Holiday Gift Guide for the Broke College Student

While the holidays are by far my favorite part of the year, I always struggle with finding the perfect affordable gifts for my family and friends because I am a broke college student. My sister and boyfriend are the easiest to shop for because they both have very specific interests so I've had their gifts picked out since July (and let me tell you, they're great). As I was doing some shopping online to find gifts for the rest of the lovely people on my list I was having issues finding things that were unique, personal, and affordable, so I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite affordable gifts to help out my fellow college students with their holiday shopping!

Urban Outfitters

Picture Frame

Picture frames make great gifts for anybody on your holiday shopping list! Find a cool frame, print a photo of the two of you, and BAM you're done. I'm obsessed with these super cool glitter frames from Urban Outfitters.

Lush Cosmetics

Lush Cosmetics Gift Sets

These gift sets are super cute, and perfect for any lady (or guy) on your list. They come pre-wrapped (bonus) and Lush has several gift sets under $20! All Lush products are cruelty free and handmade which is another super cool bonus.

Paper Source

Coffee Mugs

Do you know someone who loves drinking warm beverages such as coffee and tea? Give them a mug they can use anytime they enjoy their warm cup of cozy! Also, mugs are every coffee lovers favorite form of self expression, so feel free to get creative.

Urban Outfitters

Initial Decor

Initial gifts are another way to give something personal. Anything with an initial makes a great gift for newlyweds! Urban Outfitters has a great selection of initial decor in all different styles!

Fab

Throw Pillows

There are two types of people in the world; those who embrace the throw pillow and those who do not. I am a proud supporter of the throw pillow because they're cute and functional- whats not to love?! These cat throw pillows are perfect for your quirky cat-loving friend AND they're only $20.

Francescas

Charging Luggage Tag

This gift is both practical AND affordable. If you know a lady who loves to travel, this is the perfect gift to accompany her on her trips. After all, we all know how crucial a charged phone is at the airport.

Urban Outfitters

Cookbook
This post is written for college students and odds are, we all know at least one person who is completely clueless in the kitchen. A cookbook is a fantastic gift to help your friend venture into the world of cooking! (How funny is this cookbook from UO?!)

Paper Source

Holiday Lights Charging Cable

This charger is seriously the cutest thing! I don't think there is a person in the world who would't appreciate this charger as a gift. BONUS: its the perfect way to ensure that your friend/family member gets to enjoy the holidays all year long!

Harry's

Harry's Winston Shaving Set
This shaving set is perfect for any guy in your life. The set includes one Winston razor handle, a bottle of foaming shave gel, three razor cartridges, and a razor cover. You can get this handy shaving set for only $25!

Paper Source

Pet Impression Ornament Kit
I don't think this one needs an explanation. Any pet owner you know will love receiving this as a gift!

Target

Adult Coloring Books

I am TOTALLY 100% on board with the recent adult coloring book trend. Coloring is such a great stress reliever, and there are so many different themed books out there. I think this one is hilarious, and I'm currently contemplating buying one for myself.

Paper Source

Magnetic Photo Display System

This would make the perfect gift for anyone living or planning on living in a dorm. The set comes with magnetic stickers that you place on the wall and little round magnets to hang your photos/posters/etc.

Francesca's

Candles
Candles make great gifts for LITERALLY ANYBODY. Instead of buying a random scent, opt for a scent that you know will appeal to whomever you're shopping for. For instance, the coffee scented candle above would make a great gift for the coffee addict in your life.

ASOS

Slippers

Everyone needs a great pair of slippers to keep their feet warm during the cold winter months! There are so many fun styles to choose from which makes it super easy to find a pair for anyone on your list!

Urban Outfitters

Cookie Kit

This cookie kit would make a super fun gift for anyone who enjoys baking/eating cookies! This set comes with a mix, but you could easily make up your own DIY cookie kit! Just find the cookie cutters, make a dry mix, and print out the recipe!

Happy shopping!

xo. Brooke

Luna's Favorite Things

Today is Luna's (estimated) 1st birthday! I am beyond thankful to my amazing Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike for letting me have their sweet kitten this past January. Luna is by far the best and most adorable cat in the whole world and I love her more than anything (I am still unsure if these feelings are mutual). In honor of her first year of life, I decided to write a blog post about all of her favorite things as she can be difficult to please.

