By Allie SontagI hope you all have enjoyed reading the TWIN blog the past few months! Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye for the summer. But no worries, we’ll be back in the fall!
It has been amazing working with TWIN this semester. I loved sharing lifestyle tips and tricks from how to destress to how to prepare for a music festival. The TWIN ladies are so inspiring and have so much to share, from beauty and fashion to fitness and food. Check back in the fall for more lifestyle posts! Have a FANTASTIC summer! ~Allie
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By Allie SontagFinals week is fast approaching. But don’t stress! Here are 6 tips to help you prepare for your finals and put your mind at ease. Find the right study space for you Whether you prefer the ambience of a bustling coffee shop or the complete silence of the library basement, take some time to find your ideal study space. If you’re studying on your bed, chances are you’re less likely to be in study mode and more inclined to turn on Netflix or take a nap. If you have a set space to study in, your mind will be prepped to study and you’ll be more productive. Take mini breaks Taking breaks every hour or so is essential to refresh your brain and promote clear thinking. Take a walk, watch an episode of your favorite show, stretch, or talk with a friend. Any break is a good break to reset and come back to your studying more energized. Flashcards are your best friend Flashcards are my favorite study tool. The act of writing the information down on the notecards helps you encode the information into your short term memory, and getting yourself to guess the answers helps you recall what you’ve learned. Plus, there are flashcard apps and websites like Quizlet and Flashcards+ if you would rather not write them out by hand! Utilize study guides, example problems, etc. If your professor provides you with study guides, example problems, past exams, or other resources to help you prepare, USE THEM! They will come in handy and really help you prepare for the types of questions you will see on your exam. Plus, it makes studying easier knowing what to focus on and what to skim over. Pair up Have a friend in one of your classes? Become study buddies! Having someone to help you work through your study guide and share notes helps immensely in preparing for exams. Plus, your friend may have studied something you forgot, or vice versa! It’s a win-win for both of you. Don’t cram! Unless this seems to work for you. Although I feel this option works for me to store information in my short term memory, when I walk out of the exam the information has gone in one ear and out the other. I barely remember a semester’s worth of material! I suggest carving out a week or two to gradually review and let what you’ve learned the past semester really sink in. Smaller chunks of time spread out over two weeks is better than cramming 5 hours the night before.
Good luck & happy studying! ~Allie By Allie SontagIt’s that time of year again. Your closet is stuffed with clothes you never wear, and you’re in a bit of a style slump. It’s time to clear out the clutter and revamp your style, starting with some smart spring cleaning! Here are 5 questions to ask yourself when tackling your wardrobe. 1. “Have I worn it in the last 12 months?”
If you haven’t, seriously think about why you are holding on to it. Does it have some sentimental value? A memory attached to it? If it’s something you just can’t get rid of, or if you make a promise to yourself to wear it this next year, keep it. But if you go another year without wearing it again, it’s probably time to say goodbye. Hand it down to a sister or friend, or donate it to an organization you support. 2. “Do I love the way it looks on me?” If the answer is “no,” then adios! You want to feel amazing in your clothing. If it doesn’t make you feel like a million bucks, it’s not worth keeping in your wardrobe. Maybe someone else will love the way it looks on them! Sell or donate the item and you just may brighten someone’s day. 3. “Does it have any stains/tears/damages worth fixing?” If you just can’t seem to get that stain out of your white t shirt or your leggings keep piling, it’s time to invest in some new staple pieces. If you can salvage them without throwing them away, try donating or recycling your damaged clothing! H&M will even recycle your used clothing for you! Recycling clothing helps reduce waste and promote sustainability, so help the environment any chance you get. 4. “Would I buy it if I saw it in a store today?” Imagine you’re shopping and find this item in the store. Would you buy it now? If not, it’s probably not worth keeping and it most likely doesn’t fit your style anymore. As time passes, your style will evolve. If the item just can’t keep up with your style, it’s time to say goodbye. 