One great tip to finding balance as a college student

This is my last post for the college student series :(. I really enjoyed writing this series because it is who I am! It's what I identify as at the moment because I have been a college student for many years now. And I have learned a few things along the way!!

I can't wait to get started on my next series!

So my final tip is how to balance life AND being a college student? Well, something I have learned over the years is to take a moment for myself, like do something you love. Some people like to read, others go shopping, I like to write and meditate. I just, at times, need some space from being a student. Although I am grateful for the opportunities that come along with getting my degree, I also know what it is like to have mental breakdown. 

So many times you can feel so over worked and exhausted that your body just shuts down. This has happened to me, and believe me it's not pretty at all. Even if it's for 5 mins, take a break from doing HW and go an do something fun. 

You will see when you come back to work, everything seems to flow better. Your mind has released it's stress and now you can actually get some work done.

Hope this helps!!

I will blog again later this week!!

See ya, and thanks for reading!

XO,Pynkstarr

3 Tips for Being a Fashionable College Student on a Budget!

Hi readers.

Happy Friday!!

Today I would like to share some tips on how I stay fashionable on a budget, especially when it comes to the new term!

Top 10 Snacks every College Student can enjoy!!

Hiiii!!!

Being a college student can be exhausting at times and some times the only thing that can bring you joy is food!

5 Awesome Study Tips I use to Get A's!!!

Hi lovely readers.

I often get asked about tips for studying and what I do to retain so much information for every course? 

OMG! Your 5 Go-To Natural Hair Styles when in College!

Hi my lovely readers!!

Omygosh day 3 of this awesome college girl series!!! Um, yes 3 in a row ya'll!

As a college student, I often have issues finding a hair style that will work for me. It can't only just work for my budget though, but also for my lazy days. You know what a lazy day is.... those days where you forgot to tie up your hair because you thought it'd be fine the next day. But it turned into a big bush! :( 

Well I have a few solutions for those lazy days!

Mini Twists- You can just get up and go everyday, add a little bit of oil every few days and you are good.

4 Ways to be An Organized College Student!

Hi readers.

People always ask me how do I stay so organized as a college student? 

Your Ultimate College Girl Series: 6 Tips for being a college student!

What to Plan Now!! --- Planner decor for June & July 2015 + My fave sites to get FREE printable stickers!

Well I know it's way past Wednesday but here I am. I was scrolling through my blog when I realized I haven't posted anything on my planner in months!! 

I am very simple when it comes to planning, usually I stick to my homework for the week with minor decor just to spice it up a little bit. I mean, what else can be more motivating than pretty stickers and wash tape!!! 

Here are a few pics from June:

5 Surprising Little Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Hi readers,

Omygosh I have been meaning to post this blog months ago because I really love me some ACV. I mean I use it for everything now because it works for everything.

Perfectly Pretty Mini Twists on Natural 4c Hair

First off, I am back! I know it doesn't seem like that long ago that I took my alleged break from blogging, but I am officially back. Yipppy! 

A few weeks ago I shared how my hair was dry and how I needed something to keep it moisturized. My first thought was a protective style like faux locs or havana twists, but it's too hot for all that weave. So instead I opted for mini twists!! These twists lasted me for about 3 weeks only because my hair was no longer holding moisture, not to mention the product build up was unbearable. 

I am doing fine!!

Hi my lovelies,

I know it has been a while, but I am doing well. Just living life as stress free as possible and relaxing on a daily basis. Putting out content is pretty tough when you are a full time student. 

Some things just have to get put on the back burner and my blogging is it. I have so many posts I have in my mind for a few future post and I can't wait to share them. It's just right now it's hard, you have to be self motivated to write a blog post. And once that goes that's it. That's why I try to post as many times as I can when I get those inspiring thoughts. 

But right now I am just like, eh, blogging can wait. There are tons of bloggers in the universe so a few more weeks of not seeing me won't make a dent in the atmosphere or shall I say blogosphere!!!! :) 

Any hoo I'll catch up with ya'll as soon as I have the time.

XO, Pynkstarr

PS....Oh yea, I have a new IG that is open to the public for hair, beauty, etc it's @pynkstarrheartshair!!

I am currently in the process of transferring my photos now!

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits by therealpynkstarr featuring a tribal print jumpsuit

Design Lab strapless romper
lordandtaylor.com

Tribal print jumpsuit
romwe.com

MANGO short jumpsuit
$31 - mango.com

K Jacques leather flat
bergdorfgoodman.com

Converse white sneaker
$86 - office.co.uk

Charlotte Russe t strap sandals
charlotterusse.com

Crazy for jumpsuits this summer!!

