This post is part of the #summerbloggingchallenge. view the summer blogger challenge page here for more postsSo this past week I've been staying with my aunt Darcie and my cousins so I haven't had a lot of time to update my blog. However the good thing about staying with her is that we cook actual food! yes that's right, no reheated pre-cooked food, this is genuine recipe created food. So when this weeks challenge in the #summer blogging challenge was to create a recipe post it was just fate. My cousin and uncle are on a no-carb/low-carb diet so we altered a regular recipe to make it no carb by creating a nut crust. You can just as easily make a pretzel or graham cracker crust for a lower calorie nut free option. (Remember, Low-carb does not mean low-calorie!) also sorry for the low quality photos, I only had my cell phone to take photos with.
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and finally got my bloglovin to work, so If you have a bloglovin, and like what you see, then follow me!
This post is part of the #summerbloggingchallenge, |
Where every Sunday I showcase an item of my wardrobe and brag about it.Rarely am I ever spotted without a watch on. although in my life i have only ever really worn 2 watches. My first was a timex light blue sports watch which I wore for 3 years and was verry shabby by the time I retired it for my bright Orange CG sports watch that I got on my 16th birthday. I wore it ever single day until it finaly gave up and the plastic cracked off my hand during a trip to the sauna a few monts ago. Time for a new watch! Finally I recived this as a late birthday present last week. Actually I picked it out and bought it myself but thats aside the matter. Anyway look at the beauty. |
Its a beautiful gold and silver bracelet watch from Tommy Hilfiger that's very simple, yet still elegant. Being able to read the watch is whats most important to me so I looked for something that had clear numbers and a large watch face.the band is both silver and gold and although it's designer, it was very affordable from The Nordstrom Rack, for only $55. ($60 with tax) even though it was originally $120. Anyway I'm obsessed with this watch and this is the my style spotlight piece of the week! Want one of your own? heres the same watch just in all silver from Macys |
Do you wear a watch? Whats a piece of your wardrobe that you never leave home without? Comment Below!
XOXO
Dana
I've recently joined the #100HappyDays movement, (more information if you click the link on the side bar-->) but another lovely bloger from Coffee Beans and High Heals started a weekly link up for a weekly collection of your pictures. Here are the things that made me happy this week:
What makes you happy? Join the movement and Comment below!
XOXO,
Dana
The first post in the #summerbloggerchallenge series for more information and to join click the button on my sidebar
Okay. I suppose it's been summer for a while now. Ive been out of college for the past 5 weeks, but today is the first OFFICIAL day of summer, the longest and therefor the best day of the year.
I've been struggling a bit with summer this year. After your first year of college, coming home to do nothing all summer is a major let down, and it was easy for me to fall into a rut, and when my family left for an entire week leaving me alone and bored it was hard to shake my summertime sadness. So on this first day of summer, and with the encouragement of the #summerBloggerChallenge I'm starting afresh with new plans and goals to make my summer fly by.
1. Still hoping I might get my job. I know its late in the year, but ill find out Monday if ill get the job I interview for last week. It would be a majorly great thing, mostly because since i have nothing to do I've been shopping a lot lately.
2. Write a blog post nearly every day.
I finally have no excuse not to do it.
3. Finish all my unfinished sewing projects and the diys I've been saving on my pinterest board, blog about said experiences
4. Spend time with my friends.
Although this is a given, most of my friends work full time or are in classes so its hard to find time that works for all of us
5. Read
I used to just devour books, but this past school year I've only read one. Possibly Ill review the books i read here.
6. DO SOMETHING FUN
I've been begging my boyfriend to take me to 6 flags for years, but our mutual friend may get a job there and be able to get us in for free, which would be excellent. other then that i also want to go to Ravinia, Chicago, go to taste, and anything else fun.
Later this summer I'm going to Florida with my family and possibly spending some time up in Wisconsin with my friends at their cabin. We wanted to go camping, but that may not be in the cards for us anymore, although we could go next spring break or something.
I've been struggling a bit with summer this year. After your first year of college, coming home to do nothing all summer is a major let down, and it was easy for me to fall into a rut, and when my family left for an entire week leaving me alone and bored it was hard to shake my summertime sadness. So on this first day of summer, and with the encouragement of the #summerBloggerChallenge I'm starting afresh with new plans and goals to make my summer fly by.
1. Still hoping I might get my job. I know its late in the year, but ill find out Monday if ill get the job I interview for last week. It would be a majorly great thing, mostly because since i have nothing to do I've been shopping a lot lately.
2. Write a blog post nearly every day.
I finally have no excuse not to do it.
3. Finish all my unfinished sewing projects and the diys I've been saving on my pinterest board, blog about said experiences
4. Spend time with my friends.
Although this is a given, most of my friends work full time or are in classes so its hard to find time that works for all of us
5. Read
I used to just devour books, but this past school year I've only read one. Possibly Ill review the books i read here.
