Spring Break Hacks

by In Advice Tagged beach hacks, beach trips, , college spring break, , , , , spring break, spring break hacks, vacation hacks, vacation tips, vacation tricks

springbreakhacks

That’s right it’s that time of year again, SPRING BREAK! Life can’t get any better, it’s a week of no school, no responsibilities, and just plain having fun. I decided to take a much needed trip to the beach this past week for my own spring break and I thought what better post than spring break hacks, things I use every year to make my spring break fun, easy, and trouble free.

  1. Plastic baggies will be your best friend. Pop your phone in one and keep the sand and salt off while still being able to use it. Toss things like money and cards so you don’t have to carry a bulky wallet. You can also pack a handful of your favorite snack.
  2. Pull out all of those travel sized samples you tossed under your sink or in a drawer and put them to good use!
  3. Bring baby powder to get all of that pesky left over sand off your feet so you’re not tracking it everywhere.
  4. Use a fitted sheet with weights in each corner to create a sand free sitting area for you and your friends.
  5. Make a budget beforehand, this way you’ll know exactly how much you can spend so you won’t be broke by the end of your vacation.
  6. Get inspiration from Pinterest, Tumblr, etc. This is a great way to think of new and exciting things to do while on vacation or even if you’re staying at home!
  7. If you aren’t heading anywhere for spring break, try out a few DIYs that you’ve been dying to work on!
  8. Before heading to the beach or lake where you’ll be in the sun all day try filling up an ice tray with aloe in case anyone returns burnt they will have a nice cool way of getting ride of their sunburn.

Well that’s it, now you’re equipped with 8 new spring break hacks to help you have the most relaxing, stress free, and fun spring break you’ve ever had. So put them to the test and let me know what you think in the comments! Have more hacks you want to share with everyone? Leave them down below to help a fellow spring breaker out!

Are you subscribed to me on Youtube? NO?! Well head on over to see new videos every week!

Have more questions? Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Instagram: simplesouthernbelle Twitter: @SimpleSBelle Youtube: Simple Southern Belle Facebook: Simple Southern Belle

 

How To Wear Bean Boots

by In Fashion Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_0757

Ah yes, bean boots. This seasons hottest shoe and everyone is itching to get their hands on them. I myself was lucky enough to snag a pair from a close friend who bought them a size too big. Since having them I find myself pairing them with every outfit I put on in the morning. Their comfort, look, and fit are to die for, making them my new go-to shoe.

IMG_0753

After purchasing their first pair of bean boots many people are left confused on how to style, tie, wear, etc. their new shoes. Well I’ve decided to save you some time and break it down for you.

Tips When Buying Bean Boots

  1. Buy them at least a size down, they run incredibly big. I wear a size 10 shoe normally and fit comfortably in an 8 in bean boots.
  2. Order them in the Spring or Summer, during the winter they are usually on back order till Spring.
  3. You’ll want to pick up a few pairs of tall socks to wear with your new bean boots too! These help you jeans or pants stay tucked in.

How To Wear Them

  1. Tall socks are your best friends when it comes to these puppies, without out them your jeans or pants will be coming untucked all day long and trust me it’s obnoxious.
  2. For girls I suggest always tucking your leggings or pants in, for men untucked or sloppy tends to still look nice for them.

IMG_0765

Laces

  1. As you can see in the pictures this is usually how I have mine laced up, I like to tie them in a bow at the top loosely just so the strings aren’t everywhere.
  2. Loose ties are great for a relaxed effortless look, simply loosen all the strings and your feet will still be secure.
  3. There are several tutorials on YouTube on how to tie/knot your bean boots in different or cool ways so if you’re interested in different looks I suggest searching there first.

Outfits To Wear With Them

  1. Blouse/flowy tops, skinny jeans tucked in, Jcrew thermal socks, bean boots. Add a cute scarf and a few accessories to finish off the look.
  2. Big t-shirt, leggings, thermal socks, bean boots for a more casual look.
  3. Bundle up in a sweater, coat, jeans, thermal socks, and boots for a cozy winter look.

