Hand-Me-Down Couch?

above: all 3 photos from CoteMaison.fr

As college students, we don't always have a lot of money to spend on furniture. So it's a blessing when a relative donates an old sofa to you or you come across cheap couch at a secondhand store. But sometimes the sofa (as comfy or clean as it may be) isn't always in the nicest shape to stand alone. And so you resort to the old college trick of throwing a big bedsheet over it. And voila!

I've never been very fond of throwing a sheet or large blanket over a ratty sofa to disguise it. I will say though, that when browsing CoteMaison (thank goodness for Google-Translator!) I was pleasantly surprised with the feature "The Second Life of a Couch." The article features several sofas covered in blankets---but done the right way. These covered sofas look classy, comfy, and colorful.

So if you keep turning down the ratty old loveseat that Aunt Vicki no longer wants but insists you take to your new campus apartment, take her up on the offer! Take some inspiration from these sofas and transform your new piece. Choose a good quality, heavy blanket. Layer it with other throws. And toss on lots of pillows in lovely colors!

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Symmetry

above: CoteMaison.fr

Pictured above is a bedroom shared by two girls. I love the crisp white walls paired with bold red and turquoise furniture. Unfortunately, most dorms are not furnished with such fabulous pieces... but I think this bedroom is very inspiring as far as furniture-arrangement goes. If you have a roomie and are looking for a unique way to arrange, take some cues from this room and go for near perfect symmetry. Limit yourselves to two colors that look good together... (she can pick a color, you can pick one.) Indulge in lots of white---leave the white walls nice and empty except for bold pieces of art, dress the beds in comfy white bedding, choose white accessories like white picture-frames. I also really like how the beds are in their own little nook; it's cozy and lends a feeling of privacy.

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Miss Scholastic's Christmas Wish ;)

(above: Camera Face by Kagoru-chan on DeviantArt)

Well, what I would like for Christmas is to see some fabulous dorm room photos posted to the Miss Scholastic Flickr Group. I know there must be some chic dorms and stylish college apartments out there... so head on over to the group and show them off! I'll feature your room(s) here on the blog and give you due credit for your savvy decor.

Happy Holidays! (...and safe travels, too!)

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Happy Holidays!

christmasdorm.lm.02
Originally uploaded by libbymphotography

Whoa... where did the semester go?! I made it through Dead Week, finals, and the horrible process of packing up the dorm to come home. (I reeeeally hate packing...heh.) But the bf and I got everything smushed into his truck and ventured home. With all those papers to write, books to read, and tests to study for, it didn't really feel like the holidays were so close. Now that I've been home for a few days and finishing up last minute gift-shopping, it's starting to feel more like the holidays. There's snow on the ground here in Iowa, so I'll be having a white Christmas. I can't wait to see all the family, eat all the good food, and give out presents!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday, too.
Enjoy your Winter Break!

(above image: sugarcone trees and candycane fences by SarahR89)

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Very Last Minute Gift Guide

Christmas is nearly upon us... and you should have had your shopping done by now. But sometimes things come down to the last minute. Don't freak out. Don't rush around. Hit Target and pick up one of these easy gifts fit for any college student.

Gals:
1. This Dane 2GB USB Drive would come in handy for toting
around important school paper and files... and it comes in pink!
2. Soap & Glory's Glow Hydrating Shimmer Lotion is seriously
amazing stuff. It smells great, leaves your skin with a soft glow,
and comes in fabulous retro-inspired bottles and packaging.
3. Lady Gaga's new CD The Fame Monster is a must-have.
4. Flameless Candles will add ambiance to the dorm room or
apartment without creating a fire risk or breaking safety rules.

Guys:
5. Here's the Dane 2GB USB Drive in a more boy-friendly color.
6. Lucky Number 6 cologne by Lucky Brand ought to smell good.
7. And, of course, what guy doesn't want this year's funniest movie
The Hangover wrapped up and tucked under the tree?

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Typewriter in Class

I'm a sucker for typewriters and love that click, clack... ding! sound they make. In this video from YouTube, a student brings a typewriter to class to take notes on while everyone else is using the typical laptop. I have to admit... if I were in that class, I'd be terribly envious and itching to be the one typing away on the typewriter.

