Shopping on a Budget

A couple of months ago, I wrote on the very basis of this blog for a CollegeFashionista Thoughts and Musings piece: shopping on $40 a month. I'm really proud of how it turned out, as it got the most views any of my CollegeFashionista pieces have ever gotten and was even featured on the front page of the site for a while!

I've written on this subject on several occasions, the most notable of which I believe include my original post on saving money while shopping, a post on what not to buy, and a recent post on making an easy-to-follow budget. The more I write on shopping on a budget, the more I consider myself a good source of information and advice on the subject.

I'm really proud of this CollegeFashionista post because it felt really good to write about something I feel qualified to write about for a platform that I admire both as an intern and a reader of the site. Plus, while developing my list of ways to shop on a budget, I went back through my archives to read through previous lists on the subject and was able to see how my personal blog has developed and grown in the last year or so. I feel accomplished both as a blogger and as an intern for CollegeFashionista.

I also read through other bloggers' lists of ways to shop on a budget in preparation for writing this piece. I found some really great posts and advice that I've compiled into a list of some of my favorites:

• 5 Ways to Save Money on Beauty Products
• The Online Shopping Secret
• How to Shop On A Budget
• Shop Online Smarter: 10 Ways to Save
• 4 Tips for Not Spending Beyond Your Means
• 10 Thrift Store Shopping Secrets

Don't forget to read the piece that sparked this blog post!

How to Breathe

Those of you attending a school on the trimester system know it's already time for finals. As for the rest of you, finals will soon be upon you. Taking so many giant tests and/or writing so many colossal essays in such a short period of time can be overwhelming to say the least. As someone who feels like they're taking a life-changing test at least once a day, I feel qualified to give some tips for calming down.

1. Before anything else, close your eyes. It's so easy to be overwhelmed by the stimulation around you, so blocking some of those sensations out can help you to center yourself.
2. Stand up straight. My acupuncturist told me that this can help your breath flow better, which I can only imagine is a good thing.
3. If you're sitting down, cross your legs. This often forces you to sit up straighter. If you already have your posture in check, completely relax your legs and sit however feels most comfortable. Comfort is key in relaxing!
4. Breathe through your nose. This is another acupuncturist tip, meaning I can't explain why it works but it does.
5. Put your hands behind your back. In addition to helping you straighten your posture, this position forces you to use your diaphragm to breathe, which supposedly is a "healthier" way to breathe.
6. When breathing, stick to a rhythm. I do the "in-two-three-four/out-two-three-four" breathing technique, which essentially just means you count to four while you breathe in and count to four while you exhale. Even just concentrating on sticking to that rhythm can take your mind off things.
7. If you can't figure out how to breathe with your diaphragm, try putting your hands over your head.
8. If that doesn't work, stretch out your tummy in an upward facing dog pose. Stretch out as you inhale and relax as you exhale.
9. Take yourself into the fresh air and try meditative walking. Really all this means is walking as slowly as possible to focus on your breathing and the feeling of moving your limbs to clear your mind of distractions.
10. Drink water and decaf teas during times of stress. Staying hydrated is almost always the answer to any physical problem (and anxiety is often very physical) you may have.

Layer Up

As a born-and-raised Oregonian, the word "layers" pretty much defines my childhood wardrobe. To this day I base both my styling and purchasing decisions on how easy they are to layer. As a result of 20 years of layering, I consider myself an expert on the subject. As the year turns to winter, take my advice and layer up to ensure maximum comfort in the colder weather.

It sounds silly, but you have to start with a thick and/or tall pair of socks to really layer correctly. If your feet aren't warm, there's no way the rest of you will be!

One of my least favorite things about winter is that most buildings overcompensate for the cold outside by making inside way too warm. Avoid the "transition sweats" by wearing a tank or short-sleeved shirt underneath everything that you can strip down to upon entering a warm building.

Like a long-sleeve shirt but easier (and more acceptable) to take off in public if you find yourself overheating.

I wear my cardigan over my sweatshirt and typically take it off with my jacket. Just remember to hold onto any long sleeves you're wearing underneath to prevent them from sliding up under your cardigan.

A basic coat is a necessary basic staple to have in your closet: you'll never go cold for fear of wearing a mismatched outfit.

If it gets too warm, unravel it and let it hang from your neck. I also use my scarves as a bed for Luxe when I take them off inside, say, the library.

