CUSTOMIZE YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by eShakti. Still, all of the opinions in the post are my own.

Online shopping is one of my favorite activities. Based on what I have seen from people who use laptops to "take notes" during lecture, it is a favorite pass-time of many. It's fun, because you can browse your favorite stores without ever having to deal with the persistent sales people. "Are you finding everything ok?" I particularly like browsing for clothes, because--I don't know about you but--no matter how full my closet is I always feel like I have nothing to wear. 

Recently, I discovered eShakti. They are the only online women's fashion apparel company offering sizes 0-36W & custom clothing. I recently got a dress from their site that I was able to customize to my liking. Normally, when splurging on some online shopping I have to dig through the pages until I find something that I like. But with eShakti I had so many more options once I found something that I liked.

Here's a preview of what the process was like:

Step 1: Choose your sizes.

You will see a chart that allows you to select your size based on bust, hip, and waist size. 

Step 2: Height.

There is a drop down menu to select your height.

Step 3: Custom Styling.

These are the elements of the dress I was able to customize. I chose the capsleeve, knee length, and the boat neck for my dress. 

//SLEEVE TYPE//

//DRESS LENGTH//

//NECKLINE//

Other options.  

This particular dress also gave me the option to remove the pockets (with no additional cost).

The full dress

I was very impressed with the quality of my dress from eShakti. Ordering online can be scary, because you are often unsure about the quality of the material and whether or not it will fit right. With eShakti I didn't have to stress about those things. I was sure it would fit, because it was customized to my measurements. You are able to get something that fits your body shape, rather than wondering if its going to be small or bunchy in some areas.

Unfortunately, it was a bit too cold to search for a better location to get a picture of me in the full dress. And we don't have a lot of open wall space in my apartment, so we had to improvise. Here is a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes of taking pictures for a blog. It's the only shot we got of me in the full dress, and it features the wall space below our tapestry and our lovely outlet.

 Check out eShakti.com

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Use the code 'lifeinthelostandfoundbin' to get 10% OFF from eShakti Valid until 11/25/2014.

*Please note:

Code has to be entered in the ‘promotional code’ box.   It is not case-sensitive.  

Code can be used any number of times until the validity period. 

It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions.

This discount code is not applicable on clearance / sale, gift cards & overstock categories.

Not applicable on previous purchases.

HOW TO BALANCE BLOGGING AND COLLEGE

The other day I ran into a friend I hadn't talked to in a while at one of my school's unions. He stopped, and asked the usual, "how are you doing?" kinds of questions. And then he asked what I was up to. It was a weekday afternoon, in which I had plenty to do. In fact, it is one of my busiest times in the semester. I had more than plenty to do. Instead, I smirked, and he peaked at my computer screen.

"Blog stuff?" he questioned.

I sheepishly replied,"Yes."

He asked how I could possibly have time for something like that, since he spends every free moment on homework and studying.

I know from being that blogger friend that I have different ideas of what to do with my free time than most of my friends. As tempting as Netflix can be, I would much rather read my favorite blogs, and write some new content. It's definitely not that I have extra time as a full-time college student, who works part-time. I don't have much "free" time. Instead, I build my blog into my schedule. I make the time for it, because I treat it like unpaid part-time job. Blogging is a big time commitment if you are serious about it. Here are some ways I balance being a college student and a blogger.

//ONE//

Establish what you need to get done. I cannot start anything until I have thought through everything I need to accomplish. A great way to keep track of everything is using a planner or Google calendar. I rely on my calendar to tell me where I need to be at all times. If I don't put it in my calendar, there is a good chance I will forget about it. Figure out what you need to do before you start, so that you don't neglect anything.

//TWO//

Make goals. This step is super important if you want to grow your blog. It is one thing to want to blog more. But having well thought out and possible goals is important if you actually want to see a difference. Plus, once you reach your goals you will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. And if you set deadlines for your goals, then you will have motivation to try harder if you aren't reaching your goals. I try to set monthly goals. This way at the end of each month, I can reflect on what I did well and what I could have done better. Then next month, I can take that into account in establishing new goals.