How do you take notes in class? I usually stick to the good ol' notebook and pencil. Even though I love my lightweight, portable, little purple netbook, it's too distracting to have a computer in front of me... I always feel the urge to catch up on my blog-reading or blogging.

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Final Exams, Inconsiderate Rude & Noisy Floormates, and an Elephant

It's the middle of Finals Week... Happy Hump-day! After today, all us students are over-the-hump and almost to Winter Break. Can I hear a "yay!"?

I took my Developmental Psychology final at 7:30 am yesterday morning. UGH. It wouldn't have been so bad. . . The night before, I studied my little brain away. I took some cough syrup (for an irritatingly dry throat), went to bed at 10 sharp, and hoped my cough wouldn't wake me. My plan was to get a good night's sleep, wake up at 6am, get around, be out the door by 6:30, walk the 15-minute walk to the dining hall, eat a good breakfast, leave the dining hall by 7, and walk another fifteen minutes to the lecture hall. So being sleepy and well-studied at ten, I was feeling pr11etty good. I even fell asleep fast!

Then at 11pm sharp, it started. There are about five people on my floor (two boys, three girls) who are completely disrespectful, rude, and ignorant. I know that may sound harsh, but after living on this floor for a semester and putting up with their loudness night after night, I don't feel bad about calling them those names. I've had enough of their loud, obnoxious, drunken, noise. And to do this the week of finals! Do they not have exams? Do they not realize or care that other people do? The least they could have done was go to their rooms, shut their doors, and be noisy without bugging everyone else. (The hallways in this place are very conducive to carrying noise.) But no, they insisted on being out in the hallway, shouting, laughing, screaming, frolicking... and I was kept up from 11pm to 2:00am.

When they finally shouted their "good night's" to each other, it was just after 1:30am. It took me a while to fall back asleep... and I was so furious. I know I should have opened my door and asked them to be quiet. I really felt like opening the door, throwing a ceramic coffee mug at them, and shouting "Shut Up!" But I'm non-confrontational. So I went back to sleep around 2am, woke up at 6, and went on with my morning as planned. I took my Psych final and then my Latin final. Then I took a four hour nap when I got back to the dorm.

I really can't believe how inconsiderate these people are, though. It is really frustrating and infuriating. I think it would be really fun to go by their doors with an air-horn some morning when they all have hangovers. Muwahaha! ...But, then, I am a considerate, respectful, non-confrontational person.

I have two more tests---one Thursday, one Friday, and then I'm done!

Anyway, here's a little mid-week exam humor to cheer you up. :) I came across this through BoingBoing.

Good luck on the rest of the week!

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Ready for Finals?

Day 213/Explored
Originally uploaded by (rae)sin

Dead has passed and now Finals Week is upon us. I have an early morning exam tomorrow, an anytime online exam Wednesday, an afternoon exam Thursday, and a late morning exam Friday... then I'm outta here! I'll be spending the rest of my evening preparing for tomorrow's 7:30 AM Developmental Psychology test, but I think I can spare a moment to blog. :)

Tips to doing your best on your finals:

#1: Study, of course!
Crack open those books and dive in. Make use of any studying material the professor provided you with (i.e. study guides, vocabulary lists). Go through your notes and notice the things you starred or outlined. (You did take notes, didn't you?) Get together with some classmates and study together. Hit the library if your dorm is noisy or you find yourself easily distracted. Take a break every couple hours or so to give your brain a rest. Thirty minutes away from a book or computer screen can do wonders.

#2: Eat up.
With all the stress of study sessions and exam schedules, don't forget to feed yourself. Leave time in your schedule to visit the dining hall for a good, full, wholesome meal. Have snacks handy for study sessions. The last thing you want is your stomach growling during a test. A good, full stomach makes for a clearer, more focused mind. But skip on the junk-food and opt for nutritious choices. You'll feel better for it in the long run.

#3: Look good.
With so much to do, your appearance may be the last thing on your mind. You may be planning on rolling out of bed, skipping the shower, grabbing something to eat, and going to your exam in your pajamas. After all, who has time for picking out an outfit? Make some time. With a properly managed schedule, you can and should spare enough time to at least shower, brush your teeth, and put some clean clothes on. Go the extra mile by doing your hair, make-up, an putting on something cute. The better you look, the better you feel. And the better you feel, the better you'll perform.