5. “Does it bring me joy and fit my personal style?” If it doesn’t make you happy or excited to wear it, what is the point in keeping it? You want your clothing to reflect your personal style and give you joy when you step out wearing it. If you find yourself saying no to this question, toss it in the “no” pile. It’s time to start fresh. Remember, you’re making room for the clothes you really want to wear, the ones that will truly fit your personal style and that you can wear with confidence. If you’re just not that into that skirt anymore, donate it! Sell it on Poshmark. Give it to a sister or friend. Recycle it. It’s out with the old, and in with the new. ~Allie By Allie SontagIt’s festival season! Whether you’re heading to the desert for Coachella, the Windy City for Lollapalooza, or camping at Bonnaroo, here are some festival essentials to add to your packing list! Sunglasses A festival must-have for those sunny spring and summer days! Sunscreen No one wants to get a bad sunburn, especially day 1 of a festival…protect your skin with some SPF! Small bag/Fanny Pack/Backpack For carrying all of your small essentials around with you. Make sure to keep your eye on it at all times! Hand sanitizer/wet wipes A must-have when at festivals with communal bathrooms and in emergency situations! Portable charger Don’t let your phone die while recording your favorite band! Pack a portable charger to keep your phone powered up and ready. Mini first aid kit You never know when this may come in handy. Whether you scraped your knee during a crazy dance session or got a pounding headache from the loud music, you’ll be glad you packed Band-Aids and ibuprofen. Deodorant Let’s face it, festivals are hot and sweaty. From running around to dancing to just being in the sun for hours, deodorant is a must. Snacks Pack some healthy snacks like almonds, dried fruit, or granola bars for when you need a little extra energy. A massive water bottle (If they’ll let you bring it in) Festivals know everyone gets thirsty and needs water, so they jack the price way up. On the off-chance you can sneak in with a water bottle, bring one! Chapstick You do not want to be caught in the desert without chapstick. Or anywhere for that matter. Make sure to bring your favorite lip balm with you, preferably with some added SPF to protect your lips from the sun! Comfy & Cute shoes Make sure to pack shoes you’re comfortable walking all day in that also go great with your outfits! Some great options would be comfy sandals, Birkenstocks, a cute pair of booties, or Converse. Be prepared for all kinds of Weather Depending on the month, location, and weather forecast, you should come prepared for anything. Light jackets and warmer clothing will prepare you for any sudden drops in temperature. Many Coachella goers bring bandanas to shield their faces from the dust. If there’s any chance it might rain, don’t hesitate to bring your rain jacket, rain boots, or even a portable poncho. You never know!
Happy festival season! ~Allie By Allie SontagIf you’re like me, you hit snooze at least 5 times before getting up in the morning. Or you set 10 different alarms on your phone just so you can catch some extra Z’s. You look at those people getting up for 5am runs and think, “Wow, how do they do it?” The crazy truth is, morning people are often happier, smarter, more proactive, and getting better sleep than us night owls out there. If you aspire to become a morning person, as I do, then keep reading for some tips and tricks I’ve discovered that I am starting to incorporate into my life. If not, just keep hitting that snooze button. I won’t judge you. Keep Your Alarm Away From Your Bed You’ve probably heard this one a million times, but it works. Unless you just crawl right back into bed after getting up to hit snooze….don’t do that. Put your phone or alarm far enough away that you have to physically get out of bed to reach it. It is a simple trick, but can help a lot with getting yourself out of bed, which is honestly the worst part about mornings. Don’t Hit Snooze Easier said than done, am I right? But seriously, this is the most effective tip and the one I struggle the most with. You think that by hitting snooze you’re getting a little extra sleep, but it just makes you more tired and less refreshed when you wake up. Instead of the snooze button, set your alarm for when you know you need to wake up and force yourself out of bed. The hardest part about getting up in the morning is getting out of bed. But once you’re out, you’re out. Okay, Hit Snooze…But Play a Game With it A cool trick called the “inverted snooze” is one I’ve started doing in the morning, and it definitely gets me moving. If you hit snooze in the morning, force yourself to get up for the 9 minutes or so that your snooze is set for. You can momentarily trick your mind by telling yourself that you can go back to sleep once the alarm rings again. In that time, try to wash your face, brew some coffee, and do whatever you can to wake up in those 9 minutes. You’ll find that kick-starting your morning this way gets you moving faster and out of bed quicker. It’s worth a try for all of us snoozers out there. Get Some Fresh Air or Daylight Push back those curtains as soon as you wake up. If it’s decent outside, get out for a minute and breathe in the fresh air. If it is a little chilly outside, it wakes me right up! It is the last thing most of us want to do in the morning, especially if it is winter in Minnesota, but even opening the blinds to let some light in is enough to program your brain to get moving. Brew Some Coffee or Tea Right Away Are you a coffee drinker? Tea drinker? Maybe you love making smoothies or drinking