darlingrachel

Sweater Weather in San Diego

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 19:00:00 +0000

The weather is finally cooling down and I am determined to wear as many sweaters as I can before it is blazing hot again. I decided to pair this cute knit sweater from Kohl's tucked in to my black high waisted Hollister jeans and Steve Madden Combats.

Bear ♡ Sweater

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Kohl's sweater - Sold Out | Hollister High Waisted Jeans | Steve Madden Combats
| Similar belt & Here | Similar handbag

This sweater has become a new favorite this fall/winter. I was always struggling with what jeans to wear with it since it is a crop sweater. I ended up getting these high waisted Hollister skinny jeans in this medium wash as well as black and just love pairing them with anything "cropped" This cute hot pink belt that I found in the little girls section at Target pulled the whole look together and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Cowl Neck Sweater

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Two weeks off from work means new content for the blog :) I am hoping to get on a better schedule with posting so I don't go MIA.

This sweater is one of my favorites, it can be paired with just about anything and because of the beautiful details there is no need to accessorize, unless you really feel the need! I chose to wear my medium wash skinny jeans from Hollister, with brown over the knee boots. You wouldn't be able to tell from the photos but it was about 70+ degrees and super muggy when I was taking these photos. I definitely thought it was cooler out because of how overcast it was.

5 Ways to Organize your Fashion Life

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 01:17:00 +0000

It is safe to say that my closet is one of my favorite places, I could stand there for hours putting together outfits. I am sure everyones closet has been a little crazy looking at one point or another, so I thought I would put together a video on the ways that have helped me keep an organized closest/fashion life! The video is below, or if you just want to read what I said, you will find it under this video :) Enjoy!

Color coding- Ever since I was young, I was taught to color code my wardrobe. This might seem like a tedious task but it has really cut my time i stand in my closest thinking of what to wear in half. Now, I can at least go I want to wear a pink shirt and go straight to my pink section and decided versus have to sort through every shirt I own until I find the one I want! But, just because I have been doing this for awhile doesn’t mean I still don’t get lazy. Every few months I have to go in and make sure everything is in order or even re do my color coding system.
Folding- I never realized until just recently that the way you fold your clothes can make a huge difference in space. For the longest time, I was folding my shorts like this, and it wasn’t efficient. I realized I was only wearing the shorts on the top and was forgetting about everything else. So this was my solution!
Donate-I talked about this in my last video on how to organize your life, but we all know how hard it is to get rid of old clothes especially when we think we will wear it again. My trick is the handy dandy hanger trick. What you do is turn all of your clothes hangers facing the opposite direction like this. Once you wear something make sure to hang it up the right way. After 6 months or however long you want to go, you will go to your closet and the clothes that the hangers are still facing backwards, those are the clothes you will want to think about donating. I am sure there are other tricks that are similar to this but this is the one that has worked for me and has let me see the truth…
Shoeboxes- I know this is something you can find anyone saying..but shoeboxes make a great organization tool. My sock drawer in my closet used to be crazy and it was one of those things that I would open it and quickly close it because it was so unorganized. I finally decided to try this trick that I had seen multiple other places, and that was to get a two shoeboxes and designate each shoebox to a certain style of sock. Not only do I know where each style is now but I also can open this drawer without feeling hectic inside!

5 Ways to Organize Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 19:02:00 +0000

If you are already subscribed to my channel, then you have seen this video already... or maybe not! I've decided to step away from school related videos for a bit, because as many of you know I am no longer in school since i've graduated, so trying to come up with new material each week can be a little challenging. But, organization is something that I will always love and I figured this would be a great video. Make sure you subscribe to my channel by clicking here , you can either watch the video below are read the my 5 tricks at the bottom of this post :) Enjoy!

