Reading Round-Up | February Edition

Here are some of my favorite blog posts from the lovely month of February:

Curves Ahead... and Behind | The Demoiselles
Body image is something that's becoming increasingly important to me as I see more and more young women struggle with it. Giving you something to ponder about body image and being "sexy," this post showcases photos from V Magazine's "size issue." Head on over to check out beautiful, curvy women who are comfortable and sexy in their own skin.

How to... Jump Start a Car | Things Every College Girl Should Know
I'm guilty. I have no idea how to jump-start a car. I've watched my dad and boyfriend do it on several occasions... and while they insist that it's easy and safe, I still fret that something's going to explode. (I don't know why, but I have a fear of everything from car engines to microwaves exploding.) Anyway, Kaleigh posted a simple instructions on how to jump start a car. I'm going to try to memorize them---or at least keep a copy of instructions in my glove compartment. ;)

A Roundup of How To's Using Mod Podge | Apartment Therapy SF
I like to get a little crafty from time to time, so I always have a thing of Mod Podge nearby. It can be used for sooo many diy-projects. This Apartment Therapy post features some fun, easy projects that call for Mod Podge---such as lightswitch covers, pretty coasters, and patterned clipboards.

Top 5 Undies Every College Girl Should Own | College Fashion
From boyshorts to thongs and tighty-whities to hanky-pankies---there are a lot of underwear options out there! This post shows off the five most must-have pairs of panties in all sorts of colors, fabrics, and patterns. Comment and weigh in on your favorite pair of undies.

Dressing Like a Fairytale | More Magic Always
I'm a sucker for fairytales. Little Red Riding Hood is my absolute favorite. :) I love this post because it is a collection of gorgeous fairytale-inspired fashion photos. There's some real eye-candy here, ladies.

5 Senses Favorites | February

Smell: I love Yankee Candles; they're my favorite. However, most of the Yankee Candles I own are too rich smelling or two fruity smelling. Lately, I've been craving something... lighter, cleaner, softer, warmer. So I spent a bit of my birthday money on a new scent. I stood there in the candle aisle sticking my nose in each and every fragrance that I thought sounded lovely. Lavender Vanilla had me at first sniff. I'm a devotee of vanilla. I like to wear it, smell it, taste it. (I've been told many a time that I smell like baked goods because of the vanilla-based scents I wear.) This candle pairs the comforting aroma of vanilla with the beautiful fragrance of lavender. It's a lovely scent and not at all overwhelming.

Hear: Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is one of my all-time favorite movies, second only to Gone with the Wind. I love the film for its beautiful cast, gorgeous costumes, breath-taking landscapes, elaborate interiors, and of course: its music! This movie has the best soundtrack ever, in my opinion. Over the years I've collected my favorite songs, but have never bought the soundtrack. Well, my mom was really listening all those times when I rambled about the beautiful music from my second-favorite movie. I got the soundtrack this year as one of my birthday presents. :) And I've pretty much been listening to it nonstop.

Taste: I'm a seasonal coffee-drinker. I really only drink it during the cold months. I start in October, consume loads in November for NaNoWriMo, and continue through February and into March. I think this year I've consumed more in February than in any other month. Anyway, I've just really been into coffee lately. And in the evenings, too, rather than mornings. (above photo belongs to Joe Lencioni)

See: My favorite thing to see this month is my boyfriend. (I'll try not to make this too sappy.) Last fall we attended ISU together, lived in the same building only a floor apart, started off each day with breakfast together, and saw each other entirely more than we were used to. It took some getting used to, but it was fun. Well, I decided to transfer and he stayed there. He's been completely amazing and so supportive of my decision. And it's not really a "long distance" relationship because we're only an hour and forty-or-so minutes apart. But after seeing him everyday for a whole semester, it's taking some time to get used to just seeing him on the weekends. I understand how short those weekend visits home can be (I experienced them in the fall) so I'm content with him devoting just one weekend night to me so that he can also make time for friends and family. But I do miss him tons! And I can't wait to see him this Friday night. :) Oh, and please excuse my red, puffy eyes in the above photo. Even though I see him every weekend and the distance is small, I cry every time I have to say goodbye for the week. Partly because I'll miss him for the week, but mostly because I'm just so happy to have been able to spend some time with him. I weep at everything and he doesn't mind. I can't help it. I'm the world's biggest cry baby. (Okay... that was entirely too sappy and I apologize.) :P

Touch: My favorite thing to feel this month has been my little dog Adalae. She's a three-year-old shih-chon (shih-tzu/bichon frise) and I named her after a song by The Pink Spiders. She's fluffy, white, and doesn't shed. So her hair just keeps getting fluffier and fluffier. (I'm begging my mom not to set up a grooming appointment just so I can see how much fluffier she'll get! Plus, the coat keeps her warm in this freeeezing Iowa weather.) She's oh-so-very warm and fuzzy. During the day she'll take naps curled up on my stomach. It's so relaxing and I adore her soooo much.