//THREE//

Plan. Once you have goals, make concrete plans to reach that goal. Want to get more comments? Join a Facebook group dedicated to growing your blog, and comment a link to a post thread. These require that you comment on other blogs, so you are spreading the love. So make sure you have the time comment on the other blogs. Plan out your other commitments, including classes, homework/studying, and other activities. Balancing school and blogging isn't easy. But remember: you are a student first. Make sure you hit the books before you write your next killer DIY post.

//FOUR//

Prioritize. What is most important on your to-do list? If you have an upcoming exam or paper due, those have to take priority. So make sure they are at the top of your list. Write your list in order of most important to least important.

//FIVE//

Look at what can go. What can you get away with cutting out? What is absolutely essential? At the beginning of the semester I am highly motivated, and I do all of the readings. I take notes and try to summarize the main arguments. But part of college is figuring out what you need to do to get the grade. There is simply not enough time in the day to do all of the readings sometimes. One of my professors recently told us we should read ahead, because we had more readings than usual on the same day as our major paper was due. But then I realized, the paper is worth 20% of my final grade. The readings, on the other hand, are usually not prominent (if even mentioned) in our discussions, and we won't have a test on this next section of the class. We just have another paper. Sometimes you are going to have more work than you can handle. No one expects you to be superhuman (except maybe the people who assign more homework on the day a paper is due), so don't sweat it if you don't get everything done.

//SIX//

Learn to say no.  Sometimes someone will ask you to do something that you really don't have time for. It might be hard at first. But no one can say yes all the time (unless you're in that one really bad Jim Carey movie no one remembers). People will have to understand. Find a balance between accepting tasks or favors and saying no.

//SEVEN//

Make Sacrifices. College is hard. Plain and simple, these four years are not meant to be a breeze. They are challenging, and we often have to put school before fun. Of course, you have to balance getting good grades and not driving yourself insane. But sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Last weekend, I had a take-home midterm, a midterm Monday morning, and a 6 page essay to write. It was also Homecoming weekend. I got all ready for the game, thinking I needed to break up the studying and writing to have a little bit of fun. Yet, as I tried to have fun I found the opposite was happening. I was so stressed out about getting everything done that I couldn't enjoy myself. If you want to be successful, sometimes you have to make some sacrifices. Don't do that all of the time. It's okay to take breaks. It's okay to have fun. It's okay to ignore stuff for a little while. Just make sure that at the end of the day you are happy with how you are doing academically, too.

//EIGHT//

Coffee. Warning: drink caffeine with caution. Know your limits. If I have more than two cups off coffee, I cannot stop talking, and sometimes I feel sick from it. That's no fun. But it can help with the lack of sleep you're most likely experiencing. And it can be a great beverage for when you're writing away for your blog.

Writing a blog and keeping up with school is possible. There are tons of college bloggers, but it's tough to do it all. It just takes some major commitment.

How do you balance everything? Do you have any tips for managing blogging and your daily life?

PLUGGED IN, TUNED OUT

As a college student, I frequently notice people walking around with their earphones around campus. Listening to music makes the everyday walk to class a little less banal. In fact, depending on the day's playlist it can be an entirely new experience. A few weeks ago, one of my favorite former professors guest lectured about music in my Survey of Contemporary Media class. At one point, he pulled up a video from the point-of-view of someone walking somewhere with earphones in. He rhythmically spoke about what the journey was like listening to music, even including a new song with the new day. The new song had a completely different tone and rhythm than the first one, showing how much music can affect our perception what we are viewing.

I would say many people choose to listen to music on their way to class for the same reasons you would listen to it in the car or at the gym. Listening to music is enjoyable, it makes things a little less boring, and it can change your mood. The trouble is the minute we plug in, we tune out the world around us. 

