Words of Wisdom

Well hello there! In case you've forgotten about me allow me to re-introduce myself! Hahaha! It's been quite a busy week for me. Classes have definitely geared up at this point and I have so much reading at this point that I'm actually starting to hate it a little bit. But that's not what the focus of today's post is...I'll save that for a day that I feel a little more bitter, deal?

Recently, my roommate and I have found ourselves horribly bored and desperate to find other things to do to keep us occupied while we are in our room--other than watching movies, which we are pretty much known for at this point. We found ourselves discussing our favorite quotes and our appreciation for the power of words. Then we got the idea: let's make a quote wall! So for the past few days we have been crafting little posters with some of our favorite quotes and hanging them at the entrance to our room. Once you walk in you meet power and inspiration! We plan on covering the entire wall so it is definitely still a work in progress.

<3 Ashley

What are some of your favorite quotes?

Life As Of Late

The rains that I woke up to in the morning

Hey all!

Sorry I was so absent yesterday. I had every intention of posting but the general atmosphere around here lately did not allow for that. I got some pretty upsetting news this weekend and then I was so tired yesterday and it was raining and all of this conspired to make a very subdued, not too talkative Ashley.

But I'm back! I really don't have anything too too exciting planned for today so I will just catch you up on my life. We are halfway through the first semester of sophomore year and I am already so over this. TOO MUCH READING!! I took a few exams already and didn't do has hot as I would have liked; I still need to figure out how to study for these classes. I need to take my own advice and take some time to relax and calm down. But socially this year is already so much better since I came in with a set of friends from last year and my floor in my residence hall is so friendly! Plus, it's a co-ed floor this year which I definitely am NOT complaining about. Haha!

To be honest, there isn't too much excitement to report on. Just a lot of stressful weekends and late nights studying in the lounge.

<3 Ashley

How have you been lately?

Dorm Decor: Round Two

For the most part, my dorm is done and ready to be lived in. There are still a few things left to get on my shopping list (mental note: buy hole punch!) Despite being smaller than last year's dorm--just a bit--I do appreciate the existence of air conditioning, fridge, microwave and private bathroom. Her are some pictures of the room (at least, my part of the room!)

So, I know that it may look like my walls are a little empty, but I kind of actually like it! What would bother me is if I had too much on the walls. Of course I think it looks empty just because the ceiling is so high (the perks of living on the top floor!) You can also see my little DIY board that worked on one rainy day this summer; I thought it would be nice to hang my jewelry on. 

<3 Ashley

How would you/have you decorated your space for the school year?

Dorm Room Foodie

Photo: here

As much as I absolutely adore my campus dining halls--they're actually good!--this year I really want to try to make more food in the dorm. So I set to work look for some easy recipes. Considering the fact that I am restricted to a microwave this indeed has involved some research. Here are just a few things that I have found on Pinterest and other useful sites:

Brownie in a mug:

If you have yet to stumble upon this dessert you do not spend as much time on Pinterest as I do! I haven't tried it yet but it does look super easy and yummy. Here's the recipe:

• 1/4 c sugar

• 1/4 c flour

• 2 tbsp cocoa
• pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

1) Mix dry ingredients, then add the water and oil. Mix well.
2) Cook in microwave for 1 min. 40 secs.
3) Top with a bit of ice cream or whatever you fancy!

Scrambled eggs: I didn't even realize that the microwave was an option when preparing eggs. I'm sure that it doesn't beat eggs done in the skillet, but add some cheese and you've got a pretty standard omelet right in your dorm room!

The almighty rice cooker: Unfortunately, I am not able to keep one of these in my dorm. :( But I do know some schools will allow you to have them. Not only can you prepare rice but you can also boil some pasta and even get fancy with risotto!

<3 Ashley

Do you have any easy recipes that can be prepared in a dorm room?

