Bad Blood

Social media has recently blown up about Taylor Swift and it is 110% warranted. Have you checked out her new video? While the song Bad Blood was on her newest album, the music video has just came out and oh boy did Taylor Swift throw everyone for a loop. The video starts out simple enough with her and Selena Gomez but what caught my eye was that the video was produced by Swift herself. I love when artists actually produce or write their own songs/ music videos, that takes true talent! But essentially there are four major things that need to be addressed about this video.

    

1. Kendrick Lamar
I am well aware that Taylor Swift has been discussing how she wants to change the sound of her music and all but she really took me for a spin when all of a sudden Kendrick Lamar began rapping! It works so well though…

     

2. Celebrities

Talk about celebrities on celebrities, everyone from Selena Gomez and Zendaya, to Jessica Alba and Haley Williams all in one music video?

     

3. I still want to be Cara Delevinge

Totally self-explanatory why I want to be that bad ass

   
4. Taylor Swift would look hot with red hair

I personally think that Taylor Swift could rock any hairstyle but OMG she would look so amazing with red hair, I am totally all for it!

So there ya have it everyone! Be sure to watch the video its pretty amazing!

Montclair Bread Company

And so the semester has come to a close and with it my freshmen year of college is over. The last you have all heard from me was in January, I had told you that I would be writing more frequently and getting so more control of my life and I am sad to report that I did not. So, here I will try again to gain some control over my life and reestablish myself as a blogger. So here is my first post of the New Year (technically).

So what I have not informed everyone about is that I joined a sorority! Yay, you are looking at the newest member of Phi Sigma Sigma, with that comes gaining the amazing friendship of a Big. Recently my big and I went to Montclair Bread Company, 

located in Montclair and in one of the cutest areas I have ever seen. I wish I had taken more photos but I will be going back this week (fingers crossed) and I will be sure to post some photos up on instagram (another new addition to the blog, follow me on instagram at touchofcollege!) Montclair Bread has to be one of the cutest places I have been to in a very long time. It is tiny and quaint with tables outside. The staff was absolutely amazing and welcoming and helped me make my decisions on doughnuts and coffee. I finally decided on a dolce de leche donut and a vanilla latte. It was a phenomenal decision and the latte was by far one of the best drinks I have ever tasted! Not only was it delicious but also it came in this cute mason jar that of course I had to take home with me! Overall, my journey to Montclair Bread was well worth it and I would recommend it 10/10 to anyone in the area! I cannot wait to go back this week!

Guess Who's Back

Hello all,

I would like to take this moment to apologize for not blogging over the past month, while I do not have a very good excuse (finals week= good excuse, laying around during winter break= not good excuse) I would like to say that I am officially back on line and I hope you are all as excited about that as I am. I realized a lot in my month off, most importantly being that I was stressing myself out by trying to have a post EVERY SINGLE DAY and by trying to maintain this image of perfection throughout my blog. That image is unattainable as well as is posting every single day while attending a university, working part time, going through the process of joining a sorority (yay), finding time to have a social life and also writing for Her Campus (another yay). As you can see I am busy. Or so I like to fool myself into thinking so I have an excuse for the multitude of planners that I have bought or downloaded. (Side note: I just made my own DIY planner! I will be sure to have that post up shortly) So for now, here is my note to all my dear and treasured readers, I am back, I will be posting hopefully (fingers crossed) at least twice a week, and I will be re doing the blog within the next couple of weeks to obtain my own image of perfection! So just hang tight!

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Finals Week

I am sorry to say that I have been very behind on posting this week and we all can thank that to finals being next week, therefore, making this week, hell week. Ah, finals, I thought mid terms were terrible but finals are seemingly worse. As it is I have two portfolios to work on ad 3 finals to accomplish. I must say, compared to some people it really is not that bad but combine that with my laziness and the cold, I have not felt like doing much. So here I am to just give you real quick guide to finals and then off to revise some more papers for those stupid portfolios.

Note cards: I cannot stress that enough, index cards are your new best friends finals week. Put all definitions and anything you need to remember on these babies and study the hell out of them. Bring them with you everywhere, have others test you, study study study.

To do list: have a to do list and write it in about 5 different places. Trust me, you are going to want easy access to it constantly. I suggest you the Microsoft one note on both your phone and computer so that it becomes easily accessible.

