Holiday Gifts for Every Kind of Girl on Your List

Hey y'all!

Can we all agree there is nothing worse than having to get a gift for someone that you don't know super well? I mean the bad part isn't having to buy a gift -- I love that part. But it can be so difficult trying to pin someone down as a makeup junkie or a total sports fanatic.

Free Printable Holiday Wall Art

Hey y'all!

Michael and I officially bought our first Christmas tree together last night! Although I'm not usually a big fan of multicolored light trees, that's all the store had in the size we wanted. I couldn't wait any longer, so we bought it. I think it's actually starting to grow on me!

We were on the lookout for some stockings to get for our dog, Peanut, and cat, Denny, but Michael refused to let me buy one because they looked "cheap and our pets deserve better". So we put those on hold until we can make a run to target! I'm thinking some faux fur, but who knows!

Weekend Sales to Shop Now

Hey y'all!

I made a post last week on my Facebook about all of the great sales that were going on, but I know that not all of my readers follow the page! I thought I'd make a post on my blog so that y'all don't miss out on some deals (especially if you're still needing to do your Christmas shopping).

Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 5

Hey y'all!

My life hasn't been really that exciting lately, so I've struggled to come up with 5 things that are really important to share with my readers. That's why I held off on posting a new Sit Down with Sarah because I don't just want to publish things just because I feel like I have to. It's important for me to be genuine with y'all!

5 Tips for Living with Your Significant Other

Hey y'all!

My boyfriend, Michael, and I have lived together for over a year now. It's not every day that you meet a college student that lives with her significant other, but I honestly wouldn't trade it for the world! It makes me so much more confident that this is the man I want to marry.

I know a lot of couples are skeptical about moving in together before they're engaged or married, but I couldn't recommend it enough. You'll learn a lot about each other's habits and I definitely understand why some people break up after they move in together. Fights are easier to have when you're in a close space, but at the same time, they're over a lot faster because, at the end of the day, you end up in the same bed so it's easier to forgive.

Now I'm definitely no love expert, but I figured I'd share some of the tips that have made living together for us a huge success! Hopefully, you can use them yourself when the time comes around to move in with your boo.

My Affordable Fall Fashion Picks Under $50

Hey y'all!

I recently asked over on my Facebook page what y'all wanted to see more of on the blog. I received a comment from one of my besties saying she wanted to see affordable fashion! A lot of my readers are college girls, so I know we all want to look banging on a budget.

I'm the type of girl that really hates to spend a ton of money on clothes (I'd rather spend it on food sorry not sorry). If you're interested in learning my secrets, then keep reading because I'm going to share with you a few of my favorite fall pieces, plus some tips on how to save money!

Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 4

Hey y'all!

It's the fourth time I've written an SDWS, so hopefully, you know the drill by now! If you're new here, then let me give you a quick run-down. Every Friday, I post an SDWS to help give my readers a glimpse into my personal life. I share 5 things in my life that I've been loving or I've just deemed important. Who knows, maybe you'll find your new favorite recipe because of me? &nbs p; That's kind of the whole point -- to keep ya updated, and to inspire you to try some new things!

How to Grow Long Healthy Hair

Hey y'all!

I've pretty much always had long hair. Not to mention I've also always had incredibly thick hair. It might not look that way, but every time I sit down in a hairdresser, they go "wow, you have a lot of hair!"

But they also always tell me how healthy my hair is too, so woohoo for me! I thought that I would share some of my secrets of how to grow/maintain long and healthy hair. It can be hard in a world full of highlights, straighteners, curlers, blow dryers...the list could keep going, but you get the point.

Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 3

Hey y'all!

Happy Friday, friends! Sorry I missed last week's SDWS! Junior year has been so unbelievably busy. I'm not sure if I love it or hate it, but missing out on posting definitely does suck.

Anyways, I feel like I have so much to update y'all on, so let's get started!

How to Maintain Mental Health in College

Hey y'all!

Mental health is important, I think we can all agree on that. I think we can also all agree that it can be hard to make time for dealing with your mental health whenever you've got over 100 assignments, 3 tests, and a paper due.

