How To Make A Homework Playlist

 Setting yourself up for an evening of homework can be a daunting task. Let's be real - some nights, you just want to watch netflix and forget about school (okay, most nights). One of the things that I find motivating is to have an awesome homework playlist. You want music that is fun and will encourage you to get everything done, but you don't want it to be too distracting. Here are some things to consider while making a homework playlist:

• Listen to new music - Either on the radio, youtube, a music borrowing site through your local library, or by downloading from a website like NoiseTrade. When I listen to new music, I'm less likely to start singing along and dancing in my seat (yes, it really happens). 
• Listen to your favorite tunes - Listening to your old faves is a great way to make homework a little more fun. When you know the songs you're listening to, they sometimes fade into the background and provide a calming environment.
• Listen to scores or soundtracks - With scores, there are no lyrics to distract you. But with soundtracks, there's often a variety of genres and tones that keep it interesting. I personally love listening to soundtracks while I'm working - it feels like you're watching your favorite movies while you're getting stuff done... win-win.
• Listen to mellow songs - Try to find songs that aren't loud and seem to be screaming at you. Mellower songs are almost like background music, setting the mood for an evening of reading and note-taking. Most of your favorite artists will have a few songs that are slower and quieter - try making a playlist of those songs, perhaps with a few upbeat songs to break it up (and maybe give yourself a dance-break).

As you can tell, what music will work is a matter of personal preference. Try out a couple different playlists and figure out what works for you!


Below are some of my favorite albums, artists, and radio stations for listening to during homework sessions:

1. Monte Carlo Score (yes, the one with Selena Gomez!) 
2. Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
3. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
4. Jamie Cullum - Anything, really.
5. The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soundtrack
6. iTunes Radio - Choose a mellower station, like Classical or Jazz (or my personal favorite, Crooners and Cocktails), or a station in a foreign language like French Pop. It's a great option for when you just want something playing and you don't want tot think too much about it.
7. Leighton Meester - Heartstrings
8. Graffiti6 - Colours
9. Ed Sheerhan - Anything
10. Andrew Belle -Anything

Backpack Essentials

Whether you're heading off to a full day of classes or just one, having a fully stocked backpack is important so that you're prepared and ready to make the most of it. Unless you're in college and live on campus, chances are you have to carry with you everything you need to get through the day. Here's a list of everything to bring with you (in addition to your notebooks & textbooks of course):

• A small wallet with your ID, cash, bus tickets, a house key, etc. 
• Tissues
• Extra pens & pencils
• Hair bands & bobby pins
• A small stapler (you'd be surprised how often you'll need one of these!)
• Hand sanitizer
• Chapstick
• Notecards & sticky notes
• Gum
• Advil
• Water bottle
• Crystal Light To-Go Packets (I love the Grape flavor that has a bit of caffeine)
• Granola bar

What are your backpack essentials?

XOXO

Fashion Friday: Back to School Look #2

Back To School Look: Cozy Friday by haleympettit featuring acrylic drinkware

Aéropostale aeropostale t shirt / Uniqlo pink sweater, $7.65 / The North Face waterproof jacket / Zara skinny jeans / American Trench navy socks / Ankle boots / JanSport laptop bag / France Luxe ribbon hair tie / Ban do acrylic drinkware

After the excitement of a new school year fades and the weather starts to turn blustery, it's good to have some cozy basics to throw on. A rain jacket, sweatshirt, and slouchy tee may not seem like the most fashionable choices while you're shopping, but when test days roll around you'll be glad to have them in your closet.

For this comfy look, throw on your favorite pair of skinny jeans with a simple tee shirt and a cozy sweatshirt. Choose a pair of shoes that are comfortable like low-heeled boots or a pair of tennis shoes. (And don't forget fun socks!) Finally, put on a rain jacket for an extra layer of warmth and for wind/rain protection.

For an extra cozy day, bring a warm drink in a travel mug! I also included hair ties in this look because it's always a good idea to keep a few extra in your backpack for when you want to get your hair out of your face during a test or a long class.

To be honest, I probably wore an outfit like this everyday during the fall and winter of my academic life! There's nothing cozier than a warm sweatshirt or sweater and your comfiest boots.

What do you like to wear to stay comfy and cozy at school?

XOXO