[pacificandjune]

We’re going a little crazy for autumn’s patron print right now... pajamas // blazer // flannel scarf // shirtdress // tennies // handbag skirt // oversized tartan scarf

[pacificandjune]

A little announcement

Hey guys! Tay and I are super excited about some blog stuff we have coming out, which is why we thought it would be a good time to let you all know that our names are actually Yasi and Lexi. We've been using middle names up until this point for privacy purposes but because of some stuff we have in the works we figured it would just be easier to use first names. Can't wait for you all to see what we have in store! xoxo, Yasi "I almost signed that Kate again"

[pacificandjune]

How to plan the perfect trip

Tay and I are getting ready for a super exciting trip that is now less than 3 weeks away!!! As such, I thought it would be a good time to share our tips for planning an amazing vacation. 1. Sign up for flight price notifications in advance. Websites like expedia and skyscanner will send you notifications every time the price of a flight you've been eying drops. Join their email list so you get updates on flights without having to check a million websites every day. 2. Be flexible with your travel dates. Sometimes 1 or 2 days makes a difference of several hundred dollars. Be willing to leave on a Tuesday at 4 am or midnight on a Sunday and you'll get better airfare. 3. Know when to book a hotel and when to go with airbnb. You can find some incredible deals on airbnb, especially in notoriously expensive cities like Paris and London. There are a lot of places in Europe (and around the world) that have hotel deals that are actually better- you can stay in 5 star hotels for less than $80 a night, so split with another person and you're paying the same price as you would at a lot of hostels. 4. Don't trust Yelp and your 20 year old travel guide.  Consulting food and lifestyle blogs written by locals is a great way to see the city like a local. Do exhaustive research on restaurants beforehand. Who's writing the reviews? Is it tourists or natives? Don't just take pictures in front of every tourist site- try to find local spots that are known for their incredible view or amazing collection of ceramics. 5. Don't make an itinerary, make your own guide. Research the opening times, prices, reservation system, etc. of all the places you really want to go, then mix and match as you see fit. This way you can stop and explore random side streets, antique stores, cheese shops, and whatever else you see along the way without missing your 'must do' list. 6. Travel during the off season. Flights (above the equator) between October and April are about half of what they are during the summer months. Yes, August is a convenient time for a family vacation, but it often means that a) the city will be all tourists and b) you'll be paying a premium. 7. Make a list of all the trips you want to do and create a realistic budget. This is a great way to help you save for travel with a specific goal in mind. Do you know that you really want to go to Morocco next summer? Set a loose budget and start saving now! Be realistic, though- don't convince yourself that you'll get a flight for $500, you'll survive on $20 a day, and the exchange rate will change drastically to favor the dollar. And here are some of my favorite sites to help you in your trip planning. Happy traveling! NY Times 36 Hours- A careful curated selection of activities and restaurants in (basically) every city. Time Out- Great resource for everything from museums and attractions to shows and restaurants. Skyscanner- Perfect for finding the lowest airfare possible. STA Travel- Great student travel resource. Rome2Rio- Compares different methods of travel to find the fastest and cheapest route. xoxo, Kate "Got all my travel plans figured out for the next 27 years"

[pacificandjune]

Do's and Dont's of studying abroad

Today is my 7th week abroad, which means I'm about halfway through my abroad program. I just got back from an incredible trip through Galicia (photos below!) and am trying to get through a million homework assignments before tomorrow. Although the halfway point is a little bittersweet, I have an incredible, 10-day trip booked at the end of my stay, a trip to Rome and possibly a trip to Berlin, so I'm so excited about the rest of the semester. I'm also feeling a little better adjusted now, so I thought I'd share some of the things you absolutely must do (and not do) before/during/after studying abroad.

what I'm wearing:

sweater // jeans // boots 

jacket // earrings

under the monochromatic rain gear:

