By: Sophia Yasger
Hopefully everyone had a good Thanksgiving break and was able to spend a lot of time with their loved ones. I spent a lot of time with family and friends, but I was sick all of break, as was the rest of my family. Imagine all of us sniffling around the dining room table, passing around a box of tissues. We drink a lot of tea and coffee when we’re sick, so my Mom went and picked up this special turmeric detoxifying tea to see if it would help get rid of our colds. Tea always helps me when I have a stuffy nose, but this one – with all of the spices in it – especially helped to clear up my sinuses. Turmeric can also serve as an anti-inflammatory, and helped to give me a little extra boost so I could go on a walk with my Dad since it was so nice out this weekend. Hopefully you guys weren’t sick during this break, and don’t get sick in these weeks leading up to finals. Tea is always my go-to-temporary health remedy. Remember to stay active this week, drink a lot of fluids and to make yourself a better person inside and out.
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By: Elizabeth GrahamLifestyle Blogger With only a few days left until thanksgiving break and the holidays not far behind, it’s hard to focus on finals and the fact that the semester is basically over. Don’t close your planner just yet, now is the perfect time to take a few minutes and check in with yourself before final grades are posted and spring classes start. Check your grades This tip is more crucial than you think. I’m guilty of it as well. I realized yesterday that I had no idea where my grades were in any of my classes and I felt so much better after seeing where I was at and what was left to turn in. Even if your grade is where you want it to be, it’s still a really good idea to look back at the syllabus and see what is left that could affect your grade and keep you in the know. It also allows you time to fix your grade in the class without the pressure of one final exam. Pros and Cons
What did you like about this semester? It could be friends, things you joined, classes, or even your major. Take a look at what you really liked about this semester, so you can make sure to include it in the spring. You might even find more things that are similar that you enjoy and can make your semester even better. Don’t forget to look at what you didn’t like about your semester and try to see what the problem was like not organizing your time well or changing your major. College is stressful and a lot of work. Why make it harder on yourself? Spring Cleaning For the spring semester, take advantage of everything you said you were going to do in the fall and never did. Hang out with people in your classes that you always talked to, join a club, start a club, rush Greek life, start eating healthier, or go to more sporting events. New classes don’t have to be the only fresh start. You have a whole semester to be a completely different student and person, go for it. By: Mia MinnemaStreet Style Blogger Hello! My friend and I made a trip over to St. Anthony Falls, where we shot a few photos near the Stone Arch Bridge. In the photo above, I am wearing my “sock” fit, black boots with heels. Along with my black boots, I decided to wear my fringe jeans and a mustard sweater. Both of these pieces of clothing are perfect to wear on the warmer fall days (before the snow starts to stick). I always like to have at least one edgy piece of clothing per outfit; for this outfit I chose my fringe jeans as my edgy piece. Fringe jeans are very popular in the current fashion market, and they are very fun to wear! I am the type of girl that believes in the phrase, “you can never have too many sweaters”. I always find myself buying a different sweater everytime I go shopping. This mustard sweater is one of my favorite sweaters I own, as I am obsessed with the color and the bell sleeves. Along with fringe jeans, bell sleeve sweaters are also very popular in the fashion market today, adding more of a “boho chic” look to an outfit. Mustard is by far my favorite color to wear in the fall!
Hope you enjoy! Xoxo -Mia By: Abigail WatsonBeauty Blogger You know those sayings like “put on some red lipstick and go conquer the world”? While I love the whole concept behind it, red lipstick isn’t my personal fave. You’ll probably never catch me wearing a red lipstick unless it's at a Christmas party. On a day to basis, I’ll mainly be wearing chapstick but when I want a little bit of color and gloss I go for something pigmented and a nude or ”my lips but better” color. I recently found an inexpensive lip product where I love the color and also love how it feels on my lips. These L’Oreal Infallible Paints are extremely comfortable on the lips that I don’t even notice that I have them on after thirty minutes of wear. They give a semi-glossy look to my lips while still distributing an even amount of color. The shades I wear the most are Nude Star and Spicy Blush. These are great finds for any college girl who is on a budget and live by the famous words of Elizabeth Taylor, “pour yourself a drink (if you’re 21 of course), put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.”
By: Sophia YasgerHealth + Fitness Blogger While eating healthy is important, it is also important not to restrict yourself from what your body is craving. Things in moderation are okay. If you eat pizza one day, don’t beat yourself up about it. Everyday is a new day, and one piece of pizza and not going to hurt you. Health and healthy eating has a different definition to everyone. For me, I have been in a serious relationship with nutella since 5th grade. I ate a whole jar of it in middle school, and the love for the smooth chocolatey spread hasn’t ended since. My favorite cheat meal is nutella and anything. Nutella and bagels, crackers, toast, strawberries, you name it I’ll eat it. Whether your cheat meal is Nutella, or pizza make sure to treat yourself every now and again. You’ll thank me later.