Sometimes, we find ourselves being stressed and overwhelmed that we put our mental health to the absolute bottom of our to-do list. Sorry bud, but that's not going to help you.

It should always be your number one priority. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do a project because it would stress you out too much, but sometimes you can skip a night of textbook reading to just relax and watch Netflix.

Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 2

Hey y'all!

Another week, another SDWS. I couldn't believe the amount of positive feedback I got from the last one! There's seriously no better feeling than when you guys tell me you appreciate things I've written. Even my dad said he liked reading it and it felt like I had a secret life (even though I FaceTime him at least twice a week).

The Lazy Girl's Best Hair Accessories

Hey y'all!

I'm a big advocate for messy buns. And I'm a big advocate for being lazy. Those two things go hand in hand, right?

As much as I love messy buns, I have pretty thick hair so they don't last on top of my head for as long as I'd like. So today I'm going to be sharing with you what accessories I use whenever I'm not rocking my favorite messy bun!

Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 1

Hey y'all!

So I've seen tons of different bloggers do things like Friday Five or Friday Chit-Chat or things along that line where they basically talk about things going on in their life or things they're loving lately.

I really enjoyed writing one of my recent post because it allowed me to share a side of myself that isn't always seen whenever I'm writing about college advice and such. Basically what I'm trying to tell you is that I'm starting this new series on my blog called Sit Down with Sarah (so that means I'll be posting twice a week, yay!) where I'm going to be a little more personal with my readers.

Study Tips for Your Best Semester Yet

Hey y'all!

I'm always constantly asking my friends for study tips. Is it just me or did high school completely not prepare me for the amount of studying that college requires? Not that it's hard, but it definitely takes time to learn how to study effectively.

Now that I'm a junior (wow that's still really weird), I'd like to think I can give some sound advice on some really great study tips. Everyone is different, so something to keep in mind is that you can pick and choose what you want to do or even do a combination of all of these tips!

Life Updates

Hey y'all!

Long time, no talk, right? The month of August has been beyond crazy for me, and I didn't have as much time as I would have like to devote to my blog. I really didn't want to post content that I wasn't proud of, so I just decided not to post anything at all.

Sometimes I forget that I'm not friends with all of my readers on Facebook, but I thought I would update everyone as to what I've been up to!

Stripe Embroidered Dress

Why I Went to College Out of State

Hey y'all!

I love my school. I love it so much. I'm the annoying girl who brags about how amazing it is, how great our programs are, how beautiful the campus is, and how talented the football team is 😉. If you're new here, then you wouldn't know that I go to the University of Alabama. 

Since my family still lives in Texas, it's a 10 hour drive or an hour and a half plane ride for me to go home, which really isn't that bad. I personally really enjoy long distance driving but my dad always tries to make me stop halfway. And flying is great, except for the fact Birmingham airport is tiny so you have to shell out big bucks for a ticket.

I'm sure you're wondering how did I find out I wanted to go to the University of Alabama when I lived in Texas? Well, thanks to football, I was able to find my dream school.

Sorority Rush Week Essentials

Hey y'all!

Sorority recruitment is coming up sooner than I know it. At least at Alabama!

Although a lot of schools vary, UA always has their recruitment week before the semester starts. I personally am happy about that because then you don't have to focus on anything else except rush.

It's such an exhausting week, but it's also one of the most exciting weeks of your life!

10 Tips for College Move-In Day

Hey y'all!

College move-in day is stressful for everyone involved. For me, it was even more so. I go to school 12 hours from home, so I had to pack EVERYTHING into two cars.

And then I had to move all of that home. Most of it having to fit in my Jetta.

But the best part? I then had to move all of my stuff BACK to Alabama for my apartment the next year. So I'd like to think that I have some expertise on moving.

Essential Kitchen Items for Small Spaces / Apartments

Hey y'all!

I've officially been living in my apartment for a year! I'd like to think that I can now officially give good advice about what you actually do and don't need while living in an apartment.

