Lilly For Target Pop-Up Shop

I have been looking forward to the Lilly for Target collection since it was announced. As a big fan of both brands, I was thrilled to hear about this collaboration. I know it was met with some criticism but I think it is a great idea for Lilly to release a line of super affordable clothing, accessories, and home wares.  The exclusive Target prints are so pretty and, as a college student, I am totally in favor of $24 bathing suits and $38 shift dresses! 

I had the opportunity to stop by the Lilly for Target Pop-Up Shop in Bryant Park today after class. Unfortunately, a 9 am class meant I couldn't get there until 1:00 but when I arrived I was in a preppy paradise! They set up the chairs, umbrellas, and hammocks from the collection around the park so people could sit and enjoy the beautiful (warm!) weather today.  A juice stand was providing samples, and the fountain water was pink! There were models throughout the park wearing the collection and Lilly print designers were stationed throughout as well painting various prints. 

I only had to wait in line to get into the store for about 30 minutes, once inside, there were about 5 racks of clothing and several shelving units holding the homewares and bright beach towels. Since it had been open since 8 am, the clothing was very picked over. They had a lot of plus sized clothing left and several racks of children's clothes.  They had sold out of several items so I wasn't able to see every piece that will be offered, but from what I saw the quality seems great.  My one concern with the line was that the clothing would feel cheap, but the shift dresses, jumpsuits, and shorts I saw were all well made and a comfortable fabric.  The nail polish and lipstick colors are vibrant and great for summer, and the phone cases come in several cute patterns for $15, they are much thinner than the ones they sell at the Lilly store, and not as protective. I only bought one item and decided to hold off on buying more until Sunday when there are more options available.  I went ahead and got the set of 3 votive candles I had my eye on since the look book came out! I am dying for the set of 4 mugs as well but it looks like I'll have to wait until Sunday for those! I am very glad I went today, even if I didn't do much damage ;) it was great to see the collection and experience the pop-up store. 

{Lilly for Target - Glass Votive Candle Holders, Set of 3}

♥ Caro 

Mint Madness

For Easter, my mom sent me the sweetest care package full of snacks and surprises.  One of the items she included was this gorgeous Mint Crossbody bag from Target.  The color is more vibrant in real life, and I wish it came across as minty in the picture above! I saw it when I was home for spring break and hinted (not so subtly) that I was obsessed with it.  I have always loved the color (as you can probably tell from the current blog background!) and I knew the bag would be perfect for spring and summer.  I often find I can't actually wear clothing this color, with my fair skin the cool color tends to wash me out, so I gravitate towards more vibrant hues.  Because of this, I am always looking for fun accessories in order to get a splash of mint in my life.  I can't wait to pair this bag with any and everything.  It has 2 compartments and is larger than most of my cross-body bags which will be good when I am on the go this summer.  

The Turquoise Cutout Necklace pictured is from J. Crew Factory and I am in love with it.  I've worn it almost everyday since I got it.  I wear so much black, especially on nights out, and this turquoise adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit.  It looks great with a little black dress - the geometric shapes look so cool.  It goes well with anything and I can't wait to pair it with hot pink or white this summer! 

♥ Caro

Easter Essentials

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays! I have so many fond memories with my family.  After church we would have brunch at a local country club that brought in petting zoo animals, so after eating you could go on the patio and play with cute bunny rabbits and baby sheep.  It was a tradition and after moving to the city last year, Easter is just not quite the same.  Not only for the lack of petting zoos in the area, but also because I am so far from my family and don't get time off to travel home.  Luckily I have a few beauty essentials to help get me in the Spring mood. They are perfect for an Easter brunch with friends! 

Topshop Lipstick - To be honest, I bought this lipstick because of the cute packaging.  But I also love the vibrant pink color, y'all know I can't resist a bold lip! The lipstick is actually great quality and I've found that the color lasts for a decent amount of time.  It goes on a bit matte so I typically put a little clear gloss over it.  Pictured is the color "Brighton Rock" which doesn't seem to be available anymore - but the link goes to a similar hot pink shade, "Lips in Legend" that is very close to mine! 

Essie Nail Polish - "Bikini So Teeny" is one of my all time favorite Essie colors! The pretty light blue color instantly lets me know it's Spring! And it has just the right amount of shimmer to it. This is a color I can rock now and all through summer!

Batiste Dry Shampoo - I looooove dry shampoo! Batiste is one of my favorites, I like the original scent but they have several other options! It's perfect for days you need to add a little oomph to your 'do or for lazy Sunday mornings.  I've also found it really helps make my curls last throughout the day! 

