Tag: dorm

5 College Girls Get Real About Apartment Roommates

College is all about making lifelong friendships, but sometimes it can be hard to navigate the social scene once the days of orientation and residence halls are over with. As a disclaimer, I do still live in on-campus housing. If it means trading total freedom for loosely enforced quiet hours and the occasional floor meeting, I am putting off paying actual rent for as long as possible. I live with three roommates in an apartment with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, and two double bedrooms. It is also a ‘wet’ building, so it might as well be a full-fledged apartment without dealing with the hassle of a New York City landlord.

Living with roommates is difficult as you progress through college.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

As we progress through college, whether living on-campus or off, it becomes a major challenge to meet new people and adjust to living with new roommates. Although you might think having an RA who makes you fill out roommate agreement contracts is a pain, it really is comforting to know there is someone to go to if problems arise. Getting older though, the disagreements are no longer just minor annoyances about alarm clocks and unmade beds, but instead, they are often about washing pots and pans and keeping the bathroom tidy. To combat anxieties about getting along with roommates in an apartment, I’ve gathered some advice from some of my most trusted friends on their best tips and tricks for a successful year.

PHOTO: Rachel Zuckerberg

1—Communication is key.

“My best advice is being open and honest right off the bat. Don’t let anything that’s bothering you fester, just have open communication with everything upfront.” -Lauren, ’18

2—Make cleaning a habit.

“Clean a little each day so that you’re not left with a huge mess at any given time. This way, there are never marathon cleaning sessions being done by any one roommate.” -Katherine, ’18

PHOTO: Anna Coke

3—Always be considerate.

“I think the most important part of sharing an apartment is being considerate. In the kitchen, for example, being aware of what you use and making sure you’re keeping things clean is a great way to avoid conflict between roommates.” -Annie, ’18

 

4—Take advantage of the extra space.

“If you’re going to be up late doing homework, go into the common room to do it that way you don’t disturb your roommate who can sleep. Also, everyone has pet peeves about kitchen, bathroom, and how they like things kept, so before living together, make a list of this so everyone is aware of them.”  -Gabriella, ’18

PHOTO: Daisa Harris

5—Ask before you host.

“One of my biggest pet peeves is roommates assuming every hour is social hour. I think a great rule of thumb is to always ask before inviting friends over, as you never know who might be studying or heading to bed.” -Antonia ’18

 

Have any other tips for living with roommates in an apartment? Leave us a comment or let us know on social media @CFashionista!

A College Girl’s Guide to Creating an Inspiring Study Space

The fall semester is in full swing and it’s time to hit the books. Balancing your course load, internship, and personal projects is hard enough. But staying inspired to keep up the good work while trapped between those totally blah dorm walls? That’s a completely separate struggle. Before the semester gets too crazy, I encourage you to read these simple steps on transforming your dorm desk from bleak to chic. Creating an inspiring study space will help you in the long run, I promise.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

1—Organize, Organize, Organize

When you’re living that college life, space and furniture are limited. Often your dorm desk doubles as your study space, makeup vanity, and dining room table. While that’s perfectly okay, it can get super distracting. The key to avoiding the chaos is organization. Make sure everything has a specific place—from your contour brush to your biology notebook—and studying in your dorm will be a breeze!

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

2—Get Planning

Similar to organization, keeping planning essentials on your desk is a must. With calendars, agendas, and other scheduling supplies at your fingertips you’ll be constantly aware of deadlines, upcoming events, and goals you’ve set for yourself inspiring you to get your work done.

PHOTO: Anna Coke

3—Liven it Up

No matter how organized your study space is, your cinderblock walls and bland wooden desk won’t be inspiring without a little décor. A major key to making your space perfect for those long hours of studying is decorating in moderation. One of my favorite ways to decorate my study space is with greenery. Plants keep your space feeling lively, but don’t add too much clutter to your desk. Pictures with friends, mementos from home, or posters of your favorite bands are other great ways to add pops of inspiration to your space without being too overpowering.