Use a planner- I know I say this in pretty much ever video, but I can not stress this enough. Having a place where you can write your schedule for the day down will help you feel less overwhelmed. Make it a habit to take it out first thing when you get into class or the last thing you do before you pack up and leave. While in class, I would always leave my planner opened to the day and had it ready to go just in case my professor said anything important.
Write everything down- It is easy to use a planner for appointments, events and deadlines, but don't forget to write down important details of the things you need to get done. To do lists are your best friend and writing down small details will guarantee you will not forget.
Clean as you go- This might seem silly to some, but my motto is not to wait until the last second to clean everything up! Try and clean as you go. If you're making dinner, try and rinse the mixing bowl while you let the food cool down, or put away the spices while dinner is cooking. Cleaning little by little will help maintain your living space and you won't have to have huge cleaning days where your entire day is taken up by cleaning.
Everything should have a home- All items in your room or apartment should have a home. I made sure that when I reorganized my desk that each drawer had a specific purpose. You can find my desk tour/organization video here. Eventually this will become second nature which will help you stop misplacing things!
Get rid of things you don't use- This can be a hard task, because no one likes getting rid of things but if you haven't used something in over a year, I think it is easy to say you no longer need it. Make a list of what you think you should own (how many pairs of jeans, shirts, shoes..etc) and then compare this list to what you actually own. This will help you reevaluate what you have and if you actually need it. I talk about other ways to decide on what to donate in my video called "5 Ways to Organize your Fashion Life" found here.

November Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 19:22:00 +0000

ig@darlingrachel

Photo Details: Jeans Forever 21, Shirt Similar here

Photo Details: Shirt Hollister

Photo Detail: Flannel Forever 21, Boyfriend Jeans Forever 21

Photo Details: Scarf Forever 21 (Similar here), Shirt Old Navy

Photo Details: Shoes Converse, Jeans Hollister, Shirt Hollister

Photo Details: Flannel Forever 21, Boyfriend Jeans Forever 21, Purse Similar here

Photo details: Oxfords here

It is somehow Thanksgiving week and I am still trying to figure out how it is the middle of November... I decided it was time to do a recap of all my Instagram posts from the last few weeks. I did a lot of repeat posts from months past....so a lot of the clothes I am wearing are no longer available :( But, I will say this... most of my clothes are from Forever 21... probably about 90% of my closet, so if you can't find the exact outfit, I am sure you will find something similar there :)

My Top 5 Online Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 22:00:00 +0000

I am always talking about all of the different online/app resources that I use for studying and I figured it would be a good time to sit down and actually make a video talking about my tips. If you have any resources that you use for studying that you would like to share, please leave it in the comments section of the video.

My Top 5 Online Resources

1: Quizlet, I have talked about quizlet in a few of my videos, especially when I bring up making notecards to study. It is this handy dandy app where you can create flash cards. You can either create your own or use the search bar and look for a specific topic. I was able to find all of the chapters for my Spanish book that someone else had created. I just had to make sure that it was correct, but it saved me a lot of time. The nice thing about this app is that you have your phone with you 24/7 so you have no excuse to not open the app for 5 minutes when you’re waiting for a friend or something. There are also games on the app that will help quiz you and memorize the words you’re studying.

2: YouTube, this one might seem like a no brainer but YouTube is actually a great resource for studying. I think so many people think of YouTube as a place for makeup tutorials and vlogs but I have used it so many times to understand a certain topic better. Like I’ve said in a few other videos there are a ton of songs that will help you memorize crazy concepts or even help you with learning a new language. My best advice for YouTube is to be patient and not be afraid to keep going deeper to find the video that will help explain it. I watched some videos that had thousands of views that helped me and watched others that only had 100.. it is all about trial and error and being patient!

3: Purdue Owl, I couldn’t tell you how many times I have gone to this site for help. It has writing tips and tricks galore! I love any site that is super organized like this one here, you have general writing tips, subject specific writing and even job search writing tips! It has pretty much everything, plus a great little guide for MLA and AP style which for some reason I am never able to memorize. one day…need to find a song about it haha

4: Mathway , umm does anyone else dread math? I made a video talking about some of the tips that I have learned over the years but this site has saved me so many times. They also have an app, but it is this great site where you can put in a math problem and it will solve it for you! I do have to say that if you use this for every single problem you will not learn the material…obviously. and you probably won’t do well on the test but it is helpful when you’re stuck, just so you can see the correct answer or check your work. At the top, you’re able to change to different levels of math including chemistry! Check it out, just don’t rely on it for everything :)

5: Khan Academy, this site has every single subject and it is wonderful, I wish I had found it sooner. Best thing about it, it is a free site! It helps you understand the subject with an instructional video , and then allows you to practice the topic with over 1000 different interactive exercises! They also have some great resources for the SAT and ACT that high schoolers would benefit from.

