That's Where I Want To Be

Tomorrow morning I will be heading off to.....LOS ANGELES!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?!?!)  I can't wait to be back in LA.  However, I'm currently facing 2 problems: First, I have to pack for 5 days in 1 carry-on.  Being an over-packer definitely is making this a challenge. Second, I lost my camera.
So tonight I will be running around the house and Target, picking up any last minute items for my trip.  I need to make sure nothing is over 3 ounces, because if the airport takes away anything of mine, I will not be happy.  Keep reading for some tips in packing.  First, roll your clothes.  They take up a lot less space rolled then when they are folded.  Second, pack your big shoes first, like your heels, wedges, or boots and don't place them next to each other.  Also, buy minis of everything-from hairspray to toothpaste.  You really don't need an entire, full size for your trip.  But the best tip I can give you is plan out each outfit, right down to the last detail.  If everything is planned out you won't end up bringing anything extra.  This always helps me out.  Don't forget to leave a little extra space for the shopping on your trip!!
As for my lost camera, all what I can do is look everywhere in my house for it.  If I don't have it with me, I'll just accept that, however disappointing it is.  But in just hours, I will be in LA!! :)
xoxo
Serena

Summer Has Arrived!!

Hey Dolls!!
It's SUMMER TIME!!  Can you believe it?? This year flew by so quickly, it seems like yesterday I was auditioning for dance or going on the school bonding trip.  I am so happy to have all these good memories from senior year, but it's unreal that high school is completely over.  There are just so many memories: the big dance performance, the master class with Will from So You Think You Can Dance, Fall Ball, Winter Formal, Prom, coffee houses, everyone's birthday celebrations, New York City, Hessler street fair, senior week, the list just goes on and on.  But it's also the little things I'm going to miss, such as the conversation over lunch, the witty and sarcastic comments from my friends, and the hanging out on the couches in school.  I found this one quote that fits this perfectly "Don't cry because it came to an end, smile because it happened!"  So basically it's time to cherish all the high school memories, smile and remember them, and be happy that you have them.
So now that it is summer, and I have no more tests to study for or events to fundraise for, I can now post more frequently.  I'm hoping to also get back into filming videos for youtube.  It does take up a lot of time, but now I have plenty of time!  I have some hauls I want to film and other ideas.  Also, I'll be updating my photo gallery page on this blog "Ready for Those Flashing Lights" so be sure to check it out.
Since there's the entire stretch of summer left, it's time to share with you some of my summer goals.  I want this summer to be the best summer yet, full of fun stuff to do, and to make it unforgettable.  No one wants a boring summer at home, so I want to fill my calendar with fun things to get out of the house.
Goals:

• Get Tan: Who doesn't want a sun-kissed, bronze glow??!! 
• Document Everything: Time to take my camera around with me and take photos to remember this summer!
• Keep In Touch With High School Friends: Even though we're destined for college at the end of this summer and we're spread out all across the map, we've been friends for years and it's time to keep in touch through calls, texts, and Facebook.
• Closet Clean-Out: Time to get rid of all the clothes and shoes I haven't worn in awhile and go shopping for a wardrobe that I'll love for college.
• Practice Dancing: After dancing twice a week for the past two years and putting on 4 performances, I definitely don't want to lose what I've worked for!  This means taking Zumba and ballet classes at my gym, taking salsa dancing, doing dance DVDS, and stretching everyday of course!
• Save & Earn Money: Yes, college will be expensive so time to use this summer time to earn money and save it.  Cut out those little expenses that add up and be wiser about spending.
• Create a photo album about my favorite memories from high school and bring it to my dorm room. 
• Workout!! Maintain that healthy shape! 

One last important thing-travel!! Everyone travels in summer, whether it's a big trip to tour Europe or a day trip to the beach, don't forget about traveling.  It's fun to get out of the hometown for a bit and explore some place new.  I just came back from New York City last week, which was fun and exciting, and next week I'll be heading off to Los Angeles!!!!  So everyone, comment below with 1 summer goal of yours and/or 1 place you'll be traveling to!

xoxo,

Serena

Gossip Girl Returns!