PHOTO: Anna Coke

4—Set the Mood

Hands down, my favorite way to make my space inspiring is by creating a mood board. Whether you choose to make a wall collage or bulletin board, use magazine cutouts or motivational quotes, mood boards are the perfect way to curate a collection of what is inspiring to you. Whenever you’ve hit a workload roadblock, you can take a quick glance at your mood board and feel instantly inspired.

How are you creating an inspiring study space this semester? Sound off in the comments below.

Featured photo by Jordyn Wissert.

5 Things Every College Student Should Have for the New School Year

Going back to school means packing up our lives and compressing our belongings into dorms or apartments, for a large number of college students. It may seem difficult to stay organized living in such a small space, while also juggling classes, extracurriculars, and a social life. There are many things that can help you stay organized, though, and will allow you utilize your space in more efficient ways. Here are five things that I believe are essential for back to school.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

1—A good planner

This may seem obvious, but a planner can do wonders in your day-to-day college routine. Investing in a good planner (and actually using it), can help you organize not only your homework, but all the other important (or not so pertinent) appointments, deadlines, tasks, and dates in your life. Craft stores and online shops are starting to create products dedicated just to planners, such as stickers and writing utensils. A colorful sticker reminding you that you have to pay your rent or go to a doctor’s appointment can make you feel more organized with your time.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

2—Bed risers

Bed risers are extremely useful for those who have beds that are not lofted or bunked. Having the extra height on your bed allows for more space for storage under your bed itself. I added bed risers to my freshmen year dorm bed, and it added just the right amount of space to fit my storage bins. Giving the space to store things under your bed can allow you to avoid leaving your belongings cluttered around.

3—Storage bins

Unless you are lucky enough to have a large college dorm or apartment, you are probably struggling with the lack of storage space. Using large storage bins under your bed, or smaller bins on your desk, allows you to group similar belongings in one space. The best part about storage bins is that you can get them in a ton of colors and patterns, so choosing a few to fit your room’s theme can help bring a neater, unified look to your dorm decor.

4—Makeup/jewelry organizers

Having organizers for makeup and jewelry can cut back your time getting ready in the morning immensely. Organizing each product into small acrylic organizers or jewelry trays will allow you to see each product, and also makes it so each product has its own certain place it belongs for easy cleanup.

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

5—A pencil case

This may also seem like a very obvious product, but many times we encounter exams that allow only number two pencils, or professors that only want work written in pen.  I keep a single pouch, filled with colored pencils and pens (in an array of colors) because sometimes an assignment may call for different colors, and taking notes with my favorite pens aid in my note-taking and overall handwriting quality.

How do you stay organized throughout the year? Comment below. 

Back to School Shopping—Dorm Decor Edition

It’s that time of the year everyone and I can practically hear the groans of kids all across the nation. Why? School is starting! I’m not going to lie, this is one of my favorite times of the year. It means that it’s time to do some back to school shopping. In my younger years, my excitement was towards the colorful school supplies and mechanical pencils. Now that I’m in college, all of my excitement is shopping for my dorm room decor! Here are a few basic guidelines to help you achieve the best dorm room for you.

I am a firm believer that your living space should be a representation of yourself. By this I mean you should decorate your space with things you like and things that make you feel happy. Your room is supposed to be your home away from home, the place you come to unwind and recharge. If your room doesn’t exemplify things that you are about, then it won’t be a place of relaxation and comfort.

Colors are so important when determining your decor, especially when you are figuring out the type of atmosphere you want your room to have. Warm tones like reds and yellows create a fun, upbeat, and lively vibe. Cool tones like blues and purples will create a more calm, chill, and relaxing vibe. It all comes down to you and what kind of environment suits you. As for me, I love happy and cheery vibes, so I chose warm tones for my room.

