Now Listening: #TS1989

Today is the release of Taylor Swift's fifth album 1989! 

I headed over to Target to pick up the Deluxe edition as soon as possible! 

They also had these adorable cards. *HINT - I want a Taylor Swift Birthday Card- HINT*

*Cue Crazy Dancing*



Here are all my feels from the first listen and the secret messages:

• “Welcome to New York”: We begin our story in New York. SHE'S LIVING THE DREAM! It has a cute 1980s beat. 
• “Blank Space”: There once was a girl known by everyone and no one. I like the beat to this song. It's a relatable song. The relationship is a high, but they still go through with it. 
• “Style”: Her heart belonged to someone who couldn’t stay. Another relationship that you just can't say no to. Catchy. 
• “Out of the Woods”: They loved each other recklessly. This whole section is a crazy, whirlwind relationship. 
• “All You Had to Do Was Stay”: They paid the price. It's simple, he just had to stay. Almost everyone has felt this way, wishing it has worked out. 
• “Shake It Off”: She danced to forget him. This is totally going to become the anthem to 2014. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Taylor!! 
• “I Wish You Would”: He drove past her street each night. This is kinda upbeat for a remorseful song. That's what makes it amazing. We all regret and wish for another chance. Sometimes we get it. 
• “Bad Blood”: She made friends and enemies. ROAR! Cat fight. Heavy beat and I like it. Totally about a girlfriend/best friend, but it could also be about a boyfriend too. 
• “Wildest Dreams”: He only saw her in his dreams. Totally having enchanted flashbacks, but more urgent and older. LOVE IT! "He's so tall and handsome as hell". Totally one of my top faves, I already have it memorized. 
• “How You Get the Girl”: Then one day he came back. This is upbeat. I'm having Disney flashbacks. I love a cute simple love song like Kiss The Girl, Beauty and the Beast or I Won't Say I'm In Love. This is like that, but a little more real. 
• “This Love”: Timing is a funny thing. This is the only song written solely by Taylor on the album. All I think of is the old quote "If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you then it's yours". 
• “I Know Places”: And everyone was watching. Co-wrote with Ryan Tedder. It has his feel. Love the rushed feel of the song. It's an US against THEM song. Good choice.
• “Clean”: She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything. The hardest part is feeling like you're fully washed from a previous relationship. It takes a good rain to wash away the overwhelming part. 

This GIF sums up my feelings so well.

Now Watching: Fall Hits

Today is October 2nd! The best part is that it's closer to truly feeling like fall here in Charleston! This also means that almost every new or returning show has had their premiere. Here is a list of my top hits!

New Favorites: 

How To Get Away With Murder (ABC) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 10/9c
This show was pretty good! A little bit more intense than I thought, but still good. It's more a mix of Scandal and Castle. Scandal's intense stories and intrigue and Castle's murders. 

The Mysteries of Laura (NBC) - Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 10/9c
Great show! Murder and comedy! Plus is has Debra Messing and Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama Hottie!) leading the cast. 

Old Favorites:

Bones (Fox) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 8/7c
Bones and Booth are back together! The opening episode of Season 10 was as crazy as the Season 9 finale was. We lost a beloved member of the team. This season will be intense. 

Castle (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 29 at 10/9c
Like Bones, Castle started out by picking up quickly from the end of last season. Since we finally tied up the loose ends with the murder of Beckett's mother, it made sense that we needed a deeper storyline to hold up this season. We also have the hope of a marriage! Bones is proof that the main characters can be in love, married and have kids while still solving murders and catching criminals.

Nashville (ABC) - Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 10/9c
Love this show! I binge-watched the second half of season 1 and season 2 in about a week. Country music, soap opera-esque story lines and characters you love or love to hate!

Soon To Be Favorites (Haven't Watched or Haven't Premired): 

A-Z (NBC) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
This show is supposed to be similar to How I Met Your Mother and also stars the Mother, Cristin Milioti. It will follow the love story of Andrew and Zelda (Now the title gained about 10 more cute points)!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) - Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 9/8c
I know, I know. I'm late to this party, but I'm trying to catch up on the 1st season. I really don't think it'll matter since I saw Captain America 2 and Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. I figure I'll just jump into season 2 and go from there.  

