All Hail: Queen Z

HI Y'ALL,

          I'll cut to the chase. It's finals week so I decided to pledge my allegiance
to Queen Z, or really Zzzz. Let's be real here, all we really want in life is sleep
and chocolate. I worship sleep, it is my religion.

Why I Love it (and why you should too):

1. It feels amazing. Why? Sleep is a restorer and regulator or our natural systems. While we are sleeping, our body releases a bunch of hormones which fix us up by restoring tissues (among other things) and give us energy!  You can read more about the bodily processes affected by sleep at Nih News in Health.

2. It improves our memory and sharpens our focus, according to The Huffington Post. Honestly, those are exactly the two things I'm counting on for the next few days...

3. You can sleep in a bed, and beds are really comfortable (or at least can be with the proper products). I am a creature of comfort. I sleep with at least six pillows at all times and have down comforters both at home and college. According to scientists, sleep is important. Therefore, I shall do everything I can to induce its presence (use a lot of fluffy stuff).

Note: If your dorm bed sucks, invest in the following:

• Down Comforter. A comforter is essentially plush happiness. You can choose from varying levels of thickness depending on what temperature you prefer when sleeping (I have a thin one). 
• Body Pillow. The body pillow serves many of the functions of a romantic partner - it's a cuddling object. The size is extremely awesome and you can wrap your whole body around it. They offer some seriously cute covers for body pillows (I have a fuzzy green one). Skeptical? James Franco is secretly married to a Japanese body pillow on an episode of 30 Rock if that helps. 
• 
• Mattress topper. You stick on of these between you and the mattress. It your mattress is unforgiving (which it probably is) you can soften them up with a down or foam topper. I have both if that tells you anything about me.
• All of these can be purchased at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond without spending a fortune. You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, enjoy it.

4. Beauty sleep is a thing. When you sleep your blood vessels restrict, meaning you get rid of those not-so designer bags under your eyes. Sleep serves as power time for skin cells to replenish. So yes, you actually DO need beauty sleep. Read some more over on Web MD.

How to be Queen Z (Since Queen B is obviously taken):

1. Routine. Yes it is finals, no don't pull an all-nighter. Your body wants routine and it usually wants it to align with the sun cycle. Sunshine is a natural way to wake yourself up in the morning, so sleep with the blinds up.

2. Make a special occasion. Sleep likes to be seduced. Try making a night-time routine. This can include tea and pleasure reading (yes, that's a thing). Channel aromatherapy by using fresh sleep lotion or great face-wash (wash you face before bed, btw).

3. Location, Location, Location. Sleep is sensitive to her environment. Hint, she does not like light, like at all. This means keeping your phone AWAY from your body,  because she sees those flashing indicators and does not approve. She also really likes quiet. So if your roommates are being too loud at 3am, go ahead and tell them they will regret it in the morning. However, because we cannot avoid encountering noises at night, try investing in some white noise. I use a fan! Read a bunch more tips on getting some sleep from the National Sleep Foundation.


Ideas:

Bedding/ Pink bedding / Polka dot bedding / Jack Wills king bedding / 
Marimekko pink pillowcase / Baltic Linen Company bed sheet / Black queen bedding



Korres face care / Boscia anti aging mask / Clinique face mask/ Mizon white mask/
 Guerlain facial mask/ Bubble bath / Travel size beauty product / Life NK body moisturizer/ 
Body cleanser / This Works body treatment /


Sweat top / Wildfox Couture raglan shirt/ Shirts top / Victoria s Secret PINK graphic t shirt / Crop top /
 CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Black Silk Satin Cat Nap Slipper Set / Mary Green "Sleeping" Silk Satin Sleep Mask / 
WILDFOX Let´s Sleep In Black Sleep mask with slogan


Victoria s Secret PINK pink body pillow / Cat throw pillow/  Areaware cat throw pillow / 
DENY Designs purple throw pillow / Areaware throw pillow / Lava union jack throw pillow / 
Ferm LIVING grey throw pillow / Throw pillow / Beyonce Inspired Pillow Case - Double Sided!

Until Next Time?

             It's the end of the school year.

             Maybe I'm supposed to be thrilled. Yet, this is a huge wake up call.

             Next year, I'll be the one graduating. Terrifying. This also means that I 

             have to say goodbye to a lot of people. How does one do this? I am

             pretty sure I was never offered a class in the art of farewells.

             Other terrifying things. I am going abroad next semester. Which means

             no dog, no family, and no boyfriend for four months. I know many people

             have made all that work, but how can I know that I will? 

