Out of the Notebook and into the blog: September 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

First 4 Weeks at the University of St. Thomas



One of the hard parts about being at the University of St Thomas is that I am a transfer student living off campus, who also has a serving job and 15 hours of ballet every week.  It has been struggle to have a social life (and to meet new people), while having a job and studying.  I'm really hoping that it starts to quite down a lot and that I am able to find a better balance.  

The social life is so completely different than the small community college I transferred from.  Keep in mind, UST is an expensive private college (thanks scholarships!!).  I've found that it's a lot more challenging to find peers that aren't super stuck up, which sounds bad, but is so true!  There is also a bigger pressure to be perfect because everyone at UST is…perfect grades, enough money, and perfect clothes all the time.  

Do you think it's a good idea to have a job during college?  Or do you think it's better to fully immerse yourself in the social life and academics?  Let me know in the comments!  Even a simple yes or no will do just let me know what's buzzing around in your head!



Sunday, September 14, 2014

Yoga/Dance Wish-list + A College Hack

Somedays at college, I just want to be cozy.  I love to dress up and where pretty dresses and nice sweaters, but one those really cold days, or the drizzly rainy days, I just want to be warm.  Especially since I have to park my car a mile away from college haha, College Do: Buy a parking pass (at least if you live in chilly Minnesota).

Free People just released an amazing collection of Movement clothing, they also have a Dance collection which is stunning as well.

I love these pieces because not only can you wear them to cozy up your outfits but they also double as great yoga/dance/workout clothes.  I am IN love with our cardio room at the University of St. Thomas for practicing ballet because it has an amazing easy to use sound system, gorgeous hard wood floors, and mirrors all around.  However, our yoga options are limited.

I've found that if you want to take yoga at a college, they usually charge for those classes (aren't we already paying enough for tuition?!).  Here's a little hack for you - typically you can find many studios that are right around your University, there are probably 7 within a 2 mile radius of St. Thomas.  They typically will offer 1 week free trial classes, which saves you money, allows you to try out different yoga techniques, and after your 1 week  is up, the prices are still usually cheaper than taking yoga classes at your college.  Win win!







The "Coolest" Kickstarter Campaign


The Coolest is truly one of those "inventions" that makes you wonder why you hadn't thought of it.  The basic cooler has been around for ages and ages, never with an improvement of any kind to be made.  Just a basic old blue cooler.  This guy, he events the Coolest and the standards for a cooler are completely changed!  A smoothie maker, a plug in for your iPhone, a bluetooth, LED lights, strap ons so you can haul more luggage, and thick wheels for rolling around in dirt!  Brilliant!

Not only is his product amazing, but his campaign is equally impressive.  He shows how to do a Kickstarter campaign right, with details on every question anyone could ever have about the Coolest, details on the process of development, incentives that are hard to beat, and an overall wonderful campaign.  If you have ever thought about starting a kickstarter, check out his

Would you buy this coolest cooler? 




Saturday, September 13, 2014

College Jobs Suck but on the flip side…(Pt. 1)

Jon Setzen on The Great Discontent

“I’ve had shitty jobs and internships: folding t-shirts at radio stations, working in a stock room at Nordstrom, delivering pizzas, and all of that. It’s important to have those shitty jobs so you understand when you actually find a good job.”
- Jon Setzen

My friend and I were just talking about this very struggle of having a sucky job during college.  We have both worked horrible jobs since 16, from a family owned grocery store that had black mold in the walls, to Joann Fabrics, to my current job as a server at Red Lobster.  

I can't say any of these jobs are ones that I have woken up in the morning and think to myself "oh my goodness, I am so excited to stock groceries, cut fabric, or promote shrimp!!!"  

These minuscule jobs, entry level positions, don't fulfill a greater desire to help out, to use the skills God gave us.  They are fine at first, something new, "hey I like to sew so I'll probably love working at Joanns!"  However, they grow stagnant as soon as you realize that you are just a person that truly doesn't have a impact on the majority of the people you interact with throughout the day.  

That's why I'm going to college.  That's why I read books.  That's why I search for every opportunity that is available for me and I take it, even if is scary or riskier.  I am searching for that "good job" the one that I will wake up in the morning and know that I am doing what I love.  Isn't that why we are all going to college?

My follow up post is going to be about an amazingly intriguing topic to me, why do these jobs suck so bad, and how as business owners/entrepreneurs/managers can we make them not suck so badly?  Hit subscribe to catch the next post! 

BTW - check out Jon Setzens blog, he's got some pretty legitimate stuff. 

Tell me - what are some of the worst jobs you've ever had?  I could listen to these stories for hours!  Leave a comment to let me know and I'll feature some of the worst ones with a link back to your blog!

Hotels and College Apartments are So Overrated

Would you rent a house for a vacation rather than stay in a hotel?  I do love my Hiltons, but I think I'd pick one of these stunning places for a weekend stay instead!

This bright and beautiful apartment is in Denver Colorado, retainable from KidCo (which is basically Airnb only for families with kids):







Isn't it just lovely?!  I can't handle the prettiness!

To be honest though, when I look at these photos, I'm not thinking of vacationing there, I'm thinking about how to take my little apartment ($430 a month for rent - you get the idea) and turn it into something beautiful like this…. dreaming….

Monday, September 8, 2014

Winner Winner! $100 Kohls Giftcard

Drumroll…Please!!!

The winner of the $100 Kohls Giftcard giveaway is livivua!!!!  Congratulations, I will be sending you an email asap!  Here's to shopping sprees!! <3 span="">

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest, I am so excited about a couple more AMAZING giveaways coming up for YOU so be sure to like me on Twitter, friend me on Instagram and subscribe so you know when they hit the blog!

Oh and please please please leave links to your Twitter, Instagram, and blog in the comments!  Let's socialize!