Her Campus - VT Edition

I previously blogged about the entrepreneurship of the website "Her Campus," and I am so excited it has come to Virginia Tech! It was created by three incredibly intelligent, creative, and strong-willed women for college girls around the country. They even made Inc.com's list of 30 Under 30 America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs! As a "Collegiette's Guide to College" it helps us ladies out from everything style to health to career to love!

Now they expanded to college specific sites along with their typical everything you need to know main page. Check it out to see if your university has a page and get involved! All articles are written by college gals! There are so many great articles including ...

Lose the Freshman 15: The Aftermath of hell week

Husband Hunting in College: Getting Your MRS Degree

How to Get Ready in 5 Minutes

Sex and the (other) Cities: A guide to picking the perfect post-grad local

And everyone should check out the article "6 Things You Didn't Know about Virginia Tech." I did not even know a few of these!

Hell Week - Necessities

All of us college students know when that one week rolls around, you better strap in and prepare! And for me its that time again, Hell Week! Yes, three tests, a quiz, normal homework, initiation week for my sorority, interviews for my business group all this week. Luckily for me, (although really not that lucky) I was sick all weekend which left me plenty of time to study.

Here are some items that help get me through the infamous "Hell Week."

A good alarm

The worst thing is to wake up 5 minutes before a test!

Water

Stay hydrated, you'll study better and stay awake longer!

Good Meals

It's easy to get fast food or eat junk but that will just leave you feeling sluggish so reach for an apple over that candy.

Flash Cards

Perfect study tools and easy to whip out between classes or whenever you have a spare moment.

Shower

A perfect (and necessary) study break that allows for some relaxation.

But we all know hell week comes every once and a while, we push through it and hopefully have an easy week following. Without a little hard work, stress, and determination no one gets anywhere! So embrace it and when its gone, SLEEP!

OOTD Recaps

Here are two past OOTD's that I really liked! I am still trying to get the hang of polyvore!

I also took advantage of Gap's buy one sale top get one free and scooped up the following tops and skirt!

Dreamin'

Dreaming of the future, inspired by one of my favorite quotes...

"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

Favorite Mac and Cheese!

My favorite and "famous" (according to my sister) Mac and Cheese Recipe. After I had this recipe, courtesy of Paula Deen, I rarely eat any other kind of Mac and Cheese and do not even touch Easy Mac, a college kids favorite. I am sharing the delicious and easy recipe!

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried elbow macaroni (4 cups cooked)
• 1/3 cup grated Cheddar
• 1/3 cup grated Swiss
• 1/3 cup grated Jack
• 1/3 cup grated colby
• 1/3 cup grated Muenster
• 1/3 cup grated Gouda
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup milk
• Nonstick spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot, bring water to boil. Season water with salt and cook macaroni until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta and place in a large bowl and while pasta is still hot add all the cheese. In a separate medium bowl, using a whisk, combine the sour cream, butter, eggs, salt, pepper, and milk and add to the macaroni mixture. Spray casserole dish with nonstick and pour macaroni mixture into the dish. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Top with additional cheese, if desired.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

1. My new make-up organizer - I put my everyday items in it and saves time instead of sorting through my make-up bag trying to find my essentials!

2. March Madness - I watch two sports - Football and College Basketball. I love the intensity of the brackets, all the games, the upsets and underdogs!

3. Sigma Chi Derby Days - Yes, sororitutes its that time of year again when we go all out to win the coveted philanthropy. Sadly, even though we have won two of the three events so far we are still losing!

4. Deets Strawberry Cheesecake Chunk Milkshake- I have found a new, and deadly, obsession. I have gotten this once a week for the past 4 weeks ... hello diet!

Marley Lilly + Giveaway!

I love Marley Lilly ever since I have been introduced to it in the blogging world last year. For Christmas, I asked my aunt for a monogrammed scarf. I wanted an orange one to show my school spirit for sporting events, as well as around campus. I directed her to the amazing Marley Lilly site for inspiration.

All three scarves!

Unfortunately, they gave her the wrong order, so my aunt sent it back. While they ran out of orange scarves, she still managed to salvage the original and gave me two more scarves (thats what I call customer service)! They are so adorable and since I wear scarves everyday without fail in the winter, they have been a perfect accessory to many an outfit!

Revamped Orange Scarf

Opposite of my Original Request!