#4: Sleep!
Give yourself a good eight hours of rest to keep yourself happy and healthy. All-night cram sessions are your enemy. Study in the day and have sweet dreams of acing your exam at night!

Good luck with your exams! Winter Break is almost here!

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Elaine: Glow in the Dark Soul

I stumbled upon Elaine's blog Glow in the Dark Soul and was so very happy to find pictures of her dorm there. The bright colors, pretty patterns, and abundance of creativity really makes for a happy, lovely space. (All photos in this post belong to Elaine.)

Above: What an inspiring desk space! I love the candy-coated
colors, the cupcakes, and the letter E with a bow on it.

Above: Elaine uses a vintage 80s silverware organizer
to hold jewelry. I love the color and the fact that it is thrifted.

Above: Two words... vintage luggage. And I'm drooling.

Above: I'm crazy over Elaine's diy headboard.

Above: Her "partner in crime" sewing machine and two kissing dinos.

Above: A pillow she made herself. (Note to self: learn to sew!)

Above: A fabulous sunglasses collection.

Above: There are two things I love here. 1) That white cakestand. I've been scouring antique stores for the past year searching for a lovely milkglass cakestand like this one. 2) I love that deer because I have the exact same one! I purchased my little darling fawn at an antique store for only a buck!

Above: Some wintry decoration, piantbrushes, a camera, and a photo booth strip.

For more of Elaine's colorful, creative style visit her blog Glow in the Dark Soul.

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Snow Day!

(above image: Campanile by ScreamingPoet)

On Tuesday, it started snowing. Really really snowing. Big, wet, fluffy flakes of snow. And since it was the first real snow of the season, it was quite fun to be out walking around in. It just kept coming down. The library had to close. Cars were getting stuck. And the news said we were in for a foot of the sparkling white stuff.

Well, by Wednesday morning we had around sixteen inches. (A little bit more than expected!) The CyRide (campus bus system) shut down for the day. There were snow drifts up against doors and windows of campus buildings. And in the middle of Dead Week, we students were blessed with a snow day!

It's been a while since I got a snow day---not since high school, probably. Luckily, the dining hall was still open. So for lunch and and supper, my boyfriend and I got all bundled up and trekked the 0.9 mile journey through snow and icy winds to the dining hall. Brrrr! Amazingly, I only fell down in the snow once. :)

Some students used the day off from classes as an extra day to study for upcoming finals and such. And other students took advantage of the snow day as a break---sledding, snow-ball fights, and making donuts in the parking lots were the most popular choices. The bf and I did a little bit of both. Walking to and from the dining hall twice, which totaled nearly 4 miles in snow, was the most eventful part of our day. The rest was split between hanging out in our cozy, warm dorms and studying. I read a few chapters of Harem and then wrote my poetry explication of Gwendolyn Brooks' "Beverly Hills, Chicago" for my American Literature class.

The buses are back up and running today. Classes are back in session, though commuters are advised to make their own decisions about whether to make the drive to school. It is bitter cold out... right now it is -8 degrees F. But this is Iowa and this is how December always is. Today and tomorrow are the last days of classes and of Dead Week... then it is on to finals, then to packing up the dorm, and then to returning home.

Happy Dead Week!

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Modcloth Gift Guide/Wishlist

1. Dorm Decor Book
2. The Grape Throw in Green
3. I Am Not a Paper Cup
4. Mod Go Round Bag
5. 12 Months of Color Daily Planner
6. Atomic Age Clock
7. Tutti Frutti Scarf
8. Bow and Tell Bracelet
9. Pictorial Webster's: A Visual
Dictionary of Curiosities

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Gorgeous NYC Studio Apartment

All images in this post are from the Reverie Jewelry photostream on Flickr. This studio apartment in NYC is a mix of all things historic, eclectic, vintage, and gorgeous. Let's take a little tour, shall we?

Hopefully you found some inspiration in this space for your own apartment. For more photos of this apartment from Reverie Jewelry, click here.

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UO Gift Giving Guide for the Guys in Your Life

Not sure what to buy your boyfriend,
brother, and father for Christmas?
Check out these Urban Outfitters
presents for inspiration.

