College Advice: Coffee

The next installment of my college advice is all about caffeine. If you don't drink coffee or tea or any other form of caffeine, then are you really human? You're probably a robot or a very admirable person if you don't drink any kind of caffeine drink.

To me, my Keurig is the most important "non-essential" thing in my dorm. I use it every morning to make myself a cup of coffee and whenever I feel like drinking tea in the afternoon. It is so convenient and economical to just make your coffee yourself at home. Instead of spending $4 everyday for coffee at Starbucks (or any other coffee shop), you can just make it yourself an equally delicious drink. The creamer you use makes or breaks your coffee (unless you like it black). I love the traditional half & half cream with one packet of Truvia but sometimes that doesn't cut it and I want something with an actual flavor.  So I buy those flavored coffee creamers and they elevate the game to a whole other level. Also, Keurigs and other small single brew coffee machines do not take up too much space, so they won't be a problem in small spaces, such as dorms. 

Your coffee probably won't look like this unless you're fancy and crazy talented. 

So a small coffee machine will be not only a good invest to save your money, but it will also help you keep your sanity. 

-Emily

The Chicago Art Institute

Have you all watched Ferris Bueller's Day off?  I am sure you have, and if you haven't go watch it on Netflix after you finish reading this blog post!  That's an order.  It is a fantastic movie because it is funny and very honest.  This film is one of the few filmed in Chicago.  It does an amazing job of showing off the best things that Chicago has to offer.  I have always loved museums.  Chicago has a handful of great museums.  One of the greatest museums here is The Art Institute of Chicago.  This museum contains Art pieces from many world famous artists (one being Pablo Picasso-- my favorite).    

My first week of college my professor had my class go to the Art Institute.  He told us to find three paintings, one that made us squirm, one that gave us a positive cathartic moment, and one that gave us a negative cathartic moment.  Having gone to the Art Institute many times before I already had an idea of what paintings I would pick for the assignment.  

SQUIRM

This painting has always scared me and it really does make me squirm.  

POSITIVE 

As a young girl I loved this piece of art because it reminded me of the love my mother and I have for each other.  It also makes me think of the safety that my mother has provided me with and the trust that I share with her.  Seeing this painting today takes me back to being a vulnerable child who relies on her parents.  (Unlike now that I am a college student and have to get my sh*t together all on my own). 

NEGATIVE

Gosh I love Picasso, but this painting makes me incredibly sad.  The painting is wonderful, however what it displays leads me to think of loneliness.  As a young girl I used to feel bad for the man with the guitar.  I wondered why he might be in his situation.  Now that I see this painting as an older girl, I also see how any person can be in a situation such as this one.  We go through life hoping that we will never be like the man in this painting.  However, the reality is that it doesn't take much for us to fall into pain, sorrow, and loneliness. 

Assignment and movie aside, I highly suggest checking out the Chicago Art Institute when ever you get a chance.  If you love art you will be dazzled and amazed by everything this museum has to offer.

-Diana 

Petite Moment: The Time has Finally Come!

The moment we've all (okay, mostly me) been waiting for has finally come! I finally had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte. And it was everything I thought it would be and more!

I usually don't get whipped cream on it because I want to save myself those extra calories, but today I felt like indulging myself (treat yo self) and it was amazing. Also it doesn't hurt that me and my friend Adriana, not Audriana (Starbucks workers always misspell names) got the buy one get one deal for all of the fall drinks!

Do you like the PSL? Or do you like another fall drink? Let me know below!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

-Emily

Petite Moment: Nail Art Inspiration

Ahh nail art, I wish I had the skills and patience to do it. Thankfully nail art strips exist and we never have to actually do it, but those designs are extremely limited. So today, I am going to share with you designs that I want to do one day (but lets be real, I probably won't).