Review sessions: attend review sessions; do not try to wing things on your own. I know that review sessions feel like it is ok to skip class but unfortunately it is not. Please attend them, they will only benefit you.

Look at your notes: I do not suggest studying from your notes as this can be a little confusing but writing them down on note cards as discussed earlier will make it easier to figure out, instead of going through pages the note cards make it easy to get both definition and key word.

Highlighters: yes highlight everything. It will make definitions pop out and things will be easier to study, trust me.

Sleep: make sure you get enough sleep, without sleep you will fall behind, you will not remember as much and it will be very difficult to begin your actual final.

Do not lie in bed: lying in bed only promotes laziness, go to Barnes and nobles or the local library and study there. You will get more done than you ever will have from your bed.

There you have it, just some quick study tips to follow that will make finals week a little more bearable!

Favorite Apps of the Week

Whitagram: whitagram is an app that allows you to add a background to your pictures. Typically I would suggest a white color but it gives you other color
options as well. The app gives you the option to edit your photos as well. You can enhance them in anyway, and add any brightness. The app makes your photos seem professionally done. It makes things look simple and pretty! I would totally suggest it for any social media apps and your blog as well!

Picstitch: picstitch is an easy and simple way to put all of your pictures into a collage. You can place two pictures for a simple look it up to about 6 for free! The app simply takes the pictures you tell it to take and puts them into the collage. It's that simple, from there you can easily change the
colors, edit, or enhance the picture in anyway you desire!

Microsoft One Note App

I have already discussed Microsoft One Note but something else I want to discuss is the Microsoft One Note app for the Iphone. If you thought Microsoft One Note was great you should take a look at this app because it is even better. Yes, it is the same exact thing but it is on your phone! You can use it on the go and anywhere you need it. I have countless times put recipes on this app and then while at the store looked at them on my phone all on the app. The app and the computer are all synchronized therefore, anything you write on the phone goes directly on the computer and vice versa. This means seamless tasking. With the various to do lists I have by having a synchronized phone and computer I am able to do accomplish so much more. Multi tasking is a breeze.

Maybe It's Maybelline

Maybelline New York has brought to us the great cheap option to contour your face. The master hi light from face studio is one that gives your face a lift and is easy to apply. It keeps your face light rather than the drab and heavy look of liquid highlighters that easily fade and make your skin greasy. While there is still something to say about liquid foundation, a powder highlighter is just much easier. Especially one that works!

Your Fall Nail Polish

Nail polish is in style every season. However, certain colors are in style depending on the season. Considering it is fall and almost winter now, and it is the holiday season the colors that can be picked are beautiful. So lets take a look at some of the Essie colors that are a must have for this holiday season, as we will call it.

Essie Fall in line: A beautiful neutral color perfect for fall

Essie Penny Talk: The perfect metallic color

Essie Smokin’ Hot: A nice purple color

Essie Emerald: Green for Christmas!

Essie cherry Red: Red for Christmas!

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, it is a simple guide to go by. For the most part the winter and fall call for darker colors and pastels. Oh and be sure to pick up your matte nail polish to accent all of the colors!

BB Cream

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Let’s discuss the ever growing, best thing ever, BB Cream. The thing that is sold in lotions, and sold as colored foundations. BB cream is the reason I can put on my foundation at night and not have it be considered sleeping with makeup on. Seriously I sleep in it basically every single day and not a single major breakout. My face has remained blemish free and I’ve been free to look and feel good when I sleep at night. This stuff is revolutionary. I truly believe that everyone needs to get his or her hands on it. It does wonders on your face. I urge you to buy this product soon!

Blogging 102

I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the fact that blogging is hard. Getting into this I thought I might only need to put in an hour a day, however, it's multiple hours a day, at least 6 days of the week. Blogging and keeping up with your blog is important. So here are just some tips I follow when I blog.

1. Try to post once a day- it could be about anything!

2. Comment and read other bloggers blogs! Trust me, you can learn a lot

3. Download bloglovin'

4. Customize your template

5. Pinterest, pintrest

Blogging is fun, so make sure you have fun with it!