             

1.       This will not be the first or the last time.

                         We have all said goodbyes before, and we're all still here.

                At this point, goodbye really means goodbye for now.

    2.   Recognize that when you do come back or see that person again,

          you will be different and better!

                I know I will love that person more because absence makes the 

          heart grow fonder. I know that I will have something greater to bring

          to the relationship.

      3.  The fact that it's hard to say goodbye means that you have something

           wonderful in your life.

                Always take a moment to remember your blessings!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to those who celebrate Easter and Passover!

      To my fellow Jews, GLUTEN-FREE WEEK ENDS TOMORROW!!

     That means:

yourlittlefiend.tumblr.com

      To my Easter enthusiasts, please enjoy the gif my aunt, Julienne Schaer composed!

   

Sacrifices?

Sometimes I wish someone would ask me this. College is hard and busy. Yet, when I do have some time to breathe (like right now because it's Easter break), I'm reminded that I've stopped doing a lot of things I loved to do. I posted a status some time ago sharing how I had surpassed 13k pins on Pintrest, to which my father said "try a new hobby, like photography". While blogging may be considered one way to express myself, I does not feel the same as art or photography.

Lessons I'm Learning as a Junior:

1. Make Time for Yourself:

             This may mean something different for everyone. Personally, I take afternoon naps like its my religion. But either way, reserving some part of the day for me time - stress free - is something I value highly. On a better day I stop scrolling the twitter feed and open up a novel (I'm re-reading A Farewell to Arms).

    2. Embrace Your Artistic Side:

             Last year, I realized I had stopped listening to music while at college. Why? I honestly do not know. But I'm struggling to bring it back in. It does not help that I lost my Ipod (I have not told my parents yet, sorry if you read this). Goal, rediscover music. 

            I also stopped drawing. Goal, get my hands dirty!

    3. GET OUTSIDE:

             There is nothing I find myself enjoying more than spring weather. I make my boyfriend walk around the library with me, just for the sake of fresh air. Additionally, chances of encountering a puppy greatly increase while outside on a nice day!

  

How do you compromise your personal life (hobbies, love life, whatever) with school?

I'll take whatever tips I can get!

      

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Hey Ladies,

        I'm sorry I have not updated in a while. There have been many papers and presentations due the last week. I wanted to share a few things that make me really happy with you guys. This spring weather is certainly one of them!

1. Printables

       I love finding free printables online. They make for great planners on the go. Some people are so creative!

       Look for:

•   Budget Planners
•   Blog Planners
•   Fitness Guides
•   Quotes
•   Schedules
•   Shopping Lists

Examples:


From Cora Mae Design

'
From For Chic Sake


2. Jenna Lyons

     Jenna is the executive creative director at J.Crew and one of the most stylish personalities in the business. She started from the bottom (literally) as am "assistant to an assistant to someone else's assistant", according to an interview with the Huffington Post. She's been generating a lot of hype lately(which I'm totally fine with).

Check out The College Prepster's collection of her fave Jenna quotes here.

The College Prepster

3. Korres Body Butter

    These have been favorites of mine for years, but I'm always excited to rediscover them. The creme is really thick, you'll definitely be moisturized. The scents are fantastic (try Guava). Look for their affordable gift sets at Sephora around the holidays!


From Vampy Varnish

4. Lana del Rey's "Westcoast"

         The song is certainly different from her usual tracks. I'm still getting used to it myself. However, I like anything Lana does.

Check out her song

www.youtube.com/embed/bu05athadSg

5. Dusen Dusen's Spring 2014 Collection

        When it comes to pattern, Ellen van Dusen is the queen. Her graphic prints have people handing me compliments left and right. I am so into this collection! Unfortunately, a lot has already sold out because she is so popular. Maybe you will have better luck than I did! Ellen also has the cutest dog ever, Snips


Objects Swing Dress

Yellow Check Dress


Objects Oversize Top


What is making you happy lately (aside from Pharell)?

Crunch Time

Hi Loves,

      I am about to enter absolute academic hell (I am sure you are too). I wanted to know what you to do stay focused and carry on through this time. I have a few strategies of my own, but am always looking for suggestions!



Here are some things that help me keep calm and carry on.