sweater (old, similar here) // sneakers

jeans // earrings

1. DO study up on slang, holidays, and customs.  There are books specifically meant for foreigners that explain the customs of the country in which you'll be studying and I'd highly recommend getting one. In Spain, for example, the schedule is completely different from what we're used to in the U.S. People greet each other differently, family structures are different, shops close in the middle of the day for siesta- basically a lot of things that caught me off guard when I first arrived. Read up before hand so you don't experience too much of  culture shock. 2. DON'T be afraid of making errors. Admittedly, there are some people who will give you weird looks for using the wrong verb tense or who will roll their eyes while you struggle to convey a thought. Ignore them- they're just being rude and inconsiderate. Try your absolute best to speak the language and conform to local customs, but if you mix up similar verbs or mispronounce some complicated item on a menu, it's ok. Do you get annoyed every time a traveler visiting your home city misuses a word? No? Well then it's probably not the end of the world if you do the same. 3. DO bring your own peanut butter and granola bars. Ok, a little silly, but hear me out on this one. I love trying new foods and being in a country where daily trips to cafes and tapas bars are the norm is amazing (not so much for my arteries, but they'll survive). That being said, traveling on weekends is exhausting and sometimes I just need a protein bar while I run through the airport. As much as I love patatas bravas, sometimes I'd rather have an apple with peanut butter or a salad. Some items (like nut butters and granola bars) are not only super hard to find in a lot of foreign countries, but they're really expensive. You may have better luck in bigger/more health-conscious cities, but stock up and bring your own for the semester because you will want them. 4. DON'T just do what you do at home. I know so many people who go abroad with practically their entire sorority/fraternity and spend the whole time throwing up letters in touristy spots without ever trying to speak another language, talk to a local, celebrate a holiday, etc. At that point you might as well have stayed in the U.S., so actively try to immerse yourself in the culture and step outside your comfort zone! 5. DO give yourself some breaks.  Stay in one night and watch Harry Potter with a tube of oreos. I know I just said not to do what you do at home, but being outside your comfort zone 24/7 is exhausting! I'm living with a host family, taking all my classes in Spanish at the local university, ordering my daily coffee in a different language, conforming to a schedule that's totally different from what I'm used to, and eating foods completely different than what I usually have. I have to be 'on' from the time I wake up every morning until the time I go into my room to sleep, and that's a lot. Go ahead and cut yourself some slack every once in a while- hole up and give yourself a taste of home. 6. DO enjoy every minute of it! Studying abroad has ups and downs- sometimes you'll be looking around and thinking "How amazing is this?! I'm basically on a 4 month long vacation! I'm so ~cultured~ and sophisticated." Other times you'll be sitting in the library asking for a book on the economic requirements for entry into the European Union and trying to finish an 8 page paper on a novel by Miguel de Unamuno before you head home to a dinner that is so awful you'll have to pretend to eat and then have rice cakes in your room and you'll think "My life 100000000x worse than it would be if I was just back in the U.S. right now." Even so, living and studying abroad is an amazing experience and one that not many people have. Take everything in stride and remember that not everyone's entire abroad experience is "perfect", despite what their Facebook albums suggest. xoxo, Kate "Is it acceptable to go to bed at 8:30?"

[pacificandjune]

Fall Beauty Favorites

Hello lovelies, As much as I love the cooler temperatures and the cozy sweaters that come with them, the change in season means a complete overhaul on my everyday beauty routine. I barely wear makeup in the summer because I feel like it just melts off my face anyway, but fall brings a new challenge- dry skin and flaky makeup. Here are my 6 top picks for the perfect, everyday fall beauty routine.

 1. AmorePacific Enzyme Peel Dry skin means two things: flaky makeup and clogged pores. With skin that's already sensitive from the wind and the cold, traditional scrubs can just make the situation worse. I've been obsessed with this peel since I tried it in Sephora at the beginning of the summer. It does an amazing job at exfoliating without being as harsh on your skin.

2. Eminence Organics Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer I have suuuuper dry skin and tend to have normal breakouts which are exacerbated by the dry skin, but I've had a hard time finding a moisturizer that keeps my skin hydrated without clogging my pores more. When I'm in LA, I go to FaceHaus in Studio city regularly for facials, and my esthetician there introduced me to this moisturizer- total game changer. It smells amazing, really hydrates my skin, and has a probiotic to help control breakouts and balance my skin's bacteria. (bonus: it's all natural/organic!)

3. Clinique Chubby Stick Contour/Highlight I hate the feeling of heavy makeup on my face, but once the glow of summer starts to fade I feel a washed out. These chubby sticks are perfect for adding a super subtle contour that adds a little dimension to your face without feeling heavy, requiring a lot of time or makeup expertise, or completely altering the way you look.

4. Tarte Cheek Stain in Glisten Oh. My. God. This is hands down my favorite beauty product in my bag and has been since July which is saying a lot- I tend switch beauty products faster than I finish seasons of Gilmore Girls on netflix. Although it's officially a cheek stain, this is sort of an all-in-one. Dab a little on your cheeks and blend for a 'just got in from the cold' glow, then use your finger to apply as highlighter on your cheekbones and even as a base eyeshadow color (bonus: it makes the eyeshadows you layer on top last longer).

5. Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara I've tried a lot of mascaras, and as much as I love the Maybelline's Great Lash and Benefit's Bad Gal, this stuff takes the cake. Admittedly I have pretty long lashes on my own, but this legitimately makes me look like I'm wearing falsies. Since I hate having a complicated makeup routine, this is great- with a few swoops of this mascara and some lip color, I feel like I'm ready to go.

6. Clinique Chubby Stick in Broadest Berry Can you tell I'm a fan of chubby sticks? They're just so convenient and come in great colors so I can't help it. They have darling brights for spring and summer, but this berry shade is perfect for fall. They're also moisturizing and you can build as much or as little coverage as you want, making it perfect for anything for a quick run to the grocery store to your best friend's annual autumn party (which I really hope is a thing someone's best friend does). xoxo, Kate "This might have lead to me adding $800 worth of products to my Sephora basket"

[pacificandjune]

Everyday fall fashion

Although I'm not sure what the weather is like in the U.S., I think it's safe to say that autumn has arrived here in Salamanca. As much as I love summer, there's nothing quite like a cup of hot cider and a cozy sweater. Come fall, I like to keep things simple- a put-together looking but simple makeup routine, a few key pieces of brushed gold or rose gold jewelry, a splash of perfume (especially now that the weather is more favorable toward our, ehem, natural scents), and lots of texture-rich pieces in warm, autumnal colors. I know after that schpiel you're probably thinking that I need to get a pumpkin spice latte and retreat to an apple orchard with my fellow fall-lovers, but I really do think there's a lot to be enjoyed this season! So go ahead, peruse my everyday fall staples while binge-watching netflix and enjoying a cup of tea.

gold hoops // tory burch cross body

miss dior perfume // tippi sweater // excursion vest

barbour jacket // bangle // chelsea boots

xoxo,

Kate "But in reality I'll probably be in sweats 90% of the time"

[pacificandjune]

Travels, etc.

Hola, chicos! After a two week long intensive course, 12 days traveling through the center and south of Spain, and 4 official days of classes, I finally have a free moment/charged computer/wifi! As such, I thought I'd share a little bit about my trip. We went to a million places- Ávila, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla, Mérida, and some tiny towns I don't even know the name of. There's so much to say that I'm going to keep it to a minimum and just share with you some of my favorites. MADRID see: Guernica at the Museo Reina Sofia; Museo del Prado; Parque del Retiro; Palacio Real buy: Something Real Madrid eat: Mercado de San Miguel for tapas; Fit Food for a healthy pick-me-up

an actual candid as you can tell from my super cute expression!!!! outfit details: jacket // blouse (old, similar here) // jeans // sneakers // umbrella // bag (old, similar here)

CÓRDOBA see: The mezquita (officially called the cathedral); Barrio Judeo buy: Prints to frame; tapestries eat: Taberna Casa Salinas pro tip: try Andalucían specialties including berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant with molasses), pescado frito (fried fish), flamenquín (fried meat roll thing), queso de cabra con miel (goat cheese with honey), and pisto con huevo (vegetables with olive oil and an egg), but don't let it fool you- there's tons of fresh food here and most meals don't consist of tons of fried food. Stick to one per meal and you'll be fine.

GRANADA see: The Alhambra; the open-air mercados; hike up the hill to the bars overlooking the Alhambra buy: A legit henna tattoo eat: Restaurante Sevilla; almost any Arabic restaurant pro tip: You get a free tapa with drinks!

SEVILLA see: Plaza de España; a flamenco show buy: A ride on a horse carriage; a 30 minute session on the row boats in the Plaza; a flamenco lesson eat: Restaurante Modesto I'm off again but can't wait to write more about my travels! xoxo, Kate "Averaging 28,000 steps a day it's cool"

[pacificandjune]

