shop my closet on poshmark.

This skirt is up for sale!

Have you heard about Poshmark? I started using it recently after doing a massive closet purge. I was looking for a way to give my clothes like the skirt above, plus this skirt and these pants) a new home and this seemed perfect! So far, the app has been easy to use and is a convenient way to clear out my wardrobe. I love that I can pass my clothes that are still in good condition to someone who will get more use out of them than I will. I'm all about reducing and reusing!

Check out my closet on Poshmark to shop!

xoxo

Sabrina

4 workout videos I swear by.

In case you're just tuning in to the blog, here's an update. I've been living and working abroad in Italy for the past few months. While my time in bella Italia has been beyond amazing, things haven't been so easy on the fitness front. Not only are there no gyms in my area, but the cold temps have made it impossible to go on a run outside.

That's where YouTube comes into play. YouTube has been my savior while I'm abroad. Every day after work I pick one of my favorite videos to work out to for thirty minutes or so. Because of this, I've found quite a few stellar routines that I thought I'd share with you. There's something for everyone!

#1. At Home High Intensity Interval Training - FitnessBlender

FitnessBlender has some excellent workout routines on its channel. I love the unique moves and the high cardio intervals. I'm always out of breath by the time I finish this one!

#2. 8-Minute Full Body Tabata Workout - PopSugar

If you don't have a lot of time, this is the workout for you! There may only be four moves in this video, but don't let that get you thinking it will be easy. This routine is a challenge! You'll definitely be sweating by the end of it.

#3. Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Complete Workout - BeFiT

If, on the other hand, you have a lot of time, dare yourself to try this video. Jillian Michaels videos are always tough, but this one is a killer. It's nearly an hour long, and Jillian pushes you until the very end. I always feel exhausted in the best way after I finish this one.

#4. 30-Minute Flat Belly Workout - PopSugar

This is the type of workout I'll do on a normal day. It's approximately thirty minutes and it has a good balance of cardio and targeted muscle moves. PopSugar has the best variety of workout videos on the internet. Plus, Anna, the host, is always so positive. I'm always motivated to stick it out to the end!

Have you tried any of these? Any recommendations to share? I'd love to hear them!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Are you following me on Bloglovin? Hit the button on the sidebar or visit the Lip Tints & Leopard Prints page!

5 organization tips.

My 2016 agenda makes me happy every time I see it!

I have always been an organized person. Ever since high school, I've done a good job of keeping things in order, whether that meant my room or my schedule. Now that I'm a bit older, I appreciate this skill more than ever. Busy days and unexpected events mean that important tasks and information can get lost in the chaos. Here are five tips that I live by to ensure that I stay on top of everything.

#1 - Use a planner.
This may seem like an obvious one, but you'd be surprised by how many people buy a planner and never end up using it. Personally, my planner is my bible. It has all of the events and information I need to get me through the day. I take it everywhere with me. Tip: Buy one that's cute enough to double as an accessory!


#2 - Keep a notebook by your bed.
I don't know about you, but I always get the best ideas for work or future projects right before I begin to snooze. To prevent these ideas from slipping away, I make sure to keep a notebook and pencil on my nightstand. That way I can write any last-minute ideas down before I drift off to sleep.


#3 - Put items away in their proper place.
Admittedly, this is probably the hardest item on the list. When you get home after a long day, all you want to do is to crash on the couch and veg out. Unfortunately, this mentality can turn your apartment or house into a disaster zone. No one wants shoes, clothes, and papers scattered all around! Do yourself a favor and put everything away as soon as you get home. Then you can start each day with a clean house and a fresh perspective.


#4 - Make a daily to-do list.
I love to-do lists. They help me prioritize what I need to get done each day so that nothing slips through the cracks. I begin each morning with a quick list-making session in my agenda. This gives me a clear picture of what my day will look like so that I can plan accordingly.


