Inside the Life

Her Campus: Her Conference 2017

Published on July 25, 2017July 25, 2017 by PeculiarPorter5 Comments

Hello darling! Hope all your dreams are all coming true this week. My dreams really came true this past week at Her Conference hosted by Her Campus. I got to meet Brooke Kamenoff (J.Crew’s Senior Associate of Social Media and Digital Development) and Ann Shoket (Former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen). Some people get excited about meeting athletes, I get excited about meeting successful writers/bosses.

Courtney and I ended up getting to the conference late (typical), so we missed the first keynote speaker. It ended up working for us because we were able to wander around the conference center. There were stations where you can get your hair and makeup done so obviously we had to do that. I’ve never had my make up done by someone so it was really interesting to be pampered for the two days. After we were all dolled up, there was a section where you can work on post college skills such answering graduate school facts and interview questions. We also entered a plethora of raffles. Courtney ended up winning two very nice makeup palettes!

While I was wandering, I ran into one of my hometown friends, Abby! Her blog, C’est La Vive by Abigail Marie, is the cutest thing. I would definitely check it out if I were you.

Okay, so now the main reason why I wanted to go to Her Campus: the speakers. I was blown away by how humble and down to earth each and every speaker was. The first day, I was lucky enough to see (and meet!) Brook Kamenoff (Senior Associate of Social Media and Digital Development for J.Crew). After reading my blog for a while, you know I’m a huge J.Crew fan. The first thing I do every morning is look at the Instastories from J.Crew. I’m actually mildly addicted. I was able to meet her and now we follow each other on Instagram. Life is g-o-o-d! Plus, she was just such a down to earth person so what could be better?

The keynote speakers Courtney and I were able to see on Saturday were Lisa Sugar (Founder and President of POPSUGAR) and Troian Bellisario (Actress, Writer, Producer, and Director). I’m a huge Pretty Little Liars fan so it was so wonderful seeing her as an actress and now as a producer. She was so funny and kind hearted.

Sunday, I nearly passed out from excitement. I was able to meet my childhood hero: Ann Shoket, the Former Editor-in-Cheif of Seventeen. When I was little, the first thing I did when I got home was look for a Seventeen magazine so I could devour each and every sentence. Honestly, as a 22-year-old I still do! She now has a book called The Big Life and I cannot wait to read it. Her speech was centered around her book and explaining on how you can build the big life. I hope one day to be as poised and confident as her.

The keynote speakers we saw on Sunday were Amani Al-Khatahtbeh (Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MuslimGirl.com) and Aja Naomi King (Actress). Going into the keynote, I didn’t know much about Amani. Her speech was so empowering because she talked about how girls should lift one another and support each other. That is definitely something young girls everywhere need to hear.

Her Campus also gave out all of these wonderful gifts in the beginning of each day. You can tell I’m a book nerd because I cannot wait to read Power Your Happy by Lisa Sugar! Plus, they gave out an eyebrow pencil that I’m dumbfounded on how to use. If any of you have a good blog post on how to do your eyebrows I’d be all over that.

I hope this post gave you a little bit of insight to what Her Campus/Her Conference is all about. Bottom line: Her Campus is meant to empower women. They did an incredible job bringing in these powerful women who are making a huge difference in the world. If you’re still in college or high school, I would 100% recommend Her Campus. You’ll open so many different doors and create an unbreakable bond with the people around you.

As always,

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Senior Cruise

Published on May 16, 2017 by PeculiarPorter7 Comments

Hello darling! I wanted to highlight all of the fun I participated in during my last week at Siena College (tears falling quickly down the side of my face). After a jam packed day of bar hopping in Saratoga, the senior class of 2017 hopped on 9 buses to go on a Captain JP Cruise Line boat. The three-hour experience let us sight see Troy to Albany and then back again. We ate, danced, and slightly froze our butts off. Regardless of how cold it was, it was probably one of the most rememberable trips I had during my senior week.