After you decide on colors, you can choose a theme! This is a very fun and essential part of your living space. This is where you can have lots of fun expressing yourself. Themes can range from preppy, boho, hipster, chic, etc. Within each theme, the possibilities are endless because it is all up to your interpretation. Add to your theme with posters of sayings that represent you, wall decals, photos, throws, and fun pillows. I am very free-spirited so I chose boho chic as my room theme. I decided to decorate with a beautiful tapestry to achieve this vibe.

Overall, the idea is to have fun with your room! Decorate as you wish and express yourself. Follow these basic guidelines and your room will surely be straight fire.

I would love to see how you decided to style your dorms for this year! Be sure to take lots of photos and tag us on social media at @Cfashionista!

How to Turn Your Dorm Room Into a Home

With summer finally coming to an end, it’s time to ditch the beach and trade it in for books, hard work, and perseverance. But I will admit, possessing strong determination and motivation is not as easy as it sounds (especially when living in an environment that does not make you feel at home). Whether you’re living in a dorm room or commuting to school, there is nothing more comforting than ending a long day of work and classes in a cozy and relaxing space. Decorating your dorm room (or redecorating your bedroom) even just a little will make a huge difference! Going overboard with room décor isn’t necessary, so try decorating your room with a minimalist perspective.

One approach you can take to make your living space homey is using plants. Yes, it’s just that simple! Grab yourself a tiny vase, fill it up with some water, and add flowers to place on your windowsill; a simple addition like this brings character and life to your space as it makes the atmosphere feel welcoming and hospitable. If you think you’ll be too tired of constantly maintaining and replacing flowers, then use succulents to decorate. Succulents are one of the best houseplants because they are low-maintenance and beautiful. If you’re still not convinced that you can take proper care of a succulent, you can always purchase life-like ones that look just as real!

Another decorative way to use plants is to frame them. If you’re in the mood for a little DIY project, you can easily frame pressed flowers or leaves. Press a portion of the plant of your choice using a book, and once it is pressed to your desire, simply align it to the center of a float frame. Hanging up a float frame as opposed to a regular picture frame provides the illusion of the plant floating itself. Though its simplicity alludes to a contemporary and innovative ambiance, the pressed plant suggests otherwise as it provides a touch of rustic vibes.

Finally, top your room off with a small section of coffee-table books for a casual read (unless you prefer a pile of school textbooks instead).

Have any more ideas on how to make your space feel homey? Comment below or share on social media. Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

How to Create Your Dream Dorm

“Back to school.” Some people dread hearing those words. They immediately think long classes and endless homework, all that makes us remain in a summer mindset forever. But for me, I immediately think about my new dorm and all of the fun ways I’ll style it and make it mine. Your dorm or bedroom is where you should be able to go and get away from the world—that happy little corner that solely belongs to you.

One way to really spice up a room is through fun, decorative pillows. If you chose to opt for more of a neutral-toned bedspread, this is a must, as statement pillows can add a fun and unique flair. Just look for whatever matches your personality, such as a sweet floral or a cute animal. Pillows like this boho one will really brighten up a dorm while keeping it looking cozy and inviting. Another fun idea is creating a pillow bed on the floor. This will give friends a place to sit or provide you with a little nook for doing homework or just chilling out.

Another fun way to decorate your dorm is through creating a very personalized and organized desk. Odds are that this is where you’ll be spending a lot of time due to the plethora of papers and assignments you’ll have to complete. For this reason, you want a desk that makes you feel comfortable and is adorned with what expresses your personality. This can be done through fun pieces, such as this desk toy or fun little plant dog. By creating a workspace that inspires you, you’ll feel more motivated and will thrive to get assignments completed.

As another form of inspiration, it is always fun to create a mood board—a board that is filled with your current obsessions, goals, and inspirations. By having this board, you can work towards being your best self and completing all of your goals.

By creating an atmosphere that most represents you, a sense of peace and protection will be created as this is the room you’ll be spending the next year in. Decorate it with everything that excites and inspires you and create a dorm room that all your friends will be jealous of!

