My First Boston Birthday

Nineteen years ago today, I was born. How weird is that to think about?

For the past few weeks, I have been saying that nineteen isn't anything special. It is just one of those birthdays that passes by. There is nothing interesting about turning nineteen. I mean yes, it is technically my last year of being a teenager, but that's about as exciting as nineteen gets. However, after this weekend, I realized why nineteen is special after all. I have the best friends in the world. Lately I have not been very happy about my college situation. I am not particularly fond of this school or the students or my classes, but these four people get me through each and every day. Who knew that after only a few short months together, I could be myself completely in front of them. I have never been one to make friends very easily. I tend to stay very reserved in any new friendship making endeavor, but this is not the case with these amazing people. Even if I get nothing else out of my college experience, I found them, and that's enough for me.

Until next time, Mandy

Boston Beginnings

My first post from Boston! How exciting. I moved into my dorm on Friday. After hours of rearranging and organizing my extremely hot room, it finally ended up feeling quite homey. For the past couple of months, I have been stocking up on vintage pictures and craft items to fill my room with. I am pleased with the turn out because the room is much bigger than I expected. Thanks to these lovely ladies pictured above, my first week at Northeastern has been more than amazing. I had my first day of classes today and I start work tomorrow. Everything seems to be falling into place, and I could not be any happier. 

Until next time, Mandy

Wall of Doors

dress: forever 21. shoes: nordstrom. scarf: vintage.

With only a week left at home, I thought that another trip to the pie shop was necessary. Since the weather has been amazing the past few days, I decided to sit in the backyard of the shop. The wall of doors and pops of red made it the perfect place to take some photos. 

Until next time, Mandy

I Miss You Already

As exciting as this whole college thing is, the goodbyes are terrible. I have fallen out of friendships before, but I have never had to say goodbye to my best friend. Erin leaves for school in one hour. I saw her for the last time on Friday. We tried to avoid the subject of school by eating massive amounts of food, laughing continuously, and rewatching Charmed. Yes, I grew up watching Charmed, Angel, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But after a day of fun, we had to face the fact that we are going to be spending the next few months apart. We drove around for three hours singing in the car. Neither of us will have cars at school, and I don't car sing with anyone else, so we had to get it out of our systems. Even though we will see each other over breaks, the separation will be awful. This girl is my best friend. She is the most amazing person I have ever met. I can be completely myself around her. Sometimes I think that she is the only one that understands me. I know she will have the best time at school, and hopefully we will get a few visits in over the school year because New York and Boston are not extremely far apart. Good luck. I love you Erin.

Until next time, Mandy

I Have A Pie Addiction

Welcome to Bang Bang Pie Shop, one of the cutest places on earth. After taking a four week ceramics class at an art studio that has its own pie cafe, I am officially a pie addict. I cannot even tell you how many blueberry hand pies I have eaten. I don't even think I want to know myself. So since my classes are now over, I needed to find a new pie place to attend to my addiction. This is where Bang Bang Pie Shop comes in. Last week, my aunt and I had the brilliant idea to go out to breakfast and then head on over to a pie shop right afterwards. We called it breakfast dessert. I think we are going to start a trend. As soon as I walked in, I was in love. I am a sucker for brick walls and fun chairs. Obviously, Bang Bang has both, along with its amazing blueberry peach pie. Everything was just perfect. We sat there for quite awhile taking pictures and savoring every piece of that pie, but I could have stayed there all day. There was even an outside dining area with hanging lights for nighttime. I believe another trip to Bang Bang Pie Shop is in my near future.

Until next time, Mandy

I Think It's About Time I Get A Bike

shirt: from my friend. skirt: urban outfitters. shoes: target. scarf: vintage.

So I kind of had a red theme going on the other day, so when I saw this adorable bike with the red sign, I just had to take pictures with it. It is little things like this that make me love going into the city. I hope to find more cute places today, because I am headed downtown in a few hours. Erin and I are meeting up with a friend of ours from Indiana for a day of picture taking and hopefully coffee because I am a tad bit exhausted.
Until next time, Mandy

I Like Raiding My Grandma's Closet

dress: grandma's. shoes: target. belt: thrifted.

While I was unpacking my bags from a stay at my grandparent's house, I found that I accidentally grabbed my grandmother's shirt out of the closet. Since I had already brought it home, I decided to wear it. Why not, right? I turned this shirt into a dress, and I couldn't be more happy with the look. I am going to miss raiding my grandma's closet when I leave for school in a few weeks.

Until next time, Mandy

Found by Fleet Contest

The lovely people at the Fleet Collection asked me to be a part of their August style contest. I was more than excited when I heard from the company because this online store is beyond cute. I wish I could buy every item. If you enjoyed my thrifted floral outfit, please head on over to their Facebook page to vote. I believe you can also email your vote to FoundbyFleet@fleetcollection.com. Voting continues throughout the month of August, so please get your submission in by August 31st. Since you are all so great, Fleet is offering you a discount to their shop! My lovely readers will receive a 15% discount for unlimited use until August 31st. Use the code: GRACEVIOLA15OFF to receive your discount at Fleet. Thank you so much and don't forget to vote!

Until next time, Mandy

I Never Wear Pants

 shirt: thrifted. pants: thrifted. bag: vintage. shoes: dsw.

Well, the title of this post pretty much explains it all. I never wear pants. I'm a dresses and skirts kind of girl. There is the occasional jean day, but those are few and far between lately. It's not that I don't like pants, it's just that I can never find a pair that I like enough to actually plan an outfit around. But on my last thrifting trip I found this fantastic pair. I actually chose them as a joke because really who would have thought that a pair of thrifted floral pants would fit me perfectly when all the pants I have ever tried on in my size at an actual store didn't even look this good. It caught me by surprise and I fell in love with them right away. I decided to wear them with my new glasses because I love them very much also. I just learned how to put in contacts, but I thought that the glasses looked much better with this outfit so I went for it. What do you think of the new glasses?

Until next time, Mandy