Hello Again

Hey guys

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! I've been busy spending time with family and being in food comas.

I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving/Thanksgiving break.

I LOVED being home with my mom and sister. This is an example of what we chose to do with our time together:

weirdos ... I know

But, now I'm back at school and have to buckle down for exams and final papers.

Not only am I stressed out about school, but I've been really upset/sad the past few days. I know I'm not alone in saying that there are some days/week where your self esteem is just shot and you always feel awful. Sometimes you just don't feel pretty or good enough. I know I'm always chipper and optimistic, but we all have our imperfections and sad days.

Well, this is mainly me just complaining and moaning, and setting goals to make myself feel better. But, hopefully, if you're ever down, whether at this moment in time or in the future, you can relate to this post and find this helpful.

Goals to Make Myself Feel Better

1. Work out: Working out always helps me because I'm able to take out my stress physically, it gives me a kind of endorphin high, and being in shape makes me feel better about myself. DON'T WORK OUT BY YOURSELF. Bring a friend, I promise you'll stick to working for a longer time if you have a friend there to push you. Take classes! My favorite thing to do is take a kickboxing class at UNC's student rec center.
2. Water: This kind of goes along with number 1, and I know it sounds like it wouldn't help that much, but drinking more water ALWAYS makes me feel better. Not only does cutting out the sweet tea and soda make you feel less sluggish, and give you more energy, but it improves your health. Also, if you tend to break out more when you're stressed, or that's why your self esteem is down, it'll for sure help clear up your skin more. Use this website to help you figure out how much water you SHOULD be drinking in a day.
3. Boys: A lot of times we put all our confidence in the guys we're dating and we are only happy if they're giving us attention. NO! Girl, you better remember that you are beautiful and fun and funny. Sometimes I lose sight of this, and I have to remind myself what my mom has always told me: only you can make yourself happy. You have to have confidence about how you look and carry yourself. Confidence is what guys find most attractive anyways. If a guy forgets how amazing you are, forget him.
4. School work: This is my biggest stressor. If you figure out time management and get school work done instead of putting it off, you'll have more time to relax instead of stress. THIS IS THE BIGGEST FACTOR I NEED TO CHANGE.
5. Focus on the goal: You have to keep in mind all the good things that are about to come. Use working out as motivation to have a good body in a couple months. Having a body that you're content with will raise your self esteem. When stress is too much, think about all the trips or vacations you'll have soon (in my case, Christmas Break with my family in New York)

Well, I hoped those helped. I'm really gonna try to keep all those in mind, because, as evidenced if you follow me on Twitter, I've not been very happy the past 3 days.

On a happier note, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is tonight! WOOOOOO so excited :)

Start studying hard for exams, and remember those are the LAST things you ever have to do for that class. I believe in you.

Also, shout out to Ann for the amazing advice she gave me last night, Skyler for an awesome/hilarious lunch, and John for inviting me to go with him to the UNC vs Wisconsin game on Wednesday!

Love you guys,

-Alexa Dorian

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Hey guys :)

So, I've obviously done a little rearranging with my blog--I get in the Christmas mood really early. But, at least I waited to change it until the week of Thanksgiving!

I'm home for Thanksgiving Break and I couldn't be happier.

I wanted to create a little post for all y'all out there that are looking for perfect gifts this holiday season--whether you're planning in advance, or rushing to find one at the last minute.

Many of the titles or name of the website are hyperlinked so you can just click on the word and it'll take you directly to the website. Hopefully these ideas will be helpful :) snuggle up with your peppermint latte or hot chocolate and enjoy!

Clothes

I don't know about y'all, but the biggest things on my wish list this year are clothes and shoes. I used to be all about cliche brands that everyone wore (ex: American Eagle, Hollister, etc.---I know we all went through this phase, don't even lie), but now, I love finding unique boutiques and less popular stores when searching for new outfits.

Some of my favorite sites include:

Vestique

This site has the CUTEST clothes for extremely reasonable prices. I found this website through Julie because she noted its great game day section--which I agree is fantastic (even for those UNC girls that can never find clothes in Carolina blue). The jewelry section has adorable statement pieces that will make any outfit amazing.

LuLu's

This has been my holy grail site for a couple years now and it never lets me down. It seems to always find the cutest dresses to add to its collection. Besides the amazing quality of the clothes, its reasonable prices continuously keep me coming back for more. This site has provided many cocktail/birthday outfits for me.

ModCloth

If your person really loves eccentric and unique pieces, this site is definitely for them. This site has dated and out-there clothing, but that's what I love most about it.

For the Sorostitute in All of Us

Everyone knows there are 3 main things sorority girls love:

1) Sorority Brands

We are devoted to Lilly Pulitzer, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, J. Crew, and plenty more. If the person you're getting this gift for is all about her sorority, it's most likely that she'd absolutely flip over a gift from any one of these companies. Visit any of their websites or ebay (since they are sorta pricy) to find cute gifts.