Amore.

Back to School!

(lovely image above from polkadotandplaid)

I'm finally back into classes! ISU was on a two-semester academic year. The school I transferred to is on a three-term year. So because I transferred mid-year, I had a take a bit of a hiatus from late-December all the way through mid-February. That was a looong time to go without classes or homework, especially considering I don't have a job at the moment either. :/

But on Tuesday I drove the half-hour commute to the small, pretty community college. I'll be taking classes there this spring and probably this summer. Then I'll start at the four-year school where I'm going to get my degree in Elementary Education from. The four-year school is actually an extension from its main campus, which has about twenty location extensions throughout the state of Iowa. The extension is conveniently located at my community college's campus.

Anyways, my first day back in class went super and the term is starting off very well! I'm taking 15 credits total, which is as much as the school will allow me to take per term because of their 3-term schedule. Two of my classes are on campus: Elementary Physical Education and Children's Literature. I only have to be on campus from 8AM to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays! I love that. :) I'm also taking Art Appreciation, Intro to Computers, Environmental Science, and the Environmental Science lab... all online. So much of the time freed up by only having class on Tues/Thurs is spent on those online classes.

What classes are you taking this term/semester? Do you like them? Is your term going well? Why or why not?

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$100 DIY Desk

(image via here at HGTV.com)

Maybe the desk your school provided is uninspiring. Maybe it's too small. Maybe you don't have a desk at all!

Click here to check out this easy-to-create $100 half-day desk project featured on HGTV.com. All you need is a flat panel door, desk leg kit, bookshelf, paint, and some tools to make this huge workspace ideal for homework, crafts, or scrapbooking.

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Put a Ring on It | Part III

(above: image from romirose22)

Well, this is the final post in the Put a Ring on It series. Whether marriage is the furthest thing from your mind, or whether you're itching to put on that white dress and veil... I do hope that I've inspired a bit of reflection concerning getting married before or during college. I'm going to finish up with some do's and don'ts before saying "I do."

DO:
Discuss life's big questions. Kids, money, religion, sex, careers, where to live. For a marriage to work, it's important that you and your man share the same ideas, hopes, and values concerning those things. (For a great article on looking before you leap, click here.)

DON'T:
Pressure him into it. Your guy may be head-over-heels in love with you, completely committed to you, and totally planning on making you his wife someday. But if you start putting the pressure on him to buy a ring, propose, and race to the nearest chapel, he may start to feel uncomfortable with how fast you're moving. If he feels too pressured, chances are he'll look for the nearest exit. It's okay (and good) to discuss marriage, especially if you're in a serious relationship and have been together for a few years. But make sure you're on the same page.

DO:
Enjoy dating. Chances are, you'll be married for most of your adult life. So don't take for granted the dates, the butterflies you get when you get to see him after time spent apart, and the stupid arguments. Once you're married, things will be different... not bad, but different. You'll see each other so much you'll get on each other's nerves, even if you hate to admit it. You'll get to see all his gross habits up close and personal. And you'll fight over more serious things. So enjoy the bf/gf thing while it lasts.

DON'T:
Be pressured into marriage. Maybe he's the one that's so antsy to get married and you don't want to move so fast. Yeah, it probably feels amazing to have your guy be so excited about being your husband. And of course the thought of a diamond ring and lovely gown make you giddy with excitement. But if you don't feel ready for whatever reason, make sure he knows. It's important to be on the same page when it comes to getting married. It's crucial to the marriage's success.

DO:
Consider pre-marital counseling. If you are young and determined to tie the knot regardless of what anyone says about age, consider pre-marital counseling. Seriously. It will benefit you greatly in preparing you for a successful marriage. Not only will you know what to expect when it comes to budgeting, compromising, handling arguments, and making big life decisions---but it will also help prepare you for the emotional aspects of getting married.