#5 - Review your schedule every night.
This step may seem unnecessary, but I promise it's worth it. I can't tell you how many meetings or assignments I would have forgotten if I had not done a quick review the night before. It's always better to be prepared!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Are you following me on Twitter? How about on Bloglovin?

how I stay fit abroad.

Workout gear of the champions - Aerie sports bra, Under Armour leggings, Nike sneakers

When I left for Italy earlier this past year, I was in the best shape of my life. I was running regularly, lifting weights, and eating well. Because of this, I was somewhat worried about how my new Italian lifestyle would affect my fitness. I knew I'd be surrounded by delicious food and without easy access to a gym. Yet I didn't let this deter me! I've been in Italy for over three months now, and I can 100% promise that staying fit abroad is possible. Here's how to do it:

1. Drink lots of water.
When I first arrived, I wasn't drinking nearly enough water. I began feeling sluggish and getting headaches. So I turned things around! Now I start each day with a big glass of water. I drink hot water throughout the day and always have a cup of water before I go to bed. It really makes a difference!

2. Eat a variety of food.
Eating healthily is probably one of the most obvious ways to stay fit. While I do this, I also make sure to eat a range of foods. This can be rather hard in Italy, where bread and pasta are staples at almost every meal. I make sure to vary the types of carbs I eat as much as possible. I also load up on fresh fruit and veggies at every opportunity. The best part of living abroad is that fresh produce is amazing and always in season. Right now I'm absolutely loving the abundance of clementines!

3. Exercise however you can.
Before I even left the US, I knew that exercise would be one of my biggest challenges abroad. At home, I could go for a run or head to the gym pretty easily. Unfortunately, small town Italy doesn't have the same resources available. However, that hasn't stopped me. Instead, I've become obsessed with the amazing number of fitness tutorials on Youtube. My favorites are ones from Jillian Michaels, FitnessBlender, and PopSugar. They make me sweat, and I never have to leave my apartment!

4. Get 8 hours of sleep.
I know the number of hours varies from person to person, but eight hours of sleep is my magic number. In addition, I've found that going to bed and waking up earlier helps me feel more productive and energized. I like starting my day with the sunrise!

That's it! I know I'm only a few months into life abroad, but these four tips have made such a difference. Would you add anything else?

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Are you following me on Bloglovin? Add me to your queue!

my thoughts on the Parsons x Teen Vogue course.

An inspiration collage for a course assignment.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I enrolled in the ParsonsxTeenVogue Fashion Industry Essentials course. The program just wrapped, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. If you're thinking about signing up, if you've never heard of it and are interested, or if you're a fellow student, please read on and let me know your thoughts on my pros and cons list in the comments!

PROS

• Wide variety of course topics - We covered everything from industry basics and design processes to portfolio development and marketing techniques.
• Instructive videos from industry insiders - I got to hear firsthand tips and stories from designers like Rebecca Minkoff and Angela Gao to professionals like Amy Astley and Caletha Crawford.
• Interesting and creative assignments - I was constantly pushed to put my best work forward with each new course assignment. The design course was particularly challenging, since I'm living in a small town in Italy without access to standard design materials!
• Social media development - Social media is a huge interest of mine. I love that these courses helped me to strengthen my platforms even further. My LinkedIn page looks fantastic now!
• A better understanding of my portfolio - Before this class, I had no official portfolio to present. Now, I have a much better idea of what to include and how to format my portfolio in general. While I submitted a version of my portfolio for the final assignment, I will definitely continue to adapt and improve it so that it represents my best work.