A Broke Girl's Guide to: the Staycation

I'm so sorry I wasn't online yesterday– my mom was in town for my birthday and I got to stay with her at a hotel for a little staycation. I've always loved staycationing; it's all the fun of a vacation without the hassle or cost of traveling. However, there are definitely some things you need to keep in mind when planning the perfect staycation. The next time you're itching for a vacay, skip the burden of going away and let yourself relax as far as a block from home.

My primary piece of advice would be to get a hotel room if you're able to. If you're financially or otherwise unable to, spend the day before your staycation cleaning your home and hiding all signs of responsibilities. This means no bills on the table, no grocery list on the fridge, no dishes to do, etc. It might be a bit of extra work, but it'll make your weekend that much more enjoyable and relaxing.

Use this occasion as an excuse to dress up. Part of traveling is dressing to fit your new environment, so it only makes sense that you should change up your outfit selection for your staycation. It'll make you feel distanced from your everyday life, not to mention glam as hell!

If you're desperate enough for a vacation to create one without having to go anywhere, you deserve to treat yourself. Nice meals, mani/pedis, even just a day where you unplug and catch up on reading are all great ways to treat yourself to a relaxing staycation. I decided to get my eyebrows done at the Benefit Brow Bar: something I hadn't done in over a year. Check out my "after" pic and the sweet tweet I got from Benefit!

One thing my parents taught me about staycationing is that it's the perfect excuse to act like a tourist in your own city. It wasn't until I first went into the original Nordstrom that I realized I'd never actually been there in the year+ that I've lived in Seattle! I typically associate tourist activities like that with, well tourists. If the original Nordstrom store was in any other city in the world, I would make it a priority to visit on my vacation... So I did just that during my staycation.

I'm going to end this post by reiterating a very important piece of advice: avoid your responsibilities during the extent of your staycation. Just because you're still a twenty minute walk from work doesn't mean you should feel indebted to covering someone's shift; just because you're right around the corner from campus doesn't mean you should spend more time studying than necessary. After all, you wouldn't do either of these things if you were 100 miles away on an actual vacation. The only thing that differentiates a staycation from a vacation is your location; the state of mind is the same. Embrace that!

On Turning 20

Today on my 20th birthday, I'm taking some time to reflect on these last 20 years and the lessons I've learned along the way. These pieces of knowledge are based on my personal experiences, and you may not have found them to be your own truths. I'm sure I'll unlearn several of these lessons, while others still I will continue to have thrust in my face until I truly learn them. As long as I feel I've lived, I know that I have a hell of a lot more life to live and I hope in 20 years I've learned a hell of a lot more.

1. Everyone is different, but different is not synonymous with "bad." Respect differences of opinions, beliefs, cultures, priorities, wants, needs, and lifestyles.

2. Put yourself first. You are the only one who knows what you need and how/when you need it, and there's no use waiting around hoping someone else is going to magically guess exactly what this is. Rely on yourself and you'll find it a lot easier to offer support to those in your life when they need it.

3. Invest in a good bra. I'm not sure what the equivalent of this would be for those of you who don't wear bras, but it's still been an important lesson I've learned in my own life. Trends may come and go, but chances are your breasts aren't going anywhere. Fork over an extra couple bucks and your breasts (and your back and your posture and your self esteem) will thank you.

4. Don't forget to treat yourself. Even if your biggest accomplishment of the day was getting out of bed, it's still an accomplishment. Don't forget to acknowledge and reward yourself for a job well done.

5. Don't take shit from anyone, especially yourself.

6. You don't need to figure out what you're doing with the rest of your life. Not now, not even later. Just live and let your life figure itself out.

7. Leggings do so count as pants. You can absolutely wear socks with sandals, and I'm sure that ugly Christmas sweater you're wearing unironically is warm and comfortable. In other words, wear whatever the hell you want.

8. It's okay to ask for help. The people in your life are here to help you, but chances are they're not going to know what to do if you don't let them know. Once you're back on track you'll be happy to repay the favor.

9. Let your regrets fuel you, not hold you back. As a 15-year-old me once tried to say in an oral English final, "success is the best revenge."

10. Check your privilege. This doesn't mean you need to feel guilty about every choice you make or every word you speak. It does everyone good to examine their own personal bias and how it might affect their behavior and perspective of the world.

11. Listen before you speak, and listen when you're done speaking. There is so much more out there for you to hear and learn than there will ever be for you to say.

