Friday, October 6, 2017

TGIF

It honestly feels like yesterday was FDOC; these weeks have seriously flown by. Fall break is two weeks away and it is crazy to think that we have little over a month and a half left till the end of the semester. I had my first midterms last weekend, and it was definitely the wake up call I needed to reboot my mindset for the remainder of the semester. I have absolutely loved every minute here at UNC and have honestly kept so busy between school, sorority, and work. The weekend ahead is jammed pack with my sorority pledge retreat tonight, game day tomorrow, and my parents visiting Sunday.

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This pic goes way back to Labor Day when I was able to sneak home for the weekend. It was a much needed break to revamp my immune system, sleep in, and spend time with my family. I'll be back in two weeks for fall break, and I am counting down the days. 

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This past weekend, I visited Tuscaloosa to celebrate my brother's 22 birthday. I hadn't been since I moved him in his freshman year, and it was so fun to experience an Alabama game day. I did miss my little bubble here at UNC, but it was still a weekend for the books. 

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There is a place called Purple Bowl in Chapel Hill right near my dorm, and boy is it dangerous. They have the best acai bowls and some dank peanut butter banana toast. I consider it my little nook because it's such a great study spot. Win-win!

Hopefully I can take outfit pictures this weekend, so keep an eye out for a new post on the blog Monday! 

xo

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Steps to Flawless Skin

I have always been particular about my skin care routine, and one of my biggest worries coming into college was that I would lose my regime. There are of course many nights where I have fallen asleep without taking my makeup off or have completely neglected to even wash my face out of being too tired. Obviously these habits do not coincide with my normal otherwise healthier skin routine, so I thought it would be helpful to remind myself (& the greater good) the proper steps to flawless skin.
(image via)

1. Take your makeup off before going to bed (#1)
2. Drink water (A TON)
3. Wash your face twice a day (Morning and night)
4. Don't forget to moisturize (Crucial especially during winter months)
5.  Use a face mask now and then (Lush has the best)
6. Consider a healthier diet (Load up on the veggies!)

I hope these short but simple tips help to revamp your skincare routine as it did for mine.

xo

Monday, October 2, 2017

Bid Day Recap


As classes have really started to pick up in these past few weeks, I put blogging in the back seat for a minute and am sorry for the hiatus. Since I last posted, sorority rush was just beginning, and in retrospect our recruitment was kind of a mess. It was completely pushed back a week due to a norovirus outbreak on campus which made the stress of the unknown loom that much longer. Nonetheless, it was an experience that I would 10/10 recommend to anyone, and I couldn't be happier to say that I am a Tri Delta here at UNC. Bid day was one of the most exciting days ever; I don't think I got the glitter out of my hair but for maybe a week later. I am so lucky to be apart of the best pledge class, and can't wait to keep y'all updated on all that goes on in the sorority world.  
Happy Monday!
xo

Monday, September 4, 2017

How to wake up a morning person

I like to think that I've always been a morning person. There is something about being up early that makes for a more productive, less stressful day. I usually love having that early start to get things done but this unfortunately has not been the case since getting to school. I thought I could easily bear two 8ams and three 9ams, but boy was I wrong. It has been such a struggle to wake up to my alarm and I feel like a zombie walking to class. The only bright side is that my school day is over mid-afternoon, but I took to these tips for becoming a morning person (again) and thought they were worthy of sharing. 

(image via)

1. Limit contact with screens
It's almost inevitable not to check your phone or sit on your laptop before going to bed, but it recommend that you restrict contact a hour before going to bed in order to transition your brain to bedtime. 

2. Establish a nighttime routine
After washing your face and brushing your teeth, consistently create a calming environment. Whether it be sipping on tea or reading a book, your body gets used to such rituals and will eventually know to shut down for bed. 

3. Get moving as quickly as possible 
I definitely resinate with this one the most because once I'm up, it is best that I get up and get moving. This way I avoid lying in bed scrolling through Twitter and feeling that more groggy getting out of bed.

4. Always have something to look forward to
Give yourself a reason to get out of bed every morning. Having something to look forward to daily or throughout the week will make getting up a whole lot easier no matter what it is. My incentive is usually breakfast, but hey, it works.

5. Get up at the same time everyday
Sometimes I find myself waking up on my own a few minute before my set alarm. This is known as your internal clock and it said not to mess with. Also, try not to oversleep on weekends because that can set off your rhythm.

Hopefully you found these as helpful as I did!
Happy Monday!

xo

Friday, September 1, 2017

TGIF

Having experienced college life for the past two weeks, I'm slowly but surely adjusting. High school was regimented on a 8-3 schedule, but now I have a max of three classes a day. I'm definitely the girl that needs a routine, and with so much free time, I'm slowly but surely figuring out my regime in order to be productive. It's really a work hard, play hard atmosphere here at Chapel Hill, which is honestly the perfect combo. Sorority rush was actually canceled yesterday and today due to a virus outbreak, and is scheduled to start tomorrow (ah!). I'm currently mentally preparing myself for the next few days, and am hoping for the best! Here are this week's Three Glees In Focus:

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My mom surprised me yesterday and took me out to dinner and ice cream. We ironically ate in the shopping center where my work is, and it was the first time that I got a peak at it. TOO cute, right?! 

