Author: ogaidry

How To… Survive Finals!

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

 

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Hey guys! Finals can be a stressful time for any student, but never fear! I’m bringing you the ultimate survival guide. And look on the bright side, summer is coming! I’m so excited to be planning new posts for you all. I have put together these tips, tricks, and life hacks to help my fellow scholars prepare. I hope you find this post useful, let’s go ahead and get started!

1. Study Space

During finals week, it is totally important to find a good place to study. I do not recommend your bedroom, there are just way too many distractions. I usually prefer to study at the library, or my spare room, somewhere quiet where I can focus and not watch TV  (tempting as it is to finish season 3 of Pretty Little Liars).

2. Healthy Snacks

I also think snacks during study time are very important because, let’s be real, nobody can pass them up. I found that dark chocolate (vegan of course), blueberries, and nuts are fantastic for your brain. Chewing mint gum can help you improve your concentration. You may want to fill up on caffeine for those all-nighters, but I suggest you stay away from it. Fight the urge, as it is a stimulant which causes harmful effects to your body. I was a green tea fanatic last year but the caffeine made me sick to my stomach, and if you have finals coming up, you want to be at your absolute best!

3. Use a Planner

I also recommend using a planner during finals week so that you can keep track  of all your due dates & days and times of tests. Using a color-code system is a great way to know which assignments are from specific classes. It’s effective and vibrant at the same time! I also like to make sure that when I’m studying, I’m keeping my area organized because I get really stressed out if the space is messy. Wherever I go for studying, I make sure my textbooks are all in one pile, and I only have one open at a time. Additionally, I keep my pens and pencils organized just to help me not get stressed out.

4. Comfy Outfit

Wearing a comfy outfit while I’m studying is helpful also. While typically, I’m not a big advocate for sweats, finals week is a rare exception.

5. Turn Off Distractions

While you are studying, you want to make sure that you’re not scrolling through social media on your phone or listening to music because these things are just distracting. I really like listening to music when I’m studying, but when it comes to finals, I really just have to buckle down, take the headphones off, and not jam out to the Hamilton soundtrack. I get super distracted and wind up spending more time having dance parties with myself than hitting the books.

6. Use Apps to Study

I like to use study apps during finals to help me organize and concentrate better. Create practice problems, quizzes and study guides prior to the tests. I have the Quizlet app, (probably my most used app for school), which is so handy for making flashcards without wasting paper or wasting valuable time. Having organized materials will help you answer questions quickly and effectively.

7. Take Time to Relax

I like to do things to help me relax during finals week. Things like going on hikes, doing yoga, or anything other than studying, really helps me to just not be too stressed out and get a little break. It’s definitely important to do so you don’t get over-stressed, which happens to me a lot of the time.

8. Sleep Well!

My last tip for finals is to get enough sleep. I like to stop studying and turn off my phone an hour before bedtime. This calms me down from all of the knowledge I’ve been cramming into my brain throughout the day. I also like to spray my room with lavender spray. Lavender is super relaxing and helps me fall asleep faster.

I hope you guys found this useful! Let me know in the comments down below if you guys try out any of these tips or tricks that I mentioned. Good Luck!

See you guys in my next post!

xo, Liv

How To… Liv(e) Vegan

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

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Hey everybody! Sorry I have been so M.I.A. lately, school has been keeping me very busy. Fortunately, I am back with another post!

For those of you who don’t already know, I was a vegetarian for the past 10 years of my life. I made the choice to become vegan January 2016. After doing more research on the dairy industry, it didn’t seem much like a choice but more like a responsibility to help protect the animals. After interviewing a couple of my fellow vegan friends, Claudia & Cassidy, I wanted to give you guys a little more insight on the lifestyle. Enjoy!

When asked “why” they became vegan, both Claudia and Cassidy said the primary reason was health. Cassidy said she immediately became more “energized” after switching to a vegan diet, and Claudia said she noticed her skin was more “clear and bright”.

Both girls have plenty of experience with this diet, as they started in middle school. Claudia was in 7th grade when she made the switch and Cassidy was in 8th. They determined that “going vegan was still easy” even in school, because they could bring their own lunches. However, Cassidy mentioned that sleepovers could be a bit more tricky so she usually brought her own dinner to her friends’ houses.