CONS

• Short videos - While some of the videos we had to watch were longer and very informative (such as the ones from Gilt), the majority were short and lacked the more specific career and job information I desired. My favorite videos were the ones that related how people developed their careers and skills for their professions.
• Some unrealistic assignments - I recognize that I am in a relatively unique situation in terms of my living setup. However, some of the assignments (the design ones in particular) were difficult for me because I lacked the recommended resources. I'm sure that some other students encountered a similar problem.
• A short final review - Students taking this course have to complete a solid amount of work in order to achieve the certificate. Because of this, I had hoped that whoever reviewed my final submission would look into all of my work and give me a detailed review. Instead, I only received feedback, in the form of a short paragraph, on my portfolio submission. While the criticism was helpful, since I will use the reviewer's advice to further improve my portfolio, it did not take into account all the other work I had submitted along the way. It would have been nice to receive a more comprehensive analysis of my work.

Overall, I am very happy that I decided to take this exclusive course. I was challenged much more than I initially thought I would be, and came out with a more developed understanding of the fashion industry. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in a career in fashion!

xoxo

Sabrina

goals for 2016.

Learning how to take a better selfie should probably be on my list of resolutions. Oh well!

I can honestly say that 2015 was one of the most memorable years of my life. I finished not one, but two theses, graduated college, moved abroad, and began working all over the course of the past 12 months. I have no idea what's in store for 2016, but I'm excited by the prospect of more big life changes!

With the arrival of the new year, I've been thinking more and more about what I want to accomplish. Here are a few of my goals for 2016. I'm saying goals, and not resolutions, because I like the idea of a goal as something positive that I would like to accomplish, but also something that I won't be too torn up about if it doesn't happen. Also, I tried to make these as specific as possible so that I can really feel like I've accomplished them.

GOAL #1 - Plank every day.
I know fitness is a resolution for most people every new year. Personally, I think I did a pretty good job with exercising regularly in 2015. For 2016, I'd like to keep it up. Planking everyday is an easy way to target one area and remind me to work the rest of my body as well.

GOAL #2 - Write more.
After graduation, I decided I wanted to focus more on my blog. It's a nice way for me to be creative and share my interests with others. I want to continue my routine of posting every Monday (at least!). I also want to write more in general, whether that be on creative pieces, freelance articles, or journal entries. I love writing and I want to take advantage of every opportunity I get.

GOAL #3 - Go to a spa.
This is my indulgence goal! I've never been to a spa before, but I love the idea of getting a facial or a massage. It sounds like such a dream! Plus, I like treating myself to little luxuries every so often, especially if I've been working hard in other areas of my life.

GOAL #4 - Make homemade pasta.
If you've read any of my food or travel posts, you'll probably realize that I am a serious foodie at heart. I love trying new things and eating seriously yummy food. Of course, I also LOVE to cook and bake. This year, my goal is to make more handmade food. I've eaten homemade pasta before, but creating ravioli or tortellini by myself would be such a personal accomplishment.

GOAL #5 - Send a letter to a faraway friend.
Now that I'm out of college (and in another country!), it has gotten harder to stay in touch. While I love Skype and email for catching up with my friends, I like the idea of sending a handwritten letter or personal care package to someone out of the blue. It's a nice way to show others that you're thinking of them even when you're far away.

What about you? What are your goals/resolutions for 2016? I'd love to hear them in the comments!

xoxo

Sabrina

love to run.

Fitness in color: my much loved Nike sneakers and exercise bands

When I began college four short years ago, I was far from an athlete. I rarely went to the gym; my half credit swimming class was pretty much the only way I got in any exercise during the week. However, as the campus meal plan began to catch up with me, I knew it was time to make working out a part of my routine.

Somehow, and I don't remember exactly when, I settled upon running. At first it was rough. I had to take breaks during my 20 minute lap around campus. Eventually though, I began pushing myself further and faster. I am now a solid member of the running fan club. It motivates me in a way that going to the gym never will. That's not to discount the gym of course. I definitely used the stationary bike quite a bit this year.

Overall though, running is my fitness passion. It makes me feel strong and keeps me energized. Admittedly, I'm still learning, especially in terms of technique. I'm sure I'm not breathing perfectly or landing in the best way possible yet. But I am running frequently, and that is so much more than my freshman self ever could have said. Who knows, maybe I'll even enter a race at some point!

xoxo

Sabrina

my life lately.

