How to Survive Finals

I am definitely not used to having to prepare for final exams. My high school final exams were super easy and also heavily curved, so college finals are a whole new ball game for me. I am super excited for these next two weeks to fly by and then spend some time in Tampa relaxing and enjoying the holiday season! 

Here are my lifelines to surviving this crazy pre-holiday finals season:

1. Coffee

via matt edward on flickr

I'm not talking about a mocha-latte-frappa whatever - black coffee is what keeps me going on just a few hours of sleep and a whole lot of reading and studying.

2. Brain Food

via yourhomebasedmom.com

I am anything but a health nut, but lately I have been really into plain vanilla yogurt! I buy a ton of it at the grocery store, and then add fresh granola and honey to give it some substance and taste. If I'm feeling bold then I'll add some fresh fruit, too. But the yogurt sold that already had fruit in it is scary - vanilla with fresh additions is the way to go. 

3. Cozy Sweaters

plaited cableknit sweater

Comfort is key to surviving long days and nights in uncomfortable chairs holed up in the library. This sweater from Madewell looks like it would do the trick!

4. A Good Break

via citycounselorknope.tumblr.com

My favorite? Parks and Rec. My brother and I have a tradition of watching this show during finals every year, it will be weird doing it alone this year! Other valid options are Pinteresting, baking, exercising, or retail therapy. Anything that keeps you sane. 

5. Emergen-C

via dailysavings.allyou.com

There's nothing worse than being sick during exam season, and I have a special knack for always experiencing this phenomenon. Emergen-C is my go to every morning to keep me feeling healthy!

Best of luck with exams and end of the semester craziness!

Confession: I Still Wear Crewcuts

Yes, Crewcuts as in the children's line for J. Crew. Now before you judge me, hear me out!

Crewcuts is really cute - seriously. Now obviously, some of the clothes are a little childish. But some are totally normal - like this chambray shirt I bought from Crewcuts this summer!

chambray shirt

I bought this when the chambray shirt I previously owned from J. Crew got a hole in it. Buying the Crewcuts version rather than the women's version saved me about $20! I wear a size 14 in this shirt - and really, I have super long arms and am 5'7", and it fits great. 

Something I do have trouble with sometimes with Crewcuts is the length of their dresses. Because I am decently tall, sometimes the dresses can be a little bit short. I do have a couple of dresses though that are long enough, and ones that I really liked but are too short I still purchased and wear them with leggings! 

Something I definitely do not advise with Crewcuts is ordering online. It can be difficult to tell the length of some of the dresses on the website, and some of the shirts and dresses that are defined at the waist definitely do not work for women. If you so choose to explore your Crewcuts options, I recommend doing so in the store! It really is worth it, you save a ton of money and some of the stuff is super cute.

Here are some of my favorite Crewcuts pieces:

Sweaters & Dresses:

framed sweater

embellished baseball sweatshirt

jules dress in windowpane

jules dress in neon coral floral

Shirts & Tees:

tee in pale mint floral

crinkle voile tunic in mini hunter plaid

beaded oxford tunic

jeweled collar oxford shirt

This is one of my best kept secrets, seriously I usually get a ton of compliments whenever I wear something from Crewcuts. I definitely encourage you to try it out!

Shhh!

Holiday Tunes

If I said I haven't already been listening to Christmas music for a good amount of time already, I would definitely be wrong. But that's okay, because now that it is finally December I can blast my music with zero hesitation of being judged.

Christmas music is so happy. It is seriously the only thing keeping me together during this pre-holiday season of final exams and stress galore. 

Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs! 

Going to UVa has also encouraged me to foster a love for a cappella groups. These are a few of my favorite a cappella renditions of popular Christmas songs!

 
  Pentatonix - Little Drummer Boy. They are so so so good, I also love their cover of Lorde's Royals

 
  Eclipse - O Holy Night. They are definitely underrated, I love them, and this is also my favorite Christmas carol by far.


The Virginia Gentlemen - Carol of the Silver Bells. I love this medley, and I am so excited to potentially go to The VGs holiday concert tonight (if I finish my term paper).

Happy Holidays!

A Genuinely Happy Monday

Happy Cyber Monday everyone! I am way too excited about this day, especially since I have spent way too much money recently. But it only comes once a year, so I have to participate, right?

There are a ton of good deals out there today, and it can be a little overwhelming. But, I have scouted out my favorite deals for you!

kate spade - 30% off everything. EVERYTHING.

Valid with code CYBER30 at checkout. Leave it to Kate to make it feel like Christmas already.

Hunter Rain Boots - 45% off
WHAT?! This does not happen. I'm obsessed with the Original Check Rain Boots 

Bauble Bar - 20% off everything

For all your jewelry needs.

C. Wonder - 40% off everything

I am in love with this site. It is perfect for buying gifts for parents or any adult or teen in your life who values class and chicness.

Ann Taylor - 50% off everything

Valid with code SHOP50

L.L. Bean - 10% off entire order & free shipping

Valid with code THANKS10 - the perfect time to buy those Bean Boots on your Christmas list.

ModCloth - 20% off entire order

Valid with code ROBOPUG - perfect excuse to pick up a few holiday dresses for the season!

Marley Lilly - free necklace with orders of $50 or more

This necklace is super cute and festive - and it's priced at $30! Today is also the last day Marley Lilly will guarantee Christmas delivery without charging extra fees, so hop on it!

Beehive Boutique - 20% off everything

Feeling edgy? Act on it. These black booties are only $30?!

Happy Cyber Monday!