A College Girl's Closet, Part 1.

Over the past couple of years, I've been starting to find myself fashion wise. I don't really follow any trends verbatim. There are trends and styles and things I lean towards, but I don't know a word to describe the things I wear. I am influenced by anything and everything. I wear what I like and feel good in. 

I've been documenting some of my outfits over the past couple of weeks, and I wanted to show you them here. I know this probably won't be interesting if you don't care about clothes or anything, but hey, someone might find it interesting. 

A big reason I wanted to make this post is because I wanted to show that you can dress nice without having to burn a hole in your wallet. Most of the outfits I wear cost $25 or less. I am by no means a big spender. I rarely shop in high-end stores. I'm a hardcore clearance shopper. I'm a strong believer in taking old things and making them new and thrifting. And I was always that girl who got excited about hand-me-downs (and still do.) So here are some of the things that I wear. Enjoy them, and my crappy, super-quick photoshop skills. (Sorry in advance.)

This tank top has been my favorite thing recently. It fits like a glove and just makes me feel like Ariana Grande or something. I haven't worn a peplum top in a long time, and I'm starting to love them again. I paired the tank with my favorite jeans and suede Mary Jane's. (It rained when I wore this outfit. And nearly ruined my shoes. Suede + Rain = Not a good time.)

Tank- Kmart

Jeans- Forever21

Shoes- Kmart

This outfit made me feel like I was in a Cotton commercial, hence the title. All I did this day was draw for 3 or so hours, so I opted for something comfy. I've really been into tank tops recently. So here's a tank top. 

Tank- Stein Mart

Jeans- Wal-Mart

I really do heart One Direction. My good friend Jennifer gave me this shirt, which was my first One Direction shirt ever and I still get butterflies when I look at it. I always go for these jeans because they're comfortable and make me feel like a mom from the 90s. And more suede shoes! It didn't rain this day, thankfully. And I'm really proud of this picture because the two of me on the left look like some cool teen movie about a chorus line. (Coincidentally, I got my portrait of Harry back the same day I wore this, so cool.)

Shirt- Gift from Jen

Jeans- Forever21

Belt- Kmart

Shoes- Kmart

(Not sure why this didn't turn out white, oh well.) 

Yeah, these are pants. The coolest pants I've ever seen and owned. Probably the most expensive pants I've ever owned, clockin' in at a whopping $16. They're all silky and stretchy at the same time. It's like pajamas you can wear in public and not get weird looks from passersby. I just paired it with my suede ankle boots and a plain white tshirt. White tshirts are always good to have, they go with everything and you can dress them up or down.

Pants- Stein Mart

Shirt- Wal-Mart

Shoes- Kmart 

I was illuminated by our dorm's shower light in these pictures. Our bathroom light had just went out. You gotta do what you gotta do. High waisted pants have become such a comfort zone for me. Low rise pants always freaked me out. Crack kills, ya know? That's always my biggest fear. With high waisted things you don't have that problem. I paired these shorts with a black crop top with white polka dots. 

Shirt- Gift / Aeropostale

Shorts- Goodwill

My drawing professor loved this shirt. He asked me what I called it and me being the awesomely witty person I am, I said "I call it a shirt." I'll be here all night, folks. But back to business, how cool is this shirt?! A good friend of mine gave it to me and it makes me feel like a mermaid. It flows in the wind looks amazing with black jeans or leggings. 

Shirt- Gift / Forever21

Jeans- Forever21

Shoes- Santa Claus (thanks, dude)

I had a good hair day on my last day of freshman year. I was so happy. And I wore this tank top that I wore at my freshman orientation. Totally unplanned, but so sentimental. I've been loving the jeans and tank top look. I'm always cold so I gotta cover up some way or another!. These are the same jeans in some of the above outfits, they're my favorite and will probably be in a lot more of these outfit posts to come.

Tank- Goodwill

Belt- Kmart

Jeans- Forever21

Sandals- Kmart

Okay, can we just stare at this tanktop for a second. So cool. So so cool. I think that's a tennis racquet in the middle with a crown on top. Tennis? Crown? I play tennis, my last name is Prince. It's like a match made in heaven. It was actually a size too small for me but I got it anyway. The thing fits like a dream. How great is life. My mom jeans made another appearance. You'll probably see those a lot, too. 

Tank- Thrift Store

Jeans- Forever21

Belt- Kmart

Sandals- Kmart

(Best enjoyed while listening to Billy Joel's "Movin' Out.") I AM DONE WITH MY FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. I celebrated by wearing jeans with a cat on them. How cute are these? I love them. I was going to cut them into shorts, but I love the way they looked as jeans. I opted for something comfy this day, since I was packing my car and walking around. My favorite part about this outfit? Everything is thrifted/hand-me-down except for my shoes. There's something magical about wearing thrifted or hand-me-down clothes. It's like you're carrying another soul with you, yet it becomes part of your soul. I know that's super cheesy, but I just love it. The scarf I tied around my head was my great grandmother's, I've had it for a while and never knew how to wear it. I felt like I was carrying a piece of her with me and that's a feeling you can't replace.