Harry's Coffee Shop + La Jolla

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 00:33:00 +0000

I totally thought I would have gotten around to this post by now. We have been going to Harry's Coffee Shop for almost a year now and still love it! I somehow had never tried the French Toast before which is pretty much unheard of with me but I am here to tell you that it is AMAZING! It is the closest to my dads on Sunday mornings. I am pretty sure that is all I compare French Toast to. Oh, and let's talk about the cinnamon rolls. We never leave here without having one. I somehow always eat most of it but I really have no complaints because LOOK at it! I have a serious obsession with cinnamon rolls. Fun side story: Back when we were in college, living in the dorms, my boyfriend (friend at the time) and our other friend would come over and we would make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls at midnight and just sit around and eat them :) so goood! Anyways...if you are super hungry like me and need something to hold you over until the real food comes then get the cinnamon roll!

Alright, so now to talk about the fun stuff...not really but hey, it is pretty important! Allergies and how did this place do? Well, I think you can guess based off of what I have already said that they were great! I really have no complaints. They do have an item on their menu that contain Pecans, so if you have a tree nut allergy you may want to stay away but they were really great about making me feel comfortable the first time I ate here. My favorite part, is that because of my allergy, pastries are usually off limits, but I am able to eat it all here. :) :) :)

I forgot to mention up there that Harry's Coffee Shop is located in La Jolla, so after breakfast/brunch you can go over to see my pretty ocean!

Tips & Tricks: Science Class

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:00:00 +0000

I have been trying to go through all of the subjects and talk to you all about some of the tips & tricks that I have figured out! Last weekend, I decided to post two videos since I have been lacking in that department. I did the History video along with this one here on Science. You can go ahead and watch it here or read below for the 5 tips that I have! If you have any tips that you would like to share, please leave a comment on the video!

Subscribe by clicking here

tip #1 - having a hard time memorizing the periodic table? or other diagrams like how the heart works? go to youtube and search for a song! Yes a song! People have created the periodic table song which will help you recite and memorize the periodic table of elements and there are other songs for other concepts! This is a really helpful tip for those of you who are auditory learners! Just think of how fast you memorize the lyrics to that new song, next up memorizing concepts for school in song style! or make up your own fun song or poem to help you remember any complicated concepts!

tip #2 keep up with the reading and syllabus so you can be prepared for lecture. In your syllabus there will usually be a topic of what will be discussed during lecture. If this is the case try and copy down any diagrams or illustrations before class so you aren’t having to scribble it out while its up on a slide. This way you will already have a general understanding of what it is about but you will be able to focus on what your professor is saying and really understand the small details as well.

tip #3 make sure you neatly write down any worked problems or equations. These are often hints at what will be on the test and having those worked out problems will give you a guide of what you could see in the future. If you find yourself confused don’t be afraid to ask your teacher or a classmate.

tip #4 listen carefully to the class discussion, the questions that your classmates are asking are probably worth noting. Many times the questions that we have, others will have as well, so it is important to pay attention even when it is easy to zone out when the teacher isn’t talking.

tip #5 revise your work. If you receive homework back that you didn’t do so awesome on, instead of shoving it into the black hole known as the backpack, take a look at what you did wrong so that you won’t make those mistakes again. If needed, take it to your teacher, and have them sit down with you and walk you through your errors.

Flour & Barley

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:35:00 +0000

I have another restaurant for all of you! My boyfriend and I frequent downtown, and are always looking for a new place to try! Flour & Barley which is a Brick Oven Pizzeria thingy was over in Seaport Village...which is gorgeous! They will be doing a lot of construction on it soon, so I recommend any tourists heading down there asap. The menu was pretty standard... pizzas, sandwiches, salads nothing too special in my opinion. Over the years, I have really realized how simple I am when it comes to my food. Give me a good hamburger and some fries and I am a happy camper. I am not someone who needs 4 different cheeses on my pizza! But, I have tried so hard to step out of my comfort zone and try new things because I know I am missing some pretty amazing dishes!

Alright, so as far as my allergy goes, this place was great!

