Erinn has class at 8 AM on Wednesdays, so she was up around 6 AM. Her timeframe was a little different than mine, but it followed the same general pattern. To make things easier, I have included her info with mine. She had her pills around 6 AM and her shake around 6:30 AM.
7:40 AM - Today is the first day that we both take 2 pills. Erinn and I both had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, and we don't think the dreary weather helped. We both felt more awake after having our capsules, and drinking water. I again had a 8 ounce glass of water to jump start my body.
8:10 AM - I had 10 ounces of Chocolate Almond Milk with Chocolate shake mix again. Erinn tried her Vanilla Shake Mix with Orange Juice. We both assumed that would taste like a creamsicle. Erinn liked the taste but really struggled with the texture. She said it was really grainy this morning with just the orange juice. She plans on trying different mixtures, like adding a banana, because she liked the taste, but just could not get past the texture. Erinn placed her patch on the front of her thigh today, and I placed mine on my forearm.
9 AM - Erinn had a bagel at school with some orange juice.
Throughout the morning, I tried to steadily drink water. I have a water bottle that has a Brita filter in it, which makes it easier for me while working. Erinn said she felt very attentive during her classes today and wasn't sleepy during her 8am like she usually is.
1 PM - I took my lunch break at work, and came home and made some food. I started feeling hungry around 12:30.
2 PM- Erinn ate a california roll and some watermelon for lunch.
Throughout the afternoon at work, I felt more focused than usual. I didn't crash mid-afternoon like I usually do.
7 PM - We have already started making dinner, but I am just now starting to get hungry.
We were supposed to make it to the gym tonight, but Erinn's homework load is more than expected. We hope to start going back to working out regularly tomorrow. We both tried to drink more water than usual, as this has been something we have struggled with.
I had a hard time going to sleep again last night. I stared at my ceiling for about an hour before finally falling asleep after 11 PM. I think doing nothing all day adversely affected my body. On days off from now on, I will be attempting to do more throughout the day, even if it is just going to the gym or pool for a little while.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Le-Vel THRIVE Experience - Day 2
One day down, many more to go! When Erinn and I took our patches off, we both had a little residue from the edges of the patch. Erinn used some nail polish remover/acetone, and the residue came off easily.
8 AM - I took my pill with 8 ounces of water. Erinn was up and going before me this morning, but she said that she had hers with about 4 ounces of water. We both feel more awake after this. However, this may be due to the water that we drank.
8:30 AM - I had the chocolate shake mix again, with 10 ounces of Chocolate Almond Milk. Erinn used half of a packet of chocolate shake mix, with around 10 ounces of regular Almond Milk. Erinn said that with half of the powder, the shake was thinner, and she thought it was easier to drink. We only have 20 ounce Blender Bottles right now. We are buying bigger ones, so we can put more liquid in the drink. I think this will make it less grainy. Erinn has placed her patch on her forearm today, and I put mine on my bicep. I didn't have any strange feeling in my head like yesterday and Erinn did not have the sensation in her muscle that she did yesterday.
10 AM - I am starting to want food, but I am not hungry. I think this is more out of boredom than being hungry.
1 PM - I am just now starting to get hungry. This is surprising because usually I am starving around 12.
2:30 PM - Erinn ate lunch after her class. She says that she got hungry around 1 PM. She's not sure if she was hungry or bored of her class when she started getting hungry. She reports that she ate less than she typically would for lunch- less snacks on the side of her sandwich.
5 PM - I am feeling a little tired. I slept 2 hours less than I usually do last night. I am not nap-level tired, but I am not as energetic as I was yesterday. I also have been sitting on the couch for most of the day instead of being active. Erinn is in her last class of the day and is having a much easier time paying attention in it. She says its a very dry class and by this point in the day its nearly impossible to pay attention to the professor, but she was actually able to maintain her attention span for most of the lecture.