On Being Abroad: 2 Week Reflections

Ok, so really it's two weeks and a few days, but both my computer access and wifi have been spotty at best so we're just going to call it two weeks. Tomorrow I'm headed off on the first of several trips with my program, so I thought I'd take a little bit of time to reflect and share a bit of my abroad experience with you! I'm currently studying at the University of Salamanca (the third oldest university in the world, which is pretty rad) and am participating in a full-immersion program. They take that promise very seriously- since I stepped off the plane, it's been all Spanish all the time. I'm living with a host family which certainly has it's ups and downs and all of my classes are in Spanish which can be remarkably challenging, but I've also learned a lot about the culture. Some of the things that stand out to me the most? 1. We (collectively as Americans) are really f*ing nice all the time. Have you ever noticed how much we apologize when someone else bumps into us and we thank our waiter every single time they top off our water glass? Yeah, that doesn't happen here. The other day, my host mother held up a pleather, bedazzled purse that I personally thought was hideous and asked me, "What do you think?" I, like many Americans, would rather meet the same fate as that guy whose helmet broke in Gravity or be forced to live out my days as a Nickleback groupie than tell someone directly that I don't like their bag, I gushed about how lovely it was and how well it would go with her cardigan. She agreed and went so far as to tell me how much nicer it was than any of my purses. #cool 2. Apparently no one in the world else understands the art of subtlety.  Ok, so the Brits do it even better than us, but no one understands the eye roll, the side-eye, the exasperated sigh, the tight-lipped nod, or any other social cue that is widely accepted as a form of communication in the United States. Trying to get somewhere in a hurry? No matter how much you stomp/huff/puff/cough, no one is going to move out of the way for you. My host mother is a genuinely horrendous cook, so I started buying my own cereal and leaving everything she made me on my plate, assuming she would eventually pick up on the fact that I hate 90% of the things she puts in front of me without me having to tell her that directly. The other day, she accused me of having an eating disorder because apparently that is the only explanation for me eating 3 bowls of Special K with berries (#NoKashiStruggle) and then not eating anything else for the rest of the day. 3. The U.S. is remarkable wasteful. The average person here lives with far, far less than most people in the U.S. could even fathom. Our entire apartment is about the size of my 6-person dorm suite last year, I shit you not. In fact, my room here is significantly smaller than any dorm I've ever had. People take shorter showers, electricity is on a timer, and there isn't much new construction happening. 4. The U.S. is also really f*ing expensive.  I went to a restaurant the other day and got a piece of Spanish tortilla (an egg and potato frittata sort of thing) and cafe con leche for $2.25 (after conversion). Do you know what I could get in the U.S. for $2.25? Like 1/4 of a stale bagel from Starbucks or a pack of gum. Here I got a MEAL. Right now there's an enormous festival going on, so 2 euros will get you beer or wine and a tapa at most of the restaurants in town. Yes, the dollar is slightly weaker than the euro, but the prices here more than make up for it. 5. Personal space? Who needs that? LOL JK I DO. Seriously, you might be one of two people on a beautiful, wide sidewalk and that one other person will walk right. next. to. you. My host mom opens the door without knocking ever and has walked in on me multiple times while changing. Personal space is just not a concept that exists here and it's killing me. 6. We get to cut ourselves a little bit of slack for not knowing more about the world.  People love telling Americans how ignorant they are, yet the vast majority of people I've met in Spain are far more ignorant about anything concerning the United States. My host mother was INSISTENT that I lived through Hurricane Katrina because I'm from California and that Ohio and Florida have the most expensive real estate in the country. According to her, we're also suffering an attack of bird-sized bees. Other things I've heard? There's a ditch along the border of California so anyone trying to illegally enter the country will fall into it, Texas fought for their own independence during the Revolutionary War, and we eat corn for breakfast! Also, all the clothes/stores are branded with English words that are either a) completely out of context or b) just poorly translated. There's a store that's just called "Very Nice" and another called "Pull & Bear", and if I had a dollar for every person I've seen in a t-shirt that says something like 'Sunset Boulevard' or 'State of Rhode Island' I could drop out of school to travel full time. Also, I'm pretty sure people accept Google translate as gospel here. Need evidence?

If you couldn't tell, there are quite a few things I miss about the United States. Whole Foods, people understanding what a vegetarian is, peanut butter, not having random people breathe down my neck while waiting to cross the street. Even with all those things, Salamanca is amazing. I've got to get up bright and early for Madrid tomorrow and for more trip planning (Tay and I have a couple super exciting trips in the works!) so I'm signing off for now but am officially back on the grid! Can't wait to share more of my adventures with you. xoxo, Kate "But my food vocabulary has improved dramatically so #silverlining"

[pacificandjune]

