College

What comes to mind when you think “college.” 

Animal house? Drinking problems? Too much school work? Stress? The Freshman 15? Excitement? 

Same. 

College is kind of weird if you think about it. You’re on your own, but also not really. You still have your parents support, you don’t really have to worry about “adult” things yet, but you still get all the freedom and independence that you craved oh so much during high school. 

I’m now about to go into my Junior year of college and as I’m writing this I’m sitting in my house thinking of all the things that made me nervous going into my freshman year of college. From what to pack, to what I would wear to class, to how the heck I would find my classes on the first day of school, to making friends, to understanding college parties and lifestyle. There were SO many new things. So many weird things that I never could have prepared for. It was a whole new world. 

I want to answer some questions about college for my past (pre college) self, from my current (almost upper class man) self. So here we go…

How do I find my classes? 
Walk around campus in the few days that you have before school. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions either. Everyone on campus was once new and in the exact same boat as you and will be more than willing to help you find your building and class room within the building. 

What do I wear to class?
Whatever your little heart desires. Whether that be a cute little dress and sandals or a big t-shirt and leggings. You do you. Just rock it confidently, that’s all that matters. 

Are parties super intimidating? 
They are what you make of them. Talk to people, don’t be shy! Don’t be afraid to say hey to that one person who sits three rows and five seats down in front of you in that random core class. They probably want someone to sit next to in class too — also who doesn’t like meeting someone at a party to end up helping each other in class. But also be aware, don’t take random drinks from random people. Don’t be dumb. I would recommend drinking at a pre-game (or in my case, in your dorm room with friends) before going to the party so you don’t even have to drink once you get there. That way you know your alcohol is safe and clean. 

Those are obviously just three little questions from a long list that I had, but I feel like the answers can be applied to a lot of things: don’t be afraid to ask for help, be confident, and be aware. 

College is the time of your life. The time to learn who you are and who you want to become. It’s fun, it’s an adventure. 

Thanks for reading! 
xox
Chloe

INTERNET ROUND UP

READ 

I read this short passage on Tumblr the other day and my mind was blown. I always think about getting into ruts with what I physically do each day, but I’ve never really thought about the ruts we’re in with things we don’t think about as often — especially when it comes to words. Toc-Tic is just wrong. 

WATCH

If I could choose any famous person’s sense of humor to take for my own it would, hands down, be Steve Harvey. He’s hilarious and I always find myself watching his “best of” videos on YouTube, especially when I’m in need of some cheering up. This video is one of my favorites, and that little boy.. SO CUTE. 

Confession, when I looked up the link to this video I got distracted by all of the Little Big Shot videos so watch all of them haha. 

LISTEN

In honor of my friends going to his concert this week, I decided to share RUFUS DU SOL. I love his song “Sundream” and think you guys should give it a listen. It’s kinda bumpin’ but also chill. The perfect summer night song. 

SHOP

I’m working at Anthropologie this summer and it’s dangerously awesome. I want to spend my paychecks on literally everything in the store and it’s taking all of my will power not to purchase one of each. However, a lot of my co-workers have been purchasing this jumpsuit and I’m dying to try it on. Jumpsuits never look that great on me, but I’m convinced I need it. 

SEE

Something about this photo illuminates summer. Maybe it’s the fleetingness of it — summer is here and then gone in the blink of an eye. Maybe it’s the black and white. Maybe it’s the bare feet on the pedals. All I see is summer.

Be Adventurous

What was your New Years resolution this past year?

Mine was to be more adventurous. To do more things that make me second guess. To do more things that push me outside my comfy little circle of safety. I want to be more spontaneous. To not make goals for tomorrow, but instead make accomplishments for today. 

I want to get out there and do things. 

And you know what? This past weekend I did just that. I have lived in Colorado for about three years and have so many things that I want to do here. I have a little bucket list for Colorado itself and hope to accomplish just half of it during my time during college.

I have always seen photos of the Sand Dunes and I have always wanted to go, but it’s kind of far, out of the way, and inconvenient to get to. 

This past weekend I stopped saying I want to go to the Sand Dunes and actually made it there. 

It was seriously one of the most amazing experiences. Two friends and I woke up at 4 in the morning and made it to the dunes. We spent a few hours just taking in the beauty and feeling alive. We all had things (aka homework) we needed to get done but getting out of our little college bubble and experiencing life made me realize how sometimes homework can be forgotten (like really really forgotten) and life can be enjoyed. 

