Giveaway :: CafePress

I am super excited about this giveaway.  CafePress is offering one lucky College Prep reader a custom snap stamper kit!!! 

CafePress has so many products on their website, like custom invitations and custom stationery.

The custom stamper has been on my Christmas list for years... but I can never choose what design I want, so I never end up getting it... but it's so perfect.

My friend Ali used to stamp all of her assignments and folders and binders and textbooks with hers.  She had her Georgetown NetID (which is also our email address), name, and phone number.  I think it's a great way to really leave your mark!

You can also use the stamp for return address labels.  Also, you can turn virtually anything into a business card.

The tricky (but truthfully the fun) part is choosing which design you'd like!  There are SO many!!!

I am a bit partial to the monograms!

CafePress also offers a bunch of collegiate designs.

And sorority ones too!

The little designs are super personal and are an added touch to your paper products.

Other favorites of mine:

(HAHAHA)

LOVE the Tampa Stamp!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!  If it isn't showing up, try clicking on the title of this post and refreshing :-)  You have to be on the page of the actual post, as opposed to the homepage www.thecollegeprepster.com.  It's a little confusing, but the widget will really help me cut down on time spent typing up entries!

Rifle Paper Co.

I've known about Rifle Paper Co. for quite some time now, but it's been popping up on my radar as of late and I can't get the brand out of my head!

It's based out of Winter Park, FL which is super close to where I'm from... in fact, my high school used to race Winter Park in crew :-)  [College Prepster Side Note: Those races were always a big deal.]

The designs on the paper goods are too precious.  If I were to have an animated television show about my life (haha) then I would most definitely want my character to look like a Rifle Paper Co. illustration!

My favorites (please note, this was extremely difficult to narrow down):

Assorted Dog Card Set

The little accessories are hilarious: Wellies, Scarf, Hat, Vest!

Assorted French Cards

Okay. Okay. I am lusting after these!!!  I have a 2012 goal of visiting Paris one way or another.  And I am just so in love with these prints.

PS: The newspaper and the rain print.... Check back on Sunday for a funny picture of me doing the same thing!

'Hello' Telegram Card

Sending a "telegram" is a really quirky idea, no?  I think the gold accent is quite perfect and spices i

Custom Floral Portrait Print 

I'm ready to find a boyfriend ONLY so that I can get one of these prints.  Swoooooon!

Illustrated Notes and Calling Cards

And last, but most certainly not least, personalized stationery and/or calling cards.

Which face are you?

I think I'm number 11, but would love to be 2!

Loveeeeee!

Microsoft Touch Mouse

This will likely not come as a surprise...

But I am on the computer a lot.  I spend a minimum of two hours every day just answering emails alone. Add in time spent doing homework.  Add in all the writing I do.  And the end result is basically carpal tunnel.

I've always had a weird issue with hand cramping, which is really funny... except that it actually hurts.  Luckily, it hasn't been an issue as of late, but mostly because I have to find ways to prevent it!  Typing on my phone and using the touchpad on my laptop are two big triggers.

(I'm definitely not giving up texting any time soon... but I do have a solution for the touchpad!)

A wireless computer mouse.  I've had an Apple Mighty Mouse, and it's definitely been a lifesaver.

Since I'm a Windows Blogger, I get to test out cool new products.  It's honestly like Christmas when something new shows up in the mail!  Most recently, I was sent the Microsoft Touch Mouse to review.

I was skeptical, since I already had a working wireless mouse.... but, I love it.  It has a much better "click" feeling than the Mighty Mouse.

Unlike the Mighty Mouse (which connects via Bluetooth), the Microsoft Touch Mouse has a teeny tiny USB receiver that you plug in.  (You can also use an included cord, but honestly, who uses cords nowadays?)

The shape of the mouse is FAR SUPERIOR to my Mighty Mouse.  It fits the natural curve and shape of your palm.  Instead of "gripping" the mouse, my hand lays perfectly on top, which allows for a much more fluid range of motion.

I read the instructions to figure out what kind of finger motions do what, but it was much easier to just learn by doing!  They make sense, so there's no need to actually "memorize" the movements.