DON'T:
Set an agenda. While there's nothing wrong with planning for your future, don't obsess to the point of scheduling your entire life out. If you base your happiness on being graduated by age 22, engaged by age 22 and half, employed by age 23, married by age 24, and a mother of two beautiful children by age 27... well, you might just be disappointed. It is good to plan, but life doesn't always work out according to plan. Be flexible with your life. Don't fix yourself or your boyfriend/fiancee/husband to a rigid schedule. If one of those things were not to work out properly, it might disrupt your entire future and cause you to panic. (Additionally, this can make guys feel pressured, think you're crazy, or run away.)

DO:
Dream! It's natural for girls to look forward to marriage. You might have had your entire wedding planned out by the time you were seven. Of course you look forward to that day when you get to walk down the aisle in a gorgeous gown with everyone's eyes on you and your handsome, wonderful lover waiting for you with an amazed smiled. It's okay to get excited about weddings. It's okay to watch wedding-tv-show marathons. It's okay to fantasize about all the details--flowers, location, favors. It's okay to haunt wedding blogs and websites for inspiration. All that stuff is typically part of being a girl. And isn't it outrageously fun to think about your own wedding? You may feel like you want to experience it as soon as possible, but don't take for granted the excitement leading up to that big day. After all, when it's over it's over. So savor all this time you get to dream about it. It come soon enough. :)

I'll end with some interesting statistics:

27.6% of women who get married before
the age of 20 will end up divorced.

36.6% of women who get married between
the ages of 20-24 will end up divorced.

But... for women who get married between the
ages of 25-29, only 16.4% will end up in divorce.

The divorce steadily decreases as age increases past 30.
(Click here for source.)

Any final insights from female pre-college and college students? I'd love to hear them. :)

Amore.

Fashion-Forward Dorms

(above: The Container Store's "Fashion Forward Dorm" from a few years ago.)

If you truly believe that a girl can never have too many purses, pull a little inspiration from the above dorm (outfitted by The Container Store). With a good supply of inexpensive adhesive hooks, you can put your beloved bags on display. It doubles as attractive wall art and convenient storage. ;) What more could a fashionista want?

(above: The Container Store's current "Fashion Forward Dorm.")

Perhaps you're more of a clotheshorse than a purse-addict? Check out this year's fashionable dorm from The Container Store and borrow some of their fabulous ideas. Put your stylish attire front and center on wheeled clothes-racks. (You can use those awkward dorm armoires for less important things like books.) Add even more flair with a mannequin and put your favorite chic ensemble on display. You're dorm will look like an all-access pass to the backstage of a fashion show.

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Put a Ring on It | Part II

(above: image from khanhfat)

In Part I of this series, I reflected on my own failed engagement once upon a time when I was far too young. In my disclaimer, I mentioned that every relationship and situation varies. I am sincerely happy for couples who get engaged. And I have seen many young relationships that work out just fine through engagement and into marriage. But seeing so many pre-college and college-aged girls (in particular) rushing to the altar has me concerned. Is there a magic number for what age is best to get married?

According to Cosmopolitan, yes. And that age is 25.

The two big reasons for why the mid-20s serve as a cut-off are education and money.

Research shows a relationship between higher education and chances of divorce: the more years of high education a woman has when she gets married, the less likely she is to get divorced. This is because women with an education also possess more confidence. Confident women are less likely to settle for less than their personal standards when it comes to a partner.

Concerning finances, a 25-year-old woman is probably supporting herself. Independent women are less likely to hurry into marriage for financial security. Plus, women who learn how to budget, deal with different personality-types at the workplace, and resolve conflicts while they're single are more likely to have the skills necessary for a successful marital partnership.

25 is also a magic number for self-awareness, -knowledge, and -confidence. By that age, a woman has likely experienced enough Mr. Wrong's to know what she looks for in Mr. Right. Also, a woman probably has a better grip on her personal hopes, goals, and ideals. She will have a better idea of what she wants out of a marriage and partner.

I happen to strongly agree with Cosmopolitan on this one. (The ladies over there generally know what they're talking about.) Consider how much of a difference that four or five years makes. It's pretty huge. Five years ago, I was a lovesick 16-year-old who didn't know what direction to go in life. I couldn't possibly have predicted that I would get engaged, give the ring back, go to school five hours from home, transfer colleges three times, change my major several times, and end up with my current boyfriend. I have so much more experience, confidence, direction, and self-worth under my belt as opposed to what I had at the age of 16.