Style Guru Bio pics for my third semester with CollegeFashionista!

Sephora by OPI Leaf Him at the Altar

Baking mac and cheese with friends

The last of the Nutella brownies. 'Nuff said.

To continue on the Nutella streak, I made Peanut Butter Nutella Banana Bread.

Classic Hot Fudge Sundae, because dessert is clearly my entire life.

Fun summer nails!

Tartufo, a.k.a. the best Italian dessert ever.

Although this Affogato is a close runner-up!

Vintage and Forever 21 rings, Assorted bracelets, Claire's orange nail polish

Shoes from my CollegeFashionista Style Guru bio!

I just wanted to share with you a few snapshots of my life lately. A bunch of these posts are end of summer/beginning of fall, so I'll probably be doing another updated one of these in a few weeks. I have been writing away for CollegeFashionista (and loving it!). Check out my latest post here. I'm so glad that it's finally October. I want as many pumpkins, baked goods, and sweaters around me as possible.

What are you looking forward to this fall?

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin! Hit the button on the right to check out my page!

the puffer.

American Eagle jacket, Forever 21 t-shirt, Hollister cardigan, American Eagle pants, Benetton belt, H&M scarf, American Eagle hat, Mandee's gloves

The weather has been crazy this week, with a downpour one day and snow the next.  I have no idea what's going on, but I hope it ends soon!  In the meantime, I've been battling whatever Mother Nature throws at me with this amazing puffer jacket.  It's one of the warmest jackets I own and I absolutely love the fur accent on the hood.  Today I paired it with a beanie and light pink cords.  I have to say, I'm loving fun pants lately, whether they be patterned or colored.  It's nice to switch things up from the basic jeans once in a while.

In other news, I am now blogging for CollegeFashionista!  I'm really excited to be contributing to such a fantastic site.  Check out my Style Guru bio here and don't forget to look out for a new post on that site every Friday as I write an ACCESSORIES REPORT.  I'll still be writing for this blog too, so look out for upcoming fashion, nail, and food posts soon!

xoxo

Sabrina

PS.  Follow me on Bloglovin to get all the latest updates!!

last minute gift guide.

last minute gift guide

 With only a few days left until Christmas, now is the time to get all of the last minute shopping done.  I don't know about you, but I have been quite busy trying to find the perfect gifts for my friends and family.  Luckily, there are always a few tried and true presents ideas that I know I can fall back on if all else fails. 
A nice candle or a sweet-smelling soap are perfect for practically everyone, as they add a lovely touch to any home.  A patterned tea cup is also a great idea for all the coffee or tea drinkers out there.  For the nail polish addicts, try one of the many great holiday sets out there.  As for stocking stuffers, holiday socks, phone cases, and scarves are easy and inexpensive ways to make smiles on Christmas morning.  Finally, if you really can't think of anything, there's always a Starbuck's gift card!

I hope this helps with the gift search!  Let me know what you rely on for last minute gift ideas in the comments!

xoxo

Sabrina

PS.  Follow me on Bloglovin and Polyvore for my latest posts and fashion sets!

gelato and other things.

Wearing Burberry glasses, Passport shirt.  Eating Pasticiotto and Cioccolato con croccante gelato.

Fresh bread with cheese, salami, grape tomatoes, and oil

Pasta with tuna, mozzarella, and red pepper flakes

A calligraphy display from a cool bookstore I visited.

Beautiful Italian leather bags

Italy just keeps getting better and better.  The food is amazing.  I'm pretty sure it's impossible to have a bad meal here.  Today I went into the town center and bought my second gelato.  There were so many flavors and it was incredibly hard to decide on just two.  Of course, it does give me an incentive to get some more!  I also stopped by this beautiful bookstore that sold journals and leather bags.  Everything was absolutely gorgeous and rich-looking.  I could've stayed there, gelato in hand, for quite some time.

xoxo

Sabrina

PS.  Follow me on Bloglovin!

five goals.