6. DO SOMETHING FUN
I've been begging my boyfriend to take me to 6 flags for years, but our mutual friend may get a job there and be able to get us in for free, which would be excellent. other then that i also want to go to Ravinia, Chicago, go to taste, and anything else fun.
Later this summer I'm going to Florida with my family and possibly spending some time up in Wisconsin with my friends at their cabin. We wanted to go camping, but that may not be in the cards for us anymore, although we could go next spring break or something.
What are your summer plans? Comment below!
XOXO,
Dana
From Bookish Beginnings:
Like most teens I went through a stage when I was awkward and friendless. Maybe not friendless, but up until High school (and during for the most part) I really only had One or two friends. And even then our friendship was rocky. I just never met the right people and didnt know how to infiltrate a new clique. Sure I had lots of acquaintances and was able to hold my own during school hours, but I came home and spent most of my time alone.
I Fell into loving books at an early age. I had reading problems as a child, but with most of my time spent alone or waiting in hospital waiting rooms as a kid reading was something of a given. By 5th grade I was addicted, and my reading problem had gone away. I collected my AR points like no ones business, and when I entered middle school I started reading allowed my favorites to my 7 year old sister. The reading helped with my speech impediment and helped me gain confidence for public speaking and thinking on my feet. (this is the best advice I can give for someone who wants to think faster, be funnier, become a better speaker/actress etc. Sometimes I read out loud to myself even because it helps me focus on difficult texts.)
I remember a time when my friend threatened to destroy my copy of "New Moon" in 7th grade because I couldn't get my nose out of it long enough to hold a conversation during lunch. I would walk home from school and too and from class reading. It was a little bit crazy, but it was what I needed to get through the Middle School Blues. When I entered High School I stopped reading outside of times when it was appropriate (like while walking) and mostly read at home. I would read an average of 3 books a week, at least over 60 per year. I Joined book club after a conversation with the librarian and admitting that i had already read every book she had suggested and spent afternoons just recommending books to other readers.
Since im Independently wealthy (IE dont have an allowance or anything) my bookshelf was rather sparse and for the most part I just have a well worn library card. However I have acquired SOOO MANY BOOKS in the years past then. I haven't bothered to count because it would be futile but there are definitely more then 100 fiction books in my room with me right now.
I acquired my books several ways
2. From Library book sales
This was heaven for middle school me, and my first introduction to thrift shopping. Every few months my local library would take inventory and sell the overstock of books very cheaply, For about 50c to $1.50. I would load up on books and at home I would peel off the library stickers and cut off the protective dust jacket before displaying on my shelf. My high school library did this as well, only they gave the overstock away for free to book club members and then sold books for a quarter, and the money would be donated. I got BAGS of books with this.
3. Goodwill and other secondhand bookstores
This was my go to for a long time. At goodwill books are priced form $.80-1.50 and they are in great condition. Sometimes I would find very popular books just months after they came out because the previous owner had read it once and donated it. This was a great way to add to my collection.
4. Free books For Review
For about a year I dabbled in Book blogging and reviewing and although I never got "popular" I still got a lot of page views and a bunch of review requests and books sent to me for free. Sometimes they were just online, but I would get hardcover and paperback as well. The most popular book i ever got sent to me in preview was probably Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs, but mostly just lots of self published people
5. Free books from websites
Different websites from YA publishers like Random House's "Random Buzzers" (now bought by Figment) Simon and Shuster's "Pulse It", The Harlequin teen Panel, and a few others would send out books to members. On Random buzzers they would have sweepstakes (which I won many) for free books, and have activities tied to a point system that would allow members to "purchase" books using their points. It was the best, but about a year ago they stopped giving out as many books and then ended all together. Pulse it allows readers to read books online, and I believe that that has declined in popularity as well over the years. HTP is still awesome though. You register for the panel and they send you a book periodically. You read it and give them your feedback. Occasionally they send surveys on different types of book covers or synopsis. Anyway I got tons of books from that.
And that's pretty much it. As I got more and more busy it became increasingly difficult to read for pleasure. Now I read just about 1 book during the school year, and maybe 2-3 a month during summer. But I still have the remnants of my book obsession phase in my overflowing bookshelf and stacks of books in various places in my room. If you curious check out my old book blog for some reviews, but remember, I did that YEARS ago, so don't judge me too harshly.
