Phew!

I. Am. Exhausted. Absolutely exhausted. I feel like I've been burning the candle at both ends and it's really starting to hit me. Everything is piling up. My days have consistently been spent answering  constant emails, running from end of the year meetings and receptions to cramming for exams and papers. I got out of an exam at 11:30 tonight! I mean seriously?! My bed time is slowly getting pushed back further and further and it's definitely hitting me. I had been great about getting to bed at a reasonable time, waking up early enough to get ready at a relaxing pace and grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria before my first class but boy has that changed! Now I wake up in the morning with enough time to jump in the shower and throw enough concealer on the dark circles under my eyes that keep growing. Ahh the cycle is spiraling!

With only a week left of classes before exams it's not going to get any calmer. Honestly, it's going to get even more hectic! In the midst of this tornado of work that's about to come through it's going to be super important to take some chill pills, naps, Netflix, short walks in the park and occasional Ben and Jerry's breaks. Anything to keep you grounded and sane during finals is a gift from above! During this time I'm, quite literally, scheduling in my time to sleep. I'm so bad about getting to my room and trying to finish up a billion little things before I get in bed. I'm putting a stop to that right now. My room during finals is going to be a place of refuge. That means naps, movies and a general space to breathe. The library can house all my stress these next few weeks! It's important for me to really separate my procrastination and relaxation from my focus and concentration or well, this happens! I'm so terrible about forgetting about me when I'm off trying to get everything else crossed off my to-do list! I need sleep! These black under eye circles are so not attractive and that groggy feeling in the morning is already growing old. Rest is definitely on my agenda even if there are so many other things on there as well. Building up some stamina going into finals week is only going to benefit me in the long run even if I cut nightly study breaks a little short. 

So here I am, starting to schedule my sleep and I couldn't be more shameless.

Emily

Rain, Rain, Go Away

The whole saying "April showers bring May flowers" is proving to be true this year. I swear it's actually rained every other day! I've been keeping my rain jacket on me at all times in order to combat those random pop up showers and I think I've worn my Hunters for a solid week now! I put together some of my rainy day essentials that I always keep with me on those dreary drizzly days. Here they are!

1. A good umbrella.
Maybe this is obvious but a good umbrella is key! I always keep one in my backpack in case of sudden inclement weather and I'm stuck without a jacket! Believe me, it's saved me so many times! I always keep a brightly patterned 'brella to spice up the gloomy damp days. While the "cute factor" is definitely important, it is even more important to find one that is sturdy. There's nothing worse than fighting an umbrella from flipping inside out when it's only slightly windy outside! My current umbrella from J.Crew is definitely up to my standards. So many cute patterns to choose from and it successfully protects me when I'm walking to class in windy and rainy days.

2. Rain Boots
Whether they're Hunters or those trusty pair of galoshes you've had since high school make sure you have a well fitting pair of boots to get you through. I recommend a half size bigger in your rain boots so you can squeeze some thick wool socks in them, my feet always tend to freeze when it's raining! With rain boots I'm all about colors. I truly think that rain boots go with anything, even if they are contrasting patterns or colors, rain boots are such a staple that you can still pull it off!

3. Rain Jacket
I first came to college with this adorable Steve Madden trench rain jacket. It really was so cute, it was bright orange with large black buttons down the front but it lacked a hood. Needless to say when the first storm came through Memphis I was in my car headed to the nearest store to buy myself a more realistic rain coat. I came out with the Marmot and it has probably been one of my best purchases in college yet. Investing in a quality rain coat is well worth the money. Not only is it going to last you for years but a coat with some technology is a good buy. The Marmot has wind breaking qualities, perfect for those brisk storms, but it also has great ventilation with hidden zippers for those muggy humid rains. I chose a neutral black for my rain jacket but I know the next one I buy will be this citrus colored one. That jacket could truly bring a sunny side to a rainy day.

4. Hair Life Savers!
Rainy days and my hair are not friends. I have naturally wavy hair so as soon as there is any hint of humidity in the air, BOOM, it blows up. I'm pretty sure I actually gain a few inches onto my height because of the sheer frizz! I have two ways to combat the nasty effects of rain on my perfectly straightened do! I carry Bumble and Bumble invisible oil with me throughout the day. After my hair has gone through a trek in the rain I just run a dime sized drop through my hair to smooth out the frizz and voila! Perfect again! On the days that nothing is really working, hair ties are the go-to. I'm all about the no-break elastics for keeping your hair strong and sleek!

