My Daily Cuppa'

it's not shocking to say that my body now runs on caffeine.

My days usually begin, continue, and end with a hot drink. From plain coffee to green tea to fancy Starbuck drinks, as long as it tastes good and keeps me awake, I'm sold! From what I can tell, this habit is one that will carry on for a very, very long time (my grandma still drinks coffee in the mornings) so I've been doing what I can to spice things up. I'm all for trying new things and having variety in my drinks, but I will always love my Caramel Macchiato... which has had to become skinny with the frequency with which it is bought. 

Unfortunately, the Caramel Macchiato isn't an option in this fun Levo League article.

Since the last time I looked at it, I've fallen in love with Chai Tea Lattes and have begun to carry around my "mom bag" with everything under the moon... except for band-aids, which I'll have to add now :) 

add that to my to-do list.

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When coffee isn't what I'm wanting, I get my caffeine from tea.

Green, black, sweet, with honey and lemon. You name it! I love Tazo Zen and this Organic Chocolate tea that I found at TJ Maxx... I know, random. And, remember when I said I end my days with a hot drink? 

Honey Chamomile. 

No caffeine and such a soothing drink to enjoy with a good book. 

What's keeps you going?

What's In My [Longchamp] Bag?

This is the mess that was my Longchamp

It's been a while since I've done a post like this,

and I've seen multiple questions get asked about Longchamp Bags on Twitter and other social media sites.

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 I am known as the Queen of Longchamp among my friends at Purdue- I love mine and use them almost every day. That being said, I thought it appropriate to write a little bit about what I carry in my bag on a daily basis. From the "giant" to "mom bag", my poor 'Champ bags go through quite a lot, but they never let me down! Through spills and pen stains, traveling and study dates, I love having these big totes to hold everything and look cute! Since I'm currently on October Break (thank Goodness!) my bag is sans- textbooks. Not to worry! I still carry a ridiculous amount of stuff with me on a daily basis... in fact, this post helped me to actually clean out my bag too. 

The best part about Longchamps is their functionality and versatility. They're cute, yet simple and the colors available can make them the statement piece of an outfit or blend in. My first purchase was a neutral, grey-blue color. I love it for when I'm wearing colors or am not in a bight and cheery mood- that's what my red bag is for! I take full advantage of the tote and it's ability to become a full-fledged Mary Poppins bag! 

As I'm sure you have, I have my daily must-haves. I carry my wallet, sunglasses, hand sanitizer and mints, and an assortment of lip colors year round. Headphones, when I remember to throw them in, are perfect and help me calm down in unexpected, stressful situations as well as make me feel really cool as a I walk around to this personal soundtrack to my life. Thanks to iOS 7, I now have to carry around my phone charger, as well. sigh. The things we do to have the latest & greatest. More recently, I've begun to carry a notebook and pens for on-the-go jotting down of ideas, and a book or magazine. Having material with me at all times to read and gather ideas is one way that I've been able to make the blog more of a daily focus. It's become something that I'm always thinking about, rather than just an afterthought, and that's reflected in the amount of prep that I carry with me everywhere. 

More specific to fall, I carry a [giant] lotion, a scarf, and tea. I've been cursed with dry lips and skin- hence the lotion and excessive lip products. I love carrying my Burberry scarf around with me because it goes with pretty much everything and it perfect in a bind. It's large enough to drape over me as a blanket, but can be folded into a traditional scarf. It's also just fun to know that I'm carrying around such a nice product- definitely worth the splurge! Okay so I know you're thinking it, and yes- that is a box of tea. I used to just carry around a few bags but I'd always forget to replace them when I ran out so I started carrying around a box. It may be a security blanket at this point, but I always like to have access to a hot drink. Since hot water isn't all that hard to access, and I almost always have a travel mug with me, I found that carrying my own tea was a huge money saver. I still like to buy drinks sometimes, but it's nice to have this option. 