2) Monograms, monograms, and more monograms

For some reason we are absolutely obsessed over our 3 initials on every freaking thing we own: shirts, hats, towels, rings, bags, necklaces, etc. I promise, this choice in gift would never turn out to be a failure. Some sites for monogramming paradise include Mrs. Monogram and The Pink Monogram

This year, Ann and I are actually getting each other monogrammed rings (pictured below) to replace our nasty, worn out friendship bracelets :) toooooo cute

3) Reppin' that sisterhood

Lastly, we love anything and everything that says our sorority on it. Seriously, we can't get enough of it--we like to wear our sorority proudly. Go into a sorority sister's room and it's filled with boards, wall decorations, shot glasses, tumblers, and picture frames, all decorated with their greek letters. A website that I find a lot of good ADPi accessories at is All That Jas. As picture above to the right, Lilly Pulitzer also has a lot of unique prints for different sororities.

My Treat

Groupon

Using this website, you can get HUGE discounts on haircuts, shopping, hotels, etc. Many, if not all, items have an option for making it a gift. Maybe give your girlfriend or mom a day at the spa for half the regular price.

If All Else Fails...

One thing I love doing is listening to stores or restaurants people love, and them getting them gift cards there. Now don't be a cheapo and put like $5.00 on there. Provide them with a reasonable amount of money to spend, and this way, they can get themselves a nice purchase and you don't have to worry about picking out something they don't like.

Yummy

A present that seems to never get old is the gift of baked goods. Cookies are delicious and comforting and show that you put time and love into making the person's present. I have spent time figuring out what cookies I want to make this year, and this one is top on my list:

Pudding Cookies

They look delicious!!!!

BE UNIQUE!!!

There are so many good ideas I just want to share with y'all! Give this person the least cliche gift you can--the more personal and meaningful it is, the better. Create a book on Shutterfly for them with tons of pictures of you two and include all the reasons you love them! Order them a custom made palette or a pre-made 88 palette from Coastal Scents. As a make up lover, I don't know what I would do without my Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette!!! Make them a CD of your favorite songs, make your own card, decorate a wine glass, etc. A unique idea that I've always loved is decorating a small box, and then neatly taking decorated sheets of papers, writing fun activities on them (ice skating in Rockefeller Center, sit down all day and watch full episodes of SNL on Hulu, etc.), and give it to the person, telling them all the activities are redeemable at any time. 

Where mah boyzzz at?!?

I decided to throw in a few little ideas for the annoying, I mean amazing boys in our lives ;)

Fratdaddies

Similar to the sorority section above, frat boys will always be happy with a new shirt from Vineyard Vines, a koozie, new croakies, or an awesome shot glass to add to their collection. Additionally, you can never go wrong with a tie/bow tie.

Sports/War

Get them tickets to see a sports team they like (most likely UNC Basketball) or buy them that new video game they've been wanting (most likely COD:MW3). They'll be kissing your feet for weeks.

Belts

Lastly, one of my sorority sisters sells these awesome needlepoint belts! They are extremely unique and well made for the price. Her website is: here and this is the Facebook page for it: here. Please support her and check out her selection.

I hope this post helped all of you find ideas for special gifts this holiday season.

Everyone get excited for Thanksgiving and make sure to be grateful for all the food you're about to inhale. 

More blog posts coming very soon!!!

Love,

-Alexa Dorian

And I Think To Myself ... What a Wonderful World

HELLO ALL MY WONDERFUL READERS!!!!!

I've missed you all and your sweet comments. Sorry I haven't posted much lately!!!!

I am on cloud 9 right which is a wonderful thing compared to the depressed mood I was in all last week. So many amazing things are happening in my life and I want to share them with you :)

Informal

First, last night was my sorority's informal and although there were some major bumps in the road, I had the MOST AMAZING night. Thanks to Ann for letting me borrow her dress--I LOVED IT--and thanks to all my girls for a wonderful dinner. The biggest thanks goes to Max for being an amazing dance partner, a perfect date, and for laying on the floor and taking care of me when I ate my weight in Topo. You mean so much to me.

Here's some cute pics me and that loser took:

Lastly, shout out to our President, Christina. I hope she had an amazing 21st--she looked gorgeous! And also to Julie, Nathan was adorable. I approve.

Thanksgiving

Next, I am so happy that this week is Thanksgiving Break! So much yummy food!!!!! And no school work. This is what I have to look forward to:

From a few years ago

I can't wait to see my family and eat all that yummy food! But, don't forget to remember the reason why we have Thanksgiving and actually give thanks for everything you have in your life and think about those that aren't as fortunate as you.

Dribble dribble, shoot shoot

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!! UNC Basketball is finally here. Let's all hope that this season, we will have started on a ship, and end with a championship.

Twitter

If you live at UNC you HAVE to follow @uncproblems_

Everything she tweets is how I feel about everything on campus. Most of them make me laugh soooo hard.

Yummy in my Tummy

These things are honestly addicting. I love them #guiltypleasure

Breaking Dawn

Utterly disturbing and awkward at some parts, but I loveeeeeeeed it!!!! Go see it NOW if you're a Twilight fan.

Save the best for last...

