Foxfield Essentials

Foxfield is this Saturday! Here are some essentials to carry! Remember, it gets hot so don't carry too much!

Foxfield Essentials by portugueseprepster featuring kate spade bags

Longchamp folding tote
$125 - nordstrom.com

Kate spade bag
$75 - nordstrom.com

Handbag
$24 - jackwills.com

Tory Burch disco sunglass
$149 - nordstrom.com

NARS Immaculate Complexion Concealer
$31 - asos.com

Lancome JUICY TUBES JELLY Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss
$18 - macys.com

Amazon.com: NARS The Multiple Duo Compact, Orgasm/South Beach .28 oz...
$25 - amazon.com

Clinique 'Sun' Face Cream SPF 30
$18 - nordstrom.com

Spray Tanning 101

Until three weekends ago, I was a spray tan virgin. Now i've used Neutrogena and such during the Summer, but I had never done a full out spray tan. My sisters and I decided it would be fun to get tans for formal and the tanning salon near our school was having a special-it was free the first time you tanned! Of course this gimmick worked on us-we are heading back today! I'm okay with how I normally look, and in fact I like the the way my fair skin contrasts with my dark hair and eyes (I have a snow white thing going on). However, changing it up once in awhile is fun. So let me tell you about my first spray tan experience.

Me normally

me tan!

I was terrified. I was terrified it was going to turn out badly. I was terrified of having to go in the room with the spray tan booth by myself. I didn't like the scary noises the machine made, the way it smelled and how cold it was.  If any of you have ever seen that episode of Friends when Ross gets a spray tan, that was basically me.

However, the tan after was completely worth it! I felt really confident and fantastic! It's amazing how changing up your look, even if it's just for a week can do so much!


Here are some key spray tan tips:
Beforehand
1. Shower, exfoliate, and shave throughly before going-a spray tan works best with fresh, moisturized skin.
2. Wear loose clothing.
3. Place the shower cap they give you carefully as not to get a line around your forehead.
4. Cover your hands and feet thickly with the cream they give you in order to prevent orange hands and feet.
5. It might seem silly but purchase the prep lotion they give you-it really does make the tan glide on more smoothly.

After
1. NO SHOWERING FOR 6 HOURS. but seriously...DO NOT.
2. Use the enhancing lotion provided.
3. Maintain tan with tanning lotion.
4. It will fade in about a week and produce some awkward looking patches that can be exfoliated off.


Most of all, please remember do not use tanning beds! Even if they tell you a bed will be a good way to "prep" for the spray-do not buy into it. I was shocked by how many people were using the beds. Have they never heard of skin cancer?? A spray tan is the way to go.

The Most Beautiful Thing I've Heard in a Long Time

A few days ago,  when talking to my Mom, she told me she had learned that one of our neighbors has a very rare form of cancer and is not doing well. She is a wife and mother to three boys-one of whom is mentally disabled and needs constant care. Yesterday, my parents were taking a walk and saw a minister entering their home. My parents were worried that something had happened but today found out that she was fine. Instead, she and her husband had decided to renew their vows. I started tearing up when my Mom told me. Could you image having that much strength, love and courage? Certainly something to aspire to.

A Little Inspiration from My Mommy

A Little Inspiration from My Mommy by portugueseprepster featuring cartier jewelry

Easter

A real live bunny in my lap a few years ago!

I headed home this weekend to celebrate Easter with my family. Since I was working on three papers this weekend (which I finished btw!), my celebrating was limited. We went to mass today (I love seeing all the cute little kids dolled up for Easter), and then headed for lunch with the family at our favorite French restaurant, La Cote D'Or in northern Virginia. I happily munched on tons of french bread followed by an appetizer of light and creamy garlic soup. For my main course, I had grilled tilapia with a few vegetable sides. For dessert I had their Easter special, hazelnut mousse cake. The best part of Easter to me, besides the food,  is spending quality time with not just my parents but also my grandparents and godparents. I forgot to pack my camera this weekend so please bear with these pictures from my phone!