 The other day I was talking about it with one of my roommates and she noticed that when she was running without earphones she was able to take in the beauty of the scenery and appreciate it much more than when she was listening to music. She had little interactions with other people walking around in the same area. When she saw people with earphones in they were much more likely to be focused on one point, and it seemed like they were "in their own world" so to speak. 

Walking around campus, I see the same thing. Even sitting in a lecture hall before class I see a few people talking to those around them. Others are scrolling through one social media app or another on their smart phones. And still others are plugged in, sometimes tapping a foot or nodding their head along to the beat. 

Don't get me wrong, I am not against technology. And I am certainly not anti-music. I love listening to music, and I think it is really a neat concept that we can bring it essentially anywhere we go. However, I cannot help but think about what we might be missing by being so plugged in, and tuned out to the world around us. I think there is a time and a place for being plugged in. For some people listening to music can help them concentrate on certain tasks, or it can help pass the time doing something boring. But the more we are engrossed in technology, the more we eliminate the chance for serendipitous moments. 

If you were to dig in to the archive of this blog, you might find that I am a huge proponent of serendipity. In fact, at one point I called this blog "A Series of Fortunate Accidents." When we are more interested in what is going on in the "twittersphere" than the real-world we miss out. One of my favorite quotes is "Enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."The seemingly small moments can make a big difference. What if the person you were sitting next to in lecture could have been a future relationship if you had to make awkward small talk that one day before class? Or what if you were supposed to meet your future best friend because you guys took the same route every day? And if you're thinking those moments wouldn't happen anyway, because you don't randomly talk to strangers, I challenge you to change that. 

Recently, I read an article called "Why You Should Always Talk to People in Elevators". The name intrigued me, because it seems like such a strange concept. Why would I talk to someone that I don't know and will only be in the same space as for such a short amount of time? By the end I was convinced, and I am determined to strike up a random conversation in an elevator, no matter how awkward it might be. My favorite part was, "I think we have to create situations that allow those unexpected opportunities to find us."

My challenge for you is to spend at least one week unplugged. By that I mean whenever you are out in public make a conscious effort to not have earphones in, try to avoid using your phone when you don't need to, and make an effort to have spontaneous conversations with people around you. Whether you are a college student, a business person, or a momma blogger I challenge you to make meaningful connections with the people around you. Let your battery recharge, while you spend a little extra time with the special ones in your life. Resist the temptation to see if anyone commented or "liked" your photo yet. Listen to the sounds of the buzzing city or the natural life around you. Serendipity might have a wonderful surprise for you if you give it a chance.

Life is beautiful. Enjoy it through your senses, not just through the filters you can select on your smartphone.

How's your week going so far?

FALL FAVORITES

Fall is a favorite of many. As much as we love sunshine and beach days, the crisp Autumn air is accompanied by some pretty fun fall traditions. This has become even more apparent to me as I started paying attention to the blogging scene. The transition from summer to fall used to be more about getting used to the new school year and switching over items in my wardrobe. But anyone who uses Pinterest knows PSLs and apple/pumpkin-themed pictures are fall-musts for many.

A few of my fall favorites:

//ONE//
Football Games
I will admit I am not super knowledgeable about any sports. I couldn't tell you which teams are better than any others in any sport of any kind. Yet, college football games are one of my new favorite parts about fall. There is so much excitement in the air. School pride is in full bloom. My favorite part at my school is admiring the sea of red herding to the stadium. Everyone is in a good mood, ready to root on the team.

//TWO//
Fall Weather
This week has been super rainy, and I am not a fan of getting unexpectedly caught out in the cold rain. It makes my naturally curly hair a frizzy poof-ball, and there's something about rain that makes me uncomfortable. My idea of a perfect fall day is sunny with a sort-of crisp cold in the air. It's warm enough to tolerate being outside, but it's cool enough to bundle up in a knit-sweater and a scarf. Yesterday was finally that day--just in time for one my roommate's birthday. It was a gorgeous day, and one of the few we may have left before the seemingly never-ending winter that is approaching too quickly.