The cruise ship consisted of three different floors. The third and second floors served food and the top floor had an opening to see the dance floor and exit outside the boat. There were also bars on each floor, which made many seniors very happy. During the cruise, we were given a buffet styled dinner that consisted of salted potatoes, salad, eggplant parmesan, bread rolls, and fried chicken. After people finished eating dinner, everyone gained enough courage to take pictures in the cold outdoors. We tried our hardest not to look as if we were freezing out butts off.

Everyone was dressed to the nines but not dressed for the weather. Oh, well! Despite being cold, I was super happy wearing this dress. I’m actually slightly obsessed… I cannot wait to wear it again. The little cutouts made this soft floral pattern so edgy and unique. Plus, the cap sleeves were another reason I was sold. My dress is currently on sale if you want to check that out! It also comes in black.

After the cruise, Siena hosted a “late night dinner” at the dining hall. We blasted music and danced on tables. If you remember High School Musical then you know exactly how the scene looked. One of my friends danced so hard he ripped his pants. If that isn’t rememberable, I don’t know what is.

Looking at these pictures and writing this post is making me sad beyond belief. But I’ll get to that in my upcoming graduation post. Keep your eyes and ears peeled because it may be a tear jerker… or nah.

As always,

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What I’ll Remember Most About Siena College

Published on May 2, 2017May 4, 2017 by PeculiarPorter7 Comments

Hello darling! This post is full of tear jerks and sappy stories… but would it be a college recap if it didn’t? Saturday I went to senior formal with all of the lovely friends I’ve made over the past four years and Monday was the last time I’ll walk out of a classroom at Siena college. It was my last college class… wow, that is scary to type! &Yesterday was when I finished my last undergrad assignment. So, yes, I’m feeling a boat load of emotions.

But how did I get to this point? Four years ago, I was not the person I am today. That may be cliche to say, but I’m a different person from who I was when I was awkwardly brought my belongings into my first dorm. I remember my father telling me that I had to register myself by myself. I was nervous and awkward but it was certainly something he needed to let me do by myself. I shyly got my handbook and saint card and knew this was going to be in interesting four years.

Over the years, I’ve met some incredible people. The Siena community has impacted my life with one open door at a time.

To making friends from the first night in college, to making friends in Italy. My perspective has changed due to these wonderful people. From expanding my horizons away from Dunkin’ Donut’s bagels to dreaming about when my friends come back with Long Island or New Jersey bagels. To realizing people actually say ‘aunt’ like ‘ant’ (still not over it). To realizing no one actually likes tequila (why?). To realize each and every one of us get a little bit home stick once in a while. Each person of the Siena community has changed my perspective to being more openminded and curious. Those are traits you cannot just learn magically over night. Hearing the Siena community’s unique perspectives has helped me become an overall more accepting person, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

Mickey’s Dress | My dress |My Shoes | Courtney’s Dress

The Siena class of 2017 has given me memories I’ll cherish for years to come. I’ll remember yelling out the windows freshman year, cramming during midterm and finals week, getting lost in multiple countries, buying random fish tanks, being dragged to more Starbucks in foreign countries than in America, each trifecta, Chowderfest and Larkfest, Thursday nights, chucking jolly ranchers out the windows at passing freshman, tarpozia, dressing like creatures for theme parties and halloween, getting brunch at Iron gate, blowing up 300 balloons, Siena fest, losing my voice at basketball games, jumping in pools fully clothed, the list goes on and on and the memories do not stop. These people have created memories I’ll never forget because these people are unforgettable. (Cliche but relevant).

And the new friends that I’ve made just this year. You’ve made this year incredibly exciting and perplexing to how our livers are still existing (sorry mom and dad!). Thank you all for being remarkably you.

With each laugh and each tear shed, I know I made the best decision of my life four years ago. I’m glad to be a Siena alumna…. in 10 days. Not a day shorter or longer.

Senior week begins on Sunday and I look forward to showing you a little piece of my life. I’ll be going to Saratoga, on a cruise in Troy, a champaign toast, the ‘beach’ if it is nice, and actually graduating on the 14th with all these wonderful people. I hope to cling to every second of these last days. Look out for a few tear jerker posts coming soon.

As always,

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