Write More Letters

Happy Monday! Fun fact--last week marked the 2 year anniversary of this blog! :) I don't really count it as two full years, because I took a longgggg hiatus most of my Senior year. But nevertheless, I'm still going after 9 weeks straight of posting (tbh I didn't think it was possible).

Today, I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite things with you all--hand-written letters. I LOVE them. I think they are so personal and really show a person you're thinking of them. They're a combination of my two love languages--gifts and words of affirmation--so I think that's what I love them so much. (I am that girl who checks her mailbox daily to see if I have any mail.)

I'm challenging myself over the next few weeks (and hopefully the weeks to come) on a project--the "Write More Letters" project. (name unoriginal-adapted from Rifle Paper Co. button ha).

Here are 15 reasons to write a letter to someone:

1. To say hey

2. To say thanks

3. To say "Happy [insert holiday here]"

4. To tell someone how much they mean to you

5. To encourage someone

6. To brighten someone's day

7. To give support before a big event, interview, etc.

8. To say "thinking of you"

9. To keep someone up to date on your life

10. To say "I love you"

11. To communicate words you can't say

12. To be honest with someone

13. To invite someone to something

14. To pour your heart out on a page

15. To use a cute card

Also, I think this "project" has been on my heart this semester because most of the people I love dearly are far away. Not to say that a phone call or text isn't important, but I find that writing a letter during long distance means similar to that of planning a lunch date with someone you're close to geographically (if that makes sense?).

So, take a few minutes this week and write a letter to someone you want to love on/encourage! I guarantee it will make their week.

xo

10 Truths About Dorm Life

Hey friends! Hope you all had the best weekend. I went home for Homecoming and got to spend a lot of time with the fam. :))

Quick update--I'm going to start posting on Monday! That way I have the entire week and weekend (when I'll have the most free time) to dedicate time to the blog.

Today's post is geared more toward high school seniors/college freshmen-or if you choose to experience PTSD from your time in a dorm. I'm sharing my top ten truths about dorm life, or if you want to get really dramatic-DORM LIFE REVEALED.

See here some photos of what dorm life is actually like :)

Move-in day pics

 Roomz

 Cramming for tests on a Saturday night haha

Desk views

1. Everyone has to do it.

Unless you live really close to campus or are taking online classes, you'll be living in a dorm your freshman year. Every endures the shared bathrooms and dining hall food. 

2. You will need some alone time.

Find a spot or a time during the day that's just for yourself. You will be with people all the time, and it's important to get that time to gather yourself and just sit with your own thoughts.

3. Community bathrooms are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be.

Whenever I was choosing my housing for this year, the community bathrooms for the dorm I live in now were a major turn off. Shower shoes, no privacy, ugh. But in all honesty, it really hasn't been that bad. There is always an open shower, and the bathrooms get cleaned every day during the week. I'm a 100% neat freak/personal space/privacy person, and this really has not been a huge issue for me. 

4. The dust is there to stay.

My mom *strongly* suggested I get a vacuum for my room, and it has come in handy when I've spilled half a box of Cheerios on the floor, but it does nothing to help the dust. Savana (my roommate) says it's because the space is so small...anyway you just have to deal with it. Make sure to go outside and get some fresh air once in a while. The dust just doesn't disappear. (Also, cringing thinking about the dust that will be behind my furniture when I move out.)

5. You'll eat anything free that's put in front of you.

Honestly, I really hate the dining hall. This sounds kind of snotty, but I'm just not a fan. There's something about the smell, and the mass amounts of people there during rush hour...who knows. Everyone tells me I'm kind of a brat because of it lol. There will be so many on campus events that offer free food....GO TO THEM. Who knows, maybe you'll meet your BFF there?!

6. It's hard to find a place to talk privately on the phone. 

This was one of the hardest struggles for me during the first few weeks of college. I was so homesick and just wanted to talk to my family but could never find a space to be alone. I would recommend finding a study room somewhere in your dorm, coordinating schedules with your roommate, or even going to sit in your car (but don't really do this because your chance for being kidnapped increases-you're welcome mom :). 

7. You have to make your bed if you want your room to appear somewhat decent.

It's non-negotiable. When your entire "house" consists of a room small enough to be a closet, you have to make your bed. It's the focal point of your room, and it's the first thing you and/or others will see when they walk through the door. 

