I'm Moving!!

Hello readers! I just wanted to let anyone who reads my blog to know that I made the switch to Wordpress and a new domain! 

I did a lot of research and decided that if I wanted to make blogging more than a hobby, I would have to make this switch. So...I purchased a new domain and set myself up with Bluehost. All of my posts are still there, and nothing else is really changing!

My new domain is simply www.carolinevsworld.com for anyone who wants to keep up with my posts! But since I will not be posting on this specific blog anymore, I would suggest you unfollow it.

Plus, you can still follow my new and improved Instagram to keep up with my posts!! 

So long Blogger! Thanks for reading! I hope you continue to do so!

xoxo, Caroline 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

It snowed for the first time yesterday!! I'm a big snow lover until February, March, and even April roll around and there is still gross, slushy snow everywhere. Anyway, I think the first snow fall is always one of the prettiest, so I of course went out to shoot this morning.

Does it snow where you live? 

ALSO: follow my new and improved INSTAGRAM !!

xoxo

Plaid for the Holidays - Look #2

I'm in LOVE with red plaid for the holidays. This look gives a twist on the classic red plaid skirt or dress by making it a two piece set. This along with the thigh high socks and bold boots makes an edgy statement for any holiday party. The gold jewelry plus the black bow for the hair brings back the class for a perfect combination. 

I would wear something like this on a Christmas Eve or Christmas night gathering. 

Plaid set // Socks // Boots // Bag // Earrings // Necklace // Bangle // +any black ribbon

Also…it snowed for the first time this season!! Don't get me wrong, I love snow until New Years passes. Plus, the first snow is always the prettiest. (I shot today, so stay tuned for a post with my pictures.) When I woke up to the snow this morning, it put me right in the Christmas mood, so Michael Buble's Christmas album is definitely on repeat right now.

Let me know what you think!!
Follow me on Instagram!!

Holiday Look #1

With Thanksgiving (and Christmas) coming up, I figure I'll be going to many holiday parties and get togethers, which means I'll need to put together some perfect holiday outfits. I'm sure many of you will have to do the same.

So here is the first installment of my suggested holiday looks, with pieces that your can (hopefully) recreate. Otherwise, the links to all of the pieces are linked!

This look would be for a generally fancy gathering such as a classy Christmas party or Thanksgiving dinner. (My family dresses up hard core for Thanksgiving) The black pieces plus the pop of red in the bag are the perfect colors for the holidays. 

Sweater Dress (any black sweater dress can work)  // Stockings // Boots // Necklace // Earrings // Bag

Let me know what you think! I love reading your comments!

The Perfect Sad Playlist

Every couple weeks or so, I have the urge to just lay in bed and have a good and healthy cry on a rainy day.  I may not even be particularly sad, but it's nice to get those tears out every once in a while. I've formulated a playlist with the saddest songs out there. If you're like me and like to have a good cry sometimes, I would highly recommend it. 

Any songs guaranteed to make you cry? Let me know! I'm always looking to add to my playlists!

You can also find this playlist on my Spotify. Follow me @carolinekoehn06 !! I have some other upbeat and fun playlists on there also!

Monday Motivation

This previous weekend, I attended a religious retreat with many people in my grade in preparation for my upcoming Confirmation. Even though I left the retreat with a better understanding of my faith, I also left with ways to deal with the craziness of the world and life. One huge aspect of this understanding was the importance of gratitude, and it really stuck with me. 

Today it struck me that I have exactly one month until semester one exams. This fact along with the other responsibilities on my mind shocked and stressed me. I have to apply for a job, shop for the holidays, finish homework, paper, and projects.. etc, etc, etc. I'm sure many of you can relate. 

As life continues to grow more stressful and busy, it becomes common to focus on the stress rather than ways to relieve it. Instead of being grateful for the exceptional education that I receive, I grow to resent it. I shy away from my family and retire to my room as soon as I get home from school in order to work on whatever I need to get done. This routine becomes an endless cycle, and I recognize it but never change my ways. 

However, on this retreat it suddenly occurred to me that I only have a year and a half left of high school.  A year and a half until I move away to college. A year and a half until I will not see my family and friends on a daily basis. Instead of focusing on just myself, I should take time to sit back and realize all of the blessings in my life. 

