Becoming a Morning Person

I have never been a morning person. However, there is something about mornings that I absolutely love. Waking up for my 5:15am spin class this summer had an amazing effect on my attitude towards the day and I think it is because I just felt so productive. I am a chronic procrastinator and I think that my preference for staying up late sort of enables that. This semester I am taking my first ever 8am in college...yeah, my last semester of college. It is also the only class I have on Monday/Wednesday, so when I am done at 9:15, I am looking at a wide open day. In college, I feel like, even if people have classes in the morning, the day doesn't really seem to start until noon, but since I am already up, I am choosing to capitalize on the day. The best way that I know to get my day off on the right foot is through healthy habits.

It is definitely a work in progress, but I am really going to work on shifting my schedule to involve going to bed at 11pm and waking up at 6am to tackle the day. Whether I get an early morning workout in, blog, or read a good book. I want to be able to have some time to do something in the mornings. I don't know if I am going to make the gym my early morning routine again, but does anyone already have a early bird routine they love? Or does anyone else want to undertake this personal challenge with me? I know it is always helpful to have a buddy system when it comes to this kind of stuff to keep each other accountable. If you are looking to start on a morning routine, here are some tips I have from doing it this summer that really made sure I got the day going.

One: Plan Ahead

Make your to-do list the night before and lay out your outfit for the morning. Even if your productivity is just writing emails, put your slippers by your bed and get that coffee maker ready so all you have to do is hit "start," trust me, it helps.

Two: Learn to Obey the Alarm

I have gotten so, so bad at this. I have to set multiple alarms to wake up. Start to try to minimize the number of alarms you set so that you are ready to wake up on the first one.

Three: Unplug 30 Minutes Before Bed

It actually helps. I know doctors and experts have said it a lot, but it is worth repeating. I notice that I am able to go to bed much easier if I am just reading for a bit before bed. Also, I started ignoring my phone if it goes off while I am in bed...TBH it is usually a ScoreCenter update.

Four: Eat Breakfast

I found that even getting a banana down is very helpful. Just try to eat something so that you have fuel for your body to run on. Coffee is also a good fuel, but apparently we cannot exist on coffee alone...though I kind of wish we could.

Five: Have a Morning Playlist

Do not piss off your roommate by blasting One Direction or Miranda Lambert in the morning, but if there is some music that you like to sing along to or dance to, turn it on. Just make sure you are wearing headphones or have the volume low so you don't annoy roommates and neighbors.

Six: Turn on the Light

I find it harder (though not impossible) to go back to sleep once there is light in the room. Make waking up a nice process at the beginning of your transition. Turning on the light, sitting in bed, and reading theSkimm has become a nice way for me to wake up in the morning and mentally prepare myself to start the day.

xx

erin

7 Tips to Survive Finals

Hey y'all! I hope finals are going well for those of you who are taking them right now. I know they are totally kicking my butt schedule-wise, but I just keep taking it a step at a time and trying not to let the stress get to me too much. Anyways, I am sure you are just as busy as I am, but I wanted to share a couple of my favorite study tips for this finals season, including a new one that I am trying!

One: Reduce Caffeine Okay, this sounds crazy coming from someone like me, but caffeine can increase your stress levels, which is the last thing any of us need this time of year! Personally, I like to add tea into my normal regime because it still has some caffeine without being as strong as coffee. You should also try to up your water intake because it will help with basically everything your body needs to do during this season, including sleep!

Two: Self Control App It might sound a bit extreme, but I use this app religiously around this time of year because otherwise I will just take "a super quick" study break that ends up being an hour on Buzzfeed determining which James Franco Selfie I am (I got Gucci&Pasta in case you were wondering). 

Three: Change the Venue If you are tired of going to the same library or can't study on the quiet floor of the library, don't force yourself to do it! I know where I study and write best, so I usually try to stick to the same few places. Tonight I am working from home because I am burned out on libraries...until this weekend.