By: Elizabeth GrahamLifestyle Blogger It’s the busiest time of year. You’re trying to get through the last what seems like endless weeks of the semester, keep your GPA where you want, take care of yourself, and still feel like you’re in control. It can get to be a bit much which is why I wanted to share a few fool-proof and simple time management tips that will get you through and have you enjoying winter break in no time. PLANNER, PLANNER, AND YES PLANNER If you don’t already have a planner, make sure you buy one and then you’ll already be set for next semester as well. Feel free to also write in social events or upcoming things you’re looking forward to. If a planner isn’t for you, then try just making a list every week of what needs to get done on a piece of paper. Once you have everything written down, you will be surprised how productive you are and how much free time you have because everything is done and on time. KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME This could be a sports event, working on a creative project, or going to a coffee place with friends. It’s much easier to make time for things you enjoy doing and totally deserve to do after you assess what is worth your time. After you find what you like to do in your free time, it’ll be super easy to take a break during the week and away from schoolwork, and de-stress. 10 EXTRA MINS 10 extra minutes is the perfect buffer for any and everything. You can apply this to how much time you give yourself to get out of bed, go on your phone, get ready, or leave for an event. Nothing is worse than not giving yourself enough time to do something and rushing. It makes you frustrated and stressed. Avoid the stress and simply factor in a buffer amount of minutes next time you are doing a task. ALWAYS PREP
Whether it’s for your lunch the next day or homework that you need to get done before the weekend, try to do a bit ahead of when it actually needs to be done. By doing things even a small amount ahead of when they need to be done, it leaves room for things to happen and still be on time. It makes your week smoother and allows you time to have more free time without stress. By: Mia MinnemaStreet Style Blogger This afternoon I wanted to dress comfortable while still looking trendy. After grabbing a coffee from Five Watt Coffee, I went for a short adventure down the streets of southern Minneapolis. I soon came upon an old, vintage looking building; I decided to shoot a few photos here. In these photos, I am wearing my flowy striped pants, an off the shoulder, light gray fuzzy sweater, a plain white t-shirt, a short pair of strappy brown boots, and white Tommy Hilfiger socks. I loved everything about this outfit because it was comfy, cozy, simple, and yet trendy. Flowy pants are seen in most stores this fall, appearing in several different colors/designs. Off the shoulder sweaters, too, are beginning to make their way into every store.
I hope all of you fashionistas enjoy this look as much as I did! Xoxo -Mia By: Jozy CaulfieldTrends Blogger Sparkle, dazzle and shine this season with one of fall’s flashiest trends - embellishments. I was on my regular weekly stroll through T.J. Maxx when a glimmer caught my eye. I did a double take, peering back over my right shoulder back at what I thought was just another pair of clearened out shoes. But to my surprise, I found these beauties, tucked behind a pair of “cheetalicous” booties, perhaps hidden until a now-too-late fashionista like myself returned. I picked up the shinning shoes for examination. $12.99 , the price tag read. “Hmm” I’d thought to myself, flipping and turning the shoes in my hands. No scuffs, no streaks, no missing jewels, is this for real? I laid my newly found wonders on the floor and unfastened my current heels awaiting my Cinderella moment. If the shoe fits, it’s a must. I slipped my feet into the pretty little denim flats and the rest is history. I Love. These. Shoes. Perhaps it seems a bit dramatic, a love at first sight sorta story, but when you find a fashion steal like these you really can’t pass that up, you get it… right? Anyway, embellishments are the trendy threads of the season whether they’re your kicks or your clothes - it’s a sparkle lovers dream. Adding these fab little sparkles to your attire is simpler than you may think and if you thought raiding grandmas broach collection was fun as a kid, now is the time to do it again, and wear it with styled confidence. Pin some sparkle to a high neck sweater, the chest pocket of a denim jacket, or (carefully) stick on to your favorite everyday bag.
