Travel Wish list

Hello everyone, long time no see!!

I am so lucky to be studying abroad in Australia starting August 2016! This is going to be such an amazing opportunity, and I have been waiting to do something like this for so long!

Since this will be my biggest trip ever, I have already begun looking at different things that I will need to take with me, and also things that may be beneficial to me! So here goes the beginnings of my travel wish list! I will be adding more as time goes on!!

For general travel/airplane:

Whenever I hop onto a plane I am always reminded of how sensitive my ears are. Sometimes the pressure gets so bad that I want to cry... it makes me feel like a little kid! I have seen these Earplanes earplugs that are supposed to regulate air pressure naturally! Definitely a must try for me!

I belive that I will be needing some new luggage. The picture above has luggage that is super expensive, but if anyone knows of any brands that have something similar to this I would be forever grateful!

I am also interested in a passport cover, but a lot of them are super expensive! This one is from thedottylemon.com, and it think it is so cute! You slide your passport into it (instead of it being like a book) and it says "hello world here I come" on it! SUPER cute and simple! Plus it isn't $70+! SCORE!

Camera accessories: 

I love photography, and I plan on taking my camera with me along with some "equipment". I have a canon rebel T5 and a Nikon D3100, so I am trying to decide which to take. I also own a GoPro (Hero 3) that I will most definitely be taking. The GoPros don't have an LCD screen on the back on the base models, however, you can buy the LCD touch bacpac for $80. It isn't that bad considering that buying an untrustworthy waterproof camera is probably around $100-150, and I find that GoPro is rather durable. 

The backpack above is by a brand called Brevitē, and it functions as both a standard backpack (the camera insert is removable), a camera bag, or both simultaneously! Since I will be going to school there I will need a backpack, but I will also need something to carry my camera equipment in. Luckily, this will do both!

I have had my eye on the Polaroid Instamax camera in light blue for so long now... I reaally want one, but I am not sure how practical it will be with traveling. I would love to have a few polaroids taken while I am there though. We shall see if I end up getting one! 

Christmas/winter décor! | Apartment

Hello everyone!!

Today I am back again with some home décor ideas, and this time it is Christmas/winter related!

One of the first things that I wanted to show you are these festive gel clings. Some people think that these are cheesy, but surprisingly they are a nice touch!

I purchased mine all at target for around 99 cents to $1.99 each. You can just stick them to your windows and voila! You're done!

College: What I learned in my first year | KAT CHAT

Hi everyone!

Let's kick off Kat Chat right, shall we? Today I will be talking about college *cue cheering*

First I want to make clear that I am currently in my second year of college, so this post is essentially for all of you out there who have started college this year, or will be starting in the spring or next year!

College is a time for discovery, hard work, redirection, and learning about yourself. I have always been a very independent person (sometimes a little too much), and I believe that being so independent has made my transition into college a little easier. For those who are more dependent it becomes a little more tricky. Being dependent isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, it is important to learn that your life is what you make of it, and that there may not always be someone around to pick up the pieces for you or help you out. Again, I am not bashing those who are dependent on others, but let college teach you to stand on your own and become who you truly are!

Some thing I learned:

1). You don't have to become best friends with your roommate(s)

If you do, then that's fantastic and it's great that you have a friend to begin your college journey with! I believe that the media portrays college (especially for girls) as you move into your dorm, and will always be besties with your roommate. This is not always the case. I was placed into a dorm room by myself and had suitemates instead of an actual roommate, but I can tell you that I didn't become best friends with all of them immediately, but over time I gradually became friends with them. Not "joined at the hip" best friends, just friends with them. I really do like most of the girls that I shared a suite with.

Another thing- it is ok to not like your roommate. Sometimes you get paired up with someone and you two just don't have a connection. Again, this is fine. You are not entitled to like everyone you meet. I'm not preaching for you to go out there and hate your roommate(s)... I still think it's necessary to find something good in them, but it is not the end of the world if you don't have a strong connection with them. I, for one, had 2 additional suitemates that I didn't know at all. They were rarely there, but when they did return home they would make a mess, be noisy, rude, or would steal things. I did not have a good feeling about them. At first I felt extremely guilty for feeling this way, then I realized that it is a part of life and it's alright that I didn't care for them too much. We went our separate ways and left each other to our own business. Be civil, but don't expect to become the best of friends with everyone you live with.