a big glass of orange juice in the morning. Whatever you prefer, get started with it right as you jump (or crawl) out of bed in the morning. Once you have a little something in you, it makes it so much easier to get breakfast started and get your day going. If you have a coffee maker with an automatic timer to start brewing your coffee for you in the morning, even better! Go to Sleep Earlier This is a tough one for us night owls. However, if you want to keep sleeping 9-10 hours a night AND wake up earlier, you’ll have to sacrifice some of your nighttime. If you normally get to bed around 1am, try to move it back just 15 minutes. Small, gradual changes are going to be the most effective, especially if you hate mornings. Obviously there will be some nights where you’re out really late and can’t get to bed at your set time. Don’t worry about these nights. Just try to stick to your sleep schedule as often as you can. Implement a Nighttime Routine Carve an hour or so out of your night to get your body in the mood to sleep. Take a nice long shower or bath before you head off to bed. Cozy up with that book you’ve been meaning to finish. Watch a movie or episode of your favorite show. Just remember to turn your electronics off before you decide to go to sleep, and give yourself ample time to ease into relaxation mode. Computers and phones can be uber distracting and affect the quality of your sleep whether you realize it or not. Have a Morning Routine to Look Forward to Do you love reading the paper in the morning? Running? Yoga? Meditation? Reading? Whatever it is, use that as your motivation to wake up early. Excited to try a new breakfast recipe? I know the first thing I think about in the morning is food. That alone is a great source of motivation to get out of bed. Set aside some time in the morning to gradually wake up and get excited for the day ahead. Take it Slow As I mentioned before, slow and steady wins the race when trying to become a morning person. Most likely, you won’t start waking up at 7am everyday within a few days of using these tips. It takes dedication and a positive mental attitude, and it is best to move gradually when changing your sleeping habits. As much as I love sleep and being cozy in my bed, I know I would feel well-rested and get so much more done if I were a morning person. So don’t expect progress to happen overnight. With dedication and persistence, you will get there.
I hope these tips inspired you to take on your mornings and start sleeping better! As always, I will be back next week with more. Have a wonderful day! ~Allie By Allie SontagAs much as you may want to dress in head-to-toe designer brands, it isn’t always the most realistic or affordable option in college. While paying for tuition, rent, textbooks, food, and other expenses, your wallet takes a hit and your wardrobe can too. Fortunately, there are lots of affordable fashion-forward places to shop when you’re on a budget and don’t want to sacrifice your style. Below are some of my favorite clothing stores with trendy options that won’t hurt your wallet. Topshop Topshop is THE quintessential place to find fashion-forward pieces that won’t break the bank. While some items can be a bit pricey, the sales section offers hefty price cuts. Topshop is a definite go-to for the college fashionista’s wardrobe. H&M H&M is one of my favorite places to find trendy, stylish items for affordable prices. They have stores everywhere, the online shop is user-friendly, and their sales are fantastic. Nasty Gal Although items can get pretty spendy, Nasty Gal is fashion-forward and always up-to-date on emerging trends. From edgy to girly, Nasty Gal has a wide variety of brands and unique items to add to your wardrobe. Peruse the sale section for the best deals. Forever 21 Just about everyone and their mother knows about Forever 21. With a vast selection of trendy clothing at ridiculously low prices, Forever 21 is top of mind for budget-friendly items. Brandy Melville Brandy Melville is well-known for their comfy basics, trendy pieces, and laid-back Cali vibes, all at affordable prices. Tobi This online retailer is the perfect place to pick up a stylish formal dress or adorable romper. Prices start as low as around $5, and you get 50% off your first order! ASOS ASOS is a great online store with a wide selection of brands and great sales promotions. You are sure to find budget-friendly pieces that express your personal style here. Missguided I recently stumbled upon Missguided and fell in love with their selection of edgy and feminine pieces. A great place for going-out clothing and unique pieces, Missguided offers affordable price ranges for style on a budget. Lulu’s Lulu’s is a fantastic place to find cute dresses and rompers, and has a wide selection of shoes as well. The sale section is where you will find the best deals! Necessary Clothing With a great selection of trendy looks at affordable prices, Necessary Clothing is a fantastic place to get music festival ready or find the perfect going-out dress. Windsor Store Windsor Store has mainly been known for prom dresses and shoes, but is less known for their selection of fashionable everyday wear. A YouTube guru favorite, Windsor offers Forever 21 prices and insane sales to top it off.
