Out of a Box | Packing Up

Photo Source: Everything and the Rest, Ta Yang Hsu

Don't Procrastinate Packing!

With finals quickly approaching, packing up your dorm or college apartment is probably the last thing on your mind.  Packing is all-too-easy to procrastinate because just the thought can be more overwhelming than three final exams one-right-after-the-other.  But resist the urge to wait on packing!  The sooner you start, the easier it will be.  When your eyes get tired of staring at the textbooks and you're longing for a half-hour of watching MTV, consider turning your study break into a packing sprint instead.  Packing is ideal for study breaks.  It's physical, takes your mind off of homework and the results are rewarding.  Little by little you can get so much done!  And in the end, you'll have a visible, tangible achievement... something that a distracting marathon of "Sixteen & Pregnant" just can't offer.

Organization

Photo Source: Meathead Movers

Even if you don't get started until after finals, it's important to start and finish packing in an organized manner.  Whether you begin now or later... do NOT just start throwing everything into boxes.  Take the extra time and effort to keep things together that go together.  For example, don't pack a box with a few pairs of shoes, notebooks, your laptop charger and your set of microwaveable bowls.  Pack kitchen stuff with kitchen stuff.  Shoes with shoes.  It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many college students just throw everything into boxes and get the heck out... only to later wonder why they can't find anything.  Also, label!  Labeling what you put on each box will save you time and energy later on when you wonder which box you put your new pair of wedges in.  Don't forget to label breakable things as fragile.  You might think you'll remember... but it's better safe than sorry having broken your pretty glass vase!

Be Practical & Choosy

For a three-month period during the summer, you're not going to need or want as much stuff as you did during the school year.  The more minimal and exclusive you are with what you bring, the happier you'll be at the end of the summer when you have to move again.  First of all, divide up the obvious things.  You definitely won't be needing sweaters, furry boots, an Eskimo-esque coat and other wintry accessories unless you're interning at the North Pole.  You won't need your textbooks and loads of school supplies unless you're taking courses for a summer semester.  And you probably won't need your entire DVD collection, stacks of magazines, bookshelf full of unread novels and box boardgames unless you plan on being bored-out-of-your-mind or a hermit for three months.

Source: DuvalGuillaume

 

Get Storage

All that stuff you won't need (wintry clothes, school supplies, entertainment things) have to go somewhere.  See if your parents or grandparents have space in their attic or basement for your boxes.  If that's not an option, consider renting out a storage shed.  You may have a friend in a similar situation with whom you could split the cost and storage.  Either way, it's worth the investment to have a safe place for your un-need possessions while you keep busy over the summer.

Order of Packing

When it comes to packing, start packing away the unimportant stuff first and leave the things you use a lot until absolute last.  You might want a single box full of all the things you'll need "right away" when you move into your summer place.  This box would include a set of dishes and dinnerware, toiletry items, body/make-up/hair products, your toothbrush, laptop and laptop accessories, etc.  When you move into your summer residence, you may be exhausted and might not feel like unpacking right away.  Instead of opening and rummaging through all the boxes for your laptop charger, you can open the "right away" box and have everything you need right at your finger tips asap!

Once you're all packed up properly, the moving out of the old place and into the new place is the next step.  Stay tuned for upcoming posts on unpacking and decorating your summer apartment!

New Series: Out of a Box

As college students, living in campus housing can be a big decor obstacle.  But a nine-month school year allows plenty of time for turning that college living space into a cozy home-away-from-home.  Summer, however, comes with its own set of decor challenges.  If you're moving back home to a bedroom just the way you left it, you have it easy. Decorating is a little more tough when you're living a temporary dwelling for the summer---perhaps for summer classes, a job, or an internship.  It's often hard enough to find and secure an apartment just for the summer, usually being three months tops.  Even if it is just for a mere three months, that apartment will be your summer home. 

The rules are different for decorating a summer-only apartment.  So for all you dedicated students studying during the summer, all you money-making gals working hard for summer break and all you lucky ladies who landed a fab summer internship... this new series "Out of a Box" is for you. 

Check in tomorrow for the first post!

I'd rather be blogging...

Three weeks without a post! :(  College classes have gotten intense.  And while I assure you that I'd rather be posting about lovely things here on Lovely Undergrad, I've had to pour my energy and focus into un-lovely things like homework and exams.  