Target

Foil Balls

Out of all the toys I've gotten her these foul balls have been her favorite by far. I think she has around 8 of them now. She loves hitting them around and playing catch with me at night before bed. 

Target

Nummies 

Luna LOVES her nummies. Saturday was her first day on adult cat food (sad face), and she seems to have adjusted to the transition well. I got her Friskies Indoor Delights, but if your cat has a favorite food I'd love some suggestions on what to get her next time!

Target

Brush

Luna loves being brushed. I brush her every night before we go to bed for about 10 minutes. I usually don't even need to move my hand because she just rubs her body against the brush on her own. I like this brush because it has a button on the back that will push all the hair off the brush when you push it. Daily brushing also helps with shedding! 

PetSmart

Buckle collars

Okay this one is more for me than Luna because she doesn't seem to like wearing collars. All of her previous collars have been break away and she ALWAYS finds a way to get them off. I got her this super cute Christmas collar at PetSmart that has an actual buckle, so it should be a bit more difficult for her to remove.

PetSmart

Cardboard scratching post 

Kainen (my boyfriend) got Luna this scratching post/play house as an early birthday present Saturday and she has been having a blast playing on/in it ever since. She's even chosen it over her rope scratching post that is right next to it. (Kudos to you, Kainen)

Walmart

Sugar cookies

Okay, this is a weird one but Luna LOVES sugar cookies. My mom sent me some of those great pillsbury Halloween sugar cookies in a care package and Luna went crazy. Kainen broke off a piece and gave it to her and I don't think I . After that she was all up in my business anytime I ate one, and actually pulled a Lady & the Tramp move in me and snuck a bite as I was eating one. 

Time to go celebrate Luna's first birthday with some new toys, cuddles, and cookies!

xo. Brooke

Hot Topic: Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving

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This time each year people across America fall into a heated debate for nearly four weeks as to whether or not it is acceptable to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. There are three classifications of people this time of year: those who refuse to acknowledge the holiday season until a few days before Christmas when they do their gift buying (I like to call these people the "bah humbugs"), those who oppose any and all things Christmas until midnight on Thanksgiving, and those like myself who start listening to Christmas music on, or most likely before, November 1. My sister and I grew up listening to Christmas on the reg starting in early November, much to the dissatisfaction of our parents who are of the second previously listed variety of Christmas celebrators. Here are my 5 reasons why it is COMPLETELY okay to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving:

Stores start playing Christmas music on November 1

If November 1 is good enough for corporate America, it's good enough for me too. That is all.

Christmas music makes you feel warm and fuzzy

This is obviously the number one reason to listen to Christmas music at any and every time of the year. Christmas music has some kind of magical power that overcomes Christmas lovers with joy. I don't know how it does it, but it works. (It's also great study music)

Pentatonix
I don't think this needs an explanation, but I'll give one anyways. It would be nearly impossible to learn all five parts of every single PTX Christmas song if I only started listening to them after Thanksgiving. I'm sure it could be done, but I have finals and other things to do in December. 

Planners start Christmas shopping early
If you're like me, you start making your Christmas shopping list in July. This means that I am in the "Christmas spirit" a little longer than many people, so of course I'm going to want to listen to Christmas music! I currently have a secret Pinterest board where I have been pinning all of my gifts I've planned to buy for my family and friends. Now I'm just waiting for Cyber Monday to order it all! (Cyber Monday is the new Black Friday, people.)

Pro-Christmas is not Anti-Thanksgiving
Every year the "bah humbugs" get mad at those of us already basking in the Christmas glory by saying, "it's not even Thanksgiving yet". We know, and guess what, WE LOVE THANKSGIVING TOO. Thanksgiving means that our Christmas celebration is FINALLY widely accepted, and we are finally able to unleash our inner Christmas elves.

As the song says "its the most wonderful time of the year", so how lame is it to cut that wonderful time down to a mere 4 weeks?!?!! Also, the Christmas season basically extends through the entire month of November anyways (thanks to the retail industry), so we might as well go along with it and embrace all the greatness that the holiday season has to offer! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going go continue listing to the Pentatonix album "That's Christmas to Me" while I drink my Starbs peppermint mocha.