IMG_0756-2

 

So you’ve wanted to bean boots for a while but just didn’t know if they’d work for you? Well now you know it all from sizing, styling, and tying. So why not head on over to LLBean and pick up your first pair. From dressing up to dressing down this new shoe is the perfect trend for winter and even transitioning into Spring. So grab your pair and lace up!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Holiday Bucketlist

by In Uncategorized Tagged christmas, christmas bucket list, Christmas list, Christmas Wishlist, holiday, holiday bucket list, Holidays, , , ,

Screen Shot 2015-12-12 at 4.41.49 PM

Holy cow, the holidays are upon us. And before you know it’ll be 2016! YIKES! Well with most of us going on holiday break soon from school I thought what’s better than a holiday bucket list to get you in the holiday spirit or simply to keep you busy!

  1. Drink hot cocoa
  2. Make/decoarte a gingerbread house
  3. Make DIY ornaments
  4. Go to a light show
  5. Visit Santa/take a picture with him
  6. Bake some cookies
  7. Decorate the tree
  8. Write a letter to Santa
  9. Go on a sleigh ride
  10. Go ice skating
  11. Drink hot cider
  12. Have a bonfire
  13. Make reindeer food
  14. Volunteer somewhere
  15. Make peppermint bark
  16. Give a few gifts
  17. Fill up the stockings
  18. Watch a Christmas play
  19. Go caroling
  20. Kiss someone under the mistletoe
  21. Watch Elf
  22. Send out Christmas cards
  23. Read a Christmas story
  24. Go to a Holiday parade

Let’s play a game and see how many of these we can get done this holiday season! I know these will keep me busy in the weeks to come. So grab your friends and family and let’s get in the holiday mood!

Comment below some of your favorite holiday traditions!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Fashion Favorites

by In Fashion Tagged , college outfits, fall, fall clothes, fall fashion, fall fashion favorites, fall fashion ideas, fall fashion outfits, fall outfits, fashion favorites, fashion outfits, , , preppy fashion, ,

 

 

 

 

ffffall

Vest | Hat | Scarf | Black Knee High Boots | Poncho | Booties | Cross Body Bag

Ah fall, it’s here. The leaves are changing, falling, and the temperature is quickly dropping. It’s time to drag out the coats, sweaters, and cardigans and dust off our boots. There is nothing I’ve been loving more than a few good layering pieces this fall which is why I chose the lovely army green vest and the beige poncho. Both pieces are great for layering for added warmth without dying from heat. Accessories in the fall are some of my all time favorites, it must be something about the dark hues and rich textures. These two beautiful pairs of shoes are my go to style for fall and winter, the boots keep you warm all while still being stylish. Lastly adding an adorable bag and hat to an outfit complete the look. These brimmed hats are my all time new favorite accessory, they look so chic and pull together any outfit. And let’s not forget the trusty cross body bag that despite it’s small size can hold everything I need for the day.

What fall trends are you falling for this year?

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Time Management Tips for College Students

by In Advice Tagged , , college girl, , , , doing well in college, doing well in school, , , school advice, school tips, , , , , , , time management, time management tips

timemanagementtips

Classes, organizations, work, friends, sleep, and working out?! How does one balance all of these things, it seems almost impossible to get everything done in a day with so much going on. Take it from me when I say time management is essential to any college student. It will help you manage your time efficiently by getting the most done in one day.

Here are my tips I use to keep myself organized and hopefully will help you as well.

 

  1. Actually use your planner. Anyone can have a planner and write down dates and times for events but unless you’re looking back at it and editing things and referring to it, then it won’t be of any use. I live for my planner and without it lord knows how many things I’d miss.
  2. Use an efficiency calendar. Something new I’ve been using to keep myself on track and getting the most out of my days is my efficiency calendar. I do this weekly and sit down and plan out my week hour by hour. Of course some things change, but for the most part it remains. This is a great way to see when you have extra hours in your day where you could fit in extra studying, working out, catching up with a friend, etc. Here is a peek at my week.

Screenshot 2015-10-27 11.08.58

As you can see I schedule every hour of my day to include something important. There are days where I don’t have as much to do, which is fine because I do like to have some free time to do things that make me happy like Netflix, pampering nights, etc.