//THREE//
Big Sweaters and Scarves
As I mentioned, my favorite fall weather involves being able to wear sweaters and scarves. They are both comfy and cute. I love looking at the fashion pins in the fall. There are so many ways to dress up a simple sweater, which definitely makes the change in weather bearable.

//FOUR//
Fall Coffee
Including, but not limited to the Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I am a sucker for a good Salted Caramel Mocha--my favorite is at Starbucks. Who doesn't love a good seasonal treat to warm them up?

//FIVE//
Boots
As much as I love my converse, they do not hold up in the winter months. I need something that's going to offer me a little more protection from the cold and the snow. Plus, boots can be super stylish. I love that you can turn a look from sporty to semi-dressy just by swapping out your tennis shoes for some riding boots.

//SIX//
Holidays
Admittedly, Halloween is not my favorite holiday. It's fun, but I am awful at coming up with costume ideas. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that keeps me motivated on so many levels. It's a chance to get back home to catch up with family and friends. And this time of year always makes me so nostalgic. I love sitting around the table with family, talking about everything we are thankful for.

//SEVEN//
Halloween Movies
While Halloween isn't really my thing, I love all the movies about it--specifically the children ones. Any Halloweentown fans? Can we just pause for a minute to talk about the fact that is was totally not okay when they replaced Marnie in the final movie? It felt so wrong. But the first three are still amazing. I also love Hocus Pocus, Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire, Phantom of the Megaplex, and Don't Look Under the Bed.  I am not a huge fan of actual horror movies, but if there is any time for a good scary movie, it is now.

//EIGHT//
Fall Treats
Last weekend we had a birthday party for a couple of my roommates, so we decided to make a few desserts for our friends. A few weeks ago I picked up a Betty Crocker pouch and cream cheese frosting to make Pumpkin Bars. I had never made anything like them before, so I was a little be nervous. I cut them up into bite-size rectangles and I had to muster up some pretty great self-control to leave them for guests. I think I am still one up on my friend Jen, who is crazy about anything pumpkin. She even sent a picture in our group message of her pumpkin-themed grocery basket at Target one day. No matter how much you love/hate pumpkin, there is a fall treat for anyone. Fresh apples and caramel are one of my favorite fall snacks.

What are your favorite parts about Fall?

FRIENDS: COMING TO NETFLIX

So you heard Gilmore Girls was coming to Netflix and you were like, How much better can it get? All you wanted to do was sit in your room and binge watch Lorelai and Rory drink too much coffee and consume unreasonable amounts of food.

You were prepared to take Netflix binging to a new level. "Continue watching?" Yes, please!

You know there will come a time when you will have to leave Stars Hallow and rejoin actual society, but that time is still seven seasons away. When it ends you might feel like:

But then, only two weeks after releasing Gilmore Girls, Netflix announced exciting new releases for 2015.

January 1st, Friends shows up in your queue like:

Friends. All 236 episodes of Joey, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe will be available.

The best part of it is that it comes out during Winter Break. This means all the time you aren't in school, you can spend on Netflix, right?

Your parents and friends (the ones outside of Netflix) might be concerned about how much time you spend watching Friends, but it's okay. You deserve to enjoy a little down time.

So there.

Eventually, you will go back to school, and your responsibilities resume. So why not take advantage of this time while you have it?

Whether you're hanging out with friends or staying in for the night, you are guaranteed to have a great winter break with Friends. 

EVERYTHING CHANGES

As the seasons turn, we are reminded of the ever-evolving nature of life. Nothing stays the same--at least not for very long. It always blows me away how you can think you have everything figured out, and in an instant you can feel like you are living in a different lifetime. Lately, I have taken a lot of time to reflect on the changes in the last few months. I revisited my goals and reevaluated what was important to me. 