Forever (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 10/9c
My mom has watched this show and she said it was good. I have it on my list to check out this weekend! 

Gotham (Fox) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 8/7c
My dad texted me to tell me I had to watch this one. I knew I would, as Batman has always been one of my top superheroes. I also love backstories! 

Gracepoint (Fox) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
Totally psyched about it! I love miniseries. Harper's Island was a fave of mine. I think Gracepoint will be great and hopefully without the serial killer angle. 

Reign (CW) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
I really wanted to watched the first season, but I never got to and Hulu only has a few of the end episodes. I'm just gonna jump into season 2. I love historical story lines. 

Tech Talk: Apple's iPad Smart Case

I've had my iPad 3 for over a year, and I love it! I love my Macbook Pro and my iPhone 5s, but some things are easier and more enjoyable on my iPad. Today I'm going to talk about why I love my new case for my iPad.

A few weeks ago I was going through the electronics section of Wal-Mart and I saw a clearance bin full of iPad and tablet cases. I was in a rush that day so I didn't stop to browse. Saturday I had to make a run to Wal-Mart and on my mind was checking out that clearance bin. I'm glad I did!

I found a Targus Versavu case and an Apple Smart Case. I took both cases to the register for a price check and the Targus case was over $50, and my heart sank a bit. I wanted a new case, but I didn't want to spend that much. The cashier scanned the Apple Smart Case and it rang up for a little over $30. Perfect! I spend less than $40 on a lovely grey Apple Smart Case.

I love it! The case is nice and slim, and it makes sliding it in and out of my purse or book bag easy! Plus the cover is great because it wakes and puts my iPad to sleep! Helpful when you're in a rush and are always forgetting to turn the screen off. I love how the cover folds into a stand. It's the perfect angle to tilt it up and use it to type, scroll through Pinterest or watch movies and shows. I love it at school too. I use it mostly in my English class because we have many online reading we have to reference in class.

If you are thinking of buying a case for your iPad or even getting a new one like I did, then I definitely recommend the Apple Smart Case!

Side Note: For older model iPads like the iPad 2-4, you may have to look at stores such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy or even Amazon. Apple doesn't sell these case online through their store.

Odds & Ends

I was going to call my posts that are about events, links, news and other things I found cool or interesting Laney's Roundup, but I decided to change it to Odds and Ends.

Today is Monday and I have loads to talk about!

One: http://www.taylorswift.com

After weeks of trying to figure out the clues, Taylor Swift finally answers all of our burning questions with a LiveStream on Yahoo! Her fifth album, 1989, will be in stores and online on October 27th, 2014. I already made an event in my calendar!

Two: Taylor Swift's newest single "Shake It Off"

"Shake It Off" is AMAZING! Taylor has definitely moved from her country roots and gone to the pop side! She still is an amazing singer and performer, so this move isn't all too surprising. Check it out! You'll instantly be addicted!


Three: Sophie Simmons Wearing Her Dad's Iconic KISS Makeup 

I'm a huge KISS fan and have been since I was 14. I loved watching Gene Simmons on The Celebrity Apprentice. Then I got hooked on his reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E. This was so much fun to watch!

Four: Jimmy Fallon says Ew! with Taylor Swift

I love Jimmy Fallon. I love Taylor Swift. I LOVE Ew! This is a perfect combination!

Five: Hilary Duff - All About You

More new music from Hilary Duff! It just keeps getting me excited to buy a new cd from her!


Six: Tribute to Robin Williams

It has been a week since Robin Williams passed away. Death is always sad, and I think everyone feels the sting from Robin Williams' passing because he brought joy and light to our lives, and it was a shame that he didn't have the same feeling. My favorite of his movies are Mrs. Doubtfire, Bird Cage & Jack. Honestly, all of his movies are amazing because he brings something special to them. Here links related to Robin Williams that I enjoyed.

5 Facts You Didn't Know About Robin Williams

Jimmy Fallon's Tribute to Robin Williams

Organized Chaos: Makeup Mania

This is the first post of my continuous series, Organized Chaos. 