Four: Sit on a Medicine Ball I had heard this increases your concentration and after doing it last night I am inclined to believe it. Fair warning though, if you are tired this can backfire. It would appear I sort of dozed off while sitting on this ball last night and didn't realize it until I was laying on the floor...oops! Plus, this gives your core a nice little workout to maybe combat the lack of gym trips and increased number of calories you're eating. 

Five: Sleep I am notorious for not doing this normally, but I have recently realized how important some sleep is. To be perfectly honest, if you aren't sleeping much, your work is going to reflect that!

Six: Classical Music Everyone has a different preference when it comes to study music, but I am partial to classical music since I see a noticible difference in my performance when I listen to music without lyrics. This time of year, the Nutcracker is always a good choice!

Seven: Make a List Again, I do this all the time, but making a list allows you to visualize the task at hand and that increases the chance that you actually do it. Seriously, nothing more rewarding that putting that check mark next to a task.

Any other tips?

xx

erin

A New Way to Study Snack: Graze Box Review

Study snacks are a necessity for me. I am one of those people who has done the "write a paragraph, get a Swedish Fish" program more times than I can count and there is no indication that the system is going to change. One of the problems with study snacking is that I don't have much willpower and quite frankly, I don't go for the healthiest snacks at Cohn's on a regular basis, though I do get grapes semi-frequently. 

One way to counter this habit is through a great service that is delivered right to your front door. I got my first Graze Box yesterday and immediately knew that it was going to be the perfect thing to bring to the library to write my paper today. The box comes with four individually wrapped snacks that are selected based on preferences that you choose on the site. You can choose how often you want the box delivered to your door, and you can cancel at any time without a fee.

my first box

But it gets even better because you can get your first and fifth boxes for free if you use the code ERINM73XP when you register. And just like with the original deal, if you don't like it after the first one arrives, just don't get anymore...it's actually totally commitment free. When registering, you have the option between the normal or calorie counter box, which I got. The snacks included in mine are the Chili & Lime Pistachios, the Smoky Hot Dog mix, Raspberry & Coconut Muffin, and the Oat, Spelt, & Rasin Dippers with Berry Compote. Also, don't be fooled by the names, they did not actually include a muffin or a hotdog in my mix, but the names are pretty cool! After trying these snacks over the next couple weeks of snacking in the library, I will rank them for preferences for future Graze experiences!

Does anyone else get the Graze Box? What are your favorite snacks in it?

xx,

Erin

Different Types of Duck Boots...plus a sale!

Dressing for dreary days in college mean preparing for the worst. If it's overcast, do not leave that umbrella at home...you are just going to guarantee that it is going to rain. Of course, footwear is important too, and that is why I love my duck boots. Oh, and did I mention that they're on sale on LL Bean today?

I love my Hunter Wellies too, but they are bigger and bulkier, and if it doesn't rain, I kind of feel dumb wearing them. Fortunately, duck boots are so widely acceptable that I don't worry about it. They also come in so many different brands, colors, and styles.

find all these boots here!

What was once just a basic boot has taken on so many different appearances to reflect anyone's personal style. As for me, I used to have the 8" boots, but I love my 6" brown bean boots now because they're a little less restrictive. One of the biggest pluses for these boots is that they somehow manage to go with everything. Here are some of my favorite pins with duck boots:

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What type of duck boots do you have?

xx,

Erin

Feels Like Fall...Decorations!

Today I went to Walmart for some supplies to fight this cold I am getting and of course the first thing I saw when I walked in was the Halloween displays. I was able to stay far away from the candy, but I did go through the decorations aisle. Decorating for the holidays is one of my favorite parts of having my own apartment. I already have a bunch of general fall decorations from last year, but I love the little touches for the particular holiday! At home, my momma always has great seasonal decorations and that has definitely been one of the biggest influences in my love for decorating here. 

Of course, on a college budget, it is no fun to spend all your social money on decorations that only last a month or two, so here are a couple of steps to add a seasonal touch to your apartment without breaking the bank!

1) Door Decorations: We (now) have a little Trick or Treat sign from Walmart, but a fall wreath would last even longer than that. You can get a wreath at Walmart, Michaels, Home Goods, or Target for a decent price. If you go to Michaels, you can even make it a DI wreath!