     Who's excited for tonight??! Me, me, me!! Here's why: Gossip Girl returns with new episodes in just over 30 minutes from now!! Finally, after waiting over a month, we'll learn if Chuck Bass is dead or in a coma (but there's no way the producers can kill him off, right?!), if there is a wedding for Louis and Blair, what Louis will do when he finds about about Chuck and Blair, what's going on with the Insider and the movie for Dan, and so much more it'll take me a hour to write about it.  I saw in People magazine a picture of Blair in a wedding gown in the streets of NYC and pictures online, which means there has to be some sort of wedding for Louis and Blair.  But if Blair picked Chuck, why is there still a wedding?  My guess is that Chuck will stop the wedding or Blair will run out halfway through and find Chuck, either still in a coma or alive.  And don't forget all the pretty clothes and trends that Serena, Blair, and all the other characters will be wearing. Don't you wish you had their wardrobe?
     Speaking of tv shows, anyone a fan of Pretty Little Liars? 2 weeks ago, it returned and this season we'll FINALLY figure out who A is!!! I heard on an "Interview With A" that A has been seen a lot throughout the seasons.  So far, I think A is a group of people because there's no way 1 person can know absolutely everything.  That's nearly impossible, right? The actually "A" person we've been seeing has been a guy, from the looks of his body it has to be a man.  I think people helping A are Jenna, Garrett, Jason, Ian before he died, Lucas, and Mona.  They all seem suspicious. Time will tell who A is. Mondays are now the best day for TV with both Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars on!!
     Keep checking back for new posts!! I have some fashion and beauty ideas, including reviews, inspiration, celeb fashion to get the look for less, and many other ideas!! Excitinggg!!!
xoxo,
Serena

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!

Don't forget the tiaras!

Bubbly!

Happy New Year chicas!!! Can you believe it's 2012 already?!?!   2011 went by so fast!  Hope you all had ahh-mazing times celebrating the new year last night! One of my best friends, Natalie, came over and we had a sleepover.  It was so much fun.  After gossiping and chatting, we watched some movies and the ball drop.  After the count down and cheering, we ate some cake a popped a bottle of bubbly (not real, unfortunately, just sparking grape juice), and took a few pictures.  It was super fun!!
Both of us kept our outfits simple and chic.  We both wore black skirts and white tops, great minds think alike! :) My skirt was a slim-cut skirt with sequins and a front zipper.  I paired it with a plain, white v-neck tee, a sparkly necklace and chandelier earrings.  Natalie wore a black, layered skirt with a white tee with a zebra on it and sparkly blue nails.
Anyway, I'm excited to have a fabulous and fun year!! A lot will happen this year: finishing high school, picking a college, preparing for college, going to college, turning 18, and TONS of other things.  One of my wishes is to make this my best year so far.  :)

xoxo,
Serena

P.S. Comment below and tell me what you wore for New Year's Eve!

December 24, 2011

Happy Holidays Everyone!!! Merry ChristaHanaKwanzakah!! In other words, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanza!! These holidays are some of my favorite times of the year-baking cookies, shopping for presents, decorating the house, and having tons of fun.  Today is Christmas Eve and I am just so excited! Don't lose the excitement of Christmas no matter how old you get!!  My favorite decorations are my Viva La Juicy stocking that's hot pink and definitely stands out from the rest of my family's stockings and the yellow ballerina christmas tree ornament that I got when I was 3.  

Have and ahh-mazing holiday!!

xoxo,

Serena

P.S. Keep checking this blog because I have many ideas coming up, including fashion inspiration!!!

Lulu's-New Favorite Spot

Heard of Lulus.com??? It's my new favorite website!!! After hearing about it so much, I decided to check it out and absolutely love it.  Lulu's selection of clothes and accessories is very trendy, with some girly, edgy, and boho styles mixed in.  Anyone can find something there.  It's reasonably priced, you won't find a graphic t-shirt there priced at $300 and $35 for 10-day shipping.  Lulu's has a wide range of merchandise, from casual skirts to jeans to party dresses to ballet flats to almost anything.  The only downside is that Lulu's is entire an online store, so you have to use your credit card online and can't try on any clothes.  My christmas list has several things on it from this store. It is definitely worth it to take a quick look at this website. 

xoxo,

Serena

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is such an icon to everyone.  She's a role model, lived every moment of her life, had an amazing career, and has such classic, fabulous style.