Life would be soo much easier if places just put what type of oil and allergens on their menu but I get that would be a crazy request. but, a girl can dream.... But our waitress was lovely! She answered all of my questions and was able to admit when she didn't know the answer to something. She was quick, and wanted to help me out and make sure I was able to eat! So, if you have an allergy Flour & Braley is definitely willing to work with you.

I'm pretty sure I am the only person who isn't a fan of appetizers. Mostly, because I can't stop eating whatever it is, and will end up being too full to eat my actual meal. I ended up letting my boyfriend take on these wings by himself and he said they were delicious!

This pizza was actually pretty good! Like I said I am not a huge fan of "fancy" pizzas, I am quite ok with just plain cheese but I was actually really happy we ordered this. It was their Bacon Blue pizza. It had yummy little slices of potatoes on it which were my favorite! Overall, it was pretty good and would definitely get it again if we ended up there!

oh ... he will probably not like this but here is my boyfriend standing in front of this cool art work (@KelseyMontagueArt) that is in in the middle of Seaport Village. He secretly liked it.

Tips & Tricks: History Class

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:00:00 +0000

When I was younger, I never really enjoyed all of the different subjects that I was to taking in school.... As I moved on through school and found myself in college, I quickly realized how interesting everything was. History is one of those things that I wish I paid more attention to when I was in middle and high school. I sorta just went through the motions, memorized, and then forgot about the info a few days after the test.

I decided to put together a video about some tips & tricks that I learned over the years for taking a history class. Watch below and if you want, subscribe to my channel :)

1. Try creating flashcards to help you memorize. I made a "how I study with flashcards video" that you can watch here. In that video I talk about how I look at the whole process of creating the flashcards as studying. There are also great apps like Quizlet that allow you create flashcards on your phone, so you don't have to worry about writing out all of the info or carry it all around!

2. As we all know, History is all about dates and how one events connects to the other. It can be a little bit confusing with so much information. The one way that has helped me, especially as a visual learner is to create a mind map. I am able to color code which helps me visualize what time period each event is from. Tip: Just make sure your mind map follows some sort of chronological order so it is easier for you memorize when it comes to studying!

3. Taking notes in class can always be daunting, since there is a lot of information that is being thrown out there. What is important and what isn't? My best advice is so always stay on top of ALL reading assignments, even the boring ones. If you have a good idea of what the chapter is about, it will be easier for you in lecture to pull out the information that wasn't in the book. Once you get home, it is best to re write your notes, especially when it is still fresh in your mind... this is also a great time to write down any questions you have once you go over all of the material.

4. Many history exams have you writing an essay about an event, or you have to give your interpretation about a certain time. These can be hard. Some professors will give you topics but some won’t. Just be aware when in lecture to listen carefully to see what topics they give more weight to. When it comes to studying, find out if you can what type of essay question it is. Is it an interpretation, a description of an event? etc. Then create an outline and decide what you would write about it. I will then go and time myself, and write out what my answer would be. Of course, the question might vary so you will have to adjust your answer but at least knowing important details about an event will help you

5. Talk about it! the best way to remember information is to talk to others about what you are learning. History can be fascinating, so spark up a conversation with your parents or friends and ask them if they knew fill in the blank. or you can talk to your cat which is what I do. But, talking out loud and “teaching” someone the material is one of my favorite ways to memorize.

so many outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 16:30:00 +0000

One of the perks of my job is the dress code... it isn't strict but I love being able dress up a bit or dress an outfit down. I really don't have a real "style" it really just depends on how I am feeling when I wake up. I will sometimes dress super girly and other days I will wear combats and a bandanna. Below are some outfit posts from my instagram. I will probably continue to post these here and there but everyday was getting a little out of hand. I will do my best to link each item but a lot of the pieces that I own are older or from tj maxx/ross/marshalls

Pants: Hollister Blouse: Forever 21 Sweater: Kohls (similar here)

Pants: Old Navy Sweater: Forever 21 (similar here) Shoes: Bongo (I am wearing these in two different colors in a few other pics)

Pants: Hollister Shirt: Forever 21 (similar here) Sweater: Gap

Sweater (similar here) & Jeans: Forever 21

This out fit is from Forever 21, I am still looking for similar items

Pants: Old Navy Blouse: Forever 21 (similar here) Sweater: Forever 21

Pants: Old Navy Shirt: Kohls (Similar here) Shoes: Bongo

Pants: Forever 21 Sweater: Kohls (similar here) Flannel: Forever 21 (similar here)

