Saturdays According to Kate

I feel like the launch of kate spade Saturday is highly under-appreciated. But I mean, what's not to love? 

It's kate. It's colorful. It's cozy. It's affordable. 

I bought a cozy sweatshirt from kate spade Saturday a couple of months ago, and I can't get enough of it! It's a bright coral/orange color, and makes the dreariness of overcast November days a little more enjoyable.

Here are a few of my favorite kate spade Saturday items: 

cotton socks in shifting shapes

chunky knit scarf

skinny rectangle necklace

the weekender bag

roll-up flats

double-up leather strap bracelet

combo sunnies

Happy shopping! 

The Skimm

First of all...

Cheers to the end of a stressful week. The thought of Thanksgiving break in just a couple of weeks is the only thing giving me the energy to keep going these days! 

Due to all the craziness and business of my schedule, I figured out that my knowledge of the world's current events is decreasing at an alarming rate. In high school, I was pretty good about keeping up with the news through television and through online sources. But the craziness of jumping into an entirely new life has thrown me off and I was completely unaware of the world around me! Maybe it's just me, but that is slightly alarming. 

But then, I was introduced to my new favorite thing. Ever.

Introducing: 

theSkimm is a free news subscription that emails you the day's headlines every morning of every week day. It's witty, light-hearted, and downright hilarious. I also love that they hyperlink points in their stories that take you directly to the primary news article. 

It only takes 5-10 minutes to read, and I am feeling more informed all ready! I encourage you to join me in the act of skimming! Also, keep in mind that if you sign up today you won't receive your first email until Monday :)

Do you have any favorite news sources? 

Cozy Comfy

Wow. Today is definitely one of those days when no amount of coffee can get me into the swing of things. The overcast sky and cold air have encouraged me to have a lazy and unproductive afternoon.

As far as lounge apparel goes, I am probably the worst. This is really not a good thing, especially in a dorm environment, which requires me to use my bed for just about everything I do - studying, lounging, eating, and of course napping/sleeping. 

About two weeks into college, I sold my soul to J. Crew sweatpants. I was hesitant, but I am here to tell all that they are absolutely wonderful. I wear them all the time when I'm hanging out in my room, doing laundry, etc. Though I most definitely have not worked up the courage to wear them in the eyes of the public, I have grown to accept the functionality and comfort that they provide! Plus, they are actually long enough for my legs, which never happens, and run true to size.

I've learned that dressing for class or the typical daily activities I engage in every day is just not the ideal time to put my best shoe forward (literally). The UVa campus is relatively small, but I still have to do a lot of walking every day! I recently learned that the average college student walks 5 miles a day - and from my experience this is pretty accurate. Five miles in my cutest pair of flats just isn't going to happen.

This outfit is very typical of something I would wear on a day to day basis! Cute, yet cozy (necessary in lecture halls) and comfy (feeling uncomfortable without being able to change for 5+ hours is the worst).

Side note: I totally wish I could have Warby Parker glasses (they are all SO cute), but my glasses prescription is wacky. I wear progressive lenses, and only a few name brands can accommodate for that so far - though word on the street is that WP will soon be able to jump on this wagon, I wear these Ray Bans (which I still love a lot).

What's your favorite cozy/comfy piece? 

TwitInstaFaceTerest

It's just my new word that essentially means social media. I will admit, I am slightly addicted to the TwitInstaFaceTerest world. I mean, what young woman isn't? But, it's time I introduce myself to you in a social media context.

Twitter: @HAL_mg

Funny story about my Twitter name - 

one of my best friends thought that my 

username stood for 'Hal My Gangsta'.

No.

I love everything about Twitter. I also love that it totally replaced the need to post Facebook statuses, because honestly those are just sort of awkward. And as long as you follow people that are at least as interesting as you are, your Twitter experience is bound to be enjoyable.

I also love anonymous accounts & some of my favorite celebs on Twitter. Check out a few of my favorites! 

@HistoricalPics 

Always so so beautiful.

@StephenAtHome

Always hilarious & witty - my favorite combo. 

@ProperKidProbs

I am convinced he went to UVa.

Instagram: hal_mg 

Here are some of favorite Instagram posts from over the past few months!

happiness is camp socks & duck boots

the final glimpse

(this was my last taste of the tropics before moving north!)

"Wear pink, make the boys wink." -Lilly Pulitzer

(Taken with my oldest and best friend, @MarinCars)

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/halmg

I have to admit, I am not an avid pinner. I am trying to get better though, and plan on creating a board specifically for the blog! 

yearn to kearn - a board I created while I was editor of the yearbook in high school full of ideas for the book! I still find it helpful when I need a little digital art inspiration.

home is where I'm with you - inspiration for my future home, based on the fact I will have unlimited funds (ha, ha.)

simblissity - a collection of all things lovely and appeasing.

2013 - inspiration for my high school graduation party

2017 - inspiration for my dorm, UVa life, etc.

cue pachalbel - wedding ideas

apartment lyfe - decorating plans for next year! I just started this one, so it is a little lonely.