Happy Holidays!

xo. Brooke

Trends I Love: Fall 2015

As an apparel merchandising and product development major, I am expected to keep up with current trends and styles. I do this by reading fashion blogs (Who What Wear, Man Repeller, etc.) reading industry publications (Apparel Magazine, Fashion Snoops, etc.), and going on Pinterest. Sometimes I come across a trend that completely rocks my world and I usually end up doing extensive research on that specific trend. Here are 6 Fall trends I love:

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Blue hair

I came across the picture above on Pinterest a couple of days ago and I immediately fell in love. I recently dyed my hair black and have been wanting to add some color in a more subtle way. I'm positive I'll be daydreaming of this hair color for months to come. SO BLUE. SO RAD.

Free People

Blanket capes

Blanket capes are THE BEST. It's basically like you're wearing a blanket wrapped around you all day. I don't know what could be more comfy. I recently made my own with some grey and black flannel I got at JoAnn's and I'm dying for it to get cold so that I can wear it! Also, how gorgeous is this knit one from Free People?!

Stay Home Club

Graphic tees

I am a sucker for a weird/sarcastic/ironic/sassy graphic tee. They just look so great under flannels or cardigans for those lazy days we all have. Stay Home Club and Culture Flock Clothing are my two favorite websites for great graphic tees, and other weird/sassy/cat themed goodies.

These Are Things

Sassy pins

Enamel lapel pins are the perfect way to add a bit of your personality to any outfit. These Are Things has so many great lapel pins priced at $10 a pop! What a steal, am I right?!! At that price I'm sure I will have a collection of them in no time. 

Madewell

Leather Totes
I'm a sucker for a great leather bag. My favorite leather tote I've come across in my many hours of online window shopping is Madewell's transport tote pictured above. Madewell also offers $10 monogramming on their leather goods. The monogrammed transport tote is the first thing on my Christmas list this year! (Mom, please. I need this bag.)

Nordstrom

Casual Sneakers

Stylish casual sneakers are super popular right now. I love how many great versatile styles there are to dress any outfit up or down all while maintaining the same level of comfort. I'm obsessed with these fabulous black Sorel sneakers. I also really like New Balance and Saucony casual sneakers.

xo. Brooke

Inspiration: The Canadian Tuxedo

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Pulling off the Canadian Tuxedo is a nearly impossible feat- very few can do it, but those who can do it very very well. I often find myself scrolling through pages upon pages of fashionistas flaunting their Canadian tuxedos on Pinterest, and I absolutely envy them. A properly-done Canadian tuxedo can be a super cool and classic look. Here are some tips to mastering the Canadian tuxedo so that we all don't walk around dressed like Brittney and Justin:

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Mix it up

Mix dark and light shades of denim to create contrast in your Canadian Tuxedo. Wearing two light shades of denim together is hard to do well (see image of Brittney and Justin). Wearing dark denim on dark denim is a little bit easier to create a chic look, but the best way to ensure your Canadian tuxedo is a success is to wear dark and light denim together.

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Make it pop
Add color and pattern with shoes, cardigans, jackets, accessories, and/or cool graphic tees. What could look cooler than some great dark denim skinnys, a distressed band tee, light wash denim vest, and printed booties? NOTHING (except maybe the fabulous outfit pictured above).

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Utilize Modern Silhouettes
Instead of wearing the traditional denim jacket, opt for a more fashionable denim blazer, moto jacket, or vest instead to create a more interesting look. Utilizing modern silhouettes such as a denim moto jacket when creating your look makes the Canadian tuxedo much more chic and unique. 

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Play with texture 

When planning your Canadian tuxedo be sure to get creative with texture. Try to incorporate pieces that have holes, frayed hems, or patches. Texture will add an extra level of cool to your Canadian tuxedo. This is also a way to channel you inner 90s grunge goddess.

xo. Brooke

How I Stay Organized

I have always been pretty neat and organized. In addition to being organized, I also love planning. If I wake up without a plan for the day anxiety starts to set in- because of this I get very frustrated when I am in a class/organization that does not supply a calendar or doesn't stick to the calendar. I just can't handle that kind of stress in my life! Anyways, here are 5 of my many organization tips!