2) Pumpkins: Pumpkins and other gourds are inexpensive fresh, but you can also get fake ones. I have a couple of cute wood pumpkins for my mantle from last year that I got at Home Goods for next to nothing!

3. Scented Candles: I love candles, but at my apartment I just use a wax melter. Spiced pumpkin is always a good choice, but there are so many delicious fall scents!

4. Fall Flowers: I get most of my flowers at Trader Joe's and I love the rich colors that come out in the fall. Fake flowers are always a good, allergy-free option as well. For those, check Walmart or Michaels (especially if you have a coupon!).

5. Cozy Throw Blankets: A wool blanket draped over a couch corner just adds to the atmosphere of the room. Plus, you can grab a blanket, a cup of tea, and hunker down on the couch. I love, love, love sitting in front of a fire this time of year. We don't have working fireplaces in our apartment, but that doesn't mean I can't spend a lazy evening cozy on the couch!

How do you prepare for fall?

xx,

Erin

It's a (Dinner) Party

Those of you who've seen my 22x22 list know that I still have a few things to check off before my birthday rolls around two weeks from today. There are a couple things that I unfortunately will not get to do, but I am doing my best to finish the rest. One of the items was to host a dinner party so I decided to invite some of my friends over for a casual Friday of food, wine, and relaxation. It was the perfect evening because we were all pretty tired and wanted to save our energy for last night's 7:30 football game!

I also got to kill two birds with one stone on this one because I used Pinterest for a couple of the recipes.

 

I had work all afternoon, so I just prepared the Chili in the crockpot before I left for work and prepared everything else when I got back. It was so much fun to be able to host everyone and try out some new recipes! One of my friends commented that she had been thinking about how she wished people made more plans like this and I couldn't agree more. It is so nice to be able to organize time together when people's lives get so crazy, especially since it's our fourth year.

Plus, this dinner was so easy to make. I kept the menu simple since I knew that I only had a little bit of time to prep after I got off work:

Menu:

Chili with Rice

Corn Muffins
Spinach Salad

Apple Galette with Ice Cream

Wine

As I said before, I threw the Chili in the crockpot before work so that was easy. The recipe I used called for butternut squash, which I didn't use, but I also wish that I had added some more salt and garlic powder for a little more flavor. For the Corn muffins, I just used Jiffy mix which made the perfect number for a small dinner party. The Spinach Salad was a Dole kit (doesn't get easier than that). I love this Apple Galette recipe. It was incredibly easy to make and it is basically an open face apple pie. The recipe called for a homemade dough, but in the interest of time and sanity, I just used a 9in pre-made pie crust from the grocery store and I think it turned out perfectly fine!

Thanks to my friends who came over for this little dinner party, I am so lucky to have friends like y'all!

xx,

Erin

5-Minute Microwave Peach Crisp

In typical Virginia fashion, the weather has changed overnight. No, it isn't cold, but walking to class in 65 degree weather this morning was a drastic shift from last week...not that I'm complaining! Regardless, between the weather and my sore throat from allergies, I am craving something warm to eat or drink. 

On Saturday, I went to the Farmers' Market with some friends and picked up a couple of end-of-season peaches and blackberries. I don't know what prompted it, but a peach cobbler/crisp was exactly what I wanted, so I sort of threw together a 5 minute Peach Crisp recipe that is delicious and I can't wait to make it more this year (with canned peaches...bye, Summer). To be totally honest though, I just used some rough estimates when making this, but I tried to guestimate how much I used so that you can make it too!

5-Minute Peach Crisp

Ingredients:

1 Peach/Canned Peaches

3/4 Cup Quick Oats

1/3 cup Brown Sugar

2 Tbs Butter

1 Tbs Flour*

Pinch of Cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut up the peaches, or drain, depending on what type you're using. Place off to the side in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Melt Butter.

