To Rent or To Buy?

 In the last few weeks. I've attended many events with my friends. Some sorority functions, some football games, and a few birthday parties. For every event you need an outfit and while repeating is acceptable, it is less fun!

Through the different fits I have seen my friends in this month, some of them were immediately the type of item that I must know where it came from. When asking my friends the question of "where can I buy that?", there were some common themes. My friends have been renting their clothes with monthly subscriptions.

I know this may not be brand new news for a lot of people, but I personally haven't seen this many rented items EVER. 

There are a few different places to rent from and some may suit you better depending on your vibe.

1.) Rent the Runway

        Rent 5+ items each month, buy what you love and return what you don't want.

2.) Nuuly

        Rent 6 items each month. Rent or thrift all on their site.

3.) Fashion Pass

        Rent and swap as many outfits as you want in a month.

4.) StitchFix

        Personalized finds with a stylist to pick 5 items for you each month.

I personally have not gone down the renters rabbit hole, but with a continuously event packed year, I think I may have to start shopping. Join me?

A Saturday in South Carolina

When I first decided to go away to college, I needed a big school; lots of people, lots of diversity, and lots of football. Growing up in Texas, football was the thing to watch. Fridays and saturdays were often surrounded by the pregame, the game, and the game after that. 

When I got to South Carolina I thought I would have to describe to people what a high school football game in Texas looked like. Needless to say, there was no explaining to be done.

Saturday in South Carolina is everything I grew up with and more. You wake up and you make sure every person you pass is greeted with a "Happy Gameday". You spend approximately 2 hours getting ready, even if the heat is going to ruin your hair, and you listen to sandstorm to practice for the day.

A gameday in South Carolina can be the only thing you look forward to all week. Whether you're in Williams Brice Stadium, watching at the Salty Nut Cafe, or working your butt off as a server for the customers that come in to view the game, Saturday is about football. And while it is just a silly sport of men throwing a ball and occasionally tackling other men, it is the most exciting thing to be apart of.

In the last couple of weeks I've used a dirty dish rag, a paper napkin, and a rally towel to participate in the University of South Carolina's gameday jam- Sandstorm. No matter where you end up in the city of Columbia, Saturday's in South Carolina will always be a gameday.

New State, Same Me

Going to college out of state is both exciting and terrifying. It is hard to wrap your mind around moving to a new state without your family, friends, dogs, and local spots you've grown to love. Younger me could never fathom the thought of calling a new place my home. 

Years later and I would 100% classify South Carolina as my home and can't even imagine a world where I don't live here.

I was so scared to go to school out of state but so eager to meet new people and get a chance to start over completely new. Being away from my family, who I am so close to, was one of the most difficult adjustments for me. I was extremely dependent on my relationship with my sister coming into college. Over the first few months, I started to gain my own independence and find my footing. 

Over the last few years, I have stopped feeling homesickness, become my own person, and still remained so close with my family and the city of Houston. I wish I could tell my 18-year-old self how proud I am to have taken a risk but it has completely paid off.

One of the ways that this place has begun to feel like home is because of the people and the memories it holds. I owe so much to Columbia, SC because of what I have experienced in this city.

The people make the place.

Advice to My 18 Year Old Self

As we journey through life, we typically look back and contemplate the advice we would give our younger selves. In this case, I want to look back just one year, to my 18-year-old self. There aren't monumental things I have learned in the past year but there are things that I now know are important to prioritize. Being a senior in college, I realize the time that we have is always limited and you will not be in the same place forever. I am deeply saddened to know that college is not the rest of my life and because of that realization, there are some things I would have told my freshman year self.

1.) Embrace Failure and Learn From It

Mistakes happen. Mistakes happen. Mistakes happen. Learn from all of them. I can't express enough how badly I wish I could tell my younger self that the failure doesn't matter and she won't remember it in the coming years. It's college, sometimes you fail a test, have a bit too much to drink, or let a friend down. Take the experience and learn from it but do not give it too much value.

2.) Live in the Present Moment

It IS important to plan for the future, but don't miss the present. Cherish every experience, all relationships - new and old-, and every opportunity that comes your way. Life is just a collection of moments and it is in those moments where we are truly happy.

3.) Prioritize Your Own Mental and Physical Well-Being

It is really easy to forget that we are the most important people in our lives. When we're younger, we usually lean into the whole selfish parts of our character, but once we hit college it changes a bit. New friends and new places make it seem like you have to say yes to everything, and a lot of times that's to please others. What is important to remember is that you can't even be your best self for someone if you aren't prioritising your health. Regularly eating, moving, sleeping, and taking a second alone can be all you need.

4.) Nurture relationships

Surround yourself constantly with positive influences. It is these years where your relationships will begin to shape the rest of your life. It is not about the quantity of relationships, but the quality. Treat everyone like you want to be treated and absolutely say yes to meeting new people.

If I could have a conversation with my 18-year-old self, I would share all of these things with them. I want to squeeze her and tell her to embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and never stop growing.

