How To: Social Media

Social media can be used for more than entertainment. Before using social media, you should know how it can harm or help you. For this post we will be looking at Facebook in particular. So lets talk about how to keep your digital footprint clean. What is a digital footprint you ask? The short video below answers your question in easy to understand language. 1

Hopefully now you know why it is so important that you are cautious about your digital footprint. What you post can get you in serious trouble. A 19-year-old was arrested in 2013 for posting a status that said "I think Ima shoot up a kindergarten / And watch the blood of the innocent rain down/ And eat the beating heart of one of them." 2 He meant it to be sarcastic but the cops do not care. Or you could be like this girl below and have your card information stolen. 3

Your post can also hurt someone else. Teens have killed themselves over what bullies post one Facebook. You might find it funny but to them it hurts. Finally, your post can get you fired. If you have a photo or post that your employer, or the person sighing you doesn't like, you are out of a job. Many companies say the first thing they do in the hiring process is Google people. So you say you will "clean up" your Facebook before you send out your resume. But what you delete is never really gone. 

Facebook is also bad for your life. You miss things when you are looking at your phone screen all the time. I saw the video below a few months ago and found it really eyeopening on the impact your phone has. 4 The ironic thing is that I saw it on Facebook. 

Now that you know what not to do, go put it into action. Next time you see someone using Facebook poorly I guarantee your face will look like Woody's. 5 Don't forget to keep your digital footprint picture perfect!

Courtney

1."Digital Footprint." Video. Common Sense, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/digital-footprint#>.

2.Shontell, Alyson. "7 People Who Were Arrested Because Of Something They Wrote On Facebook." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 09 July 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.businessinsider.com/people-arrested-for-facebook-posts-2013-7?op=1>.

3. "19 Incredibly Stupid Facebook Post." Pulptastic. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fpulptastic.com%2Fstupid-facebook-posts%2F>.

4.Sheridan, Caroline. "This Is A Video EVERYONE Needs To See. For The First Time In My Life, I’m Speechless." PetFlow.com Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://blog.petflow.com/a-video-everyone-needs-to-see/>.

5.Calderon, Arielle. "22 Really Stupid Facebook Post." Buzzfeed. N.p., 25 Nov. 2012. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fnewu1085%2F22-really-stupid-facebook-posts-654m>.

Cheers to the Weekend

I had an awesome weekend last week with my niece's birthday party at a gymnastics place! I relived my 90's childhood with this awesome parachute!

Did I mention it had a rope that you could swing on into a foam pit?

Then I got a pumpkin! 

This is Chelsey! She is a future guide dog that my roommate is raising. You will probably see her way too many times on this blog. (If you want to see even more picture of this adorable pup follow me on Instagram @courtneytaylorgross)

Lets be real though, I bought this pumpkin because of the stem. Then the stem broke in the trunk so I had to glue it back on. 

I carved a minion in my pumpkin. I thinks its minion Stuart. Or maybe it was minion Dave. My pumpkin carving skills need some work. 

Kids birthday parties and pumpkin carving is the typical weekend of a college student right? 

Courtney

Fashion ID

I'm currently obsessed with a new app called Fashion ID (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fashion-id/id828951663?mt=8)! Fashion ID is like Pinterest mixed with Facebook. You post your fashion photos on your feed or you could view other's photos. You can see where the clothes in other photos are from and how different pieces are styled. 

That is my favorite part about the app! I have never been very good and putting together clothing item into a full outfit. With Fashion ID, I can see how everyone else puts together outfits and follow their lead. 

Which I know is similar to Pinterest. The problem with Pinterest is when you see something you absolutely need in your closet. So you click on the picture and the link does not take you to the store you can buy it at. Fashion ID tells you exactly where it came from so you don't have to live without it! 

You can also specifically look at just your favorite brands or your school.

 Fashion ID even lets you chat with other fashionistas on the app. It is a great way to network with other bloggers! Being a Public Relations major, I am always looking for networking opportunities! 

If you find an item you want and need to save it for later or for a sale you can add it to a wish list on the app. The most amazing part of the app is that it can save you money! You earn points for your participation. Your points will then award you with discount codes to your favorite shops and designers! Also the clothes on sale will have red tags.  

The app is free and is available for iPhones. If you do not have an iPhone you can get the app in January! Once you get it follow me @courtneyg!