Tulips and brioche-what a fantastic combination!

My hazelnut mousse before

...and after

Never too old for an Easter basket!

No peeps for this girl-thanks for all the dark chocolate Mom!

Another special treat in my basket

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with their families and friends:)

Nothing Like a Good Old Fashioned Book

I love books. I love the smell, the feel of turning the pages, even the occassional pretty picture. To be frank, I'm a bit anti Kindles, nooks, and whatever else technology is looming trying to replace my precious books.  I'm home for the weekend for Easter, but sadly I have three papers to work on so my weekend will be book filled.
1. A paper for my Medieval Art class on the Book of Kells.
2. A paper for my sociology class on families and fathers.
3. Adding a few more details concerning medical care and childbirth to the twenty pager for my plantation architecture seminar I had last week.

Although these papers aren't fun to work on, I can't deny that I love going to the cozy library near my home to pick up books. This library has literally EVERYTHING. I picked up sooo many books that are going to make my life a lot easier. Libraries are much better than the internet. My favorite books of all time? Gone with the Wind, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights. I love historical fictions as well, and I have an embarrassingly large collection. I also have a weakness for books on fashion, design, etiquette and make-up.

My bookshelf at home

What are some of your favorite books? 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful and Holy Easter weekend!

Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture does not just mean velour sweatpants with "juicy" written across the rear. They have some fabulous, and dare I say preppy, looking pieces as well!

Jackson Silk Printed Dress

Striped Tank Dress

Classic Trench

Reversible top and bottom bikini

 A bit random but these boy shorts are too cute!

I'm on a High

So it may be 4/20 but i'm NOT on that kind of high. I'm on a high from completing a twenty page paper and presenting it yesterday! It went soo well, and I feel free! I hung out with friends last night to celebrate-a late night dance routine with the Equestrian and a drive with Sunshine. There is nothing like fun times with friends to keep your "high" going. I'm an incredibly social person, and I don't know what I do if my friends didn't put up with my constant chattiness. This post is a little shout out to all my beautiful friends!

All of my lovely babies from home!

Fellow Lilly Lover and one of our friends from elementary school!

My Jewish Princess and I

Hey,  I consider Sophie a very close friend!

One of my roomies-PBJ

My other gorgeous roomie! I wouldn't have gotten through calculus without her!

The left hemisphere-but literally we always think the exact same things!

The Bohemian and I-soul mates. 

My ZTA babies-country diva and the Equestrian

Country Diva and I 

The Equestrian and I are in the same ZTA fam!

Sunshine and I goofing around as usual 

My loves from home again

ZTAAA

I love it when friends from different circles meet together-Blue Eyed girl meeting all my friends at school.

Jewelry Storage

Pottery Barn Andover Jewelry Box

I have an ODC problem where I like things to be organized a certain way. So it bothers me that at home and school my jewelry is organized differently. I wish I had a single jewelry box that would look pretty atop my dresser yet be functional enough to carry back and forth especially over long breaks like Christmas. My internet searching has really only lead me to some Pottery Barn options so please let me know of any companies that make excellent jewelry boxes!

Pottery Barn-Travel's Jewelry Luggage

Pottery Barn Audrey Jewelry Boxes

Potter Barn Silver Plated Nesting Bowls

A Little Taste of Portugal

I can't deny i'm having a rough day. Huge paper due tomorrow, a presentation also due, and I'm not sure if the boy I like likes me. You all know this bothering my romantic self. Anyways, right now I would love to be at my grandparent's house in Portugal soaking up the sun  and drowning myself in food covered with Mediterranean olive oil.

Grilled fish, home made french fries and salad. 

Pastries

Crepes

Grandma's house!

The view

An old historic home

Gorgeous view from high up 

me!

Oporto-famous river along where port wine is made! YUMM

Views from boating along the river!

Gorgeous cathedral