Prepare for the sappiness and for what goes on in a romantic's mind.  

I'm not saying write a letter for the next 365 days or build a house in hopes of getting Allie to come back to you but you get my drift.

 Make your dorm room as fabulous as you are

Bedazzle, glitter, swarm in photographs, adorn in lights, and DIYs.... Make your room a cozy and cute place. I like to make a theme for each year and try to stick to decor that matches it.
Find ideas on Pinterest; Peep mine, I have a ton!
This is your new home! My favorite thing to do is decorate my room and create a space that reflects all that I am. Also, you want to make it's none other than fabulous when you have friends over and/or when you are swamped with final papers at 3am that are due the next morning. 

Definitely check back to see my room this year will look like <3 

Have fun, be smart, but don't break your heart in the process

Yes, it is your time to enjoy being single, wild, and free but that does not mean you can be a loose canon (you know what I mean). I understand college can be a free for all and a time to experiment and such but just remember that you have to live with the decisions you make. I am not as "social" as other girls and that's just who I am. People will judge you if you do or you don't and I know that first hand.  

If you find yourself doing the notorious "walk of shame", don't make it a habit. It's not a cute look.
Don't condemn yourself for making mistakes. You are human and it's a part of life. 

You are in control and don't let anyone pressure you or let you think otherwise.

If you go to a small school, people will be all up in your business. Keep it to yourself. 

An invitation to watch Netflix in a dorm room? Proceed with caution (we know how that could end).
Don't believe silly rumors that you clearly know aren't true, just like your heels, keep your head high.  

It is indeed true: Boys like a chase. They want what they can't have. So don't give it all away.

Get involved and make your presence known on campus (in a good way!)

I love going to a small school and have the awesome opportunity to get involved on campus and become acquainted with my professors, advisors, and other leaders. 

Join a club, join a team, start a club, start a new hobby, get a job, and/or volunteer. 

You have a lot more time to dedicate to your interests so take advantage of that time!  

Make sure to use your time wisely. Time flies so fast. 

Your resumé and awesome social life will thank you for this.

Photo booth fun with Diem Brown and my Committee

Stay sane.

Being a girl who can't say no and loves to be involved in just about everything, I have had my fair share of crises and scheduling conflicts. Yes, get involved but don't drive yourself to a breakdown. Make sure to make time for yourself. Schedule a mani/pedi night with your friends, or order pizza, put a mask on, and watch a movie. Whatever it is, make it stress-free!

Stay organized

If this isn't your forté, girl, I suggest you make it. You need to manage school, activities, a social life, and/or jobs if you're like me. My planner and calendar on my iPhone and Mac are my lifesavers. 

Buy a cute planner and make sure to actually use it. Remember that cute planner you bought and haven't used? Time to use it. Color code or just write out simple to-do's for the day. Doing so, you'll be able to keep up with your life and make time for everything that you want to do. 

Study, be a go-getter, and don't be afraid to be a nerd

I am by no means bragging in anyway but I do know what I'm talking about. 

I have worked very hard for my grades and I am happy to say that I maintain an above average GPA and have been on the Dean's List every semester.
Because of this, I'll be able to apply to amazing grad schools (as long as the GRE doesn't destroy me first) and stay very competitive in the intern and job market. 

You are there to get a degree. Make sure you leave with one.

Find a study buddy, schedule study sessions that involve loud singing and jamming in your PJs like I love to do, go to the tutoring center (my campus job that I absolutely love <3), or even meet with your professor.  

Just make it happen! 

You are fully capable of doing your best and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Obviously, a high grade point average doesn't make or break you but it does help. 

I'm the girl who isn't afraid to ask questions, sit in the front, and participate until my arm falls off and it's paid off thus far. 

Always channel your inner Elle Woods! 

Delta Epsilon Sigma Induction

Work it out. 

Late nights and an active social life can easily make you pack on some new pounds. I absolutely love working out after a long day of school, work, and a boat load of activities. I joined my school's swim team and was able to get my body into shape my Freshman year (6AM workouts totally suck). I lost the Freshman 15 instead of gaining it! In the off-season, I had to stay active. Make sure to use your school's gym to your advantage. If you can't work out at the gym, work out in your room.
YOU ALWAYS HAVE TIME. Don't make an excuse. I'm a busy person and I still make time.
You want a fit body? Make time. Find some workout videos on Youtube for free or workouts on Pinterest, put some sneakers on, and work it out in your room. Endorphins make you happy <3

Throwback to Freshman Year

Dress to impress.
The only time you catch me in sweatpants is basically never. I don't believe in wearing sweatpants to class unless it was a rough night. Even then, I somehow manage to make myself look presentable. Being that I want to work in fashion, I love to wear makeup, throw a cute dress and heels on and seize the day. Plus, I feel a lot more put together and productive with a great outfit on. If that's not your thing, I totally get it. Just make sure the sweatpants aren't the same everyday :P



Communicate. 

One of the most important things to learn is to communicate. This tip could go along for so many things: professors, friends, jobs etc. Most importantly, communicate with your roommate(s). You are now living with another being and the last thing you would want is conflict. My suggestion? First and foremost, search for your perfect match! I found my adorable and amazing roommate on my class Facebook page and made sure we stayed in contact and got to know each other before our orientation. Because of that, we became best friends and our room was always to both of our standards! If you do have a conflict and don't see your rooming situation the least bit desirable, search for another roomie and take it up with your RA. Don't wallow.
If you don't like it, change it. I think that advice applies to just about everything!
Make new friends, seize every opportunity, and make it memorable. 