Il Fornaio + the best view

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 15:20:00 +0000

Oh WOW! I think my excuse of work and being super busy can no longer be used, even though it is so true. I promise I have been collecting all the pictures and taking notes at all the restaurants we have been going to, I just seem to never have time to post them. I am going to talk about one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego, Il Fornaio... there are two locations. One is in Del Mar and the other is on the bay in Coronado. I have been to both locations but nothing beats the view from Coronado overlooking the downtown skyline and water. HEART EYES FOR DAYS!

The first time I went here was before a dance in high school. One of those dances where you dress up, get a limo, and go to dinner with a bunch of your friends. I still remember getting the Margarita Pizza and it was soooo yummy, I just had to go back. Almost 7 years later, and I have my whole family hooked. PLUSSSS, they were so great with my allergy. Some might be thinking, it is Italian food, could they really use Peanuts or Peanut Butter for anything? My answer is "you never know!" I went to a Mexican restaurant thinking that and found out that they will sometimes use Peanut Butter to thicken the enchilada sauce. So from that day on I never assumed and ALWAYS ask. They were so helpful and so empathetic to my allergy at Il Fornaio. When they came out with my food they assured me once again that I was safe to eat and that the chef was aware of my allergy. I know I've said this in previous posts but having a restaurant go out of their way to make me feel like I am the most important customer there is really something special. I am thankful for people who take my allergy as serious as it actually is. Oh! They also have a gluten free menu!

Now on to the good stuff... the food! One of our favorite appetizers is their Bruschetta. It is seriously heaven... but if you don't want to go the appetizer route, don't worry because they bring my favorite thing to the table... BREAD.

I have tried many of their dishes but always seem to come back to the traditional Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese (pictured closest) They are also really great at taking special instructions. For the longest time I was not a fan of meat sauce... not sure why.. don't ask. So I was always asking for just plain sauce but to add chicken. They were always so kind about me doing this. The other two dishes here are Conchiglie Al Pollo (with the broccoli) and the special of the day –

Just go here. It is a little more expensive than some restaurants ...but it is so worth it. But, you can save some money by doing half orders which is available on all their dishes. The food, the view, and the customer service are all A+++

Draft Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 03:15:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday!! This week has been filled with so many fun activities all set up by job for all the new employees. Can I just say... I have the best job & team ever. It really doesn't feel like work half the time. I hope everyone can find a job like this one day. Annnnywhooo, one of the fun activities was dinner/happy hour at Draft Republic which is in University City (if you are from San Diego it is across the street from UTC) I have been there once before with my boyfriend and his parents and I remember it being pretty cool.

The vibe of this restaurant is just awesome. It has this garage/outdoorsy feel that includes a bar, game area with pool, ping pong, darts, etc. and lots of yummy food. Oh, and I can't forget about the mannequins sitting on a ledge above the bar which freaked me out multiple times... I seriously thought they were real about 1000000 times. Super cool location and decor. I give it an A+++, and unlike my last post, I give the service an A+++ as well.

Like I keep saying, one of the first things I always do is inform the server that I have a peanut allergy. I knew I had been here before and was fine but I always like checking again if it has been over a year. You never really know what they have changed on the menu. I have had multiple restaurants go from safe to unsafe within a few short months... aka JAMBA JUICE (when they first opened when I was in middle school, I was good to go, now not so much) I asked my server and he was quick to say "you're good to go" but what made me feel really good was that he still wanted to go back to the kitchen and talk to them just to be 110% sure. Knowing that my server is committed to making my time at their restaurant enjoyable puts my mind at ease. I really have to trust what the server says and trust that they understand the severity of my allergy so when I get a server/restaurant that really cares I will always come back.

The food was amazing! we had a blast at this restaurant, if you're wanting to hang out with co-workers after work, watch a game, or just have dinner with friends or family this place is seriously great for all of those and more. Plus!!! if you have an allergy they are more than happy to talk to you and let you know what you can and can't eat.