1. Tee Shirt Frames
2. X-Ray Guitar Wall Art
3. Mini Amplifier Speaker
4. Student Cookbook by Nicotext
5. Filler Up Bank
6. Lemon Powered Clock
7. Bacon Floss
8. Giant Ear Bud Speakers
9. Sound Machine
10. Crosley AV Room Portable USB Turntable
11. Desktop Darts
12. Tartan Plaid Tie

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UO Gift Giving Guide for the Gals in Your Life

Stumped about what to get your best
friend, sister, room-mate, and mom?
Here are some fabulous gift ideas I
rounded up from Urban Outfitters.

1. Circa 78 Wildflower Necklace
2. Leather Angle Gloves in Raspberry
3. Candy Buds Headphones
4. Polaroid Notes
5. Lomography Diana Dreamer Camera
6. Keep Calm Bandages
7. Metal Rose Stud Earrings
8. Boudoir Fabric Jewelry Box
9. Velvet Pouf Pillow in Buttercup
10. 2GB USB Feather
11. Apothecary Candle
12. Large Snow Globe Frame
13. Crosley Classic Kitchen Telephone

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UO Decor Gift Giving Guide

Wanting to redecorate or spruce up your dorm for next semester? Moving to an apartment and in desperate need of some decor? Whether you're a student looking to revamp your space and need some Christmas ideas to add to your wish list, or you're buying for a student who loves to decorate... enjoy these treats from Urban Outfitters.

1. One of these coat racks in a bright, bold color
like yellow can save closet space and keep
the big winter coat within easy reach.

2. This Crosley Alarm Clock Radio Speaker has a
lot going for it. It'll keep you from oversleeping
on those chilly winter mornings. You can plug
your MP3 player right into it. It comes with
AM/FM options and an analog clock display.
And, oh! It is fabulously vintage inspired.

3. The Waiting and Wishing Wall Art adds some black
and white elegance to any dorm room or apartment wall.

4. This Ornate Rose Frame in
black is too pretty to pass up.

5. Put your rings and bracelets on display
with a Ceramic Hand Jewelry Stand.

6. Does your bed need a face-lift? UO is
overflowing with lovely bedding options.

7. This versatile Metal Accordion Side Table
could be used as a nightstand or end table.
Such versatility is a must in college living spaces!

8. The Rolling Side Table is also versatile...
and on wheels! Use it as a nightstand, end table,
laptop desk, or anything else. This thing'll
wheel to wherever your heart desires.

9. The Lana Velvet Poof is a classy way to
add extra seating to your living space.
(Plus, it's a nice place to put your feet up, too.)

10. During the day, the Sun Jar collects solar energy
from the sun. At night, it generates a soft pretty light.

11. Liven up that bland dorm carpet or cold
tile with the 5x7 Sprayed Lace Printed Rug.

12. These 9 Button Corduroy Pillows come in
bold colors and are perfect to toss on the floor
as comfy extra seating when friends come over.

13. Oooh la la. Admire these Waterfall Ruffle Curtains.
They are so delicate, romantic, and ladylike.

14. Looking to splurge? Go for the Jewel Ikat Slipper Chair.
It's a brightly-colored, timeless piece of furniture that
will be used beyond college for years to come.

By now you surely have some things to add to
your wish list or some gift ideas for that college student.
Head over to Urban Outfitters for even more ideas!

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Deck the Dorm with Boughs of Holly

(above: dhm photo)

Fall, I will miss you. It's December and the holidays are quickly approaching. At home, my mom put up our Christmas tree(s) before Thanksgiving! (Yes, that's plural. We have five Christmas trees up in my house, lol.) I know that a lot of students decorate their rooms for the holidays. There are strands of lights, paper-cut snowlakes, mini Christmas trees, and garland a plenty throughout the dorms. Personally, there shall be no holiday decor in my dorm. With papers to write, books to read, finals to take, and moving to prepare for, I think adding that extra Christmas pizazz would only be a hassle. But how about you? Check out this round-up of decked out dorm rooms and maybe you'll be inspired, too. 'Tis the season...

(above: solracselbor)
(above: Lauren A.M.)
(above: mmmango25)
(above: whateva87)
(above: avocado milkshake)
(above: C. Harris)
(above: folara)
(above: Mike Gdovin)
(above: aarooon)

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