3. Combine butter, oats, sugar, flour and cinnamon in bowl.

4. Pour mixture over peaches.

5. Microwave for 90 seconds.

6. ENJOY!!!

If I had some Vanilla Ice cream I would have definitely added it to the top of this, but it was delicious regardless.

xx,

Erin

*I didn't actually use this, but I just saw another recipe on Pinterest did and it would definitely help with making the topping thicker!

LBB: Little Brown Bag

Being in college often means that you're purse collection consists of the crossbody you bring to bars and the tote you carry to class. There just really isn't a need for a collection that is much bigger than that. However, this summer I was getting a bit tired of not having a staple purse to carry with me and worrying that my orange purse clashed with my outfits.

Then of course, I hopped on Pinterest and knew exactly what I was looking for in a purse. I decided to go with a light brown/dark tan purse because it can be used for more than just a season and it can go with anything. Personally, I love structured bags so when I found one at H&M I knew that it was the bag for me, but there are so many other options out there that fit in anyone's budget.

ALDO crossbody // Toulon Clutch

ASOS Satchel // H&M Tote

Sole Society Shopper // Gigi New York Crossbody

xx,

Erin

Back-To-School: Le Pen and Russell+Hazel

School is coming and therefore school supply shopping (aka my favorite time of the year) is upon us. If you are like me, you already know exactly what supplies and what brands you are buying. Good for you, nothing screams Type-A like needing school supplies to be specific brands and colors. That being said, if you're looking for some new brands to try out or you have no idea what to get, let me introduce you to my favorite pen brand and basically, my favorite school supply...aside from my macbook.

Some of you may have noticed my Le Pens in Instagram posts before, but if you haven't they are these adorable, bright colored pens that bring my planner and school notes to life (when I don't type them). These pens write incredibly smoothly and they don't completely bleed through the pages. Mackenzie Horan sells them in her shop, but I went for the big multicolor pack on Amazon. 

What do I write with these beautiful pens. I use them in my planner, notes, and for my to-do list. On that note, I got a new to-do list notepad at The Container Store the other day and I am absolutely obsessed with it. Instead of crossing things off my list, I now put a check mark in the little bubble at the end of the line. It might sound less rewarding, but I am good with the check mark for now. My momma actually got the Russell + Hazel Planner while we were there and it is super cute as well. If you are still stumped on a planner because you have certain needs for how the categorization is broken down, I highly recommend this build-your-own planner they design. She can use as many notes sheets as she wants and since it's a little binder, everything is removable!

Plus, the Russell and Hazel website is 25% off through labor day! How cute is this keychain? I think I might get it for my keys this year at school!

What is your favorite back-to-school supply?

xx,

Erin

A Look Inside My Kate Spade Planner

I finally bit the bullet and bought a Kate Spade planner last week and I am so glad I did. Before making the switch, I was a huge fan of the Lilly Pulitzer planner and it is still a great planner, but the Kate Spade one has a bit more of a professional feel to it. I can't believe that this is my last college planner...seriously, where has the time gone? I am not ready to leave yet!

I know that picking a planner can be stressful and I feel like I see pictures of Lilly planners all the time, but not so much what other planners look like. Here is a peek at my Kate Spade planner!

One of the reasons I love the agenda being so simple inside is that it makes my Le Pen colored notes pop that much more. I am also thinking of getting some Washi Tape to highlight things in my agenda. If you haven't seen it on Pinterest, definitely take a look. I love how people have been using it to incorporate cute colors and patterns into their agendas.

What is your agenda of choice?

xx,

Erin

Five Steps to Decorating a Bubba Keg

Good Morning from Myrtle Beach!!! I am here on Beach Week with what feels like all of UVA right now and so happy to be here! We got here on Sunday and don't leave until Thursday so there is plenty of time to tan and hang out with friends one last time before we all go our separate ways this summer.

This year, I decided to decorate my Bubba Keg for beach week so that no one picks it up thinking it's theirs and also because I love to craft! I actually didn't have time to finish decorating it before Beach Week because I was working on a Mother's Day project so I had to finish crafting it on our balcony in our suite! Nothing says "you're in a sorority" quite like monogramming a bubba keg on your balcony at beach week!

It was actually super easy to decorate the bubba keg, and while I didn't have time to do the original Lilly print I was planning to do, I love how it turned out!

What You Need:

Bubba Keg* (any size you want, but I have a 34oz and that is more than sufficient)

Painters Tape

Metal Primer

Spray Paint/Acrylic Paint

Paint Pen

Modge Podge

Waterproof Sealant

1) Line the Area in Painters Tape: Spray paint will speckle any area around the part that you are painting so make sure that everything you don't want painted is covered! (don't forget to cover the handle)

2) Apply A Coat of Metal Primer: One or two coats of this should do the trick. Also, when I say metal primer, you can use a multi-purpose primer, too! I just got one of those heavy white spray paint ones and I actually didn't even put white paint over it for the stripes because two coats was heavy enough.

3) Paint Design on a Cooler: You can really do any design you want based on time and artistic ability! I love the way a Lilly Print looks on these, but my basic stripe design took me no time at all, I just bought a little thing of spray paint and utilized more painter's tape to tape off the white area. Also, for monogramming, I would recommend a paint pen. I am pretty good at freehanding my monogram (that's what I did on my cooler) but that pen allows you to have a bit more control. I would also recommend using a monogram sticker or transfer paper to trace if you are less sure of your freehanding skills.

4) Seal the Cooler: You don't want the paint to chip! I actually didn't have modge podge with me so my cooler wasn't sealed this way, but the waterproofing did the trick for now...

5) Waterproof Your Cooler: This is a great sealant and it is perfect for the beach! The water isn't getting into my cooler which is ideal. I actually walked around in the water with my cooler yesterday and nothing happened to it so that is saying something!

6) Fill it and ENJOY! Whether it's a margarita or just water (stay hydrated, my friends), enjoy your beach beverage!

Have y'all decorated a bubba keg or cooler? I would love to see pics!

xoxo,

SSP

* I think they are cheapest at Walmart, but Amazon sells them too and they have a host of color options

Study Spots

Oh my gosh, I am so happy to finally be done with final exams. I have to turn in 2 five-page papers on Thursday, but I am done with the actual exam part of the year, it's time for the homestretch. Yesterday in the library I found myself straining to see the text in a book and on the computer screen. I have 20/20 vision, but when you spend that much time reading on your computer, your eyes are going to start to hurt...it was a welcome excuse to lay down for a few minutes, though. 

Anyways, today I had an exam and the idea of going back to the library was just not one I was happy with, so I am taking advantage of this amazing weather and prepping for my exams outside! I know I can't be the only one tired of my study spot, so here are some other ideas of places to go!

Outside

Obviously I am a little biased since I am already out here, but the weather is so nice and it might even give me a nice base tan for beach week!

Coffee Shop

You're probably in need of some caffeine anyways, so why not study while you're at it. Starbucks gets crowded in almost every college town this time of year (oh and they are 24 hours during finals!) but scoping out a cute, local shop can be fun too!

Your Apartment

You can lounge around and blast your study mix without headphones and study snacks are just a room away! Just be careful to not let your bed become a constant nap zone instead of studying!

A Different Library

This probably depends on where you go to school, but UVA has a bunch of libraries with all different atmospheres which can be a welcome change of scenery without losing library productivity...also, the quiet floor is always available if your headphones don't quite drown out the library chatter. 

Friend's Apartment or Sorority House

You can still study with friends without going to the library. There is constant stream of girls going in and out of the Chi O house this time of year, especially because it is so close to grounds!

The Gym

Okay, I don't mean this for serious studying, but the gym can be a nice escape while you catch up on reading. Spend a little bit of time on the bike or elliptical to keep the blood flowing while you work through weeks worth of reading or notes. 

Also, don't forget to take study breaks and sleep! I hope finals are going well!

xoxo,

SSP

Retail Therapy with The Lucky Knot

Finals Stress is cured by retail therapy, right? Well, I think it is.

