The World of “Supposed to”s

I hate the words “supposed to”. Why is it people feel like there are roles that they’re SUPPOSED to fill in life? Oh, you’re SUPPOSED to do that. You’re SUPPOSED to say these words. You’re SUPPOSED to like these certain things. When did living your life suddenly conform into a puzzle of “SUPPOSED to’s”?

When you come to college, it feels like all there is is buildings constructed of brick expectations, filled with insecure mass-produced people. Left and right, people are changing who they were days ago because, suddenly, they’re in college. Their equilibriums go out of whack because, oh, in college you’re SUPPOSED to be exactly who you weren’t yesterday. Every weekend I hear someone saying that they’re going out or they’re getting drunk because that’s what you’re SUPPOSED to do in college. What about doing whatever the heck you want simply because you WANT to? Not because you’re SUPPOSED to. Is it really worth completely changing yourself just because society and movies are saying that, yes, this is exactly how you should be living as a college student and if you aren’t, there must be something wrong with you? Do things because you WANT to, not because you think they’re what you’re SUPPOSED to be doing.

Things I’ve been told I’m SUPPOSED to do because of my age, but don’t really want to listen to:

• I’m SUPPOSED to drink and get drunk whenever possible
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to break the rules
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to travel all over the world while I’m young
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to wait to get married because wanting to get married young just isn’t right nowadays
• I’m SUPPOSED to spend my money on things like concerts and festivals
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to live in an apartment and work in the city instead of somewhere in the suburbs

Do what you’re going to do, but not because you think it’s what you’re SUPPOSED to do. Do it because it’s what you want to do, because you have to get it out of your system once or twice, because it’s something you’ll genuinely enjoy years down the road. Not because it’s what you’ve seen millions do before you. And don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad for doing what you WANT because it’s what makes you you.

The Sophomore Slump

Hi all! It’s been a while since I posted and I want to apologize for that! I never intended to make myself a slave to this blog, but I did think I’d be able to post a bit more frequently than I have been. Basically, sophomore year of college has been ROUGH with a capital R, and I’m glad that it will be ending fairly soon. The Sophomore Slump is very real and alive) My professors are tough, the weather has been nonstop cold and rainy (sun, where are you???), and my studies have seemed to plateau and even dip a bit, regardless of all the work I put into them. If anyone else is feeling the ‘slump’, fear not, it’s natural (and doesn’t always come exclusive to sophomore year), and will be gone soon. Until then, I’ll try to get some content up before the deluge of papers and assignments roll through for finals. Stay strong! The slump will not win!

– – Kathryn

Favorites at J.Crew Factory!

It’s no secret that I love J.Crew Factory. Their clothing fits me like a glove, is stylish and classic, and doesn’t cause my wallet too much pain. They’ve recently released their spring things and they are as cute as they come! I was in the store today and everything was 50% off to boot!

PLUS use the code INBLOOM to get an extra 20% off your order of $100 or more!

I tried on quite a few things and while some didn’t quite fit me the best, I did end up leaving with three new pieces for the (hopefully upcoming) warmer days! Here I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite pieces for the spring season.

1     |     2    |     3

4     |     5     |     6

7    |     8     |     9

10     |     11

Can’t wait for it to really be spring so we can wear all these cute things!

 

Friday Night at the Met

One of the best parts about living in New York City is being able to be in Manhattan in the blink of an eye. While I certainly don’t see myself living in the city after graduation, I do love all of the cultural opportunities it offers for those nights when you just don’t know what to do! This past Friday, my friends and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see a few exhibits and spend an evening off campus. Because the Met is so big, we only got to a couple of the galleries before it was closing time! It’s impossible to do the whole place in a day so I’m glad we have access to it for whenever we want.

Valentine’s Gifts for her

Whether you’re celebrating with a special someone, your girlfriends, or just by yourself, it’s important to show some extra love on Valentine’s Day. While it’s certainly nice to indulge with chocolates and desserts and flowers, there are so many other fun things to give on February 14th that every woman in your life will love. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite picks that are perfect for anyone and everyone. Your girlfriend, ladies, Mom, Grandma, and of course YOU deserve a special treat on Valentine’s Day!

Totally Tartan

Last week was my birthday! To celebrate, my parents came to campus and took me and a friend out to dinner on Arthur Ave in the Bronx. If you’ve never been, you HAVE to go. Arthur Ave is the original New York City Little Italy and let me just say, the culture is amazing. The food, the music, the fresh mozzarella, the raviolis, everything. All you really need is a Mama Rosa sandwich from Tino’s to make any day brighter. Anyway, to celebrate my birthday we all went out to dinner at Emilia’s Restaurant and had such a great time!

I ended up wearing pants since it was a bit breezier that night and I just didn’t want to deal with a dress blowing in the breeze. These pants though, you guys, are amazing!

Weekend Reflections

Happy Sunday dearies!