5. Backpack
A backpack is a personal choice of mine during the rain while I'm at school. I usually carry around a Longchamp le Pliage tote for my books however after one particular experience I'm solely sticking to a closed bag on rainy days. I suffered a soaked laptop and dripping notes after coming out of class to a surprised sudden downpour. By the time I got back to my room across campus my poor Longchamp was soaked and so were all of my belongings inside. A backpack keeps your goodies nice and safe (and dry!) on the inside with enough padding to keep water from getting in. I have a simple LandsEnd backpack from the 8th grade that has stuck with me all this time. I've learned my lesson with Longchamp's and rain and I'm now packing my things up on my back until the sun comes back out!

What are your rainy day essentials?
Emily

      

          

Tune Out!

I’m currently sitting here in a Starbucks studying. Well honestly, I’m not really studying. I can’t study in places like this! I have such a hard time focusing in public places where a lot of people are moving around me. Even when I'm in the library I have to force myself to go to a super quiet private section so that I don't end up talking to people! (I'm also totally guilty of getting on Facebook or other blogs every five minutes… Oops!) 

I do however have a few tricks that keep me pretty focused in these kinds of places. Here they are!

1. Headphones

Headphones are my life saver when I'm studying and this is for multiple reasons actually! For one, they act as a kind of leash to keep me tethered to my laptop. Even when I'm in my room I try to listen to music on headphones because I have less of a tendency to get up! Music definitely keeps me working. I stick to upbeat songs typically because it puts me in a faster work pace. I also enjoy listening to classical music when I'm writing papers. My latest study music has been Ben Rector and the Lumineers! My tip with headphones would be to make sure you have a pair that you could wear for hours. I have SkullCandy soft bud earbuds. These don't hurt my ears as much as the Apple earbuds do. Tons of my friends have Beats but I'm not sure I could pull them off! Find the ones you can quite literally sleep in and you'll be good to go!

2. Earplugs

This is a semi-piggy back off the headphones if you're super dedicated. Some of my friends use foam earplugs while they're in the library and I definitely respect them for it. If you've got the guts to do this and study better when you're not listening to music, I think it's a great idea.

3. Drink Something!

This is great for studying but also in classes that are long and boring! Whether it's a Starbucks iced coffee or just a Tervis filled with water, sipping occasionally on a drink is a great way to break up the monotony of work or a lecture. It also is a great way to stay hydrated on those days that you're practically living in the library! For me it's also helpful to have something to munch on. I'm not saying eat a whole bag of potato chips but I do like to have a bag of trail mix or goldfish to munch on every once in a while. Just make sure you're not eating ridiculous amounts! In my room I usually eat a handful of grapes when I'm doing my readings. They're both healthy and act as a mini treat while you're studying away!

4. Self Control

This isn't what you think it is. Sure, I should probably have enough self control to force myself to focus however in all reality, most of the time I fall pretty short. I downloaded this app about a year ago called, well, Self Control. How it works is you enter a list of sites that you get distracted by. My list is embarrassingly long but it includes everything from J.Crew to Bloglovin to Facebook. Next you set a time that you want these sites to be restricted.  During finals I tend to turn it on for two hour intervals at a time. The catch is that once you turn it on, you can't turn it off until the timer runs out! Go big or go home!

Everyone has their own little ways to stay focused when doing work, especially in distracting places like Starbucks! What are your tips to tuning out distractions?

Emily

Long Story Short: Long Dresses Required

So one of the main reasons I chose to come visit PK this weekend is because of his formal tonight! He's been able to attend some of my formals at school however I've never gotten the chance to come experience his so I am so excited to be here! There are typically a large scale of dress requirements for formals ranging from sun dresses, to cocktail dresses to long dresses required. Tonight, long dresses are required. Apart from college formals, it is definitely important to have a long dress waiting in your closet in case of a wedding, party or fundraiser!

       

Obviously you're not going to be wearing a long formal dress every day of the week but if you invest in a high quality dress with a fairly classic silhouette you'll be able to wear it for years. Typically a high quality long dress is super expensive, at least for a college girl's budget! Hence why it is so necessary to invest in a dress that is truly going to last for a while! I'm all about going for a solid color. You can always change it up with your jewelry and shoes and give the dress a fresh new look!

J.Crew has mastered the simple and elegant long dress designs and these silhouettes aren't going out of style any time soon! The two styles featured here are the Megan Long Dress and Arabelle Long Dress both in silk chiffon. The floaty chiffon in a Grecian-style drapery is flattering on absolutely every body type and sure to receive tons of compliments! 

Feelin' Fancy!

Emily

     

Friday Finds! I Like Being 98.

I saw this video the other day and absolutely fell in love with this woman. It's definitely one of those videos that you find yourself smiling while watching it. Her attitude and generosity is so refreshing in a culture that is increasingly growing more individually minded. I think we all could learn a lot from this woman. Her sense of community contribution is inspiring and she absolutely radiates happiness, enthusiasm and positivity. You don't have to do something elaborate like heading to the DMV but hold the door open for someone today or pick up a dropped book. Spread the love and I hope this video makes you smile.

Emily