Microsoft One Note

Now I’m sure many of you have heard of Microsoft one note, but how many of you actually use it? Many a blogger have done articles on the app but I really urge all bloggers to use the app. I am able to keep all of my homework organized. Make to do lists of what needs to be done that day/ week/ month. I have a notebook for the blog and then separate sections for each section of the blog. I have a notebook for school and inside is each different class I am taking. The options are endless. Here is a basic run down on how to operate the app.

The first notebook is usually miscellaneous. From there you can create as many notebooks as you want

From these notebooks come the sections that go into each notebook.

From these sections finally, come the pages within each section!

L'Oreal Paris Infallible

I am proud to present the holy grail of all eyeliner pencils/ liquid liners/ and just eyeliners in general to everyone. The infallible pen made my L’Oreal Paris. This pen presents the easiest way to get the thin line you crave with your eyeliner. The tip is very thin making application easy, and you can hold it like a pen so application is simple. I urge you to buy this pen as soon as possible. I swear I really have found the holy grail, and it’s only about 6-10 dollars depending on where you get it. You really cannot beat that.

I'll even provide you with a link

L'Oreal Paris Infallible

Favorite Apps of the Week..

My favorite apps currently

I am a fanatic when it comes to how my apps look on the front page of my Iphone. I change it up about every month sometimes more than once. Currently my apps are all in color order. It makes things a little more difficult to find but it is definitely prettier. Now two of the apps I am currently obsessed with are

TimeHop

Timehop is an app that brings you to the past. It gets the archives from your facebook and twitter pages from years ago and allows you to see the statuses and pictures you put up on this day last year. Sometimes it can be comical sometimes it is just downright embarrassing

Dropbox

Dropbox has been another must have app lately because it allows to me to access the files I have stored on my computer on my Iphone as well. With the launch of the new Microsoft word app I have been able to do homework while I’m sitting around bored, or begin a blog post while in the car (with someone else driving of course). It just makes life that much more convenient.

Matte Nail Polish

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Matte nail polish by Essie is one of the better nail polish inventions as of late. While I find that the nail polish does not last as long, and some colors are still shimmery, when it does work the matte nail polish is the next best thing besides baked bread. I find that it works best on dark blue, reddish brown, black, and many other. However, I find that it does not work so well on white nail polish.  One of the best things about the nail polish is that it makes the coats dry 10x faster than normal. Almost instantly! It rocks. I totally recommend Essie matte nail polish!

Keratin Research

Everyone knows keratin is the new amazing hair product that is supposed to make your hair easier to blow dry, shiny, straighter, and overall healthier. It claims to be the miracle worker on your hair. Now I’ve been doing my own hair for ages. Or I should say my mom has and I’ve tried a million and two different keratin products that all are order from Amazon when I came across the new keratin research. It is a professional keratin hair treatment with natural argan oil and it has to be best thing I have ever tried. It made my hair soft, shiny, and healthy. My hair has not been healthy like this since I was a little girl. My hair is blown dry in about 5 minutes flat and it is practically 90% straight. But most of all MY HAIR IS SOFT. My hair has always been coarse and thick and well annoying. But now it is finally soft and normal! To say I have never been happier is a complete understatement. I LOVE IT. Here is a quick run down on how to use the keratin research product

1. Wash your hair with a purify shampoo
2. Dry your hair. DO NOT USE CONDITIONER
3. Apply keratin research product
4. Dry your hair once again with the product still in your hair
5. Straighten your hair with the product still in
6. Do not wash your hair for AT LEAST 24 hours but 48 hours is recommended.
7. Be sure to wash with a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner in order to have that keratin last

L'Oreal HiColor

Red hair is all the rage during the fall but finding the right color red can be next to impossible. However, for those who desire bright red I have found the perfect hair dye for you. L’Oreal hicolor hair dye. The hair dye in any color is one that will work dye your hair the exact color on the box however, I have only used to red so therefore can only speak about that one. The hair dye is specifically for those with dark hair.

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So therefore, those with lighter color hair should stay away as the color change will probably be a lot more drastic then just a bright red.

The color fully absorbs in your hair and makes it a very bright red. Not only that the color lasts! Everyone has heard about the red colors that fade within two days but this color 90% stays. The trick is to put a bit of the hair dye into your conditioner about once a week. Red hair perfection can easily be achieved in all of its high-end glory! You’re welcome.