We were told to write two or more letters of gratitude to important people in our lives. My first instinct was to write letters to my parents, and I did, but my mind suddenly gave me an endless list of people who I should be grateful for. My friends who help me through everything, my swim coach, my teachers, and my little siblings were just some examples. I could have written these letters forever. 

The feeling of completing a letter and imagining the response of the receiver is insanely satisfying. 

So, what's the point of this post? I could have just written this in my journal and kept it to myself. But no, I want to challenge anyone reading this to wake up every morning or go to sleep and think of on person or thing that they are grateful for. I promise you, it makes your day a little bit brighter, and a little less stressful. Once you recognize a certain blessing in your life, the rest of life seems a little more bearable. 

One more thing. One day soon, write a letter or someone who you are grateful for. I promise the feeling you get from writing it, and the receivers excitement they get from reading it makes it completely worth it. 

xoxo

A Trip Downtown

Inspired by Macklemore's new song "Downtown," (actually don't like that song too much lol) my mom, sister, and I took a trip to downtown Milwaukee which is about 30 minutes away from my house. 

The day was full of window shopping and walking through the public market, so I would say it was a successful girls' day. 

I bought some really cute winter tops here! 

In LOVE with the Milwaukee Public Market!

Cute display at West Elm!

Love this hidden mural at Collectivo Coffee. Their coffee is also to die for!

What's your favorite thing to do with your mom or sisters? 

My Halloween Costume!

I had such a relaxing, but fun Halloween! I was also so proud of my costume!

My friend and I spend about an hour perfecting this makeup to be the barfing rainbow face on Snapchat. 

We created this look by using a white liner under the eyes with some black liner on top of that, rainbow face paint, and lots and lots of blush. We were really proud of the result.

What did you dress up as for Halloween?

The Liebster Award!

I've been (surprisingly) nominated for the Liebster Award! Thank you so much to the beautiful Kay AND Raashi for the nominations. Check out their flawless blogs Shoes and Glitter and Raashi's blog. I love this idea of getting exposed to newer blogs, as I'm still pretty new to the blogging world myself. 

Here are the rules for my nominees:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and comment on their blog
2. Include a link to their blog
3. Nominate 10 bloggers that you think deserve the award, and notify them
4. Answer the 10 questions you are given, and give 10 more for the bloggers you nominate to answer
5. Make a copy of the rules in your post

Here are Kay's questions for me:

1. Why did you decide to start your blog?

I started my blog honestly because I thought it would be fun! I also wanted to get more exposure to the online writing world since I hope to be a journalist when I'm older. I figured I might as well get started early! I'm not sure why, but the idea of sharing my life along with my beauty, fashion, and lifestyle tips seems so fun! 

2. What is the main thing you love about blogging?

The new, awesome people that I get to communicate and collaborate with. 

3. Is there anything you dislike about blogging?

Sometimes, it takes a lot of motivation to take and edit pictures and create posts, but I always manage to do it!!

4. What is the worst beauty product you've ever used?

Neutrogena Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads. I usually love Neutrogena products but these pads just dried out my skin too much, even when I used moisturizer after using. 

5. What is your favourite perfume?

Love Sweet Love by philosophy. (Can't live without it)

6. What is the one beauty product you couldn't live without?

I simply could not live without my Redken Curvaceous Shampoo and Conditioner. (does that count as a beauty product? lol) I would recommend this to anyone with naturally curly hair. It does miracles.  

7. Tea or coffee? What are your favorites?

COFFEE. (School would not happen without it) I'm a big fan of mochas- peppermint mochas during the winter, then the switch to mocha frappuccinos during the summer. Call me basic, but in the fall, I'm a sucker for Pumpkin Spice Lattes…

8. Do you have a quote, or an idea that you live by? If so, what is it?

Yes. "Be your own kind of beautiful". I try to live by this everyday. :)

9. What would be your dream job?

Working as a writer/content creator for Buzzfeed, stationed in New York. 

10. If you won the lottery, what would be your very first purchase?

Lots and lots and lots of new clothes. 

Here are the questions for nominees: 

1. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

2. What is the best gift you've ever received?

3. Who is your favorite Disney princess?

4. Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?

5. Any unique/unordinary talents or quirks?

6. Best date you've ever been on (with a boy OR a friend!)

7. What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

8. Favorite song currently?

9. Favorite song of all time? 

10. Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? 