I was concerned about the little USB connector.  I mean, it's really small.  How am I going to keep track of the thing?  There's a little slot on the underside of the mouse where it hides away until you need to use it again– brilliant.

Here's my Mighty Mouse... it's currently sitting in the WAY back of a drawer!

The Microsoft Touch Mouse is designed for Windows 7... but it works on the Mac too!  Just plug in the little receiver and turn the mouse on!  This is great since I use both my Mac and PC, but don't want to have to lug around extra products.  (And I much prefer the Microsoft Touch Mouse, so I'd rather be able to use on my Mac than the Mighty Mouse!)

xoxo

Disclaimer: I do receive Windows products as a Windows Champion, but all of my reviews are (as always) honest.  My opinions are all my own :-)

Key Chain

The door to my room locks automatically... and it a major source of stress for me.  Locking myself out of my room is a legitimate fear of mine.  Especially if I'm heading to the shower or it's really early/late (when the residence hall office is closed).

I am extra paranoid when I'm walking out of my room.  I have to double triple check that my key is either in my pocket or my wallet before I exit the doorway.  And even when the door comes swinging closed, I have a death grip on the key to reassure myself I won't get locked out.

(As I write this, I'm particularly nervous that I'm jinxing myself...)

This is the key chain I have.  It's a little enamel Lilly Pulitzer shift dress!  (Confession: I definitely found it in one of my sister's drawers and stole it.)

I haven't been able to find another version or even a super similar Lilly one online, but I did pull a few of my favorites:

I have always been a fan of the Smathers and Branson needlepoint key fobs, but I love that this Etsy store sells kits so you can make and personalize your own.

Naturally, I'm loving the simple gold Kate Spade bow key chain!  Definitely check out the other key chains that Kate Spade has... so cute!

The vineyard vines key chains are the most similar to the Lilly shift dress one that I have.  I kind of LOVE the baby tote!

What kind of key chain do you have?

xoxo

trend: colorblock

Okay, so the colorblock trend is not exactly new.  In fact, it's kind of old... BUT, it's still going strong.  I have a feeling that it will be huge this spring.

I do like colorblocking in moderation.  I feel like going to colorblocked accessories is the perfect way to incorporate the trend into your spring wardrobe without going overboard!

Kate Spade Tabitha flats

They also come in tan and black.

Kate Spade "Eat Cake for Breakfast" Terry

Gap Colorblock Tote

xoxo

Belgian Shoes

I was at a party this weekend... shocking, I know.  And I was actually talking to people... even more shocking!  I actually had a lot of fun and caught up with some friends.  One guy, who knows about my blog, was telling me about this shoe company that I would love.

He just sent me the link and I must say, he was right.  Amazing is by far an understatement.

Belgian Shoes is based out of New York City. 

My goodness, I want one of every style in every color.

The men's loafers are also particularly fantastic.

Check out the different crests, images, and monograms you can add:

Of course, I find out about the store five hours after I get back from New York City... It will definitely be on my itinerary next trip.

Are you obsessed too?

Struggle.

I would definitely not go so far as to say that I am struggling right now.  In fact, I'm doing quite well.  School is great; my professors this semester are particularly engaging.  I actually have a girl friend in the district finally.  College Prepster is moving right along.  The response to Sweet Lemon No. 2 has been great, and we're already well underway for No. 3 (... and No. 4).

But I'm struggling with a few things... as I honestly think many of us early 20s girls are.

Somedays I feel extremely young, even childish.

While other times I feel particularly old.

(I think this might have something to do with my grey hair... the official count is over 35)

I am having a very hard time trusting my heart.

And an even harder time knowing when to use my brain and not my heart.

When is something a mere coincidence?

What constitutes "fate"?

I want boys to get out of my life completely so it's simpler...

But then again, no thanks.

I worry that I am not sacrificing enough.

I fear that I may have sacrificed too much along the way.

Each morning I wake up with more energy than the day before.

By the end of the day, I lie in bed with no energy but still unable to sleep.

It's the craziest thing.  There just seems to be this perfect unbalance between what I know and what I don't know.  Half the time I feel like I'm trying to slow down and savor every moment.  The other half of the time I just want to speed right through life.

Anyone else in this struggle?

xoxo