What I ate:
Buffalo Cauliflower - $10.95

Bavarian Pretzel Sticks - $8.95
Peppered Skirt Steak Flatbread- $15.95

oh and dessert :) follow me on ig to see more of my stories!

IG// darlingrachel

The Local

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 20:59:00 +0000

I hope you all enjoyed my last post. I mean who doesn't love food, so there is really no reason why you wouldn't want to hear about the best places in San Diego and I guess the not so great :) As I mentioned in my last post, having a food allergy can be daunting, especially when it comes to going out to eat. I am pretty pro skilled at it these days, and so are most restaurants but I still come across a few places that I am not satisfied with. Most of the time, I don't think people truly understand the severity of my allergy.

The Local Eatery and Drinking Hole , which is located in Downtown San Diego on Fourth Avenue, is a bar/restaurant that my boyfriend and I pass every time we are downtown. We kept talking about how we should try it because he is a total beer snob, and they looked to have a pretty great food/beer menu. I have really tried to step outside my comfort zone when it comes to trying new places so I was willing to give it a try. I am going to say it now, the food was good, I will give it a 6-7, but the service was a 4. Let me explain...

The first thing that I always do is to scan the menu, most people are looking for what they want to eat within the first few seconds, but for me I am looking for that red flag... PEANUTS. I noticed immediately that they had a thai styled salad, which of course concerned me because this usually includes peanuts. When our server FINALLY came over to our table, I told her about my allergy, and she just stared at me not saying a single thing. Most definitely awkward...I asked her about the salad and she just kept saying no no no no, so I asked her about the oil they used for their french fries (peanut oil can be weird, it is usually safe for me to eat, i'll explain this weirdness in another post), she again just looked at me and instead of answering, she walked over to another couple that walked in to seat them... strange. When she came back she asked if we were ready to order and I asked again about the oil and if I was safe to eat. She said no peanuts. Honestly, I am not 100% sure if English was her first language, so she may not have understood ... As I am sitting here typing this story out, I wonder why I thought it was ok to stay and eat, but I did and luckily it worked out... but I would NEVER go here again. Whether I had an allergy or not, the service was awful. I was not impressed. The food wasn't horrible but I may as well be eating at the YardHouse or BJ's. At least they have onion rings.

When it comes to having an allergy I am pretty understanding, not every restaurant is going to be able to accommodate me, but peanut allergies and other food allergies are very common these days and these places need to understand that if they don't recognize food allergies or at least train their staff to know what to say when a customer comes in, then their business will suffer... because not only have I told all my friends & family about the lack of customer service at this restaurant but I have now told all of you.

The plus side of our adventure downtown was that my boyfriend wanted to show me a condo he was looking at, so I had him take some photos of me in front of these super cute brick row houses. I have major heart eyes for anything brick and anything that looks like it should be on the east coast.

Of course, he was being silly and not wanting to carry my camera around because he felt like a tourist, but he snapped some pretty great photos, plus I got to give him a quick lesson on shooting in manual.

ootd// skirt: Forever 21, Shirt: Boston University, Jacket: Forever 21, Shoes: Converse

Food Allergies & Restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:41:00 +0000

Hi ya'll, long time no talk. I feel like I say this often, but it has been hectic over here. Work is flying by, but since I have been gone I have thought of a few things that would make my blog more me.

First things first, I am no longer a student, I think a lot of people have a hard time grasping this concept since I still get a lot of questions asking why I no longer post study photos. My simple answer is because I don't have any to post. I graduated back in January and have been trying/faking this adult thing ever since... so there will be a lot less study posts, but I am still posting some over on my youtube channel, because 19 years of school makes for a lot of tips & tricks!

So, this will be my first post where I incorporate something new to my blog... so let me explain. When I was 10 months old we discovered that I had a severe peanut allergy. In 1991, this was somewhat of an uncommon allergy and made it difficult to eat lunch at school, go to restaurants, and travel. Since then, these places have made great strides in creating a safe environment for those with allergies. As I have gotten older, I have visited many places, and have come across restaurants, airlines, hotels, etc. that are great places for those with allergies and some not so great places. I have decided that I want to share my experiences with you. Even if you don't have an allergy, you will still be able to hear about some great and not so great restaurants/hotels/etc.

Let's get started!