I also schedule in everything from blogging, classes, studying, meals, sorority events, etc.

3. Color Code. Even if you don’t use an efficiency calendar I suggest color coding your planner so that you know what events are for what class, organization, etc.

4. Sync your calendars on all mobile devices. It’s great to have you calendar updated on your computer and your phone so that at a glance you can see and remind yourself of any events that are coming up that may be very important to you.

 

Time management doesn’t have to be some huge task to get yourself organized, but choosing one or two of these tips and implementing them into your life could help organize yourself and your time. Then you’ll be on your way to being a more productive and time efficient person.

Make sure to check out my YouTube for frequent videos!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

How To Survive Early Classes In College

by In Advice Tagged 8am class, , , , , , having a positive morning, morning classes, morning routine, , , surviving 8am college classes

howto

So you’ve been blessed with an early morning class while you’re at college, but let me guess you aren’t a morning person by any means? Yeah I thought so, because I’m the same way! Since coming to college I’ve gotten into the routine of staying up late and sleeping in until noon. However I have this dreaded 8 am class twice a week which requires me to be up bright and early, and be ready to pay attention! So, I’ve managed to collect a few tips along the way to help y’all have a smooth sailing morning that’ll have you wide and awake for your morning class!

  1. Wake up at least an hour before you have to leave. You’ll want to give yourself time to get ready and time to do a few extra things to get you awake and ready for class.
  2. Set your phone just out of reach so it requires you to get out of bed to turn your alarm off. Once you’re up you’ll start to feel more awake.
  3. Take 5-10 to just stretch out all of your muscles, doesn’t have to be yoga or anything to intense I just like to stretch out my legs and arms and neck to really loosen up my body.
  4. Rinse your face with cold water. This should help your eyes and face feel more awake and it’ll get any excess oil and dirt off that was collected from your pillows! (Wash those frequently)
  5. Have your clothes laid out the night before so no thinking has to go into what you’re wearing!
  6. Head to the kitchen for some breakfast! This is incredibly important to staying awake and having energy. I usually eat instant oatmeal because it’s quick, yummy, and filling!
  7. Don’t forget to brush your teeth!
  8. Have your bag ready and packed the night before so the rest of your morning you’re not running around like a chicken with their head cut off.
  9. Enjoy your morning! Do what you like to do whether it be watching your favorite netflix show, reading the news, meditating, reviewing last nights homework, or catching up on Instagram.

Welcome to the world of morning people! You can now wake up feeling refreshed, positive, and productive because you’ve taken that extra step in the morning to feel ready and calm for your day. Having an easy morning routine like this makes you ready for your day ahead and you’ll be on your A-game in your morning class! Don’t forget to pack a big bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated and focused during your class!

Have you checked out my Youtube channel yet? NO?! Head on over there today for new videos every week!

Have another tip that might be helpful for early mornings? Leave it in the comments below!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

How To Make Good grades In College

by In Uncategorized Tagged , , how to do well in school, how to make good grades, making a's in college, school advice, , , study advice, studying, studying tips

makegoodgrade

Going into college I had the mind set that I would be able to get by without studying for tests, doing assignments last minute, and not reading my assignments. WRONG. High school was easy for me and I’m sure it’s like that for most of you, but I’m here to say college is not like that! YOU NEED TO STUDY, READ, AND DO YOUR WORK! College is not the time to goof off and forget quizzes, class, readings, and tests. These next four years will decide what career and life you will have so it’s time to get serious! So, let’s jump into some tips for making those 4.0s.