Cassidy also wants people to be more open to the idea of a vegan lifestyle for the sake of  the animals. She is big on vegan “alternatives” in the grocery store that can cure any craving for popular meat and dairy foods, without hurting the animals. Claudia raves about “SO Delicious” non-dairy ice cream (I agree!) and Amy’s mac and (no) cheese. For those people who are still insensitive to the idea, Cassidy says she would like to, “challenge someone to spend a day in the dairy industry,” after describing a disturbing experience at a dairy farm.

The girls have proven that change to a more ethical diet is possible, and they say they’ve even opened their families’ minds to the idea. Cassidy says her parents have been super supportive of her decision. She even has some vegetarian cousins and vegan cousins. Claudia adds that her sister is more open to the idea of vegan food, as well as her Mom.

However, with any new territory, there are always those skeptical, or even worse, close-minded. Veganism is no exception. Both girls said they have had some less than accepting reactions after telling people about being a vegan. They agree that there is a stigma with vegans being pretentious. The idea that “vegans are better than everyone” is simply NOT true. The majority of vegans are “just regular people”, says Claudia, and not “weird” extremists as a percentage of people believe. Then, of course, there is the big debate on Freelee the Banana Girl. Cassidy believes she’s “effective”, while Claudia describes her as “insane”. My opinion of the Rawtil4 Vegan YouTuber lies somewhere in between the two. She is passionate about saving the animals but can be a bit extreme and may offend some people.

The two most FAQs that just about every vegan gets are the ever present, “Where do you get your protein?” and “I want to go vegan but it’s too expensive”. When posed with the former question, Cassidy said succinctly, “beans, legumes, protein powder, and soy.” By the way, did you guys know that there’s no such thing as protein deficiency? When posed with the latter, the girls agreed that it’s “not that expensive” to go vegan, “it depends on what you get”, says Claudia. You can get “salads and a lot of fruit” without breaking the bank. Also, this might be a good place to mention that no, I do not live off of salads, and neither do Cassidy and Claudia.

In terms of the definition of vegan, the girls agree that it extends beyond what food you’re consuming. Both Cassidy and Claudia are against leather and suede; Cassidy only wears vegan makeup. (*Side note: Leave a comment if you want to see a list of my recommended vegan cosmetic brands).

Whatever your choice, believe in it, share you story and support others.

For inspiration & motivation for vegans or aspiring vegans, Cassidy recommends Fully Raw Kristina on YouTube & the documentary Cowspiracy. Claudia also recommends YouTuber Claudia Sulewski. Look down below for my personal fave references…

Vegan References

Documentaries: Cowspiracy (Netflix), Earthlings (YouTube)

YouTubers: Freelee the Banana Girl, Steph Yu (happyandhealthy96), Nina and Randa, Bonnie Rebecca, Stella Rae

Books: The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell

**A very special THANK YOU to Claudia and Cassidy for taking the time to chat about life as a vegan! 

xo, Liv

 

 

New England Drama Festival Recap

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IMG_1395Alas, spring break has flown by and it seems almost unreal that I will be going back to school tomorrow. This year I didn’t spend break at an exotic destination. No, I wasn’t vacationing in the Bahamas, Florida, or Hawaii, rather I spent it at my own high school.

My high school had the honor of hosting the New England Drama Festival, where high schools from all over the region of New England showcase their plays, participate in workshops, and share their opinions in forum groups. I was a bit hesitant to volunteer my time, as it was my spring break, but when I realized I wouldn’t be jet-setting away to a tropical island, I agreed to help out. Let me just say that I am incredibly thankful I did.

Meeting people like me with similar interests from all over the state was such a wonderful experience! In addition, I was able to see so many amazing plays in one weekend. It seems almost surreal that in the span of three days, a few high schoolers went from total strangers to friends. ( To my U-32 pals: I miss you all so much & stay lovely.)

I realize this post may not relate to everyone who reads it but I wanted to share it anyway because theater is a very important part of my life. New England Drama Festival reignited my passion for acting, and introduced me to other kind, passionate people such as myself. I am truly grateful I took this opportunity.

What did you do over spring break? Don’t forget to leave a comment!

xo, Liv

What I Wore: Easter Edition

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

Happy Easter everyone! This year, I went for a dressy, spring-inspired look. Read on!

My printed dress screams “SPRING!” with its pastel colors and floral pattern. Because it’s still a bit chilly outside, I decided to pair this dress with a basic white shrug.

