Gift Guide: For The Ladies (Part One)

Wow Christmas is close...so much closer than I realized. I already have my presents for friends ordered (come on USPS, I need my package!) and I will share those with you as soon as I get them in! I love giving presents, it's not that I don't like getting presents, but there is just so much satisfaction to be had from giving someone something that is so right for them. If you are looking for gifts for the men in your life, check this post from my brothers' birthday because I tried to cover a variety of personalities in that post.

The thing with giving presents is that some people are just so hard to shop for (hi, Momma) and you end up wandering the mall with 2 bags for yourself and nothing for the person you were shopping for...yeah, I may have had some experience with this situation. I am trying to keep the presents on these lists at a reasonable price, but admittedly some of these are more pricy than others...perfect for your sister, momma, or heck, send this to those ladies so they can get it for you!

For the dreamers looking in the windows at Tiffany's and accenting every outfit with pearls. If her signature color is pink, here are some ideas:

dress like Jackie, act like Audrey by sugarsnappearls (item links in polyvore set)

For the woman who can rock a power suit and can accomplish anything with a to-do list and some caffeine. If she is one day going to run the world, here are some ideas to help her get there:

feminine and fierce by sugarsnappearls (item links through polyvore)

How would you describe the women on your gift list this year? I will be continuing this list in a subsequent post and I always love hearing your ideas!

xoxo,

SSP

Finals Fashion

I was at the library until 1:30am last night and I don't even have an exam today...what is wrong with me? The finals bug, yep, that's it. Sometimes you just have to keep working if you're in the groove and last night was one of those nights. Well, hours of sitting on a chair in the library doesn't exactly scream comfortable, in fact, depending on the chair, it can be downright painful. Finals Week isn't exactly the time to decide to make a fashion statement, but that doesn't mean you can't look cute. (Disclaimer: I wore bean boots, leggings, and a sweatshirt yesterday, so I am not saying you have to look put together.) 

today's outfit

As we all know by now, I like to come up with ways to avoid real pants as much as possible, and that mindset only becomes more a part of me during Finals Week. Here are two outfit ideas for getting through finals week. I have totally bought into the "Dress Well to Test Well" mindset in college, but honestly, I would totally wear this "library" outfit to an exam, I love the tunic!

Finals Fashion by sugarsnappearls

What is your go-to finals outfit? Good luck with exams!

xoxo,

SSP

Winter Weather Shoes

I have been wide awake since 5:30am, what is this? Seriously, I went to bed early to get a good night's rest and now I think my body is rejecting the idea of getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night...if that doesn't sound like finals struggles, I don't know what does. I hope y'all are having a good start to finals, or week leading up to finals depending on your school. Yesterday was a rough start to the week for me, but a home-cooked meal and some Monday Night Football definitely helped to save the night. 

The only thing that makes this week longer is this weather we are having. I mean, that ice storm was not much fun and I believe today's forecast is calling for snow with "1in of slush accumulation"...gross. What does that mean? Break out those bean boots/duck boots!

Duck boots probably deserve their own post at some point because they are amazing. I am seriously considering asking for a Thinsulate pair for Christmas because I love my regular ones so much. These shoes are notoriously popular at UVA, and it seems like there's an unofficial rule that all students must have a pair. Of course, there are more boots that are perfect for a gross winter day and here are a few of my favorites: 

Winter Boots by sugarsnappearls

What is your go-to winter boot?

xoxo,

SSP

Study Breaks

Happy Finals Season. May the odds be ever in your favor. 

Every year they come around, and every semester I end up with a mini panic attack session. Well, this year is no different. I actually just decided that I am declaring a double major in history on Wednesday (hence my absence on here) so I had a bit of added stress with class scheduling and such, but more on that at a later date. Finals are going to come whether we are ready or not, and they are going to stress us out too. It is unavoidable, but manageable. How do you manage it? Study breaks and stress management. I am all about study breaks. I don't know how much Pomodoro is going to work for me during these exams, but regardless, there will be some much needed breaks. One example is that today I am driving up to Culpeper to meet my Momma for lunch. It is an hour for each of us and we get to catch up, shop around, and it will prepare me for a long day and night in the library...ohh what a great Saturday night. Anyways, here are are a few suggestions for longer study breaks to get up from that desk you've been sitting at for hours. Keep in mind that it is still important to take a couple of small breaks, but there are times where you really just need a change of scenery on a lunch break:

Sleep

Cat naps were made for days like these, plus it gives your eyes a much needed break from straining while you study.

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Manicure

Whether it is at home or going to get one done at a salon, this is a guaranteed break because once you commit to painting them, you are basically useless until they dry. Plus, there is just something about having nicely painted nails that makes me feel more put together.

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Crafting/Baking

I find this relaxing, as do some of my friends, but if this isn't something you regularly do, finals is not the time to start. I love whipping up a batch of christmas cookies or another pinterest recipe on a study break or while reading a book because it's a great break...plus your friends will appreciate the free food!

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Exercise

"Exercise give you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands. They just don't." Thank you Elle Woods. Seriously, exercise is a great stress reliever!

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Cleaning

I love cleaning to relieve stress. Plus it is so nice to come home to a clean apartment after a long day in the library.