6 PM - We are making dinner. We are hungry, but not famished.
Overall a weird day for both of us. We both felt really awake this morning after having our pills and shakes. Throughout the day, Erinn felt more energetic than usual, while I did not. Tomorrow will be my first day at work while using the product, so we will see how it goes! We are both enjoying the products, and think they are offering benefits for us.
10 AM - I am starting to want food, but I am not hungry. I think this is more out of boredom than being hungry.
1 PM - I am just now starting to get hungry. This is surprising because usually I am starving around 12.
2:30 PM - Erinn ate lunch after her class. She says that she got hungry around 1 PM. She's not sure if she was hungry or bored of her class when she started getting hungry. She reports that she ate less than she typically would for lunch- less snacks on the side of her sandwich.
5 PM - I am feeling a little tired. I slept 2 hours less than I usually do last night. I am not nap-level tired, but I am not as energetic as I was yesterday. I also have been sitting on the couch for most of the day instead of being active. Erinn is in her last class of the day and is having a much easier time paying attention in it. She says its a very dry class and by this point in the day its nearly impossible to pay attention to the professor, but she was actually able to maintain her attention span for most of the lecture.
6 PM - We are making dinner. We are hungry, but not famished.
Overall a weird day for both of us. We both felt really awake this morning after having our pills and shakes. Throughout the day, Erinn felt more energetic than usual, while I did not. Tomorrow will be my first day at work while using the product, so we will see how it goes! We are both enjoying the products, and think they are offering benefits for us.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Le-Vel THRIVE Experience - Day 1
So today we start a new journey! Erinn and I are starting the Le-Vel Thrive Experience. Our parent's neighbor got them into it, and they are getting us going on it!
I was apprehensive when my parents told me about the program. Due to my history with my eating disorder, I am always a little nervous when people tell me about programs that use chemical reactions in the body. I have had previous experience with using meal replacement programs that have sparked my eating disorder. My parents guaranteed that this will not have that effect on me. The shakes do have hunger suppressants in them, but not to the point that it will make me avoid eating.
To be honest, I am skeptical of how these things work. I tend to believe that most of these products are just placebos that companies put fancy labels on. At the same time, I am excited to see how this goes. I am trying to be a healthier person. I don't necessarily want to lose weight using this product, but I am unhappy in my body right now. I want to get to a place where my body is more toned and I am more comfortable in my clothes.
So Day 1, here we go!
9:33 AM - Since it's our first day, we will only take 1 pill. We have the Le-Vel Premium Lifestyle Capsule-THRIVE W (Formulated for Women) pills. We split a pack (since 2 come in a pack). The glasses that we own are 8 ounces, so we filled the glasses up and drank 8 ounces of cold water with our pill. This is not really necessary, but most doctors recommend that you start your day with an 8 ounce glass of water anyway.
10:08 AM - Since everything is a chemical reaction, the most effective time to have the powder is 20-40 minutes after you take the pill. I have the Le-Vel Premium Nutrition: Ultra Micronized-THRIVE MW Chocolate Lifestyle Mix. We used about 4 ounces of regular Almond Milk and 6 ounces of Chocolate Almond Milk with the powder. The powder is very fine, and mixed well (we used Blender Bottles with a circular ringed blender) with the almond milk. While drinking the shake, the powder was slightly grainy, but overall tasted good! It was very easy to drink, and only took us about 5-10 minutes to drink the shake.
10:15 AM - We put our patches on while finishing our shakes. We use the Le-Vel Premium Nutrition: Derma Fusion Technology-THRIVE Premium Lifestyle DFT. They have many designs and colors to choose from. Mine are pink camo colored! Erinn put hers on her bicep, and I put mine on the front of my hip. It is important to keep rotating where the patch is placed from day to day.
