February Playlist

I love making playlists on Spotify, and lately these are the two playlists that I have been switching between:

and 

Other music I'm currently obsessed with at the moment include Rihanna's new album, ANTI. 

Bid Night 2016

Bid Night 2016 was January 19, but I have been so bogged down with school work that this post has been sitting half written along with other drafts. Phi Mu's theme for this year's bid night was Candy Land complete with a candy bar modeled under Dylan's Candy Bar and Candy Land themed photo props. 

So excited to get to know the new members for the rest of the semester! 

Finding Balance

Now that I'm four weeks into school, I've realized that I need to learn how to find balance in my life. In fact, it's a necessity for this semester and beyond. I found this post on Pinterest  and realized how much it matches what is going on in my life. I had been trying to find balance between school, extra curricular clubs, Phi Mu, and my friends and family, but then I realized that my health was being put on the back burner. Luckily, IU Chaarg is starting back up next week and I couldn't be more excited to have more motivation on the health aspect in my life. However, I'm still trying to find my own balance between Organic Chemistry and Anatomy, two of the most time consuming classes on campus that I just happen to be taking at the same time. I wasn't thinking was I? 

via Pinterest

So I made my own balance wheel:  

My goal for this semester is to find balance between studying enough to get great grades and being healthy in both nutritious aspects and having healthy relationships. Sometimes life would just be easier if I could take a Sharpie and mark out one part of that wheel, but then life wouldn't be as fulfilling. What's on your balance wheel?

Best of Panama:

This year for Winter Break my parents and I decided to go to Panama for a change of scenery after our original plans of a vacation in Antigua were messed up by airline confusion. After spending a week in Panama, here are some of the highlights including things to do, advice, and pictures.

My family and I ended up staying in Santa Clara, a town 2 hours away from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean side of the country, at the Sheraton Biajo Resort. While the resort was beautiful, the long drive between the airport on the other side of was a major downside. It wasn't until we talked to other guests that we found out that there was an airport ten minutes away. If staying in Santa Clara or Biajo Beach, I would recommend looking into that airport. However, it seems that the airport currently only has flights to and from Canada.

Panama City, Panama

• Modern City 
• Restaurants
• Market- A fantastic American eatery located a five minute walk from several hotels including Le Merdian and the Intercontential.
• I highly suggest just walking around your hotel downstairs and asking the hotel staff where to go! Best way to experience a new destination is through those that live there!

• Old Quarter:
• The old quarter of Panama City is a mix of old city culture with modern amenities and construction. While most parts of the Old Quarter are safe to walk around in at night, our tour guide advised us to stay in the Modern City. 

• Panama Canal
• Fantastic tourist attraction located at the Mariflores Locks outside of Panama City. 
• Connects Atlantic Ocean/Carribean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The Canal host three locks, one at each ocean entrance and one between. 

Santa Clara, Panama 

• We stayed at the Sheraton Biajo Beach Resort located two hours away from Panama City, and the airport. I highly recommend visiting this resort, but try to get on a flight that into an airport closer to the resort as the airport in Panama City was too far away. 

 It was very nice to get spend some time with my family while not worrying about school work. However, as I'm now back at school with a busy schedule, I can't wait to get back to the beach for spring break.

Year of the Beanie

I'm officially dubbing 2016 as the year of the beanie. Beanies are just one of the perfect accessories to go along with your winter attire. I've been wearing one every day this week, and I love it! 

Hinge Knit Pompom Beanie | Phase 3 Chunky Rib Knit Beanie 

 Nirvanna Designs 'Soho' Beanie | UGG Australia Grand Meadow Beanie

 Free People 'Limitless' Cuff Beanie | Eugenia Kim 'Logan' Wool Blend Beanie

Another great option for beanies is Love Your Melon, a company that aims to help children battling cancer. Check out their site January 18th when the new beanies go live!

Check out the rest of the photos from this shoot here! Keep warm everybody! 

Evergreen Turtleneck

Sam Eldeman Boots

Anthropologie Sweater

Rebecca Minkoff Satchel 

This season I have been wearing more cowl sweaters and turtlenecks and I just had to grab this turtleneck when I was in Anthropologie the other day. This turtleneck from Anthroplogie was perfect to throw on over leggings since I purchased it oversized. It's available XXS-XL and petite sizes and also available in a cream color. 

Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas! 

The Perfect Last Minute Gifts

While shopping at the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis this weekend, I noticed that Nordstrom and Paper Source all have some amazing options for those last minute gifts that are also easy on the wallet. I personally grabbed a few things at Paper Source for some close friends after deciding to do a gift exchange. Here are some great ideas!

S'well Water Bottle  | Zestt Coaster Set |  Humans of New York | 

Ankit Wall Art |  Printable Wisdom Wall Art  | BAN.DO Sticky Notes

Paper Source is also a great store with personalized options. There are plenty of cute gift options as well as stationary that can be personalized! Also, you can also pick of a cute gift bag for your purchase. 

I personally love the idea of giving wall art or cute stationary as gifts because they can be useful, yet personal. If you don't want to spend money on wall art, make your own canvas with a meaningful quote or passage!