Hi, I'm Briana and I'm a Lilly-aholic. 

I have no qualms about saying that I have a Lilly Pulitzer problem, I do. I have a Lilly planner, pencil case, phone case, iPAD case, bag, wristlet, scarf, and the list goes on.

I don't know what it is, I don't know if it's my sorority DNA but I cannot get enough of the Queen of Pink and Green.

That is exactly why when I found out that Estee Lauder was having a special Lilly Pulitzer free gift special, I freaked out.



I needed to get my hands on it and I knew exactly how that would happen; my aunt loves Estee Lauder so I mentioned that if she spent $35, I could get this Lilly make-up bag paired with some special goodies.

Thankfully my aunt loves me and I got what I had been pining over for a month. 

I was in desperate need of a new travel make-up bag to carry in my purse/tote bag on an everyday basis and this one is perfect. It's soft, not too big but not too small; it's perfect for carrying the every day essentials. 



With the bag came two adorable Lilly containers (which I have no idea what I'll use them for), a mascara, eye cream, neck cream, Advanced Night Repair, and a lipstick (I got the Exotic Orchid Shade, a light red color).

The quality of Estee Lauder is perfection and my love for Lilly is only growing.






I've been on such a make-up kick lately. I've been trying to perfect my beauty routine by adding new products and weeding out old ones.

I've been doing my make up different ways every day and I've been getting great compliments on a bunch of different styles.

One of my secret weapons that I've been adoring (but not abusing) is BB Cream. In my Birchboxes I've sampled a number of different types of BB Creams and they've all been great. I've still been searching for the one and I think I found it.

I tried Urban Decay Beauty Balm for the first time when I got it as a sample in a Sephora order. I used it one Saturday night and the compliments I got on it were amazing. It made my skin look so smooth and I only needed a little bit of extra bronzer on top of the BB cream.

The sample was so small that it was good for only two or three tries; I forgot about it until I went back to Sephora to purchase a concealer.

I had some money burning a hole in my wallet and saw the shelf of all different BB Creams to try. I picked up the Urban Decay one, sampled it again just to be sure, and didn't hesitate on buying it.



The great thing about this BB Cream is that it's one shade for all skin types. I always get confused on what shade I should buy but there was no confusion with this product. It blended right into my skin for perfect coverage.

I waited a little before trying it, only because I wanted to save it for a special occasion. Even though BB Creams can be used for every day use, I want to savor it because my day make up is very light; a little bronzer and some blush.

The cream is not feather light nor is it extremely heavy. It is a perfect medium that lets you know you're wearing something extra but it's not oily or greasy. It feels great on your face. It gives that extra glow that you're looking for but don't need shimmery bronzer to achieve it.

There is no need for foundation or moisturizer (that's the point of BB Cream anyway) and it also covered my dark circles pretty well.

I probably won't use this during the day a lot because like I said, I keep my make-up light but at night, this helps me achieve the perfect, bronzed, finished look.

I haven't tried any other BB Creams but I'm sure I will soon and then be able to properly compare. For now though, I'm perfectly fine with my Urban Decay Naked BB Cream.


I'm currently on Easter Break and up to my nose in work. Whether it's projects, regular homework, Intern Queen duties, or Phi Sigma Sigma paperwork, I will be extremely busy over the next few days.

There is so much to catch up on and I don't know where to start. I'm usually excellent on time management but sometimes your mind can get the best of you.

No matter the to-do list, if I don't have motivation most things won't get done. With no motivation and a to-do list 10 miles long, anxiety gets the best of me and it's all just a viscous cycle.

I'm my own worst enemy because my mind starts to race and even when I'm getting stuff done, I always feel like there is more to do.



I'm in a crazy stress cycle and I have no clue how to cure myself of it.

Here are some ways that I've been trying to cope with my stress level:

To Do Lists: Do I have to repeat myself? Having a to-do list is the #1 thing to have if you're stressed and super busy. Writing everything down on paper helps immensely and really clears your mind. It helps you organize your thoughts and crossing off items feel amazing.

Make a schedule: Some of my days are so busy and crazy, writing a to-do list isn't good enough. There is so much to do and so little hours during the day. Writing a schedule and chunking your time and duties together helps you get organized even better than an average to-do list. What I usually do is just write the times of my events/meetings, library hours, and the time where I plan on doing certain tasks in my planner so I'm always on top and on time.