When I think of my self five years from now, I hope to be a smart, financially-independent, confident, happy, comfortable-in-my-own skin 26-year-old elementary reading teacher who is still head-over-heels in love and possibly engaged or even married. But a lot could happen in five years and my future could turn out completely different.

If you're 20-years-old, wildly in love with your boyfriend, and soooo sure that the two of you are in it for the long run, why are you dying to get married? If you're going to grow old together, what's the harm in waiting a handful of years to ensure that you're both financially stable, educated, employed, and ready?

Click here to read Cosmopolitan's full article. Be sure to skim over the reader comments. And I'd love it if you'd share your imput with your own comment below. How do you feel about marriage before 25 as opposed to after 25? Do you think it makes as big a difference as Cosmo claims?

Amore.

Another Disclaimer: I also read some of the comments left at the online version of Cosmopolitan's article. It surprised me at the controversial reactions. I don't want to start an argument here at my blog or offend any young women who is younger than 25 and engaged/married. I just want genuine female college student thoughts on this subject. Without a doubt, there are 20-year-old women who financially independent, educated, and grown-up enough to get married. Additionally, there are 30-year-old women who can't commit, handle money, or know what they want out of life and shouldn't get married. Everything is relative. Everyone is different.

One long sigh for springtime

(above: in the springtime... by catpuff-noir)

I've had so much of winter.

We're expecting another 12 inches or so tonight. :/ Which means my dad had to strike out early for South Dakota---he's been working there for the last year. And my boyfriend had to strike out early to go back to school, hoping to beat the snowstorm.

Oh, how I long for springtime.
I want...
rainshowers.
tulips.
bare legs.
ballet flats.
an open sunroof.
sunshine!
and the promise of summer.

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Vintage Studio Apartment

home sweet home
Originally uploaded by toxinaut

I thought this studio apartment makes great use of furniture arrangement and vintage touches. I love the warm, buttery color on the walls. I bet it looks especially pretty when sunshine spills in. The bed is tucked away behind the Mid-Century sofa, which has attached table-space on each end. I also like the vintage dress hung on the wall. It's lovely.

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Put a Ring on It | Part I

(above: image by aeoliane)

Let me begin with a personal story. In early 2007 I was a senior in high school looking forward to graduation and going five hours away to college. My then boyfriend, who I'd been on and off with for about a year, started talking very seriously about marriage. I was young, in love, and "too big for my britches." He spoke to his parents; he spoke to mine. And in March of that year, he proposed. I said yes, of course, and then floated around on cloud-nine with a ring on my finger for the next few weeks. We set a date and I began to dream of white tulips and a green color scheme. It was all down hill from there, though. He had never been an, honest, trustworthy, faithful guy and his bad behavior only escalated. Needless to say, the bliss of engagement was short-lived. In late April or early May (I can't remember which), I caught him with another girl and gave the ring the back.

I don't talk a whole lot about that month-long engagement. Mostly because I've grown up a lot over the past three years and looking back, I am overwhelmed by how silly I was. It was doomed from the start. It was a rocky, dramatic, high-school relationship. He didn't treat me as I deserved to be treated. We weren't together very long. And the major factor: I was simply too young. I was barely eighteen. I often wonder why my parents gave that ex-bf the consent to propose to me. If they had told us to wait, would we have listened? Probably not. I have a feeling that they knew we would have to learn the hard way.

Looking back, I am soooo very glad that I did learn the hard way... and that I learned my lesson before we were even close to heading down the aisle. As grown up as I thought I was, I wasn't ready for marriage. I was barely ready for college. Additionally, it would have been a terrible relationship to commit to. Just to imagine the financial strain, the trust issues, and the emotional distress that would have come as part of the package of marrying my ex gives me a stomach ache. If I wouldn't have given that ring back, if I'd tried to fix that unfixable relationship, if I'd actually become his wife---my life would be drastically different, probably for the worse.

Three years later, I am in a wonderful relationship with the funniest, handsomest, sweetest guy. We've been dating for over a year and a half and while he's most definitely a keeper, I foresee us dating for a few more years before taking that big leap. I do look forward to the possibility of an engagement and marriage down the road, but I'm in no hurry to get there. It's quite amazing to be content right where I am. We're together now. We plan to be together in the future. So what's the sense in rushing?

