Setting the Mood

When doing homework it is important that you find what helps you to get it done.  Maybe going to the library, going to the dining hall, local coffee shop, or sitting in bed.

I have found that creating my "work" environment really helps me to get my homework done.

• I turn on the T.V. - I put on MLB network, or an old black and white film.  I mute the T.V. or make sure the volume is very low.  I like to know that there is action, but not enough to distract me.  This mostly serves as background noise.  When I am going crazy or need a 2 min break I look at the T.V. just to get a sight of something besides a computer screen.
• Pandora- Ah my best friend.  I simply need music when I do any kind of work, it is rare that I work in complete silence.  Right now I am listening to John Coltrane Radio.  I love it because it is instrumental and Jazzy.  It is not distracting and sometimes it sounds like a coffee shop.
• Candles- I specifically find that coffee scents help me concentrate.  But over all, candles relax me and the make homework time less stressful.  Also, if you choose a scent to use specifically for homework, every time you smell the scent you will get serious and know that it is homework time.
• Coffee- This is a given.  I not only drink it because I like it, but having a cup of coffee while doing homework makes me get things done.  Coffee gives me the needed energy and is comforting when I start to freak out.  Coffee is that reliable friend.
• Hide my Phone- some people may have more control, however I do not- Social Media= My BIGGEST distraction.  I really have to turn off my phone or put it far away from where I am doing work.  
• Clean room and desk- I have to make sure everything is in order before I start doing work.  If my environment is a mess I get distracted, annoyed, and anxious.  Having an organized work area helps me to stay on track.  I also like to have everything that I need in reach.
• Making my bed- If my bed is made then I will be less likely to crawl in, take a nap, or be lazy.  
• Comfy, but not too comfy- Sometimes I work well In pjs, they allow me to focus on work and I feel comfortable.  However, there are times when being too comfortable is a bad thing.   If I feel like a slob I will want to act like a slob and not do homework.  So other times I have to put on actual clothes and even going out shoes.  This motivates me to act serious and not be lazy.  I guess my homework outfit depends on the day and how overall motivated I am.

In college there are so many distractions.  You have more than enough free time, so managing it is difficult.  Finding a way to get homework done is different for everyone.  Even times of day may have an influence of how well you will work.  So I highly suggest with experimenting and really finding what works for you.  Making a work environment for yourself will make all the difference.

Review: Herbal Essences 'Naked'

Recently, I had been in a shampoo/conditioner funk. I felt like the shampoo I was using was no longer effective on my hair because I used it for a very long time. I was using the Not Your Mother's Way to Grow shampoo/conditioner. The shampoo was light, lathered well, and cleaned my hair thoroughly without stripping it of moisture. The conditioner is really light, so it's perfect for people with thin hair but my hair is really thick so I was kind of disappointed by it. It also does not contains any sulfates, which is also a plus. The major problem I had with these products is how fast they ran out. The only store around me that carried this shampoo is Ulta. So I would have to go out of my way to go to Ulta just for my shampoo.

Right before I came to college, I decided I would try out a new shampoo and conditioner. I didn't know exactly which one nor did I do research before I went to the store (silly me) but it ended up working in my favor. I remembered seeing the commercials for the Herbal Essences 'Naked' line and liking that it does not contain any parabens, silicone, or colorants. So I decided to get the moisture one because my hair tends to get dry because of heat styling and cold weather. After using it for over a month, I can say that I absolutely love it! It cleans my hair thoroughly without stripping the moisture out of it. The conditioner is light and does not weigh my hair down. Also, the scent for this is perfect. It contains mint but is not overpowering, it also has herbs and citrus that balance out the mint perfectly. I'm overall really satisfied with the quality of this shampoo, despite it being a drugstore shampoo. The price is really good and can be found almost anywhere. Another thing that is always a plus about both shampoos that I mentioned is that they don't test on animals, so if that is something that is important to you (like it is to me) I would consider using these brands (even though there are many other brands that don't test on animals).

Have you tried this shampoo? Do you absolutely love a shampoo? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great weekend!

-Emily

Petite Moment: Current Favorites

Things I am loving at the moment (aka how I have been surviving college)

Jamba Juice:

I have never been a huge fan of Jamba Juice before I came to college. I had it like once or twice in my life. But things changed when I realized the union at my school has one. One day I felt like having some juice, and decided to give it a try again. Best decision ever! I am absolutely obsessed with the Apple n' Greens because it has kale in it and like a million other fruits! So filling and healthy for when I am in a time crunch (which is all the time). I also really enjoy the Kale-Ribbean Breeze because it contains more protein and can be used as a meal replacement. It has passion fruit, mango, chia seeds, and greek yogurt and is absolutely delicious! 

Peanut Butter:

No joke you guys, peanut butter has been my life line here in college. I've always been obsessed with peanut butter and had it often back at home, but now its an everyday occurrence. Whether its on sandwiches, bananas, apples, or just by itself, I live, eat, sleep peanut butter. It keeps me full and re-energizes me when I don't have time (or am to lazy) to go to my dining hall. ALL HAIL THE PEANUT BUTTER.

Blankets

Since naps are my life as I mentioned here, blankets are an absolute necessity. I honestly don't think there is anything that is more satisfying than covering yourself in a soft blanket on a cold, rainy day. Before I came to college, I purchased a super soft throw blanket from Marshall's and it is my favorite piece of fabric I've ever owned. 

Halloween Favorite

These pops are my absolute favorite Halloween candy! When Halloween time rolls around, I literally salivate at the thought of these. If you've never tried them, but are a fan of caramel and caramel apples, I suggest you try these! 