8. If you don't take out the trash, your room will smell bad. 

Also non-negotiable. I would recommend getting two trashcans-one with a closing lid for food, and a separate one for other trash. Take it out OFTEN. 

9. It's possible to make that teeny-tiny room feel like your home. 

Whenever Savana and I were planning our room decor, we wanted to make sure we made it feel like home. We didn't want a bunch of clutter or cheap lights. We wanted it to be cute yet functional. Think of the things in your room at home that you couldn't live without. Tons of pillows? Totally possible in a dorm. A massive fridge? Really depends on your university....we have one that does not meet electrical standards #whoops. 

10. You'll form some of the best memories of your life. 

Cliche, but true. I was really skeptical that I would get sick and tired of living with 58 other girls on my same floor. Yes, there are some nights that I want to scream at my neighbors for blaring music when I'm trying to study at 1 A.M., but there are also nights when I can knock on my neighbor's door to go get ice cream. 

Galentine's Day

Hey friends! Hope you're all having a great weekend It was much needed for me-Friday night I watched movies until 2 a.m. and then slept till noon yesterday. HA! Coming up on Tuesday is what I think is the most hated/loved holiday of them all: Valentine's Day! (Or in my case, Galentine's Day!) Personally I think Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because you have an excuse to eat numerous boxes of chocolates and hang out with your girlfriends. That being said, here are few fun ideas to celebrate the holiday!

1. Have a Galentine's Day party! 

Our sorority had one this past week, and it was a blast. Make a cute backdrop, add your fav chick flick and a chocolate fountain, and you're set. (Also shout-out to my beautiful friend Rem:))

2. Send a fun card or gift.

Use this day as an opportunity to buy lots of cute cards, or make them yourself! (I'm just starting to dabble in the world of watercoloring). My precious grandma brought me this bag of treats when she came up to visit.

Idea for college girls: Send a v-day package to one of your friends at a different school! Fill it with lots of chocolate, face masks, and confetti!

3. Plan a girls' night.

Buy a fun dress and hit the town with your best gals! These photos are from a Valentine's Day function I went to this past week. (wearing this dress from last week's post). I paired it with simple black heels and some sparkly earrings and pinned back my hair on one side for a retro look. 

Just a side note--even sending your mom a quick text or calling your grandma for a few minutes can mean a lot. There are so many more ways to show love then buying expensive gifts. Get creative!

Hope you all enjoyed this glimpse into my week!

The Friday Five

Hey friends! Writing to you from the study room on this Friday night. This has been a long, exhausting week, but I'm ready for a chill weekend. Does anyone else love Friday afternoons?? I just love not having to rush to get homework done or go to meetings. It's always very chill.

Anyways, today I'm doing something I'm calling "The Friday Five", or five things that I've discovered this past week and loved. **Also exciting side note--my momma is coming to visit me next week so hopefully I'll have some photos in my next few posts!!! (I'm going to teach her how to take photos ;).

1. A Walk to Remember Interview

A Walk to Remember is one of my all-time favorite movies, and this interview was fabulous. They talk to both characters (Jamie and Landon) 15 years after the movie to catch up on their lives and see how much they remember from the film. It left me craving a lazy day of chick flicks. 

2. Valentine's Day Dress

My sorority is having a Valentine's themed function next week, and we're supposed to wear classic V-Day colors. I wanted something kinda different and unique, so I got this dress. It came in the mail today, and I AM OBSESSED. Stay tuned for photos of how I styled it!

3. Dream Birthday Cake

I've been procrastinating my homework this week by browsing Pinterest, and I found this cake.  Even though my bday isn't for three more months, it had me wishing.

4. Summer Slides

Even though it is currently in the 20s up in Fay, I'm already buying sandals. I saw these on a girl's Instagram last night and made a priority to snatch them up today. They are FABULOUS. 

5. Eli Young Band

Eli Young Band came to town this weekend!! Guinevere and Crazy Girl are probably my two favorite country songs of all time, so I could not turn down the opportunity (even though I had two tests this morning!!). I'm trying to say "yes" a lot more this semester, and so far every experience has been a blast. 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!