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This Week's Top 10



1. A week from today is the last day of classes! So crazy that freshman year has gone by.



4. I ordered this bows top and this skirt yesterday. I wear way too much white in the summer and I love it

5. I also ordered this phone case yesterday that I have been in love with forever!!

6. Krista wrote this amazing post on the new Instagram. Couldn't agree with her more! It has gotten so frustrating with all of the updates.

7. Ugh, can't wait to be home. I want to cook everything and make myself this iced lavender dirty chai latte.


9. I adore this outfit on Sarah.... that purse? #hearteyes

10. I'm excited for this weekend! Tomorrow my sorority sisters and I are leaving for NYC to do a cruise and sleepover! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

xoxo

5 Facts About Me

I had a different post idea for today, but I wasn't feeling it last night and I thought it would be fun to share 10 facts about me to switch things up on the blog today! I think this kind of post is such a fun one to read on other people's blogs, and I am hoping you guys in return will share a fact or two of your own with me so I can get to know you better, too! (Also, side note... I feel like it's so fun when people share facts about themselves in a video! Would you guys want to see some video content this summer? Let me know!)

~ Let's get into it ~


1. I am left-handed

I'm not sure why I thought this one needed to be #1, but maybe because it's something that surprisingly effects my day-to-day life, and I always forget how uncommon it is to be a lefty! In high school, field hockey was no problem because everyone keeps their stick on their left side (just how you play the game), but I remember when I was little how hard it was to find golf clubs that were left-handed and in my size, how challenging it was to be good at a backhand swing in tennis, and how difficult it was to find comfortable left-handed baseball gloves! I hate writing on the right side of a notebook (but hey, that's half the time ;) and I always smear thank-you notes because my hand drags. Ah, the life of a lefty.

2. I shattered my iPhone 7 a week after I got it

Real talk: I am so tired of people telling me how destroyed my phone is. Seriously, I get it... and I am the one who has to deal with it! I guess if I weren't your lazy, average college student, I would have gotten this fixed by now, but I am so used to it at this point that it doesn't bother me (that much, at least, haha) anymore. I did so well for four years of iPhones without shattering any of them, and then right when I get to college and get a brand new iPhone, it's shattered within a week! I honestly just felt so bad for my mom because she was so nice and got me the upgrade, back in October when I went home for fall break, which was way before I was due for one. Then, I got back to school and cracked it (so yeah, it's been in unfortunate condition since October). I'm the worst sometimes.

3. I am really bad at sleeping

Okay, that sounds weird. But... it's kind of true. I don't take any sleep medication or anything because I really don't think I need to, but I am so bad at sleeping. It takes the average person 7 minutes to fall asleep (yes, I googled this), and it takes me close to 20 minutes almost every night unless I am really tired. Oh, and if I go to bed before midnight, the chance of me sleeping past 8 am are slim to none. I am most definitely a morning person, and this part I am actually really grateful for. I need a long day to get things done! This summer when I get home, I want to work on reading every night before bed. I really think that would help! For now, I have been using this pillow spray since my brother got it for me for Christmas.

4. Speaking of my brother, we are completely different.

If you ever met my brother, Adrian (he's just two years older than me), or even if you just saw us in the same room for like five minutes, you would be shocked to even discover we are related. We look nothing alike, and we are totally different when it comes to personalities too! My brother goes to school in downtown Chicago (I couldn't even force myself to look at city schools... I toured George Washington University and left after 5 minutes!) and he is totally a hippie. He had a man bun until a month ago! One thing though... we both love music. I'd like to think we have similar taste in music, but if I ever said that to him he would be so offended. He actually his his own radio show on his school radio! Haha maybe I just like all of his music and he doesn't like any of mine...

ugh, take me back to my graduation party!

5. I love math

Ever since I was little, I have always loved math! It's 100% my favorite class. I came to Lehigh intending to do finance, but I actually switched into retail marketing (I talked a little about that in this post), which for me, the only downfall is that I'll be doing less math in my future :) I remember being in middle school and being so embarrassed because I loved my math classes, and kids were always complaining about them! I thought I was such a weirdo!! Now in college, last semester was my first time taking calculus, and even though it was really challenging for me (I failed the first exam so hard), I absolutely loved it. SO much math!!! Hahaha I am weird.