Last night I decided to organize my makeup, which is no small feat. I went through makeup phases as a teenager. I had the phase wear I wore tons of lip gloss, dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner, bright colored eye shadow and more.

I haven't really gone through my makeup in a long time. I just kept buying more and throwing the older stuff in a box. I just wasn't ready to part with anything, because as I mentioned, I go through makeup phases.

To organize my makeup I gathered all of it. I keep a three drawer organizer in my bathroom, another box under my bed and I keep my current faves in a Clinique makeup bag in my purse. I also grabbed my box of hair supplies, but I haven't tackled it just yet.

My form of cleaning/organizing tends to be gathering and piling. I put all my makeup on my desk and started dumping makeup bags out. I sorted it into eyes, lips and face. I even experimented with some of it, because what fun is makeup if you don't try out new looks?

Avon Lip Glosses

For many years the most makeup I wore was bright lip glosses. My favorites were the Avon Glazewear Lip Glosses. I don't think Avon makes this king anymore, but these were my faves because they look good and have pretty colors. They also lasted longer and didn't wear as fast as lipstick does. Avon had five different type of lip glosses, Intense, Sparkle, Shine and Dazzle. Intense and shine were my top choices. Unfortunately, I haven't worn these in years and I figured it was time to part with them. Bad lip glosses are not something I want on my lips.

As I've gotten older I have come to love lipstick. The colors and the way it makes me feel. I always feel like a new person when I put lipstick on. My favorite lipsticks come from Avon or Clinique. Most of my colors are light pinks or corals and a few always classic reds. I also have this amazing bright hot pink one and a lovely darker reddish brown! Those are the ones I wear when I want to stand out!

Victoria's Secret Pink & Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck

 I like perfume, but I am extremely picky about what I wear. I love Victoria's Secret Pink perfume because it is vibrant, flirty and packs a kick that makes it hard to forget! I also wear Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck, which has a lighter flowery smell. I have the big bottle and travel sized bottle which were in a gift set I got for my high school graduation. Yes, that was two years ago. I'm good at making my makeup products last. My final perfume staple is Vera Wang's Princess. It's light and sweet, and truly makes me feel like a princess.

This is my three drawer makeup organizer. I think it'll soon be replaced by an open makeup organizer. I want to keep my main staples out and move the rest to another location. My mother is always complaining about how crowded my bathroom counter is with all my hair and makeup products. I'm finally starting to agree with her (Shhhh! Don't tell her that!).

I'm planning to buy bathroom organizer rack that stands over the toilet soon, so I think that's where I'll store my current makeup organizer, as well as my blow dryer and hair supplies.

I realized I didn't take any pictures of my eye makeup. I use Avon eye shadows and eye liners, mostly. I especially like eye shadow quads because of the color choices. For mascara I use Clinique and Loreal.

How do you store and organize your makeup? Do you have a favorite brand for your makeup or do you use a little of everything?

Cougar Pride: Preparing For A New Semester

I start my junior year of college in 16 days. When I think about it only being 16 days from now I get this nervous excited feeling. Nervous, because new semester means joining a sorority, new classes, new professors, new friends, new opportunities and responsibilities. Excited for all the exact same reasons, hence nervous and excited.

This semester I'm taking French 201, which means my required language courses are almost over! Geology 103, which is environmental geology. I'm also taking Intro to English Studies, which I'm guessing is English Theory (that's a thing?) and techniques for writing papers. I'm also taking my first creative writing course at College of Charleston, and I can't wait! Finally, I have my internship with Blue Bicycle Books, which I'm receiving credit for.

A few of my textbooks

On top of my schoolwork and internship, I still have my supervisor duties. I'm trying to get as much of the little stuff done now, so that when school starts it'll be smooth sailing. Somehow, things will get crazy, but I'm prepared for it! Soon I'll post about my life as a supervisor.

For now, I'll leave you with two awesome college related links!

I have this app on my iPhone and iPad. I love it! I use it with my summer classes and it was helpful! I imagine with a full load this semester it'll be even better! -  http://istudentpro.com

A great blog that's full of idea for college students is Organized Charm! I have gotten many ideas and tips from this blog! - http://organizedcharm.blogspot.com