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Youtube Music Videos

Be careful that this doesn't get out of hand because it is a slippery slope of time lost, but break out the One Direction videos and get your groove on girl. (note: probably best to only break out the big moves in the privacy of your home, not the library)

Read a Blog

I love reading blog posts on study breaks...it's the perfect little break from the books. Oh, and if you want to read mine during finals, my study breaks will frequently consist of writing posts so there will be new content.

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Movie Night

Pop some popcorn and sit around with your sisters and watch a holiday movie. We Tivo'd and watched the Carrie Underwood version of Sound of Music the other night and it was exactly what I needed after cranking out a paper that day.

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What else do you do for study breaks?

xoxo,

SSP

P.S. Thanks to Amber, Jane, Logan, and Meghan for helping me with this list. 

Winter Beauty Essentials

Well, in typical Virginia fashion, the weather has changed again. I mean really, a high of 60 degrees today and then 34 degrees on Sunday? The changing weather means a constantly rotating wardrobe and checking the forecast every day. It also means dry skin, watery eyes, and chap lips for me. I know I am not alone in this because I have friends who are in the same boat as I am. Here are a few of my favorite beauty products to get you through the upcoming winter months:

winter beauty essentials by sugarsnappearls

Don't forget gloves can be super helpful as well and making sure that your moisturizer has SPF is crucial because, as we all know, just because it's cold, doesn't mean the UV rays can't affect you. The rule of thumb is to just keep your skin covered and moisturized and you'll be good to go! So take a personal spa day to moisturize and decompress before finals because you deserve it and your skin will thank you!

xoxo,

SSP

Study Snacks

Well, it's that time of the year again. The time where you spend every waking hour staring at textbooks, notes, and laptop screens...finals! You would think by my fifth time going through this, I would be prepared for them, but they always seem to sneak up and stress me out more than the semester before.

Now, I don't know about you but I am the queen of study snacking. Seriously, if I am studying for a long period of time, I have to have something to eat or drink sitting next to me. It is so easy to make these study snacks unhealthy, especially with coffee shops in the library (hello, chocolate croissant), but here are a few suggestions that are a bit healthier (or not) and you can bring with you to the library allowing you to have more money to spend on coffee or tea or whatever your study drink of choice is.

Trail Mix

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Make your own trail mix with your favorite nuts, dried fruits, carb bite (i.e. Chex or pretzels), and sweet bites (i.e. M&Ms or chocolate chips). Having the protein from the nuts will keep you fueled and help you stay full. Plus this balance promises that both salty and sweet cravings will be satisfied.

Hummus

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I could probably dedicate an entire post to hummus...maybe I will one day. But seriously, it is filling and delicious and you can dip a variety of things in it, plus it comes in so many different flavors. I love Red Pepper Hummus and veggies for a meal or snack. Also, veggies are not that expensive...I don't know why some people think they are aka no excuse not to get them!

Popcorn

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It is low in calories and if you drink water while eating it, popcorn is super filling. Popcorn is also a great addition to trail mix. If you don't want plain popcorn, add some cinnamon sugar or a spice to it to change the flavor.

Granola Bars

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They take only a couple of minutes to eat, or you can spread it out over  a long period of time. Regardless, they can be pretty filling and are a good brain food!

Fruits and...

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You can bring a yogurt, oatmeal, or nothing. Fruits are a great thing to snack on and are pretty easy to transport. As with veggies, they really aren't that expensive if you buy the fruit that is in season.

Cookie Butter

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I don't care if it technically isn't healthy, but it is better for you than peanut butter. Eat it with a spoon or pretzels to cure that sweet tooth! Seriously, if you haven't tried this stuff, you need to. It is the best.

Dessert

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Treat yourself! I am not even going to try and pretend that I don't have a sweet tooth that gets the better of me more often than not (^see Cookie Butter). I will be taking full advantage of $5 Arches during finals and enjoying the brownies my Momma left with me. The key is to try to limit how much of them you eat...but if you slip up and eat a tray of cookies, I won't judge, we've all been there and I am sure I will be there this finals season too.

What are your favorite finals study snacks/meals? Anything that I should add to this list?

xoxo,

SSP

Inspire Yourself

Who inspires you?

That is a question I asked myself the other day. Who is it that I really want to be and whose footsteps do I want to follow in? Do I dream of being a Jenna Lyons or an Erin Andrews or neither? What do I want to do? Whose career can I mirror mine after? Do I love quotes by Mother Theresa, Thomas Jefferson, or famous athletes most?

The answer? It doesn't matter. I am a fashion and lifestyle blogger with a passion for sports pursuing a degree in Foreign Affairs and currently toying with the idea of adding a history minor. My interests are all over the place and that makes me, me. I feel like it is so easy to think you have to fit a mold in this day and age, like you should have an idea of where your life is going and a narrow, but deep set of interests. I like to be connected in so many fields and I feel like I can talk to anyone because I am familiar with all these topics. 

So as finals approach and you think about internships and jobs for the summer (or the rest of your life!), get inspired by whatever and whoever you want. Be the person you want to be because at the end of the day, you have to love yourself. I may not want to write children's books, but my all-time favorite quote is from Dr. Seuss and I feel like it sums my life up pretty well:

Also, please feel free to submit blog post ideas...I would love some inspiration! Oh, and don't forget, tomorrow is Cyber Monday! if you don't actually swipe the credit card, does it really count? ;)

xoxo,

SSP