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Don't get me wrong, I love my short hair. It's so easy to do in the morning, and maintaining it is a breeze. But it does come with one stick- formal hair can be a pain. I'm one who always attempts to bust out of the regular curled hair rut, and this can be challenging when my hair is now just past my collarbone. 

Because I know that many like me have taken to chopping their locks, I've been scouring pinterest and youtube in the efforts of finding a solution. I've even tested all of these hairstyles myself, so they for-sure work with a little bit of practice or a helping hand (and trust me, this was no small feat-my hair is super thick). 

I've found the following five easy up-dos for all my fellow short haired ladies out there, so hopefully you find them helpful! 

the 2-minute up-do 

the low chignon 

the knotted up-do 

simple french twist

messy, twisted up-do 

Here's to all the good hair days to come! 

The Average of Five

Within the last year, I have taken greater notice to the amount of impact people have on my life. Those around you can affect your mood, state of mind, and your outlook on life. Previously, I've talked about how much better last semester was for me and how I attributed it to the people I surrounded myself with. After thinking about it more, I've realized how true this is.

It was Jim Rohn who once said "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." If this statement holds truth, then I beg you to think about the five people you are around the most. Do these people share your values, motivate you, inspire you, and keep you positive? Do these five people care about your goals in life and respect you?

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." - Jim Rohn

More importantly, how do you feel when you are around these five people? Do they make you feel that you can do anything you set your mind to, or do you leave their presence feeling diminished, beat down, and in a negative mindset?

It is my belief that in order to live a more positive life, it is important to surround yourself with positive people. It is amazing how just spending more time with the right people can change your perception. While there are always going to be negative individuals in the world, you can choose not to indulge in their antics. Guard the time you give to the company you keep fiercely- it is one of the few things that we have control over, and while it can seem so trivial, it can have profound affects on your being.

So this is my challenge to you: look closely at the five people you spend the most time with. Look at how they treat you, how they treat others, and how you act when you are around them. If we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with, how would your five measure up?

Monday Musings

{post 17hour wait in line- but finally have my ticket to Disney!}

I'll Be There // Last week, JB leaked a new single and let me just say- it's lit. I'm sure I've now listened to it about 100 times on replay, and that was just via a YouTube link. Unfortunately, the Biebs took the video off of his Vevo, and the track has been nearly impossible to find. Hopefully you were able to catch it before he took it down, but it was much too good not to mention in today's musings.

The 17th Hour // Last week, I did something I haven't done since old school days of Black Friday shopping. I waited, outside in the cold, for hours. 17 hours, to be exact. With a tent, sleeping bag, hand warmers, and sisters, we huddled together and waited for our turn in line to buy our tickets. After 17 hours of waiting (not all outside in the cold, I should add) we finalized our spring break plans.

Spring break // Saying I'm stoked about my spring break this year would be an understatement. After waiting hours for my ticket, I can finally, officially, say that I am going to Disney World. I'm so excited to not only take on the magic of Disney with my best friend Abby, but also to take on the magic of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. The countdown has already begun!

News // I've gone back and fourth with whether or not to release my Panhellenic affiliation on my blog many times, but once again I cannot- and for the very best reason, too! I am so excited to finally announce to everyone that I have been chosen as Senior Rho Gamma for recruitment. Disassociating is hard, but I loved every single minute in Rho Gamma-land and I cannot wait to head back to the rings of recruitment once again in the fall. Bring on the PNMs!

Change // The end of this semester is about to bring up a whole lot of change that I'm not ready to face, let alone deal with. It seems silly to make this a topic if I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but I'm putting this in here as a reminder to myself that growth comes from change-in all aspects of life.

Support // I truly have the some of the best people in my life and I am constantly filled with gratitude for all of the ones I hold close to my heart. I never knew how much some would mean to me until now, and I am so filled with happiness because of them.

To the new week ahead! 

Winter Nail Colors

essie / opi 

While I despise the cold of winter, I do appreciate that it allows for cooler toned nail polishes to be worn. I love a dark nail, and it's something that's so appropriate for winter. I have been loving the winter colors from both essie and OPI this season, and brought several of them together to showcase to you. While most of the shades are on the darker spectrum, I love the softness of Virgin Snow for this time of the year as well! 

What shades do you like to wear in the winter?