Foam Hair Dye

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Now I have used hair dye in a traditional form, I’ve used sally Hansen beauty supply hair dye where the processor is needed and I’ve used foam hair dye. Stay with me here when I say I do not recommend foam hair dye. I am aware it is very popular but my own experiences with it just do not allow for me to promote the product. Foam hair dye is basically massaged into the hair and used sort of like a shampoo; you then leave the product in for about 20 minutes and then wash it out. I feel that with foam hair dye, when you wash the product out it leaves the hair streaky and faded. When applying the foam you basically spread it over the whole head but it can be difficult to determine where the foam is concentrated or where the foam is missing. This in turn results in a streaky head. Another problem is when one washes the hair dye out it fades the hair. I just personally feel that the foam does not stick to or absorb in the head, which causes it to easily fade and result in hair that looked the same as before.

SPLAT! Hair Dye

So when I say I’ve tried out every hair dye and every hair color known to man I am not joking. I used to dye my hair about once or sometimes twice a week depending on my boredom level. Therefore, I am the right person to ask when it comes to talking about hair dye and the colors to use. From red to sun in blonde, with blue and pink stripes I have tried and hated it all. I destroyed my hair and had more than one tantrums at the hairdresser when they tell me I have to cut it all off but thanks to all of that my hair is healthy now and I can give awesome reviews on hair dye. For example SPLAT! Hair dye of basically any color is what I used when I wanted to bleach the bottom of hair or dye random parts of my hair. I totally recommend splat! If you are not that serious about the dye job you are doing. Which splat! Hair colors imply anyway. I have tried everything except for the color green. Splat! Works really well for such a cheap buy. If your hair is on the darker side however you need to bleach the hair first to see any sort of color. The bleach works rather quickly and while it does burn its simple and easy to apply. I would never suggest bleaching your entire head at home however, if you want to do the ends to accomplish an ombre effect splat! Will definitely give you that look. While the bleach can tend to come out a little on the orangey side depending on the color of your hair its easily fixed with another at home blonde hair dye. The blonde hair dye you buy will determine just how blonde your hair is so be careful if you do not want bleach blonde hair, do not buy bleach blonde hair dye. Keep in mind the color will be picked up quickly because you just bleached your hair. If you want the ombre effect leave the orangey color at the beginning of the ombre and dye the tips blonder then the rest. Overall, I would for sure recommend splat! Hair dye to anyone who uses at home hair dye and I am definitely looking forward to the next time I get to use it.

Blogging 101

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Ok, so I’m totally going on a tangent here simply because I do not want to write about my planned blog post for the day. Blogging is a lot of work and honestly the amount of time you put in is usually the amount of fame and fortune you get out. I’ve been blogging for about a week now and usually have about 1 or 2 people check out my posts and for now I’m ok with that. I do not expect overnight success and I am not doing it accumulate a great amount of money. I’m simply doing it because I enjoy it and it is a great resume builder. I believe blogging should be enjoyable. So many of the blogging tips I’ve read have told me to make sure I blog every day and have a plan or a calendar of exactly what I will write about. They tell me to broadcast my posts everywhere, to html code this and create my own domain, and to use pictures, and make sure the post is over 750 words, and create content that wants to be read about. Well I say no. I think blogging should be enjoyable. Write about the things you enjoy and the readers will gravitate toward your blog. Personally, I know when I read a blog I enjoy feeling out the writers personality. Some snarky comments, irony, sarcasm are all things I look for in a blog post. I also look for the writer’s personal success story. I want the writer to share with me his or her own story and opinion not just write about something and that is exactly what I am trying to accomplish with this blog. It’s not all about the money. I’m writing because I enjoy writing and I want others to read my posts and enjoy it themselves. End rant.

Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer

I’m going to introduce to you only the most amazing technology that I have ever heard of. Urban Decay’s original eye primer. Only the most game changing product ever and honestly if you have not heard of it, I have to say you have never of it you must never wear makeup. The primer comes as a sample with the naked palates. And of course every girl knows they have to have the naked palate. The primer comes in 3 different shades original, eden, and sin. Urban decay has done it again with the great names. This primer claims to hold your eye shadow for 24 hours and never crease. I have to agree that it’s true. I’ve slept in the primer and probably worn it for around 27 hours and nothing, maybe a bit of a smudge but it still is there clear as day. Urban decay has done it again. It is my go to makeup products and it totally rocks. Everyone should check it out!