I am absolutely in love with my white lace wedges! They’re cute and I’m still able to walk around without falling on my face (…okay, maybe I tripped once).

Finally, to accessorize, I added hints of navy with my Coach wristlet and my sparkly headband. As far as jewelry is concerned, I kept it simple and opted for my pearl earrings. I went for a light, shimmery makeup look and pulled my hair into a half up half down.

This look is perfect for church, but feel free to wear it on any spring day! For all who celebrate…have a wonderful Easter!

xo, Liv

How To… Experience Wanderlust

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As some of you may know from my overload of Instagram pictures, last week I visited Québec City, Québec, Canada. Many of you may also  know that I have a severe case of the adventure bug. I had dreamt about this trip for months, so when the weekend finally arrived, I was absolutely ecstatic. I fully immersed myself in the Canadian culture, and I had no idea what to expect. While the trip didn’t go at all like I had imagined it, it exceeded my expectations by a landslide…

The minute I stepped off the ferry into Québec City, I was awestruck. Here I was in quite possibly the most adorable city in the world, with my friends, and a weekend of possibilities ahead of me. I took the funiculaire (funicular railway) to upper town and arrived, only slightly frost bitten, at the beautiful Château de Frontenac. After making sleeping arrangements with my lovely roomies, watching a crappy Canadian sitcom (as one does), eating dinner out, & roleplaying a British soldier for the night (story for another time), I was completely wiped.

The next day was even more jam packed. I enjoyed breakfast and was ready for the day ahead. After exploring a waterfall and taking a tour of an ice hotel, I was able to chill (no pun intended, I promise) for a bit with my friends. We strolled along lower town, ate lunch, & went shopping.Then, we got right back in action at Village Vacances, tubing down steep slopes and trying not to fall off a sharp 180 degree turn. Basically picture a waterpark designed just for the winter. Once we had our fill of adrenaline, the bus took us to a sugar shack in the middle of nowhere for dinner. There was spoon playing and line dancing involved. Was it extremely strange? Yes. Would I go back? You bet.

Sunday came along, and with it a small wave of sadness washed over me as I knew it was the last day in this wonderful city. Everyone took pictures by the hotel before boarding the bus. Even though I loved spending the last two days in Québec City, I had been anticipating Sunday because I knew I would go dogsledding. Believe me when I say, dogsledding was the most euphoric moment of my life thus far. And the best part is, I only fell off the sled once! After the ride was over & many husky puppies had been held, everyone was reluctant to head home. Nobody was ready to face the monotonous eight hour bus ride. Little did we know, it wouldn’t be monotonous at all.

Shortly after crossing the border back into the U.S., the bus decided it would be as good a time as any to break down. It wasn’t the only thing that broke down either. I was a wreck, asking questions anxiously every 5 seconds. I didn’t have service, which left me without any way to contact my parents. Fortunately, the bus was up and… crawling shortly afterward. Then it stopped again. And started. And stopped. And started. And stopped. We made it to a gas station where we could all use the singular bathroom inside and buy snacks to keep us filled until dinner. The poor bus was able to make it to a roadside Pizza Hut in a small Vermont town before giving up completely. We waited for the new bus to pick us up and loaded ourselves with carbs and sugar. By the time the new, functioning bus arrived, we were all exhausted. Some people passed out right away, others slowly drifted off to sleep, but nobody stayed awake the whole time. We made it back home safely around 2:00 A.M. on Monday, and our principal kindly reassured us that we would be excused if we came to school late that day.

So what is wanderlust? It’s a feeling in your soul. It’s what makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy. It’s living life instead of watching it happen. It’s waking up after an eight hour trip to a charming city. It’s dancing to a fiddle version of the macarena and laughing at yourself. It’s turning a bus ride into an impromptu night club. It’s playing Cards Against Humanity at 10:00 P.M. in your pajamas on the balcony of a 4 star hotel. It’s appreciating how attractive your dogsledding guide is and then falling off the dogsled. It’s sitting at a Pizza Hut booth, exhausted and hungry, and finding everything funny. It’s sitting on the curb of the Pizza Hut parking lot and shouting the slogan at the top of your lungs. It’s making a group chat and sending dirty history jokes to each other. It’s being stuck on a bus, too tired to formulate words, but at peace knowing you’re in the company of some wonderful human beings.