2). Actually, you may not make any "best friends" at all.... well not just yet anyway

This is where patience comes in. There are sooooo many people at the same college that you attend, and sometimes you can feel so alone, even when surrounded by tons of people. Don't feel discouraged if you don't instantly click with someone. Friendships can take time, and honestly it is ok if you are friendly with people and consider them an acquaintance (or more than) before considering them your friend. As long as you are nice to people, and treat them how you what them to treat you, then you will have people to count on in no time. Patience my friend, patience.


3). Not all frat guys are scary

Again, the media plays a huge role in this. We (in general) have this preconceived idea that all frat guys are party animals, don't care about school, usually are the best looking, possibly too direct in a sexual sense, and are overall possibly a little douchey. This is not always true. Are there guys like this? YES. Are they always the guys in Fraternities? NO. I have met a few guys that are in fraternities that are absolutely nothing like this. I have also met guys that I would've never thought were in a fraternity, but are. Overall, don't believe everything that the media portrays to you. Not everything is like the movies. In terms of parties.. well, I couldn't even begin to tell you because I have never been to a party, let alone within 50 feet of one. Things may be different in that setting, I don't know. What I've observed has solely been through living in a dorm, and going to classes.

4). It is ok to not party... really

Speaking of parties..
This was one that I was nervous about. Unless if you are going to a "party school" then don't worry if you don't want to party. I can honestly say that I have never been to, or have wanted to attend a college party. I am not the party type, and when I tell people that they understand. Around here parties are quite "hush hush" and you can only get into one if invited. Fine by me, really.

5). same with drinking.. don't want to drink? that's cool too

Some people think it's quite admirable, really.

*click "read more" to view the rest

New name, new start | KAT CHAT

Hello everyone!!

Here is a quick update for you- I changed my name on here! I feel more comfortable with this new name, and I believe that it may go better with some of my content. I hope to do more "Kat Chats" with ya all, just on some things that have been on my mind or in general!

Just as a reminder though, my photos from previous posts still have either "katiavagyok" or "kitkatkatia" on them. These are still my photos. I don't have the time to go back through and and change every photo, so they will stay!

Thanks as always for stopping on by! I hope your day is wonderful

~Katie

p.s.- my Instagram name is now associated with the new blog name as well

Apartment Tour (fall edition?)

Hello everyone!

I've decided to go ahead and post this after debating after a while whether or not I should! It's not really an apartment tour so to speak, BUT you still get to see around! :)

The reason that I have "fall edition?" is because I don't have a lot of fall decorations so to speak, just a few things here and there. For the winter time, however, I do have some more things to decorate!

LIVING ROOM:

For the living room, my initial plans were to have it have a beachy feeling to it and then as the seasons change add a few things here in there that correspond to that time of the year.

Couch: Ikea furniture (sorry I don't know the name... it was given to me by my wonderful cousin! I believe it may actually be discontinued...)

Canvases: Canvas People

White fluffy pillow: Pier one
Crab pillow: Michael's
Cozy blanket: I know that this was purchased at Costco, however I can't find it online!
Floor lamp: Target
Coffee Table and Side Table: Ikea LACK (here and here)

Lack Side Table: Ikea

Picture Frame: Purchased in Virginia Beach

Frosted dish: Bath & Body Works (Which I got during the clearance sale!)

Blue candle: Pier one (Which smells AHHHHHMAZING!!)

Warmer (brown): Scentsy Tiger eye warmer (changes colors)

Blue jars: DIY

Cube: Target I like to keep extra blankets in here!

Glass Table: Given to me by a friend, but she said that it was purchased in the outdoor section of Target! 

Palm Tree: Lowes?