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I love my Longchamp[s] and their ability to hold everything I could ever need and then some, but the product isn't flawless. The bags only have one, rather small pocket on the inside. Luckily for me, I don't find it that much of a pain to dig around for whatever it is I'm looking for. Some people, though, like my mom, can't stand not having the compartmentalization opportunity. If that's you, you will not enjoy this bag. For an everyday, relatively inexpensive bag that's cute and functional, these bags work wonders. The nylon material is easy to clean and the bags can seemingly hold pounds of stuff without breaking. The fact that they bags can be easily folded and stored [read: no more giant bags of bags in boxes at the top of your closet] is wonderful for changing out colors on the fly or for saving room in you tiny dorm closet (my life). I still credit Carly for introducing me to the great bag, and I am a convert!

Sure, pretty, expensive bags are fun. 

But Longchamp is practical and cute. Perfect for a college girl on a budget 

College Morning Routine

I've been at school for 6 weeks now- crazy, I know- and 

I'd like to think that I'm adjusting well.

I've experienced my first round of exams and meetings. I've found a few clubs to love and a [more than] a few friends, too! The work load is crazy. I'm always busy, but I'm loving it! One aspect of life that really suggests that I'm adjusted is my morning routine.

I love waking up earlier than I need to in order to get things done. 

At home, I'd get up in time to make breakfast and get to school in enough time to get a good parking spot. College is... different.

In college, I get up in time to watch my beloved Today Show. I make a cup of tea or coffee, get my blanket and pillow, and wake up in the most peaceful way I can imagine. Depending on when I need to get to class, I can watch more or less. Some days I have it on while getting ready and peak around to the tv when something catches my... ear. 

College has been one huge adjustment. 

For me, it was all about finding my routine. I like having things planned and having a general schedule, but I really love being able to make my own schedule. It's made college feel a lot more like home and having that "waking up" time in the morning to mentally prepare for my day is sacred. Finding this little bit of time (even if it means sacrificing sleep) has been so wonderful for me. 

I love waking up with Today!

How do you wake up?

Top 5: August 2013

It's crazy to think that today is the final day of August! 

I've been looking forward to this month of change for so long. College, new friends, new habits, so much has happened this month. It's all for the better, though. I think I've adjusted to independence and college life well! Recruitment is going great (bid night is Tuesday! eeee!), my roommate and I are a perfect match, I haven't ruined any laundry, and I've stayed on top of my studies. Not easy at all, but all this change has led to some favorites that I'd never expect to love. 

Let's re-cap my favorites of this month:

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5. Mio Energy

This stuff has been my life saver! I've been trying to drink more water, but just plain water doesn't do for me what coffee or tea does- I still drink both in my dorm room. When I'm out on campus, these mio bottles are really easy to carry around and add to my drinks. They make water a little more tasty, and I don't feel like I want to go to Starbucks when I have Peach Tea water. Yum!

via Instagram

4. Reading.

Okay I know I've said that I love to read before and you're probably thinking that this can't be a new favorite of mine. But, trust me, I've come to appreciate my books so much more these past weeks. They are the ultimate "unwind" material. They give me a break from the textbooks without feeling guilty, and I'm loving branching out and reading all different kinds of books.

via Instagram

3. Campus!

Purdue is seriously like a little town of it's own. Actually, it is. West Lafayette isn't really a very hoppin place if school isn't in session. It's definitely a college town.. but it feels like it's own little city. There are tall buildings, housing options, restaurants- the normal stuff you'd see on college campuses around the world. But then there's the Purdue stuff that makes it a little different. Because we have an Aeronautical Engineering major, we have our own Airport! We have no less than 5 beautiful fountains. And, my personal favorite, all of the malls around! Not the shopping kind, but the green, grassy, park-like malls. I love to sit under and tree and just imagine that I'm in Central Park.

2. Twitter

 As you may have noticed, this blog now has an anonymous and official "PurduePrep" writer. Well, along with that, there's a twitter. PurduePrep is no longer only on the internet. Keep up with my preppy life wherever you are by following @PurduePrep!

1. New Friends

Okay so I'm not the most... outgoing person. I'm not shy, but I'm an introvert. I enjoy time alone and don't really mind that I don't constantly have people around me. Usually. But, since I've moved to school, I've been trying to embrace the abundance of people. There are always kids to study with, workout with, go to the bookstore with, or just to sit with. The girls on my floor are awesome. My professors are approachable- I even went to lunch with one this past week! Recruitment has introduced me to new people and lots of girls, something I lacked at home.