12. Do what you need to do to get through the day. I recently accepted that I need to spend more time in bed than most people do, and that just because I'd rather watch Netflix than work out doesn't mean I'm a bad person. I'm just trying to get through my day and if these coping mechanisms help me do so, then more power to me.

13. Make a reasonable budget and actually stick to it.

14. There are some things in life you'll need to do just for the experience. Other things you should never do even if people tell you the experience is worth it. Also: recognize that the people in your life are going to make different mistakes than you and have to try things you never tried to learn important lessons in life.

15. Learn how to prioritize. Make a list if you have to... No one wants to be the person who accidentally makes getting drunk their number one weekend priority every weekend just because they forgot to think about what else they wanted or needed to do that weekend.

16. Learn the difference between an opinion and a belief. One is a sum total of all the information you've gathered on a subject, and the other is simply something you hold true to yourself. Please act accordingly.

17. Try not to knock it until you try it... Note that this rule only applies to little things, like getting a facial or trying fast food.

18. Work hard to develop a loving relationship with yourself. You are the only constant in your life, and the sooner you are able to support and love yourself, the better.

19. You do not owe anything to the toxic people in your life. If someone is consistently taking advantage of you, making your relationship all about them, or making you feel bad about yourself, you do not need them in your life.

20. And finally, spend your life learning and immersing yourself in new things. After all: what is life if not one big learning experience?

So All About That: Maya Moon Designs

For those of you who've read my post on local designers and artists, you know that I love supporting local brands. Being able to see where the inspiration for any given item came from is so magical to me. So, I was very lucky to be able to meet with Maya Bauer of Maya Moon Designs a couple of weeks ago to learn more about her design and creation process. I've almost grown up seeing her pieces in my favorite local shops, and each stage in my developing style has seen a different Maya Moon item. That's my favorite part about Maya's work: there's something for everyone.

I was packing for school after meeting with Maya when I came up with the idea for this post. I was trying to figure out which bags and purses I would need up in Seattle and I kept thinking about all the beautiful bags Maya had shown me. I found myself wishing that I could take these five bags in particular for one reason or another. I managed to find suitable equivalents in my own closet, but it still got me thinking about the five bags I strongly believe every woman should have available to her.

Confession: I don't go out. I don't do well in crowds, and my bedtime is around the time that people often want to go out. However, even I own my fair share of clutches to take with me on dinner dates or to events. This is the bag I tend to buy in an interesting color, pattern, or design; it's so small it'll be noticed, but it's not too big to distract from the rest of your look.

I brought: 

An orange envelope clutch from Street Level.

This isn't just essential for college students; everyone needs a bag that they can carry their computer and even a couple magazines in (that's what my book bag is used for in the summer). Something neutral ensures it will go with anything from business casual to full-on professional attire.

 I brought: 

My mom's Dooney & Bourke briefcase.

Everyone travels, be it by plane, train, or automobile. A larger bag that can go through security, be stored in an overhead compartment, or reside by your feet is definitely a necessity for traveling. I especially love that this Maya Moon bag has arrows on it-- it's more than ready to go somewhere!

I brought: 

This dog carrier from Bark-n-Bag... I can use it to travel by myself or with Luxe.

A tote bag is perfect for shopping (either of the grocery or clothing variety), traveling, beach days, and much more. I personally like to use mine as an alternative to a reusable grocery bag. It's much cuter and still serves the same purpose of eliminating unnecessary paper and plastic waste.

I brought: 

An old Victoria's Secret special offer tote that I "borrowed" from my mom.

Whether you're going camping, to the gym, or on a multiple-day excursion, a weekend bag is a larger bag that every woman should own. Bonus: when you're not using it, it's big enough to hold all your other bags!

I brought: 

A Nike duffel bag. I don't have a weekend bag quite yet, though I have my eye on this one from Maya Moon... 

To purchase a handmade Maya Moon bag, visit Maya's Facebook page or contact her by email at inquiry@mayamoondesigns.com.

My blog, my rules: saving money on textbooks

The idea of paying full price for anything is a hard concept for me; so much so that I've come up with ways to evade doing so. I use coupons, shop sales, and compare prices. The most important thing I think I save money on is textbooks. Every quarter my books can cost upwards of $200-- an amount I simply can't stand putting in my budget. So, I do what I can to avoid paying full price for my school books. How much did I save this quarter?

