Hump Day is here!

T.G.I.H.D. Is that a thing? I'm not sure but I'm making it one.

I don't know why but this week has already been a complete whirlwind. Maybe because I've been thrown back into the swing of things after a week of no schedules, no assignments and no cafeteria food or maybe because it's simply a busy week, either way, it's been crazy. I am already feeling overwhelmed and this is not how I should be feeling two days after a break. I was hoping to come back feeling rested and revitalized, ready to tackle this second half of the semester head on but I'm feeling like it just tackled me.

After feeling lost for the first two days of this week and more importantly being completely unproductive it is now time to regroup. Chill, Emily. I talked about my need to relax and simply breathe in one of my recent posts [here] and these are the times when I really need to work on this.

Last night, well after I finished all of my work it was technically this morning, I took a minute to just sit. I've got a lot on my plate for the rest of this week and it was a good chance for me to lay out all that needs to get done. I think the main reason why Monday and Tuesday seemed so hectic was because I hadn't prepared myself for it. I didn't realize I had all of this work that was going to be pushed onto my plate and I didn't have time to plan and prioritize. By giving myself that little bit of time right before I went to bed I allowed myself to take a breathe and visualize what was going to be coming up the next few days and you know what, it's totally doable. Phew. Take a breath. I got this.

Now with hump day it's smooth sailing, or at least all downhill from here! If you're feeling stressed at all today take some time to sit down and just breathe. The work will get done, it's not worth feeling frazzled! So T.G.I.H.D! Let's enjoy this Wednesday!


Turning this week around,
Emily

Time to Start Saving!

So I'm going to be blunt: saving money is such a challenge for me. 

I think most of this stems from my obsession with clothes, and shoes, and necklaces and scarves… you catch my drift? I'm not the person who completely splurges when shopping. I do a good job at saving money for true investments in my wardrobe such as such as a good pair of jeans, a nice button down or a trench. However, my problem is in the little things. I'm particularly talking about sales. They are both a blessing and a curse. If I see a $40 dress that was originally $200 I feel almost obligated to buy it! Sure, it's a great deal but would I have spent that $40 on the dress if it wasn't originally so expensive? I find that sales produce more impulse shopping than anything. Don't even get me talking about online sales! Impulse shopping is where my difficulty with saving comes from and I'm devoting the rest of March to stopping this problem in it's tracks. 

As a college girl on a budget saving money is becoming increasingly important to me as I start to think about moving to a house after graduation, paying off student loans and investing in my future. I've written a list of tips that I'm going to start focusing on in order to protect my piggy bank!

1. Hide the Card!

Put away that credit card! Using only cash puts a set limit on the amount that you can be spending and it also cuts off those impulsive online shopping purchases. Even better, when you set out to go to the grocery, taking only what you need prevents you from grabbing that unnecessary chapstick at the check out line!

2. Plan Your Outings

Plan what you're going to be doing for the week. Are you going to be eating out with your girlfriends on Friday night? If so, skip the Starbucks line today! Plan ahead for when you're going to be spending and you won't be pinching at your pocket when the waiter hands you the check!

4. Make a List!

Keep an ongoing list of lust items. Maybe it's that new NARS blush or those new espadrilles at J.Crew but keep these items written down and then begin to prioritize them. If you need a new phone charger, put this above a new pair of sunnies. Keeping everything written down on paper is a great way to see exactly what you're going to be spending and helps you to prioritize!

5. Want or Need?

This point is especially for the ever-enticing sale shopping. When you come across an item think to yourself "Do I want this or do I need this"? There's a difference between buying two-for-one shampoo on sale and a bright patterned scarf that's half off. Don't throw your saving skills out the window just because there's a good deal. If you weren't planning on buying the item in the first place, it's price really shouldn't matter!

6. Make Recycling Fun!

Get over the "I don't have anything to wear" thing because girl, you totally do. Look at those two closets staring back at you and try to convince me that there is absolutely nothing fabulous in there. Use these weeks of saving to challenge yourself! Mix and match things you've never worn together before. Play up pattern mixing and you might come to find some adorable options you had never even thought about!

7. Challenge Yourself to a Timeline!

I've decided that the rest of March I am going to spend absolutely nothing on unnecessary items. I'll go to the grocery and get my food, I'll pick up prescriptions and I'll buy gas but I won't go to Target and pick up that new blush that I wanted to test out and I am for sure not walking into J.Crew. I'm going to start with baby steps and then I'm going to tackle a whole month!

Time to start protecting my piggy!

