Skin Care Tips

A few weeks ago I posted about all the make up I wear on a pretty regular basis. However, I am also a huge fan of proper skin care. Let's face it being in college there isn't enough time to deeply clean your skin daily, or enough money in your wallet to get a facial as often as recommended. There are some quick things you can do to keep your skin healthy though.

1. Remove your makeup daily- This is uber important because if you don't it will clog your pores and can cause breakouts.

2. Pore strips- I use pore strips about once a week to just get all the extra gunck out. I put mine on right after a shower when the steam has my pores open already. Leave it on for 10-15 mins and then remove and rinse off the excess pore strip residue that is left behind.

3. Wash your face daily- I use a face washing brush to get it deeply clean.

4. Use facial masks- I use face masks about 1-3 times a week. There are so many different ones out there. I like the ones that clean pores, brighten skin, and moisturize it. Use the ones that work the best, not just the ones that smell the best.

5. Moisturize- Moisturize your skin daily! That's all I have to say about that!

6. Go without makeup once in a while- It is healthy to go a day without make up. I usually do once a week. I don't have classes on Tuesdays so I usually choose that day or Sunday's when I clean.

7. The No- Makeup Tutorial- I stubbled upon this beauty of a YouTube video while looking on http://thehautemess.com/. I have tried it and love it!! I think I use it at least 2 times a week when I don't have a lot of time to get ready for class. Check it out with the link below:
No Makeup Tutorial

Better Together

This week has been full of studying! Midterms and exam galore here at UF.

Over the summer I wrote a post about studying and how it can be beneficial to study either in a group or by yourself. I focused mainly on self study habits, but now want to touch upon group studying and its benefits.

Recently classes have been getting tougher and everyone is getting that burned out feel. However, now is not the time to slack off and take it easy. Now is the time to buckle down and focus on your academics, but you may need some reinforcements. When making study groups be mindful to:

1. Get in a group with people you like- Studying with people you know can be a plus because they are easier to talk to and easier to keep in contact with.

2. Plan when to meet before hand- Nothing is worse than a really last minute study group plan when only 1/2 the group actually shows. Make a group text, friend each other on Facebook, or pick a person who is in charge of letting everyone know what the plans are. Pick a spot and time that works for everyone, or at least a majority of the group.

3. Stay focused- Studying with a group can be dangerous in the sense that you all want to share and can go off topic at the drop of a hat. By relating back to the topic constantly you can prevent wasted time.

4. Talk through terms and concepts by making examples- Relate what you are talking about to what you know. For example, my study group for social psychology relates the terms to  fraternity examples because it is something we are all familiar with, and can remember easier than possible examples form the book or a lengthy definition.

5. Make flash cards- Quizzing each other on terms can be a quick and fun way to learn material or review old material quickly.

6. Take it seriously, but not too seriously- You want to make sure that you are getting the material down, but don't freak out if you start talking about weekend plans. These are your friends so sidde conversations are bound to come up.

Press Play

Music is something I can control in my crazy life. I can change my playlist at the drop of a hat, or make a new one to fit my mood. I have also been told I make some pretty interesting playlists!

As far as music streaming goes, I personally love Spotify. You can create a free account where you can make as many playlists as you want and save as many songs as you desire, but you have ads and limited skipping abilities. There is also the premium membership where you can make as many playlist and save as many songs as you need, but you do not get interrupted, can skip as much as you want, and have the option to download your songs and playlists to your phone, tablet, or laptop and listen to them offline (without wifi). The premium membership is usually free for 1 week, then can be $0.99 per month for 3 months then increases in price to $9.99 per month. However, if you are a college student you can get premium for $4.99 a month if you sign up with your college email. I use the student discount so I can have my music at all times and skip as often as I feel fit. Since I use the app basically all day this is the best option for me, but the free membership is awesome as well.

There are SO many different playlists to create! I have made several which are my go-to's.

1. Roadtrip- This one I fill with upbeat songs that will make the drives from UF to my home town more fun and amusing. Throw some throwbacks in so that you can really get into the driving spirit. Don't add too many that you HAVE to dance to, be mindful you will be driving! Also, make sure that you make it as long as the trip takes. Add some buffer songs too incase you get stuck in traffic or make a few pit stops.

2. Throwback- It is always fun to listen to oldies but goodies. Put some of your favorites from middle and high school along with some 80's and 90's songs. My personal favorites include the Backstreet Boys, Pat Benatar, The Cranberries, Michelle Branch, and of course a few Jonas Brothers songs, because why not?

3. Studying- While studying I find that instrumental music works best. When I am reading and studying for a test it can be distracting to be listening to the lyrics of a song. Also make this one for a few hours so that you don't have to listen to the same song over and over again.

4. In the feels- Whenever you don't feel like a bubbly ball of sunshine this one will help you work through all those feelings. Sam Smith can help a lot when you are down in the dumps.