Tips For Better Mornings

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Admittedly, I hate mornings. Why on earth I had decided to take an 8AM class this semester is beyond me. What's even more troubling than my rash decision to take an 8AM is how I used to wake up at 5:45 every morning in high school so that I could shower and make it on time to class everyday. Regardless of these facts, mornings and I have never (and probably will never) be the best of friends.

All is not lost though- from the struggle of my morning class, I have found ways to make mornings more bearable and more productive than ever before imaginable. I'm sharing my tips with you, so hopefully, you can despise mornings a little less, too (because let's face it, mornings are a fact of life).

1 | Move your phone / alarm out of arms reach. At school, I prefer to put my phone on top of my fridge since turning off the alarm means that I have to physically get up and climb down from my loft. By moving the alarm, you are forced to get up and get moving.

2 | Chug some water (cold specifically). This is going to wake up your body, boost your metabolism, and in general alert yourself. I always keep a mason jar of water in my fridge so that in the morning not only is the water cold, but so is the glass- giving me an extra shock of cold to wake up my system. It's also really important to hydrate before you caffeinate.

3 | Give yourself a good stretch. This could be anything as simple as shaking out your limbs or something as routine and ritual as yoga. Whatever you choose to do, get your body moving so that you're not all stiff when you're in the likely rush to get out the door.

4 | Stay off the social media. This is probably uber shocking coming from me since I adore social media, but it will only distract you in the long run. Plus, you don't really want to start your mornings off by seeing your least favorite person on twitter insistently tweet about how great their bagels are.

5 | Wash your face with cold water. This is for nearly the exact same reason as #2. Wake yourself up with a shock factor if you have to (plus your skin will love you for this and you should be doing it anyways).

6 | Make time for breakfast. While I don't need to remind you why breakfast is the most important meal of the day (brunch / lunch are my faves anyways), I am going to remind you that by getting food in your system, you're more likely to be able to focus on the day ahead of you, to binge eat less, and to not interrupt your peers from your obnoxiously loud stomach as it grumbles in dire need of food. When I've got an early class, I eat something as small as grapefruit before class just to replenish my body, but when I have more time, I never turn down the opportunity to make myself a waffle. Moral? Eat something.

7 | Prep the night before. Whether this be laying out your clothes, packing your backpack, or getting parts of your lunch together the next day- do it. You'll spend less time mulling around what to wear/bring/do and you'll be better equipped to mentally prepare for the day ahead.

Still not a fan of mornings? Don't worry- you don't have to breakup with your afternoon naps.

Monday Musings

fun fact: i am utterly obsessed with constellations right now!

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Formal // I know it may be a bit premature to be thinking about sorority formals, but my excitement has increased upon the arrival of my dress. I'm so excited to wear it, and I'm super impressed with the quality. Perhaps I'l do a post on it in the future, but for now I'll keep it a secret since the event is still quite a ways away. 

Chai // Now that the season of peppermint mochas is done, I've turned to my next favorite cold-weather drink: the chai tea latte. These honestly remind me of my childhood since my mom would constantly make them, so sipping on one during class really takes me back.

Frigid // Temperatures are dropping in the mitten, and it was a whopping 18* earlier today when I was on my way to the gym. I am longing for the 50's we were experiencing less than a month ago, especially since tomorrow will be a cold night for me...

Skating // Saturday my lovely coworkers and I will be headed downtown for some ice skating fun! I haven't been to the rink since around this time last year, and I'm really hoping that since the holidays are over, it won't be too packed- I tend not to be the most graceful one on the ice. All in all though, it should be a fun time!

Bees // With it being so cold out, my lips have been in a perpetual state of chapped-ness (cute, right?). I've been turning to my Burt's Bees lip balm that my big gave me for Christmas, and it has been a lifesaver in keeping my lips moisturized all day! (This kind is my current favorite!)

MLK // I hope that this MLK day has been quite relaxing for all who have had the day off. I used my day off to re-charge and re-organize before the week ahead of me. I also focused on some important things in my life, but more of that to come!

Happy Monday! 

Fleece Favorites

1 | 2 | 3

4 | 5 

With the chill of winter settling all over campus in the last week, I have found myself grabbing for my favorite fleece items in my closet. I've also been super envious of some of the great pieces I've seen on fellow classmates, and decided a round-up post was definitely needed. 

Hopefully everyone has been staying warm!

