Hey! It's Me, Down Here

I'm in over my head. 

As of right now, that's about all I know. 

Wait! I may see a little glimpse of light up there!

I'm slowly but surely climbing my way up to the top of this mountain of papers.

Hopefully by May, I'll have a wonderful view from the top.

Today has been quite a day. 

It was soooo much fun; I wish you could have been there with me. I went shopping, ate dinner at Chuck's, then went to Yogurt Mountain with my best girlfriends. Bahaha, JOKE! 

It wasn't the least bit exciting, eventful, or fun. It was filled with homework and that's all. Homework, homework, homework, blah, blah, blah, yuck, yuck, yuck, help, help, help!!!!!!!!

After class at 1, I stopped by Ulta and Target to quickly pick up a few things. I got back to my apartment about 2 and I have just stopped doing homework for the night. FYI, it's two minutes until midnight. Yeah, I'm being serious right now.

College is no joke. I wish I could count how many times I was told, "College is going to be the time of your life." Ok, so...being swamped with 4 tests in one week is "the time of my life"? I think not. I'd like to know where all of those people went to college; it obviously wasn't anywhere real. Can I please just have a real job soon?

Update: 

Spanish- LOST. Entrevista Oral Numero Dos es Lunes y Examen Dos es Viernes. SOCORRO, por favor y gracias. 

Textiles- Spent 3 hours preparing a study guide today. Let's not even talking about knits and weaves, k? K. Thanks.

Drafting- If only every class were as easy and enjoyable as drafting. I have that class at 9:30 in the morning and I can't wait. I really love that class.

Art History- Who cares? Paleolithic cave scratchings from 9,000,000 BCE just aren't my thing.

Guys and gals, please wish me luck. I'm approaching finals in less than 3 weeks and I have a lot standing between here and there. School is getting the best of me at this moment.

Until next time, y'all enjoy life and think about me down in Tuscaloosa studying my life away. 

Go With a Plan, Stan

Do not ever, let me repeat, EVER go into a mall without a plan. Unless, of course, you have a whole lot more cashola than I do.

Huntsville, hold on to your britches, these Cobb ladies are hitting the stores full speed ahead tomorrow! I, Miss Organized, have a plan. I have done enough online reading, blogging, and window shopping to know exactly what it is in for this spring and summer, and I'm ready to begin the search. 

My shopping goals: 

Overall- Find stylish, affordable, classy pieces that will not only be "in" for a few months, but will become staples to my wardrobe. 

Tops- Choose tops that will look great alone for now, but will also be complemented by a cardigan when it's cool. 

Dresses- Keep them modest, yet chic. 

Shorts- Linen shorts are necessary for summer. 

Shoes- Avoid them at all costs. Now I'm asking myself, "What if the most gorgeous pair of shoes I've ever seen just hits me in the face??" Well, in that case, I'm gonna hafta have 'em, y'all! I'm a shoe addict, that's all there is to it; at least I admit it. 

Jewelry- Gold, coral, and jade jewelry go with everything so load up. 

Purses- Well, I've already found the perfect one. It's a Michael Kors cream, leather, cross body bag. Oh, I can smell the beach now... Talking my mom into buying it for me is a whole other goal. She says, "Dream on, sista, dream on."

                      

            

Go with a plan or you will come home broke.

Summer = Time to Redecorate

My, my! What a project I have ahead of me!

This summer, I have great plans to redecorate my apartment living room.

I have put together some things that I would like to purchase for my redecorating project. I already have a few things that will be staying; that is why I don't have a sofa and such. Remember the sofa? How could you ever forget it??

1. Ruffle Pillows

I already have a few accent pillows in my living room, but I just love these two. I think I might just have to have them. 

2. Red Lamp

I really like this red lamp. If I decide to spice up my room just a little bit more, I will go for this lamp. Otherwise, I will go for the bronze pair. 

3. Bronze Lamps

This bronze lamp set coordinates with the floor lamp that I already have. Knowing me, I'll probably end up going for these because I like things to match.

4. Cubicle/Entertainment Center

Instead of buying a heavy, expensive entertainment center for my apartment, I have decided I am going to get this cubicle set. I will put the television on top and fill the cubicles with accessories that you will see below.

5. Broyhill Living Room Chair

Since I have that hideous, ahem, absolutely gorgeous "Broyhill Santa Fe 1990 Sofa", I am going to need a side chair. I am definitely going to go for a solid chair; that sofa has enough pattern for the entire apartment. 

6. End Table Set

I am in desperate need of some handy little end tables. These are modern, matching, and affordable. Check, check, check.

7. Wall Clock

This clock is gorgeous and is my color scheme. A clock always adds a classic touch to a space. I'm not sure where I want to hang this, but I have several walls in need of art.

8. Mirror Collage

The wall in my dining area now has sconces on it, but I think a mirror collage would look better; therefore, I'm going to get one. 

9. Wall Sconces

These will look great on either side of my television. Don't worry, I won't forget the red candles!