A quick update from Kate

If you haven't noticed, we've been  a little off the grid lately, and I'm here to tell you that we proooobably won't be posting for the next week or so. I'm actually writing this from my seat on the plane! I'm about to take off for DC, then on to Madrid. Since we're just getting settled into our school routines, it might be a while before we're able to start doing outfit posts, etc., but all is well here at P&J! Can't wait to get back to blogging (and can't wait to be in Spain). xoxo, Kate "My flight has already been delayed an hour and we're still waiting"

[pacificandjune]

5 Tips for Americans Traveling Abroad

I leave for Spain next Friday and I'm literally counting down the minutes. Tay and I have been talking about studying abroad for so long and we both know that the next few months are going to be absolutely incredible. Admittedly, I'm a little nervous- my entire program is in Spanish and I'll be doing a home stay, so I've really got to dive right in. Luckily, both Tay and I are pretty well-traveled so going abroad isn't completely terrifying. When traveling outside the country (especially in Europe), there are a few things to keep in mind. 

1. Leave your preconceptions in the airport terminal. 

The French aren't rude, the Italians aren't perverts, the Brits don't have terrible teeth, and you're not going to be pickpocketed by every man, woman and child. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be aware of your surroundings, but try to go into your trip open-minded about the cultures in which you'll be immersed. The only things stereotypes will do is isolate you from the natives. 

2. Get off the beaten path. 

You might visit to every tourist site in a city and never really see it. Instead, go where the natives go- stop for a cup of coffee in a corner cafe, wander through little boutiques, and visit lesser-known historical sites. Ask a waiter or store clerk to tell you about their favorite places in the city because you'll have a much better experience if you explore like a local.

3. Learn to blend in. 

Yes, a pair of clunky tennis shoes would probably be comfortable for walking around, but you might as well wear a giant sign around your neck that says 'tourist'. A lot of American tourists decide that they need to wear athletic clothes every day, clutch backpacks tightly to their chest, stop to look at maps in the middle of the street, and speak very loudly. At that point, you may as well march down the street waving a giant American flag and singing yankee doodle. You can wear clothes that are comfortable and chic that will help you blend in- after all, you're trying to look like the average local looks on a normal day, not like you're running a marathon. I've found that a lot of those pickpocketing horror stories come from people who were wearing cargo shorts with crew socks and looking around as though they were clearly lost. Ialk with a little confidence (even when you have no idea what you're doing) and try to observe the customs of wherever you are, people will leave you alone. 

4. Do your research, but don't be obsessive. 

It's probably a good idea to write down the phone number and address of the nearest U.S. consulate in case of emergency, so just get a little notebook and make yourself a little travel guide and diary. Follow some blogs based in the city you're visiting, see if the NY Times has a '36 hours in' guide, and revisit some movies or books that are set there. Divide your notebook up into 'restaurants', 'museums', 'historical sites', 'shopping', and 'other', then identify a few places in each category that you might like to visit. Write down their hours and admission prices so you can plan a loose itinerary while you're there based on what you feel like doing. This leads me to my next point....

5. Learn to roll with things. 

There's really no point in making a strict schedule before you leave because you have no idea if you'll be in the mood to go to a museum for 3 hours early the day after you arrive. Until you're there, you don't know how you'll handle jet lag, what the weather will be like, etc. Instead of freaking out when (and I am saying when intentionally) you get lost because it throws off your agenda, just let yourself wander the streets of a foreign city and see if you find something that interests you. One of my favorite memories is getting completely lost at 1 in the morning in Paris with a friend and getting stuck in the pouring rain. Just take a deep breath, tell yourself that it is what it is, and enjoy whatever comes your way. 

That's my best advice! Traveling abroad is an incredible experience so enjoy every minute of it.

xoxo,

Kate "5 days, 8 hours, 15 minutes until I leave for Spain!!" 

[pacificandjune]

do's and don'ts of back to college shopping

For many, the much-anticipated, possibly dreaded college move in day is right around the corner. I remember my own first move in day so distinctly- walking around campus 10 times trying to figure out where I was, making a million target runs because I kept realizing I needed more things, spending hours trying to find the best arrangement of the furniture. 

With two move-in days (and two move-out days) under my belt, I've got the hang of things. Here are some of my must-haves for college freshman. Here's my advice: DO invest in your bed. With little to no extra space in which to have chairs/beanbags, your bed won't just be where you sleep- it'll be where you do homework, watch movies, eat dinner, hang out with friends, and about a million other things. Make a headboard! get multiple sheet sets, a nice mattress pad, a throw blanket and some extra pillows to make that twin xl as cozy as possible. 