I FINALLY GET TO SEE THESE TWO LOSERS NEXT WEEK

Sissy and Scott, you better get ready to have LOADS of fun :)

Alright guys, well it's time for me to start on that 5 page paper, that's due tomorrow, on a book that I didn't have enough time to read #uncprobz

If you go to UNC, study hard these next two days and enjoy your break; if you go to another college, I hope your break is fun-filled and relaxing; if you're out of college, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and get to spend plenty of time with your family!

Love y'all,

-Alexa Dorian

My Babies

Hey y'all

I'm taking a break from depression and studying (or the lack of) to give some recognition to people in my life that are making me really happy these days.

I'm sorry for the week of sentimental posts, I promise I'll have some make up tutorials and College Knowledge and some cute things I've found lately being posted soon! Especially since Thanksgiving Break is less than a week away :) yayayay!

If you aren't on this list, don't take offense at all. These are just people that this past week have helped cheer me up!

Okay so here they are:

FIRST AND FOREMOST: Max

This boy is so amazing compared to every other guy I've talked to. We never fight, he is always there for me, he genuinely cares if I'm happy, and he doesn't try to impress anyone. He always makes me laugh and I get the WORST butterflies right before I see him (literally sometimes I feel like I'm gonna throw up). 

The things I love about him the most are that he's super funny, he's really tall, he's amazing at pitching (he plays baseball for UNCG), he has sweet dance skills, and most of all, his smile. 

With guys, I usually always rush things and get too serious which ends up pushing them away and freaking them out. However, I really am happy just taking things slow with Max, and I try to do anything and everything to keep him in my life. I love things the way they are and I'm so grateful for the way he treats me and how much happiness he brings into my life.

Thanks for putting up with my weirdness baby and always laughing off those drunk phone calls. You've really made me so much happier this week.

Roma

HAHAHAHA love that these are some of the only good pictures of us! I've know this girl since 6th grade and she is one of the sweetest things in the world and I'm so lucky I can be with her again at Chapel Hill.

She is my momma away from home and will always find time to get me food or tuck me in or listen to my problems before doing anything else. 

Her laugh and sweetness brighten my day and she always finds a way to make me feel better. She's the only lame-o I know that would adopt a baby before an animal and genuinely enjoys texting my mom. She's a great person inside and out and I hope she'll realize that one day and stop letting dumb boys bring her down.

LOVE YOU BABY!

Nicki Hodgins

 Hahaha sorry for the super sexy picture on the right Nicki, I couldn't resist. 

MEEEEF This girl is seriously one of the only people that understands me, besides my family and Ann. She understands my weirdness to a T and she knows that whatever I do, I do with good intentions, whether others see that or not. 

SHE IS AN AMAZING SINGER! and I always tell my new friends at college about her because I am 100% she'll be a famous opera singer one day (she's at Johns Hopkins/Peabody for voice)

My 3 years in chorus with her were some of the best years of my life and I'm so lucky that senior year I had her by my side. I'm sorry I never believed you baby, and thanks for always finding time to Skype me and cheer me up! I LOVE YOU MEEEEEFFFFFFFFF

Here's Nicki singing the Aria from Queen of the Night. Mind you, she was 17 in this video. SHE'S AMAZING

My ADPi Group

 This is for Dree, Alex, Sabrina, Anna, Megan, and Nikki! 

I love you all so much. You are the friends in college that I always hoped I would have. You are all beautiful on the inside and out and so outgoing and funny. I am so happy that I met you all through ADPi and that we'll be together the next 3 years.

Thanks for all the crazy nights, the fatty moments, and the shopaholic moments--and all the ones that will come!

I genuinely love you all!

Allie

You were my best friend senior year and I wish we could've gotten closer way before that!

You're so gorgeous and I love your family and Sadie so much! You're hilarious and I'll never forget all those memories we made senior year and all those dumb fights we had.

I love youuuuu and I hope you're having an amazing time at Tennessee. Thanks for always checking up on me to see how I'm doing and finding ways to make me smile!

You'll always be the tenor to my lead.

Kev

UMMMM you're my best friend. No doubts. You're always there for me and always know exactly what to say to make me feel better. 

I'm sorry that I thought you were obnoxious and annoying when I first saw you, but I promise all of that has changed.

You're an amazing person and don't ever let anyone tell you different. What's in the heart is more important than anything else.

I LOVE YOU KEV!

Greg

Sorry that these are the only pictures we have together but that's kind of your fault! 

I'm so lucky I met you here at Carolina and you better still hang with me next semester. You're hilarious and a genuinely sweet and caring guy.

You always make me feel better. Thanks for sitting there and listening when I go on tangents about how I have a pimple then switch to my complete list of skin problems senior year.

Ayo boy, you'll always be my homie so stay tight with me, ya hear?

Who else would I smang it with???!?!?!

So yeaa, those were just a few little shout outs for all the people that needed thanking this week! I really do love you all so much.

I hope you all are having a great week, and don't worry, its hump day, so the weekend is just 2 short days away!

Love,

-Alexa Dorian