Today, my work had our team retreat where we go to an off site location to talk about our goals and what we want to improve on in the upcoming year. We went to Loews Coronado Bay Resort and sat looking over the bay. Being from San Diego, I was familiar with this location, since my family camped at Silver Strand State Beach for many years and we would ride our bikes around this hotel. Needless to say, it is gorgeous!! It looks over the bay, coronado bridge, and the downtown skyline.

We ended up eating at the Market Cafe, on the first floor. The first thing I always say to my server is "I have a peanut allergy" Sometimes I have to say more to initiate a conversation but most of the time the server is already telling me if I will be safe to eat there or not! The Market Cafe was awesome. She told me that she would tell the chef, and when she came back out a few minutes later after talking to him, she wanted to show me a paper that the restaurant has the server fill out for guests with allergies. This is major points in my book. Knowing that my order has something specifically stating that this person has a life threatening allergy lets me relax and enjoy my meal. This server even went so far to go and call the bakery where the bread was made to make sure that it was made in a nut-free environment, since I have to be careful with cross contamination. After our breakfast was given to us, the manager came out to make sure everything was going well. It is the little things like this that make my life 10x easier.

We ended up staying at the hotel for a few hours and decided to go back to the same restaurant for lunch since we had such a great experience.

If you are ever in San Diego, make sure you visit Coronado, and look up Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the price was right and the service was amazing, and if you have an allergy they are willing and want to work with you to make sure your experience is pleasant :) Overall, the food was delicious! I am always on the hunt for the best french toast, and I may have found it.... just go and eat here. You won't regret it!

*TIP: If you know where you will be eating, try and find a menu online. I always look it over, just to see if I notice any red flags. Some restaurants are awesome and will put allergy info on their menu!

Breakfast: Brioche French Toast w/ Mixed Berries & Syrup – $14

Appetizer: Artisinal Cheese – $16

Lunch: Kobe Burger & Fries – $15

Cropped Flannel

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:52:00 +0000

Jeans: Hollister , Shirt: Forever 21- Similar here, Sweater: Forever 21- Similar here, Purse: TJMaxx- Similar here, Boots: Steve Madden- Similar here

I can't believe graduation is on Sunday... I really don't know where the last few months went! I have been crazy busy which I love, but I wanted to make sure I made some time today to post this outfit that I wore today.

This outfit here, is definitely a favorite. The top can be worn with just about any color jean and it is perfect for high waisted pants. love love love it!

Comfy in Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 11 May 2016 23:00:00 +0000

Top: Kohls, Shoes: Converse, Jeans: Forever 21

I may or may not have taken this shirt from my moms closet... she has good taste. This adorable top was a steal from Kohl's, they have multiple colors and the detail on it just makes me get heart eyes! Like always, I decided to wear my white converse. You really can't go wrong with them, especially when you don't want to be too "fancy" looking when running errands.... plus they are so comfortable!

Classic V-Neck & Skinny Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Tue, 10 May 2016 23:30:00 +0000

I know I have had this for a few weeks now, but I wanted to introduce my new baby :) For my graduation gift I received the LV Speedy Bandouliere 25.... I wanted a Speedy since I was about 16 and was so excited to see they had one with a strap!! I am all about crossbodies. So welcome to the family baby louis!! ;)

As for the outfit, I just love how this simple olive shirt from H&M looks with this purse. The colors are just perfect together, and the best part is that you can pair it with either skinny jeans or even a pair of shorts and brown sandals!

Shirt- H&M Similar Here,and Here, Jeans- Forever 21, Combat Boots- Steve Madden, Purse- Louis Vuitton

Accessories are all a few years old, similar at Forever 21!

Lace & Leather

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Sun, 08 May 2016 16:04:00 +0000

Lace and leather are always a good idea :) Sweaters are creeping their way back into my wardrobe, but I am sure by next week they will be gone again! Life has been a little crazy recently, I have my graduation ceremony in two weeks and lots of phone interviews set up for jobs! I am so excited but it makes me feel a tad bit stressed! But, if you know me you know I am a pro skilled worrier ;)

Anyways, everything except my jeans are from Forever 21, and the Jeans are from Hollister.