"Anna-Rexia" Halloween Costume and the Stigma Around Eating Disorders

"Anna-Rexia" costume, aka the worst costume ever
Photo: HalloweenParty13.com

With the excitement of Halloween ending, many people are reflecting on the Halloween costumes of this year, as well as those from the previous years. Some are cute, some are scary, and some are downright offensive, such as the "Anna-Rexia" costume.

The costume is pretty basic (and sultry), consisting of a black dress with a skeleton on it and a measuring tape around the waist, but the message it sends is absolutely horrendous. For one to believe that it is acceptable to take a serious mental illness and translate it into a sultry Halloween costume shows just how powerful the negative stigma around mental illnesses are in our society. For those who do not suffer from the painful and consuming illness it can be hard to understand- but it is still nothing to joke about. 

They Tried to Bury Me...

I do not own this photo, please click here to see where I found it.

Ahh yes. That time of the year where everything is changing, and well, quite frankly, everything gets harder. People seem to shut others out, we get on each other's nerves, and overall we have more time to sit indoors ruminating on our own lives.

Where have I been?!

Well everyone, it has been over a month since I posted last! I will have a new blog up soon, hopefully. I have changed my blog name and instagram name! I am now Kit Kat Katia on here and my Instagram name is @katia_kit.kat

So where have I been? I have traveled a little bit, but other than that I have just been dragging my feet at posting!

Hope you all have a great week!

Mani Monday! | Essie's Bikini so Teeny + Serial shopper

 Hello all!

As promised, here is the nail polish duo that I was wearing in my last post! I like it because it is different and beachy!

To start off, I always recommend applying a base coat because it helps to adhere the color to your nail, and create- as you'd guess- a nice base! It also allows your mani to last longer!

I like Essie's First Base base coat, which I used for this look, but you can use whatever you please!

Colors- As I mentioned above, I used Serial Shopper and Bikini so teeny, both of which I purchased from Ulta. On Ulta's website (and a little bit in person) Bikini so teeny appears to have a massive amount of glitter in it. When you apply the color to your nail, it seems to just vanish. Even though it isn't "visible" as glitter on the nail, it does act as light reflectors and maybe this is why it is so shiny? I don't know, I'm just hypothesizing, so don't quote me on that ;)

Fun in the sun! Sunscreens and other preventative items for those sunny days! + tips for those who are photosensitive!

Hey everyone!

Since it is beginning to get warmer out, I thought that I'd share with you some of my favorite products for the sunny days!

First off I wanted to say that I have photosensitivity, and this post is aimed for those alike, and those that need to be protected from the sun as well (which is EVERYONE!) :)

Starting Top down:

This is one area that people tend to forget about a lot. Please remember that your scalp is very susceptible to damage from the sun, and to cover that noggin! My Grandpa has actually had skin cancer twice on his scalp, and his hair is thin but he isn't balding. Having hair does not completely protect your head! 

Here I have a fedora style hat from Target (Buy it here!) and the It's a 10 miracle leave-in for Blondes (which I reviewed here!).

The hat helps to keep the sun away from both my scalp, and part of my forehead. I'm still not sure how I feel about hats, but if it helps to prevent me from hurting later on then it is worth it!

The It's a 10 leave-in has UV protection in it, which is PERFECT for those days out in the sun! (You can read more of my thoughts on it in this post!)

Sunglasses:

Sunglasses are SUPER important! Not only can they make you look and feel cool, and keep the sun out of your eyes, they also protect them! Your eyes can actually get sunburned too, believe it or not, and I don't know about you but that doesn't sound pleasant to me! 

Of course, broad spectrum sunglasses are the best, but even a little something helps. The sunglasses protect both your eyes, and the delicate skin around them, so the bigger the sunglasses the better in some cases! This prevents wrinkles and sunspots around there too!

I have the aviator sunglasses from American Eagle, and the Cat eye sunglasses from Old Navy (both purchased last year). 

Side note- if you have blue eyes then your eyes are more sensitive to light, so keep them peepers covered!