This just in...JUMPSUITS are the new summer trend. Okay, so, not new per say, but definitely a reemerged trend from like 4 years ago Jumpsuits from 2011.

My umpteenth wash n go experience!

After watching so many videos this week, I kinda of wanted to try a wash n go style again :O!! I know??! Why would I do that again after trying it multiple times in the past and failing at it. But I come to realize it doesn't hurt to try again, plus if it comes out bad I could just wash it out.

Final week of school!!! Living in the NOW!

Oh My Gosh!! 

Too excited for being able to relax my brain just a bit for my break for school. I still have about 3-4 terms left before I graduate, which seems like a short amount of time but it'll go by so super fast.

I have been having an issue living in the NOW, meaning not focusing on yesterday or the future, which I do ALOT! But after doing some soul searching, finishing up my Residing in Abundance course, I have come to realize that NOW is what's happening. The past has happened so I can't change that. And the future hasn't happened yet so worrying about it constantly won't really fix it. Somethings are really out of my control and I need to understand that fully. Butttt I do know that now, or at least I am working on it. :) I have been writing and praying. I am now beginning to meditate daily as well, so hard for me to do but I am doing it. 5mins a day is what my life coach suggested and it's working. 

Other than that I am still into planning!! I really love my Plum Paper Planner so much because I can see what I did, how I decorated weeks ago etc. I really enjoy doing it.

Here is my last week's rainbow theme! I have seen so many examples that inspired me to try it out and well here it is!!

Dry natural hair and what I am watching!

I honestly can not describe how dry my hair was the other day. I feel this is the driest I have ever felt my hair to be, esp after just 2 days AFTER washing it. I still can't understand why it felt the way it did. 

Packing for a 5 day trip!!

Welll I am going away for a few days and I wanted to share some tips on how I pack *light*, cue Erykah Badu's Bag Lady. Anyhoo. I like to bring as many things with me as possible because I always feel as though I will forget something. The crazy thing is I just could've bought what ever I forgot because there were tons of stores around my hotel. I think I showed what luggage I have but just in case I haven't this is my luggage. 

The top back is made by JanSport and is used for my snacks and electronics.

The bottom bag is my actual suitcase made by Jessica Simpson and it is where I store my clothing. Peep the picture below.

In my suitcase I store all of my shoes jewelry and makeup in the pouches inside the bag. On the other side I use the roll technique to store all of my pants, jeans, shorts, shirts, skirts, swim suits, and under garments; which I store in ziploc bags. I usually put all of my clothes in ziploc bags just to protect them. But our hotel was so clean and comfy I didn't see not one bug or ant. 

Like I said before I packed sooooo much stuff because I don't like feeling that I am not secure especially being so far away from my comfort zone. 

I planned on doing a lookbook while I was there of all of the outfits I wore, but in all honesty I just wanted to enjoy the moment. I didn't take many pictures but a few which are personal but I did get to go on the beach.

I really really enjoyed the beach so much. But I got burned so next time I am going to buy a better sun block!

Any hoo hope this post was informative. Thanks for reading!!

XO, Pynkstarr

Planner update!! Plum Paper Planner month of May 2015

Hey Ya'll

Planning can be so complex at times because a) I overthink too much about getting the perfect look and b) I really don't have time to decorate.

And this week was supposed to be my trip week so I definitely just didn't have time to do much. But I did get to the library to print some FREE printables. They have saved my life completely :)!! Because I can not go buying planner supplies all willy nilly like some people can. Nothing wrong with that, but I just can't afford to do that so these free printables are a great way to decorate while on a budget. I either create my own or I print some from Google!!

Here is a pic of what I printed!

I love the way they came out on my school's printer versus mine. My printer is awesome too, but the color ink isn't the greatest for sticker printing, only general things.

Let us work backwards on the planners:

May 11-17

May 4-10

April 27-May 3

May month in a glance

I really love my PPP because it's not too bright for me. It's easy to carry around with me. And I take it everywhere with me because I always need to use it. Planning keeps me from losing my mind and forgetting things. It really is peaceful to decorate. And fun. You do not need a ton of money to decorate your planner and that is something I had to learn on my own. People feel as though they need to go crazy and buy everything in every color when that is not the case. Just do you when it comes to planning!

Please take my advice and have fun with your planner, what ever brand you have!! Decorate it, don't decorate whooo careess?! No one else matters but you :)

Keep on planning Ya'll!!