Get a great planner
I LOVE my planner. I have absolutely no idea how I would get anything done without it. My life would be absolute chaos. I am a firm believer that there is a perfect planner out there for everyone. Soul-mates may not exist, but soul-planners so so so do. This year I have been using a Sugar Paper planner from Target, and it has been my favorite planner by far! I prefer to use large notebook sized planners with monthly tbs and lined weekly pages, and my Sugar Paper planner has all of those things! (FYI Sugar Paper's Target 2016 collection will hit the shelves the first week of November! I will definitely be there to get my 2016 planner before they get picked over)

Plan ahead
Planing ahead is a huge way to help you stay organized. I like to plan monthly, weekly, and daily. I know some people who plan each day to the hour, which is super awesome, but way too much pressure for me. I find that I am a lot less stressed if I know what the days, weeks, and months ahead are going to look like.

Make lists
Lists are wonderful things. I make lists for just about everything- packing, daily tasks, cleaning, shopping, etc. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from crossing completed things off of my to-do list. It gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling... Which may be sad, but I don't care okay??!!

De-clutter once a week
This is something I started doing when I came to college and I was living in a dorm. My small dorm room got cluttered so easily, so I would tidy up my space once a week. Living in a tidy space made me feel so much better and more productive. I continued this habit when I moved into my apartment last year, and it has made my life so much easier. Especially when decide I deep clean my apartment.

Find what works for you
Ultimately everyone is different, and there are some things that just don't work for certain people, and that's totally okay! I've spent a lot of time reading different blogs and articles about organization and have tried things that I just can't do because they just don't work for me. The best way to find out how you should stay organized is to try different methods until you find something that works. And believe me, you will find something.

Here are some great planners to help you stay organized in 2016:

Rifle Paper Co.

Sugar Paper LA

Design Love

A Beautiful Mess

Also, here is a 2016 calendar I'm in love with just in case anyone wants to get me a nice present.

Etsy

Enjoy your organization adventures!

xo. Brooke

Inspiration: French Fashion

Grab a baguette, your favorite beret, and get ready to channel your inner French girl

In my opinion, French women are by far the most fashionable group of people on the planet. There is something so effortlessly chic about their style that is so timeless and fascinating. They have a way of always looking classic and fashion-forward at the same time (ugh, c'mon America please get on this level). The key to French-inspired fashion to make each outfit simple, effortless, and cool. Keep the hair messy, shirts perfectly half-tucked, and accessorize minimally. 

French Fashion tips:

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The Breton Stripe

If you look in my closet you will find a lot of stripes. The original breton striped shirt had only 21 stripes, but now they come in all sorts of varieties. There is nothing as casually chic as a simple breton striped shirt, great jeans, with simple shoes. French women have embraced the breton striped shirt since Coco Chanel introduced them to the realm of fashion in 1917- learn from them, ladies.

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Neutrals are a Must

French fashion is very simple, women wear mainly neutrals and add pops of color in their accessories and statement pieces. When you have a variety of neutral pieces in your closet, you are able to mix and match to make multiple outfits for all different occasions. Neutral pieces add an insane amount of versatility to your wardrobe- utilize them!!!! 

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Don't Follow Trends

When it comes to fashion, French women don't follow trends. Instead, they develop a signature style with silhouettes and colors that flatter them. After all, trends and fashions fade, but having personal style is something that you can carry with you for a lifetime.

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Borrow from the Boys

French women have a great way of channeling their inner "tomboy" all while still looking feminine. Add some tomboy flair to your closet with great pair of men's cut trousers, boyfriend jeans, straight seamed blazers and coats, loafers, and men's button-ups. 

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Keep it Messy

French women never wash their hair every night. Instead, they use dry-shampoo or nothing at all on their second, third, and even fourth day hair. French hair is all about texture, so invest in a great texturizing spray (or several)- I use Beach Babe Sea Salt Texturizing Spray by NYM and Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist by SheaMoisture

If all else fails just follow Coco Chanel's rule: "Before you leave the house, take a look in the mirror and take one thing off."

xo. Brooke