Emily

What to Wear on Saint Patrick's Day!

It's always tricky dressing for holidays. Saint Patrick's Day falls into the category of days like Valentines Day and July 4th, all the holidays where people are expected to wear festive colors. When trying to stay in the spirit and dress for these days of celebration it's often hard to find the balance between dressing festively without being, well, tacky.

St. Patty's Day separates the ladies from the girls.

There's a difference between that girl at the office who has saved her green dress for today or the girl that got her green crops dry cleaned for the occasion and the girl that's got that subtle piece of green worked into her outfit. There's something chic and whimsical about a pop of holiday color in a belt or some rockin' shoes. Dressing for these holidays is all about picking your accessories. If anything I think these are the days when you choose not to wear that green dress or that heart patterned shirt or that red, white and blue striped skirt that you just bought. We try not to blend in every other day so why should today be the same? I'm not about being pinched but I'm still about looking chic.

I put together some green accessories to keep you looking festive and fashionable! Slide some Hunters on for a rainy day or grab your trusty Kate Spade bag before you head out the door! St. Patty's Day is a time to show your inner style master and how creative you can really get with your outfits!

Make me proud ladies!

Emily

A Highway Day Ahead

So today I'm heading back to Memphis to finish off my sophomore year of college. Gulp. That sounds really scary. Gosh I can't believe it's over halfway done! This break flew by but I am so thankful that I got to spend some time at home for a few days. However, the worst part about breaks ending is the drive back to school. Yuck, not looking forward to this but I've got my goldfish and gummy bears to keep me company!

I put together a mix that's going to get me through the first couple hours of my drive. Especially when highway driving, music is critical!

First of all, music helps me get over the initial few hours of homesickness as I'm driving away. I'm really an independent person. I wanted to go to college 6 hours away from home for a reason but I still hate saying goodbye. I always have a tough time leaving my parents and the goodbye with my long distance boyfriend is unbearable but I can handle it. I just need some sunglasses and some happy tunes to get me through.

Secondly, music keeps me awake! Hours on the highway is truly mind-numbing. In the car I need something upbeat that I can dance to and belt out lyrics. It's totally embarrassing but I do enjoy these secret jam sessions. Anything that can keep me awake and alert is important!

I'm getting ready to head out so I guess I'll see you on the other side!


All packed and ready to go,
Emily

The Value in Tailoring Your Clothes

Seeing as I have now visited the tailor twice in two days I figured I would do a post on it. It might seem a little ridiculous to spend so much money on clothes after you already bought them but I think it is truly worth the extra money. I am a firm believer in the powers of a tailor. I'm totally guilty of buying a dress that doesn't fit completely right, assuring myself in the store that I'm going to wear it, and then it hangs in my closet for a year with the tags on it.

This, is where the tailor comes in.

For me, I've starting thinking of clothes as an investment. Especially when we're talking about staple pieces such as a dress shirt, a nice pair of slacks or a little black dress. These are the things that need to fit perfectly. Nothing can ruin an outfit more than pants that are dragging the ground but on the other hand, nothing can make you look better than a perfectly tailored dress.

Stores make their clothes to fit an average body form around a particular size and those sizes fitting perfectly are hardly ever going to happen. There are only a few stores where the size completely fits me and as a girl that's 5'4", pants inevitably are too long. My favorite pair of J.Crew chinos were hemmed 5 inches! On the plus side J.Crew has free tailoring so why skip on the offer?!

I got a sewing machine two Christmas' ago but unfortunately, and disappointingly, I haven't gotten the time to really sit down and master it. Until I get to the point where I can easily fix a zipper or quickly hem a pant I'm going to be dropping them off with Inta (my red-haired Russian tailor). She really is awesome. On the other hand, there are things I know that I will never be comfortable doing such as taking in a blouse in the back or even raising the waistline on a dress.

I've tried out a few tailors around my city and finally found my favorite. I truly think she does the best work in town but also at such a reasonable price! I tried to find some estimated prices on how much some basic tailoring costs and I think it really is worth the extra money.

If you're looking for places to go I would recommend word of mouth. Google is great but I really trust my girlfriends more than some of the anonymous posters on Yelp. I would also recommend to try a few out, search around for the best prices and really see which one is doing the best work for you. Also, don't forget to ask around at the stores where you buy your clothes. If you're a J.Crew card holder you get free tailoring with your purchases! You better believe I get my money's worth out of that!

Investing in clothes should be seen as investing in yourself, so why not give yourself the best?!

Currently wearing altered pants,

Emily