College so far has been treating me well. While I'm sad to see summer go, having August over with allows me to breathe a sigh of relief. I made it through my first 3 weeks at school and I have so much to look forward to in September-

football, going home, and the coming of the best season!

25 Random Facts

One of my most watched YouTube subscriptions, Sarah belle, recently did a 50 random facts video.

I thought that it seemed kinda fun, but since I don't do videos...

here we go!

and I shortened it to only 25 facts because I'm not that interesting.......

1. I was born and raised in the suburbs

2. My Meyers Briggs Type is ISTJ

3. I tend to gravitate towards Navy and hot pinks when I shop

4. I hardly ever wear eyeshadow

5. I have a HUGE sweet-tooth and my biggest weakness is ice cream :)

6. I love to read

7. If I could live any other life, it'd be the life of Blair Waldorf

8. I have always loved dogs and got my dog for my 10th birthday (and we share a birthday- October 11)

9. I've never been a hug fan of jewelry, but I love my Marc Jacobs watch

10. The last time I got stung, it was 4 wasps at the same time. They got tangled in my hair while I was laying out- I will never lay out with my hair down again.

11. I love sweet tea, but I have to limit my intake......

12. I was in a building that got hit by a tornado, but I still love storms!

13. Sometimes I'll spend money like it grows on trees but other times I've got to really think about spending any money

14. My last relationship was 3 years ago. I've been very single since then.

15. I love my parents and family

16. I am one of 10+ family members who went to Purdue

17. I don't really believe in luck, but I do believe in destiny

18. I am very very organized with all aspects of my life

19. My strictest budget is for Starbucks.....

20. I'd much rather speak in person than texting or on the phone

21. I love running and working out, especially at night

22. If I could buy only bags the rest of my life, I probably would

23. I really love Italian food- like a lot.

24. I love to travel and hope to make it to every continent before I'm 30

25. I use a seasoning called "Slap Yo Momma" on just about all of my food

Southern State of Mind

I'm from the midwest, but I firmly believe that 

I was a fully-fledged Southern Belle in my other life.

I've thought and thought about my destiny to end up end the South and I've come up with a few reasons why I am truly, 100% always in a Southern State of Mind.

1. I automatically feel more at home below the Mason-Dixon Line

2. Big hair not only looks good- it holds the best secrets

3. Wearing a dress is a daily occasion

4. I want to be in the sun or by the ocean more than anything else in the world

5. My body runs on Sweet Tea, not water

6. The Civil War was really the War of Northern Aggression

7. "Roll Tide"

8. A Sorority is just that - a sisterhood - more than it is a change to get sloppy

9. Seersucker, pink & green, and nautical navy makes up at least 50% of my closet

10. I am 100% a hostess and have learned from the best- my mother.

Even though I'm not from the South, I hope and pray that I'll find a husband either from the South or willing to move that way. My dream is to have my kids address elders as "yes mam" and "yes sir", grow up with the SEC, and love the sunshine just as much as I do.

For now, though, I'll stay dreaming of the South.

Hey, It's Okay!

Sometimes I get this feeling that my habits aren't okay.

I'm too this, I'm too that. But, as I thought about it, I thought

"hey, It's okay"

and I made a list of the things that I do that others may think are crazy.

1. wear the same jeans two days in a row because they make you feel skinny... or make your butt look good

2. get Starbucks two times in one day

3. eat ice cream for lunch

4. skip a night with friends for a dinner and movie date by yourself

5. judge someone by the amount of monogrammed items they own (in this case, too much is never enough)

6. cry about the loss of an imaginary relationship while listening to sad country breakup songs

7. refuse to eat at a restaurant because they don't serve sweet tea

8. always want the beach, a good book, and your Ray Bans

9. enjoy a night spent with a good book more than a crazy night out   
10. Stay up all night finishing a book

Kinda crazy. Kinda weird. But, hey, it's okay!

Why? Because, 

they all make me, me.