"Open When.." gift for college students

One of my close cousins left this week for her freshmen year of college and I wanted to make a cute gift for her to take with her to school.  A collage is my go to gift for people although this time I thought I would try something different.  I have seen "open when..." gifts all over pinterest and thought I would try to do my own spin off of it.  "Open When" gifts are typically for couples so I decided to change it to fit for a friend.

The idea is to mark each envelope with "open when..." and then write what the person receiving the gift should be feeling at the time they open the envelope.   

I only made a couple envelopes although there are many other options

I used: 

-open when you need money: I put $5 in it (because even $5 can help sometimes) 

-open when you need a laugh: I put a funny picture of us in it (to remind her of all our fun times together) 

-open when you need chocolate: I put a hershey's bar in it (because chocolate always helps) 

-open when you're angry: I put a picture of Ann Hathaway with a "punch here" sign on her face (because sometimes punching Ann Hathaway in the face makes you feel better) 

-open when you're happy: I filled it with confetti (sometimes being happy calls for a celebration and every celebration calls for confetti) 

-open when you aren't feeling anything in particular: I put a chap stick in it (because why not... I always need chap stick) 

-open when you're lonely: I put a picture of myself in it saying to call me (talking to a friend can help) 

-open when you miss home/your family: I put a picture of our family in it and wrote that we miss her just as much as she misses us 

Sealing the envelopes with a pretty ribbon helps present a beautiful package.  

This part is definitely not needed but I had free time and decided to draw on the flap of the envelope to add a pretty effect.  

Its an easy and unique gift to give and the person receiving the gift will love the personal effort. 

XOXO

Olivia 

2 Amys

  

I've been to 2 Amys once before and I can say it has to be one of my all time favorite places for pizza (compared to NYC pizza :)  The pizza is so delicious and unique and I love the overall vibe of the restaurant.  

I obviously had to take a picture with the cute menu because I had freshly painted nails (that doesn't happen that often.... mine are always chipped) 

             

                 
                                      I have a total weakness for diet coke! 

                  

The pizzas are about medium in size so they would be fine for a single serving or to share.  My mom and I shared an arugula and sausage pizza.... it was absolutely delicious!!!! Although my brothers and dad all created their own masterpiece.  Quinn had a pizza with probably 5 different types on meat on it... typical.  

The boys were not happy that the pizzas were not cut before they were brought to the table and were very difficult to cut on our own.  Therefore, this is Sean's way of eating the pizza easily.  

 address: 3715 Macomb St NW 

             Washington, DC 20016          (202) 885-5700         or         visit their website here  

They unfortunately do not take reservations although I have never had a problem getting a table in a timely manner.  

I'd love to know what your favorite pizza restaurants are, comment below! 

XOXO

Olivia 

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DIY Tassel Garland

Tassels are the newest and cutest trend and I for one am obessessed  with them.  They add a fun texture to an outfit or are a cute decoration to a party's scheme.  I have made tassel garland several times and feel that I have finally mastered how to make them properly.  Below is a step by step instruction on how to make tassel garland.  

1. Take one sheet of tissue paper (I chose pink obviously!) that is completely unfolded 

2. Fold the paper once vertically (like a hotdog) 

3. Fold the paper again horizontally (like a hamburger) 

4. Fold it vertically again (like a hot dog) 

5. Begin to cut medium strips in the paper, make sure to leave about an inch or two from the top

6. Continue to cut into the paper until there are cuts all across the paper 

7. Completely unfold the paper until it is as large as the starting piece of paper 

8. Cut down the middle of the paper (If you want the tassels to be larger you will skip this step and step 9) 

9. Now you will have to equal sized sheets of paper 

10. Begin to roll up the paper starting from one side and finishing when you reach the other

11. Now you will have a tassel that looks like this after rolling up the paper

12. Twist the center  that was left uncut in step 5, forming two sides of the tassel 

13. Fold one side of the tassel over the other and secure with tape 

Mix with other fun colored tassels and hang on a string or ribbon and you are in business! Enjoy  

XOXO 

Olivia 

Weekend Recap

I'm writing about what I did last weekend, although the upcoming weekend is nearing; doesn't seem right, does it?
 Every Saturday morning in July you will find me at a swim meet.  Last Saturday my team, the Donaldson Run Thunderbolts raced Lee Graham.  We won and are now 4-0, which needless to say is very exciting.

Our meet theme was Yacht Club, which started as a joke when I was younger and is now one of the best themes.  (Emily Brooks left and me right). 

I wore this old kids Vineyard Vines shirt (it actually used to be my younger brothers'...oops!) this monogramed hat and an old Lilly Pulitzer skirt.   

Emily Brooks, Ellie Bellios and me, prepped out from head to toe.  

The other teams' theme was "Frat Party," they dressed in togas and put red solo cups and ping pong balls in the pool.  I thought it was hilarious although the parents of the young kids on our team did not.  

Basically every weekend this summer my older brother, Quinn (a raising senior in high school) goes to colleges for football recruitment camps and my dad goes with him.  Therefore, my mom, younger brother and I are left in Arlington.  After the swim meet we decided to drive to Georgetown to shop and explore.  

I always hear people talking about how good the bakery and coffee shop, Baked and Wired is; they did not lie.  This place is a life changer!  The cupcakes and iced lattes were the best I've ever had.  It might be because I live so close to Georgetown Cupcake (literally 5 mins tops) because I don't get the hype over their cupcakes.  They are good but they are not great for the amount of time you have to spend in line to get the cupcake.  

I love individually owned stores, they have so much more character, Baked and Wired was no exception! The people that work there seem to have so much fun and the creative names of the cupcakes show it.  