Show us how you decorate your dorm room by sharing it on social media with @CFashionista!

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2 Dorm Decor DIYs for Under $20

Almost every college freshman gets excited to decorate their dorm, but when it comes time to buying dorm essentials, even the most basic items can add up. Here are two of my favorite and cheap dorm decor DIYs!

1—Brandy Melville-Inspired Wood Sign. This sign is probably one of the easiest (and cutest) DIYs I’ve ever made.

What you’ll need:

  • A piece of scrap wood
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Sandpaper
  • Wire
  • Scissors
  • Drill

Step 1—Using your ruler and pencil, draw the border of your sign about two centimeters from the edge of the wood.

Step 2—Draw or trace the word onto your wood. For precision, you can print out what you want to write and transfer the print onto the sign.

Step 3—Paint over your pencil marks with the acrylic paint. Black or navy blue tends to work best so that the pencil marks do not show through.

Step 4—Once the paint has completely dried, use the sandpaper to achieve a weathered look. There is no wrong way to do this, but I like to start on the border and sand down most of the edges first before going over the words.

Step 5—Cut a piece of wire about two feet long. Drill two holes in the upper corners of your sign and insert the wire for hanging.

2—Wire “Neon” Sign. Neon signs are the most Instagram-worthy decor trend today… but also the priciest. Many neon signs like the ones you see at Urban Outfitters have to be created using hand-blown glass, thus the high price. This DIY neon sign will give you the freedom to choose what word you want to display in light and best of all, it won’t break the bank.

What you’ll need:

Step 1—Choose what word you want to create. If you aren’t sure what word to use, do a Google search for beautiful words, or browse your Tumblr and Pinterest for inspiration.

Step 2—Cut a long piece of your wire. It is best to cut the wire longer than you think you need and then trim it later. Once you cut your wire, shape the wire into the word that you chose. Make sure that the wire can keep its shape, which may require twisting the wire around other pieces of the same wire.

Step 3—Cut your twist ties into half-inch pieces. These will be used to attach your neon wire to the metal wire.

Step 4—Line up your neon wire with the metal wire starting, then attach the two wires together using the twist ties where necessary. Do this along the entire wire until you have spelled out your word. There should be excess wire left over to plug into an outlet. Plug in your neon light and marvel at your creation!

Which DIY was your favorite? Show us how your project turned out by tagging @Cfashionista on Instagram!

5 Dorm Room Essentials

While we are still in the midst of summer, school is coming up quickly for college students. Soon it will be time to pack your bags and make the trip to your new home for the school year. Figuring out what to bring can be daunting, especially for rising freshmen moving into a tiny dorm. Below are five essentials I was happy I made room for.

Photo via Need Supply Co.

1—Water heater. Having one of these saved my morning routine by making oatmeal, coffee, or tea easy. You can have boiling water in under a minute compared to heating up your water in the microwave.

2—Towel dress. A velcro closing towel dress was one of the best purchases I made freshman year. I never worried about dropping my towel on the way to or from the bathroom, which can be a concern while carrying your shower caddy. Also, depending on your room location, the bathroom could be a hike away.

3—Bedside pocket. A velcro or tie pocket on the side of your lofted bed is very helpful. Having a bed a few feet off the ground makes it hard to check your charging phone, read, or do work without having to climb down the steps to put everything away. The pocket makes it convenient to store everything you brought up to bed with you without having to give up the warmth of your blankets. Another perk of having a pocket that hangs off your bed is having your snooze button within reach when that 8 a.m. alarm goes off.

Photo via Nordstrom

4—Sound-proof headphones. Compared to standard headphones, sound-proof headphones block out all of the pesky dorm room noises, which can be nice when you’re studying or just need a break. Unfortunately, I only realized this halfway through the year and had to listen to the boys in the room above me dribble their basketball every night.