10:20 AM - Erinn started to feel some tingling in her arm in the muscle she placed the patch on, and my head started to feel a little "swimmy." My eyes were a little blurry. We called our dad concerned and messaged Tammy who is our go-to person for Le-Vel. It was nothing to worry about. With the new stimulants in our bodies, there are some adjustments that our body has to make. Tammy sent us a message saying, "There is a pepper extract in the DFT (patch) that helps your skin absorb the nutrients and that's where the tingling came from. As for the blurred vision, I would guess that's just the rush of pure vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc getting into your system and your body was going "woah, what's going on, what is this?!?"." Erinn's tingling only lasted a few minutes, as did the feeling in my head. However, we both feel super awake and energetic. We are both excited to see how this goes today!
11 AM - I just went to the bathroom, and had forgotten that I had the patch on my hip. I was startled for a moment, but in a good way. The patch is not hindering my day. Erinn and I were both hungry before taking the pill and drinking the shake. After the shake settled, we are no longer hungry.
1 PM - We were a little hungry around 12, but personally I thought I was less hungry than usual. We are just getting actually hungry around 1 PM. Erinn stated that she is hungry, but not "starving." We both could go longer before eating, as neither of us are craving food as we usually do around this time. Both of us have forgotten that we have the patches on, other than we look at them. I'm also usually about ready to take a nap around this time, and start to drag at work. I have the day off, so that may be contributing to why I am not so tired, but I am not as sleepy as I usually am around 1 PM.
1:45 PM - We made 2 chicken patties for each of us for lunch. Usually Erinn is still hungry after eating 2 chicken patties. Today, she felt full around being halfway through her second one! I usually eat both and am full, and today at about one and 3/4 and couldn't finish. Again, this could be because of other factors or activities today, but we both think that it is because of THRIVE.
5 PM - Usually I start to get hungry around this time. If I'm at work, I'm starting to become unfocused. I just looked at the clock and didn't even realize what time it was, partially due to me not being hungry. This is surprising to me. I have also just realized that I haven't snacked at all today, which I usually constantly do.
7 PM - I am just now getting to be actually hungry (which works well because dinner is just coming out of the oven!).
Overall, our first day of the THRIVE experience has gone over well. Erinn and I both felt more energetic and less hungry throughout the day. We are excited for the next few weeks to see what happens and how our bodies feel.
For more information on the specifics of how everything works, go to this website and read all about it!
I was apprehensive when my parents told me about the program. Due to my history with my eating disorder, I am always a little nervous when people tell me about programs that use chemical reactions in the body. I have had previous experience with using meal replacement programs that have sparked my eating disorder. My parents guaranteed that this will not have that effect on me. The shakes do have hunger suppressants in them, but not to the point that it will make me avoid eating.
To be honest, I am skeptical of how these things work. I tend to believe that most of these products are just placebos that companies put fancy labels on. At the same time, I am excited to see how this goes. I am trying to be a healthier person. I don't necessarily want to lose weight using this product, but I am unhappy in my body right now. I want to get to a place where my body is more toned and I am more comfortable in my clothes.
So Day 1, here we go!
9:33 AM - Since it's our first day, we will only take 1 pill. We have the Le-Vel Premium Lifestyle Capsule-THRIVE W (Formulated for Women) pills. We split a pack (since 2 come in a pack). The glasses that we own are 8 ounces, so we filled the glasses up and drank 8 ounces of cold water with our pill. This is not really necessary, but most doctors recommend that you start your day with an 8 ounce glass of water anyway.
10:08 AM - Since everything is a chemical reaction, the most effective time to have the powder is 20-40 minutes after you take the pill. I have the Le-Vel Premium Nutrition: Ultra Micronized-THRIVE MW Chocolate Lifestyle Mix. We used about 4 ounces of regular Almond Milk and 6 ounces of Chocolate Almond Milk with the powder. The powder is very fine, and mixed well (we used Blender Bottles with a circular ringed blender) with the almond milk. While drinking the shake, the powder was slightly grainy, but overall tasted good! It was very easy to drink, and only took us about 5-10 minutes to drink the shake.
