An Itsy Bitsy

Happy Holidays everybody! I hope y'all have had a wonderful fall and transition into winter. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it is time to move onto Christmas! I don't know about you but I love Christmas- not only the gifts but also the feelings of happiness going on throughout the month of December!

To make sure y'all have got the feeling too, I am doing four different gift guides this year to cover all of your bases. Every week until Christmas I am going to be sharing a different gift guide and today we are starting out with whats on my list!

Enjoy!


See you next week for more gift guides!
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Hello everyone and welcome back- If you have been wondering where I have been I have only one thing to say, school is hard and life moves fast.

But putting that aside, I am back, ready for fall (food, sweaters, yes please) and here's what I've been loving this month.


One--  This Fondue ^^ On Saturday I had a little date night and decided to really live with no ragrets regrets and order the fondue for my meal and let me tell you it was fabulous

Two-- Sea Salt Spray Many many months ago I picked up some Sea Salt Spray for my aching hair and even though we are no where near an ocean and it is fall, I love using it and making my hair have a little more texture and looking beach-y or just plain wind tossed- you decide. Similar here and here.

Three-- Tea Since fall and colder weather is officially upon us I have been getting back into having a couple of mugs of tea everyday. I am someone who gets so cold really easily (ask my roomie :)) and so a nice warm cup of tea at night is making me happy. I lean towards english breakfast in the morning and chamomile at night.

Four-- Yoga Pants Alright alright call me basic and get it out of your system but during these cooler temperatures I love putting on a big ole jacket and a pair of yoga pants and off I go to the dining hall. While many places offer yoga pants you can't beat the quality of these.

Five-- Cozy socks Nothing says "it's gotten colder" like throwing on a pair of socks to lounge or to sneakily wear under boots for class ;) I can only guarantee that my fuzzy socks will only appear more and more as time goes on.

What have y'all been loving this month and whose ready for November!!

-e

Annnddd we are back! I am (finally) back in the groove of classes and the craziness of working all. the. time. With that I apologize for some delays as getting back in the groove was as challenging as you would think after spending 4 months away.

With school back in session comes school and school life 24 hours a days, every single day. Is it just me that thinks that there is ALWAYS something going on? I turn around and there is another club that I (think at the time) will be so much fun and perfect and I always think "sure I have time for that." Spoiler alert- I don't. There is a lot of change that happens during sophomore year. People always assuming change only twice during college- the beginning and the end. While yes, the beginning and the end are the biggest changes I don't think I expected change already during sophomore year.

With more work comes less time for fun stuff so I figured I'd let you know that posts may become a little less structured. Don't get me wrong- the posts WILL still be coming, there may just only be one a week and not two- is that ok with y'all?

If your like me and struggle to get back in the groove don't worry I have some very basic tips--

1. Force yourself to do the work NOW- When I got back two weeks ago I was always telling myself- oh it's fine I don't need to do the work now, I can wait until I get back from my next class. Nope nope nope, trust me and just force yourself to work, even if you think you have time later.

2. Eat breakfast- I love love love breakfast and I credit it with helping me stay focused during the day.

3. Drink Water- There will be a post coming later on why I think this is such a good idea but trust me now and start!

4. Get some sleep- I know I know your excited to be back and see your friends and get out to the parties but you need sleep!

I have a love/hate relationship with perfumes. Some I adore and other give me a headache. I am a sucker for a fresh and floral and can't really roll with the super strong and sweet scents. Over the years I have found two perfumes that I go back to time after time and I never leave them. I have each of these in a spray bottle and a roller ball to toss in a purse on the go.

The perfume that I first fell in love with was Burberry Brit Sheer. I was given a sample of this and fell in love. I actually went on a wild goose chase trying to track down this scent because I loved it so much and wanted it. It is said to "reveal a floral mix of peony, peach blossom, sweet pea with just a hint of nashi." It may sound a little crazy but I love it and it is just enough to wear everyday.

The second perfume that I got for Christmas this past year is Tory Burch's Signature Perfume. This may be a little heavier but I love it just the same. Mixed of "floral peony and tuberose blend with crisp citrus notes of grapefruit and neroli" this perfume has some of the same elements and I love it dearly.

If you want to try any of these out but may be not willing to dive in head first- either go into your local store whether Sephora or anywhere these are sold and give them a smell. You can either purchase a less expensive roller ball before buying the whole deal!

These past couple of weeks have been crazy! Summer is winded down quickly and move in happened last week. Now that I'm all moved in and classes have just began, some craziness has stopped while some has just began. With that, here is whats been On My Mind!