My trip to Canada was incredible. I encourage you to get out and explore the world, because it has so much to offer.

What’s your favorite place you’ve visited? Where do you want to go? Leave a comment!

Special thanks to Alice and Billy for their photography skills 🙂

Safe travels!

xo, Liv

How To… Feel The Love

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!
For my 3rd and final Valentine’s post, I wanted to do something extra special. So, if you’re ready to get a little deep, read on…

When we think of Valentine’s Day, various definitions come to mind. Many of us picture red roses, conversation hearts, and couples gazing starry-eyed at each other.

But for some of us, Valentine’s Day is not about one specific day or giving flowers, candy or heart-shaped mementos.
Love and kindness are prevalent everyday in the most unexpected places.  It can be shown all kinds of ways. You just have to be open to the possibilities.

Yesterday, my family and I took a trip to NYC to see Les Miserables, my FAVORITE musical. We arrived in the city, got out of the car, and started walking towards the theater. Unexpectedly, I got to meet my inspiration while just walking down the street in New York. Lin Manuel Miranda, writer and star of Hamilton & In the Heights, was a wonderful and LOVELY surprise for me (and my shocked mom…”did that actually just happen?!”)

After the show, my mom and I went to a nearby Starbucks, and I was fortunate enough to strike up a conversation with a kind and gracious fellow CT blogger. I also apparently caught the eye of a cute boy who handed ME his contact information in the same Starbucks  (you guys I swear, I’m not making this up!)

I ended the day by having dinner with amazing family friends and being surrounded in love and friendship (thanks Gus & Oliver!) For me, that was a perfect LOVE-filled day.

Comment your ideal Valentine’s Day story…

Wishing all of you a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

xo, Liv

How To… Stay Stylish on Valentine’s Day

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

 

 

Hey everyone! With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’m sure that many of you are currently making plans to celebrate. I have put together a look-book with a variety of outfits, perfect for any Valentine’s Day activity! So whether you want to look good for bæ or just for yourself (wear whatever makes you happy), read on for more!

Outfit #1: Preppy

I absolutely love this look! It’s super cute, sporty, and fresh. I’m wearing a button down collared shirt and layered my fave sequined “I Love…” sweater from H&M on top. I cuffed my jeans and paired them with my white high top Converse. Finally, I completed the look with a quilted black vest and a big red bow! This look would be perfect for a walk or a picnic in the park.

Outfit #2: Sophisticated

For those of you planning on having a more sophisticated night, this outfit will do the trick! I paired my red American Eagle sweater with a black lace skirt and opaque tights, along with my J. Crew heels from a local shop. I’m wearing my hair in a bun à la Lauren Conrad and went with a red lip to tie the look together. This outfit would be the perfect option for a V-day party at a friends!

Outfit #3: Dressy

Out to dinner? Try a little black dress. It’s a staple in every girl’s wardrobe because of its versatility. You can dress it up or down depending on the occasion. I chose to do the former by adding a pink statement necklace, gold dangles, and my favorite clutch. On my feet, I opted for my black booties because they add a bit of edge to the look.

Outfit #4: Casual

There’s nothing wrong with going casual for Valentine’s Day. In this outfit, I paired my ruffled chambray shirt and red jeans together. While I originally had my tan booties on, I swapped them out with my black rain boots once I got to the beach. This outfit is ideal for brunch or an afternoon lunch date!

Outfit #5: Flirty

I must admit – I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the classic glam look. I attempted to emulate the era with my 1940s style dress and pearl earrings. At the same time, I gave the classic look a modern twist with my black wedge booties (featured in my January favorites post). To complete the outfit, I put my hair in a low braided chignon and added a gold Alex & Ani bangle. This look demands to be out dancing (bonus points for swing dancing to experience the full effect!)

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Be sure to leave a comment!

Until next week!

xo, Liv

How To… Enjoy Valentine’s Day!

~ ogaidry ~ 5 Comments

Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14th. To help you celebrate (or survive it), I’ll be sharing a few posts filled with ideas and perhaps…inspiration, leading up to the love-filled day! Enjoy the first post in this V-day series, and be on the lookout for more soon!

What to do when you’re single:
Decide to do something special for yourself on that day, and you might even look forward to it.

