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College Life

Fashion

Guest Post: Building a Professional Wardrobe in College

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Hi lovely readers! So as you may know, this week is my finals week and also the week I am moving from California back to Washington. Needless to say, I will be VERY busy.

 

Unfortunately, I will not be able to be creating my own content this week, so I have a fantastic lineup of guest posts for you! I hope you check in everyday to read their posts and learn more about some other incredible bloggers that have been so generous in helping me out.

 

The following post is by Samantha of the blog Samantha Reads. I hope you love her post as much as I do!

 

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Hi wonderful readers of Small Town Roots & Cowboy Boots!

 

I’m Samantha, and I run the blog Samantha Reads. First off, I’d like to thank Madeleine for having me guest post today.

 

As we all probably know, college is a time of transition. You’re out of your safe hometown bubble, but you’re not quite in the “real world” yet. This is probably one of the last times in your life it will be acceptable to wear yoga pants on a week day, so take advantage of that! But we should also be using our collegiate years to build a professional wardrobe so we’re not stuck spending all the money we don’t have come graduation on blazers and pencil skirts.

 

That’s why I’ve taken some time to pick out versatile campus to office pieces that are casual enough to wear in college, but professional enough that they’ll also work when you graduate.
Midi Pencil Skirt, Zara, $59.90
A pencil skirt is key for the professional set, but basic black can be a little boring for a college campus. This bright blue adds some excitement to the work day uniform, and could easily be worn for a night out at school paired with a crop top.
Lace Jacket, H&M, $24.95
Even if you’re still in college, every girl needs a good blazer, but there’s no rule it needs to be plain. This one’s still in a neutral hue, making it office-friendly, but the lace will make you stand out in the crowd.
Pleated woven pants, Forever 21, $22.80
Say goodbye to the ill-fitting dress pants of offices past. These cropped, pleated trousers emphasize your shape in a way that’s still perfectly work appropriate, but could also be paired with a printed tank for class or hanging out with friends.
Harper Geometric Textured Dress, Francesca’s, $68
Dresses are a great choice for building a professional wardrobe. Worn with a blazer, this shift is perfect for the workplace. Worn without, it’s perfect for a school event or just brunch with friends.
If you like what you see, feel free to follow me on my own blog or on Twitter for more tips!
Xoxo, Samantha
Fashion

Ultimate Guide to Formal Dress Shopping Online

Formal Dress Shopping

Formal Dress Shopping

It’s the best time of the year: FORMAL SEASON! That’s right! Whether you’re in a sorority or plan on getting yourself invited to a fraternity’s formal, this is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect dress online at an affordable price (tips, tricks, and favorite stores).

Here are some rules of thumb:
  • Look at the size chart every time and actually know your measurements. You won’t know how the dress will fit until you actually try it on, but this is the best way you can guestimate
  • Check the store’s return and exchange policy – many require you to pay postage. Look for stores (like the ones listed below) that offer free returns and exchanges.
  • Try to find stores with free shipping or discounts for first-time users
  • Google search coupons and promo codes for that store (RetailMeNot.com always has great ones!)
  • See if any sisters/friends want to buy with you if there’s a large shipping fee

tobi logo

Tobi is GREAT! This is my #1 recommendation by far. I ordered my semi-formal dress from here along with another dress as a backup. Not only did they ship incredibly fast (within a week!), but the dresses were such high quality. I love Tobi because they have something for everybody – from super scandalous cut-out dresses to modest work-appropriate dresses.

The main reason I ordered through them was because they offer free returns and exchanges. Also, they offer 50% off your first order AND free shipping! You just can’t get a better deal than that.

I do have to say though, their dresses do run small. I am usually a size small/medium in dresses, so I ordered a medium to be on the safe side. My dress was skin tight – which was fine, just not what I had anticipated. I would recommend ordering a size up. Worst case scenario, you can exchange it for free for the smaller size!


Nordstrom LogoI will always stand by Nordstrom. With free shipping and free returns, you know they are dependable. They are known throughout the industry to have the highest quality and customer service.

Mod Cloth

 

ModCloth is another super cute online shop with free returns and exchanges. Their dresses are unlike any you will see. If you buy a formal dress from here, I doubt anybody else at your formal will have the same one!

urban-outfitters-logoWho knew Urban Outfitters had free returns and exchanges? Not me! They have super cute dress options as well especially if you’re going for the more boho look (I’m looking at you, Little!)

Where are your favorite places to shop online?

Lifestyle

Healthy and Cheap College Food Essentials

Eating Healthy in College on a Budget

Eating Healthy in College on a Budget

It can be extremely difficult to eat healthy in college, so I’ve pulled together some of my favorite tips to share to make the process easier!

All of the items you see below were under $150 and can fit in my dorm shelf and mini fridge. I promise, eating healthy in college (even living in the dorms) is possible. I’m super busy all the time with two jobs, an internship, this blog, sorority life, and a full class schedule. If I can do it, you can do it!