Must Haves In Your Closet This Fall

Looking to elevate your fits this fall? The girls have been trying to figure this one out and I have a couple recommendations to amp up your autumn wardrobe. 

While it still feels like summer here in South Carolina, we are approaching the first day of Fall; and personally, I am excited to dress like it's 60 degrees outside even if it's not. 

What To Wear

There are a few things that will trend this fall 2023 and it is better to stay ahead of the curve.

1.) Low rise midi skirt

That's right. I know that the low rise trend upsets some people but to be totally honest, it's really nice being able to breathe. While low rise mini skirts were a trend of the summer, having a fun print midi will go great with your fall wardrobe. Denim, cargo, grandma print paisley, whatever you decide to go with, pair it with a light sweater, short sleeve graphic tee, or little vest. Chillier in your area than mine? Throw on a pair of tights! The options for pairing are endless, but you'll be in good hands with a few low rise midis in your closet. 

2.) Vests

Previous years and trends have involved puffer vests or sweater vests. While these are both still totally fine to wear this fall, we have a newer vest in town. Denim vests and leather vests, and vintage vests are IN! These are such an easy layering piece that can amp up your plain long sleeve, or even to still stay cool in a short sleeve. There are definitely ways for these to be worn outside of the trend, but when paired correctly, the compliments will be never ending.

3.) Sling-back Mules

It's sometimes hard to find something in your closest that is fitting for the fall that lies somewhere in between sneakers and boots. These are both good options for fall but there may be a better option. Sling-back mules are on the come up and these are the perfect pairing for nice pair of cargos, a cute skirt, or a baggy pair of denim. The great thing about these is socks are optional! Not open-toed but not your shoe for the cold of winter. 

These are just a few of the pieces that will make a difference in your fall wardrobe. Each of them are very versatile, able to be dressed up or down, and overall really freaking cute.

Happy shopping!

Karma Is Your Girl Friends

In every stage of life as a woman, you have different friends by your side to support you. Growing up, it's the friends you play with on the playground and beg your parents to go home with on Monday's. In middle school, it's the friends whose house you sleep at every night, where you research boybands and learn your first cuss words. In high school, it's the girls you have your first sip of alcohol with and the ones who you brag to about the cute boy in your class asking you for help with algebra.

In college, I feel like there is no precedent for the type of friends you will have. 

There are party friends, there are class friends, there are weekend friends, there are roommates, and there are the select few who will check every box. Those are the few that will be standing beside you on your wedding day.

In the trusty Taylor Swift song, Karma, she sings "Karma is my boyfriend," and she may have been rewarded with a man, but I think that sometimes karma comes in the form of a friendship. 

Just to be clear here, I am not using karma in a negative connotation and I don't think Taylor was either.

Some friendships come along as a result of what you have previously done and your intentions in doing it. For me specifically, I grew up with friendships that I loved dearly. Girls that meant the world to me. But as time rolled out, I realized that our friendships were coming to an end. It was time I got my turn in having the sort of friendships you see in the movies. As I moved on to the next stage of my life, I was hoping for karma to bring some new women into my life. 

I knew that the friendships I had experienced growing up were lessons, sometimes obstacles, and often just temporary. It is the friendships I have now that allow me to realize that they are my karma.

Without being too gushy, the women I now surround myself with are supportive, understanding, compassionate, and the reasons for my own positive outlook on life. 

The important part to remember is that even if you are not in a stage surrounded by good friends now, if YOU are a good friend, you will be rewarded.

How to Get Your Plans Out of The Groupchat

 Sometimes there's that one thing that you and your girlfriends want to get up to; maybe a weekend trip, a wine night, that Mt. Joy concert, but the plans just always seem to fall through. It's super normal to have trouble making your ideas come to life, you may just need a kick start in the right direction.

Here's a few tips to get your plans out of that group chat and into that cool new restaurant on 6th Street.

Save up!

One of the leading reasons plans fall through typically has to do with someone saying "I just don't have the money for that right now." This happens and that's completely fine to miss a few activities here and there due to budgeting. What you don't want to happen is to have your friends out making memories that you will hear about later on, and the only thing that stopped you from attending was money that you ended up using on a pair of jeans you didn't really need. 

Take initiative.

If you know that your friends are typically flakey, you take initiative in the planning. When someone says I want to go to the USC UNC football game in Charlotte, google Airbnbs in the area! You don't want your plans to get forgotten, so take charge. Share a google doc in the chat about car assignments, areas to stay in, and restaurants to check out.

Your friends will be grateful and excited. How are you going to miss the first gameday if you already committed to driving?

Have a schedule.

You know that you are a busy person and I am sure your friends are too. If need be, set aside one weekend a month to make sure that everyone is available to see each other. If you never schedule out your time, with friends being a priority, you won't just miraculously get to see them.

And lastly, don't ever stop planning these crazy trips in the chat. Just because you're getting older, does not mean you and your friendships don't deserve to continue growing and making memories. 

Send your friends a text right now!