10:15 AM - We put our patches on while finishing our shakes. We use the Le-Vel Premium Nutrition: Derma Fusion Technology-THRIVE Premium Lifestyle DFT. They have many designs and colors to choose from. Mine are pink camo colored! Erinn put hers on her bicep, and I put mine on the front of my hip. It is important to keep rotating where the patch is placed from day to day.
10:20 AM - Erinn started to feel some tingling in her arm in the muscle she placed the patch on, and my head started to feel a little "swimmy." My eyes were a little blurry. We called our dad concerned and messaged Tammy who is our go-to person for Le-Vel. It was nothing to worry about. With the new stimulants in our bodies, there are some adjustments that our body has to make. Tammy sent us a message saying, "There is a pepper extract in the DFT (patch) that helps your skin absorb the nutrients and that's where the tingling came from. As for the blurred vision, I would guess that's just the rush of pure vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc getting into your system and your body was going "woah, what's going on, what is this?!?"." Erinn's tingling only lasted a few minutes, as did the feeling in my head. However, we both feel super awake and energetic. We are both excited to see how this goes today!
11 AM - I just went to the bathroom, and had forgotten that I had the patch on my hip. I was startled for a moment, but in a good way. The patch is not hindering my day. Erinn and I were both hungry before taking the pill and drinking the shake. After the shake settled, we are no longer hungry.
1 PM - We were a little hungry around 12, but personally I thought I was less hungry than usual. We are just getting actually hungry around 1 PM. Erinn stated that she is hungry, but not "starving." We both could go longer before eating, as neither of us are craving food as we usually do around this time. Both of us have forgotten that we have the patches on, other than we look at them. I'm also usually about ready to take a nap around this time, and start to drag at work. I have the day off, so that may be contributing to why I am not so tired, but I am not as sleepy as I usually am around 1 PM.
1:45 PM - We made 2 chicken patties for each of us for lunch. Usually Erinn is still hungry after eating 2 chicken patties. Today, she felt full around being halfway through her second one! I usually eat both and am full, and today at about one and 3/4 and couldn't finish. Again, this could be because of other factors or activities today, but we both think that it is because of THRIVE.
5 PM - Usually I start to get hungry around this time. If I'm at work, I'm starting to become unfocused. I just looked at the clock and didn't even realize what time it was, partially due to me not being hungry. This is surprising to me. I have also just realized that I haven't snacked at all today, which I usually constantly do.
7 PM - I am just now getting to be actually hungry (which works well because dinner is just coming out of the oven!).
Overall, our first day of the THRIVE experience has gone over well. Erinn and I both felt more energetic and less hungry throughout the day. We are excited for the next few weeks to see what happens and how our bodies feel.
For more information on the specifics of how everything works, go to this website and read all about it!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Mental Illness
Lately, I have started to speak out about some of my struggles, only (once again) to be met with ridicule.
I have had an eating disorder since fourth grade. I was always active and playing soccer or dancing as a child, and never saw my weight as anything but normal. In the fourth grade, bullies suddenly entered my life and I didn't know how to handle them. My teacher used to have meetings with me every day after lunch to make sure that I ate my lunch that my mom had prepared that morning. I was constantly monitored by the cafeteria staff to make sure I wasn't throwing my food away or giving it to my friends. Well, after a few weeks my parents started noticing that I was suddenly losing weight. Little did I know at the time, I was also doing other harm to my body. Around the same time, I started having migraines and had to go to Syracuse for testing and to get put on medication for the migraines.
After everyone found out what was going on and it was explained to me by school staff what I was doing to myself, I started eating again. I didn't have any issues with my eating disorder until my freshman year of high school when I went through a traumatic time. With the help of my parents and a counselor, I got set on the right track again....until college. Since starting college, I have had a constant on-and-off relationship with my eating disorder. Most of the people that are close with me know my history with this specific disorder, and now help me to stay on the right track with it.