What is a fun fact about you?! I want to get to know you all a little bit better! Blogging should be more of a two-sided conversation.
xoxo

Your Avocado Toast Guide to NYC

While I was consuming guac the other day (who's surprised?), I realized it's pretty obvious how much  I love avocado toast, given that I talk about it on the blog at least once a week. I've been in New York a lot this year, and I always make avocado toast a brunch priority during my time in the city. What's better than an avocado toast guide in one of the best cities in the world?!

Of course, I haven't tried all of the toasts out there, so if you have a favorite avo toast in New York, you must share it with me! As for now, here are the places I'd recommend:



Felice Wine Bar -- Upper East Side // 1st and 83rd

15 Graduation/Occasion Dresses


I talked about graduation party invitations and graduation gift ideas a few weeks ago, but before all else, the most essential part of graduation is securing the perfect dress! I went to a Catholic, all-girls high school, so for graduation we wore long white dresses and white gloves to our elbows. I loved the traditional look and I thought it made our graduation ceremony so special. In general, I do believe that white dresses are the perfect choice for graduation ceremonies, and I feel like most private schools ask that girls wear some sort of white dress. However, if you're graduating this year and not feeling the all-white look, I personally find seersucker dresses, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, and really any other pretty dresses of that sort fabulous for the occasion as well.

Honestly, I think these dresses are all gorgeous, and they would work well for any nice occasion you might have on your calendar for this summer.


11: Gold Detail // 12: Eyelet // 13: Tiered Scallop // 14: Pink Crepe // 15: Lilac Lace

Do you have your graduation dress picked out already? Or if you're not a graduate, where did you find your dress?
xoxo

On My Radar (+ exciting news!)



Remember when I changed my blog from The Blonde Prep to Fran Acciardo?! I have been realizing lately that it makes little sense that I never switched over my other handles. I did switch over my tumblr (which is a platform that I love but don't use enough... it's my favorite when I get anonymous questions and random questions to answer), but making the whole rebrand/transformation includes switching over the Instagram handle too! So.... be sure to check out my Instagram later because I will be moving to @franacciardo today!!! 

(this wasn't the super exciting news, lol. keep reading!)



Freshly is a really cool gourmet meal delivery service that reached out to me a few weeks ago to try their meals. Freshly basically lets you pick meals from their website to make eating healthy "deliciously easy," and then they get mailed right to your door! All of the meals are made-to-order and completely microwavable, so you don't need a kitchen or more than a few minutes of time, which is perfect if you're in college like meeee. 
Anyway, I tried my first meal on Saturday night (before the Alpha Phi formal!) and it was really good for a microwavable meal! Unlike other microwavable foods, Freshly's ingredients are 100% real (I looked at the list and they don't use any chemicals or preservatives, which was really impressive) and they actually taste like real food. I'd totally recommend them! 

*You can use the code nocook639, which gives first-time users $20 off Freshly's 6 meal plan


Okay... I finished Thirteen Reasons Why on Netflix, and I loved it. I know the reviews are really all over the place, especially due to the subject of the series (suicide), but I thought the show did a good job of making the audience understand the impact of our decisions and how even little things can have an affect on people without us realizing it. Overall though, I am not a Netflix person at all, and I couldn't stop watching this show. It was just so engaging and made me want to know who was next and next! (And my friend Hannah Payne is in the show! She plays Stephanie. So cool!)


I went on a Target run this weekend with my roomie, and I picked up two bottles of Humm 'booch to bring back to my dorm. At my school they have Master Brew kombucha on campus, but at Target I found a new-to-me brand, Humm, on the shelves. I have been loving drinking kombucha lately because everyone here at school (myself included) has been getting sick, and kombucha is a deliciously refreshing and healthy way to get some probiotics back into your body (read my blog post on it here!). I got the Coconut Lime (amazing) and Blueberry Mint flavors, and I love how this brand is just perfectly sweet! Sometimes other brands are very bitter.