I tried planning. Last week I went to visit an academic adviser. When I first made the appointment I intended to talk about my plans to double major and how these plans conflicted with my desire to study abroad in college. I spent a couple hours the night before the appointment sifting through the course guide, and trying to envision what my next couple years in college would look like. Eventually I became overwhelmed. I started to realize that maybe, just maybe, I was getting a little ahead of myself. I could no longer justify my reasoning behind wanting to double major. A few months ago I decided to study TV and film, and Strategic Communications (PR, advertising, etc.). In my heart all I want is to work in TV or film production, but my head was telling me that I needed something more. I needed this super, dual degree that would allow me more flexibility (you know, in case the whole making movies thing doesn't work out). As I sat at my desk, drowning in my fears, I decided I need to talk it over with someone. I called my mom, and she reminded me of what she has told me from the beginning: she doesn't think I should double major.

So I walked into this advising appointment last Thursday, wondering what I was really there for. I already knew the answers to my questions in my heart. But verbalizing them made it real. I talked about my fears and my dreams, and what I was already doing to achieve my goals. The adviser smiled at me, and she told me that as I was talking about working in film and TV, that I was beaming, and she could tell how much it excited me. She said that college students can have this idea of needing 4 or 5 majors to be able to really market themselves, but that it wasn't what was important. When an employer looks at your resume, she said, they will be looking to see what type of degree you got, but then they will look at all of the experiences you have had and what kind of person those experiences made you.

Experiences. These are the things that shape us, and the things that push life forward. And then, I realized everything changes. It's how we react to those changes that make us who we are.

I realized that it is okay that I changed my mind. It is okay that I don't want the same things that I wanted a few months ago, or even a few days ago. At the beginning of the year, I wrote a post called, "How to Deal with Change in the New Semester." To me, it was about taking the time to recognize that life is always changing, and that while some things may hold constant, it's important to embrace the things that don't. I wanted to start the semester off with clear goals in mind, and do everything that I could to reach those goals. Little did I know, that part of this process is taking the time to reflect and make sure they are still things you that really want.

Sometimes you will encounter road blocks. Life doesn't always change for the best, and you don't always get a choice. Sometimes the changes are messy, and they can hurt. A diagnosis. An end in a relationship. A loss of a loved one. But through the pain, through the heartbreak, and through the confusion, we learn--we learn that life requires time, patience, and faith. There are different kinds of change. Some changes happen instantly, and others require patience, because you might not be able to see the ending. That's where faith comes in. At times, you might feel hopeless, because all of pressures and stresses of life can pile up and try to break you down. Your faith will be tested--time and time again. 

One of the most remarkable lessons that I have ever learned is that hardships can make you stronger. I believe that I would not be the same person I am today if I didn't encounter certain things earlier in life. Watching how other people react to the stressors in their lives, I am proud of how I have dealt with my own. I am proud of the choices I have made, and I have no regrets. I have hopes for the future, and while I fear the uncertainty, I have faith. 

Life is about learning what decisions you get to make. My mom's favorite quote is "We make plans, and God laughs." I expect everything to change. I expect to have new goals and new visions as I change from my experiences. I expect to feel more pain, and for life to bring more hardships. But more than anything, I expect to grow and learn from my experiences, and I trust whatever plans He has for me. I am in charge of how I feel and what I do, and I choose how to react. And as of last Thursday, I am Communication Arts major, who intends to follow her dreams no matter what they end up being.

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Lindsay Living Vegan // Life in the Lost and Found Bin // Sequins and Sunflowers // Ruffled Paper a Rafflecopter giveaway  

5 MINUTE MAKE UP FOR THE COLLEGIETTE

In college, it's easy to sleep past the alarm--maybe even set a record for the times hitting snooze. But sometimes when you reach a level of consciousness that tells you it's really time to get up, it's already too late. Class is in less than 15 minutes, and you look like you've been in slumber for days. So you jolt out of bed, scrambling to find something that resembles a halfway-decent outfit, and you just want a little makeup for the day.