DO loft your bed. Some beds have the option built in, some need risers, but do it regardless because you will need that space for storage. 

DO get a hamper that looks cute, has handles, and is washable. If you think you're actually going to separate your colors before getting to the laundry room and fold everything in a separate basket like your mom does at home you're kidding yourself. If you're like me, you might even have to carry that laundry down 4 flights of stairs to get to the laundry room so make it practical. 

DO order command hooks in bulk!!! You'll use them for everything. Literally everything.

DO keep your wall decor sophisticated. Get a cool tapestry, some fun prints, or use inexpensive frames to create a gallery wall. Cinder blocks are ugly and wall decor that reminds you of something you'd actually have at home will make it feel more, well, home-y. DO clean your room. It will be disgusting. There will be weird spots on the floor and you won't even know where they came from. As John Lennon once said,"When I find myself in times of trouble, Swiffer WetJet comes to me." DON'T leave all your toiletries in the bathroom. Your shampoo will disappear at an alarmingly fast rate and on those days when you oversleep and everyone is in the bathroom, it'll be a nightmare trying to get your stuff. Keep it in a caddy in your room so you can get ready at your desk in the morning and just take it to the bathroom for showers. 

DON'T underestimate how many outlets you'll need. It's all fun and games until you have 327 loose plugs and nowhere to put them. Powerstrips & surge protectors may be outlawed by your dorm and, not that I'm advocating breaking the rules, but you can hide them during inspections. 

DON'T plan everything out before you get there! The school provided information is deceiving because you will arrive and find that there is no good way to arrange your furniture, your closet door can't open up all the way without hitting your bed, your fridge has to sit on top of your desk, and you and your roommate are constantly elbowing each other. Stick with the basics (see below) and wait for the rest until you see what you have to work with. 

sheet set // water filter // under bed storage

laundry hamper // command hooks 

frames // extra pillows // throw blanket 

shower caddy // wall decor

swiffer wet mop // snack bin (preferably with snacks) // target red card

power strips // extension cord // lights // mirror

Good luck to all of you moving in! Hopefully this advice makes moving in a little easier. 

xoxo,

Kate "No move in for me =) =)"

[pacificandjune]

A bit of summertime diy-ing (and some shameless self promotion)

Hey biddies!

I don’t even know what it is about summer but I’m somehow both insanely busy and have nothing to do (hence the absence from the blog- never enough time to sit down and write a post or take photos).

Aaaanyway, I’ve been seeing these adorable bracelets around recently that are super colorful and made with these oversized beads. I managed to down the local artisan who was making them (after creepily asking a random girl at a coffee shop who was very scared of me) only to find out that they were going for $30 a piece. Sorry, but I’m a college student and nobody has money for that. Instead, I decided I’d invest some time instead of money and try my hand at making a similar bracelet. I was pretty happy with how it turned out! In fact, I was so happy that I made a few for my mom and my brothers’ friends, then got requests from my mom’s friends and some random women in my grandmother’s office. Long story short, I decided to open an etsy shop! (And @Tay, there is one in the mail for you so we can match long distance <3 p="">

Here it is! And I promise to be better about the blogging in the next few weeks. We’ve actually got some really exciting announcements coming up, so stay tuned. https://www.etsy.com/listing/236410423/beaded-tassel-bracelet-multiple-colors?ref=shop_home_active_1

xoxo, Kate “My 14 year old brother refused to model for the photos so they’re just eh”

3>

[pacificandjune]

Summer Reading Favorites

I love reading, so I hate when I’m at school and hardly have time for leisure reading. However, that is what summer is for. I always work on a reading list second semester of school, and order the books off of Amazon as soon as I get home.

For the first half of the summer, I picked out four books that I thought were a diverse group. I tend to stick with YA books, because YA authors seem to be the best right now, and I find coming-of-age type of stories far more interesting than ~boring~ adult stories. Y’know?

Taylor’s Summer Reading List Part 1: *Click on pictures for descriptions/ purchase options

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews

I found out about this book from the movie that comes out TODAY! It received rave reviews and won the two biggest prizes at Sundance Film Festival. This is way enough to spark my interest. It’s always fun to read a good book and get a good movie adaptation to go along with it.

2. Yes Please, by Amy Poehler

I always love reading a non-fiction piece by a favorite female comedian. Everyone loves Amy, and this book will having you laughing out loud (I found that out on a plane). It’s funny, witty, and smart.

3. Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell

I picked this book mostly because of the title. I relate to it a lot. Also, Rainbow Rowell is one of the best YA authors out there right now. She writes complex, true to life stories filled with diverse characters. I’m obsessed with her writing. 

4. An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

What can I say? I’m a sucker for John Green. I really enjoyed An Abundance of Katherines because they main character was not what you would expect. He is a socially awkward genius that doesn’t have many friends. Not your average protagonist if you ask me. It’s a fun story and an easy read. Bonus: If you haven’t read Paper Towns, you should get on that. It’s an incredible, exciting read! The movie, starring Nat Wolff, comes out July 24.

Enjoy the list! I would love to here your thoughts on the books and suggestions for further lists!

Xo, Tay “I’m seriously addicted to books”

[pacificandjune]

Fall Essentials

Southern California is currently in the middle of a heat wave that has me fantasizing about sweater weather. Don't get me wrong- I love summer, I love the holidays, and spring is probably my favorite season of all, but there's something about cooler weather and changing leaves that just gets me. 

I like to keep my autumn wardrobe neutral- lots of creams, browns, and grays accented by fall colors like burnt orange, dark green and burgundy. My favorite part of fall fashion? Being able to wear leggings as pants every damn day. Textures. Velvets, knits, suedes, leathers- they add so much dimension to an outfit. Since I'm pretty much stuck inside in an attempt to stay cool, I've put together some of my favorite pieces for this fall. 

cocoon sweater dress // suede button down skirt // suede penny loafers

leather ankle boots // wool fedora // tulle midi skirt

leggings // sweater // funnel neck sweatshirt 

What looks are you most excited for this fall? Let us know in the comments! xoxo, Kate "Be right back just spending all of my money on sweaters"

[pacificandjune]

Baked Eggs

Getting out of bed at 5 in the morning to workout has been a drag, but I always feel super energized when I get home and can’t go back to bed. Usually I make myself a smoothie and walk my dog, but lately I've been looking for something a little more comfort food-y.

I dug through the fridge and realized I had some tomato sauce left over from the spaghetti squash I made a couple nights ago, so I decided to make baked eggs and oh. my. lord.

They’re quick, filling, and so so delicious. I made some quinoa to go with mine to add some more protein and carbs, but you can serve these however you like. Seriously, here’s another picture for good measure:

What you’ll need: ceramic ramekin or small glass baking dish olive oil 1-2 eggs (preferably organic/free range) tomato sauce (I used San Marzano and added chopped basil, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper) seasonings

How to make it: Preheat your oven to 400. Drizzle just a little bit of olive oil in your baking dish and rub it into the sides. Spoon a couple tablespoons  of tomato sauce into the dish and spread it around, creating a sort of well in the middle for your eggs. Crack however many eggs you want into the dish- just make sure to be gentle so your yolks don’t break like mine did. Put the dish on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until whites are fully cooked but yolk is still soft. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices and enjoy!

xoxo, Kate “Making these again for dinner tonight. And no, I’m not kidding.”

[pacificandjune]

My Experience at the fault in our stars premiere

** This was originally posted on our old blog, so the dates are slightly off. 

A year ago yesterday, I was in New York City sitting in a pen across the street from the Ziegfeld Theater. One of my best friend’s (let’s call her A) and I had read The Fault in Our Stars during our Freshman year at university and fell in love with the writing, story, and characters.

We followed the movie process closely, and found out the movie premiere was going to take place at the Ziegfeld Theatre on June 2nd, 2014. We never thought in a million years we would actually go, but it was a fun idea. We were so obsessed with the book, however, that we planned a trip to NYC (where I live part-time) so that we could see the movie together when it was released on June 6th.

We ended up in New York on May 31st, and planned on exploring the city until we saw the movie later on in the week. Everything changed the morning  of June 2nd, when we were eating breakfast and had the Today Show on the TV. The cast was being interviewed and talked about the premiere that would take place later on in the day. A and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, “We have to go.”

We literally left our breakfast on the table and ran out of my apartment. We walked quickly over to the other side of town until we reached the theatre on 54th street. When we arrived we saw the pens that had been set up across the street. People were already camping out in them. We went over and talked to a Mom that was there with her tween daughter and she informed us that they would be giving out wristbands to the red carpet/ movie to the first 300 people in the pens. In that moment, we decided we had to stay. When else would we ever get to have this experience?

  So there we were, for 10 hours outside being treated like pigs in a pen, waiting for the premiere to start. They (the security guards/ FOX people) gave us one break to go to the bathroom/ get food. Eventually,  they moved us over to the carpet. By that time, we were all sweaty and smelly and gross. But, who cared? We were about to get the experience of a lifetime.

