Fashion Tips: Breaking in Sperry's

I bought a new pair of Sperry's a few months ago and was about to write about how much I loved them because I thought they were really cute...until I realized I hated wearing them.  I had no idea they needed to be broken in and that breaking them in would take absolutely forever!  They severely cut up my feet, especially at the back of my heel and on my ankle bones.  The fabric seemed to chafe against my skin, and I could barely walk in them.  I was told that if I put band-aids on my ankles and heels and then wore them for a full day, they would get broken in.  Unfortunately, this was not true.  I even went back to Nordstrom, which is where I bought them, and asked what to do in order to break them in.  The saleswoman said to rub the back of them with bristle brush, but this didn't work either.  At this point, I had a big dilemma: it was too late to return the shoes and they were scraped up because of me trying to break them in, but they also hurt too much to wear.  I couldn't even walk a block without them hurting!

I asked some of my friends what they did to break in their shoes, but they didn't have any straightforward answers.  Most people said they just wore them a lot and the shoes eventually broke in.  However, these friends told me that they still get blisters from wearing Sperry's for too long.  So, I started Googling "how to break-in Sperry's".  Some people said to just wear them all the time and they would eventually get broken in.  This wouldn't work because I could barely walk with them on.  Other people said to dunk them in water and sea salt.  I was skeptical to do this because I didn't want to completely ruin the shoes.  Finally, I found out how to break them in and comfortably wear them!  One person online said that I need to first loosen my shoes.  The reason why they were chafing my ankle and heel was because the shoes were too tight and the shoe forced itself onto my skin.  So, I loosened up my shoes and this seemed to do the trick!  Now that my feet weren't cutting, I felt so much better.  However, the shoes still weren't perfect.  They were uncomfortable and stiff.  However, one day after loosening up the laces on my shoes, I got caught in the middle of a rainstorm while walking home and my shoes got soaked.  I thought that it was the end of my shoes since I never got them waterproofed, but I was SO wrong!  It turns out that water does the trick on breaking in Sperry's!  So I made sure to wear my Sperry's during a few more rainstorms and now, my Sperry's are PERFECT!  They are actually the most comfortable shoe I own.  When walking with them on, I actually feel like I'm walking on clouds.  It's amazing! 

xoxo Kasia

Bows, bows & more bows!

Lately, I've been wearing lots of bows and headbands in my hair.  I think they look super cute, and they are a convenient and fun way to keep your hair out of your face.  My bow obsession started this past fall, when I was picking out my outfits for the football games at my university.  Football and tailgates are really big at my school, which means that looking good at these events is crucial.  So, my friend and I went shopping at a few campus stores to stock up on school spirit gear, and we came across the most adorable bows!  They were the colors of our school (maize and blue--I think you can easily guess which school I go to!).  Because the bows looked so good in my hair, I decided to try out some hair accessories.  I started wearing seersucker bows, plaid headbands, pink ribbons and even crystal headbands!  I grew to love matching my hair accessories with my outfits, especially because I felt that it gave my outfit character and showed that I like to have fun with my clothes.  Everyone should try out hair accessories!  Not only are they so darn cute, but they are super practical (I love that my hair is never in my face anymore!).

Here are some of my top picks:

 Seersucker Bows (Comes in 6 colors & a monogram option) $7 (via Etsy)

Navy Check Bow $7 (via Etsy)

Diamond Headband, $29.50 (via J. Crew)

Vicki Jerangle Carrick Headband, $30 (via Kiel James Patrick)

xoxo Kasia

Daily Playlist: STAY POSITIVE

I've been listening to a diverse range of music lately.  Country music has practically taken over my life because it is just so relaxing, but I've also been trying to keep up with some great albums that have recently come out.  Some in particular that I'd like to note: Jason Aldean's Night Train, Taylor Swift's Red and Mumford & Sons' Babel.  I've definitely been keeping up with the above artist's albums, but it certainly hasn't limited me in what music I've been listening to.  Lately, I've been trying to stay optimistic despite college's horribly large workload.  So, I've been listening to super happy music!  Here's my happy and positive playlist!




5.Tyler Ward - Born This Way
4.Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble
3.Taylor Swift - Red
2. Train - Mermaid
1. Alex G - Starships

xoxo Kasia

Daily Playlist: I'm Back!

Okay, so I know I haven't been posting very much at all.  College has literally taken over my life.  I have so much homework/studying to do that it's difficult to balance both academics and my social life/free time.  However, I'm going to try super hard to balance both and to keep up with my blog posts.  So in an effort to return to blogging, today's playlist is commemorating my return!  Also, I've had some lack of self esteem this weekend due to a few different factors.  So in order to make myself feel better, I love listening to songs that remind me that I am a strong, independent woman who can stand on her own and be confident in myself!

5. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
4. Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
3. Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
2. Britney Spears - Piece Of Me
1. Nicki Minaj - Marilyn Monroe

xoxo Kasia

DIY: Apple Candles

Now that autumn is in full session (the first day was September 22nd!), I'm ready to bust out my sweaters, scarves, boots and other fall-esque clothing items.  But lets not forget about one of the best things about fall--apples!  YUM.  During the autumn, I always find myself going to cider mills and stocking up on apple cider, caramel apples and cider donuts.  Because I can't constantly be going to cider mills and taking in the sweet smell of apples, I found a way to take the cider mill home with me: APPLE CANDLES.  This cute idea is something I'm looking forward to making lots of this season and embracing one of my favorite seasons. 

What You Need:

• Ripe Apple
• Tealight Candle (preferably without metal edges so it looks more natural)

Steps:

1. Find a ripe apple and stand it up so it doesn't or roll around when it is sitting.
2. Hollow out a hole just big enough for the tealight candle. The hole doesn't need to be where the stem of the apple is located.  It should wherever the top of the apple is when it is sitting up and not moving around.
3. Place the tealight candle in the hole and light the candle.  Now you're all set to decorate your home in a fall fashion!

xoxo Kasia

Daily Playlist: Beach Chill

With school back in session, I've been trying to destress myself in every way possible.  I get really bad anxiety when it comes to assignments, tests and with my social life, so a great way for me to chill out is to listen to really relaxing music.  This way, I can just daydream and pause the world for a few minutes.  So here are some relaxing songs that I love listening to when times get tough!


5. Joe Brooks - Superman
4. Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
3. Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me
2. The Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days
1. Peter Bradley Adams - The Longer I Run 

Update: College

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't posted in forever!!  I just moved in at college about a week and a half ago, and my life has been a whirlwind of events since then.  I've had so much to deal with as far as classes and academics go, not to mention my social life!  It's been a little stressful, but I'm finally getting back into my old routine.  So don't worry, I'll be posting frequently once again!  Love you all!

xoxo Kasia