5. Randomness- My personal favorite! I love this because I put a little bit of everything in there. Upbeat Top 40 hits? Got it. Country? Got it. Oldies? Got it. Calm music? Got it. Hard core rock? Got it. Awesome Christian/ worship songs? Got them. I go to this one the most because when placed on shuffle you never know what you are going to get and they are all your favorite songs!

6. Discover Weekly- Spotify makes a weekly playlist for you with songs they think you make like based on prior saved songs. It can help you discover new artists or find that one song you forgot you loved.

7. Books- Audio books are amazing!! I love being able to listen to the books as I clean, cook, or drive. Spotify offers different genres and even learning languages books.

There are so many other playlist options and each is different and amazing. Another thing to brag on about Spotify is that you can share and steal playlists with your friends who have Spotify accounts. I love to take a look and see what my friends listen to and take songs here and there or entire playlists.

Happy playlist making and music jamming!

Cooking in College

Eating in a dorm is hard! You don't have your own kitchen, or a normal size fridge to be able to prepare meals like you could when you lived at home. You also don't want to eat microwave mac and cheese for 4 years, so here are some tips of how to use what you have and prepare meals in a dorm.

If you have a communal kitchen, which most dorms have, then use it for sure. However, make sure that you go when it isn't as busy so that you know you'll have the time to cook what you need. I like to prep my meals for the week on Sunday night after I do my weekly grocery run, and the kitchen is usually bare of people. 

What I like to make:
Chicken: I am definitely not a vegetarian! Chicken is cheap and easy to make and can be prepared many different ways. I boil my chicken for around 20 min, or until there is no more pink. 
From there you can make it BBQ chicken, by baking with BBQ sauce or just marinating it for a few hours then heating up. 
I also love salsa chicken. Again, boil the chicken then top with salsa and cheese. 
You can buy chicken strips and shake and bake them as well.

Pasta: This is a staple because it is easy and can be stored for a while in my fridge. 
I cook my pasta for about 10-13 mins depending on the type and how much I am making. 
After it is cooked I divide it into microwave containers and then can add sauce and heat when I am ready.
Adding meat is also an option, such as chicken or beef.

Keep fruit: I love fruit and keep sliced strawberries, honeydew, or whatever fruit is in season in my fridge every week; along with bananas. I get my love of bananas from my dad and eat them almost everyday, but also use them in my overnight oats.

Overnight Oats: These things are the best and so simple and filling. 
You take 4 oz of cooking oats and put them in a cup with a lid. (I love mason jars because they tell you how many ounces you have filled on the side, plus are super cute)
Then add 4 oz of almond milk, regular milk, water, or whatever you like. (I use Silk Vanilla Almond Milk)
You seal the cup or jar and let them sit in your fridge overnight.
In the morning you add whatever you like to flavor them.
I love using half of a mushed up banana, with coconut extract, and a little bit of cocoa powder. I have also used strawberries, almond butter, peanut butter, shredded coconut, and blueberries. 
Basically use what you like to flavor them!
You can also eat them cold or hot. I prefer mine cold, but heating won't mess anything up.

These are just some suggestions of how to survive in college, but eat actual food.

Don't be Stressin'

First off, sorry for not posting last week. I had the opportunity to go home for the weekend and spend time with my family and friends, so I wanted to make sure I did all my readings and homework before I left. This meant skipping writing a post as well as skipping a few hours of sleep, but now onto this weeks post!

As a part of one of the grants I received I am required to go to workshops presented by the university. This week I went to one on stress management and found it super helpful, especially being a first year student. The presenter spoke on the effects that stress can cause on your physical body such as tightening of the chest, headaches, tension in the shoulders, etc. Every person is different. In the back of my mind I knew this was true, but once she spoke about it I found myself pondering what ways my body reacts to stress. For me personally my chest tightens, I feel anxious, and get headaches. 

However, there are many ways to reduce stress, but it never fully goes away; usually it gets replaced by another stressor. Some ways to reduce stress is to face it in a tactful way. I personally choose to make a todo list and make things off as I go. This way I know what I need to do and how much I have todo. My planner, as if you couldn't tell from my earlier post is my life and a great way for me to keep up with my lists. Others the presenter advised were to workout or get physical activity in one way or another, take fun breaks, breath, and face one thing at a time not thinking of what is to come, so not to distract your attention.

Focusing on one task at a time may seem obvious, but the way she explained it put it into perspective. She compared our attention to that of a new puppy, we go from one thing to another then back and forth not really getting as much done as we could if we focused little by little. For example, if you are reading for a class and have 15 pages, take it one page at a time, don't think of all the other classes you have t read for or you will miss it. Train the puppy mindedness to be in control.

Taking time for you was another great suggestion. After focusing on your work, or other people for extended periods of time take time to do something you like. Go watch movie on Netflix, take a walk, get coffee. This will help you want to get your tasks don because you are getting "rewarded", but also gives you a break in the middle allowing you to redirect your thoughts.