Smoothie ingredients

Smoothie ingredientsMake a healthy snack or meal replacement with a quick and easy smoothie. Use almond milk for protein, frozen berries, a whole banana, a spoonful of almond butter, and a handful of spinach. I promise, you won’t taste the spinach AT ALL! It’s the easiest way to get a healthy serving of fruits and veggies.

Healthy snacks

Snack idea

I love tuna and crackers for a quick, protein-packed, snack!

Snack idea

Take these to-go packs of ranch and a Ziploc baggie of carrots when you’re on the run. It’s so easy to take these in the car, on the way to class, or for your lunch at work.

Snack

I always crave fresh fruit while I’m at college. Unfortunately, most dining halls do a terrible job at providing fresh fruits or veggies. Berries go bad pretty quickly, but I’ve found grapes to last a little longer. They’re also easy to just throw in a Ziploc bag and take with you – no slicing necessary.

Two go-to lunch/dinner options

Lunch/dinner

You can make little roll-up sandwiches super quickly by spreading on some cream cheese, layering on turkey and spinach, and then rolling it all up. I take these in little bags for my lunch at work. They’re filling and delicious.

Lunch/dinner

I’m not vegan, but I am obsessed with these vegan chicken patties. They are SO good! They taste like chicken nuggets while still being healthy somehow. I have a huge stash of about four of these boxes in my freezer because I eat them so much. I love throwing a patty and some instant brown rice into a Tupperware for lunch at work. You can just put it in the microwave for a minute and everything is hot and ready to eat!

At least one breakfast option

Breakfast

I honestly cannot stress the importance of breakfast enough. Especially for college-aged kids – we need fuel in the morning. So many of us are running off to class and then work and then other clubs/activities and then finally working on homework. Since we can’t always rely on being well-rested in the mornings, our bodies crave fuel. Make sure you have one breakfast staple on hand. I like having yogurt with some protein-packed cereal – you can easily plop some into a paper bowl and take it on the go if you need. EAT BREAKFAST! Your body will thank you.

Super quick microwave meals

Microwave

Yeah, I know. This isn’t ideal. However, eating something is much better than eating nothing. We all know that Easy Mac and Cup-O-Noodles isn’t the best choice for our bodies. I’ve found Annie’s organic mac n’ cheese and Barilla’s pastas to be the best alternatives. Sometimes, we are just too tired to even think about making ourselves something healthier. Trust me, the idea of just heating something up always sounds appealing. Just make sure when you do eat these quick, microwavable meals that it’s not all the time and they’re not completely terrible for you.

 

One thing you can make that feels like a “real” meal

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Cooking in the dorms is virtually impossible. However, I have found there are a few creative ways that you can whip together something that resembles a “real” home-cooked meal. I use a hot pot (like this one) to boil water. Once the water is boiled, I add in quinoa and olive oil. Quinoa is so versatile, but I love putting lime juice, corn, black beans, tomato, and avocado in it. A light and healthy meal, it doesn’t take that much time to make but let’s you feel like you’re actually cooking. I usually make a medium sized batch of this and put it in containers for lunches for the rest of the week. To hear more about the recipe, check out my other post here.

 

Your favorite goodies

Goodies

Yep, you’re allowed to pig-out every once in a while. Having some of your favorite goodies on hand allows you to feel comfortable and like you’re not completely depriving yourself. I really think it’s important to have some of your favorite things nearby especially if you’re feeling down or homesick.

A few more tips:
  • Pack snacks in Ziploc bags for portion control
  • Never eat in bed
  • Don’t eat while watching TV or when you’re bored
  • Put smoothie ingredients in Ziplocs and store them in the freezer – the fresh spinach and fruits will last much longer
  • Almond milk can be stored on your shelf until you open it. After that, put it in your fridge
  • Drink green tea in the morning. Put lemon and Stevia in it
  • Drink water!
  • Don’t drink energy drinks
  • Brush your teeth right after dinner. You’ll be less tempted to late-night snack once your teeth are clean

 

Was this helpful for you? What are your go-to healthy college foods?
Lifestyle

#TransformationTuesday: Losing My Freshman Fifteen

Transformation Tuesday

Today I thought I’d tell you all a little bit about my switch to a healthier lifestyle that took place last year. After gaining the expected “Freshman 15,” I was feeling really out of sorts. My energy and self-confidence were both at low points.

When summer hit, I was ready to shed those fifteen pounds with a renewed sense of determination. I began attending exercise classes at my gym and participating in some sort of physical exercise for at least thirty minutes per day. I began eating healthier – more fruits, veggies, lean protein, and water.

It’s been hard keeping it up since I’ve been back to school, but it’s so rewarding to be able to maintain a healthy weight. I was never overweight in the first place, but after dropping fifteen pounds, I look much more healthy and fit. I have more energy and feel so much better – mentally and physically.