"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot."

"I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful."

"I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am pretty, but not beautiful. I have friends, but I am not the peacemaker. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love."

"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul."

"If you're going to be two-faced, at least make one of them pretty."

"If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything."

"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere." 

"I used to think as I looked at the Hollywood night, 'there must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star. But I'm not going to worry about them. I'm dreaming the hardest.'" 

"Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius and it is better to be absolutely ridiculous then absolutly boring." 

"Someone said to me, 'If fifty percent of the experts in Hollywood said you had no talent and should give up, what would you do?' My answer was then and still is - If a hundred percent told me that, all one hundred percent would be wrong." 

“When it comes down to it I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I’m already better than them anyway.”

"We are all stars, we all deserve to twinkle."

"Well-behaved women rarely make history."

"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."

Black Friday Shopping 2011

Who went shopping on Black Friday this year??!!!  I did!!! :)  Black Friday is just an awesome day to go shopping because almost every single store has a sale at the same time.  And because all these stores are having a sale, you don't have to play a guessing game and hit the mall when only 2 stores have sales.  It's just store after store after store with exclusive deals and sales and freebies.  The only downsides are the crowds and the long lines, but it's a small price I'm willing to pay.  Wake up early to go because a bunch of stores have the best sales and deals in the morning, so it's definitely worth it.  Set your alarm early for just 1 day, hit Starbucks for a Venti mocha for some extra energy, then shop your heart out.  I did! Express, Hollister, and American Eagle were offering 40% your entire purchase, something that doesn't happen very often, if it all.  Victoria's Secret had $25 crewnecks and yoga pants, and if you spent $65 you got a free tote with a few free samples.  Tons of other stores had buy 1 get 1 free, 60% off, 50% off, and a bunch of other deals.  My list that of stuff I bought included:

• Steve Madden Partyy R Peep-toe wedges (remember my previous post about them?!)
• Stila Glamour Palette from Sephora
• Bare Escentuals Blush set from Sephora
• Hollister skinny jeans
• Cerulean skirt from Hollister
• White tee with lace back from American Eagle
• Black peep-toe heels with bows
• 2 tanks from Forever 21

xoxo,

Serena

Bare Escentuals Changed My Life

Bare Escentuals is my new favorite makeup.  Honestly, it is so amazing it changed my life.  This summer I bought the Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Starter Kit and I love it.  This powder foundation first comes in every single shade ever, so it's always a perfect match.  Second, it's gives complete coverage and makes my skin airbrushed.  Third, it improved the quality of my skin and it's super natural.  This product is amazing.  I have tried many different kinds and brands of foundation-liquid, cream, mousse, tinted moisturizer, and other powders but nothing comes close to Bare Minerals.  My skin looks flawless in it and it doesn't clog my pores like other sticky liquid foundations did. It looks completely natural and I absolutely LOVE this product and use it every single day.
Bare Minerals also doesn't just stop at face powders, they have blushes, bronzers, mineral veils, highlighters, concealer, any makeup for your face.  If you don't use Bare Minerals, you don't know what your missing!!  J'adore this brand. It's available at Bare Escentuals boutiques and Sephora.
xoxo,
Serena

J'Adore These Heels!!

So this weekend I was shopping for a Fall Ball dress and I saw these Steve Madden heels.  OMG, I love them sooo much and are to die for.  Since I absolutely love anything pink or sparkly, of course these shoes are perfect for me.  They are called Partyy-R by Steve Madden and are platform heels made of satin with 4-inch heels studded with gems.  These shoes are gorgeousss!!!!  They also come in black, tan, and cobalt blue in addition to the hot pink. unfortunately, I couldn't get these amazing shoes because of their slightly steep $130 price tag, but maybe I'll save up my $$$ and buy them one day. I was thinking how stylish and good these hot pink shoes would look with a simple, navy blue dress.  These are definitely statement shoes so I think styling them with a simple dress would create an amazing look.
xoxo,
Serena