XO Pynkstarr

My desk Organization!! I love IKEA!!

Hi guys!! I am one of those people who appreciate organized chaos. I like my area, especially my crafting and planning, to be clean. This is a staged photo, lol. Because my desk isn't always this clean, my drawers are clean all the time because I always put my stuff away in an organized fashion. :) So I have said before that I purchased my desk because I needed an area to do my HW.

 I had a previous desk but after water damage it's not the same, the feng shui was all off. I believe if you have a space you love, you will want to do the work. I enjoy writing at my desk, I eat at my desk, do my school work, my arts and crafts. You name it and my desk is involved. I need to be able to feel comfortable in what ever it is I am doing.

This post isn't about detailed specs of my desk but I really love that my desk is spacious. However, as long as I am going to continue to grow my scrapbook supplies, I will need more space. I have no space to really grow without stuffing things in my drawers, and I am not fan of that. Currently I have the Micke by IKEA but I plan to purchase a bigger desk from IKEA once I move into my new apartment. :D 

Let's break down the desk though. On top is where I have my laptop, and either my planner if I am planning or my binder for school. I also have some stones and crystals for good energy and a candle. On the left in the pink basket I have my Target note pads, which I have to go get more because they just added some more :D. Farther left are my pens and makeup brushes. This will eventually change because this caddy is not too big for me, and I can't always get to my makeup brushes. Next to that is my white board, which is where I put my HW. And below that is my paper station, which I will plan on expanding soon. But these folders also come from Target's dollar spot. and I love them :D

Then we have my drawer systems that I purchased in the kitchen section of the Container's Store. Left drawer has all of my essentials, my washi tape, hole punch, some smaller note books, label maker, ribbons, and my doggie's nail clipper. 

Right drawer I have a smaller version of the drawer separator where I store my sticky notes, my calculators, page flags, paper clips, binder clips, and index cards. 

By being organized I feel as though I can get more work done because my mind doesn't see clutter. I can't really describe it but when I see organization it's not as hard to do my work. I will post more pictures and details soon. 

Thanks for reading!!

XO Pynkstarr 

I heart coconut Oil!

I'm in love with the coco!! Lol!! No seriously guys, I really love coconut oil. And I use it for everything too.  From skin, to hair, to food, it's like one of those things you can use for everything.

Years ago when I first purchased it, it was through Vitacost.com and it was only for my hair. Fast forward a a year or two, yes that's how long that jar lasted until I found other uses for it. I also love the way it smells, Dr.Bronner's coconut oil has the best smell. I spoke about it a few years ago in a post. Also it's cost friendly, instead of buying a shaving cream, lotion, and hair product you can use it for all of those things and save money.

How I use it on my skin?

*Shaving*

*Body Oil*

*Make up Remover*

*Facial Moisturizer*

*Foot bath*

*Mixed with coffee grounds as facial or foot scrub*

*Deodorant* 

(now this doesn't mean anti perspiring so you will sweat it off and it mat not be pleasant, but I believe you can mix it with natural items get a better result like baking soda or tea tree oil.)

*Lip balm*

*Eyebrow shiner*

*Irritated nostrils during those sniffly days*

*After shave*

How I use it in my hair?

*LOC method*

*Scalp massager*

*Prepoo*

*Great detangler*

*Deep conditioner*

How I use it for food?

*Frying*

*Baking*

*Some people put in their tea, or coffee. In which I be trying this soon*

*Oil rinsing, okay you aren't swallowing but it's in your mouth so same thing*

Easiest way for me to use coconut oil on my skin is to let it turn to liquid and pour it into a disposable spray bottle. I use a 2oz bottle because it's small enough for travel and easy to hold while in the shower. Also I use different jars for cooking than the ones I use for my body/hair for obvious reasons.

 I just really love coconut oil! And this is just a smidge of the ways to use it!!

Thanks so much for reading. See ya soon!!

XO, Pynkstarr

Owning Your Creativity - Self Love

Planner update! Michaels planner haul, decor!

Wow a blog post on a Wednesday!! I am shocked too but I wanted to share some planner stuff from the last few weeks. Well first things first, my planner for these last few weeks haven't been too decorated for many reasons. One being that I am back in school and my Homework has consumed me and my planner. Then there is the time factor of me not having the time to really decorate the way I'd love to. It's not a big deal to not decorate because everyone uses their planner in their own way. Some people have time and space to decorate, and I have more time than space. I am currently trying to implement the use of post-its into my planner, along with my white board to write down my HW assignments. Check out last weeks spread!