And now what you've all been waiting for: The photographic Proof
I Fell into loving books at an early age. I had reading problems as a child, but with most of my time spent alone or waiting in hospital waiting rooms as a kid reading was something of a given. By 5th grade I was addicted, and my reading problem had gone away. I collected my AR points like no ones business, and when I entered middle school I started reading allowed my favorites to my 7 year old sister. The reading helped with my speech impediment and helped me gain confidence for public speaking and thinking on my feet. (this is the best advice I can give for someone who wants to think faster, be funnier, become a better speaker/actress etc. Sometimes I read out loud to myself even because it helps me focus on difficult texts.)
I remember a time when my friend threatened to destroy my copy of "New Moon" in 7th grade because I couldn't get my nose out of it long enough to hold a conversation during lunch. I would walk home from school and too and from class reading. It was a little bit crazy, but it was what I needed to get through the Middle School Blues. When I entered High School I stopped reading outside of times when it was appropriate (like while walking) and mostly read at home. I would read an average of 3 books a week, at least over 60 per year. I Joined book club after a conversation with the librarian and admitting that i had already read every book she had suggested and spent afternoons just recommending books to other readers.
Since im Independently wealthy (IE dont have an allowance or anything) my bookshelf was rather sparse and for the most part I just have a well worn library card. However I have acquired SOOO MANY BOOKS in the years past then. I haven't bothered to count because it would be futile but there are definitely more then 100 fiction books in my room with me right now.
I acquired my books several ways
- Traditionally: Through a bookstore
2. From Library book sales
This was heaven for middle school me, and my first introduction to thrift shopping. Every few months my local library would take inventory and sell the overstock of books very cheaply, For about 50c to $1.50. I would load up on books and at home I would peel off the library stickers and cut off the protective dust jacket before displaying on my shelf. My high school library did this as well, only they gave the overstock away for free to book club members and then sold books for a quarter, and the money would be donated. I got BAGS of books with this.
3. Goodwill and other secondhand bookstores
This was my go to for a long time. At goodwill books are priced form $.80-1.50 and they are in great condition. Sometimes I would find very popular books just months after they came out because the previous owner had read it once and donated it. This was a great way to add to my collection.
4. Free books For Review
For about a year I dabbled in Book blogging and reviewing and although I never got "popular" I still got a lot of page views and a bunch of review requests and books sent to me for free. Sometimes they were just online, but I would get hardcover and paperback as well. The most popular book i ever got sent to me in preview was probably Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs, but mostly just lots of self published people
5. Free books from websites
Different websites from YA publishers like Random House's "Random Buzzers" (now bought by Figment) Simon and Shuster's "Pulse It", The Harlequin teen Panel, and a few others would send out books to members. On Random buzzers they would have sweepstakes (which I won many) for free books, and have activities tied to a point system that would allow members to "purchase" books using their points. It was the best, but about a year ago they stopped giving out as many books and then ended all together. Pulse it allows readers to read books online, and I believe that that has declined in popularity as well over the years. HTP is still awesome though. You register for the panel and they send you a book periodically. You read it and give them your feedback. Occasionally they send surveys on different types of book covers or synopsis. Anyway I got tons of books from that.
And that's pretty much it. As I got more and more busy it became increasingly difficult to read for pleasure. Now I read just about 1 book during the school year, and maybe 2-3 a month during summer. But I still have the remnants of my book obsession phase in my overflowing bookshelf and stacks of books in various places in my room. If you curious check out my old book blog for some reviews, but remember, I did that YEARS ago, so don't judge me too harshly.
And now what you've all been waiting for: The photographic Proof
Are you as crazy of a reader as me? What do you do to get books?
XOXO,
Dana
It was about this time last year when I had gotten my dorm room assignment and found out who my roommate is. (well actually I chose my roommate, but the plebs who didn't found out around this time)
My roommate and I were discussing different ways to decorate the room and who would bring what, etc. Surprisingly enough, the most agonizing decision I had to make was whether or not to loft my bed.
It's no secret that I attend The University of Illinois In Urbana Champaign (UIUC), where they offer 3 different bed configurations. The Mid Loft, The Loft, and Bunk beds. As always dorm sizes and bed options differ from school to school, but I feel like these three are pretty standard when it comes to different options.
**** Disclaimer: All the photos of dorm rooms, except for those of my room at the bottom of the post, are from the University of Illinois Housing website. I do not own them.****
My roommate and I were discussing different ways to decorate the room and who would bring what, etc. Surprisingly enough, the most agonizing decision I had to make was whether or not to loft my bed.
It's no secret that I attend The University of Illinois In Urbana Champaign (UIUC), where they offer 3 different bed configurations. The Mid Loft, The Loft, and Bunk beds. As always dorm sizes and bed options differ from school to school, but I feel like these three are pretty standard when it comes to different options.