I’m still a work in progress. I want to run a half-marathon by the time I graduate college. I’ve got a long way to go, but sharing images like this helps me stay motivated. I hope someday to inspire others to live a healthier lifestyle. It is such hard work, but it is beyond worth it.

Would you be interested in hearing more about my journey to a healthier lifestyle? Comment below!

Transformation Tuesday

Lifestyle

Fraternity/Sorority Flags from GreekLifeStuff.com

Kappa Alpha Theta flag from Greek Life Stuff

Greek Life Stuff is the go-to place for sorority/fraternity flags! They have almost every single fraternity and sorority represented in their store. In addition, they have flags for co-ed organizations such as business or law fraternities. They even have a few other items available such as lanyards and beanies, but flags are their main product. Be sure to check out their main site as well as their Etsy shop!

Greek Life Stuff was extremely generous to provide me with this Kappa Alpha Theta flag for only $3 (the price of shipping). I am completely obsessed! Whether you live in Greek housing, the dorms, an apartment, or a house, it’s the best addition to any room. (They also stuck a Theta lanyard in the box too which was such a great surprise!)

Kappa Alpha Theta flag from Greek Life Stuff

I got the traditional Theta colors of black and gold, however they have options like pink to customize your flag how you want! There’s other styles available as well such as an American flag style with stripes and one with the crest of the organization.

I would highly recommend buying through them because they ship fast and are such a fun way to show your fraternity/sorority pride!

Fraternities they offer:

Alpha Epsilon Pi || Alpha Gamma Rho || Alpha Kappa Lambda || Alpha Sigma Phi || Alpha Tau Omega || Beta Theta Pi || Chi Phi || Chi Psi || Delta Chi || Delta Kappa Epsilon || Delta Sigma Phi || Delta Tau Delta || Delta Upsilon || Kappa Alpha Order || Kappa Delta Rho || Kappa Kappa Psi || Kappa Sigma || Lambda Chi Alpha || Lambda Phi Epsilon || Phi Delta Theta || Phi Gamma Delta || Phi Kappa Psi || Phi Kappa Sigma || Phi Kappa Tau || Phi Kappa Theta || Phi Iota Alpha || Phi Mu Delta || Phi Sigma Kappa || Pi Alpha Phi || Pi Kappa Alpha || Pi Kappa Phi || Psi Upsilon || Sigma Alpha Mu || Sigma Chi || Sigma Nu || Sigma Phi Epsilon || Sigma Pi || Sigma Tau Gamma || Tau Kappa Epsilon || Theta Chi || Theta Xi || Triangle || Zeta Beta Tau

Sororities they offer: 

Alpha Chi Omega  || Alpha Delta Pi  || Alpha Epsilon Phi  || Alpha Gamma Delta  || Alpha Omega Epsilon  || Alpha Omicron Pi  || Alpha Phi  || Alpha Sigma Tau  || Alpha Xi Delta  || Chi Omega  || Delta Delta Delta  || Delta Gamma  || Gamma Phi Beta  || Kappa Alpha Theta  || Kappa Delta  || Kappa Kappa Gamma  || Phi Mu  || Phi Sigma Sigma  || Pi Beta Phi  || Sigma Alpha Iota  || Sigma Delta Tau  || Sigma Kappa  || Sigma Sigma Sigma  || Tau Beta Sigma  || Theta Phi Alpha  || Zeta Tau Alpha

Check out their site here: http://greeklifeflags.3dcartstores.com/

Check out their Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyCityFraternity

I received this flag at a discounted price of $3 when it is regularly $24.99. Greek Life Stuff is an official Greek License Vendor. All opinions are my own. 

Lifestyle

14 People to Write a Valentine to That Aren’t Your Boyfriend (wait, what boyfriend?)

All too often we get caught up in the romantic side of Valentine’s Day (I’m one to blame!). Many people feel frustrated or lonely during this time of the year, so I thought it would be a great idea to brainstorm some ideas of people you can celebrate this Valentine’s Day that may get overlooked otherwise. Instead of focusing on finding a date on Friday, take some time to show your appreciation for people who bring love into your life on a daily basis. Thanking people in your life will not only make them feel great, but you too! Here’s a list of fourteen people you can write a (non-romantic) love letter to and show your appreciation for this Valentine’s Day:

  1. Your mom
  2. Your sister or brother
  3. Your dad
  4. Your best friend
  5. Your favorite professor
  6. The president of your sorority
  7. The barista that memorized your name and order
  8. Your boss
  9. The coworker that shares your cubicle
  10. Any member of your extended family
  11. The author of a book that changed your life
  12. Your mentor
  13. Your tutor
  14. Your roomie

Valentine's Day

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Share the love! How are you spending Valentine’s Day this year? Share in the comments!