I have a decent sized kitchen, but it has hardly any storage at all. So I thought I would share with y'all today what things I totally love and believe that you need if you live in a tiny space! Everything I have linked is from Amazon, so be sure to use your prime membership for free 2-day shipping!

Don't have Prime? Try it here free for 30 days.

Summer Beach Picks Under $100

A Beginners Guide to Plant-Based Eating

Hey y'all!

I started a plant-based diet in January of this year (2017 if you're reading this 100 years from now). My skin has cleared up, my body feels a lot better, and I actually know how to cook now!

P.s. I might be making a cookbook for my readers about all of my fave new recipes!

Even though my mom and boyfriend think I'm a "crazy" vegan, I'd like to think I do an okay job of not pushing my beliefs onto other people. I know how off-putting it can be when someone asks you "omg why are you eating meat???" 100 times a day.

But now I also know what it feels like to be asked: "omg how do you NOT eat meat and dairy???" 100 times a day. Both are very very annoying.

Enough rambling from me though, you're here to learn about how to live a healthier and happier life!

Easy Budgeting Tips for College Students

Hey y'all!

If I had a dollar for every time I heard a college student calling themselves broke, then I wouldn't be a broke college student myself. Your early twenties is the time when you get to learn about a not-so-wonderful thing called a budget.

Although a large majority of us are still under mom and dad's wing, we still have to mostly fend for ourselves. Some of us learn the hard way when we run out of dining dollars only a month into the semester, and then there are those of us who very wisely choose to use our money to do laundry instead of going to the bar for the fifth time this week. (even if there are $3 shots)

I'm definitely a mix of the two. I don't waste my money on dominoes every night, but I've had a few times where I've held my breath while scanning my debit card. It's all about balance, right?

What Not to Pack for College

Hey y'all!

I'm sure we've all seen the typical campus checklists for freshman going to college. Dorm life is exciting, but it's always important to keep in mind that the rooms are fairly small. I was lucky enough to live in apartment style dorms so I had a big room to myself, but most college students don't!

Since you have limited space, you really don't want to take stuff that you won't use. If you feel like there's something you actually do need, you can purchase it when you're already at school. I'm here to help you with what you 100% won't need to take to college with you. You can thank me later.

Simple Avocado Toast Recipe

Hey y'all!

I think we can all agree that avocados are pretty trendy. Think I'm wrong? Then let me know why they have their very own emoji 🥑 (still waiting on the flamingo, Apple..) Along with the avocado cult is the one and only avocado toast. Not only is it extremely delicious, but it's also aesthetically pleasing, as I'm sure you've seen all over your Instagram feed.

The first time I ever made avocado toast, I literally just put a mashed up avocado on toast. Don't get me wrong, I love avocado and I love toast, but it was just so bland. Needless to say, it wasn't super yummy, and I didn't really understand the hype.

But after experimenting and listening to other people's opinions of what the perfect avocado toast recipe is, I have finally perfected my own vegan avo-toast!

How I Decorated My Apartment on a College Girl's Budget

Hey y'all!

I love home decor. I could spend hours on end walking around Target, Home Goods or Hobby Lobby, just looking at all of the stuff they have. But I think we can all agree that buying stuff for our homes adds up pretty quickly. When I first moved in, I always had to remind myself that it's a marathon and not a sprint!

In all honesty, I'm not completely in love with the space I live in right now. Since I'm still in college, I rent my furniture. I rented it through my apartment complex so it was a "get what you get and you don't throw a fit" situation. All of the furniture is dark wood tops with silver metal trimmings. Definitely not the vibe I'm going for.

So I thought I would share with you some of my favorite pieces I have in my apartment that helps to make it feel a little more like my own space (but are still super affordable)!

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

Hey y'all!

I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of the "Freshman 15", but if you haven't...

Freshman 15 : when a first year college student comes back the following year and appears to have gained about 15 pounds from eating too much and not enough exercise. - Urban Dictionary

I think a lot of people think it's a myth, but it really isn't. I have so many friends that have felt discouraged because they gained weight during their freshman year (or the sophomore 30). A lot of the time, weight gain sneaks up on us and it's not until we look back at a picture and think "wow, I used to look like THAT?"