A couple of weeks ago I found out that I was chosen as a Crew Rep for The Lucky Knot. Located in Old Town Alexandria, The Lucky Knot is one of my absolute favorite stores and I make at least one trip down there every time I go home. Their store carries some of my absolute favorite brands and has introduced me to others! Luckily for y'all, you don't have to be in Northern Virginia or DC to go to The Lucky Knot because they have an amazing online store. Even better than that? Because I am a rep, I get to share a discount with all of my lovely friends.

This means that if you type in the promo code "Erin" at checkout, you will get 15% off your purchase (online only)! How amazing is that? Happy shopping, friends! If you're looking for a starting point, here are some of my favorite items in their online store:

Elizabeth McKay blouse

Fornash Bit Necklace (one of my go-to items)

they have an amazing collection of men's neckwear!

Kiel James Patrick Bracelet

you have to see the back of this dress

you can never have too many tumblers!

tortoiseshell and a fox!?...ahh I love it

perfectly adorable for an afternoon on the beach

looking for a Spirt Jersey to pair with norts on a summer evening?

the perfect gift for the American-loving man in your life

Gosh, I wish I could just buy one of everything (stupid college budget)! What is your favorite piece on their site? I would love to know what y'all end up getting!

xoxo,

SSP

Beach Week Bod and Finals

Guess where I am heading on May 11th? The Beach! I am so excited for Beach Week with my Chi O sisters and friends! A ton of people from UVA venture down to Myrtle Beach after finals for a few fun days and nights at the beach. It is the perfect way to unwind from finals, say goodbye for the summer (and to the fourth-years), and then come back and settle in for the summer. One thing that I am not super excited for is having to wear a bikini again. Let's be real, finals snacking and just generally not being on top of my workout routine is not boding well for me. Regardless, beach week is when it is, and there are a few ways to get ready in two weeks.

While my workout ethic has lacked a bit, I have been getting a workout in here and there, and finals is no excuse! I don't blame you if you're a bit skeptical, but for a super quick workout, I love the 8 Minute Abs and 8 Minute Arms workout videos on Youtube.

80s workout videos are so corny but they are effective. In fact, I discovered clips of the original "Buns Of Steel" workout video the other day on Youtube. I don't know if any of y'all have done that before but it is a great workout, complete with that fabulous aerobics attire.

To make a two week push for improving your beach week body, you also need a couple of other elements. Honestly, running is the best form of cardio that you can do. I know people don't like running, and to be honest, I used to be one of them. Then, I discovered a runner's high and I knew I was hooked...of course, if you are still skeptical, there are other ways to get your cardio in. 

As far as diet goes, try to stick with healthy snacks and meals (I say as I eat chocolate chips...). But seriously, there are so many ways to satisfy a craving without killing a diet. For example, I just discovered Dole Dippers and I am loving them.

Water is obviously incredibly important all the time and it will help to clear up your skin as well. If you throw some lemon, mint, and/or cucumber in the water, it will add some flavor and it also helps to make it a detox drink.

The bottom line is that with 2.5 weeks to the beach, you won't be in the best shape of your life, but you can tone and lose a couple of pounds before then. Plus, these are good habits to get in and exercising during finals will reduce stress (and maybe that will help curb that late-night Ben and Jerry's craving at the library)

Any other ideas for prepping for beach week?

xoxo,

SSP

It's Not Actually About the Horses

...it's about having a great time with your friends and celebrating the end of the year! So as many of you already know, Foxfield was this weekend and I had such a great time. There was so much Lilly and Vineyard Vines and so many sundresses and bowties that I can't help but wish we could have another go at it this weekend (instead we get Finals...how is that fair?)!

I went with my sorority but along the way saw friends and family and plenty of pictures.

my partner-in-crime

candid with the roomie

one half of the Monogram Fam

my sweet "roommate" from last year

cousin bonding

For those of you who are wondering, my dress was a Lilly Pulitzer from last season that I picked up in the Rue La La sale a few weeks ago. My hat is from Marley Lilly and they also sell a cross body similar to mine! If you missed that sale, but don't want to in the future, here is an invitation to join the site so you never miss an amazing designer sale!

xoxo,

SSP