Over the Knee Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 04 May 2016 02:44:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts this week on here! If you follow me on my instagram you will already know the reason! But, I have been having a lot of pain in my right wrist along with a lump. I ended up having a ganglion cyst and decided to have it removed since it was so painful! I am all good now, and ready to post some fun content :)

This is one of my favorite outfits, I wore it a few times over the winter with a cute brown peacoat from Forever 21, but this top is so perfect for the spring as well! I love how flowy it is and the floral lace on the bottom really just makes it even cuter! This top is from a site called Bungalow123. I am unable to find the exact top since they are always rotating clothes but they have a few items on there that are similar!

Alright, lets talk boots, if you know me, I am obsessed with a good pair of over the knee boots! I saw these on Beyond the Rack last year and knew I needed them in my life. One of my favorite pair that I own, definitely a good purchase :)

Hearts on my Sleeve ♡

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 17:55:00 +0000

Blouse: Forever 21, Similar Here // Jeans: Hollister // Shoes: Bongo (only black & tan are currently available) Purse: Dooney & Bourke

I am obsessed with high waisted jeans right now! These are from Hollister, and if you read my previous post you will notice that those were from Hollister as well and actually high waisted. I just think they are perfect for just about any outing! AND they are actually super comfortable. You can wear just about anything with them like a cute crop top with some strappy brown wedges all the way to a sweet blouse tucked in, like I am wearing here!

If you are interested in getting a some jeans like this, Hollister always has a good sale going on! If you keep checking the website you will eventually see their sale that they do every few weeks where all jeans are $25! That is when I always buy mine :)

EDIT: I saw that Hollister is having a sale today (4/29) where all Jeans are $29 ... I am hoping that this isn't the "new" sale price and we will see the $25 again but we will see!

Stripes & Converse

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 00:31:00 +0000

The weather has been a little crazy recently. Last week was full on summer and this week is a little chilly with some wind! I really don't mind though, especially if the weather allows me to throw on a cute chunky sweater! This is one of my favorites from Forever 21, it is actually made pretty well and is pretty heavy. I am not a huge fan of spending too much money on sweaters since I live in a perpetual summer but when I do, Forever 21 is the place to go :) I believe this is currently sold out, but I will link similar items below!

Sweater: Forever 21, Similar here // Shirt: Forever 21, Similar here // Jeans: Hollister // Shoes: Converse // Purse: Forever 21, Similar Here & here

PS... 💕Erin Condren Life Planners are currently 50% off!! Plus, if you sign up by clicking here, you can get an additional $10 off your first purchase! :) I just wanted to let everyone know since these planners are usually $50+ !!

Room Tour ♡

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:18:00 +0000

Bed: Ikea (Similar one here) // Duvet: Overstock.com // Decorative Pillow: Anna's Linens- Unable to find similar >> style of pillow is called a bolster pillow

Night Stand: Antique Store // Lamp: Ikea, no longer sold.. But this one from Ikea is so cute // Frame: Ikea

All Frames are from Ikea, I just took the backs out of them

Polka Dot Sheets: Target, no longer sold Similar here , White and blue sheets: Target

Dresser: Ikea

Lamp: Ikea, Desk: Ikea (Top, Drawers)

Chair: Pier One, no longer sold, Similar here

Makeup Drawers: Muji // Makeup Brush Holder: Ikea

I have shared a few photos here and there of my re-decorated room but thought that it was time to sit down and put together a blog post as well as a mini room tour video for all of you!

I was hesitant for awhile to repaint my room, mostly because I was going to have to paint over my favorite color that a) took forever to find and b) it had been on my walls for almost 8 years.

pictures of my old room >> (one, two, three)

Anyways, here it is! I am going to link as many of the items below each photo above! If I am unable to find a product, I will link something similar :)

ps.. This paint color is called Grayish by Sherwin Williams

Grey & Cheetah

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Baxter) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 22:02:00 +0000

Jacket: Target // Dress: Bungalow123 // Shoes: Steve Madden // Purse: Dooney & Bourke

It has felt like summer these last few days! I wanted to stay cool while I ran some errands, & this dress from Bungalow 123 is perfect! Best thing about this dress is that you can either dress it up with some cute wedges or a cute pattern like I did above with the Cheetah print :) Or you can even throw some converse on for a casual day of shopping! I love it.