1. Routine

    When my life is turning up-side down, I like to know what I am doing and where I should be at all times. My planner and phone become my lifeline more than ever. However, I think routine is really about the commitments I make to myself every week.
         For example, I do laundry on Sundays. I find that doing my laundry forces me to be productive because I can't lay in my bed when all my bedding is in the washer. I also clean my room and shower while I am waiting for the dryer cycle to end.
Studies show that your environment is a reflection of your life and effects your mood. When I am living in clutter, I FEEL like clutter. A well organized room promotes an organized and focused life. Also, a cleaner environment reduces your chances of getting sick, which is really important when your immune system is weakened by stress! Read more about how clutter causes stress from Psychology Today here.

2. Eating the right way

    Nutrition during stressful periods is extremely important, and while we are tempted to eat junk and chocolate...that is actually a pretty bad idea. There are other foods we should be paying attention to. For example, fruit is severely under-appreciated, and I am not just saying that because I'm a vegetarian. Here are some things about food you might not know.

• Natural sugar can help with your concentration(just don't over-do it!). Fresh fruit is a wonderful way to get good sugars. Eating an apple is a great start!
• EAT BREAKFAST. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism and having protein early in the morning can assist with your  attention and short-term memory. I eat breakfast everyday before classes and can attest to the fact that my performance has greatly increased since I started the tradition. However, avoid a high-calorie fatty breakfast (sorry Taco Bell) because they can actually worsen your concentration. Read what Johns Hopkins has to say about the importance of eating breakfast for students here.
• Foods with omega 3 fatty acids can help improve memory and preserve its integrity. Try eating some lean fish, like salmon!
• Dark chocolate has moderate doses of caffeine! So feel free to indulge (lightly).
• DRINK WATER. Water helps regulate your internal systems, like temperature, and gets rid of waste. It also helps keep your skin clear (take that, acne!). Water also helps to keep you feeling full and to lower your chances of over-eating.
• Stress lowers the immune system, combat this by eating nuts. Nuts have zinc and vitamins to help your defense stay strong.

3. SLEEP

     Yeah, you have heard that sleeping is important. I know I am preaching to the choir. I am going to proceed anyway because sleep is that important to me.

Why you should sleep:

• It improves your memory. Studies show that studying something right before bed can help improve retention of that subject.
• Sleep boosts creativity. While you are sleeping, your brain takes the time to elaborate and categorize ideas. This may come in handy for your next project or paper!
• It reduces fatigue and increases stamina. Getting some sleep may help you to push through those long days of classes (without falling asleep in the class itself). 
• The numbers speak for themselves. Statistically, students who get more sleep simply get better grades!
• Lowers stress and depression levels. During crunch time, when stress is high, it is easy to become depressed. Protect yourself by getting some sleep.
• Read more about sleep from the Huffington Post here!

The challenge: Falling Asleep

    Trying to sleep is hard when peers are being loud and you are anxious about work. Here are some ideas about how to catch the zzz's:

• Sleep in total darkness. Even a little light can make it more difficult to sleep thoroughly, especially blue light. Try a sleep mask if you have difficulty removing all sources of light from your room.
• Hide your alarm clock. Time checks instill worry, making it difficult to go back to sleep. The clock also emits light. Trust that your alarm will go off when it should and do not worry about the time otherwise.
• Use your bed only for sleeping (and romance). Using your phone or doing homework in bed makes it difficult for your body to associate bed with sleeping. Help train your body by reserving the bed for what it was intended!
• Let the sunlight in. Sunlight is the best way to help your body establish a regular clock and to wake you up more effectively. 
• No caffeine past noon. Only a small dose of caffeine can interfere with your body's ability to enter the REM cycle.
• Read more tips for getting to sleep here!

What tips do you have to make it through stressful times??

Me

Spotlight: Pinch Emergency Kit

Hey Ladies,

      Have you ever been in a pinch? Or maybe a lot of pinches? I have. However, I can now avoid most hazards when traveling about in the outside world with my Pinch Provisions Skinny MiniEmergency Kit!



Why I Love it:

• It has everything. I am literally prepared for almost any disaster.
• It comes in many cute colors or patterns.
• It is affordable (starts at $16!)

What it includes:

• bobby pins
• floss
• lip balm
• clear nail polish and a file
• spare earring backs
• advil
• mending kit
• tampon
• breath drops
• hair spray
• bandaids
• deodorant wide
• stain remover wipe
• polish remover wipe
• facial tissue
• safety pin

Some Models:

Chameleon Skinny MiniMergency Kit

Monogram MiniMergency Kit

Pink Ribbon SheMergency Kit

My Kit:

 





























 I bought mine at J.Crew. It's covered in glitter (of course).
I make sure to switch it into every purse or bag I am using.
The earring backs and Advil have already come in use!
You can purchase one directed from Pinch Provisions or at J.Crew!