With the new year officially underway, I thought I'd share a few of my personal goals for 2013 with you.  I like making a list of resolutions at the beginning of the year as something to work toward.  I know that I might not accomplish all of them, but I'd like to do the best I can!

1.  Take better care of my hair.
      I use I lot of styling tools on my hair and often forget to use heat protectant sprays beforehand.  As a result, I've noticed that my hair has gotten pretty dry and damaged.  I want to reverse it!

2.  Exercise more.
     I began jogging at the beginning of this year and loved it.  Unfortunately my schedule made it hard for me to continue.  I will definitely try to work time in for running at least a few days a week.

3.  Wear sunscreen every day.
     We all know that this is super important but often neglect to do it anyway.  I would like to change this by buying everyday products that already contain sunscreen.  For instance, I love CoverGirl's NatureLuxe foundation, which has SPF 10, and Jergens Natural Glow & Protect daily moisturizer, which has SPF 20.  It is an easy way to protect myself without really thinking about it.

4.  Put my creativity to work.
     I love to be creative and make new things, whether they be tasty recipes or homemade cards.  However, I often use my free time to watch tv or just lounge around instead of doing something more productive.  This year I would love to take some time every week to work on a different project.

5.  Give thanks.
     This is such a simple but meaningful resolution.  It feels so good when someone thanks you for doing something, such as taking the time to make dinner or giving a gift.  I want to make sure I thank others more often and let them know that they are truly appreciated by sending out thank you cards or even just saying a few thoughtful words to them.

Thank you all for following me in 2012.  Here's to a great 2013!

xoxo

Sabrina

PS.  Follow me on Blogger and Bloglovin!

smile.

My latest Pinkberry concoction: chocolate hazelnut yogurt, coconut, pirouline cookies, organic gummy bears, chocolate covered pretzals, hazelnuts, and caramel sauce

I am an optimist.  I believe it's better to look on the bright side than to bog myself down with the negative.  Because of this, I like finding little things that bring joy to the average day.  In other words, I look for things that make me smile.  So, every so often, I will make smile-worthy posts that have brightened up my day and will hopefully inspire you to find happiness in the small stuff too.

xoxo

Sabrina

organization station.

The whole organization station.

On the top: chapsticks, hand sanitizer, eye primer, moisturizers, blush, bronzer, powder, foundations, mascara, concealer, liquid eyeliner, brushes, makeup remover, sunscreen, deodorant

Drawer 1:  Lip goodies including favorites like Beauty Rush lip gloss, Burt's Bees lip tint, Clinique lipstick/gloss duos, and Clinique chubby stick

Drawer 2:  Eyeshadow palettes...I'm a big fan of Urban Decay and Clinique eyeshadows.  The Naked palette is the best!

Drawer 3: Hair products.  I use a lot of Garnier Fructis frizz-fighting products.  My self-tanner is also in here.

Drawer 4:  The Remington line of hair stylers is absolutely amazing for my thick hair.

I had been trying unsuccessfully for years to find a way to organize my makeup in a way that would allow me to see everything.  Recently though, I found this storage cart that works perfectly for my purposes.  It holds absolutely everything.  Plus, it's great waking up in the morning and knowing exactly where each product is.  No more searching through three different makeup bags for me!

xoxo

Sabrina



hello.

 

It is one hot summer. The long days are filled with everything from sweltering temperatures and stuffy rooms to poolside retreats and delicious cold drinks. In the midst of all of this, I have decided to begin a blogging journey. I want to share with you my fashion adventures, beauty trials, and daily explorations. Basically, I plan on recording anything that makes everyday events a little more special. As a wise teenager once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” (Ferris Bueller's Day Off). I'm trying to make sure I don't miss anything.

xoxo

Sabrina