I think some people seriously underrate dating. They take it for granted. They forget that you can be in a serious, committed relationship for several years without having to have a ring on the finger. Why not savor the dating stage? A majority of a person's lifetime is spent married, so why is exchanging vows so urgent to some people?

Personally, I have a lot of my own goals that I want to accomplish before taking those vow. I want to graduate college. I want to have a stable job in my career. And I want to be financially stable enough to support myself before entering into that union.

I can't believe that at the age of 21, I'm surrounded by kids my age and younger who are getting engaged and married. I know girls who are desperate to have a ring on their finger--so desperate that they turn green with envy instead of sincerely congratulating a couple. And to be honest, I'm concerned.

Just a side note: That ex-bf of mine eventually met a another girl. I heard that they were engaged within a month and married within another. (She was only 18 or 19!) A year after their wedding... they're separated, she's pregnant, and a divorce is probably on the horizon.

What do you think about getting married before or during college?

Amore.

Disclaimer: I realize that all relationships are different and that situations vary. I'm not saying that all young engagements or marriages are doomed. (I've seen many that work out just fine!) I'm just weighing in on my own personal beliefs and ideas toward this rush-to-the-altar phenomenon.

Pink + Polka Dots

This renter faced a lot of restrictions when decorating her college bedroom apartment. No painting. No removing the desk. No nails. No holes of any kind in the walls. No 3M hooks. Well, she broke a few of those rules. (Sssshhh, we're not tellin'.)

She decorated her room with a pink shag rug and hung a light pink sheet behind her bed for some extra color on the walls. She made the table runner for her dresser-top and stores her make-up in those cute little pink nesting box on top of the dresser.

Over her bed she displays a painting by Salvadore Dali, one of her favorite artists. And she keeps the bed simple without the fuss of throw pillows that inevitably end up on the floor.

She decorated her lampshade with scrapbook stickers. And I spot a good book on her nightstand. ;)

Since she isn't crazy about typical bulletin boards, the renter made four miniature ones out of fabric-covered cork tiles.

Personally, I think that desk is great compared to some of the dorm-room desks I've had to use. But this renter doesn't like it and made a table runner to hide some of the "hideous drawers."

Sheer black Ikea curtains dress up the windows.

This is the renter's "junk corner." I do like the idea of using a coat-tree to keep purses handy. She plans on painting the coat rack black.

And here's her black dresser. I love how the dresser's frosted glass compliments the frosted glass on the nearby floor lamp.

The photos of this room were posted to HGTV's Rate-My-Space and belong to laurakim289.

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Do you do coffee?

(above: image by steph_who)

I wouldn't say that I'm a regular coffee drinker---I don't have it everyday, but maybe every two or three days. I don't drink it for the caffeine either. Sadly, caffeine doesn't have a "waking-up" effect on me. I drink it for the taste. It's always nice to cozy up with a cup of coffee when I'm reading blogs, writing a story, or doing historical research.

I like my coffee with sugar and amaretto flavoring. Occasionally I add a bit of cappuccino mix or hot chocolate powder. If I'm feeling extra adventurous, I dash some cinnamon on top. ;)

I also adore coffee houses. The smell, the decor, the atmosphere. I think it would be fun to work as a barista, but unfortunately my hometown's coffee house isn't hiring.

How about you? Do you drink coffee? Black? Cream and sugar? Fancy flavors? Do you drink it to wake up in the morning or to wind down at night? (Yes, I often drink coffee before bed...lol.)

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Cute College Apartment on a Dime

This renter decorated her college apartment's living room with recycled (or should I say "upcycled") secondhand items. The futon's frame used to be an "ugly beat-up pine," but got a classy make-over with a coat of black paint. The pillows are re-covered old ones. The coffee table is a vintage 60s piece that also got painted black. The side table, lamp, and curtains were all found on clearance. And the renter painted the retro-inspired art panels by herself!

The tv sits on an old 60s buffet that was painted black. And the bookcases are from Ikea.

The zebra-printed ottoman doubles as seating and storage. Can you believe that it was made from scratch? I love fabulous diy-ers!

Photos of this space were posted to HGTV's Rate-My-Space and belong to swilt.