Get done early: I do my best to be on top of everything. For the past few days, I've been waking up early and getting most of my to-do lists done before 2pm. That way, I'm not freaking out the rest of the day and I know that I've done my best so far. Not having your to-do list hanging over your head all day is the best feeling and it takes a lot of the stress away.

Give yourself breaks: It's important to give yourself an hour or so in between tasks so your mind can regroup and you can start fresh when you sit back down. It helps no one if you sit at a desk for eight hours without stopping. Your mind needs a break and so does your body. It'll be easier to focus if you take breaks in between working, no matter what you're doing.

Being so busy means that other things will have to take a back seat and one of those things has been this blog. The first week of April is going to be insanely busy but once that is over (and before finals start) hopefully my life will find some normalcy again!




March Birchbox

in , , , by RoyallyPink, 7:30 AM
It's that time of month again! My Birchbox was delivered to my school address while I was on Spring Break (GASP) so I had to wait a week to open it. I obviously peeked at what was inside on my Birchbox account and was pleasantly surprised.

I got some great stuff this month that I know I'm definitely going to use.







I'm not going to lie, I haven't tried this yet but I'm excited too. My blemishes are rare so I probably won't use this that often but I'm curious to see how it works!






This is a great nail file. I'm always one to forget to file my nails because I never have one around but this adorable Madewell design is nicking me of that bad habit. It's really strong and sturdy so it's perfect for doing yourself.



I am Blair Waldorf when it comes to headbands, whether they're stretchy, sport headbands or regal ones, like Queen B herself. Whenever I wear my hair naturally curly, I always wear a headband but I always look like I'm going too or coming from the gym, they totally drown out my look. That's why these headbands are heaven sent. They're sparkly, stretchy, and look great on! They don't take away from your outfit and because they're tight, they make your hair look more voluminous. It's a win-win!



I rarely use shaving cream because I use a Venus razor that already has shaving gel on the blade but this shaving cream is wonderful. It smells good and leaves your skin really soft. I've used it only once so I'll be sure to mention it again as I continue to use up the sample!



I was really happy when I saw this in my Birchbox but also a little skeptical. I've used nail polish applicators before and I hated them. These, I'm hoping will work out better but I haven't tried them yet. I'll do a separate review when I do try them!




It's now mid March which means one thing; summer internship deadlines are coming.

As a journalism major, internships are a crucial part of the job search. Internships, networking, and creating a personal brand are all things that my school and Journalism program promote and really stick to us. 

There is so much expected of people in the Mass Communications field and it's a lot to handle at times. I'm a second semester junior looking for summer internships and it's very draining. With one internship and a bunch of writing experience under my belt, it's still difficult to gain an internship at a company that has a high standard.

The competition is tough out there and getting a job in the bad economy is harder than ever. It's putting a lot of pressure on Gen Y; you have be able to multi-task, have knowledge of ALL social media, know how to work Photoshop, and a bunch of other different skills and abilities. It's exhausting and so competitive.

No matter what your credentials are and no matter how qualified you think you are, there is always going to be someone who is more qualified, someone who is better. It's your job as the applicant to make yourself stand out and know what the dos and donts of internships are.

In the year that I've been applying to internships, I have become a little bit of an expert in the applying process. It's something that I enjoy doing, even though it stresses me out a tad bit.

As an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador, I've learned so much about internships and what it takes to stand out. One could say I've become a bit obsessed with getting the perfect career; reading Levo League articles daily, taking advice from women like Kate White, and applying to a ridiculous number of internships kind of has taken over my life.

There are so many different things that could help you while applying to internships and how to help make yourself stand out.


-Gain some experience

First thing first, you need to build your resume. Start a blog, do some freelance work, write for your newspaper, do anything to get some experience in your field of choice. If it's marketing, join the Marketing Club on your campus, get involved in PRSSA, do anything! The more experience and side work you have, the better it will look to employers.


-Go to your career center

The best place to get your resume and cover letter checked out is your campus career center. They are trained to help you with these kinds of things and they're free, so why not take advantage of them! I went to my career center to get my resume looked at. They helped me re-write the entire thing and really changed the wording so certain things sounded better. I also went to them to help me with a cover letter because I had no idea where to start with that. Now I'm an expert at writing cover letters and fixing up my resume.