  1. GO TO CLASS. I can not stress this enough. Class is optional for most in college, but that does not mean you just skip. You will likely miss important notes, questions, pop quizzes, or hints for questions on the test.
  2. You don’t have to read. LIES. Read your textbooks before class, it’ll help you get a head start on the material and you’ll be able to soak everything in during class time.
  3. Review your notes right after class. Reviewing them directly after class will increase your likely hood of remembering the information. It’s a great way to get ahead on studying.
  4. Create study groups. The classes I’ve done the best in have been the ones where I have a group that I study with. We are able to help teach each other topics we don’t understand and we get more work done because we can break it down.
  5. Attend study sessions provided by your school. These are a great time to get in some extra practice for homework or discuss topics you’re having a hard time understanding.
  6. Don’t be afraid of your professor. Attend office hours and ask those questions you’ve been wondering about. Review information with them. Look over your tests with them and really get to know them. At the end of the semester it could mean the difference between an A and a B.
  7. Sit in the front of the class. There are less distractions, you won’t be tempted to play on your phone and you’ll stay focused on the subject at hand.
  8. Study at least a week in advance for tests. This gives you ample time to go over each chapter, subject, and topic in depth and review them all several times.
  9. Make study time fun! Grab your friends, a pizza, and your books and head to the library. You’ll have a little fun and get work done. Just don’t get too distracted.
  10. Write your notes versus typing them. It’ll be more likely to stick in your head and is one step to remembering the information better.

Welcome to college, where you actually have to work for that A and not just sit back and hope you do well. Hopefully with all my tips from the post y’all will be on your way to making those 4.0s and on your way to an awesome career you love.

Have more tips you want to share? Leave in the comments below!

Make sure to check out my Youtube channel where I’m posting every week!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Lilacs & Southern Belles

by In Uncategorized Tagged belle, belles, cowgirl boots, lilac, rompers, , , southern belle outfits, southern girl, southern girl style, styling cowgirl boots, styling rompers

outfit3-7

outfit3-4 outfit3-2 outfit3-1 outfit3 outfit3-6 outfit3-5

| Romper | Boots |

 

Rompers, who doesn’t love em’? They’re easy to throw on, they have shorts so you don’t have worry about your dress flying up! They are comfy, easy to dance in and you still look freaking cute in them! Which is why I can’t get enough of this adorable lilac romper from LilyLulus. It’s so feminine and fun I couldn’t get enough of it.

Of course me being the southern girl that I am I had to pair this adorable romper with my cowgirl boots. Of course these won’t be everyone’s style but these suckers are beyond comfy. Excuse the dirt on them because a hurricane just ripped through the east coast and ya girl couldn’t miss a football tailgate for just a little rain, so it was muddy that day! Adding a pair of cowgirl boots really dresses down the outfit and makes it a little more fun!

Make sure to follow LilyLulus on Instagram at @lilylulusboutique to order more cute items like this romper! Use code SB15 at the checkout to get 15% off your order!

Are you a fan of cowgirl boots? Let me know in the comments!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

post

Backpack Essentials

by In Uncategorized Tagged backpack, backpack essentials, , college backpack essentials, college classes, , , , , essentials, , , simple southern belle, , , , ,

backpackessentials

College can be a tad confusing when you’re a freshman. You don’t know what all you will need for a class and how long you’ll be away from your dorm, should you bring money, snacks, clothes, headphones? The list is never ending and after a while your backpack ends up stuffed to the brim and your shoulders are left sore and aching from carrying the weight of everything in your bag. With that being said I thought I’d share my backpack essentials so you know exactly what to pack in your bag without overloading it and hurting your self!

1. Sturdy backpack/bag
     The first and most important backpack essential is a sturdy backpack. Mine is a North Face Recon and I’ve had it for 3 years and it’s still going strong. It’s comfy, has lots of pockets, and it’s black so it never goes out of style.
2. Laptop