Consequently, I also have suffered with depression. If you have read one of my previous blog posts, then you will realize that I have been through multiple traumatic experiences in my short 20 years. Some of these experiences have caused me to sink to the darkest corners of my mind, and have thoughts that I did not think someone like myself was capable of having. Again, with the help of my amazing family and multiple counselors, I have been able to push through these times.
I also have an anxiety disorder. I find myself unable to control my body and thoughts at times. I may know that I shouldn't or should be doing something, and cannot change my actions in order to fit what I want to do. There will be times when I am paralyzed due to fear, to an extent that most people cannot understand. I struggle at times with simple everyday tasks, like choosing where to eat when going to dinner with friends. To this day, I am still learning about what this truly means and what my options are in order to be able to handle every day tasks.
On Facebook, I have started sharing articles that truly communicate how I have been feeling while struggling with these disorders lately. Let me say this first-I do not share them for pity or to have people pay attention to me. I share them because I have felt so alone struggling, and to feel like there are other people in the world that understand me is just a breath of fresh air. I share them for myself, and for people who may also be facing the same struggle.
However, there are people who have said that I shouldn't be sharing posts like that because it makes them "uncomfortable" or "it isn't something that I should be proud about." If an article makes you uncomfortable, you do not have read it folks. And to say I am proud that I have mental disorders? I am not "proud," but I am no longer ashamed that I face these struggles. If someone chooses to stereotype me because of the way my brain works, I am no longer going to let it affect me. I have been so afraid of what people think about me for the longest time, and it only makes the "symptoms," for lack of a better word, of my disorders worse.
There are people that do not have the support system that I have, or can get the care that I can through my medical insurance and amazing counselors at school. There are people that have the same disorders as me, but have them 10x worse and cannot leave their own rooms because of it. I am lucky that I can attend school and have two jobs while trying to figure out ways to control my disorders to have a normal life.
Mental illness is not a topic that should be swept under the rug and ignored, it is something that people need to discuss. The people that struggle with mental disorders need their friends and family to be accepting and ready to assist them in any way possible. Otherwise, they may never seek help. And please realize, it is not the person's fault that they think the way they do or act the way they do because of their disorder. Do not blame them for their disorder. From my experience, they hate it just as much as you do.
I have had an eating disorder since fourth grade. I was always active and playing soccer or dancing as a child, and never saw my weight as anything but normal. In the fourth grade, bullies suddenly entered my life and I didn't know how to handle them. My teacher used to have meetings with me every day after lunch to make sure that I ate my lunch that my mom had prepared that morning. I was constantly monitored by the cafeteria staff to make sure I wasn't throwing my food away or giving it to my friends. Well, after a few weeks my parents started noticing that I was suddenly losing weight. Little did I know at the time, I was also doing other harm to my body. Around the same time, I started having migraines and had to go to Syracuse for testing and to get put on medication for the migraines.
After everyone found out what was going on and it was explained to me by school staff what I was doing to myself, I started eating again. I didn't have any issues with my eating disorder until my freshman year of high school when I went through a traumatic time. With the help of my parents and a counselor, I got set on the right track again....until college. Since starting college, I have had a constant on-and-off relationship with my eating disorder. Most of the people that are close with me know my history with this specific disorder, and now help me to stay on the right track with it.
Consequently, I also have suffered with depression. If you have read one of my previous blog posts, then you will realize that I have been through multiple traumatic experiences in my short 20 years. Some of these experiences have caused me to sink to the darkest corners of my mind, and have thoughts that I did not think someone like myself was capable of having. Again, with the help of my amazing family and multiple counselors, I have been able to push through these times.
I also have an anxiety disorder. I find myself unable to control my body and thoughts at times. I may know that I shouldn't or should be doing something, and cannot change my actions in order to fit what I want to do. There will be times when I am paralyzed due to fear, to an extent that most people cannot understand. I struggle at times with simple everyday tasks, like choosing where to eat when going to dinner with friends. To this day, I am still learning about what this truly means and what my options are in order to be able to handle every day tasks.