As you can see, I am very into those geometric shapes. All of these images can be found on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emigarcia14/nails/ 

-Emily

What I'm Up To Today: I am sick

Good afternoon to anyone who maybe reading this.  Does this blog get any readers? I hope so, I  sure hope so.  My regular College schedule has started, and so far so good.  I think I'm used to college.   Or maybe I am just walking around pretending, when really I am going about this college thing completely wrong.  Whatever, it's okay.   Like I said before, I am a commuter.  I thought that being a commuter would save me from the illnesses that go around college dorms.  However to my dismay, I AM SICK.  I am not terribly sick,  I haven't missed class and I am still aware of the deadline of my paper due tomorrow (which I have yet to start.)  But yes, I have a cold; my throat hurts, my nose is stuffy (maybe my French accent will be better in class this week), I'm exhausted, I feel week, and I get headaches.  I'm still alive.  I rarely get sick.  I am used to getting sick about once a year and I am never sick in the fall.  Not this year!  It's finally feeling like fall and I have the germs of college students living inside of me.  On top of that I think I have an eye infection.  No big deal I'll just die my first week into college.   So now I report to you from my cozy. comfy, bed.  After classes today, and delayed public transportation, I got home, turned on Netflix, and got myself some chicken noodle soup.  Then I drugged (DayQuil)  myself in hopes that I could pull myself together so that I can get homework done this afternoon.

Are you in college yet?  If so, be prepared to get sick! The college germs are coming for you.  It's inevitable to get sick at during college.  So take care of your selves.  Mom and Dad can't nurse you back to health.  But, you will be okay I promise.

-Get those drugs
-Pop some chicken noodle soup into your microwave
-Sleep and watch Netflix
-Make sure you have tissue with you at all times
-Cough drops and water -need
-Consider ditching class and stay in bed all day... JK pull your self together and whatever you do try to never miss classes!  Don't let a little cold get in the way of your motivation.

My soup, my Netflix, my bed. All I need.

BTW: Today I finished watching the Desperate Housewives Series.  I loved it and got hooked this summer.  It is great that I am done because it was really distracting me from homework these past couple of weeks.  Hopefully I won't be hooked on anymore Netflix for a while.  I am not proud of my Netflix addiction.  I realized my problem, that's the first step right?

-Diana 

College Advice: Rain Boots

Once upon a time, as I was walking to a class on a crisp (almost) fall day, it started to get very windy and clouds started to fill the sky. I started to panic walk because I didn't want it to rain while I was walking to class and because I was kind of late to class. And then before I knew it, it started to pour. I always keep my umbrella in my backpack, so I quickly whipped that out. But my poor, unfortunate Sperry wearing feet got drenched. DO NOT let this happen to you, don't let your feet become a victim to the rain, BUY RAIN BOOTS. 

I have never been a fan of rain boots. I saw no point in owning them because a) I never really had to walk in the rain and b) they do not provide warmth, just protection from rain. So I came to college without a pair, and survived pretty well without them for the first week and a half. But then the weather deciding to get all weird and cold and rainy. And I regret my decision of not buying or ever owning rain boots. Yesterday, as I was walking through campus, seeing all of these girls with dry feet, wearing Hunters and stepping through puddles without a care in the world, I quickly realized I need to get a pair of rain boots. I don't necessarily need or want a pair of Hunter boots (they are like the Uggs of rain boots, right?) But I definitely want a cute and versatile pair I can wear that won't make me look like The Man with the Yellow Hat. 

I am going to check out my local TJMaxx and Marshall's because they always seem to have cute rain boots for a reasonable price. If I have no luck there, I might have to resort to getting Hunters or other types of designer boots. The moral of this blog post is: please please please buy rain boots, they will save your feet and your shoes. Do not be stubborn like me and think they are unfashionable, do the best thing for your feet! 

Do you like rain boots? If so, tell me what brand is your favorite and why in the comments below!

-Emily 

Borrowing From The Military

This fall season I have been loving my green military jacket.  I had never realized how a green jacket could be a basic.  I have been wearing it everyday this past week and have learned that it matches just about everything.  I definitely recommend adding a military jacket to your wardrobe if you haven't already.  Look at the pictures below for proof that you can rock this jacket everyday!

-Diana