I'm half-way through my last week of regular classes.  Next week is Dead Week.  And then comes FINALS week!  :S  Wish me luck, lovelies!  I wish you luck on all your finals as well!  I have so much good news and lovely ideas for upcoming posts and the entire summer.  So hold tight and in the meantime, check out my posts on Her Campus Iowa State. 

And keep applying to be a featured Lovely Undergrad!

T-Shirt Bras | Guest Post

This guest post comes courtesy of Janet Brentano at the blog Classy Bras. In addition to an informative blog about bras, she has just published a "Bra Buyer's Guide" featuring a list of 100 of the best bras.

Would you look at that, it's nearly summer already! This of course means that your summer clothes are making their way to the front of your wardrobe, and the question of what to wear under your favorite summer tops and dresses comes to mind. Enter: The T-Shirt bra. This wonderful bra has become increasingly popular lately, and is your solution to all sorts of summer wardrobe problems. But, what exactly is a t-shirt bra, and why are they so great for summer? What problems do they solve? Let's take a look at the greatest invention in the history of womankind. (Well, OK. Maybe the second best)

What exactly is a T-Shirt bra?

T-shirt bras defy categorization in a lot of ways. They can be full-coverage or demi-cup style; strapless, or strapped, padded or non padded; molded or non-molded; underwired or soft-cupped; and made from a variety of materials. The defining characteristic of most t-shirt bras is seamlessesness. While many bras have seams on the cup, t-shirt bras do not. This helps the bra stay invisible under clothes. T-Shirt bras also do not usually have fancy embellishments such as lace.

T-Shirt bras are your summer wardrobe's best friend.

The styles of summer tend to be a bit thinner and a bit more revealing. T-Shirt bras address these issues in a variety of ways. Because they're seamless, they don't show lines. Many of them are molded providing you a flattering shape. They are available in many strapless and convertible styles, so you can wear tops with thin or no straps without your bra showing. Many t-shirt bras are also padded, which can give you a nice boost. Molded style t-shirt bras are great at providing excellent shape under your clothes. They will make you look and feel great.

T-Shirt bra tips:

At this point, you're probably like "Great, sign me up!" Let's talk some tips about finding that perfect t-shirt bra.

T-shirt Bra Color:

The first issue is color. I always recommend picking a color that is close to your skin tone. Even the most fair-skinned of women don't have white skin. If this describes you, check out some light pink, ivory, or light beige bras. If you have darker skin, look in to brown or darker beige colors. White bras and black bras are not invisible, regardless of how light or dark your skin is.

T-shirt Bra Styles:

If you can only get one bra for summer, you should probably consider a convertible or strapless style. You'll be able to wear this kind of bra in the most situations: Strapless when you're wearing a strapless top, criss-cross if you're wearing a racerback style top, or even in the conventional way if you're just wearing a regular t-shirt.

T-shirt bra Coverage:

Every woman is different. Some of us are petite, some of us are curvy. The important thing is to be honest about your body unique body shape when you're buying bras. Petite women sometimes have a hard time filling full cups, and curvy women sometimes can't get over the feeling that they're going to fall out of their demi-cup bra, or worse: The dreaded "4 boob" look. Picking a bra that is appropriate to your shape is going to give you the best appearance and most comfort.

Are T-Shirt bras always the best choice?

T-Shirt bras are very versatile. Just because the bra is seamless, doesn't mean you cant't wear it under your heavy sweaters during the middle of winter. Of course, in some situations, t-shirt bras may not be the best choice. For example, due to their seamless nature, t-shirt bras aren't always going to provide the best support--especially if you are more curvy and have more to support. T-Shirt bras are also not always the sexiest bras you can wear, although there certainly are t-shirt bras in fun colors and prints.

The Best T-Shirt Bras:

T-Shirt bras have exploded in popularity in recent years, and there are many styles from just about every brand available. There are a few notable t-shirt bras, however, that have become THE go-to bras for summer. Let's take a look:

Le Mystere Dream Tisha Bra:

The Dream Tisha is a very popular bra. It is always on the "best bras" lists, and even Oprah endorses it. It is a full-coverage style, and amazingly invisible. It has seamless cups and a brilliantly hidden underwire. The microfiber fabric is soft and luxurious. Le Mystere is also really good about offering bras in a variety of skin tones. Sure, the Dream Tisha is a bit more expensive than many other bras, but it hold up when other bras quit, and you will feel so good in it.