One-- Olympics Did y'all been watch the Olympics! I love love loved sitting down every night and getting so into all of the sports. I love watching swimming, diving, rowing, and gymnastics (#FinalFive!!)

Two-- New Girl Scout Cookies The two new flavors of Girl Scout Cookies are calling my name! There is TWO news S'more cookies and I cannot be more excited. I love S'mores and I love cookies so this is perfection. I can't wait until January!

Three-- Motoki This may be old news to some but just in case this video had me crying with laughter. This guy driving with his mom and lip syncing to the music was so so funny. A must watch.

Four-- Bullet Journal I've been thinking about making a bullet journal aka a super aesthetically pleasing and organized planner/journal. Any one have any thoughts?

Whether you are from the south or not, sports still may be significant and whether you like them or not, they can still be fun and entertaining to watch. As many people know Sunday night football in almost upon us and getting comfy and cosy while getting ready for the game can be fun but also relaxing.

The first year of college was a whirlwind of news. New friends, new experiences, and new beginnings. One year ago I, just like most people my age, had just felt one of the highest highs of graduating high school. After the storm had calmed, the nerves set in and the months of waiting began. A mix of excitement, some serious nerves, and googling random "college" questions at 2am when I just couldn't sleep. 

Just like that it was time. With a lot of prayers and a lot of hugs, it was time. I had decided to do a program offered by my school where incoming students can take a class starting two weeks early. 

Thank the Lord that I did that program because I ended up meeting two of my best friends, and I'm rooming with one of them this year! Making friends in college was something that I had always thought about. I went to the same school for elementary school, middle school, and high school and stuck around with a grade of people more or less a few for 13 years. That being said I was completely freaking out literally asking "How the heck do I make friends??" I had been lucky enough to have an amazing group of friends for all of high school and I really credit them for making high school what it was. So then having to find a NEW group of friends completely weirded me out. 

Something about college that no one tells you is everyone there feels the same way about the first few days of school. The *cool* kids that you see  moving in effortlessly that look super not nervous? They are freaking out on the inside too about starting classes, making friends, and living away from home- trust me. Every single person you see for the first couple of days feels the exact same whether they look like it or not. 

Going back to my experience,  I was so so lucky to get a friend group together in the first couple of days where no one cared who you were. While I may not be friends with some of those people now, during your first few weeks it doesn't matter who you are friends with just talk to everyone. No one is going to care if they don't know you yet, just sit down with them and talk because you could become best friends. This was hard for me because being thrown in a social situation that it going to set the pace for the next FOUR years of your life can turn me off and I can get quiet. Something I would tell past me and any of you that may be the same is to trust yourself and stop overthinking (I'm Queen of Over-Thinking) everything will be ok! 

My school is a little different where we don't have sorority rush until January. I think that if I had to pick my sorority in August I would have been more overwhelmed than necessary. Not that I'm against August rush (I bet it helps you make friends a lot easier) I just don't think I could have done it. So I waited until January and had to really really step out of my comfort zone and join a group of people that wasn't just like me but would be fun. Whether I regret it or not I don't know. 

Now academically I struggled especially second semester with sorority recruitment. My high school wasn't easy per say, but they didn't push me and in college- they PUSHED me to my limits. Every person and every college is different and I am so happy I decided to attend where I attend because they pushed me in a way I  needed to be pushed. I maybe stupidly took two very hard classes at the same time second semester and because of it I spent most Saturday mornings camped out in the library while most people where hungover. Even then I didn't get the grades that I wanted and because of this I have to work even harder this upcoming year. But to be honest, I am so excited. I already have friends but I'm open to more. I am already in a sorority so I don't have to party every weekend just to be "seen" by the older girls. 

It also helps that the classes that I am taking this next semester really excite me and to be honest I don't know if that has ever happened to me before. I was a student that just went through the motions getting requirements out of the way and continuing but for the first time in a long time I am excited to learn and I credit not only significant people in my life (friends, family, Professors) but also myself. I am open to learning and I couldn't be more excited. With that being said I may say this and this could be worse than last semester and I will let you know. All I know is that I survived my freshman year of college and I'm proud and ready for the future. And just like that the first year was over. I had joined clubs and made friends. How did that happen? 

Thank you so much for reading this long long post. I had a lot to say and could continue for days.

For any of you who are getting ready to go to college- please feel free to ask any questions!

PS If you want more college posts- like roommates and my not so great time, let me know!