5. My Formal Dress

As I mentioned, Saturday night was Alpha Phi's formal. I borrowed this dress from one of my friends, and I got so, so many compliments on it that I wanted to share a few similar options here. (I couldn't find it online, but the brand is JOA) In addition to the 30 dresses under $100 that I posted about a few weeks ago, you can shop some cute dresses here: 



....finally! the exciting news!!!! i declared my major as retail marketing, and I will be working at a retail store this summer! I got the job this week, but I still have to sign the contract and make it all "official," but I couldn't wait to share! I'm so excited to jump into retail and work at a store! Have any of you worked in a store before?! I'd love to hear some tips or what it's really like!! Once it's all official I will be sharing what brand, but it's one of my faves :)

What's on your radar currently?! Happy Monday! (Last week of April.. how crazy is that?!)
xoxo

This Week's Top 10


1. J. Crew's new arrivals are so good. I need this top, this whole outfit, and this top. It's starting to become scary how much my wardrobe revolves around blues and whites and combinations of the two. I didn't realize how out of hand the obsession had gotten until I ventured to New York and realized every outfit I packed had some sort of blue or stripes in it.

2. Speaking of New York... I shared my weekend recap on the blog yesterday 

3. .MANGO is also killing it with the new arrivals. I love this skirt and these satin espadrilles that are both under $40.

4. And more shoes: these scalloped flats are on my wish-list right now.

5. Freshly sent me a few meals in the mail yesterday and I am so excited to try them. Have any of you tried out Freshly before? (Use code nocook639 for $20 off a 6 meal plan!)

6. Jack just got me this Patagonia (and monogrammed! Love him!) and it's seriously so comfortable that I never want to take it off. I posted about the other Patagonia he got me for Christmas, but this one is more plush and cozy.

7. Last night at the event I was photographing they served carrot cake for dessert, and I honestly didn't know I was so in love with carrot cake until now. It's incredible. I love cream cheese frosting, and carrot cake is so much more moist and flavorful than regular cake. Wow. Here's a recipe to try! I WANT IT.

8. I CAN NOT STOP watching Thirteen Reasons Why!!! Is anyone else addicted?

9. I love this post on the importance of having a Sunday routine. For me, my Sunday routine involves sleeping in, heading to mass, workout out, and cranking out work for the week. (I'd like to say I do my laundry every Sunday, but that doesn't happen as often as it should...)

10. Tomorrow I am so excited to go out for brunch with my roomie... we both have pretty lowkey weekends ahead of us for once!

xoxo

Weekend Recap

Hi everyone! I am happy to say that I handed in my research paper, took a test, and finished a few other assignments just yesterday. I thought I would finally feel like I had a little bit more time on my hands, but of course, with there being less than four weeks left of school, things are just go-go-go. Next Wednesday I have another exam, tonight I am photographing an event at school for almost five hours... the list never ends!


But, I still wanted to sit down and take time to share my Easter weekend recap, because I love doing these kinds of posts, and I hate going a whole week without new content on the blog! So without further adieu, let's get into it!

This Week's Top 10


1. So excited to head into New York City this morning to celebrate Easter and my little cousin's birthday with high tea at the Plaza this afternoon (my favorite!)

2. Also geeked to meet up with my girl Sloane for a late brunch- haven't seen her in forever.

3. So everyone probably already knows about the Shopbop sale, BUT, in case you're missing out: it's huge

4. In love with these Soludos, and these wedge espadrilles too (would make a great graduation shoe, and so would this pair of pretty metallic heels).

5. Oh... no big deal. But I AM REALLY EXCITED. I was interviewed and featured in Lehigh's school newspaper for my blog!

6. This tea is my all-time favorite, and I believe everyone needs to try it. I drank so much of it this week.

7. One of the cutest bloggers just bought a house, and even though she's only revealed one picture, it looks like it'll be fabulous.


9. Make sure you're following along on Instagram for my adventures this weekend!

10. HAPPY EASTER! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend with family and great weather. This such a happy day of the year :)

xoxo

Spring Inspiration

Happy Thursday! I apologize that content has been a little light on the blog this week. I have been swamped with exams and I am heading to New York tomorrow for Easter weekend, making my plate a little extra full trying to fit in course work and assignments before I venture out of town. Hopefully, things will be back into the swing of things mid-next week once my research paper (!!) is complete, exams are over, and I am at school for good until the end of the school year! Who else has just one month left?! Crazy to think my freshman year of college is almost behind me.

Also.. how are we already two weeks into April. Tomorrow is Good Friday (in the Church, this means our 40 days of Lent end on Sunday when we celebrate Easter) and it feels like just yesterday was February. But... at the same time, Spring Break feels like years ago. Does this happen to anyone else? I feel like I have been so crazy busy I can't even keep up with my life.

