Happy Spring!

Image: here

I know I missed the first day of spring yesterday, but let's face it...I was too busy enjoying it! Free Rita's Italian ice anyone? However, I did receive quite the blow when I looked at my weather app and saw that next week was supposed to be in the 30s! Come on, spring! I am longing to break out the dresses and flats; I've been with out them for far too long!!

On a separate note, for the first time I filled out a NCAA Tournament bracket with a very limited knowledge of college basketball aside from what I know about my own team. Needless to say, I will not be a billionaire with a perfect bracket, and I have Ohio State to thank for that. Good looking out, guys! :P However, Pitt won their game against Colorado--bring it on, Florida!! Hail to Pitt!

Enjoy the beginning of spring and have a great weekend!
<3 Ashley

Did you celebrate the first day of spring?

Winter Syndrome

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Well we’ve reached the halfway mark of January and I still don’t know what to think of this weather. We’re done with that disruptive polar vortex right? That was a nice gift on the second day of classes: temperatures in the negatives and no cancelled classes. Thanks for looking out for us students! It has warmed up since then--I find something wrong with referring to 45 degrees as “warm.” All I know is that this up and down (way down!) in the temperature is kind of exhausting me. Just pick one, Pittsburgh!

I refer to this yearly funk I’m in as winter syndrome. What are the symptoms of winter syndrome? Tiredness normally due to early sunsets and the perpetual cloud cover, lack of desire to venture outside due to bitter cold and wind, and the need to be constantly wrapped in a blanket in bed. During the winter I have no motivation to work. I wish to lay in bed all day, read and drink gallons of coffee through a straw leaving the sedentary comfort for only a little to seek social interaction with my neighbors.

But alas, I do not live in a dream world and I must zip up my winter coat and slide my feet into a pair of boots to venture out. I am putting it on the table now: I am ready for spring!

<3 Ashley

Do you have winter syndrome? Are you counting the days until spring too?

Beauty: Refreshing Spring Routine

Good morning everyone!

It's Wednesday and today I am going to have a positive attitude. While I typically cringe at the sight of a Wednesday morning I have decided that maybe if I try to be a little happier and smile more I will have a better experience. Plus one of my classes is cancelled so I actually have time between all of my classes rather than having three in a row.

As spring is making itself more know--slowly!--spring beauty routines are going to start kicking in. While my beauty routines do not vary drastically from season to season, I do tend to treat myself to a more natural regimen than I do in the winter. I typically tend toward products that are both paraben and fragrance free. There has been a lot of talk about parabens (they act as preservatives) being harmful, though there is no specified amount I prefer to just go for products that are free of them. Fragrances really aren't the best either. Opt for fragrance free or products that use herbs and flowers like lavender rather than synthetic odors. Be sure to keep up the SPF with moisturizer and as more skin becomes more visible as the temperature gets warmer apply some sunscreen to other parts of your body. Also I like to try to put the heat tools away and let my hair do its own thing in a season that just feels so natural. Let your hair air dry and embrace the flirty waves and curls that form.

My beauty regimen is fairly simple during spring. My essentials are moisturizer, concealer and mascara. Once in awhile depending on how I feel I might do a flirty winged liner or apply some eye cream with some glitter or that is a really cool color.

What is your springtime beauty routine?

<3 Ashley

First Day of Spring

Yesterday was indeed the first day of the ever beautiful spring season. Even though it did not go over 45 degrees many people were excited to put their spring fashions forward on campus. Even I opted for my lighter, pink trench coat as opposed to my peacoat. Many were also flocking to Rita's for their free Italian ice.

To make things better, the sun was even out and it's out again today. This is quite a strange phenomena haha! I just love the general feeling around campus knowing that it is a new season. Soon the weather will get warmer and we will all once again be outside taking walks, studying on the lawn, playing frisbee etc. Studying for finals will be a little less painful studying on a blanket in the sun on the lawn of the plaza.

What is the best thing about spring for you?

<3 Ashley