I used my planner to write my DB assignments since they are most important every week. And I like to remember what I did every week since my professors always erases them, I at least like to see the question. Then to write certain assignments in detail I used the post it notes and stuck them in the planner. The week before that it didn't go so well, I tried to write all of my assignments in detail for all 4 of my classes and that was just too messy. I just need more space. I could always buy another planner just for school and do more details or I could just keep it the way it is. So many ideas.....so little time.

Now on to the haul

What's in my travel toiletries bag!!

Hiiiiiiii!! I mentioned a few posts ago about a trip I took on a train, well I took the trip by train....wait am I saying that correctly. Either way the train ride is very very long and I needed to make sure I had everything. Not just things for the train ride but also for the hotel, which can be a hassle at times. I never check anything because it just would cost too much money and I always fear I'd need something from my bag. You are allowed to take two bags on the train, so I have one carry-on size luggage and my shoulder bag that I stored my laptop in. Also in this bag is my toiletries bag and some snacks for the longgg ride.

First up is my toiletries bag that I only paid .99 for at a thrift store :). 

This bag is from a Lancome makeup kit, it's a vinyl material so I was able to clean. And it's so bright and vibrant that I had to get it because the one I was using seemed to be shrinking. With everything I can fit in here plus I have room to grow!! 

These are some essentials I can show you, excluding some feminine stuff, wash cloth, tooth brush, and a few hair products. As you all can see I am a germaphobe who needs to wipe counters and spray Lysol to feel safe. The bathrooms at the hotels are usually clean but you never really know. And as far as the train is concerned, with 100s of people in and out of them you never know what germ is running rapid in there. My tip is to be careful and use sanitizer through out the train ride just to be safe.

If you are not taking a long trip, there may be no need for all of these things but I highly recommend them for an overnight trip on a train. 

My next post will be on Wednesday :) ....hmmm maybe some planner stuff are involved :p

XO Pynkstarr

My College Life part 2: Being organized with a planner!

Hello all of my lovely readers!!
 Spring Term has begun and I wanted to share how I stay organized with my school work. It may be easy to remember for some people, but for me I often forget certain assignments so I always had to write them down. Which is why I use my white board to write what I have to do daily. Being an online student you have to be held accountable for yourself because no one is going to inform you of anything. Some professors send out blast reminders but I feel like I am responsible enough to have my work submitted on time. I am again taking 4 courses, which may seem like a lot to some people with families to take care of or who work full time. But for me, I have neither so all of my time is dedicated to school work and it's paying off because my GPA has been increasing.

Okay so let's start off with my first week of planning while in school, it didn't go so well for many reasons. The main reason is I have 4 courses with lots of work per week and trying to write it all in to those little boxes seemed impossible, and you know what. . . . It was a disaster. Take a look!

Okay well not too bad, maybe I am being a little bit to harsh on myself because I got a lot of likes for it. I just really need to figure out a nice clean, neat method of adding every aspect of my school work for all 4 classes, as well as having room for other stuff. There is the dry erase method with a laminated post-it, but I may want to recall my assignments in a few weeks so If erase them ever week that defeats the purpose. Hopefully by Monday I will figure it out! I will see you all then for another planner update :)

XO, Pynkstarr

My planner was waiting for me at the doe!!

O my!!

 My planner came to me on a Monday

I was very impatient seeing everyone get there planners or post their weekly spreads but I just had to relax, relate and release!! I went away for the weekend and ended up not really worrying about my planner. By the time I came home it was waiting for me!! I couldn't wait to open it and begin planning because I was soooo inspired by all of the groups. Plus I had made so many purchases for planner supplies that all I could think about was decorating my planner. The thing is once I got it in my hands I was sort of stuck as to what to do. It's been a few days and I am still kind of stuck.

 But I'll get to decor soon!! Here are some pics of my actual planner.

These are my monthly tabs. Colors aren't the greatest but I really like that they aren't so bright. Also I will have this planner for 16 months so I have plenty of time to change it!

I added 3 extras: 10 pgs To-do, 20 pgs checklists, and 10 pgs notes. I planned on using these for some blogger stuff. PPP has a blogging extra but that was about 13 pages of will I use this or that so I said I can make my own blogger pages!

My back cover

Measurement of the thickness of my planner.

Measurement of the width of my planner

Just a few things I have made a tassel and paper clips!

