Sweaters, Pumpkins, and Riding Boots

Fall is officially here, at least I think. Leaves are covering my back patio, but it was 73 degrees yesterday. Virginia cant make up its mind, and my wardrobe is suffering. I finally broke out the riding boots and put away the Jacks. I also invested in some good fall staples, like this cozy sweater from Marshalls.

And of course it was on sale for 10 bucks! #fabfind

I've also been on a pumpkin craze. Trader Joe's makes it too easy to fall in love with pumpkin everything. Lets see I got......

• Pumpkin bagels 
• Pumpkin cream cheese
• Pumpkin O's (like cheerios,... its actually the most delicious sweet treat ever)
• Pumpkin baking mix
• Pumpkin ravioli

I should probably cool it with the pumpkin, but I'm trying to embrace this fall season even if the weather is not wanting to change. I'm also taking a trip to a pumpkin patch on Saturday! Pictures to follow!

I will say however that once it does change my outfits become more complicated but more stylish. I love layering sweaters, oxfords and vests. And don't get me started on my love for a good leopard print scarf..... more to come about that later.

How are you embracing this "fall" season?

DIY 21st Birthday Cake

I love a chance to get crafty, and Drew's 21st birthday was ideal. I made a really simple beer cake using craft supplies that  I already had handy. I love this kind of craft because it not only looks pretty, but can also be used... or drank for that matter!


What you Need:

• Beer-24 count
• Cardboard or the beer box
• Scissors
• Small Liquor bottles
• Ribbon
• Dowel Rods
• Duct Tape
• Sharpie

1.  Start off with your choice of beer: ( I used a 24 count), I used the box as a base and cut out three circles of the cardboard varying in size.

2.  Next I laid out the appropriate amount of cans in a circle for sizing purposes.

3. I  then duct taped the beer to the cardboard circles.

4.  I continued this practice for the next two smaller tiers

5.  Then  I used dowel rods to secure the shape and stability of the cake.








6.  Next I taped little liquor bottles to dowel rods and stuck them through the cardboard





7.  Finally I added ribbon to the layers to make it more decorative!
And TADA! you have an easy DIY birthday present that you both can share and enjoy!

 PS. Drink Responsibly!

College Wardrobe Investments

I cant believe its my senior year. College has flown by so fast and in a blink of an eye it will be over. Reflecting back on my last three years I was thinking about some of the best investments that I made in my wardrobe that have eased  my time at GMU.

College Investments by restover featuring l.l. bean boots

1. Good Rain Boots

- fun fact, cheap boots= holes, holes=wet feet

I love my hunters. The classic sleek look is timeless.

2.  A Quality Backpack

- If your like me, your gonna carry really heavy books that will  do some wear and tear on your spine. Not to mention, walking in the rain. Investing in a good backpack means no wet textbooks and a straight and happy spine

My north face backpack has been a heaven sent:)

3. Snow Boots

- This is location dependent. Fairfax gets snow every year but always less than a foot, so my bean boots are a perfect fit!

4. The Fluffiest Scarves possible

- Warmth, is essential, and I have bought the best fluffy infinity scarves.

5. An Efficient Planner

-I'm partial to the Lilly planners, because I like the amount of space they give to write under each day. And who doesn't love the stickers?

6. Comfortable Sneakers

-I walk alot, and because of this I want to give my feet a break. My Nike's have memory foam in the bottom to cushion every stride. Investing in a good pair of sneakers is probably the best thing I've done for my body.

What are your favorite College wardrobe investments?

Im Back, and with a New Room!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the hiatus, this summer has been the busiest of my life. I've lived out of a suitcase all summer. Moving from place to place gave me so much anxiety, but it also got me more and more excited to move into my new TOWNHOUSE   !!!!!
Now a full apartment tour will be posted later once all of our rooms are fully decorated, but I do want to share my little slice of heaven.