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Home sweet dorm. Nothing beats decorating a fresh, new space; I bought a majority of my decor from LeighDuxe and Dormify, which both have great finds for any sense of style. I really wanted my room to be a balance between comfort and chic, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. I'm thinking to give y'all a dorm tour sometime next week, so stay tuned!

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In light of missing home every now and then, here is a snap of the surf from a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, due to rush, I won't be able to go home for the holiday weekend; however, going home for fall break will be that more exciting.

I'll be rushing the next few days, so wish me luck!
Any plans for the weekend?!

xo

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Life Update & As of Late

It seems only fitting that I recap these past few months of hiatus from my little corner of the internet. Blogging has become such a passion of mine and to return to consistency is just what I need in my chaotic schedule. Second semester of my senior year was a whirlwind and this summer was much busier than anticipated. So, I thought I would finally take the time to update you on what's been going on in my life from college to a new beginning to my last summer home. 
  
My besties Ireland, Lizzie, and Carter at our pre-graduation celebration. 

My favorite current seniors Caroline, Mary Helen, and Sydney on my last first day of summer. 
My roomie aka my favorite human, Alison. 

:: college decision :: 
My college decision was quite the adventure. I ended up only applying to three schools, all of which I was completely in love with. The University of Richmond was my number one at the start of senior year, but UNC Chapel Hill also had my heart. I heard back in December about my acceptance into Richmond, and I am lucky enough to say that I was admitted. My heart was completely set and I was so excited to be going to a school that I thought was the perfect fit for me. I heard back from Chapel Hill in January and was again lucky enough to receive an admittance letter. I had never been so torn as both schools have so much to offer. In the end, I woke up one March morning, told my parents that I would be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall, and that was that. While it may seem simple, the anxiety of the unknown made making my final decision that more challenging, but as I always say, everything happens for a reason.

:: senior summer ::
Graduation kicked off summer, and it was honestly one of the most exciting times. From parties to dinners to the ceremony itself, it was a week that I will remember forever. There were only 40 kids in my graduating class, so being so small, we were very close and it made grad that more special. As far as a summer job, I steered away from retail this year and worked as a barista at a local donut shop at the beach. Despite the early morning shifts, I really enjoyed the new scenery, and who knew I could make a mean latte ;). While most of my days consisted of working in the morning, I truly wanted to make the most of every other second. Whether that was going on the boat, sitting on the beach at sunset, or just spending time with my closest girlfriends, it was honestly jammed packed. Being such a homebody, I spent a majority of my time traveling with family, but as always, it flew by way too fast. All and all, I can gladly say that it was a summer for the books.

:: a new chapter ::
College is said to easily be the best four years of your life. While I'm only two weeks in, I can so far say it has been SO much fun. Going out, meeting new people, and just being in a different environment is all so exciting. The adjustment of being away from home has been a bit of a struggle, but I'm fortunate enough to just be 2 hours away from home and my mama has already planned weekly visits. Coming from a very small, private school, I'm used to a classroom of maybe 20 tops, so walking into my Econ class the first day of class and seeing 399 other students, I was a little overwhelmed to say the least. Starting the second weekend of September, I will be working at local boutique known as Monkee's here in Chapel Hill, and I'm so excited to work again in retail. I plan on becoming involved in greek life, and our sorority rush officially starts Thursday, so I will keep y'all posted :). I am currently on the business track, and will definitely have my hands full with pre-requisets to apply my fall semester sophomore year to the business school. I'm prepared to take on freshman year and appreciate all the firsts of college (aka the first home football game this weekend!).

I think that pretty much sums up my oh so crazy life in these past few months, and I thank you for sticking it out through this hefty post. I'm so happy to be back on my grind here on Soulfully Southern and I wish y'all a happy hump day!

xo

Monday, August 28, 2017

I'm back!


You are probably wondering where on earth I have been, seeming that a 5 month hiatus from the blogging world is a little extra. I am here to assure you, however, that I am in fact alive and well, and plan to run the blog full force again. Life certainly got in the way of a consistent blogging routine as the final months of my senior year and the normal facets of an impending new chapter were upon me. I apologize for the little communication but for maybe two Instagram posts, but I have genuinely missed Soulfully Southern so much and I couldn't be more excited to be back.

You've probably notice that the site itself has had a little reconstruction over my unintended break, and I am absolutely obsessed with how it turned out. It's refined and contemporary which is just the direction I want to take SS in. I do plan on returning to posting three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, featuring topics such as lifestyle, wellness, fashion, and my personal favorite: TGIFs.
I appreciate all the continued love and support, and be on the lookout for a "life lately" post Wednesday.

xo
 

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