that crazy original, but whatevs. I hope you’re having a great summer, and if you have anything that you’ve learned this past month and feel the need to share it with me, then please comment below!!
xox Chloe
If you follow us on Twitter (if you don't, then go follow us!! you definitely want to join us for #ChicChat on Tuesdays at 9EST!) then you would know that last week I had the chance to attend the Smart Girls Conference in New York City. I was able to go on behalf of Dormify to help work the booth and spread the word about who we are (you know, the cutest college & dorm decor EVER!) and I also was able to hear the speakers, well, speak. There were some amazing people there, from Shiza Shahid, the CEO & Co-Founder of the Malala Fund to Carly Heitlinger, from The College Prepster. Everyone had a different insight into what it is like to be a powerful woman, and it was seriously so inspiring! I also love that The Smart Girls Conference embraces "the power of smarts & the power of sisterhood" supporting working together to make everyone stronger instead of competing against each other. I'm lucky to have a group of blog friends that feel the same way, and besides being encouraged by all the powerful women speaking, I also had the chance to meet some of these blog friends in real life for the first time. Like I mentioned in my recent post, meeting blog friends is so cool. They understand that it takes 100 shots to get the right Instagram picture, that wearing the right outfit really is very important, and they just get the blogger's life. Since I had so much fun I decided that I would just share a whole bunch of picture with you guys. I hope you enjoy!!
Oh and in case you’re wondering, the girls pictured (aka the sweetest girls ever) are Sammy from The Preptista, Frannie from the Blonde Prep, Caroline from Citrus & Style, and Sloane from Sailing the Sea of Style.
Hope you had a great weekend too!
xo ~chloe