Panache Porcelain Molded Strapless Bra:

Panache is a harder brand to find, but anyone who is serious about style and fit should seek them out. The Porcelain bra is a demi-cup and strapless style with seamless, molded cups. This bra provides great shaping, invisibility under clothes, and amazing versatility. Panache bras come in a huge variety of sizes, although most of them are D-cup+. If you are petite with a large bust, Panache is the brand for you.

Calvin Klein:

Calvin Klein has been in the underwear business forever (Remember Marty McFly in Back to the Future?), and has more recently begun producing excellent t-shirt bras for women in the petite to average size ranges. While these bras are generally no-frills, they are amazingly comfortable and invisible under clothing. Because Calvin Klein seems to have specialized in this size range, they have a decent variety of t-shirt bras perfect for the petite woman.

With their invisibility under summer tops and design focused on giving you a great shape, a t-shirt bra is a summer wardrobe essential. The next time you're out shopping for clothes, look around for one or two t-shirt bras. Resist the temptation to go cheap: a good t-shirt bra will last a long time, and make you feel great. One good t-shirt bra is better than two bad ones. Be sure you try on a good variety, and don't be afraid to step outside of your size to achieve the best fit. Hello, summer!

Thank you, Janet!! xoxo

Top 5 Popular Faults in Birth Control Methods

(image via: here.)

Hey Lovelies,

Today I'm featuring guest-blogger Betsy B. Coon.  Betsy has a degree in Gynecology and blogs at EstrogenPills.org, her personal blog that she uses to provide free information on estrogen pills.  Being safe and smart about sex is one of those important topics for college girls, incoming freshman and women everywhere.  Whether you're sexually active or not, please take the time to educate yourself about birth control.  There may come a time that you, a friend or a roomie needs the knowledge.  Lovely Undergrad neither encourages nor condones sexual behaviors, but wants LU readers to be safe, smart and healthy.  Consider this guest-post a discussion-starter and please consult a doctor when it comes to deciding which method of birth control is right for you. 

Top 5 Popular Faults in Birth Control Methods

by Betsy B. Coon

Estrogen pills can be utilized by both men and women for various reasons, but even with regular use in women to try to alter their fertility patterns, mistakes can nonetheless be made in birth control methods.

1. Not Using Protection

This really is one of the biggest mistakes. Men who avoid using condoms are at a really higher risk of making women they sleep with pregnant. This contraception mistake happens either because many young adults engaging in sex hardly understand the importance of using protection or they simply don't want to use condoms since the sensations to them don't feel as stimulating and pleasurable. But this is often a very costly error if a couple is seeking to avoid getting pregnant.

2. Forgetting to Take Birth Control Pills

Some women never have a prescription for birth control pills in the first place, and some do but forget to consider them. This can pose a significant hazard to an intelligent birth control approach between couples. These pills should be taken on a regular basis, usually at the exact same time on a daily basis. If not, the chances of effective birth control are severely diminished as well as the ease of getting pregnant becomes greatly magnified. It's really not a wise decision to overlook taking these prescribed pills.

3. No Intrauterine Devices

Some women want to take their chances at conceiving a child by not only not using protection or contraceptive pills but by also never getting an IUD from their gynecologist. This is an immature way of looking at birth control since IUDs are so efficient at preventing pregnancy. While they aren't 100% effective by any means, they're still a fantastic birth control choice for women of most any age who are sexually active. Plus, they can be applied within a woman in a short doctor's visit and also the procedure is completely painless and relatively inexpensive at the same time, so there should be no reason why women make this wrong birth control decision.

4. Using Inefficient Withdrawal Method

Withdrawal of the erect male organ is probably the worst birth control methods ever invented. It hardly ever works since the temptation for the male is to keep his penis inserted inside female at the point of orgasm and ejaculation. This error is so costly to millions of girls and women of every age group.

5. Having Sex During Most Fertile Time

Among the worst birth control mistakes is for a woman to engage in sex during her most fertile times of the month. This can be not very logical. It makes little sense, yet it's done continuously, mostly by younger ladies, who might not have an entire understanding of exactly how the fertility and pregnancy processes are associated.