And (finally) here are my nominations (and some blogs that I love)!

1. Trishna at Tips Capsule

2. Laura at Laura Macij 

3. Suvarna at Suvarna Gold  

4. Louise at Modern Girl 

5. Carol at Carol in a Page

 6. Sofia at Blog with Sofia

7. Miheala at M Fashion Freak 

8. Sine at Mind the Gap

9. Sara at State of Mind

10. Mira at 113 Things to Say

I can't wait to get to know more about you all!

xoxo

3 Fall Makeup Trends I'm Loving

As I've been scrolling through my Instagram feed the past couple days, a couple of trends have really stood out and I've been wanting to try them myself. 

1. Bronze Shadow

via

I've been seeing the coppery eye shadow everywhere, and I absolutely love it! The look screams fall, and it allows eye colors like green and brown to really pop. 

2. Berry Lips 

via Instagram @angexla

via Instagram @acaciabrinley 

3. Bold Brows  

via Instagram @vegas_nay

The combination of these trends gives you flawless fall looks like these: 

 via Instagram @griffinarnlund

via Instagram @acaciabrinley

What are your favorite fall trends?

DIY Audrey Hepburn Costume

With Halloween coming up, I figured I would give some suggestions for some cheap and almost effortless costumes. Last year, I needed to come up with a costume on very short notice, and the idea of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's came to mind. It worked out way better than I expected and I was very happy with the end product.

What You'll Need: 

1. A little black dress

2. PEARLS

3. Long, black gloves

4. A tiara

5. Cat eye sunglasses (LOVE these ones)

6. BIG diamond earrings (a girl's best friend)

7. Some cat eye liner and a little red lip color

8. A sophisticated bun with bobby pins to hold the tiara

9. Pair it with simple black heels

What's the best last-minute costume that you've come up with? 

Homecoming Take 2

Since I go to an all-girls school, we usually ask boys from the all-boys school nearby to our homecoming. The unspoken rule is that they have to ask us back to theirs. So last weekend I got to go to another homecoming dance! I had another amazing time! 

My dress was actually borrowed from a family friend, but it's from French Connection.

Other getting-ready essentials. perfume (my favorite) // bag // watch // shoes 

Have a good weekend everyone!

20 Things To Do in October

Even though we're 6 days in… here's a list of things I think will make October a little more fun!

1. Go to a pumpkin patch and pick pumpkins
2. Carve those pumpkins! [find some ideas here]
3. Go on a hayride
4. Drink some apple cider
5. Go to a haunted house/corn maze
6. Find a costume for Halloween [stay tuned for ideas]
7. Buy some new sweaters or fall clothes [some options here]
8. Eat lots of pumpkin flavored things!
9. Roast pumpkin seeds
10. Host a scary movie marathon
11. Make a leaf pile and jump in it
12. Buy some scented candles
13. Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows
14. Eat some candy corn
15. Make an apple pie or pumpkin pie 
16. Decorate your yard or house for trick or treaters
17. Attend a costume party
18. Have an autumn photo shoot with your friends
19. Order a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks
20. Go trick or treating! [as long as you're in consume, who cares how old you are!]

Sweater Weather Must-Haves

This week had been noticably more brisk and chilly. The feeling of fall is finally in the air. As I was walking outside yesterday, my mind went to my desperate need for some new sweaters to go along with the change in weather. Here is what I found: //cover image sweater//

#1 // #2 // #3

#4 // #5 // #6 

#7 // #8 // #9 

(I added some short-sleeved ones for those of you that might live in warmer places!) 

Which one's your favorite? (I like #4 and #6!)

Travels: Yachats, Oregon

This spring, my family and I got the amazing opportunity to road trip from Portland, Oregon to San Diego, California mostly along Highway 1 on the West Coast. The most beautiful place our travels brought us to was the small town of Yachats, Oregon. 

This was the view from our hotel room. (The pictures don't do it justice) I took these photos the night that we got there and the next morning. 

The rocks were so fun to walk all over and try not to be splashed by the crashing waves. 

Here's a photo I captured of my brother. 

The whole experience from getting into town and driving out was extraordinary and I would have done anything for one more day there just to watch the waves. 