$134?! That's enough money to buy...

• This Kate Spade wallet
• This Stella and Dot necklace
• This cape from Mango
• This sweater from J. Crew

In all reality, though, I'll probably just save this money to put towards books in the future. No matter what I do with the money, it's still exciting that I have it. I want you to be as excited as I am-- so I'm sharing some of my tips to spend less on textbooks.

1. Buy used. You can sometimes end up finding the same book for half the price if you're willing to deal with a wrinkled page or two or some highlighting. Think of it as using the textbooks you used in high school, only with one previous owner instead of six or seven.
2. Rent. For those of you who don't highlight or take notes in the books themselves, save yourself the trouble of actually buying the book and just rent it. Pro: it's often a third of the price to rent instead of buying. Con: you have to keep it in relatively pristine condition, which can be harder than it sounds.
3. Search 3rd party sellers. My personal go-to is Amazon, but I've heard people having success with SlugBooks. Whichever site you decide to use, remember to search by the ISBN instead of the title: last year I had a textbook that was three years older than the version we were using, so it was kind of a coin toss as to whether or not my reading pages would be the same as the rest of the class's.
4. Peruse used book stores. This option kind of scares me because there's a chance that you're not going to find your textbook in time for the semester to start, but I've heard stories of people finding their book for a tenth of the price. I personally shop for any literary books required for a class in used book stores, as they're more likely to be there.

*Bonus* 5. Sell your books at the end of the semester. Sometimes your campus bookstore won't take your book for whatever reason (condition, overstock issues, etc.) but it's certainly worth trying. One semester I almost made back every penny that I spent on textbooks through a combination of buying them cheap and selling them to a store that charges full price for used textbooks.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Don't sacrifice style for comfort

... Or vica versa! I will preach dressing comfortably to infinity and beyond. Luckily, this no longer means walking out of the house in shame for lack of creativity in the common sweat-sweatshirt combo. Dressing comfortably and stylishly takes some getting used to, but it's so worth it!

Don't knock the aforementioned sweat-sweatshirt combo; it can be interesting if you choose the right pieces. I prefer sweats, tees, and sweatshirts in lighter colors like these grays-- it doesn't call so much attention to the fact that you're wearing sweats, a tee, and sweatshirts.

I personally prefer to call these pieces the essentials. They may be plain, but they are also essential. Dress it up if you want to feel comfortable in your skin and your clothing, or leave it be if you're lounging about. Soft fabrics and neutral colors make them easy to match with other comfort clothes or street clothing.

My biggest style trick is the maxi dress: it looks like you've spent time putting yourself together, but in reality, you're basically just wearing a blanket. Other pieces that cover your body and hang loosely around your frame ensure not only comfort, but a self-conscious-free day.

T-shirts don't have to fall straight! You don't have to wear Uggs to get the warmth of fur on your feet! Pajama pants can be worn out! More and more, basic comfort pieces are being updated to be appropriate to wear in public.

For you comfort novices out there, here are some true statement pieces that also happen to be quite comfortable. Bright colors, interesting patterns, and of-the-moment details only serve to decorate soft cotton or flowy silk.

Do you have any tricks to staying comfortable without sacrificing your style? Share them in the comments below!

Wear Whatever the Hell You Want

When I think about it, I feel like I've spent my whole life being told what I shouldn't wear. Don't wear more than 1 pattern at a time; never wear heels if you're taller than 5'5"; pastels are reserved for summer beach vacations; blah, blah, blah. Well, I recently decided to ignore all that nonsense. Unless what I like to wear is offensive, uncomfortable, or inappropriate for the setting, why shouldn't I just wear what I like? So what if someone else doesn't like it? So what if it's "against the rules of fashion"? So what if it's "not in style"? 

No matter how many tips and suggestions I post on this blog about what to wear, there's really only one rule of style I truly promote: 

Here's a couple examples of things I love to wear, even though they're "out of style" or "unattractive". I like them, and that's really all that matters. Do you wear whatever the hell you want? Tag me in your next ootd or hashtag #WWTHYW and I might put you on this blog!

My blog, my rules: what to bring to college (pt. 4)

After growing up in a snowy mountain town in Oregon, one of my best childhood friends decided to move up to Spokane, Washington to face the snow for another four years. As a student at Gonzaga University, my friend Geneva has only perfected her approach to snowy weather. Read what she has to say about packing for college in a snowy environment!