Roses de Chloe Perfume - I got this perfume for Christmas and it is one of my new favorites! The light scent smells like a beautiful bouquet of roses and easy to transition from day to night.  With notes of fresh cut roses, magnolia, and amber, it's the perfect Spring scent - everyone will be asking what you're wearing! 

♥ Caro

Where Have I Been?!

{Spring Fever is in full effect in New York City!} 

Anybody else feel like they blinked and it was April? I could've sworn New Years Eve was just yesterday.  This year is flying by and this semester has been especially insane. I started off Spring semester with a presentation in studio, it was a short production that I created using several different scripts and poems.  I worked over break to piece the texts together and created a performance I was so proud of.  After that we jumped into scenes and projects, I suddenly had so much going on I could barely find time to breathe.  With rehearsals lasting all night long and pages upon pages of scripts to memorize just days before presenting these scenes, I was overwhelmed and stressed out to say the least. 

Luckily this week we have moved on to rehearsal projects and a new schedule that has cut down on outside rehearsals.  The transition has provided a nice semi-break and I have finally caught up on everything.  One of the things I missed most during the past few months is blogging.  I was so busy and with my focus being pulled in so many different directions, there was no way I could sit down and think about a new blog post.  This week though, my inspiration has been restored and I am so excited to get back to work on Handbags & Heartbeats! This blog is something I really enjoy and it's an outlet I have come to find I need in my life. Keep checking back, I have some fun posts coming up! 

♥ Caro

Jumping Into 2015

Happy 2015! I can't believe it is a new year already, I blinked and 2014 was over - it's going to take me months to get used to writing 2015 on things ;) I started to look back and reflect on the year I've had, 2014 has been an incredible year and I have so much to be excited and thankful for.  2014 was a year of firsts, a year of discovery and growth, a year of recovery and strength. I have been tested in ways I did not know possible and I have come out stronger and ready to take on 2015 and all it may bring.  

I have been recovering over the last week from back surgery I had the day after Christmas - I know, crazy right?! It is still pretty insane to me too.  It was nothing too major and waking up pain-free after the surgery made it so worth it.  I struggled for 8 months with intense pain from 2 herniated disks in my back and I am so thankful that it is finally behind me.    

Taking things easy and letting myself heal has given me a lot of time to think, in between binge watching Gilmore Girls and The Office.  2014 was not only a great year but it was also one of the most challenging years I think I have ever had, and if I am being honest I did not realize how difficult it was until I took a step back.  It was a year that made me grow and helped mold me into the person I am becoming.  I had great moments and I had some very low moments but I believe I can learn from every single one of them. Life is all about change and growth, it is amazing to think about where I am now compared to just a few years ago.  I am so lucky to have an incredible support system behind me every step of the way.  And lucky to have the faith and strength necessary at times to take a deep breath and keep moving.  

I know that 2015 will be amazing! Every moment may not be perfect but it's the imperfections that make life what it is.  Happy New Year to all of you - I can't wait to see where this next year takes us! 

♥ Caro

Sorority Secrets: Big/Little Reveal

In case you were wondering, it is TERRIFYING to be a present.  My best friend Bailey is inside the present for Kristy, and I am in the present for Lennox! If you hate not knowing what is going on around you and you don’t like confined spaces, don’t try this at home! ;)

This year our chapter Big/Little Reveal was in Central Park! If you want to know more about how sorority families work check out my post here and if you want to see some of the things I gave my Little during Big/Little week, you can read about that here! The Big sisters and their “Phamilies” went to the park an hour before the Littles were set to arrive.  The plan was for the Big sisters to be wrapped up like presents for the Little sisters to unwrap!  We were all wrapped up for about 15 minutes before the Littles got there and we were met with a lot of curiosity.  Some people thought we were being hazed, others thought the giant people-presents were some kind of live art gallery in the park.  Tourists were taking pictures with us and posing amongst the sisters.  Despite the strange looks and mild judgment we received from the Upper West Side park goers, it was a cute idea and the day was so much fun! When the Littles finally got there they unwrapped us and the park was filled with excited sorority squeals and lots of sorority squatting for pictures!! After reveal my Phamily and I went to dinner, there the new Littles got to know the rest of the Pham and we had a chance to hang out after a week of avoiding each other! The day was full of excitement and smiles, plus some birthday cake to celebrate my 20^th birthday that occurred the next day! Over all reveal helped make my birthday weekend unforgettable! I am so lucky to have such amazing girls to call my Pi Phi Phamily.

 {Started the morning by making a sign so my Little would know where to go!}

{Can't look at this picture and not laugh}

 {How cute is my Little sis?! Meet Lennox!}

 {Throw what you know!}

{Welcome to the Pham, Angels!}

♥ Caro