– Buy yourself chocolates

 

-Send yourself flowers…”For me, from me”  😘

-Get dressed up for YOU or treat yourself to shoppingIMG_0583

-Babysit for a couple who may need a night out. What better way to help someone else celebrate too. You can play and laugh yourself silly!IMG_0576

-Deliver valentines…Can you think of anyone who might need a special sign of love and affection right now?IMG_0578

-Fondue…Dip strawberries in chocolate…yum!
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-Netflix and Ice Cream IMG_0590

-Create a playlist and listen to your favorite Valentine’s songs
Here are a few of my favorite love songs:

  • Like Real People Do by Hozier
  • Xo by John Mayer
  • Come to Me by The Goo Goo Dolls
  • I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
  • Love on Top by Beyoncé

Other suggestions…

  • Get together with friends for dinner or meet for coffee/tea
  • Pretend it’s a normal day (though it might be difficult with hearts, flowers and starry-eyed couples everywhere you look)

The point is…be good to yourself and you’ll enjoy the day!

xo, Liv

*Special thanks to The Chocolate Shell (Old Lyme), MAR Floral & Botanicals (Old Saybrook) and Fantasia Consignments (Old Saybrook)…SHOP LOCAL BUSINESSES!

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My January Favorites

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

As the first month of 2016 comes to a close, I am excited to share with you a few of my favorite things from this month…

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All words and opinions are my own.

Hair

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  • Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream

This stuff is absolutely incredible. It softens my hair, keeps it in place, and makes it smell like coconuts!

Body/Skincare

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  • Almond Oil Sugar Scrub

This sweet almond oil sugar scrub uses almond oil, sugar, & vitamin E to exfoliate and soften my skin. It’s a great pick me up in the shower and smells AMAZING!

  • Bath & Body Works True Blue Naked Body Mist

This mist is “the beach in a bottle”. It’s a very clean scent without being overpowering.

Makeup

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  • E.L.F. studio cream eyeliner

High-end quality, drugstore price. What more could a girl ask for?

  • E.L.F. lipgloss

These bad boys add a little sparkle to any lip!

  • Bare Minerals Lipstick

This stuff is a lip balm, lipstick, and lipgloss all in one! Plus all of my makeup favorites are cruelty free, so no furry friends were harmed at the expense of achieving the perfect look!

Nails

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  • Essie “Ballet Slippers”

If you’re looking for the perfect everyday nail color, look no further! Ballet Slippers is a sheer pale pink that’s always on point(e)!

Fashion

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  • Black H&M  boot wedges

Effortlessly chic, these faux-suede wedges add a little lift to any ensemble!

TV Show

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  • Switched at Birth

I am literally OBSESSED with this show. It’s so enticing, fast-paced, and, as an added bonus, I’ve even learned a few phrases in American Sign Language! I would definitely recommend checking it out on Netflix!

Music

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  • Know-It-All

Alessia Cara just dropped a fresh new album and with every song I fall more in love with her voice. Know-It-All is the perfect blend of R&B and pop; with captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics, it’s easy to see why Cara is a breakout artist.

I’d love to hear from you! Please share some of your own personal favorites by leaving a comment!

xo, Liv

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How To… Have Fun in The Snow

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Thank you Mother Nature! Snow is finally on the ground and it looks like winter! I’ve decided to take full advantage of this beautiful weather and you can too! Here are some ways to have fun in the snow…

  1. Have a snowball fight – get a bunch of your friends together, make teams, and have at it!
  2. Make a snowman – Do you want to build a snowman? Despite the overplayed Frozen song, building a snowman is so much fun to do and an awesome way to unleash your creativity!
  3. Make snow angels – if you’re willing to get a little cold, snow angels are a lot of fun to do, especially if the snow is fresh and soft!
  4. Go cross-country skiing – I did this with my girl scout troop many years ago and had a blast! Cross country skiing is a great alternative for people who are a little hesitant to ski down steep slopes but still love to take in the winter scenery.
  5. Build a snow fort – unleash the inner child inside of you and make your own epic igloo!
  6. Sledding – find a hill close to you & go for it! (side note: know how to steer so you don’t crash into any trees!)
  7. Have a photo shoot – these are fun at any time of the year, but in the winter especially the snow makes for a gorgeous backdrop!

Happy winter everyone!

xo, Liv

P.S. Photo credits to my extremely talented friend Alex!