Things I adore...

Fall treats. Fall is my favorite time of the school year. Nothing is better than the crisp weather that's just perfect for pairing a cable knit sweater with worn-in boots. Lately my roommates have been coming back with plenty of treats from home, including freshly picked pumpkins and hot-out-of-the-oven apple cider donuts (which I love, and I sincerely lament the fact that we don't have them in California). Check out this homemade recipe on Say Yes to Hoboken. 

How (Exactly) to Look Like a French Girl. This beauty feature by Refinery29 is cheeky and cute (and completely helpful). Who doesn't want to look like a French girl?

SoulCycle. I've heard about SoulCycle from other bloggers for ages, but I've never had the opportunity to take a class. Until recently. One of my sisters in my sorority works at the SoulCycle studio in Scarsdale, and was able to secure a free month of classes for students at our college. I am in LOVE. It's so painful, but so exhilarating all at once. I am definitely going to mourn my loss the day these free classes end. 

The Sartorialist: Fall inspiration. The Sartorialist used to be the first website that I visited every day in high school. It was my style bible. I haven't been checking it as much lately, and it's definitely something I regret. I was perusing the site today and this photo resonated with me most--I feel like it captures the style I want to channel this fall exactly. Sign me up for grunge-y plaids, leather boots and paradoxical cable-knit sweaters. 

Favorite find: Lorde's Pure Heroin

Photo by James K. Lowe

Lorde has skyrocketed in popularity. Even if you haven't heard of the 16-year-old newcomer, you certainly have heard of her song "Royals" which could be heard on any popular radio station this summer. 

I've followed Lorde for quite some time now, and I couldn't be more excited that she's getting the recognition that she deserves on the brink of the release of her debut album Pure Heroin. While you can't own the album for another week, you can pre-order it (done) and listen to the entire album at this link (and done). 

The New Zealand native's eerie yet addictive electro-pop songs are perfect to put on repeat on a rainy afternoon while studying or staring out a window (which I do way too often). Give it a listen before Lorde takes over the globe--there's no stopping her now. 

Get More: MTV Shows

H&M Online

It's finally happened. As of yesterday, H&M's e-commerce website is live in all 50 states. The site includes women's, plus-size, men's, teens, and children, and exclusive "online-only" items in what seems like a dream come true. 

Since I don't have an H&M at home, I've never really had the time to have a true shopping experience there. I've been in and out of various H&Ms in New York City, but they have been largely unproductive shopping trips. Oftentimes, walking through some of their brick-and-mortar stores has overwhelmed me due to the sheer amount of items available. 

H&M is certainly known for their affordable prices and essential basics, but what I love most is their tendency to produce high fashion items that my wallet can rejoice at. The fact that H&M has finally made their wares available online excites me to no end. I will finally be able to find those coveted items with ease rather than searching through their endless racks. 

The brand has also launched a user-generated contest called the "50 States of Fashion" where you can upload your best look to Instagram with your state's hashtag for a chance to win a trip to NYC. Quite the perk for shopping, no? 

Check out my favorite online items below... and happy shopping!

Chiffon Dress $34.95

Clutch Bag $24.95

Beaded Sweatshirt $49.95

Favorite find: Byrdie

I first became obsessed with blogs, and particularly fashion blogs, in my freshman year of high school. If you asked my parents, they would describe it as the era in which I emerged from my room only for food. As a determined student, I would dutifully research colleges that I could not apply to for another three years and internships that I could not even dream of for at least six more years. 

Of course, I needed plenty of inspiration material to fuel my hunger for all things related to fashion and the up-and-coming online home for the industry. One of the first blogs I began following was WhoWhatWear. I could spend hours watching Hillary and Katherine plan outfits and share wish lists on WhoWhatWearTV. 

In the six years since I first started following the budding blog, it has become a tour de force and can't be stopped. The duo behind WhoWhatWear recently launched a stand-alone online beauty magazine site called Byrdie with Britt Aboutaleb as the editorial director. 

The site is stunning. While I have always been the girl who cared more about what was in her closet than her makeup bag, this site has persuaded me to think otherwise. Beauty blogs are a dime a dozen, but the editorial direction that guides the content on this site sets it apart from any other. 

Simple articles like "How to find the best lipstick at the drug store" are quickly turned into works of art with photos of various shades of the recommended offerings smeared across a white background. I also love the section entitled "Beauty Routine" which highlights what celebrities use to beautify themselves each day with how-tos straight from their own mouths. 

Byrdie has quickly turned me into a beauty girl--will you be next?