There were so many different cupcakes to choose from that I couldn't decide what to get so my younger brother, Sean and I both order red velvet cupcakes.  They were so good!!!! I am already craving another.  

I wanted to get a "cute picture" with Sean because I don't seem to have any.  Now I know why... he looks like this in every picture because he doesn't like to have his picture taken.  One of the funniest things is that Sean sorta looks like the viner Nash Grier so many girls will come up to him and ask to take a picture with him because he looks like Nash.  Yet he won't even take one good picture with me....boys! 

I wore these Kate Spade earrings in sea foam green (sadly they don't carry this color anymore) I wore a scalloped crop top from Pac Sun similar to this and these Ray Bans.  

Even though the canal smells bad (as Sean liked to remind us) it does look pretty in the middle of Georgetown.  

Comment below what your favorite bakery is or your favorite places to go in Georgetown.  

follow me on the app Bloglovin by searching www.oliviacoxtopknot.blogspot.com 

xoxo

Olivia 

Summer Swim Team

I have swum for the Donaldson Run Thunderbolts (my neighborhood swim team) every summer since I was 5 years old.  This team is a second family to me and I love being a part of it.  Last night we had division three relay carnival.  This is the first year of me not swimming competitively year round, so it was even a surprise to me when I qualified to be on the 15-18 girls relay team for my pool.  My team is doing amazing this year, so far we are 3-0; so this relay carnival was so exciting for us.  The whole team caravans over from our pool to the pool of the team hosting the meet and everyone is decked out in homemade t-shirts or Donaldson Run gear.

I would say probably every year since I have participated in the divisional relay carnival (which is pretty much every year since I was 7) it has thunder stormed/rained.  Therefore, everyone has to sit out in their cars and wait for the thunder to stop.  So yesterday as soon as our car pulled up to the pool guess what happened?  It started to thunder!!! It may be a tradition but this tradition is getting pretty old to everyone in the NVSL (Northern Virginia Swimming League).  Although, waiting in or outside of coaches cars for 2 hours can be fun at times, especially when it involves dance parties in the rain which makes for interesting team bonding.

After the meet was delayed for two hours the meet ran smoothly! It was so much fun,  I have never seen my team so pumped up for their races or more full of spirit when cheering for their team mates.  My 200m Medley and 200m Free relay both did well, but unfortunately not good enough to qualify for All Stars Relays.  By the end of the night my hands were swollen from clapping and my voice was gone from cheering!  In the end the meet came down to a very exciting victory for my team!!! We won the division three relay carnival by two points!!! We haven't won our division championship since I was 6 years old so this was a very exciting and emotional experience for the whole team!

Division 3 Relay Champs! 

#1 selfie for #1 team

DRRA girls celebrating the win! 

My relay plus one of my coaches

(from left) Stasi, me, Jordan Kruger (coach), Amanda Tarkenton, Ellie Bellios (coach/swimmer) 

Relay getting ready for our race

Spelling out DRRA 

If anyone has ever had to put on a Fast skin swim suit before then they will know how difficult and painful it is.  The suit is tiny and skin tight, having to put one on in a pool bathroom is even more difficult.  They are sorta like spanx, although they push any fat you might have out the side of your suit.  I have always had muscular thighs from swimming and also by having a curvy body these swim suits are a hard fit for my body (left).  

We took the W! 

Anyone else love summer swim team? 

Post about swim coaching coming up soon!

XOXO 

Olivia 

Hula Sue

I love boutiques with all my heart, they are individual in both the merchandise they sell and the whole experience of shopping in the store as well.  Hula Sue has to be one of my all time favorite stores, they contain chic and stylish clothes as well as jewelry and accessories for both outfits and homes.  Hula Sue is located in Rehobeth Beach Delaware.  When I was shopping a couple days ago in Hula Sue, the owner was chatting with my mom and I about Top Knot and how I would love to feature the boutique on the blog; because the clothing is swanky and stylish and I love absolutely everything in it and think it fits my style extremely well.

Panoramic shot of the entire boutique.  Isn't it so cute?!?! 

Corner of the store that is filled with fun home products, jewelry and accessories 

Hello? who doesn't love a chalkboard? 

My mom chatting with the owner and sales girls. 

The boutique is any girls dream! 

I'm in love with this maxi skit, the strip of royal blue at the end is so fun!

I've always been a huge fan of cork and this clutch is no exception.  This is a must have summer accessory, it will go with absolutely everything  

This dress is AMAZING!  I'm so mad I did not buy or take a picture of me in it, because the hanger does it no justice.  This would be perfect for any nice occasion.  It would be a great dress for homecoming as well because no one else would have it.  

Tassels are the newest and coolest trend and Hula Sue did not disappoint!  They had a great selection of tassel necklaces and bracelets.  

more fun tassels! 

How cute would it be to eat off these plates? or drink coffee from these fun mustache mugs in the morning.  Can I just say how obsessed I am with this chevron painting.  

The pom-poms on the lamp shades are too perfect.  

Hula Sue has a great selection of gifts for a birthday or any occasion.  

Christy Hamer, the wonderful owner of Hula Sue, who is rocking one of Hula Sue's cute maxi dresses and tassel necklaces.  

Hula Sue is located at:   149 Rehobeth Ave, Rehobeth Beach, Delaware 19971  

Call them at:    (302)-227-1012 

Instagram:   @HULASUE

Unfortunately Hula Sue does not have a website although, there is one in the making.  This is a link to their Facebook page and this is a link to their Pinterest.   

Share your favorite boutiques below! 

XOXO

Olivia