Get creative with it, and play around with it. There’s no better time than now to really let yourself sparkle and shine. By: Sydney Monsour
As the temperature begins to drop and the snow starts to fall (thankfully not yet stick though), being comfy and cozy indoors is everyone's favorite activity. Weekends, especially Sundays, are the best for staying in bed all day watching movies, staying warm, and enjoying hot, yummy beverages. Now, I love me a good latte, but those aren't always as accessible depending on the time of day. My favorite go to homemade drink is peppermint hot chocolate. I know the peppermint part isn’t everyone's favorite edition to the classic winter drink, but it reminds me of the holidays and makes it a little more special and fun. For the recipe, like anyone else would, I stalked Pinterest until I saw the perfect one compliments of http://ashleemarie.com/the-worlds-best-hot-chocolate/ The recipe called for:
The instructions said to:
This was seriously SO easy to make and SO SO yummy. All I did was add a little bit of peppermint extract to mine until it tasted how I wanted it to. I topped mine with tons of whipped cream and dark chocolate chips, but there are so many possibilities. You could top with sprinkles, caramel or chocolate drizzle, cookie crumbles, candy cane shavings or anything else you can think of. This drink is absolutely perfect to enjoy while you're comfy at home, to satisfy that chocolate craving or even for holiday parties! You could easily add a vanilla flavored // whipped vodka to give it a little kick.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with snuggling up with a big mug of hot cocoa. So, definitely grab those footie pajamas and check out this recipe to see what delicious twists you could add to this drink. By: Abby Watson
Two months into the fall semester and I can definitely say the days where I can get up a little earlier to do my hair and makeup are winding down. I’d rather press my snooze button five more times if it means I get at least another thirty minutes of sleep. The constant battle between sleeping in or getting ready for class and work has always a struggle for me! Not anymore. Recently I’ve found the best ways to wear my hair for 3 days in a row without washing it and it only requires two products! Day 1 I’ll wash my hair like normal with shampoo and conditioner but after I get out of the shower, I’ll use my Kristin Ess Leave-In Conditioner and brush my hair through. Let me tell you this stuff makes my hair brush glide through my strands and I have no knots or tangles! I usually let that air dry and I’m good for the day. Day 2 I don’t know about you but on days where my hair isn’t freshly washed, I like to give it some texture to hide the slight oil buildup in my hair. For this, I simply curl my hair in loose waves and spray my Kristin Ess Dry Shampoo in my roots. I scrunch the pieces a lot because I love a messy kind of “I just rolled out of bed” look to my hair. Day 3 I’ll sleep in the curls from the previous day but then I will add more of the dry shampoo and actually style it for the 3rd day. My hair cooperates better for styles if it is dirty and has some grit. I put my hair in a ponytail, bun, or braid but lately I’ve actually been wearing fun and fashionable hats! I took shot all of these pics on my 3rd day hair and let me tell you this fiddler cap is such a lifesaver when your hair is just as greasy as mine.
Enjoy the weekend! Xoxo, Abby Product Links: Kristin Ess Dry Shampoo Kristin Ess Leave In Conditioner Brixton Fiddler Cap By: Elizabeth Grahm
Whether you have your major all planned out and feel like you’ve thrived this semester or you’re lowkey counting the days until summer, everybody gets stressed. Don’t worry, though, I’ve discovered 5 super simple ways to de-stress during your week that are guaranteed to having you feel like you can conquer that Monday…or Wednesday because let’s face it every-day is Monday until the weekend. - Maintain a Good Sleep Schedule It may seem like a minor change at first, but you feel such a difference when you have a structured sleep schedule. By giving yourself a healthy amount of sleep, it’ll make it easier to get up every morning and increase your productivity. You’ll start every day feeling refreshed and ready to get things done. - Treat Your Self Find something that is relaxing to you or you always complain that you never make time for. This could be watching your favorite show, going to a sports game, or even visiting your favorite café and actually getting yourself a treat. You deserve to enjoy yourself after being at school or a job all week, so go for it. Just remember everything in moderation. - Take Time Away from Electronics
It’s very easy to forget how much you’re on electronics all day by the time you do homework on your laptop, browse social media, and watch something on Hulu. Give yourself a few minutes or hour away from your devices and unplug (the best time is right before you go to bed). Go see your friends in person instead of texting them. Read a book you never have time for. You’ll be surprised how refreshed you feel after putting away your phone. - Change Your Study Spots Everybody has a study spot they love. Try changing your spot and going somewhere different during the week. Take what you like about your favorite spot like the noise level or how spacious it is and enjoy a new spot. You can still be productive and get a new change of scenery allowing you to feel motivated in a fresh environment. - Goals For the Week At the beginning of the week, make a short list of what you want to accomplish. This could be any possible thing you want to do during the week. It doesn’t have to just be school-related. If you write it down, you are already more likely to accomplish it and can have a good week from Monday-Friday. By: Sophia Yasger