What is your favorite Halloween candy? Let me know below!

-Emily

Beauty Haul

This past weekend I picked up  a few products that I needed, I thought I would share my thoughts on them.  If you were thinking about purchasing them I hope my mini reviews will be of some help in making your decision.

1. Jason Cocoa Butter -Whole Foods
       This body lotion works quickly, however the moisture does not last long.  Within a couple of hours my skin is dry and itchy.  I have extremely dry skin and have been searching for a very moisturizing body cream- this is not it.  If your skin is not incredibly dry then I think you will like this product.  * I also am not a fan of the scent.

2. Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo- Target
       I really like this shampoo because it of the scent and the fact that it is a natural product.  However, I have not yet noticed many differences in my hair.  So far, this shampoo does not seem too special.

3. Dove Dry Shampoo- Target
       The scent of this dry shampoo is great and I find that this products absorbs the oil of hair quickly.  It gets the job done, and I love the volume that it gives.

4. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl eyeliner (brown 003)- Target
       I love this eyeliner! It is extremely creamy and easy to apply and smudge.  I feel that this eyeliner is comparable to high end eyeliners.  Don't splurge- buy this one at the drugstore!  I think I like this better than my Chanel Kohl eyeliner.

5.  Maybelline The Mega Plush Volum' Express- Target
      I have short straight eyelashes- the worst combination ever!  I find that this mascara does a good job of holding a curl.  I feel that this is because it is a gel based formula.  This mascara also does not clump and it separates my eyelashes.

6. Maybelline Brow drama sculpting brow mascara- Target
     Holy Moly me oh my- I absolutely love this, where has this product been?  This product is relatively new and I am happy that I took the chance and purchased it.  This brow mascara does a great job of filling in my empty eyebrows.  It also looks natural.  This is easy to use and gets the job done quickly.  I do not think that I will be trying any high end eyebrow products- this one works very well.  I highly recommend this!

Let me know if you have tried or what you will try from these products.

-Diana

Fall Activities: Apple Picking

This weekend, I went back home to Chicago because it was finally time to go apple picking. My family and I have been going apple picking every year for about 5 years now, so it is now our fall tradition. I love going because it is a good time of eating and catching up with my family, I especially enjoyed it this year, because I no longer see my family as often. So here are just a couple of highlights from my trip...

Lovely Apple Tree

Pumpkin Patch

This is my mom climbing a tree to get Honey Crisp Apples...which are the best in my opinion

I fell in love with this baby goat

They have delicious fresh cider...

No apple picking trip is complete without apple donuts!! They're the best!

I had a really great time picking (and eating way too many) apples and just frolicking through the orchard. It's always great to hang out with my family and eating delicious foods is always a plus. I strongly recommend everyone should go apple picking with their families, friends, or loved ones!

Do you like to go apple picking? Do you like apple donuts? Let me know below!

-Emily

Old Love Songs that I Love

I love old fashioned music.  I am not much of romantic, but I do romanticize some things (like baseball and Christmas).  Love is a very difficult subject to understand.  I personally prefer love and relationships like they use to be in the old days.  Without texting, snapchat, and other forms of social media.  Old fashioned love songs are so simple and I love them for that.  Here is a list of a few of my favorites.

1. For Once in My Life

2. It Had to be You

3. Night and Day

4. I'll be Seeing You

5. These Foolish Things

6. I Wish You Love

7. They Can't Take That Away From Me

8. The Way You Look Tonight

9. I've Got You Under My Skin

10. All The Way 

Does anyone out there still like this kind of music?  

Happy Monday, and I wish you all Love.

-Diana 

My makeup jar

I love makeup, I never wore it in High School because I went to an all girls school and went to school looking like a slob everyday.  No joke, on an out of uniform day my psychology teacher told me I looked like  hobo -I took it as a compliment.  I was sure that when I started college I would start caring about my appearance.  I was wrong, I am so comfortable in my own skin that I still don't care what I look like when I go to school.  I find that I prefer sleeping an extra 15 minuets rather than getting out of bed and do my makeup.  I still love makeup its just that most times I don't wear it out of pure laziness.

So on the days that I do decide to wear makeup I find that I don't want to waste time seeking through products.  I want everything laid out and to be easily accessible.  I originally wanted an acrylic makeup organizer to lay on my dresser.  I thought this would make it easy for me to grab my makeup.  However I have been busy and have not made a trip to the store to pick one up.  Then I had an idea "I wonder if I could fit everything that I need in a Bath and Body Works candle jar?"

What I need:

1. blush
2. powder
3. concealer
4. eyeshadow - Naked Basics palette  
5. mascara -2 mascaras
6. eyeshadow primer
7. eyeliner (black and brown) -4 eyeliners
8. eyebrow pencil
9. some sort of foundation/cc/bb cream
10. brushes to apply makeup
11. eyelash curler
12. face moisturizer 

Turns out it ALL fit (except the moisturizer, but technically that isn't makeup).

All of my products plus makeup tools- I still can't believe it!  I love how everything fits so compactly, the jar takes up almost no space and it is easy for me to see everything inside of it.  I decided that I do not want to buy the acrylic organizer because it is easier to have less, and I highly believe that less is more.  I do have more makeup than what fits in the jar, but what I really need is in the jar.  There are somedays that I do not even use everything in the jar.  Putting makeup on in the mornings is much easier now that I do not have to search through everything that I have.  

I also am more inclined to wear makeup if it is already lying out in plain sight.  Before I didn't want to wear makeup because I had to take the time to take out all of my makeup and brushes from my drawer, and I didn't even need all of it.  

I'll soon put up a post about my go-to products and why I love them.

-Diana