**** Disclaimer: All the photos of dorm rooms, except for those of my room at the bottom of the post, are from the University of Illinois Housing website. I do not own them.****
The Mid-Loft
Mid lofted bed end up to be about 3 feet off the floor. Its a bit of a jump to get up to it, but it'd good if you don't like heights or like just sitting in your bed while you do things. If you choose this configuration I would recommend practicing your high jumping skills, but if bringing a step stool or a storage ottoman would be good as well.
A Mid-loft is high enough that you can store things under the bed, and still have room for your dresser and bookshelf underneath the bed. A warning to all the people who thrash in their sleep: It still hurts if you fall off the mid-loft so be careful.
Mid lofted bed end up to be about 3 feet off the floor. Its a bit of a jump to get up to it, but it'd good if you don't like heights or like just sitting in your bed while you do things. If you choose this configuration I would recommend practicing your high jumping skills, but if bringing a step stool or a storage ottoman would be good as well.
A Mid-loft is high enough that you can store things under the bed, and still have room for your dresser and bookshelf underneath the bed. A warning to all the people who thrash in their sleep: It still hurts if you fall off the mid-loft so be careful.
Pros of a Mid Lofted Bed
| Cons of The mid Loft Lifestyle
|
The Lofted Bed
I don't know exactly but I would say that a Lofted bed is about 6 feet up in the air. They require a Ladder to get to and recommenced a railing, so you don't fall out. (the railing also comes in handy to tie your charging cord around so your phone doesn't fall out of your bed)
Its big enough that you can stack your bookshelf on top of your dresser or also put your desk under your bed
When sleeping there is really only a foot in between the mattress and the ceiling so its a tad cramped and not recommended if your claustrophobic.
If your and your roommate both get your beds lofted there is room for things like extra seating, or a fridge, storage containers, shoe rack, TV etc.
I don't know exactly but I would say that a Lofted bed is about 6 feet up in the air. They require a Ladder to get to and recommenced a railing, so you don't fall out. (the railing also comes in handy to tie your charging cord around so your phone doesn't fall out of your bed)
Its big enough that you can stack your bookshelf on top of your dresser or also put your desk under your bed
When sleeping there is really only a foot in between the mattress and the ceiling so its a tad cramped and not recommended if your claustrophobic.
If your and your roommate both get your beds lofted there is room for things like extra seating, or a fridge, storage containers, shoe rack, TV etc.
The Pros of lofting
| The cons of that lofted life
|
The Bunk Bed
Depending on the dorm there may be an option to bunk the bed, (or it may be your only option) this means that both beds are connected and there are 2 small drawers underneath the bottom bunk. These come with a railing and the ladder is on the side.
At UIUC they mostly have this in the older dorms (6 pack, or North and South Ikenberry)
The first bed is about 1.5 feet off the floor and the second is about 5 feet off the floor (so there is more room to sit up in the traditional lofted bed. These beds are not adjustable, so your pretty much stuck with it if this is in your dorm, but im going to do a pro, and con for it anyway.
Depending on the dorm there may be an option to bunk the bed, (or it may be your only option) this means that both beds are connected and there are 2 small drawers underneath the bottom bunk. These come with a railing and the ladder is on the side.
At UIUC they mostly have this in the older dorms (6 pack, or North and South Ikenberry)
The first bed is about 1.5 feet off the floor and the second is about 5 feet off the floor (so there is more room to sit up in the traditional lofted bed. These beds are not adjustable, so your pretty much stuck with it if this is in your dorm, but im going to do a pro, and con for it anyway.
Pros to bunking
| Cons to Bunk Beds
|
Choosing a bed configuration shouldn't be something to loose sleep over (Ba dum tss) but there I hope these pros and cons helped you thing about what is really right for you. You can always try something out, then change it if its not what you like. Your dorms maintenance men can literally loft or un-loft your bed in about 5 minutes and are very respectful when changing your configuration.
As for me:
I chose to loft my bed, but I cheated and lowered the bed 6 inches lower then a normal "loft" this gave me a little extra room so that i had about a 2 feet of room for sleeping. I wasn't able to fit my desk or the bookshelf on top of the dresser, but it just ended up working out for me the best. I was able to fit my bookshelf, dresser, a mini fridge and utilize the extra shelf. My roommate had the same configuration except she had a chair instead of the fridge. Look below for more pictures of my dorm room.
As for me:
I chose to loft my bed, but I cheated and lowered the bed 6 inches lower then a normal "loft" this gave me a little extra room so that i had about a 2 feet of room for sleeping. I wasn't able to fit my desk or the bookshelf on top of the dresser, but it just ended up working out for me the best. I was able to fit my bookshelf, dresser, a mini fridge and utilize the extra shelf. My roommate had the same configuration except she had a chair instead of the fridge. Look below for more pictures of my dorm room.
Whats your favorite room configuration? Have any thing to add to the pros and cons lists? Comment below!
XOXO,
Dana
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