Scarf- Grandmother's

Shirt- Thrift Store

Jeans- Thrift Store

Sandals- Kmart

I just love clothes. I love expressing myself through clothes. I love looking different everyday, yet still the same. There will be a part two to this soon. I'm sorry that this wasn't a deep and thought-provoking post, but when I started this blog this was the type of stuff I wanted to post. I'm very much into beauty and fashion, I love reading posts like this and watching videos about it. I haven't forked up the courage to do that yet. I've always wanted to make videos but never had the guts. Maybe one day!

Until then, goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow. (Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase, or Tina Fey voice, you pick!) 

Love your curly haired girl who is currently wearing a Dog the Bounty Hunter Shirt

-Rachel xx

It's Mama's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, y'all! It has been such a lovely day spent with family, and I wanted to make a little post for all the amazing women in my life. 

This is my mom. We go way back. She is the rock in my life. She always knows what to say and what to do. She taught me how to be a Godly woman and how to love others. She's always the one who goes to concerts with me. (We're seeing Weird Al in a couple weeks, woohoo!) We share a love of One Direction, partially my fault for that one, haha! Anyone who knows her knows what an amazing person she is. She has the biggest heart in the world and would do anything for you. She is such a blessing and I'm glad God chose her to be my mom. I couldn't have gotten through life without you. 

This is my Grandma. I hate that I don't live close enough to her, so I'm not able to see her whenever I want. But the times I do get to see her, I cherish so much. I still get super excited when we go to her house. I love spending time with her and going out to eat seafood. (There ain't no seafood like South Carolina seafood, y'all.) She is so strong and loving and she means the world to me. She is such a blessing. I love you so much, I'll always be Doe Doe. :) 

This is my Granny. She is one of the strongest people I know, and makes a mean dirt pudding. These past couple months have been hard on all of us, and I can't imagine what she's had to go through. We were always a strong family and super close with everyone in my family, but I believe these past couple of months have made us even stronger. Granny is our rock. God knew what he was doing when he put my Grandma and my Granny in my life. My heart overflows with love for both of them. 

This is my Grandma Dottie (in the purple, I know this isn't the best picture, but it's the most recent!) I am truly blessed to have three grandmas in my life. Like, can you imagine having three? Holy cow. Even though we aren't blood related, you are such an amazing person and never fail to make all of us laugh with your stories. You are such an inspiring woman and I wish we lived closer so we could see you more. 

These are some of my wonderful aunts. (I don't have pictures with all of them, or none I could find right off hand.) I've grown up with lots of strong women in my life and I'm so thankful. There have been so many moments in my life that I remember with each of you. I know I'm always quiet and don't always say it, but y'all mean so so much to me. I get so excited to go to family reunions/parties/get-togethers. I love seeing everyone. I am just so blessed to have you all. All the advice, stories, jokes, and everything you all have told me, I hold in my heart. I still have all the birthday cards, the graduation cards, and everything. You all are so amazing and strong and just all around amazing women. You're all great mothers/have been like a mother to me and I can't thank you enough. Aunt Eva, Aunt Trish, Aunt Alicia, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Gail, Aunt Kay, and Aunt Claudia: I love you all so much!

A few of my cousins are mommies, so this is for you. Emmi, Parker is so lucky to have you as a mom. She is such a little ball of sunshine and I know she gets it from you. And thank you for doing my hair for prom, I know that was a over year ago but I loved it so much, haha! I need to get it cut again soon! 

And also a very happy mother's day to my cousins Sarah and Mendy. They are such wonderful moms as well and I miss them so much! 

Also, a very happy mother's day to my friend, Delaini. We didn't really become friends until senior year of high school, but I had so much fun planning events and becoming friends with you over that short time. You are such an amazing mom to Shooter. From the pictures and things you post, I can tell how much he loves you and you love him. I know you love him with everything in you and I hope you had an amazing first mother's day. <3

There are also many other women in my life that have been like mothers to me. They've always supported me and cheered me on. From being there if I needed someone to talk to, bringing me closer to God, giving me rides, feeding me, making sure I was okay, or just treating me like I was your own child (even if it was forever ago!), I appreciate you all so much and hope you had an amazing mother's day. You all are amazing mommas and I know your own kids love you dearly. So here's to you, Laurie Hinkle, Tonia Rozell, Michelle Hollingsworth, Mrs. Margaret Ann, Stacey Ballinger, Mrs. Maggie Puccini, and Mrs. Vicki Vickery. Y'all are a blessing and I thank God for your love and kindness everyday. 

I hope your Mother's Day was full of love and laughter, and hopefully a lot of sweets. 

-Rachel xx