Photo via Urban Outfitters

5—Candle heater. In most dorm and apartment buildings, there is a strict “no candles” rule. If you’re like me, and Febreeze doesn’t cut it, I suggest buying a candle heater for your room. This way you can safely melt your Anthropologie candles, and make your room smell great without having an argument with your residential advisor.

Show us your college essentials on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

3 Easy Dorm Room Decor Ideas

Looking for some easy ways to decorate your dorm room? I always look to Pinterest for inspiration! First, start a board, find your own style, and pin some cool ideas. Keep reading for three dorm room decor ideas that are college budget friendly.

1—Plants. Literally liven up your space with plants! Since you can’t really have any pets in your dorm room, just become a plant mom and surround yourself with beautiful plants and succulents. Plants add natural beauty and color to your room instantly! Plus, they cleanse the air of toxins so it’s a win, win! If you don’t have a green thumb, cacti are easy to take care of and don’t need a lot of natural light. Also, check out this plant hanger! This is super cute and you could easily DIY it too!

2—Lights. Most dorm rooms have less than desirable lighting—either it’s too dim or too bright. That’s why I opt for string lights to make my dorm room feel cozy. These lights are easy to set up and come in different colors and styles. I can’t get enough of these fairy lights! Adding some lights in jars, on the wall, or with a canopy bed are a few quick ways to make your dorm feel more “lived in”. Another plus is that you can control the brightness!

3—Photos. Displaying photos of feel-good memories or adventures keeps you surrounded with happy vibes. Having photos of people you care about or things that make you happy definitely make your dorm feel much more welcoming and personal. You can use picture frames, string lights, a photo board, clothespins or any other design you can think of to decorate your room with pictures. Get creative with this decor idea! You could even print some Polaroids or lightly stain your photos with coffee or tea to give them a vintage look.

What do you think of these dorm room decor ideas? Let me know in the comments below or tag us on social media @CFashionista!

DIY Dorm Room Decor on a Budget

As August approaches, all we can think about is going back to school. We think about our friends, classes, and, of course, the dorms we’ll be living in for the next nine months. Considering you live in your dorm 75 percent of the year, it would only make sense to make your room feel homey! So why not DIY dorm room decor by yourself?

What’s the perfect way to do that? Surround yourself with canvases that make you smile the moment you wake up! I know what you’re thinking. Room decor can definitely add up and in the midst of buying your necessities, you might not have enough to spend on decorations. That’s why I recommend to DIY dorm room decor. It saves so much money. Here’s how I started.

Triangle Shaped Canvas

1—Buy a plain canvas, tape, paint, and brushes from your local arts and crafts store. You can also use some products you have on hand like old makeup brushes or never used fashion tape.

2—Then, take the canvas and use your tape to create triangles on your canvas! (It looks super cute if they’re different sizes and not symmetrical.)

3—Now start mixing the paints you bought and painting each triangle. (It’s okay to be messy!)

4—Let the paint dry for a couple hours. (Perfect time to start your next DIY.)

5—Finally, start taking off the tape from the canvas.

6—Once you’ve taken them all off, you’re done!

7—Optional: If the lines aren’t as smooth as you hoped, take white paint on a brush and clean up the edges.

Ombre Quote Canvas

1—Buy a plain canvas, paint, sticker letters, and a sponge brush from your local arts and crafts store.

2—Then, choose a quote you’d like to put on the canvas.

3—Use the stickers to write out the quote.

4—Start with white paint and add a little bit of blue until you reach the first color.

5—Start sponging on the paint to create a textured look.

6—Keep adding blue paint to the white to achieve the ombre look.

7—Once the whole canvas is covered, let the paint dry for a couple of hours.

8—Peel off the sticker letters and you’re done!

It’s just that simple and easy to make your dorm look super cute! I chose blue for my theme because it was my favorite color, but you can use any colors you have on hand. With this DIY dorm room decor, your room could not get any homier and for a cheap price! What’s better than waking up to your very own creation and a quote that never fails to make you smile?

Now it’s your turn to show off your artistic skills! Show us your creations by tagging @Cfashionista!