You will definitely make new friends and who knows who you will meet!
Maid of honor? Husband? Who knows! Trust me, those friendships will change your life!
Take every opportunity you get. Go on fun trips, do the unthinkable, be spontaneous, and have the time of your life!

wanderlust |ˈwändərˌləst| nouna strong desire to travel: a man consumed by wanderlust.ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from German Wanderlust .

A Texan Invasion//Kimberly's Trip to the Lone Star State

Ever hear that one before?

Damn straight I do. Add a soda too while you're at it! 

Just kidding. That phrase always gets me. Yeah, I feel awesome and guess what? That's okay!

In life, we have very few things we can control. To me, self-confidence is definitely one of them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with flaunting or loving the way you look or feel. 

Beyoncé does it, so why can't I? 

Society has somehow made us think we are narcissistic or self-absorbed for some reason by doing that. I'm sure it has to do with the whole concept of selfies and likes on basically everything. 

Yes, after a certain point, put your phone down and quit doing it so that people will like you more. 

Self-confidence isn't finding assurance in others. You need to find assurance in yourself. 

I am thankful to have girlfriends who share the same beliefs and aren't afraid to own who they are. They inspire me to do the same. 

Most of my friends could probably tell you that I am one for dressing up anywhere I go. 

Work, school, or even Walmart. Alright, not Walmart maybe Target on a good day.  

As Cornelius Lindsey wisely stated, 

"If you live off a man's compliments, you'll die from his criticism".

So, you've always wanted to wear a bikini but didn't think you could? Wear it. 

Love the look of wearing a bold lip color but never tried it? Try it.

Scared of doing something others will think is weird? Do it anyway.

Who am I looking good for you ask? 

Myself, that's who. 

(and maybe my potential husband but shh..)

I am not a fan of those who judge others for what they wear and the sort.

I can wear a paper bag if I want to and I will look great in it. Watch me. 

I have grown into loving myself more. 

I thank my fabulous mother for exuding her own confidence through her style and words. She is never afraid to strike a pose or wear her best and I've learned a lot from that.

I love taking pictures and wearing figure flattering clothing.

If someone doesn't like it, bye. 

Ultimately, you have to be happy with who you are and all that you are. 

No one else's opinion matters. 

(Except your momma's...My momma always knows best) 

You don't owe some of us anything. We get that. We thought you did.

We trusted you. At least we thought we could trust you. We didn't know you had another plan. One different than the one you promised. We went into this thinking the best. We hoped for the best. We hoped you had listened. We don't know why we opened ourselves up so much. 

Sorry for believing things could be different. 

For wanting to protect ours hearts once more. 

For thinking maybe just maybe things could work. 

For wanting to make it work. For wanting you to want us.

For wanting to show you it could be different with us. 

For wanting to make you happy.

For caring about you.

For loving you.

Granted, you may have history and feelings with others. We thought we could show you something different. Be something different. 

We can't compete with that and frankly, we shouldn't have to. 

Hurt more than ever before because we thought we knew the person we were getting involved with. We didn't think you would leave, lie, or fool us. 

We didn't think it would happen all over again. Or worse.

We can't give you what you want and that's clear. It's like déjà vu all over again. 

We are some form of entertainment: an amateur act, an opening act, a piece of side entertainment that is only temporary. 

Some of us are just there until you get exactly what you want. 

You entertain us because maybe you feel bad. 

Maybe you think you could help us. 

Feel that we need attention or crave it because it's nonexistent at the moment.

To you, we aren't good enough for your full attention.

You probably didn't mean to hurt us but you sure as hell did. 

A lot. A lot more than you can ever imagine. A lot more than you'll ever know. 

We are used to it. The pain never goes away but it gets better slowly. 

You said things, we said things. 

It all comes down to actions. Actions that were never taken and promises that were never kept.

We thought we could try or attempt to see what could happen but we never got to see that chance. 

We weren't good enough for that.

We deserve someone who gives a shit about us and what we want. 

Someone who will make us forget any pain from before.

Someone who cares enough to make time for us. 

Time we will forever treasure in our hearts.

We're like a mirror. Bright, shiny, and catch your attention once you take a glimpse.  

The mirror looks nice and works great although it may have been damaged before. 

But you don't know that. It's working fine, right? 

You threw something at it just like the others.

A piece fell off that will never fit in it correctly again. 

You took a piece out with your bare, unforgiving hand.

It's broken, open, and incapable of being completely fixed. 

It can only be patched up to look like new.

A piece that's gone just like the others. Replaced but never the same.

The butterflies are all dead and we can feel the emptiness inside. 

The dead wings that were once alive and fluttering. 

Sorry for being too honest.

Sorry for trusting you so much.

Sorry for getting too excited.

Sorry for caring so much.

Sorry for thinking you cared about us when you really didn't. 

That's just what we do. Guess what? That's just what we will continue to do. 

Our hearts may have been broken, stepped on, shattered and somehow, we still manage to make them work. 

We hope in some near or distant future we find someone that gives us some of the joy, happiness, and excitement you gave us, even if it was just temporary. 

We hope you are happy and we are mature enough to wish you the best with whomever you chose to invest your time, attention, and love in. 

In the end, we both deserve to be happy even if it's not the way we wanted it to be. 

Even if it's not with us.  

Sincerely,