Well, I'm lucky enough that I actually lost 5 lbs when I was a freshman in college! So I hope that you take my advice because it's a lot easier to be proactive and avoid gaining weight rather than to gain it and try to work it off!

5 Free Mother's Day Cards

Hey y'all!

Mother's Day is right around the corner, and that makes me so so happy!! Not only do I get to celebrate one of my favorite people, but I get to go home and see her -- ya know, the whole college out-of-state thing is fun until it comes to holidays where you can't spend them with your fam.

I think we can all agree that our mothers are the coolest people around. They take care of us when we are sick, help us wipe away the tears when we are sad, and are always cheering on the side lines when you're kicking ass at life. Moms seriously rock!!

I would consider my mom one of my best friends and I tell her everything that's going on in my life -- that basically means if I hate you, so does Lenore, sorry!! I'm not even exaggerating when I say that I FaceTime her at least once a week, and I'm constantly calling her asking how to cook something (your girl is trying to be #housewifematerial but I had no clue how to roast garlic in the oven last week...) 

So I hope that like me, you're making/getting/planning something special for Mother's Day. To make your life a little easier, you can download one (or all, I don't judge) of these prints to be the perfect little side-kick to the main attraction for your mom. 

Improve Your Photography Challenge - Part 2

I received the product mentioned in this post for free from CreativeLive. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Hey y'all!

As mentioned in my original Improve Your Photography Challenge post, I teamed up with CreativeLive to take an online photography class on "How to Take Amazing Photos with a DSLR". And boy, did I learn a lot!

11 of the Cutest Accessories to Spruce up your Work Desk

Hey y'all!

I'm a huge sucker for #aesthetic and who doesn't want a fun and creative workspace? I think it's super important to love the space that you're in because if you like your space, you'll enjoy working. Plus it helps with inspiration!

I personally don't have room for an office space (college apartments are tiny), but if I did, this is totally how I would choose to decorate it! I went with a rose gold and acrylic theme because I feel like it's super trendy.

How to Create the Perfect Class Schedule

Hey y'all!

I know before college orientation, I was really worried about signing up for classes. I had no clue what to expect, and I'm definitely the planning type so it stressed me out not knowing my schedule at the beginning of summer. When I finally sat down at the computer where I was going to sign up for my classes, it went by so quickly and I didn't really feel confident in the classes I had selected.

I really wish that I had looked into advice before I signed up because it definitely would have saved me from signing up for a 9 am class on Friday mornings (it was miserable, to say the least 😭). I hope my tips can help you to create the perfect class schedule!

High End Makeup Products Worth Buying

Hey y'all!

I love talking about makeup products that I use. It's one of my absolute favorite things to splurge on! I can't count the number of times that I've specifically saved up money to purchase a high-end product. Today I've compiled a list of my favorite items that I definitely think are worth buying!

How to be the Perfect PNM During Sorority Recruitment

Hey y'all!

I have received so much positive feedback from "My Recruitment Experience" at the University of Alabama. If you're coming here to read this, you're either about to go through recruitment, or you're just curious about greek life in general! Either way, I hope this post can help answer your questions and calm your nerves.

Since I've only got through recruitment at UA, these tips are directed towards bama girls! Although I'm sure most recruitments are similar. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below and I'll try to help you the best I can!

Improve Your Photography Challenge

I received the product mentioned in this post for free from CreativeLive. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Hey y'all!

I am so beyond thrilled to announce that I'm teaming up with CreativeLive to take a photography class! The best part? It's completely online so it fits perfectly with my busy college schedule. I plan on using whatever free time I have to sit down with my boyfriend (he helps take pics for my blog!), and learn how to "Take Amazing Photos with a DSLR".

For those of you that don’t know, CreativeLive offers more than 1,500 e-courses taught by some amazing people. They offer courses not just in photography, but money + life, crafting, and even music verticals.