On Facebook, I have started sharing articles that truly communicate how I have been feeling while struggling with these disorders lately. Let me say this first-I do not share them for pity or to have people pay attention to me. I share them because I have felt so alone struggling, and to feel like there are other people in the world that understand me is just a breath of fresh air. I share them for myself, and for people who may also be facing the same struggle.
However, there are people who have said that I shouldn't be sharing posts like that because it makes them "uncomfortable" or "it isn't something that I should be proud about." If an article makes you uncomfortable, you do not have read it folks. And to say I am proud that I have mental disorders? I am not "proud," but I am no longer ashamed that I face these struggles. If someone chooses to stereotype me because of the way my brain works, I am no longer going to let it affect me. I have been so afraid of what people think about me for the longest time, and it only makes the "symptoms," for lack of a better word, of my disorders worse.
There are people that do not have the support system that I have, or can get the care that I can through my medical insurance and amazing counselors at school. There are people that have the same disorders as me, but have them 10x worse and cannot leave their own rooms because of it. I am lucky that I can attend school and have two jobs while trying to figure out ways to control my disorders to have a normal life.
Mental illness is not a topic that should be swept under the rug and ignored, it is something that people need to discuss. The people that struggle with mental disorders need their friends and family to be accepting and ready to assist them in any way possible. Otherwise, they may never seek help. And please realize, it is not the person's fault that they think the way they do or act the way they do because of their disorder. Do not blame them for their disorder. From my experience, they hate it just as much as you do.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
A Girl Without A Bow "Wipe Case"
So there's a company that I love to buy my bows from called A Girl Without A Bow! Actually, I love it so much I became 1 of 10 Campus Representatives for the company in September 2014, and am currently the last one still working for the company.
For those who don't know about the company, it is run by one amazing girl named Aimee. All products are handmade by her. She has worked so hard to make her dream of the company become a reality for herself.
She is actually introducing a new product, and I got to be the guinea pig for it (which I always love)! What is the new product? Keep your mind open-its a wipe case! She takes a plastic case that you would put a travel wipes into, and covers it in padding and fabric and makes it really cute (see below!)!
"Em, what in the world do I need a wipe case for? I don't have kids or babysit or anything." Great question! Since it is an empty plastic case, you can use it for whatever you want! You can put pens and pencils in it and throw it into your backpack. Or small items like chapstick and hair ties or bobby pins and put it in your purse so you can easily locate these items!
While traveling from New York to Wisconsin last week, I put tampons in the case and threw the case into my travel bag. When going to the bathroom, you can simply grab the entire case and bring it into the bathroom with you instead of digging through your bag for a single tampon. And if you are shy about that sort of thing, it helps you out. Since the plastic case is padded and decorated, it sort of looks like a clutch and nobody suspects anything!
Want to find out more about this product or A Girl Without A Bow? Check out her website or Instagram account! And if you choose to make an order, use the code EMILY10 for 10% off of your order! In addition, until the end of March get 21% off of your order, $3 bows, and free shipping on orders over $21! Just be sure to mention its the March deal. :)
Back edge of the case
Front edge of the case
Friday, March 13, 2015
What people don't see when they look at my letters....
Being from a small town and going to college in a small town has taught me one thing-people love to stereotype. Especially when it comes to fraternities and sororities.
Anyone from my high school would probably tell you that I was the "stereotypical cheerleader" in high school. Bubbly, loud, slightly obnoxious, had a boyfriend on the lacrosse team, was named captain of the team senior year. However, I also was on the honor roll, a member of the National Honor Society, a competitive dancer, was actively involved in the music program, a member of Jazz Rock (the select choir at my high school), and all of my best friends were active in the drama department. Oh, and I had a part time job from the moment I had a license. Doesn't seem like your stereotypical cheerleader anymore, now does it? I split my time between my family, job, dance studio, academics, cheerleading, and my friends. I also went through a period of depression in high school, was sexually assaulted, fought an eating disorder, was in an abusive relationship, and had a dad in the army who unfortunately had to deploy over sea every other year.