16 In '16

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1 | try hot yoga - this is seriously quite the experience and everyone should do it at least once.
2 | sign up for a subscription box website (I personally want to try this one or this one!).
3 | visit a new city in your state (dying to go here this summer!).
4 | a new hairstyle - because some change is good for the soul.
5 | take an art class - one's like painting with a twist will have you feeling like an art prodigy!
6 | cook a pinterest recipe (I'm a fan of this one in particular!).
7 | start reading a new book series - because when is the last time you actually picked up a book?
8 | take time to meditate - find your center and release your negative energy this year.
9 | try a fitness challenge - they're short and will keep you motivated to beat the program!
10 | write more cards - just because.
11 | take time to make (or eat) breakfast - most important meal of the day, after all.
12 | deep clean your room - you don't need that t-shirt from freshman year homecoming...
13 | go on a road trip - take time to just be on the road listening to some good music.
14 | try a new restaurant or coffee shop - caffeination makes the world go 'round.
15 | drink more water - your skin will thank you extra for this one!
16 | make time for brunch - best meal of the day, in my opinion.

What are some things you'll be doing this year?

Monday Musings

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So this Monday, I'm doing things a little bit differently. I've been looking at this picture from quite some time since I changed it to be my twitter header, and it's honestly provoked quite a bit of thought. As I've been staring at the fireworks burst, I can't help but think about how opportunities come and go in a blink of an eye; how a calm moment can be disrupted by a bang and a flash of light. The nature of fireworks parallels our lives, to a degree.

Chances come and go, moments pass, and we are left with two choices: to take action, or to idle by as life continues on around us. We can run away from problems and difficulties, or we can face them head on. This weekend has dealt me a fair share of opportunities for action, and I'll be the first to admit that my natural reaction is to close the blinds, shut off the lights, and hibernate in my room at the first thoughts of an uncomfortable moment. I believe this to be many people's first thoughts as well.

It's scary to decide to act and to put yourself out there and to make yourself vulnerable. The human response is to avoid unpleasant experiences, but we do not grow from remaining in our comfort zones our entire lives. Growth requires acts of bravery, no matter how big or small those acts may be. To be brave doesn't necessarily mean to conquest great obstacles, but sometimes to listen to the voice in our mind that tells us we can take the first step.

I suppose the purpose of this tangent filled post is this:

If you have ever been looking for a sign or a reason, this is it. 

The moment will never be perfect, because frankly life isn't perfect. If you wait around, that sought after moment won't come. So act. Act now and act bravely. Listen to the voice telling you that you are strong and courageous, because you are.

January Playlist

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listen to the playlist here!

Simple Everyday Necklaces

1 | 2 | 3

4 | 5 | 6

I love simple everyday necklaces, and I usually wear one every day. They're great on their own or layered with other necklaces to make a statement. Here's a round up of some of my favorite dainty pieces- perfect for any occasion. 

Monday Musings

nothing like a fresh chop for the new year!

Chopped // I decided there was no better way for me to start the new year than with a fresh chop. Cutting off 5 inches of hair has been weirdly freeing, and I'm loving how sassy my short hair makes me feel. I'm also super excited to start playing around with different ways to wear it, since it's been quite a while since I've had hair this short. 

Goals // For 2016, I want to start living my life more positively. My end to 2015 was honestly so great, and I want to keep that trend going. I've never felt so much joy and happiness in my life, and it's because I feel I've just been overall more positive. To see my other goals, check out this post I put up a couple of days ago! 

Consistent // I want to be way more consistent and create better habits for myself, so to do so I've been planning out my upcoming semester. I weirdly get a kick out of planning out my days, so I want to create a habit of setting up a plan the night before so I'm ready to start my day as soon as I wake up. Let me know if you any of you have any tips! 

Morning // I'm actually seriously wondering how this 8AM is going to go for me tomorrow, but I'm being optimistic that it will turn me into somewhat of a morning person. To prepare myself, I've turned to this video by my absolute favorite youtuber with the hope that it will provide me some motivation.

Break // While this break has been completely relaxing and absolutely necessary, I do wish that I had been more productive. Though I got to catch up with friends from high school and road trip to see my best friend in her hometown, I didn't really accomplish much in lieu of preparing myself for the new semester... but isn't that what my Sunday was for?