These are for the cubicles:

10. Frame

I want to acquire a unique collection of frames and pictures over the summer. By fall, I should have several interesting pieces to add interest to the cubicles under my television. 

11. Banana Leaf Basket

I want to buy a variety of baskets to fill with "junk" that no one wants to see. Different shades of brown, liners, and sizes will add character.

12. Elephant Accent

Roll Tide.

13. Vase Collection

These are gorgeous, the perfect colors, and will look wonderful in my cubicles. Too bad they're useless.

14. Jar

This, unlike the vase collection, is not useless. It's perfect for yummy chocolates!

My goal for this project is to incorporate the design elements and principles into the space. I can't wait until I get it all finished and ready for the fall semester. Pictures will be posted, guaranteed.

Let's Run Away...

My life-saver, ahem, planner.

      
        Let me tell you a little something about me. 

        I am an extremely organized person.

        That may even be and understatement. 

           I am an obsessive compulsive person.

   Maybe I just got a little carried away. It's normal.

I am an organized person on the verge of compulsion.

There we go. Perfect.

                                                                                                                               

Finals are in THREE (3), as in 1,2,3, weeks. Yeah, that's all. I know my parents are saying,  "Where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday that we wrote a check for all of our arms and legs with 'The University of Alabama' in the recipient line." I am feeling the exact same way right now (minus the check writing nonsense, that's for the birds). 

When the word "finals" is said around me, that's a far cry from what I hear. It sounds more like "stress, cram, insomnia, tears, confusion, caffeine, Gorgas, Rodgers, Gorgas, Starbucks, Java City, GORGASSSSSS, midnight, three in the morning, all nighter, notes, study guides, GORGASSSSSS, give me some coffee!!!!" to me! Go ahead and install the image of me with hair into your brains because in three weeks, I probably won't have any.

Now back to positivity..."Oh, yeah, hey! It's optimistic Jessica back with you. Sorry, I just went on that little rant about stress. What? What's stress? No stress here." JOKE!

Fall 2010 Finals Week.
NEVER AGAIN will my planner have this
much on one week. That's why I'm starting now!

Ok, so truth be told, I'm a little lot more stressed than I'd like to be. In attempt to prevent it being as bad as I had imagined above, I've already begun making study guides for every exam. They're coming along quite well, actually. EXCEPT SPANISH aka THE DEVIL. Avoid Spanish at all costs, that's my advice to you.

I'm going to stay optimistic about all of this final nonsense and rely on my to do lists, yes! I said listS with an "s." I have one that is labeled "To Do Today" and one that is simply "To Do." I don't think I need to go into further detail on that one, do I?

It's quickly approaching midnight and I am looking at my list called "To Do Today" and there is still something on there so I better get back to that. Guess what the ONE thing is? Oh yeah, tough one...it's STUDY SPANISH. Learning another language is no fun and it's HARD. 

Adios amigos. I meant, "See y'all!"

Until next time, stay organized and avoid foreign languages.

P.S. College is impossible without a great planner. Get one. Get one with many, many, many lines for each day. You'll need them.






Also, I finally received the awaited e-mail on Monday morning. Unfortunately, I was not chosen as a CHES ambassador for next year. I question if any interior design majors were added to the group. I believe that all of the representatives from my major are upcoming seniors which means they are either returning or were chosen due to their experience with the college. I intend to reapply next year after I have had more time to form relationships within the college. As of now, I have only completed one semester here at the University so I haven't met many instructors yet. Over the next year, I will do my best to shine and show my abilities so that I can have a better recommendation for the next application process. Wish me luck, once again! Thank you so much for all of your support.

Lighten Up

Have you been wondering how to lighten your space for spring without lightening your wallet?

I've put together a few things to help with the best transition of the year: winter to spring. Even better than the bright colors is the price; this entire ensemble costs less than $200!

Purchase these gorgeous spring decor items and have them forever. Each year, just swap out your things when the seasons change for a whole new look.

This gorgeous, fun bedding set can be purchased at Target, one of my favorite stores. The queen size coverlet is $70 and the pillows total about $30. The total for this bright bedding is right at $100. WOW!

                                                  

Put this mirror, horizontally, above the bed. It's from Wal-Mart and will only cost you $30. Adding a mirror to a space makes it seem larger. Also, the warm sunlight will come through the windows and reflect off of this mirror adding brightness. Exactly what we want for spring, right?

Swap out your dreary draperies for these sheer white ones. Grab them next time you're in Target for $12 for the pair. They add a pop of free-flowing fun to the space and allow for natural light to come in, too. Natural light > artificial lighting any day, just another way to save energy.

This just happens to be the lamp base that I have in my room now. It's so funky and fun. Bring in spring with this hammered silver base and white shade. So cute and so affordable at Wal-Mart for only $25.

Shop Target and Wal-Mart for your new spring decor. You CAN lighten your space without lightening your wallet, I promise.