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Wish List: College Table Topics

Spark fun conversations that take you beyond the oh-so-boring "what's your major?" and lead you to questions that you just wouldn't think to ask on your own. Talk about everything from the best cheap food near campus to the best parties to the three causes you care about most. This college-life inspired set of conversation starters makes meeting new people and making new friends way more fun. But, we have to warn you, these questions might be the start of an all-nighter. Heck, you can't study ALL the time!

• What's the most hours you've studied for a test?
• How would you spend your dream spring break?
• What one food are you surviving on at College?
• Do you make a face when you dance?
• If you couldn't go to this school where would you want to transfer?
• What song says it all about your current life?
• What are you most looking forward to upon graduation?

(quoted from Table Topics webpage.)

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Tangerine + Aquarmarine

This freshman dorm-dweller is sharing a dorm with her childhood friend at Ole Miss (aka the University of Mississippi). With help from their moms, the two girls decorated their room with a white, turquoise, and orange color scheme.

Matching comforters and bedsheets really pulls the room together. They continue the color scheme with a coordinating rug, ottoman, sofa, throw-pillows, and curtains. The orange works really well with the color of furniture in the room. I also like that the school painted the dorm in a beige instead of white, which makes for a cozier space.

The sitting area can double as a place for friends to crash. I love how crisp and clean the white sofa is. The orange and turquoise pillows really pop against it.

Not only is the girls' dorm attractive, but they also aimed for function and efficiency. Notice the silver cart on the far left--it's a great way to organize the mini-fridge, microwave, and other dorm-dining necessities.

Photos of this room were posted to HGTV's Rate-My-Space by classTR and belong to her, of course.

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Happy Valentine's, Dears

Happy Valentine's Day, darlings! I just wanted to take a minute to give my blog readers' some Valentine's love. I hope it's a wonderful day for you all whether you celebrate the love of your significant other, your friends, or your family.

Amore!

21

"You only live once, but if you
do it right, once is enough."

Mae West

It's my birthday. I'm 21-years-old. That's weird to say, so let me restate that. I'm 21-years-young. :) I feel like I just barely accepted being 20. (...I wanted to be 19 forever.)

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Valentine's Day Date Ideas for the Single & Attached

(above: image from paulie-nka)

Valentine's Day is not tomorrow but the next day! While it is largely a day of sweethearts, that doesn't mean that all the pink and red fun is only for lovers. Only a handful of my Valentine's Days have been spent with a boyfriend, but I've always been fond of this holiday. So here are some ideas to making the most of the day whether you're single, newly in a relationship, or going steady.

♥Single Ladies:
Use this day to show some love for yourself because you are fabulous! Gang up with other single girlfriends for a day of luxury or night of excitment. Go shopping. Get a mani, pedi, or new hairstyle. Spend a delightful day at the spa. Go see a chick flick. Rent movies starring your all-time favorite studs and pig out on Valentine's candy. Get all dolled up and go out to eat at a fancy restaurant. Flirt shamelessly with any handsome, single fellas. Take a mini-roadtrip. Splurge on something--that novel you've been dying to read, that pair of pink patent pumps, or that adorable shih-poo puppy for sale.

♥New Relationships:
If you've barely started dating a new guy just in time for Valentine's day, this holiday can be tricky. You don't want to seem too serious or like you're moving too fast. You don't want to spend too much, or too little. But you do want the day to be special and memorable. If you've only been together a couple months or a few weeks, focus on low-key and sweet (even if a little cheesy) tokens of affection. Make your guy a cute DIY Valentine. Go out to the movies together. Go bowling. Go out to eat somewhere delicious where you're both comfortable with the cost--think Mexican, bbq, or a coffeehouse. Hit up a photo-booth together to memorialize your date in silly photos. For double the fun, make a double-date with friends.

♥Going Steady:
That time of year has come when you get to show how much you love your significant other. Hopefully you show each other the same love and appreciation during the other 364 days of the year---but that's no excuse not to have fun on this day devoted to darlings. Flowers, chocolate, and romantic dinners are always nice, but it may feel like you do the same thing every time this holiday comes around. Maybe you're looking to break out of the roses-and-chocolate cycle. Write each other a love letter--read them immediately or promise to read them on next year's Valentine's Day. Put together a scrapbook of the two of you. Cook a dinner together and have a double movie night--watch his favorite and your favorite. Try a new restaurant. Get out of town and explore together. Try something new--dance lessons, a train ride, or concert.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

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I "Heart" This Jewelry

I reeeeeally "heart" this jewelry from ShanaLogic. They are cute, dainty, and amusing. Plus, they are totally within a college student's budget. I'm gaga over this first ring.