I have been so in love with Gallery Walls, and I knew I wanted to incorporate one into my room. Here is how I created mine:

• To create a gallery wall setup I used Microsoft Publisher to mock up the shapes and design of the layout. 
• I knew I had different sized frames and colors so I used Publisher to create a color scheme
• I shrunk my prints and used Publisher to rearrange them until I found the perfect placement.
• I was inspired by all things preppy, dancey,  and fashion inspired... aka me:)
• I picked watercolors as I enjoyed the look of the blurred lines.
• (check out Inslee by Design, she's my favorite)
• I purchased three larger white acrylic frames and two smaller frames from IKEA.
• Next I spray painted frames I already owned to match my new decor
• Then I incorporated 3-D elements to add some texture to my wall,

•  (i.e. pointe shoes and a gold "R")
• Lastly, I laid it all out on my bed before hanging it up.
•  I used a measuring tape, and the leveler app on my iPhone to hang the pictures.

This is my final product, but I might add more!

I had so much fun mixing and matching prints and colors, let me know what you think. I will post more about my new townhouse and all of my DIY decorating soon!

-Good to be back :)
-XOXO

Back to School Essentials

Back to School Essentials by restover featuring light weight shoes

The North Face clothing
backcountry.com

Hunter lined boots
moosejaw.com

NIKE light weight shoes
jcpenney.com

Tory Burch green bag
$140 - italist.com

The North Face backpacks bag
thenorthface.com

Longchamp shoulder bag
$110 - harrods.com

Lilly Pulitzer Large 17-Month Agenda
nordstrom.com

Shopping Haul. New Trends/ Old Habbits

So my mother visited me in Durham this week and we went on a little shopping extravaganza!
So in my previous post, I was stating the importance of basics and being able to mix and match to make the most out of a limited wardrobe!  This is completely true, however, I do like to go a little crazy on a fun printed piece. I also bought a Jumpsuit... yes a jumpsuit, not sure exactly how confident I will be to wear it! While I scored some basics, I also bought some great fun pieces that I will mix in with my wardrobe, to add some spice to the black and white mecca that is my closet.
Here's what I scored :

this is the whole haul!

I got two pair of black fabric shorts, one a little more casual, and a new pair of high wasted acid wash shorts. I love high wasted shorts because I can tuck flowy tops into them for a dressier look!

Okay drum roll..... This is the new romper/jumpsuit. Now, they are still black and white so I didn't go too crazy! ( Pictures of how I style them to come later)

My new maxi! I'm in love, its actually long enough.. which never happens. And this is my new Kimono from Target, super cute and goes with everything!

Finally some new palazzo pants,new blouses, black and white of course! and a pair of nude strappy sandles 

Summer Essentials (making the most out of a limited wardrobe)

Okay I've been busy, and I mean like really really busy. In fact I've never been so busy in my life.
Internships are hard but honestly I'm having an amazing time in Durham and I love my job.
However... it is real hot down here yall. The heat index is over 100 degrees, and has been this way for a week. So I've been trying super hard to wear my cool fabric shorts and flowy sundresses, but I only have so much... The thing is, basics go a long way.
While I may love that really cool printed shirt. the white one in the same style will go with five things in my wardrobe verses, the one pair of shorts the printed one works with.
Frugality is my job not my passion
By that I mean I have to really take time to consider how things work appropriately within my wardrobe instead of making impulse buys. However, I love fun prints and bright colors and sometimes I splurge.
You have to be a smart shopper. Luckily the summertime is easier because there is less clothing. And by that... I mean things are smaller and I dont wear as many layers.

My Summer Basics include:

• Fabric Shorts
• 
  
• Black Maxi Skirt
• 
  
• Solid Blousy Tops
• 
  
• High Waisted Jean Shorts
• 
  
• Various Strapless Solid Shirts
• 
  
• Solid Sundresses
• 
  
• My Jacks
• 
  
• Statement Necklace

Having Solids makes life easier when mixing and matching, I can throw a statement necklace on, and completely transform an outfit. Or I add wedges to a daytime outfit and BAM! instantly dressed to go out. I love summer clothes, however I have to be smart when purchasing basics that will transform outfits cross-seasonally!

What are your summer basics?