Stress is a part of life, but can be manageable, you just need to know how to handle it!

Daily Makeup Routine

Lately I have been asked by a few people about how I do my makeup. I thought I would post the process I go though daily as well as the products I use. Under each picture I have added a link to the product, most of which can be found on Ulta.com.

I begin with my Clean & Clear dual action moisturizer. This moisturizes your skin, works on fighting acne, and is a great base for your makeup.

Moisturizer

Next, I use the NYX HD Concealer in the color CW04. I put it on any blemishes as well as under my eyes so I look more alert and on my eyelids as a primer for my eyeshadow. I dab it with my ring finger to blend it into my skin. 

Concealer

After concealing the blemished areas and under eye bags, I use Maybelline FIT me! matte+poreless foundation in the color 120 Classic Ivory. I use a blending sponge to blend it all over my face and into my neck as to avoid those awful makeup lines right at the edge of my face.

Foundation

Bronzer comes next. I use the Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer and use a fan brush to draw a 3 on the right side, and a backwards 3 on my face. 

Bronzer

After this, I use CoverGirl's professional loose powder in the color 110 with a powder brush from E.L.F. This helps keep everything looking fresh and my skin tone even.

Powder

For blush I use Estee Lauder's silky powder blush in 01 Tender Petal. This is a light springy color and apply it with a blush brush at an angle on my cheeks. However, they no longer make the color, but the color Mauve Mystique is similar.

Blush

After letting the concealer on my eyes dry enough I move on to eyeshadow. Lately I have been using more natural colors, but it always depends on my mood and the season. Recently I have been liking Ulta's Classical Complete Eye. I use the light champagne color as my base, then I use the matte light brown in the crease of my eye by using my crown brushes bigger end and go back and forth. To add some contrast I use a darker brown at the corners.

Eyeshadow

Eyeliner is optional on most days I don't use it just because it is time consuming trying to make it perfect and even. If I do use it I like Maybelline's Masterprecise in black. This is a liquid eyeliner which I prefer since it lasts longer and doesn't smudge as easily as the pencil seems to. I only use it on the top lids, it doesn't make the eye as dark and dramatic. 

Eyeliner

I like to curl my eyelashes before I use mascara. After they are curled I use 2 types of mascara. I begin with Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Retro Glam in black, this give a great volume and separates the lashes great! Next, I use BareMinerals Flawless Definition mascara in black as well. This one offers great length.

Mascara 1

Mascara 2

Recently eyebrows are all the rage. I am  not a big fan of the drastically drawn on eyebrows and like a  more natural look, but also like to have them be more defined. To do this I use an ombre effect. First brush them into the shape you want, then I use Ulta's double sided eyebrow pencil. On the first side that I use is the shaper which is clear and helps them stay in place. Next I use the opposite side which is a warm brown and use that on my whole brow. After I use an eyeliner brush with Ulta's brow gel crayon in dark brown and use this on the last half of my brows. 

Brow 1

Brow 2

For my lips it also depends on the day. On days I have class I am in a big rush and only use the eos lip balm in the flavor Summer Fruit. This offers moisture and tastes great. If I have more time and am feeling up to it I will use lipstick then then a gloss, but that is usually on days don't have class.

Lips

I finish with Ulta's setting spray, which holds everything in place for the day.

Setting Spray

Dorm Sweet Dorm

Dorm rooms can be white cell blocks for some people, or a blank canvas for others. I chose to view my room as a blank canvas that needed a personal touch! The keys to making a dorm feel more like home are:

1. Pick stuff that you like and can like for a long period of time: Bedding, and accessories are not cheap, so make sure you love what your picking and that it matches your taste. Personally I went for a nautical theme of navy, white, yellow, and pops of pink.

2. Make it feel more like home through accessories: To do this I chose a lamp that looks more like one you'd find in a house than in the dorm section of Target. I like the softer light it gives with the 40 watt bulb vs the harsh LED light. A desk organizer is also a good idea so that your desk isn;t cluttered with papers pencils, folder,books, ect. Baskets are another great way to get storage, but declutter your surface areas. Accent pieces like art work and my wooden A make it feel more like a home than a dorm, since I'll be here for a year.

3. Put up pictures: Bring pictures of your friends and family. Mine are on a bulletin board right on my desk, so that when I look up I smile and see familiar faces.

4. Bring a rug: Some dorms are tile, and others carpet, but either way it's nice to have a rug right by your bed. I have tile in my dorm, so this helps me not have to touch cold tile to my feet first thing when I wake up. Plus it helps pull my color scheme together.

5. Patterns don't have to match: Don't think everything has to be matchy matchy, some of the best designs and outcomes come from mixing and matching patterns.

6. Don't clutter your spaces: In dorms you don't have much space to spread out so make sure you use the space wisely.