So my goal is to save as much money as possible by printing stickers and just gluing or taping them to my planner. The reason being is because planner anything, scrapbook anything is just too overly priced for me. I just can't afford to buy stickers every other day or months or what ever. Unless I go to Joann's or Michael's or Walmart because they have a dollar section. I just refuse to pay tons of money in shipping for stuff I can make on my own. So with that being said some things I will have made at Staples. And others I will print on my own. 

Month at a glance filled with washi, stickers I printed or purchased for $1. Or just old stickers from more than 10 years ago that I never threw away....yay. 

Midweek is something I am proud of because it's not too cluttered. It's really just right for my first week. Also I don't have a theme for every week or an inspiration for what colors to use I just went crazy! lol. I am almost done with next week. Well I am really almost finished with April but I think I just might wait because spring break is almost over and who knows how much HW I will have. By decorating too early I may not have room...yada yada yada! LOL. Well that's all, follow my planner IG page @pynkstarrheartsplanning. Thanks so much for reading and sharing!!

XO, Pynkstarr!!

Small Planner haul + my planner shipped

Hey guys, I just wanted to share that I am getting ready for my wonderful planner. I purchased a few things that I think are necessary to do the type of planning that I'd love to do. I want to decorate using my own ideas not just what ever colors the planner has to offer. I didn't get much, and I actually purchased a few more things after this trip. My best purchase was the laminator!! I mean I have been laminating everything I could get my hands on. I have a cute DIY for journaling cards coming soon!

Also my planner shipped and should be in my arms by Monday!!

Xo, Pynkstarr

Finals + New IG page

Hi all,

I feel like I haven't written a post in months, well more like 1 week. But still I try to do at least 2 times a week now. Well let's see what have I been up to....hmmmmm. Lots and lots of planner stuff thats for sure.

I love planners!! College organization update!

Okay so this is an unrelated post about planning and being organized. I try my best to write posts on things that do correspond to my life, meaning I am more than just a big fro. LOL. I also like, no no no, let me correct myself I mean "love" organizing. And this goes all the way back to when I was a kid, making sure my area wasn't too junky or at least not to me. Too others I am definitely sure it was pretty hideous looking. Fast forward to high school when I begin to be more organized with my school work and notes. I was never a note taker before, nor did I write down my homework, which now when I think about it how the heck did I remember anything. Well I didn't because I never really did my homework, and I always forgot to do something. So in high school it was a different ball game, you had to remember your homework because this was your last step before college, "the real world". They gave us little planners and everything, actually my 6th grade school gave me a planner too. So I decorated this planner but unfortunately because of past flooding most of my childhood things are gone. But I do have my 2008 until present planners that I keep around just because. 

My awesome Braid out part 1

Hey lovelies!!!

I have wanted to post a hair "tutorial" for a while now because people some times ask me questions about my hair when I do this style. It's really not much to this style except for patience and the right products.

My favorite protective styles since going perm free in 2010 plus rambles!

I must say that my journey going natural wasn't an easy one because I was 

addicted to straight hair. Like it was pretty bad for a minute during my early twenties because my hair eventually started falling out. And I don't mean gradually I meant I woke up one day to do my hair and noticed the back of my head was bald. I covered it up for as long as I could until a woman at work asked me what was wrong. I was so embarrassed because I didn't think anyone would be looking back there. I don't even know what excuse I made, but I am sure I made up some reason for being bald back there. This was in 2008 and you would think that I would have stopped perming then but I didn't. I eventually was able to afford to get my hair done professionally, instead of the usual $10 doobie I was getting. She gave me some Dr. Miracle stuff that really did help my hair grow in back there. But I also want to count the fact that I was actually beginning to take care of my hair. I was told that you have to treat your hair like you would anything else, you buy food and clothes so put money aside to take care of your hair. And my hair back then was put on the back burner for real. 

Why I love my high waisted jeans so much?!

The one thing I enjoy the most about jeans are my newest find....the High-waisted jean!

Avocado hair mask!!

Hey people!!! Omgosh I have been meaning to post my new hair routine but just haven't really made the time to do so. With school and life some times my plans go haywire when it comes to my blog. Either way I feel as though this part of my hair routine has helped nurse my hair back to 60% better than where it was at. 

My 1st Marley Loc experience

     Back in august I made the decision to finally try out Marley Locs. I had been admirer of this hairstyle for a few years now after looking at all of the pictures on Pinterest and videos on YT. I just never wanted to try it because it looked like too much work. Which it later turned out to be.