As you can see, there is no need to sacrifice style in college when you’re on a tight budget. I hope this article helped you on your affordable fashion journey. Check back next week for more! ~Allie By Allie SontagAs college students, we are no strangers to stress. The struggle to balance the demands of school, friends, family, work, extracurricular activities, and the pursuit of a career is all too real. The fight to keep this balance can cause a lot of unwanted stress. While stress can be a motivator in small amounts, there is a point where it becomes unhealthy and all-consuming. Below are some tips to reduce stress and find your inner “zen” when life’s pulling you in all directions. 1. Take a Nap…or Just Go to Sleep
Our bodies need sleep. But when you have a million things on your plate, it’s the last thing you think you have time for. Start making time for it. Sleep deprivation affects our ability to process thoughts, manage emotions and, you guessed it, handle stress. Give your body the break it needs, whether it be a 20-minute power nap, a couple hours, or the rest of the night. Your body will thank you later. 2. Meditate Meditation has been shown to have numerous benefits, one of which is managing stress. Taking 20, 10, even 5 minutes out of your day to close your eyes and be still is enough to re-center your mind. If you don’t even have that amount of time (which I’m betting you do), close your eyes and take three deep breaths. It always works to calm me down. If you’re currently feeling stressed, try it right now and see how you feel after. Any small break you can take from the source of your stress is worth it. 3. Exercise Run. Jump rope. Lift weights. Do yoga. Swim. Go to a spin class. Anything to get your body moving and endorphins flowing. Exercise, much like meditation, has a variety of health benefits and is an excellent way to reduce stress. Don’t like working out? Go for a walk! Even a small walk around your block can be enough to alleviate stress. Get your blood pumping and sweat away your worries. I can almost guarantee you will more calm and centered after. 4. Talk with Someone Close to You Vent sessions are my favorite form of therapy, next to bubble baths. Sharing your feelings and worries with a close friend or family member is a fantastic way to lift the stress right off your shoulders. Having someone listen to what is stressing me out and offer support and reassurance always puts me at ease. 5. Do Something that Makes You Happy What are your favorite hobbies or activities? Do you love painting? Reading? Shopping? Playing a sport? Watching your favorite show on Netflix? Whatever it is you enjoy doing, take a break from your studying and do it. If it makes you happy and gets you to think about something other than your final paper, it is worth setting aside time for to relieve some of your stress. 6. Listen to Music Put on your favorite song. Sing and dance along to it. Kick your feet up and relax to your favorite album. Music is a fantastic stress reliever when you listen to something that relaxes you or puts you in a happy mood. Giving yourself a dance break is also a good form of cardio, so really you’re getting both the benefits of music and exercise at once! 7. Laugh it Out A good laugh always puts me in a better mood, and makes that project due this week seem a little less daunting. Hang out with friends that know how to make you laugh. Watch your favorite comedy movie or TV show. Take a study break and look up funny cat videos on YouTube. Laughter is truly one of life’s best medicines. 8. Get Outside Being surrounded by nature always centers me and helps me feel at peace with the world. It may sound a bit corny, but taking time to appreciate nature helps you feel connected to earth, more stable and grounded. By stepping outside and admiring your surroundings, appreciating the beauty of nature can offer fresh perspective and clear your mind of worry. 9. Clean and Organize Your Room If you get stressed out by cleaning and organizing, this probably isn’t the best stress reducer for you. But if tidying up is therapeutic for you, and you are looking for a way to take your mind off your interview next week, break out the broom. When your room is in order, it makes you feel like your life is also in order. A clean and organized space also brings you a sense of mental clarity, which is sure to elevate your mood and reduce your stress. 10. Pamper Yourself Treat yo’self. Whether it’s a massage, your favorite comfort food, or a nice long bubble bath, take some time out of your busy day to reward your hard work. It could be treating yourself to your favorite latte from Starbucks, or purchasing that designer bag you’ve had your eye on for forever. Whatever it is, minimize your stress by treating yourself to something special. You deserve it. |
Meet Elizabeth!Hi guys, I’m Elizabeth. I’m an avid hockey fan that honestly doesn’t own enough pastels. I love preppy, classic style and would love to be at NYFW or PFW one day. I hope to help you guys with college and lifestyle posts! Categories
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