DIY Bracelet Stand

I've never been much of a bracelet wearer until recently when I received the adorable nepal bracelets as gifts and I found these bracelets from Future First Lady (use code 'HaydenL' at checkout for 10% off!). With my new collection of bracelets ever growing, I've had such a hard time figuring out how to display theme. They've just been laying all around my room and it was just a hot mess. Luckily I came across this post about a DIY bracelet stand!

I followed the all over look for this project, but tweaked it to fit my needs. I got the wooden plaque and 3/8 inch wooden dowel from Hobby Lobby. I painted them both blue to match the other refinished furniture in my room. I (read: my brother who is handy with power tools) used a drill bit to drill a hole for the dowel to wedge in to. I didn't have any wood glue on hand, so I made sure it was a tight squeeze for the dowel so it wouldn't come out. That's all there was to making the base! Instead of using paper towel rolls like so many people do to hold the bracelets, I opted for PVC pipe. I wanted something that would be sturdy enough to survive moving every year (#dormprobs). The PVC pipe I used is the same diameter as a paper towel roll, and just a tad bit shorter (though I wish I would have made it longer). We drilled a hole in the center of the PCV pipe for the dowel to go through.  I then used some burlap I found in the bandana section at Hobby Lobby and mod podged it on to cover the pipe. I just tucked in the extra fabric on the ends! The dowel was a really tight fit in the PVS pipe, so I had to use a hammer to make sure it was in there good enough! All in all, the whole project took no less than 20 minutes and cost me only about $5!

How To: Make Your Dorm Room One of a Kind

Curtains / Rug / Monogram Sheet Set / Comforter / Monogram Pillow / Greek Pillow / Headboard / Trunk / Monogram Jewelry Hanger / Monogram Pinboard / Desk Organizer

Dorm rooms are so cookie cutter and it’s so hard to make them feel like a home. Since you can’t paint, hang anything with nails, change out furniture (the list goes on and on…), it’s hard to make your dorm room feel like it is your space. After the last two years of living in a dorm room, I’ve mastered a few tricks to make your dorm feel one of a kind without taking up a ton of your much-needed space.

The Bed

Your bed is a focal point in your dorm room, and it’s the easiest thing to customize! Not only should you utilize your bed for storage (get tips here), but the best way to add personality to that drab dorm room of yours is with bedding that reflects your style. Pottery Barn Dorm has some of the cutest styles of bedding! Choose your favorite color and design, add some monogrammed sheets and personalized pillows, and viola you have a bed unique to you!

Use a headboard to fill up will space. Headboards are a huge statement piece that don’t take up a lot of room. In my first dorm, I hung a monogram (PB has such cute ones!) above my bed, but in my second dorm I invested in an actual headboard. This Pottery Barn headboard also acts as a pinboard, so you can add even more customization to it by hanging up pictures of your friends and family, ticket stubs, art work, and more!

Pillows are another great way to make your dorm feel cozy and one of a kind! My favorite pillows are those with my monogram or my sorority’s letters!

Windows and Floors

Your windows and floors are a great way to add style to your dorm room without taking up any space! Curtains add a much needed pop of color on those drab walls, and rugs are a must to cover up those (usually gross) dorm floors.

Walls

Your dorm walls are a bit trickier to decorate depending on your residence hall’s wall hanging policy. Don’t worry, because Pottery Barn Dorm has got you covered with a whole section of No Nails Decor! They have everything from monogram decals to pin boards to removable wall paper! Even the headboard pictured above is part of the No Nails Decor!

Desk

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be spending a ton of time at your desk. It serves multiple purposes as a desk, dining room table, vanity...you name it! This doesn’t mean that it can’t be stylish and functional! A pin board and dry erase board are must haves, along with pen and pencil holders.

Storage

Storage is a big issue in tiny dorm rooms, and it’s so hard to find something that is cute and functional. Trunks and cubbies are a great way to hide your stuff while adding personality to your room. This trunk comes in a variety of colors, can be personalized with monogram decals or your favorite brand stickers, and can even serve as additional seating!