-Read internship books

I've learned a lot about internships from reading books on the topic! The best book is Intern Queen's 'All Work, No Pay' where Lauren Berger (The Intern Queen) talks everything from where to apply to interview tips to what to do once you land your dream internship. This book calmed me down from the internship panic attacks I was having and really opened my eyes to how serious internships are. Might I also suggest reading general career books; Kate White's "I Shouldn't Be Telling You This" is AMAZING! 

-Do your research

Make a list of companies you'd like to work for and then google jobs available with that company. For example, if I want to work for Glamour Magazine, I would say "Glamour Magazine Summer 2013 Internships" and see what pops up. Google might not always be your friend so also rely on internship sites such as InternQueen.com, Internships.com, and your school's career website. Save these postings on your bookmarks so you can look back at them later, which leads into my next step.

-Divide your time

The best strategy I've used when applying for internships is to set a few hours or a whole day aside to apply. This will decrease the stress that you experience because it won't be on your mind for weeks. Sit down with your computer, a notebook, and a pen and get to work. Get yourself organized so make a list in the notebook with the companies you're applying too, the contact person, the materials needed, and the deadline for the application. Sitting down and knocking out a few applications on a given day will make you feel better and a lot more productive.

These are just a few tips on how to help you apply for internships. If you write an incredible cover letter and have a pretty great resume, you'll be fine. Your dream internship is out there and if you keep looking, you will stumble upon it.

The best advice is just stay positive, do your best, and keep applying. You'll get that internship eventually, just keep working.




I have nothing specific to say about this; it's just a quote that resonates with me and I'm pretty sure everyone has the same perspective. It's human nature that we have a difficult time enjoying the present moments in our lives because we are too concerned with what we have to do and what we have done. Your life is present, you will never get today back so make it count.



I pride myself on being a sorority woman; I love being part of the Panhellenic community. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.



Today, all NPC women everywhere are celebrating International Badge Day, a day where we celebrate what it truly means to wear our badges, to always wear our letters.

At this moment in time, I have never been prouder to be a lady of Phi Sigma Sigma and to be part of the NPC community. 

You are always wearing your letters, whether you're a collegian or an alumni, your sisters and your letters are always behind you.

Happy International Badge Day!

It's halfway through the semester; college students every where are settled into their new classes, comfortable with their schedules, and looking forward to Spring Break.

With all this going on, midterms are kicking in and making students crazy. Last night I went to the library to study for my psychology quiz and the place was packed with students! On a Sunday evening, when kids are still nursing their Saturday night hangovers, they were busy at work.

There is something about midterms that makes students crazy, possibly even crazier than finals. Midterms sneak up on everyone; we think we have days and weeks to study for the big test but you look at the calendar and realize that the test is in two days, and you have three of them to study for.

Midterms creep up on us because they come right in the middle of the semester (obviously) but no one is ever prepared.

There are a few things you could do in order to help your midterm angst.

1. Talk to your professors

If you have three or more midterms on a single day, your school might have a policy that doesn't allow that to happen. Talk to your professors and see if there is a way you could take the test earlier or later to ensure that you get the best grade possible. There isn't any use studying to the bone for three tests if you're going to do below average on all of them.

2. Organize, Organize, Organize

If you haven't gotten the hint by now, I'm all about organization. Sit down and make a schedule of when and what to study, that will be a huge help. Also, if you make index cards or a study guide, that'll help too. Be sure to save those materials for finals week so you have most of the information already written down!

3. Study Uniquely

The worst part about midterms is obviously studying; not only are you worrying about doing a good job on your test and dealing with the stress of balancing all these tests and papers, you have to study. Being a Mass Communications major, I don't have many tests and the tests I do have aren't difficult, the information is pretty straight forward. Therefore, when I try to study psychology or history, I have a tougher time absorbing the information.

With the trusty help of my iPAD, I discovered some great apps that help with studying and make it a little more fun and a little bit easier: Brainscape and FlashcardLet. They're great interactive apps that have helped me immensely!

Do your best to stay positive during midterm week. Take a break from your four hour studying binge, paint your nails, get a coffee, and relax when you can. If you run yourself and your brain into the ground with information, the turn out will not be so great.

Keep Calm and Study On, you'll do great :)


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