Even though A almost fainted, and there were like a billion tween girls that were screaming and pushing us and being so rude, we had an amazing time. This wasn’t just a movie premiere for us, it was a movie premiere for a movie that we were OBSESSED with. We had been following everything, and the fact that we were there, with the whole cast and crew, was absolutely incredible.

On the red carpet, we saw everyone. John Green stopped by and talked to each section of the red carpet. YES, Ansel is really hot in person. After all the celebs walked the red carpet, we were pushed inside to see the film. They put all of us crazy fans in the balcony area, and literally every single person involved in the movie sat below us. We got to watch the movie with everyone in the room. How cool is that?

Hank Green

John Green

Ansel Elgort

Shailene Woodley

Nat Wolff

A and me in the theatre!

The Inside of Ziegfeld Theatre

June 2nd is a day I will remember forever.

Fun facts about the day:

1. I stood in line for the bathroom with Ansel’s girlfriend for 20 minutes (she’s beautiful)

2. A girl behind A and I sobbed the loudest I had ever heard for the last hour of the movie and we couldn’t hear a word of the movie

3. Hank Green got food from a hot dog stand outside the theatre after the movie

4. I got to thank Josh Boone, the director, in person!

5. I’m a film geek and got to see my favorite screenwriters in person!! (Scott Neustadter & Michael Weber)

Love your film buff,

Taylor

*All photos are mine and were taken on my iPhone- that is why the quality is terrible (that and I was being pushed around by hundreds of people)

[pacificandjune]

Finding your fitness routine

I’ve always been aware of my health, but I feel like now that I’m (sort of) an adult, I need to be more focused on it. When I was dancing/playing sports, I didn’t even have to think about working out. With the days of high school athletics behind me, I’ve found a pretty solid routine that works for me.

Sunscreen // Tank // Shorts Phone Case // Shoes // Protein Bar

I learned very quickly that what works for one person does NOT work for everyone. I have friends that love swimming- I hate it. Swimming laps is probably my least favorite form of exercise and reminds me of lifeguard training in high school, a memory I try VERY hard to block out. I actually enjoy running, but I have friends that hate it. Now (when I’m home), I usually run 4 days a week, weight train 4 days a week, do 15 minutes of yoga a day, and toss in a couple of fun classes like barre, pilates, etc.

It took me a while to find a routine that worked, and in the process I learned a few things I thought I’d share with you:

1. Gear up appropriately. If you’re going to take up trail running, don’t go with a pair of 2 year old cross training shoes that are totally worn down because you will get injured (and shin splints are the worst). If you live someplace warm, make sure you have lightweight, breathable clothes and toss some ice in your baseball hat before heading out. If it's cold, make sure you have thermal clothes, running gloves, and a hat or ear warmers. It's an investment, but places like 6pm.com, TJ Maxx, and Target all have great discount options.

2. Fuel yourself properly. I take a HIIT class at 5:30 am 4 days a week, and even though I’m usually not hungry before I don’t do as well if I don’t eat. I like grabbing half a macrobar on the way out because it has a ton of protein and tastes good but doesn’t have any extra junk. Seriously, it’s gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and macrobiotic so it’s compatible with most dietary restrictions. Go for something light that has complex carbs and protein before your workout and something more substantial after you train. 

3. Take care of yourself before, during, and after training. Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be outside. Drink tons of water. Soak in epsom salts after a particularly tough workout. Stretch! Even if you don’t want to take the time to do some of this stuff, you’ll feel so much better if you do and that will help keep you motivated.

4. Make your workouts fun! Don’t force yourself to run if you hate running. Yeah, it’s good exercise, but so are a million other things. Try a hip hop class. Take tennis lessons. Create a great workout playlist. Your primary reason for working out should be that you enjoy it and it makes you feel good, not because you feel like you have to.

5. Take the bad days in stride. I don’t exactly spring out of bed at 4:50 every morning, but when I get to go up on weight in an exercise or I notice my running times going down, it gives me so much satisfaction. Yeah, there are days where I am silently (or very vocally) cursing my trainer throughout the entire session. Just remember that even professional athletes have bad days.

Hopefully that helps and gives you guys a bit of motivation! Share your best workout tips in the comments below.

xoxo, Kate “Writing this while still literally dripping sweat and now I’m going to sanitize my computer”