What's your favorite component of TwitInstaFaceTerest? 

Why Kristen Wiig is the Best Thing Since Tomagotchi Pets

Kristen Wiig is just really and truly amazing. I mean, on top of being beautiful, she's successful, she's ambitious, she's independent, 

and she's hilarious.

I don't say this lightly. I can think of few people that make me laugh as consistently and as often as Kristen Wiig. Just think of all she has been a part of recently - SNL, Bridesmaids, Despicable Me... I really I could go on for days. And I am SO excited for her upcoming role in Anchorman 2... it's bound to be pure gold. 

Me trying to be subtle.

A summary of life as a college student.

Me debating whether I should do laundry now or wait until tomorrow.

Me when I find out we're eating breakfast for dinner.

And if you want to laugh even harder, click here to experience my all-time favorite tumblr account.

Also, here is a quick rundown of my favorite Kristen Wiig SNL skits. Trust me, they are worth watching - especially if you need some a mindless study break or distraction!

1. Target Lady - unfortunately I couldn't find a video link for this one. BUT it is honestly so hilarious. If you find one, please comment with a link! 

2. Dooneese

3. Gilly

4. Judy Grimes

5. Sue (From Surprise) 

Icebreakers

Hmmm... I'm still feeling a little new to this, and I feel like we are still in the getting-to-know-you-but-not-quite-friends stage of the blogging relationship, so I've decided to do dive right in and unveil myself to you, my beloved readers.

I am extremely quirky. This becomes painstakingly obvious as soon as I meet someone. 

Double joints, left-handedness, the ability to recognize any font on the spot, a super strange laugh, the tendency to blurt out movie or book quotes mid-conversation, clumsiness; you name it, I have it.

I love to paint, doodle, craft, or create digital prints for my Etsy store { click here to view my shop}. I mostly use quotes, song lyrics, or scripture for my artwork, but I also enjoy painting landscapes as well. I also love love love to play piano. It absolutely kills me not being around a piano while I'm at school!

^This is something I painted last summer! 

It is currently hanging in my dorm room above my bed. 

I love music, especially artists that know their piano skills (Regina Spektor is PERFECT.) One of my favorite things about Charlottesville is their music scene, and I absolutely love going to concerts here! I think I've already seen about 5-10 groups since I moved here in August. 

Here's what I'm loving this month! Follow me on Spotify to get the playlist:

^The last one is so November. Gets me every time! Listen here. 

I attached a live version so you can see how amazingly gifted she is! 

Ugh, I just love it. I saw this performed live last year in Tampa -

most amazing live performance I have ever seen.

Eek, that's it for now! What are you listening to this month?

FOMO

FOMO (v.) - acronym standing for Fear Of Missing Out. Or, as I like to label it - Overachiever Syndrome. 

All of us overachievers experience it. That's why we simply must involve ourselves in everything around us.

Sports. Organizations. Academic opportunities. Internships. Worship. Relationships. 

You name it, I've done it (yes, even sports... kind of.)

When you're surrounded by so many wonderful and unique opportunities, how can you NOT JOIN EVERY SINGLE THING?

As a first year in college, (we say things differently here at dear ole UVa - there is absolutely no such thing as a freshman) I attended a club fair at the beginning of the year. And, I kid you not, there were 700+ organizations at said fair.

Se-ven-hun-dred. My overachieving self was in absolute paradise and overdrive simultaneously. I seriously think I signed up for over 50 things, and my inbox has never seen such excitement since the fair.

Throughout the past couple of months, I have learned to stick to what I love, and though the initial twinge of absolute horror of missing out on some things was painful at first, I have learned that concentrating my efforts on a few major projects that I am passionate about is a lot better than spreading myself thin and stressing myself out trying to do everything at once.

And, one of the absolute best things about my decision veer away from my instinctive habit to prevent FOMO is the free time I have cleared in my schedule to work on this blog! 

Though my overachieving tendencies and obsession to fill my time with constant activities will never, ever wear away, I am in the process of recovering from FOMO and focusing on projects that I am super excited about - serving on the production staff of the Cavalier Daily, growing in my faith through a religious organization on Grounds (it's NOT campus - it's Grounds), marketing super quirky events for University Programs Council, and serving as an editor for the school yearbook. 

Ugh. That's still a lot. But like I said, I am slowly trimming it down! 

Do you suffer from FOMO? Perhaps we can form a support group ;)

November Must Haves

I grew up in Florida my whole life. I never truly understood the implications of what that meant...

until I experienced 28 degrees in November.

Seriously, this is about as foreign of a concept for me as camping. Or eating healthy on purpose. I am so accustomed to getting through winter with a Patagonia fleece being my heavy duty winter coat.

The plus side of living somewhere with real seasons (you know, other than just hot and hotter) is having a wardrobe fit for all types of weather. I have been slowly picking up what a real coat should be, and have been saving up my money to accumulate some warm gear!

Here's what I can't live without this November! 

Do you have any pieces you couldn't live without this month?