My posts on here have been very sporadic and I apologize about that, but being a college student takes up 110% of my time! I promise to keep updating, but it won’t be nearly as often as I’d like so make sure you keep an eye out.

That being said, I hope everyone is adjusting to the new year and to the new semester if you’re in the same boat I am. These past couple of days have been a mixture of exhausting (Inauguration Day, ugh) and empowering (The international Women’s Marches, woohoo ladies!). I’m so blessed to live in an area of the country where most points of view on anything and everything are respected and protected fiercely because I know that this is not always the case elsewhere. I have friends here at school that attended the Inauguration,and the Women’s Marches, and the Pro-Life Marches, and everything in between, and it’s a true privilege to be able to listen to all of their opinions and better understand the thoughts that build their different characters. The most incredible part of this weekend was watching everyday citizens, albeit MILLIONS of them, go out and fight for what they believe in. The bread and butter of our American government system is exactly that. This weekend millions of citizens exercised their right to protest the very government that grants them that right and it was an empowering sight to see. Our country may be going through some very big changes, but the heart of our democracy never left and continues to thrive every single day. This weekend couldn’t have been a better representation of that.

Regards,

Kathryn

Bad Haircuts and Long Breaks

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Today I’m talking about winter break home from college and that haircut that you thought you’d love, but had second thoughts about after the chop. Yikes.

I’m home from school right now and will be for a little while longer and I know I’m not the first person to say it, but winter break can seem very long. I met just about all my good friends at Fordham so they fly off to their homes during breaks and it’s nearly impossible to see them, even those that live closer to me. That being said, breaks often seem pretty lonely to me as everyone I’d like to be spending my time with is in Texas or California or Wisconsin. It can be tough to watch (what seems like) everyone else visit people from home and have something to do every single day, but then it’s also nice to realize that you’re on a BREAK! *insert gif of Ross from friends saying this here* Yes, my friends, winter break for college students is, in fact, a real break without homework or impending midterms and it’s important to remember that if you’re ever feeling like you’re missing out on things. Take the month to chill, watch movies, and catch up on sleep before the spring semester picks up and you’ll be thrown back into reality.

During said break, I also decided to get my hair cut, a task I usually love. However, yesterday I realized that it is indeed possible to dislike a haircut. My whole life I’ve been fine with every single haircut I got. I cut it often and usually cut very much off every time. I’m not attached to my hair as so many people are, which I think is good for me as a person. Today though, I’m not too happy with how my hair looks and will definitely have to do something about it sooner or later. My mom told me to just make the best of it and I think she’s right, no matter how much I say I hate it. Thanks, Mom. Bloom where you’re planted, life keeps moving. And hair keeps growing. So to all you ladies (or gentlemen) who have gotten a haircut that was less fantastic than you were expecting, don’t let it be the end of the world, just work with it until it grows out and then start again.

Until next time!

Building Your Core-drobe

It’s been a few busy weeks because of midterm exams and papers, but I’m back!

 

 

This past summer I felt overwhelmed at the amount of crap (for lack of a better word) I had to shove into my car to bring home from college. We’re talking too-small pants, a sheep Halloween costume, multiple empty Fordham drawstring bags, and everything in between. Just the amount of clothing was ridiculous. I decided to do a purge of my closet and focus on saving only the things that I loved and could be versatile for a core wardrobe, a core-drobe, if you will.

25 Jobs I Would LOVE to Have

Asa sophomore in college, the administration has asked me to make very big decisions. I’m required to think about studying abroad, start looking for internships, and PICK A MAJOR! Am I allowed to major in “Undeclared Studies”, because that’s where I’m at currently. Anyway, until the time I really have to declare arrives in February I’m making a list of fun jobs I would absolutely love to have.

1. An usher for a Broadway theater (get paid to watch shows? sign me up)
2. The person who bites into the foods in the Tasty videos
3. A bridal consultant
4. The person who inspects the Lush products (they put your face on the packaging!)
5. A cruise ship Christener
6. An ice cream flavor tester
7. A fortune cookie fortune writer (The time for sleeping is now Lucky Numbers 3, 9, 67)
8. A park ranger
9. A Crayola crayon-names namer
10. A pet sweater designer
11. The person who slices the cucumbers at a spa
12. A private island caretaker
13. A Google street view bike rider
14. The person who gets to test luxury beds (see fortune cookie above)
15. A blimp pilot
16. An Instagram food stylist
17. The person who writes the crosswords for the weekend newspapers
18. The person who pulls the confetti cannon at the end of concerts
19. A professional stand-in-liner
20. The person who makes sure clothing leaving the factory is wrinkle-free
21. A foley artist (the person who creates sound effects!)
22. A Dolly Parton (or other fun celeb) minister for that Vegas wedding
23. A wedding dance choreographer
24. The person who reads through all the letters to Santa in Macy’s before they get sent
25. A wake up caller

 

Which job would you want to have?