Where's the most beautiful place you've ever been? 

Homecoming 2015

Homecoming was a blast! I had an amazing time with my best friends and my awesome date/best friend. Even thought the DJ was no less than 40 years old and didn't play Trap Queen (my jam), I still didn't fail to go crazy on the dance floor. I'm so happy with some of the pictures that I got, and I can't wait for another homecoming next weekend!!

Here are some of my favorite pics:
{dress // necklace // earrings}

Back to school tomorrow! Hope everyone had a good weekend!

The Perfect Homecoming Step 2: The Dress

When it comes to homecoming, searching for the perfect dress is (in my opinion) the best part! Also, once you find the perfect one, it's exciting and fun to look for accessories and shoes to go with it. 

I am always in favor for getting a new dress for every occasion, and my mom loves looking for them (probably more than me). 

Here are some looks from past years:

 Freshman Year *cringe*

Ignore my braces and awkward pose, but this is one of my favorite dresses I've ever worn. From Nordstrom , I paired this dress with simple black heels and a simple silver bracelet. I didn't feel I needed that much jewelry since the embellishment  on the dress made up for it.

Dress (similar) / Shoes 

Sophomore Year (Look at that transformation)

This is another one of m favorite dresses from H&M. Paired with an turquoise statement necklace and matching earrings from Kate Spade and Mary Jane style black heels.  Finished with a beauty queen inspired hair style with larger curls.

Dress (similar) / Earrings / Shoes (similar) / Necklace (similar)


My dress for this year is a secret for now, but homecoming is in two days, so I'm all set.

The places that I get a majority of my dresses includes Nordstrom, ASOS, Tobi, H&M, Windsor, and Forever 21. Since my school's homecoming is a little more casual, the dresses are a little less formal than other schools may be used to.

When it comes to finding the perfect dress I have 2 simple guidelines:

1. Please PLEASE no fru fru dresses: You know what I mean…(HUGE skirts made of neon colors and fake embellishments all over) Not only are these dresses the opposite of class, but also when you look back at your homecoming pictures when you're 30, this is not what you're going to want to see. If your school is more fancy or formal, choose a dress with more elegance rather than the neon colors and cupcake skirts.

2. Wear something you'll love and that you're comfortable in. Don't let what your friends wear  sway your decision on an dress or overall look. If you like the way it looks on you and you feel confident in it, go for it!! 

The Perfect Homecoming Step 1: The Date

Homecoming /noun/: an overrated event in which one couple spends weeks in preparation spending much too much money on the perfect dress, accessories, and shoes, crying over trying to find a date, blowing tons of money on a nice dinner, only to jump around in a sweaty gym with lots and lots of freshmen...

As the first few weeks of Junior Year fly by, it seems like I am constantly faced with questions about homecoming this Saturday the 26th. Who are you taking? (I go to an all-girls private school in Milwaukee, and our homecoming is before the all-boys school close by, so us girls must always ask first.) What does your dress look like? How are you doing your hair? Where are you going for dinner?

The first part of the crazy mess that is homecoming is the date. There are lots of criteria when it comes to the perfect date, so here are some tips to make sure you make the right choice:

1. Try to go with someone you are close to. This way, you can have a good time and be comfortable with them. You do not want to be stuck with a date you barely know and have to worry the whole time if they're having a good time. 

2. If you can't find the perfect guy, go with a group of friends! Although I've never done this myself, I can promise that going with a group of your closest friends rather than some random guy is undoubtedly more fun and stress-free. Buy each other flowers and take lots of pictures!

{Side note: if you are a girl at a co-ed school DO NOT think it's weird to ask a guy! It's not as terrifying as it seems, I promise. If you want to go with someone, just go for it!)

3. Figure out a cute way to ask them! When in  doubt, go with food! Try to make a funny pun out of it somehow involving the word homecoming. Here are some ideas (although they are slightly overused)

• I donut want to go to homecoming without you!
• I know this is cheesy, but will you go to homecoming with me? (use pizza or cheese if you want lol)
• It'd be sweet to go to homecoming with you! (use any sort of sweet treat!)
• I'm just gonna wing it…hoco? (use chicken wings) 

This year, I decided to ask one of my closest guy friends. Here is how I asked him: 

And (luckily) he said YES