Not sure what all you need for your dorm room? Check and see if PBDorm has your school's checklist listed! If your school isn't available (#smallschoolprobs), check out PBDorm's ultimate dorm checklist! Pottery Barn also offers free shipping on a ton of their items, PLUS if you sign up with under the Dorm tab with your .edu address, you get a coupon for 10% off! How can you beat that?! 

To get some awesome dorm inspiration, visit Pottery Barn Dorm to see how they style their dorm room products! Follow Pottery Barn on Social Media to keep up with the latest trends (and sales!!!!) : Facebook, Twitter, PBDorm Instagram #mypbdorm, PBTeen Instagram, and Pinterest!

This post was made in partnership with my friends at Pottery Barn Dorm and Her Campus Media! All words and opinions are my own, thank you for supporting the brands that make My Life As Hayden possible!

10 Tips For Sorority Recruitment

So you want to go through Rush, or Recruitment as it is formally known. I've been on both sides of Panhellenic Recruitment now (and I absolutely LOVE it), and I've come up with a 10 11 tips for girls looking to pledge a sorority!

1. Be yourself. This is so cliche, but it's a great tip. Don't try to act like someone you think that the girls you're talking to will like. If you're not your self, you might not end up in the best house for you. If you're nervous, it's ok to let the girls know! I promise the girls you are talking to are nervous, too!

2. Wear what you have. Don't go buy a dress or shoes that you'll never wear again because you think you need it to impress other girls. Don't get me wrong, I used Rush as an excuse to buy new outfits, but I made sure to buy things I knew I would wear again!

3. Put your best foot forward. Don't feel like you have to pile on the make-up and hair spray if it's not something you normally do, but make sure you look fresh and your hair is brushed. You don't have to go all out, but you don't want to be remembered as the girl who looked like she just rolled out of bed.

4. Pretend it's a first date. When you think of it, it pretty much is a first date! You're "dating around" to see which sorority you fit best with. The same rules apply for a first date, too. Put effort into your appearance, be courteous, and just have fun!

5. Steer clear of partying/politics topics. If you're only asking about the party scene, you're not going to be taken seriously because they think that's all you care about. As for politics, I can talk about politics with you all day long, but during Recruitment isn't the time for it. You'll have plenty of time to talk about that later. These definitely aren't "strict, never ever talk about it" topics during rush, and if it just naturally comes up in the conversation then feel free to talk about it! But, keep in mind that you shouldn't be choosing your sorority on partying/politics.

6. Be prepared. Sometimes there are lulls in the conversation that end up as awkward silences. Keep a list of questions in the back of your mind to ask in case you run out of things to talk about. For example: What do you like most about sorority XYZ? Why did you pledge XYZ? How does XYZ raise money for your philanthropy? What are swaps/socials like? etc…

7. Do your research. Look at the handbooks your school's Panhellenic puts out to get an idea of how Recruitment is at your school. Another good idea is to look online for blogs or blog posts about Recruitment (like this one - lol). If you know girls in sororities, don't be afraid to ask them questions about Greek Life!

8. Have an open mind. You might have heard the stereotypes about the chapters at your school, but you should forget about them completely. Go in with an open mind and don't let others influence your decision.

9. Freshen up. Recruitment is during the hottest time of the year and you're going to end up hot and sweaty. For my recruitment, we were only allowed to bring what we could fit in a sandwich baggie. I recommend bringing mints, lipstick, concealer/powder, oil blot sheets, and deodorant if you can make it fit!

10. Find YOUR perfect fit. You're not in a sorority just for four years, but for life. Don't pledge a sorority just because you're a legacy, your best friend is pledging that one, they have the nicest smelling house, etc. You should pledge a sorority because it is where you see yourself fitting in and finding your home away from home.

11. Because I just couldn't leave this one out…BE NICE. If you got invited back to a house you don't particularly see yourself pledging, don't be rude to the girls talking to you. It won't kill you to have a conversation with these girls, because chances are you'll see them around campus, no matter what sorority you pledge! It's really disheartening when you are talking to a girl during Rush and you can tell she obviously doesn't want to be there.


The biggest tip I would give for girls going into Rush, or even college in general, is to have fun! You're making new friends and finding your forever home, enjoy the process while it lasts!