My freshman year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA taught me many valuable life lessons. Possibly the biggest lesson I learned was how to deal with the climate. We are North; North enough to encounter the clutches of my biggest enemy: snow. Now, don’t get me wrong-- I’m from the Pacific Northwest so I’ve experienced this frosty foe before, but Spokane took snow and cold to a whole new level. We are talking two layers of pants, people! And don’t be fooled by the coined term, “Spring” Semester. Spring doesn’t exist until the last month of school. Until then, it's still a brutal winter. So how do I deal with these Arctic conditions that last until the late months? Heated tissues to wipe my frozen tears. In all seriousness, I will give you a list of my top five must-haves in order to survive the frozen tundra of an arctic campus such as Gonzaga University.

1. Leggings: Besides the fact that they make any booty look great, they are perfect for layering. I remember days where I would compete with my friends to see how many pairs of leggings we could wear at the same time. Although this seems like a silly competition, it was mainly an act of survival. Layering is key in the cold and leggings are the perfect medium to do so. 

2. Rubber-sole snow boots: My favorite brands are Sorel, Merrell, Columbia, and even LL Bean. Ditch the Uggs. Seriously, those in the snow are just a wet, furry, death trap. At this point it's not about fashion, it's about function. What is going to get you across campus with the least amount of slipping on ice? Nobody will judge you for your clunky boots, but they may, however, laugh a little at the wet stain on your butt if you slipped on the way to class because you weren’t wearing appropriate footwear. 

3. Tank tops: This may seem weird, but it all goes back to the idea of layering. In the winter, professors tend to crank up the heaters a little excessively at times. I always found myself sweating by the time I walked three flights of stairs in all of my snow gear. This allows for you to not overheat during class. Just remember to layer up before you head outside again.

4. Sunscreen and sunglasses: Do you think I’m crazy yet? There is actually research showing that the UV rays from the sun can be more intense when it is overcast. I’m not going to get into the science of this, but just trust me from experience of being the girl to have many awkward goggle sunburns from skiing in the winter. Also, snow is white, so it reflects light, therefore you walk outside and are blinded. I saw more people wearing sunglasses during the winter than during shorts and flip flop weather. 

5. Moisturizing and waterproof makeup: Moisturize. A lot. The cold air dries you up, which can cause flaky skin and acne, so lather up. Same goes for your poor wind-burned lips. Get some good chapstick: my favorites are Maybelline Baby Lips, Dr. Rescue, and Burt’s Bees Refreshing Lip balm Grapefruit. The wind can cause me tear up so I always go for waterproof eye products.

My blog, my rules: what to bring to college (pt. 3)

I don't go back to school until the end of September, but I'm starting to realize that everyone else is headed off to school, like, right now. So, this is me attempting to step up and help you out with your packing list before you're already unpacked.

I grew up at the Oregon Coast and now go to school in the rainy city of Seattle, so I guess you could say I know a little bit about what to wear in the rain. Whether you're used to the rain or are anxious about the adjustment, this list will help you pack for the weather. Have anything you want to add? Comment below!

1. Clogs: Honestly, any kind of shoe with a raised platform works. It keeps your shoes out of direct contact with puddles and, in turn, keeps your feet dry.

2. Waterproof (not water-resistant) outerwear: This is a big one-- water-resistant may sound appealing both in price (it's typically cheaper to buy water-resistant) and in title, but the sad truth is that it's simply not going to function like waterproof items do. It's especially important to have waterproof outerwear (jackets, backpacks, bags, etc.) to avoid getting yourself or any valuables ruined by the rain.

3. Infinity scarves: Cute, comfy, and warm; not to mention they serve the added purpose of keeping you dry at a moment's notice! Use an infinity scarf when it's cold but not quite raining out. It'll keep you warm until the rain comes, when you can raise the back part up over your head and keep yourself dry.

4. Wool: Fun fact: wool is probably the best fabric you can wear in the rain. It doesn't soak up water like cotton does, and actually tends to repel water to an extent. Plus, it comes in quite a number of cute items.

5. Modern long-underwear: Don't worry-- long-underwear no longer means the gross, dimpled underwear of days past. Todays long-underwear is simple, sleek, and, of course, warm. Wear it under something cute and watch as no one notices.

If all else fails, remember: layers are your best friend, and it's important to always bring a jacket wherever you go just in case.