Silk Milk

This semester has been insane. I often find myself on the verge of a breakdown because I don't have any downtime. (You're probably thinking, she has a blog, so obviously she has downtime. I'm blogging on a Saturday night people, don't judge.) Anyway, every week I tell myself, "this week will be better, this week will be better." This week never is better though. My planner starts out looking manageable, but by Monday afternoon, it looks like someone tripping on acid attacked it with a pink pen. It was me, except I wasn't tripping on acid. Anyway, I think this week might actually be better. (I hope I don't jinx it) I have a proposal, quiz and article due Tuesday, a short story (minimum of 6-8 pages, but I'm planning on more) due on Wednesday, an article due Wednesday an exam on Thursday, plus some reading and six one page peer critiques. I only have one meeting as of right now! It's actually looking like a light week. 

This week I am going to take care of myself. 

I've made some goals for myself. 

1. Get to bed by 11 every night. This goal will be the hardest to reach. Usually I stay up late to do homework, but sometimes, I just need to veg out. I'm tired of being tired. 

2. Eat well regularly. I stocked up on a lot of healthy snacks including veggies, hummus, yogurt, *silk milk  apples and bananas. 

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3. No soda. Ok maybe this will the hardest goal to reach. I didn't drink soda unless we went out to dinner until I got to college. Now I'm tired all the time and reach for the nearest caffeine source. I'm hoping since I'll be getting more rest, I won't need it. I am allowing coffee and tea since somedays I'm up before the sun  and have full days of classes. I already drink a lot of water, but hopefully this will make me drink more. Lack of water gives me a major headache. 

4. Workout every day. I feel so much better when I do. 

5. Relax. We have a special going on at my work right now on our massage chairs. It's usually $12 for 10 minutes, but we have a two for one going on, so I bought sessions. Definitely going to use it this week. 

*I tried Very Vanilla Silk Milk tonight. It's. so. good. I have a dining plan and I can exchange points for things like milk, small microwavable meals and other snacks at this cute little grocery like place. I have a lot of extra points, so I thought I'd try Silk Milk (4 points vs. regular milk for 2). I needed more calcium, so I'm really excited for it to taste so good! 

Go-to beauty supplies

I love the cosmetic aisle of any store. I love browsing shampoo shelves, hoping to find that one product that promises to do everything for my hair. I have yet to find it. Although I have a product that does a lot. Don't ever go to the store with me when I need any cosmetic supply because it will take thirty minutes. I am extremely cheap in case you didn't know, and I like to make sure I am getting the most for my money, so I like to read all the labels and compare them. I used to be really bad about buying a product and not using all of it before switching to a new one, but I have gotten so much better. Here are my top supplies (all under $10!)

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1. John Frieda Frizz Ease Thermal Protection- this stuff saves my hair. The water in Como turns my hair green and makes it extremely frizzy and hard to manage. I apply and comb it through and usually throw my hair into a bun and then run the hairdryer for a few minutes before bed. I can't sleep with wet hair. It usually runs $7-8, but lasts for a long time and I have a few coupons for my next buy.
2. Sally Hansen Top Coat-my secret to faking a manicure. I love painting my nails, but refuse to pay $8 for a bottle of nail polish. I buy cheap polish (we're talking under $2) from Target, Walmart or Forever, apply two coats and then apply the top coat. My polish stays on for at least a week and looks good for at least five days. Under $3 at Walgreens. 

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3. TRESemme Dry Shampoo- love this stuff. As I mentioned earlier, Como water kills my hair and I really can't stand washing it, (disclaimer: i do shower every day. i just don't wash my hair. it's totally ok) which is why I love dry shampoo. I also love it because my hair is naturally wavy and I straighten it often, so I like it last as long as possible. It also gives my hair a lot of volume. Usually around $5 and lasts for a long time. 

I could really go on and on, but I'll save that for another post.
Stay beautiful,
Carenpants

Show your body some love day

On my to do list this weekend: RELAX. 

This article gave me some good ideas. 

Deals

Here are five recent purchases for $30 or less that I am loving:

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1. Blackberry Curve- I was due for an upgrade and needing email on my phone, so I went with the Blackberry Curve for $30. I love love love it. I didn't think I'd ever be able to afford a smartphone (ok well actually I didn't think I'd be willing to shell out the cash for one) but this was totally within my price range, and a great deal in my (check)book. 

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2. Military Jacket-$30 from Target. I've already worn this at least ten times, so I figure it's a pretty good deal at $3 a wear. I plan on wearing it many more times through the fall and winter. It's perfect with jeans or leggings and boots. I've gotten lots of complements on it already! Definitely a worthwhile purchase. 

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3. Brown boots-$30 from Loveculture. These are flat boots that I can wear to class and all day without sacrificing comfort for style. They are extremely versatile and I've already worn them many times! I unrolled the cuff to make the boots higher, but I like the flap rolled over too. 

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4. Blazer- $26 from Forever 21. I've had to do a lot of interviews lately and I wanted a more professional look. This blazer in navy is perfect for me because I can dress it up or down with jeans, a skirt, or a dress. It's not a structured as a normal blazer, which gives it a younger, fun feel. I like to pair it with a plain white top and big pearls and a chic watch. 

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5. Cheetah booties- $24 from Loveculture (my new go to shoe store) I saw these and instantly fell in lust. I didn't need these shoes, what could I possibly wear with these shoes. Don't worry, I found something to wear. These are the perfect shoes for me for winter. I'm a whimp about the cold and have a 6'2 boyfriend, so I definitely love a closed toe heel. As I told my dad, cheetah is HUGE this season and I'm a starting a trend with these boots. Ok, maybe I can't take credit for the trend, but shortly after I bought them, I saw multiple pairs in magazines and online. 

I believe in a thing called love.

This story was too sweet not to share. #love

Steve Jobs

"You can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backward, so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, you gut, destiny, karma, life, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path and that will make all the difference." 

-Steve Jobs, How to Live Before You Die Stanford University Commencement Speech

We watched this speech during my journalism class and I thought it was worth sharing. I didn't know much about Steve Jobs before he died, but he had a really interesting life and such an inspirational story.

My Racing Thoughts

I lied. I did not blog this week. So sorry. This song is my life right. Exam. Lost items. Four articles. 4 meetings. 3 online quizzes. Birthday card. Return dress. Work. Cash check. Conference. Thank you notes. Laundry. My mind is racing. I keeping looking at my planner to remind myself of everything I need to do this week (actually all of this should be over by Wednesday) and it's stressing me out more. #dizzy #sleepy #overwhelmed

Checking in

Hello friends,

I promise I will get back to real blogging soon. Last week, I was property of the J school. This week, I am property of my English midterm portfolio. It's an exciting week because I'm working on a couple stories for Her Campus and I have a really awesome Magazine Club meeting AND...wait for it...a MAGAZINE CLUB FIELD TRIP TO ST. LOUIS! Oh yeah and not to mention I'm going home for a wedding and it's October, which means I can finally decorate for Halloween. (note to self: post about your Halloween obsession.) Anyway, I still need to blog about my fab trip to Breckenridge, or Breck, as all the cool locals call it. Let me give you a little teaser though: crepes.

Well my bed is calling, goodnight friends.

Caroline