We were out in the sun and sand for a few hours and we were all a little nervous of getting sun burnt so we made sure to pack my Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration® Weightless Face Lotion  so that we’d all stay hydrated and protected. Seriously, if you’re in the market for a new sunscreen you have try Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration® Weightless Face Lotion . It literally has Shea Butter in the formula so it leaves you feeling hydrated and pampered — and we all know other sunscreens leave you feeling the opposite. You can find it in mass grocery and drug retailers and also online! 

So next time you feel like you’re in a slump of responsibilities and repetitiveness get out there and do something. I know for a fact that you all have something that you’ve been dying to do — whether it be something as small as trying a new restaurant or exploring your state — GO FOR IT. 

I’m sharing Hawaiian Tropic in my life as part of a sponsored series for Socialstars™
Thanks for reading! 
xox
chloe

Remembering The Little Things

In high school people always said that college would be the best four years of my life. Call me naive, but I didn’t believe that you could actually pinpoint the best four years of your life — shouldn’t every year be amazing? 

I’m not saying that I didn’t have an amazing life until college, because I totally did. I had experiences I’ll never forget and I got to spend those experiences with the most amazing family, however, so far, college has been the best part of my life.

I’m incredibly lucky to attend a university that offers exactly what I want to study, I’m beyond thankful to be surrounded by people with similar ideals (regarding life, and friends, and fun), and I’m so thankful to always have the best daily views of the Rocky Mountains. 

A few days ago six of my friends piled into a car that seats five and adventured up to the Flatirons. We blasted my Mountain Top playlist, our hair blowing in the wind, and our voices singing in unison; it was one of those moments that seem so fleeting but I know I’ll remember it forever. 

I’m so thankful to have friends that I can just go on random adventures with and be so utterly content. The same people who said college would be the four years of my life also told me to remember the little things, so in honor of those people, here’s me remembering the little things.

Thanks for reading!
xox
chloe  

What is Art?

I’m taking a photography class this semester and it’s definitely one of my top favorite classes…ever. Today we were talking about what makes a photograph “art,” and my professor was talking about how he doesn't consider a lot of portraits to be art. I then started to think about what makes art “art.” Is it what you personally consider to be beautiful? Is it when a photograph follows all the so called “rules?” Is it when a picture is clear and not blurry?

But you know what’s awesome about art? The fact that it’s undefinable and such an individual thing. I love that one thing could be considered art to me, but if you looked at it, you might think it was absolutely 100% ugly. Or vice versa. Or maybe I think something is ugly and still consider it to be art, because I can do that. I can do whatever I want, and you can do whatever you want. That’s how life works, and that’s awesome. 

I went up to the mountains last week with my best friend (and roommate and snuggle buddy) and we took some photos for my photography class. I thought the pictures turned out really well (maybe even well enough to consider them “art”) so I thought I’d share them here.

Hope you’re all doing well. Find some art, create some art, be artful.

Thanks for reading!
ox
chloe

Veganism

My schedule this semester is pretty weird. I have no classes Mondays, which is absolutely amazing, and only one class on Fridays. 

As great as it is to have one class on Fridays, it happens to be during the prime dinner hours — 5 till 7:30pm. It’s awesome because I get to sleep in, but also super annoying because I’m sitting in class while all my friends are enjoying eating a nice fancy dinner at nice restaurants.

This past Friday my friends decided they wanted to continue their healthy streak and decided to go to a vegan restaurant that none of them had ever tried before. I was a little jealous so I asked them to bring me my food home so I could eat it when I got back from class. 

I left for my class when all my friends left for the restaurant, and I spent the next two and a half hours thinking about how much fun they were all having while I was stuck in a dull classroom on a Friday night. As I was walking home, I felt my stomach eating itself — I was literally starved. The first thing I did when I got home was run up to my room to drop off my backpack so I could eat my delicious vegan dinner as soon as possible. 

What did I see when I walked into my room? My two roommates literally rolling on the floor moaning in pain, sweat dripping down their foreheads, hands clenching their stomachs. They were in physical and emotional pain. Why? Because of the vegan food. Vegan food poisoning. 

It was like the bridesmaids scene when all the characters (except one) get food poisoning. It was bad news. I’m not kidding when I say that I stood in the doorway in shock, convinced that a prank was being pulled on me. I ended up being too afraid to eat my food and ate three and a half pieces of toast with cream cheese instead. Not the most fulfilling meal, but definitely better than rolling on the floor in absolute pain.

Moral of the story? Never eat vegan food.

thanks for reading
xox
chloe