I was pretty much anything but your "stereotypical cheerleader."
Now, I'm in college. My freshman year, I joined a sorority. I did a lot of research on the Greek life at Plattsburgh. Researched the history of the campus and all of the organizations. When the time came, I had my heart set on Alpha Phi, and it was the only organization I considered joining. Their GPA was the highest on campus, they don't haze, they do a ton of community service. I was set.
And I got in. I was so excited to be a part of something bigger than myself, and be able to contribute to the community through philanthropy and community service. My parents were proud of me, my family was excited for me.
I went home a few weeks after receiving my bid, and constantly wore letters while I was home. I mean, obviously I did, I was excited. I immediately received ridicule from my friends, past teachers, and family friends. "What did you have to do to get in?" "How badly did you get hazed?" "I didn't realize you were a dumb srat girl, Em." I was blown away by what people were saying. Where did any of this come from?! What were they even talking about?! I was beyond confused. I had never experienced anything but love, acceptance, and gifts from my new sisters. We were a group of intelligent, caring, strong young ladies who all wanted to impact the world in a positive way. Why did everyone see that as such a negative thing?
Because of the stereotypes they had about members of Greek organizations, despite knowing me for most of my life.
Ever since I received my bid and put on my first set of letters, I have been fighting to be seen as me, and not as a stereotype, just as I did in high school. This battle is harder though, and is a constant struggle. I'm not just fighting this battle for myself, but for members of Greek organizations all over the world.
Currently, I work 20+ hours a week as a hostess at Texas Roadhouse, pay for my own housing, food, clothing, and more, will soon have a lease for a car in my own name that I will pay for with my own money, have a marketing internship at the College Suites at Plattsburgh, am the Social Media Coordinator for the SUNY Plattsburgh chapter of the American Marketing Association, and am the Red Dress Gala Director for my sorority. Did I mention that I'm also taking 15 credits of classes in upper level classes, despite it only being my second semester in the Marketing program? Add preparing for Relay For Life at SUNY Plattsburgh and for the city of Plattsburgh, coordinating travel plans to see my parents who live in Wisconsin, friends, my boyfriend, 20+ hours of community service a semester, and trying to stay on top of my academics to that list.
Last time I checked, thats more than most of the kids I know who aren't in Greek life do.
So the next time someone wants to make a comment to me about how I'm just a typical "sorority girl" who pays for her friends and who's parents pay for everything, don't. I'm more independent than most people my age, and am more involved than a lot of people on this campus. Can you say the same for yourself?
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
DIY Bow Holder!
Since I joined a sorority, I have crafted almost everything and anything in my life. I find that sometimes making something yourself is the cheapest option. Although, it is not always the easiest. Do-It-Yourself projects can take a lot of patience and time, and at times can be extremely frustrating.
For those who don't know, I have a bow obsession. This is partially what fueled me to apply to be a Campus Rep for A Girl Without A Bow! I have bows with various backings, hair ties, alligator clips, and barrettes. I had a ribbon photo board that used to hold all of my bows. However, my bow collection outgrew the space that the board had. For awhile, I had all of my bows just in a jar. But that made choosing a bow to wear for the day slightly difficult since I couldn't see all of the bows at once.
Last week, I finally got frustrated enough to go shopping for something new to hold my bows. I spent hours on Pinterest trying to find something cute and unique to display my bows on. I asked around on a crafting group on Facebook for ideas as well. However, I still didn't see anything that I really liked. So I decided to just start roaming around Michael's, where there is always deals and coupons for days, on top of already reasonable prices for great products!
I found myself in the Framing section of the store. I didn't want anything too fancy, incase I wanted to personalize the frame myself. I also wanted something with multiple frames so that I can organize my bows, and something that could hang on my wall so I can see it while getting dressed.
Being the poor college student that I am, I picked a frame that was on sale for $40 off at the time. It was a narrow, long frame that I could hang next to my door, where my full-body-length mirror hangs. It has 5 different sections, and is white so it can be easily decorated with any colors I want.