Courtney

Pinspiration

Pinterest is life. I love to use the website for inspiration. When I cannot figure out how to style a skirt, I get on Pinterest and see how other people have styled it. I love how I can see over a hundred different styles from bloggers or street style in one place! Pinterest is also were I find all my recipes. One of these days, I'll post my favorite recipes on the blog for you guys. It is also great for college. There are so many tips and design inspiration post for my dorm. Let's be honest, I really use Pinterest for funny photos and cute animals more than anything else. That however, is a entirely different post. Below are a few of my favorites from a recent Pin spree. To see more of my post, check out my Pinterest!

Fashion

Absolutely love Sarah's style and her blog!

(Sarah Vickers: Classy Girls Wear Pearls)

Neutrals and navy is my whole wardrobe.

(Playful Pink Preppy)

I need this sweater!

(Chicnova)

Currently searching for this outfit like my life depended on it. It's casual.

(Stylish Petite)

JCrew is also life.

(J'Adore JCrew)

Food

Chicken Parmesan

(Cooking Classy)

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

(Add a Pinch)

Gingerbread Mini Doughnuts

(Pinch of Yum)

College Tips

This App is perfect for Communication majors like me! It counts the number of filler words you say when you practice a speech. It is a life saver!

(Several different Apps like this can be found in the App Store)

New perspective on essays.

(100 Life Hacks)

Every student should know where they can get a discount with their ID.

(Southern Pie)

Falling in Love With Fall: OOTD

The weather has finally cooled down in Georgia. Sadly that means I have to put away the chino shorts in exchange for pants. However, I'm making the most of it! So I grabbed my riding boots, the pup, and enjoyed the weather!

Shirt: Banana Republic  Sweater: Urban Outfitters (Similar)  Jeans: Gap  Boots: Target (Similar)  Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick  Necklace: Henri Bendel  Sunglasses: Brooks Brothers for Rayban  Purse: Kate Spade (Similar)

Get to Know Me Tag

Here are 25 questions for you guys to get to know more about me! Enjoy!
                                              Courtney

1. Do you have a middle name?


Yes my middle name is Taylor and I love it!


2. What was your favorite subject in school?

I am a extreme history nerd! My favorite periods of history are American colonies to the Civil War and European history up to American colonization.


3. What's your favorite drink?


Without a doubt, my favorite is Chick-Fil-A Dr. Pepper!

 
4. What's your favorite song at the moment?

Shake it Off by Taylor Swift


5. What would you name your children?


If I have a girl, Sutton or Elizabeth. For a boy it would be Brooks or Henry.



6. Do you participate in any sports?

No. I am not sporty at all. I just fall on my face. 


7. What's your favorite book? 

The Great Gatsby or Pride and Prejudice


8. What's your favorite color?

Blue! My whole wardrobe is just shades of blue.


9. What's your favorite animal?

Penguins! Its not an animal but I would also pay good money for a minion! 


10. What's your favorite perfume?

I'm honestly not a perfume person so I don't have one.


11. What's your favorite holiday?


Christmas is awesome because everyone gets excited about it! I also really like Halloween for the movies!


12. Have you graduated from High School?


Yes!


13. Have you been out of the country?


Not yet! :)


14. Do you speak any other languages?


No. I took Spanish in high school but I do not remember any of it. 


15. Do you have any siblings?


Yes!



16. What's your favorite store?

J Crew! I always find something at J Crew! My other favorites include Lilly Pulitzer, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Jack Rogers!


17. What's your favorite restaurant?

I have a local pizza restaurant that is my favorite! I go there every Saturday for lunch with my dad!

 
18. Do you like school? 

Yes, I just don't like going to class.



19. Who are some of your favorite YouTubers?


Sarah Belle, College Prepster, Arden Rose, Dani Austin, Megan Rienks, and Caitlin Bea 


20. What's your favorite movie? 

Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, Gone With the Wind, Sabrina, anything Disney, and anything black and white


21. What are some of your favorite TV shows?


Gossip Girl, Once Upon a Time, Sex and the City, and Friends



22. PC or Mac?


MAC!


23. What phone do you have?


iPhone


24. How tall are you?


I'm 5'8"!


25. Any pets?

Yes! I have 3 dogs and my roommate at college is training a guide puppy!