Campus // It's come time for me to move back to campus again. This morning will be a process of last minute errands, packing up my car, and moving back into my residence hall for the new semester. I have high hopes for winter term, and I'm excited to see how the end of this school year measures up!

Here's to the start of a productive week! 

6 Planners For The New Year

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With the new year here, what better time is there to start getting organized? In case you needed a push to find the right planner for you, I've done a small round up of some of the best planners out there! Let me know which you like best! 

Erin Condren Life Planner | This is the planner I use, and I absolutely love it! I use the horizontal version of the Life Planner, and it's perfect for me as a college student. There's plenty of room for me to write out my homework, divide up my class schedule, and also keep my daily to-do's in check!

The Happy Planner | The Happy Planner is very similar to the EC Life Planner's vertical layout, and offers tons of room to plan out your week if you like a more separated lay-out. Each day is divided into 3 different sections ("morning, noon, night," "to do, to eat, to read," etc.) and still leaves you plenty of room to decorate it, should you choose to. 

Day Designer | If you're a person who likes to have their day planned out by the hour, this planner is for you. In one column you have the hours of the day with spaces to fill out your engagements, and in another column is a to-do list for the day. I also like that this planner features a "top three" each day, allowing you to put literally anything in it's place. Perhaps top three tasks, top three things to be grateful for, the possibilities are quite honestly endless. 

Ban.do Planner | This planner is great if you have really basic needs in a planner. It comes equipped with stickers, sassy pages to separate the months, and impressive notes sections in such a small planner. The daily spread is unruled, so if you're one who doesn't like to be restricted by lines, this planner is perfect for you. 

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda | These agendas are tried and true, and favorites among many for great reasoning. With a month spread big enough to hold all chapter events, due dates, course schedules, and appointments, it's no wonder why sorority girls everywhere love this planner. It also has a spacious weekly layout and gives you enough space to write in any assignments you need to remember in order to get that 4.0 throughout the semesters to come.

Filofax | To be quite honest, the filofax planners scare me a little bit, but only because I'm someone who needs a planner pre-setup for me to use it. It is a "big girl planner" if there's ever been one. If you like to create your own planner and adjust it very specifically to your needs, this planner is everything you've ever dreamed of. You can literally make it anything you want. Track your finances, your monthly engagements, journal in it- I've seen these used for anything and everything. It's extreme customization is what lands it a place in my round up, because no two people plan the same way.  

Goals for 2016

I will be the first to say that I don't believe in resolutions. I think they are too easily broken and honestly, when has anyone stuck to them? But goals? Now that is something I can believe in. I set goals all the time, I'd even wager that I daily set goals. In order to hold myself somewhat accountable, I wanted to share with you all my 2016 goals (also, it feels more permanent this way). 

Read my textbooks more regularly | I pay hundreds of dollars for these books, so I really ought to put them to better use. I go through cycles of being really on top of my reading, and then cycles where it feels like I'm doing nothing but playing catch up. This year/semester, I want to read my textbooks for the necessary content at least 1 hour a day per subject. 

Mas Agua | This is something I have always struggled with. My daily water in-take is usually dismal, though like with reading, it does go through cycles. I aim to create better habits of hydrating myself this year by carrying my water bottle with me everywhere on campus, refilling it when I'm by the hydration stations, and drinking from my water every hour on the hour.

Call my mom more | She does a lot for me, and I really should call home more when I'm away at school. It's actually sad how little I call home. I want to call home (at least) once a week in the coming year so that I can catch up with my mom and tell her how much she means to me (because she doesn't hear it from me enough).

Utilize my time efficiently | I deathly need to stop procrastinating, and I feel the best way to combat this is to use my time more efficiently. In between classes I want to begin copying notes, after classes I want to review notes and course materials, and on days where I only have one class I want to set up times to go to the library, work out, and even eat (because I'm ashamed to admit that I sometimes literally forget to eat).

Create better sleep habits | I am notorious for staying up late and sleeping in until well into the afternoon. Ask anyone who knows me (especially the bae) and they will tell you I am not even capable of waking up before 10. To combat this hibernation issue I seem to have, I want to start better sleeping habits. I honestly think the way to do this is going to be setting a bed time of midnight (baby steps, right?), moving my alarm out of arm's distance, and not hitting snooze (more than once...).

What goals do you have for yourself in the coming year?