Love all the Hokie Colors in this one!

Please Check out College Prepster's Marley Lilly Monogrammed Cup Giveaway!

Kruisin' - Grand Cayman & Cozumel

Sorry this is so overdue, but I wanted to share my at port days on my Spring Break Cruise! We had two days on land, in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.

In Grand Cayman we went to their famous 7-Mile Beach. The water was so blue and we were right by a "kiddie" area with lots of water floatables. I went in the water a lot because it was sooo hot but the water made the beach all worth it!

After docking from our tender boats!

On the Beach!

The next day went to Cozumel, Mexico and had a longer day to enjoy Mexico! We started off at the famous Senor Frogs. We all got yards and I loved my Blue Hawaii. It was crazy but tons of fun filled with college students!

Group in Mexico!

Crazy hats +yards = a good time!

Afterwards, we headed out on our excursion, a catamaran trip where we snorkeled and had a beach trip. The catamaran was so much fun, and although the activities were short they provided good fun!

Ready to Snorkel!

Just line dances on the catamaran!

Abingdon & Grab-A-Date!

Yesterday, I visited my friend's home town for the day and afterwards had our Grab-A-Date! My friend Rosie grew up in Abingdon, VA, a small town about an hour and half outside Blacksburg. I loved seeing where she grew up and hearing all her wonderful stories to go along with it! We enjoyed exploring the town followed by lunch and cupcakes! It was a beautiful day spent with great company!

Abingdon Fountain on a Gorgeous Day!

After we got back to Blacksburg we primped up for our sorority's Grab-A-Date, where we find out about the event a few days beforehand. Rosie and I decided to grab each other and have a fun time with sisters!

Backyard Photo Shoot!

Keeping it Klassy with Andre!

St. Patrick's Day - Going Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I hope everyone enjoys the luck of the Irish today and of course, wears some GREEN! Here are some green inspiration pieces!

Internship

Yesterday I officially accepted an internship offer as an Information Services intern at Altria. I am so excited, I talked it over with my family and I think it is the best fit for me. They cater to the interns by fitting their interests and knowledge to a specific internship. I do not yet know what I will be doing but can't wait to know!

This also means I will be living in Richmond, VA this summer. I spend a lot of time in Richmond as all my extended family lives there and love it. I am excited as after college I want to move out of the DC area and Richmond was one of my choices to live, so I will get a sneak peek of the atmosphere. Also, big plus - no DC traffic!

Wish me luck as I head into the Real World!

Kruisin' - On the Ship

As one of my dear friends and fellow Kappa Kruiser said "I am lost without steel drums, pool side orders, Matt Baker, bread, Sun, Mexico y amigos, the Venetian, Blue Lagoon, DJ Tipsy, wiki wiki wah, but most of all FREESTYLE KRUISIN!"

We had 2+ cruising days where we spent the days at sea. Our schedule mainly consisted of laying out poolside, ordering yummy drinks and buckets, eating from the buffet, showering and primping for dinner and shows then pool side deck parties with DJ Tipsy.

Is it Spring Break? Typical pool shot.

Wiki Wiki Wah, o Matt Baker!

Dinner in Venetian

Two meals per person, check!

Group during a night out!

VIP Seating for a Night Out!

Last Night - Pool Side Deck Party

Photo Credits: BS West, J Deutsch, C Newman ....

Dinner for Two

On my last night home of spring break, my Mom and I cooked dinner (my Dad and sister, Allie, were in Virginia Beach for a soccer tournament). We made a dish my Mom discovered over Winter Break and we loved! The recipe is really simple, only a few ingredients, a skillet, and a little time but makes a wonderful home-cooked meal! And its simple enough for any college student to make too!

We also made Red Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans!

Braised Chicken With Savory White Beans and Spinach

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 1/2 pounds)

1/9 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves or dried basil leaves, crushed

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 cup Prego® Heart Smart Onion and Garlic Italian Sauce

1 cup white kidney beans (cannellini) , rinsed and drained

1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach

• Bottom of Form

  Season the chicken with the black pepper and oregano.

  Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until it's well browned on both sides.

  Stir the sauce in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

  Uncover the skillet. Stir in the beans and spinach and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through..

And voilà, a delicious and healthy dish that will make you want more!

http://www.kitchendaily.com/recipe/braised-chicken-with-savory-white-beans-and-spinach-85398/