Dorm Wishlist

Floor Pouf || Arrow Bookends || Love Print || Pillow

Since August has begun my roomie and I are now text each other back and forth with ideas and requests for our room design. We are trying to be as thrifty as we can, reusing what we had in our rooms last year and looking online for inexpensive products. This year we are also shopping for our own private bathroom (definitely a perk!) Even though I am maintaining what I already own for the dorm, that hasn't stopped me from scouring Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. Don't even get me started on what I've seen when I physically go into a store. Last Friday I went shopping and going into JCPenney may have been a mistake on my part...I happened to walk into Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler in the home department and I WANT IT ALL! In the display above I have two products from the collection--the pillow and bookends--that I kept picking up but ultimately decided I could not afford. My wishlist will no doubt increase through this month, above is just a few things that have caught my eye.

<3 Ashley

What products would you like to have in your dorm/apartment? 

A Bit of Rearranging

So I told you earlier that my roommate and I made a few changes to our room to switch things up and make the room seem a little bit bigger. Here are just a few of my spaces that I have organized:

Here is my desk. We moved it over a bit so it wasn't so close to the door. We also put our chair in between the desks since the space was so empty.

I am now the bottom bunk. I actually prefer this. It's cozy.

This area use to be where I put all of my food and dishes. But I decided it would make more sense to store the food away (in a box under my bed) and put my mugs on top of the mini fridge. I think this arrangement looks a lot nice, yes?

I am a lot happier with our room now. The room itself seems a lot bigger, and even my bed feels a little more private now. 

<3 Ashley

Dorm Decor

Decided to change the scenery a bit and am currently penning (or typing!) this entry in the library coffee shop. I figure I should get out of the dorm once in awhile, right? Lots of fun planned for this weekend starting tonight! Tonight I am going with a group to see a showing of Rebel Without a Cause at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, tomorrow is Friday and I am finally Skyping with my friend from home that I miss beyond understanding, Saturday we are up early and heading to the Strip District to try and find some fabric (remember those bags I have been talking about making?) and Sunday is shopping day at SouthSide with a stop at our favorite Irish Pub for lunch!

I have decided that today I will discuss dorm decor! After looking through those pages up top (organized based on what kind of posts you like to read) I have decided that I need more in the realm of both 'decor' and 'college.' So here is the best of both worlds. Over the course of my freshman year, I have accumulated and gotten rid of things and am in the process of re-organizing and would love all suggestions...within reasonability since my bank account is indeed lacking. I have also started thinking about what I want to do next year. I will either be in a single, if I get the RA position, or in a quad with some other girls. Completely opposite ends of the spectrum, I know. Either I get supreme privacy and total space, or I get both severely limited.

Here are pictures of 3 of the most important spaces in my room:

Where I slumber and write most of my blog. It is surprisingly comfy for a school provided piece of furniture. Unfortunately, since I lowered the bed those wooden pegs stick up on the sides and aren't the most attractive. Next year I want to make a headboard or drape some fabric down like a canopy. Curtains for the windows will also be in order!

The second most popular place for writing this blog! This is the cleanest the desk has been this entire year. Hopefully it stays that way. :)

And my beautiful closet! This is my favorite part of the dorm because not all the rooms have closets big enough for clothes, shoes and a human! Seriously...this is where I change clothes. It is the closest thing to a walk-in-closet I have ever had.

Suggestions are very much welcome! I probably wouldn't be doing much now since I will only be in this room for 3 more months. But I would love to start planning for my dorm next year :) 

<3 Ashley

Any good, inexpensive DIY projects?

Dorm Dreaming

Hail to the weekend!

Here it is, the two days separating me from the start of classes. Summer certainly flew by. I have had a few days to settle into my new living space, and I am very pleased with the outcome. May I present to you...my glorious dorm:

Behold! The less than comfortable mattress that I get to lay upon this year.

My mini coffee shop. I would not be this perky without it!

My desk space. Most of my time will be spent here...typing away.

And our wonderful cosmetics...and coffee maker. (You do what you can with the space you are given!)

The closet is still a work in process. You know, of course that would be where I dedicate the most effort. It is only characteristic of me.

<3 Ashley

Well what do you think? Any cool dorm decorating ideas?