Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products

1. Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless: I use this translucent powder as a great setting powder for under my eyes. I also use it to set my eye shadow primer.

2. Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser: I switched to this concealer from the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer because I feel like it stays put all day. The sponge tip applicator also makes this a great concealer to keep in in my bag because it is perfect for quick touch-ups.

3. Physicians Formula Lash Booster Eyeliner: I used to be a die-hard Stila eyeliner fanatic, but once they reformulated I noticed it drying out a lot faster than usual. I saw ThaTayla rave about this on YouTube and I absolutely love it. It has a brush tip and applies so smoothly and is so black. I can't vouch that it has actual last boosting properties, but as an eyeliner it is fantastic.

4. Essence Make Me Brow: I don't use this alone, because my brows are both thin and light, but I like to use this with my Anastasia Brow Wiz to give my brow hairs some more definition and make them look a little less filled.

5. L'Oreal Infallible Setting Spray: This is literally the only setting spray I have liked. I tried Urban Decay's and I just didn't feel like it did enough to justify the price. This has been perfect for those crazy humid Georgia days.

6. Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer: I'm not really sure if this primer actually helps keep my oil under control, but it does make my foundation easier to apply.

7. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Moisturizer Extra Dry: I have nothing but good things to say about this moisturizer. It is by far the BEST moisturizer I have EVER used. I have very sensitive skin and this doesn't agitate it one bit (unlike the overhyped Cervae in a tub). My only advice is to make sure that you buy the extra dry version because the other version is fragranced. 

8. L'Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara: I just love this mascara so much. The only downside is the pink on the bottle chips away after awhile and makes the tube look terrible.

Friday Roundup 7.28.17

higher education happenings //

• Harvard University is considering a ban of fraternities, sororities, and "finals clubs" to take effect in Fall of 2018.  Under this controversial proposal, students could face disciplinary action for joining these groups, causing concerns regarding whether or not this infringes upon students' rights.
• As we continue through Trump's presidency, there are increasing concerns about cutting the already limited funding in higher education.
• It's almost August, which means many students are gearing up to start their first year of graduate school. Dr. Don Martin writes about some tips for preparing for graduate school.

wishlist //

• Summers are hot here in Georgia, so I've been relying on dresses to make dressing for work bearable. This Blooming Black Midi Dress from Jessakae seems like a great option for when it's too hot for pants.
• When I was in grad school I got a meal plan as part of my graduate assistantship compensation package, so I rarely ever ate at home. Now that I have to pack my lunch every day, I'm looking at ways to make it easier to prep. This Cuckoo Rice Cooker seems like a great way to take out some of the hassle.
• This Topshop Scallop Frill Tee is everything I've wanted from a shirt and more.

hallthatjas updates //

• I've been in Georgia for almost two whole months now!
• It's been great getting everything all set up here at hallthatjas
• My Friday Favorites posts are inspired largely by Fran of Franish's weekly "top three" posts!

Decorating the New Place

Making the big move from on-campus living to having my own place has been a big adjustment. I moved to Georgia with my only pieces of furniture being a cube shelf and a queen mattress I stole from my dad's guest bedroom. Luckily, almost two full months of being in my new place I have managed to get some essential furniture pieces (like a bed frame, a couch, and some end tables) and switch my focus to decorating. Luckily, with the back to college season upon us, it is the perfect time to get little pieces for the home. Below are some finds that I have my eyes on!

Living Room //

1. Kenya Fleece Accent Rug - $84.99 from Target
Area rugs are pricey, but I love the simplicity of the rug. My living room theme at the moment is cream and gray with gold accents, so this is a perfect fit.

2. Bulletin Board with Chalkboard and Hooks - SALE $23.74 from Target
This is more of an entryway item than a living room item, but I love the ability to write a reminder to myself and have it be the last thing I see before I grab my keys and head to work.

3. Better Home and Gardens Faux Fur Decorative Pillows - $11.88 from Walmart

I actually bought similar pillows for my couch from Home Goods earlier in the month. I love the contrast of textures it brings alongside other throw pillows and how nice and soft they feel.

Bedroom //

1. Diamond Weave Throw - SALE $29.97 from Nordstrom Rack
Do I need another throw blanket? No. However, I love the diamond weave design and think it would be great to put on the corner or edge of a bed with an all white comforter.

2. Cactus Tapestry - SALE $13.49 from Target
I don't know how my bedroom became full on cactus/succulent themed, but when I saw this tapestry while picking up some coffee creamer at Target, I knew I had to have it in my room. I'm not particularly handy, so having a tapestry on the wall means a lot less empty wall space with no nails, hammers, or hooks required!

3. 15ft Firefly Photo Clip Lights - SALE $9.97 from Nordstrom Rack
My apartment has a weird feature because the bedroom has this odd desk that is built into the wall. While it is one less piece of furniture for me to buy, I've been looking for ways to make it a nice, decorated workspace without compromising the aesthetic of the rest of my bedroom. These light clips are a perfect way to decorate the area around the desk while also keeping in line with the rest of my bedroom. 

Kitchen //

1. Tervis Straw Lid - $3.99 from Tervis
This one isn't really decoration, but it is definitely on my wishlist. I've been trying to drink more water at work each day and I have found that I am way more likely to drink from a drink sitting in front of me with a straw in it than I am to drink from a water bottle. This has prompted me to consider getting a new 20oz Tervis cup with a straw lid and a set of straws in an attempt to be a bit more green with my straw usage. I have a trust Tervis mug that I use every day at work for my coffee, so I think adding one for my water is a welcomed addition. Plus you can customize them any way that you like!

2. VECELO Eames Style Dining Chairs - $69.99 from Amazon
I fell in love with this style of chairs after sitting in them at a cute little restaurant in Virginia the day before I moved to Georgia. I looked around everywhere and was finding them in the range of $70-$100 per chair. Thankfully, after browsing Amazon for awhile, I found these chairs (which come in a set of two) and ordered them immediately and I love them. They are comfortable and sturdy and add just a little bit of flair to my dining area, however, the instructions to build them aren't the best so make sure to read them carefully a few times before beginning to build them.

3. Raised Marker Wall Clock - SALE $18.99 from Target
I love having a wall clock in the kitchen because it means I don't have to do all the work of programming the oven timer when I am trying to do something quick. This one is cute and such a bargain.

What are your favorite home items that you are eyeing this summer?

What I've Been Doing for Two Years...

I did some traveling.

I met amazing people and made great friends during my time completing my graduate work in Virginia.

I supervised some phenomenal student leaders as a Graduate Assistant.

...and after two long years, I graduated with my Masters of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) in Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

Now, I'm starting my next life stage (and my first time not being a student). I've moved from Virginia to Georgia to accept my dream position as a student affairs professional who gets to support the fraternal community each and every day.

Since I'm finally done with being a student (at least for now) and have a lot more free time, you will be seeing more activity around these parts. I have a huge revamp plan for this place and I can't wait to get the party started!