Vegan Grocery List Staples + Free Printable Checklist

Hey y'all!

I think a lot of people have the mindset that vegans only eat kale. That couldn't be further from the truth. I still get to enjoy things like cookies, popcorn and most importantly, ice cream. It's all about looking at ingredients! Once you learn how to read a label, it's easy.

This is a simple list of things that I always like to have in my kitchen. This list has everything a vegan could need to snack on! Some healthy and some not-so-healthy!! I linked the particular brands that are vegan, but like I said, always be sure to check the label. 

DIY Choker T-Shirt

Hey y'all!

How cute is this top?! I've had the idea to DIY this choker-style shirt ever since football season. I saw this type of shirt all over Etsy and I knew I could easily do it myself for waaay cheaper.

This only took me about 5 minutes to do, and cost about $6 (thanks to Walmart!) All you need is a shirt, a ruler, a pencil and a pair of scissors!

Alphabet Date Ideas

Hey y'all!

Date ideas can be hard. And although "Netflix and chill" is fun every now and then, it can get a little boring. That's why I sat down with Michael (the bf, duh) and we made a list of fun date ideas!

We made sure to include a variety of things, so they range from free to a little pricey. A date doesn't have to be expensive to be considered fun. It's all about spending time with your SO, right?

I know a few of these may sound a little confusing or vague. That's because we thought we should leave some up to interpretation since different people enjoy different things. Take queso making for example! Hop onto amazon.com, purchase a fondue pot, look up some cheese (or anything else you want to make) recipes on pinterest, and let the fun begin.

Sophomore Year: What's in my Backpack

Hey y'all!

In a previous post, I mentioned that I wanted to do something about what essentials I keep in my backpack. Well, here it is! I love being able to help out other students because college is definitely trial and error when it comes to finding out the perfect routine. 

I would consider myself a pretty organized person, so some of the things I carry around may not necessarily be useful to everyone. But in case you're interested, I linked some of my favorite things!

Shoe Essentials Every Collegiate Needs

Hey y'all!

Shoes are such an important part of any wardrobe and can make or break an outfit. But when moving into a dorm room, minimizing the number of shoes you have is essential. Since you won't have much space, picking out shoes that can be versatile and comfy is definitely key! I have compiled a list of shoes that work for every occasion. I personally own almost all of these and highly recommend!

6 Vegans You Need to Watch on YouTube

Hey y'all!

If you're anything like me, you watch YouTube videos like they're going out of style. I watch anything from vlogs to makeup tutorials. And believe it or not, there are plenty of vegan (or plant-based eaters) to watch! Below I have linked a few of my favorites.

Cowl Neck Sweater

How to Plan Like a Pro in College

Hey y'all!

Today we are talking about one of my absolute favorite things, PLANNERS!! Don't worry, I'm not an over organizer where I decorate my planner with stickers and such (been there, tried that, too much to keep up with), but I'm definitely a huge believer in writing things down.

Since it's the beginning of a new year AND the beginning of a new semester, I thought it would be super fun to share with you how I use my planner. 

As everyone begins with their New Years Resolutions, I know a lot of people have "get organized" on their to do list. Hopefully my tips can help you out since I'll also be sharing how I stay organized during the school year. 

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

Hey y'all!

Today's post is one of my favorite things to talk about, makeup. I used to be super skeptical about drugstore makeup products. I firmly believed that if something was under $10 then there was no way it could work. And honestly, that couldn't be further from the truth!

Now a large part of my beauty routine consists of products that I can just grab from Target! Not to mention, it makes my wallet a lot happier when I'm not shelling out $20 on an eyeliner every few months.

Almond Milk & Berry Smoothie

Hey y'all!

Part of my New Year's resolution is to eat a more plant-based diet or essentially eat vegan! I plan on doing some more blog posts in the near future about my decision, my favorite snacks and even some good documentaries to watch if you're considering it!

Here's a yummy smoothie recipe that's perfect for vegans and is super easy to make! I originally found this recipe on Food Network's website and just had to share with my readers, but I changed it up a tiny bit.