     I always recommend taking a laptop to your classes, it’s easy to take notes in, study with between classes, or watch Netflix when you have a break! Mine is a Macbook Pro 13 in.
3. Notebooks
     My personal favorite for taking notes in class or rewriting typed notes is 5 star notebooks. They are great quality and perfect for class time. I even use Moleskin notebooks for daily task reminders, writing random ideas or jotting down thoughts or doodling.
4. Folders
     I suggest having one folder for each of your classes to keep your syllabus, loose papers, scantrons, etc. so that you can grab it and run out the door and head to class.
5. Pencil Pouch
     A pencil pouch is extremely important when trying to keep all your supplies organized. Mine is from Vera Bradley, but several stores have them. This makes finding a pencil or pen easy and quick in class!
6. Pencils/pens
     Steadtler, these are my favorite pens. They are colorful, thin, and write so smoothly. I use them in every class to help things stand out in my notes and for color coding my planner.
7. Chargers
     What’s worse than being at school and your phone dies? Not much, to keep this from happening keep an extra phone charger in your backpack and don’t forget your computer charger too!
8. Headphones
     Headphones are perfect for listening to music while heading to class, watching Netflix (in between  class not during of course) and even listening to assignments and videos for your classes.
9. Wallet and keys
     These two are pretty obvious, you’ll need your keys to drive to class or get into your room after class, you may need your student ID to get lunch in between classes and your wallet for other personal reasons.
10. Snacks/gum/water
     I am one of those people who always has snacks in class. I find it hard to focus when you’re hungry in class, so having a few snack options is always a smart idea. Also don’t forget to stay hydrated in class and drink up your water!
I hope that by me sharing my backpack essentials you’ll be able to prepare your self and feel ready for your next day of classes. I always suggest packing your backpack the night before classes so you’re not rushing in the morning to find what you need and so you don’t forget anything important.
What’s one thing you always have in your backpack? Let me know in the comments!
P.S Have you checked out my YouTube channel yet? I’ve been posting weekly and have several new videos coming soon!
Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

College Necessities

by In Uncategorized Tagged accessories, , , college blog, college go to, , college must haves, college necessities, , , monogrammed, monogrammed cut out, monogrammed pillow, perfect bed, , , ,

As most of you know I’m heading into my third year of college and if there is one thing I’ve learned over my 2 full years of college it’s what things truly are necessities. So I’ve decided to share with y’all my must have things for a college kid. Ranging from accessories, clothes, and even room decor!

 

 

  1. IMG_9483_2A comfy and stylish bed. There is nothing I love more than coming home from a long day of classes and jumping up onto my comfy bed and taking a nap. As you can see I love having an array of pillows to decorate. My bedding is first from Target and it is part of the Shabby Chic collection. The first pillow on the left is from Daisy Do Designs and it’s monogrammed, doesn’t get much better than that does it?! It’s cute to add a pop of color to your bed and it’s so chic. Next I had an Ikea pillow with a leaf design which is so soft! As you can see above my bed I have this adorable monogrammed wooden cut out. You can find one just like it at SarasCuts. It’s an awesome accent piece to add to your wall and it’s just plain adorable.

IMG_1999

2. Tumbler. I need to have a tumbler with me at all times. I love me some water and I have to drink it constantly. So having a cute cup to carry it around in is essential. And if you’re a coffee drinker it’s even better because it will keep your drink warm during class! You can find the one I have at Properly Southern  it’s the cutest thing ever!

IMG_2002

3. Notepads galore. I use notepads and sticky notes every day. From writing to do list to jotting down a few quick lots. It’s easy to have a few on hand to write anything at quick notice.

IMG_2005

4. Comfy Shorts. If you’ve been going to college for a while you’ll understand when I say everyone wears shorts and a t-shirt to class. Not many people dress up. So I found these adorable monogrammed running shorts from Properly Southern. They are my school’s colors too so they are perfect for game days or just wearing around campus.

IMG_2010

5. Cork boards. Having these little cork boards has been a great way to post things above my desk where I can see them to when I’m doing homework or working on a test. I have a few upcoming class dates and assignments and even a few sorority tasks I had to get done. Mine are from Target!

IMG_2013 IMG_2015

6. Something fun! I love theses new Marble stickers for computers, there is something so sleek and exciting about them. You can find some from Marble Decals which is where mine is from. I get so many compliments on this all the time because of how original it is! Adding something exciting like this to your laptop could be a great incentive to study or go to the library to show it off!

 

 

Although these things may seem slightly random, all of them are my personal college necessities that I think are important to surviving college. College can be tough if you don’t equip yourself with the right tools and tricks to get by which is why I had to share my necessities with you all!

What are some of your must have things for college? Let me know in the comments!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle