I'm going to be 25 years old in November but I have yet to hit that sweet spot where I'm getting five wedding invitations a month and going to two weddings a weekend. I attended my cousin's bridal shower and wedding last year but that's pretty much it.

A few of my sorority sisters have gotten engaged/married, but not anyone I'm super close too. That's fine with me because I'm in no rush to grow up and the sooner I can put off bridesmaids dresses and Bachelorette parties, the better!

On that note, my co-worker got engaged this summer (while she was on vacation in Japan!!!) and her festivities are starting. It's really exciting to hear about wedding planning and to actually personally know someone getting married.

Her engagement party is in a few weeks and truthfully, I have no idea what to do. Gifts? No clue what to get. Etiquette? No idea what to do. Outfit? Someone help me!

After talking it out with a few of my friends and other co-workers, it seems that for this occassion, simple is best.

But I also found this incredible style guide to help first time goers like me figure out what to wear to the wedding occassion of your choice.

Sometimes I think it's almost easier to be a dude because all you need is a tux or a suit, you just have to figure out which one is appropriate.

After all of this knowledge, I decided that I'm going with a simple, black J.Crew dress that still has the tags on it. I bought it at the beginning of the summer because I figured that I could always use a simple, black dress and I was right! (The one I have is out of stock, but here is a similar one)

Below are a few of my other picks for a Semi Formal Dressy Casual engagement party, bridal shower, wedding!

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When I received this book in one of the PopSugar Must Have Boxes, I didn't know what to expect. I didn't read any reviews or summaries of it, and I kind of thought it was going to be a thriller novel, but it wasn't.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was one of my favorite books of the year and one of my favorite of all time. I loved it so much, I forced my mom to read it. My mom used to be a huge reader when I was younger but she's become addicted to her phone and reality television, like all good people in 2017. She has really been enjoying it too.

The book revolves around Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo's life. She's an old Hollywood movie star who has tapped this random New York writer to do an exposé on her for a magazine. No one understands why Evelyn has asked Monique Grant to write this article; Evenlyn doesn't deal with the press anymore and she hasn't had her photo taken in years.



Why now? Why Monique?

Everything is soon revealed but Monique soon holds the keys to Evelyn's entire life... the real story, not what the public knows.

What the public knows is Evelyn was married seven times, but why? What was really going on behind closed doors?

The book is a real page turner, an easy ready and really delightful. It has romance, family, sex, passion, tradegy, hollywood glamour -- it has everything you could ever really want in a book. I haven't loved a fiction book like this (that was a thriller) in a really long time.

I feel like I've been really spoiled with books lately because nothing is satisfying to me, if there's not a crime or mystery involved. This has a mystery because you want to know why Evelyn chose Monique, and how Evelyn's life plays out... and boy, is the twist worth every page.

I read this book in three days because I just couldn't put it down. It was so easy to fall in love with the characters, even when you weren't supposed too, and it was so easy to imagine this story playing out in real life.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo needs to be the next book you read, I promise you won't be disappointed.

It's been a really long time since I was a freshmen in college, but this blog was based off the idea of giving college girls a place to come and get advice on things they were wondering about, or maybe didn't even know if they were wondering about.

As I've grown, Royally Pink has grown as well and I'm no longer a college student, or even a post-graduate. I'm a full blown adult (I guess?) but my heart will always be in college.

It was really weird last week when I knew Iona was going back to school but there was hardly anyone on my social media that was going back. The freshmen class, when I was a senior, graduated in May, so I don't know too many people at Iona anymore. It's a really scary thought but it also makes this time of year easier.

I'll always miss Iona, I'll always miss college and I don't think I'll ever stop. That has been a common theme over the past three years.

Even though I haven't had many college posts in recent years, I figured I'd do a little something this year to honor the back to school season. Even though I'm not in school, August & September to me will always mean a fresh start.

*I do have some really good posts planned over the course of the next few months for college seniors and how to prep for the 'real world' so look out for that.

Today however, is for everyone.

When I went to freshmen year, it was definitely very scary and as prepared as I was, I felt unprepared at the same time. I thought I had everything I would need but these were things I wish I had my first few months that I didn't think of...

Credit

1. Business Casual Wear: This might seem weird for a college freshmen (or even sophomore) but I'm sure your school will be having career fairs and guest speakers. I suggest bringing a few pieces of business casual wear so you can be dressed the part whenever something like that comes up. You don't want to be the person in jeans and a t-shirt at a serious function.

2. One Cup Coffee Maker: You will save so much meal card money if you invest in a small coffee maker. Most dorms should allow you to have something like this so I highly suggest picking one up. I wasted so much money the first few years of college on coffee but I would've saved if I just bought a $20 coffee maker. You'll thank me later.

3. Brita Filter System: This was something I had no idea I would need but I am so happy that my roommates thought of it. I'm not picky when it comes to water; I'll drink tap water like it's nobodies business but it was so nice to have filtered water that was always cold. Buy one your freshmen year and you'll have it forever!

4. Bedside lamp: My freshmen year I was on the top bunk, on top of a loft, so my desk was underneath my bed. Sometimes I'd want to just lay in bed and read or study but didn't want the room light on, or maybe my roommates were trying to sleep. Having a lamp that attached to my bed was so handy and I think it's something I had no idea would be so useful.

5. Gym Clothes: It was the third weekend of school when I realized I had no gym clothes. I never went to the gym in high school and had thrown out my sneakers the moment I could (I hate sneakers and don't wear them expect if I'm at the gym) so when I realized my college had a gym I could go to for free, I was left with no clothes/shoes. Thankfully my mom took me shopping and I got everything I needed.

Those were personally a few things I could remember not having at the start but made the 4 years I spent at Iona a little easier and more prepared. If you want a full blown packing list, Her Campus has a SICK one and I wish I had this 7 years ago (holy shit, I started college 7 years ago.)

Below are a few other essentials that are NOT surprising!


If you have any other questions about college, please feel free to reach out to me at briana@royallypink.com. I like any excuse to talk about it ;)

xoxo
B

Boy, what a week! I traveled down to QVC in Pennsylvania for work, came home Wednesday after being up from 7 AM on Monday till 1 AM on Tuesday. I was definitely hurting Thursday but it was a really great trip.

On Monday, when we got down to Pennsylvania, my coworkers and I sat in a parking lot and watched the solar eclipse -- or what we could see of it. I wasn't that impressed but it was really cool to be in on this natural phenomenon that took the entire country by storm. It was also really cool to see how the eclipse was said to effect us, even our beauty routines. 

The summer is winding down and I'm so excited for September 1st next week. I will be breaking out my fall decor and drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes the day after Labor Day! It can't come soon enough.



I don't have much else to report because my brain is FRIED so we'll keep this short and sweet-- here's what I loved this week:

• Websites all writers need to bookmark -- what a huge help this is
• How to tell if you're stressed out
• Tea or coffee-- what's your poision? 
• Pumpkin Spice bath bombs? YES
• Burts Bees has gone from lip balm to skincare and now makeup -- this is exciting

So, we've had a few Royally Planned posts this year already, including my Day Designer and the Brit + Co Planner. I kept saying that I was going to reveal my "real" planner and here we are.

*Before we get started, let me say that I now use my Day Designer as a work planner AT WORK and it has been working out amazing. It's a perfect layout for the work week and I've been so much more organized since using it at the beginning of the month. My Brit + Co personalized planner is my "to do list" that lives at home.

When the season started out, I decided that I wanted a Kate Spade planner. I was going to say goodbye to Lilly Pulitzer for the first time in a while, and decided that since I loved my Henri Bendel planner this year, I knew I was able to let go of the whimisical colors that Lilly gives me.

I knew my love of Kate Spade was stronger than ever so I was going to attempt their planners again. If you remember, I tried a KS planner right after I graduated but I was not ready to let go of Lilly.

This year was different. I ordered this planner first but I had misjudged the size and it was far too big to bring back and forth to work with me. Then I saw this one, and decided that is what I wanted to spend the year with.


The cover is bright and beautiful, while the pages are simple and plain but still have enough space to write, plan, and create lists. Kate Spade even included adorable gold foil stickers at the front of the planner.






I have especially been enjoying the double sided pocket on the first page because I put extra stickers and post its there for safe keeping.





I have been actually using this planner for the past few weeks and I love it. I have zero regrets because even though its not as bright and colorful as my past Lilly planners, it's a little easier to use than the Henri Bendel. There is more space to organize, and I've been having fun using different stickers to decorate.

I've already filled up the entire September month with my plans, because I'm excited for fall and I think this planner will make it with me the entire year... until next August.

I think this is a great planner for college because there is so much space to write -- I also really like the notes section in the bach of each month, in addition to the notes section in the front of the planner.  There is just a lot of space for lists, or other notes.

PS: I've also been eyeing up this Henri Bendel + Megan Hess planner (you know how I feel about Megan Hess). If I do get this, it will be my "at home desk planner"; it wouldn't replace the Brit + Co, it would just be more of a planner instead of a list maker.

I love planners, I can't help it!