Or maybe you are just feeling a little lazy today. Either way, these products can be your five-minute-makeup-fix.

Moisturizer
Especially moving into the colder months, it is important to hydrate your skin. The cold weather can dry out your skin, so you want a good moisturizer, and one that contains SPF 30 is even better.

Her Campus pick: Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer ($14)

BB Cream
BB Cream can do more than foundation. One of it's main selling points is that it's not just covering up an uneven skin tone--it is working to improve it. There are different types of BB Creams that serve different purposes, including helping acne or wrinkles. The Her Campus pick smooths skin, hides imperfections, hydrates, and corrects complexion.

Her Campus pick:  L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ($8)

Undereye Concealer
An undereye concealer can be just what you need if you haven't been getting great sleep. It helps minimize the appearance of under the eye circles, and it brightens it highlighting the area under your eyes.

Her Campus Pick: Femme Couture Flawless Touch Undereye Concealer ($6)

Blush
Add a little color to your cheeks! And do it on a budget. This Her Campus pick is only $3, and gives your face a nice glow.

Her Campus pick: e.l.f. HD Blush ($3)--compare to: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush ($26)

Eyeliner
Do you ever notice that your eyeliner fades throughout the day or it looks like you never applied it in the first place? The Her Campus pick, Ink It, won't let you down that way. It's a super long-lasting, non-smudging eyeliner that is easy to apply.

Her Campus Pick: Cover Girl Ink It ($6)

Mascara
Mascara is the easiest step. You can even throw it in your bag if you like to reapply later. Just a few swabs are all you need. This Her Campus pick will give you flawless lashes with great volume.

Her Campus Pick: Maybelline Volum' Express Mascara ($6)

No need to worry over time. With these products, you won't have to freak out every time you over-snooze. Need a quick-fix to do your hair, too? Check out "5 Minute Hairstyles For the Collegiette" on Her Campus.

This post first appeared on Her Campus.

**Note: This is not a sponsored post. All the opinions stated in this post are my own.  

An Incomplete Timeline of my Life in the Lost and Found Bin

I decided it might be kind of fun to make a little timeline. This is an interactive timeline of my life. The posts it brings you to might not directly relate to the picture, but each one will bring you somewhere around the Bin (except for the picture of Sydney. That will bring you to the short-lived blog I attempted while I watched her this past summer).

Click on a photo, or two, or three, and get a better look inside the Life in the Lost and Found Bin. You might just find something you didn't know you were looking for. (Treat: the first one is my FIRST ever blog post. It's bad. See for yourself).

YOU MET A CUTE GUY. NOW WHAT?

Recently, I wrote a post "College Guys: Expectations VS Reality" poking fun at the way TV shows and movies give many girls high expectations for dating possibilities in college. So I felt it was only fair to point out that these types of comical generalizations* can go both ways.

Girls don't have it all figured out either. Liking someone can make us act different ways too--no matter what we try to do to fight it. Meeting a cool guy is fun. Maybe you get butterflies in your stomach, and his presence makes you smile.  But that feeling you get can make you do some pretty funny things.

Things can go a little bit like this sometimes:

Girl meets boy.

You want to get his attention.

 

You try to play cool. Laugh at his jokes.

But you don't want to come on too strong.

You are sure that you guys really could have something.

 He texts you.

Maybe you start hanging out, and people start asking questions. 

Then you start over-thinking it. 

You can already anticipate yourself messing it up.

Sometimes, you can't help but think:

People ask you why you're single.

And anyway,

It doesn't seem like things are going anywhere.

But then you see him again, and think:

It's an emotional roller coaster. So until you find the guy that it really works out with, at least you have your friends and your high expectations of what it would really be like if for once things worked out. In the mean time, Gilmore Girls is now on Netflix. So what more do you need?

*Always remember these (like with most articles of this type) are totally generalizations. And you might not be able to relate at all. But what I like about these posts is that you can usually get a little laugh from the gifs and appreciate that some people find a bit of truth in some of these.