But... taking a step back to appreciate that we have had weather in and above the 70s this week in PA, there's only one month of school left, and I get to see my aunts and cousins this weekend, I'd say things are definitely looking up! Here's a little spring inspiration to brighten your day.






What's new with you?
xoxo

How I Have #CarefreeMornings


Before college, I sort of knew I was a morning person, but it wasn't really until this semester when I started getting up early almost everyday, kicking off my days with a workout or a good breakfast, when I realized that I thrive during the morning. For me, when I have #CarefreeMornings, I am able to make the most of my afternoons and evenings because I am left feeling inspired and motivated to have a good day. I know in college it sounds crazy to some people to think of waking up before your 9 AM (because let's be honest, half of us don't even wake up for our 9 AM's at all...), but I am definitely that person who would rather work out in the morning, eat a good breakfast in the morning, or go to bed earlier and finish studying in the morning. And, if we're being honest, I would skip a party any night to make sure my daily routine doesn't get too set-off course.


My absolute favorite way to start my mornings is by working out. Lately I have been setting my alarm for an hour or two before my classes, because I found that trying to motivate myself to work out in the afternoon was pretty much a disaster for me and rarely actually ended up happening. And when I work out in the mornings, I find I feel so ready to take on my day and I am so much more awake during my morning classes than I have been before. Afterwards I shower and get ready for classes in real clothes, which also means I am left feeling fresh and I don't have to wear gym clothes all day just to get myself motivated to go!



Having a #CarefreeMorning is the best feeling. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a morning routine to prepare for my day! To make the rest of your day equally as carefree and comfortable as the morning, I have partnered with Carefree to talk about their new liners and encourage you all to Liner Up every morning with Carefree! Carefree® Pantiliners are thin and soft, and they deliver freshness lasting an entire day. They have a variety of products to suite anyone, and I don't know about you, but feeling fresh and set for the day really makes a difference in having a good, full, inspired and successful day.

How do you have #CarefreeMornings?! Liner Up with Carefree :)
xoxo


***



Example: I was asked to participate in the #CarefreeMornings campaign, sponsored by Carefree at Target. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

This Week's Top 10


1. I have been waiting to share this since Monday: the BEST Champagne quotes #bubblesplease


3. Okay, call me basic, but this photo of mine on Instagram is so close to 1,000 likes! That's my highest ever and I am so geeeeeeked!! I love you guys :)

4. Moving on to bigger things: A BIG round-up of 30 dresses under $100.



7. I gave up sweets for Lent, but tell me this Lemon Poppyseed, Blackberry, and Almond cake doesn't look incredible.


9. I can't stop listening to the Friend of a Devil cover by Mumford and Sons from Day of the Dead. Not sure how I missed it for over a year, but it might go down to be one of my all time favorite songs.

10. What are your plans for this weekend? I am excited to go explore the Lafayette campus (Lehigh's rival!) for mock recruitment!!

xoxo

30 Dresses Under $100

Hello, hello and HAPPY APRIL! I apologize for not getting a post up yesterday; I had two midterms back-to-back yesterday morning that I studied for all weekend (not kidding, nonstop studying is so necessary when you have two exams on the same day), but I think they went well :)

Can we also talk about how this year is flying by?! I, for one, couldn't be more excited to finally have some good spring weather. Moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania definitely didn't free me from snowy, cold winters, but I am lucky that I got to miss out on the tail end of winter still lurking in the Midwest....

That said, what better way to stock up on new spring wardrobe essentials than by picking up a few fun spring dresses and preparing for all the white we get to wear in the coming season! I wrote this post last spring on 10 white dresses under $100, this post over the summer all about shirt-dresses, and this post a few months ago on red dresses for the Alpha Phi red dress gala. Dress round-ups are some of my favorites, because no matter how hard I try to narrow down the list there are always so many good options sure to please everyone.

This spring, I have split it up into "spring dresses" and "white dresses," because you might be surprised how many times in your life you'll find yourself needing a good white dress, and a blog post dedicated to just that for help.

Shop the spring dresses using the widget here:


Shop the white dresses using the widget here:


Happy shopping!
xoxo