What planner did you choose for this year?
xoxo
B

My hair has been a mess lately. If we're being honest, it's been a mess my entire life. I've said before how my hair is curly, frizzy, and very unruly. Because of this, I am always on the search for something new and exciting -- a product that will blow the socks off of me and change my hair.

I did a post like this last summer but I've since found different products that work just as well. Lately, my hair has felt fried, dry, and stiff so the following products have been helping me keep that feeling at bay.




1. Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil: I've always been very honest with my love of all things rose scented so when I got this in the Vogue x Birchbox Limited Edition box, I was thrilled. I'm always in the market for a new oil and this one really helps to moisturize my hair and to tame the frizz and fly aways. I also love how this is a travel size because I keep it in my work bag for when the humidity gets a little crazy when I'm on my commute. I don't use oil in my hair when it's wet because I feel like it makes my hair a tad bit too greasy but after it's styled, I always finish off with this oil. *I have yet to try it on my body but I'm sure it's fabulous.

2. Ouai Wave Spray: I don't think I talked about this last summer but I really should've. I alternated between this and the Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It cream, but I think I might like this more. When I'm   rocking curly hair, I will spray this in wet hair and then sleep on it. I wake up in the morning with full, soft curls and waves. It doesn't leave my hair oily, greasy, or stiff -- it's so good. I have been loving everything I've tried from Ouai and I really want to try more because the products are SO GOOD.

3. Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask: I can't tell you how many of these I've gone through. I have consistently using deep conditioners and hair masks as a regular conditioner for years now and this I think has been my favorite. It has a wonderful price tag of $11-$14 depending on if it's on sale at Ulta, and it take a while to go through. It's very thick, very hydrating, but does not weigh down your hair. It leaves my hair very smooth, shiny, and perfectly conditioned.

4. Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler: Drybar is still one of my favorite hair brands and I still have a lot of their products (and need to buy their newer products) but this is a must-have for me. It's so good my sister kept stealing it from me, and my bottle is now finished. I need to buy more and I'm thinking me not using this is why my hair has felt weird lately. Anyways... it's a hair primer and detangler that you spray in before brushing your wet hair, and before styling. It has heat protectant and hydrates the hair, while also strengtehning it. I can 100% attest to all of these claims. It's such a stand out product and now holds the spot for my #1 hair primer.

What is your current favorite hair product?
xoxo
B

I am by no means a financial wizard. I have been struggling for years to build up a savings account that satisifed me, and trying to control my spending habits.

Over the past months, I've gotten a lot better and I'm really proud of myself. I went a little crazy with spending last week but I've gotten back on track.

I don't have a good relationship with money and I've made that clear, but I do think that there are things that you should invest in/save for. What am I saving my money for? I'm saving for life... for an emergency, for an apartment, for an adult life.

I do think that there are important things we should all be saving for as we enter our twenties. It's definitely something to think of if you're entering your senior year of college. I wish I would've known this back then...



1. Luggage: I did not have a decent suitcase when I graduated college and shared with my mom. It wasn't until I started traveling for work that I knew I needed something serious. I needed a real, regular size suitcase that suited my personality but was also professional. I saved up a bit and bought this suitcase from Target. I also highly recommend these because they're everywhere and have a really good reputation.

2. Good Pillows: I HATE nothing more than waking up in the morning with a stiff neck. I am very particular about the pillows I sleep on and it drives me nuts when they're not just perfect (I sound very divalicious, don't I?) My pillows have to be soft but not so soft that there is no support and the last thing I want is a hard pillow. Good pillows are everything.

3. Investment Handbag: It's no surprise that I'd find a way to work a handbag onto this list because they are my everything. I have a lot of mid range handbags (Kate Spade, Tory Burch...) but I fully believe in saving up for a handbag that will last you your entire life, such as Louis Vuitton Speedy (which I got for my 16th birthday and it's still incredible). Having a tote like a Prada Galleria, or even a Louis Vuitton Neverfull, to me, is a good investment because it's a sturdy work tote that will be your go-to for job interviews, events, work days, etc. If you love handbags and are looking for something durable, I recommend saving up for something you love!

4. An apartment: I still live at home and I'm 100% ok with it. I don't feel financially responsible enough yet, and it's just me and my mom (my sister just moved out for her senior year of college) so I'm content here, but I have gotten the inkling recently, as more and more of my friends move out on their own, that I need to get serious. I highly recommend to start saving (starting with that graduation money) for your first apartment as soon as you get out of school. This would guarantee that you're ready to leave at a moment's notice, with a nice little safety net.

Learn from my mistakes and start saving now! 
xoxo
B