One of my main priorities in life has always been to stay healthy. There are many ways to stay healthy physically and mentally, but one of my favorite ways is to be active. Whether it’s doing yoga in my dorm, going for a run around campus, or going to the gym I like to try to be active a couple times a week. The one key factor that plays into my whole fitness routine is Laziness. There are some days where I don’t feel like braving the cold to walk to the gym, and just want to stay in my warm and fuzzy pink blanket. For days like this when I’m feeling lazy, I pull up some of my favorite fitness youtubers and do a twenty minute workouts in the comfort of my dorm. I wanted to share with you some of the youtubers that help me get active and motivated on my lazy days. ★ Blogilates: https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates ○ Blogilates has really great workouts that are very upbeat and challenging. You can pick how much you want to be challenged during the workout videos, and there are even some videos where you can dance for your workout. ★ Yoga with Adriene: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene ○ I definitely consider yoga a form of exercise and Adrienne has all types of yoga on her channel. Whether you’re looking for an ab workout or a wind down from a stressful day, she is your go to girl! ★ Rebecca Louise: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0AqmA_3DGPFCu5qY0LLSg ○ Rebecca Louise is an overall health and lifestyle channel. She has a lot of great workouts for abs, cardio, legs you name it. She also has healthy recipes and tips to help maintain a healthier and happier lifestyle. ★ Boho Beautiful: ○ Boho Beautiful is combination of a fitness, lifestyle, and yoga channel. She has very specific workouts or yoga practices that target certain muscle groups or emotions you are feeling. She is a super cool woman, and has some unique ways to become a healthier person. By: Mia Minnema
Hello Fashionistas! With winter approaching, it is time to bring out the warm and fluffy sweaters! Today, my friend and I shot a few photos on the streets of Minneapolis while snowflakes were slowly falling to the ground. On this snowy day, I decided to wear one of my most recent buys, a white fluffy sweater. I have never owned such a cozy, soft sweater as this one. I love this sweater because it goes with everything, and can be dressed up or dressed down. I also decided to wear my pair of my light-wash boyfriend jeans, adding a more casual touch to the outfit. Along with my sweater and boyfriend jeans, I put on my favorite pair of black boots, which have a “sock” fit to them and a high heel. These boots are very in style, as they are seen all over social media and in many stores today. I love these boots because they go with everything and are extremely comfortable! Lastly, I chose to wear a vintage black purse to match my black boots.
Hope you enjoy! Xoxo -Mia By: Jozy Caulfield
I don’t know what’s more spooky, the fact that it’s snowing outside as I’m writing this post or that it’s already November 7th! Seriously, where has the time gone?! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was writing about the changing of the leaves and what I was most excited for for the Fall season, but here we are, halfway through the season bracing the hold and pulling out our parkas once more. Before the season is completely gone, I have a few more looks I want to share with you before it becomes absolutely unseasonable and I’m starting today by pulling out this trend that I am crazy about. I’ll admit, I used to roll my eyes at anything and everything polka dot printed. I think the last time I loved polka dots this much was in 5th grade when I had “the cutest” (so I thought) polka dot pieces from Limited Too (r.i.p). But I’m here today to tell you that this print is back and being styled better than ever before. As with every piece, there are numerous ways to go about styling this dotted long sleeve but covered by this velvet black jumper is up in my faves. It tosses a modern twist and playful look on a classy top that can be worn in the office with slacks, unders a vested blazer or taken out with this little jumper or some leather skinnies. I’m a die hard for leather jackets and beyond this little number, I’ve been wearing the top beneath an edgy leather jacket and paired with some ripped black jeans, booties, and a scarf. Lately the trends have been subtle but sweet enough to jazz up your wardrobe in the little details, and this Urban Violet blouse is the perfect example of just that. By: Sydney Monsour
As the snow began to fall, and really stick, I found myself seriously craving something warm and comforting. Being that it was a Friday afternoon during rush hour, I had to try and find somewhere to eat that was reasonably close to where I was to try and avoid the chaotic mess of cars on the freeway. If you have ever been to Eden Prairie, you know that it is full of restaurants and fun little places to eat at. I knew I wanted to go to a place that offered many options. I was spending the day with an Eden Prairie native and asked her advice on where we should eat for the day. We stumbled upon a little restaurant called Tavern 4&5. Being that this restaurant was more on the casual side, I thought it was a good opportunity to break out my striped cigarette pants with a sort of ~Masculine~ vibes. I paired these versatile pants with a maroon cropped mock-neck, black lace up booties, and my warm, fuzzy duster style coat for a little added warmth. After peering at the extensive (and impressive I must say) gluten free menu, we decided on spinach artichoke dip paired with slices of buttery gluten free pita bread. Let me tell you, this was probably some of the BEST gluten free bread I have ever had. We then decided to split the Sweet & Salty gluten free pizza topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, and balsamic. It was SO good. I must say I was extremely stunned by the inviting atmosphere as well as the food at Tavern 4&5. If you're ever in the Eden Prairie area, I definitely would check this place out!
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