For those who don't know, I have a bow obsession. This is partially what fueled me to apply to be a Campus Rep for A Girl Without A Bow! I have bows with various backings, hair ties, alligator clips, and barrettes. I had a ribbon photo board that used to hold all of my bows. However, my bow collection outgrew the space that the board had. For awhile, I had all of my bows just in a jar. But that made choosing a bow to wear for the day slightly difficult since I couldn't see all of the bows at once.
Last week, I finally got frustrated enough to go shopping for something new to hold my bows. I spent hours on Pinterest trying to find something cute and unique to display my bows on. I asked around on a crafting group on Facebook for ideas as well. However, I still didn't see anything that I really liked. So I decided to just start roaming around Michael's, where there is always deals and coupons for days, on top of already reasonable prices for great products!
I found myself in the Framing section of the store. I didn't want anything too fancy, incase I wanted to personalize the frame myself. I also wanted something with multiple frames so that I can organize my bows, and something that could hang on my wall so I can see it while getting dressed.
Being the poor college student that I am, I picked a frame that was on sale for $40 off at the time. It was a narrow, long frame that I could hang next to my door, where my full-body-length mirror hangs. It has 5 different sections, and is white so it can be easily decorated with any colors I want.
I took the glass and backing out of the picture frame. I wanted something that would be easy to attach bows to. I chose tulle to put into the frame to clip the bows with alligator clips onto. The holes in the tulle are only expanded a small amount by the clips, and adds some color to the project. I chose pink, sparkly tulle. I used hot glue to attach the tulle. However, because the frame was plastic and the tulle is so light and has holes, it was a little difficult securing the tulle to the frame. After all of the hot glue was dry and cool, I took some clear tacky glue and went around the edges again to ensure that it would stay. I glued down one side at a time, to ensure that it was being pulled tight and would sag under the weight of the many bows I have.
After taking care of the tulle to hold the bows with alligator clips, I had a panicking moment. I still have bows with hair ties and barrette clips that can't go on the tulle! Barrettes are too thick for the tulle and would create large holes that would make the tulle unusable and would rip into shreds. I didn't feel like going back out, so I started searching around my room for random things that I can use. I remembered a kit for hanging things on walls. I had circle hooks that I could screw into the bottom. However, circle hooks are completely closed and there is no way to hang anything on them. I took a pair of needle nose pliers and popped the hooks open to make cup hooks. I simply screwed them into the bottom of the frame. I use five and space them out evenly.
Lastly, the barrette clips. I have a stash of ribbon that I have collected over time for random reasons. I found some silver and black ribbon in the stash, colors that wouldn't collide with the pink of the tulle. Bonus-the ribbon had sparkles, just like the tulle. I attached the ribbon to the back of the frame to hang down for the barrettes to clip on. I used hot glue to attach the ribbon to the back, and let it dry. I hung three rows of ribbon, and made it long enough for about 7-9 bows to hang on each ribbon.
Altogether, I like how the bow holder turned out. It does stand out a little from the wall because of the bows on the hair ties hanging from the cup hooks. They are a little larger than I anticipated, and push the bow holder away from the wall. However, it doesn't bother me. For someone who wanted to try this project, I would recommend not putting the second row of cup hooks so close to the back of the frame.
I'm very excited about how this project turned out!
Lastly, the barrette clips. I have a stash of ribbon that I have collected over time for random reasons. I found some silver and black ribbon in the stash, colors that wouldn't collide with the pink of the tulle. Bonus-the ribbon had sparkles, just like the tulle. I attached the ribbon to the back of the frame to hang down for the barrettes to clip on. I used hot glue to attach the ribbon to the back, and let it dry. I hung three rows of ribbon, and made it long enough for about 7-9 bows to hang on each ribbon.
The back of the board
How it turned out :)
I'm very excited about how this project turned out!
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