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Cute Valentine Gifts for Your Friends

Valentine's Day isn't exclusively for lovers. Show your roomie or gal-pals that you love them, too, with these cute and affordable gift ideas:

1. "Love Bites" card for the vampire-enthusiast. 2. Kiss Kiss stamp set for your pen-pal. 3. Love To Bake measuring set for your roomie who loves to bake. 4. Heart compact mirror for the beauty queen in your life. 5. Love to Entertain bowl set for your friend who loves to host chick flick nights. 6. Don't Play Games with My Heart Plush Toy for your pal with a sense of humor.

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Unmentionables Worth Mentioning

This is a rather spontaneous post, but I was simply in the mood for intimates. What girl doesn't love pretty undergarments? I wholeheartedly believe that a woman can never have too many pairs of panties or too many lovely bras. I have more bras than I know what to do with! (...one in every color except for white, oddly enough.)

If you have a lover, perhaps you want a little something sexy to show off on Valentine's Day. Or you single ladies might just feel like splurging on some beautiful lingerie. (Wearing pretty undergarments is a proven confidence boost, btw!)

But being a on a student budget doesn't mean you have to compromise when it comes to wearing lace, silk, and frilly little details beneath your attire. I personally have become smitten with the lingerie options available at Topshop. (All of those gorgeous panties and bralets featured up above are from Topshop and cost under $50.)

So go have a look and swoon.

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Beds | Re-thinking the Dorm

I don't know about you, but I feel that most dorm rooms are terribly inefficient and poorly set up. The typical dorm room is a square cinder block box with a window, bulky furniture, and awkward layout. I know that nowadays when new residence halls are built, more thought is being put into the efficiency of the rooms. (For example, suite-style rooms are increasingly popular.) Some new dorms are extremely modern in style.

So I got to thinking about re-thinking the dorm. When a lot of people here "dorm room of the future" they think of high-tech, space-age, Jetsons-esque atmosphere. While I enjoy looking at such modern spaces, I prefer not to live in one. So what would be some easy ways to increase the function of a dorm room while maintaining a traditional, comfortable feel?

I think the most natural place to begin would be the bed. This is the largest piece of furniture in a dorm room and sleep is, after all, an important health factor. Dorm rooms function as so much more than a bedroom, though. So I've always thought it would be so nice to just... well, "tuck away" a bed. It would save so much floorspace. Murphy beds, trundle beds, and built-in beds would be a great way to save space in dorm rooms.

A Murphy bed would be an ideal space-saving solution for dorm rooms. For one, Murphy beds are not permanent and would not require any interior architectural work. At night, the bed can be let down (like above). [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
And then in the morning, it can be made and folded back up. (See above.) [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
Just look at how much floor space a Murphy bed opens up. Additionally, depending on the type of Murphy bed, there can be a lot of storage options. In the Murphy bed pictured above, there's a built-in bookcase and dresser. [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
Pictured above is another Murphy bed option that would be ideal for a college dorm room. It includes a dresser, bookcase, and desk area. Sooo efficient! [above image source: more space place nashville]

Bed nooks would allow for more privacy than dorm residents are used to. A curtain (above) could be pulled closed to hide the bed during the day or make for a more private sleeping space at night. [above image source: handmade charlotte]
Some bed nooks could even offer storage, such as the one pictured above. [above image source: townmouse]
The above bed nook offers a lot of clothing storage with four large dresser drawers. And the curtain allows for some privacy. [above image source: townmouse]
This style of bed nook (above) would work especially well in shared dorms. Captain-style drawers offer storage for clothing or shoes. Built-in bookcases offer storage for books, photo frames, and personal knick-knacks. And the separating wall offers privacy. [above image source: BPC Architecture]

Here's another built-in bed with a lot of storage. (See above.) [above image source: TK Smith]

Lastly, I believe the trundle bed would be a considerable option as well. Granted, it wouldn't exactly loan itself to privacy or extra storage options, but it would free up floor space by hiding away one bed during the day. [above image source: Mudrick]

If you could have one of these styles of bed in your dorm room, which would you pick? I think I would go with the bed nooks because they are just so cozy!

Stay tuned for more re-thinking the dorm.

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