Sad Announcement

Hey Everyone!

So unfortunately Sally will be leaving lbdgirls, because she has to focus on school.

Now because it is lbdgirlS I decided I would branch off and continue my own blog.

So if you would like to follow me that would be GREATLY appreciated :) I am of course returning all follows!

www.melodiesandhappiness.blogspot.ca

-xx

Kelsey

University Series : Move In Day Tips

I'm back with the University Series!!!  Today's post / video is all about Move In Day tips (this can be applied to both moving into Residence or into an apartment).  However, if you haven't seen the other two videos / posts in the University Series, go back and watch those first before viewing this one!

What To Bring to University 

How To Pack 

Move In Day Tips 

I know for me, the first time I moved out two years ago into residence, it was pretty stressful.  I would have loved to know these tips before moving in, so I figured I'd share them with you guys! If you have any other useful tips be sure to leave them down below. 

Dress For The Weather 

This is key.  I know in Southern Ontario it is always hot at the end of August, especially the Labour Day Weekend. It's going to be a long day of moving in so you want to make sure that you aren't going to be uncomfortable.  If you're starting in the morning it may be a bit cooler, I would suggest wearing a tee shirt with shorts and bring a light sweater along. 

Comfortable Shoes 

As I said above, it's going to be a long day and you want to make sure you're comfortable.  You're going to be walking around, standing and lifting a bunch of things so foot wear is key.  I personally like to wear my Toms when moving in because they are light weight and comfortable.  They also keep my feet nice and cool! 

Drink Water and Eat Snacks 

Between the stress and excitement of moving in, you can easily forget to keep hydrated and eat.  It's key to remember to be drinking water and eating snacks so you can keep up with your busy day.  Keep a water bottle and some granola bars in your purse handy, and you can even go as far to set reminders on your phone if you wish.  Don't make the mistake I did last year and forget to eat, because you will regret it. 

Be Prepared 

Wether you're moving into residence or into an apartment you need to be prepared.  This means finding out directions to your new place the night before and knowing what paper work or ID you'll need to have on you.  I suggest calling your building or residence a few days before so you are able to get everything you need together.  They'll be more than happy to also go over the move in process with you so there are no surprises! 

Start Early 

I know that most people love to sleep in, especially when you have a long day ahead of you, but it's important to start early!  I know in residence there is just an open time period for everyone to move into the building, so I would recommend being there before it starts.  I know it may sound a bit strange but I can guarantee there will be others there as well!  When moving into a building, if you're living above the ground floor, I know that you will need to book a move in time.  I would still suggest arriving about 10 minutes before your slot, so you are able to notify the building manager you have arrived and collect your keys.  The earlier you begin the sooner you can get on with enjoying your place. 

A Few Reliable People 

Moving in is stressful, and you want to make it as relaxing as you can.  To take away some of the stress I would only bring a couple of reliable people with you.  You don't need to bring your aunts, uncles, grandma, cousins, and neighbours with you.  The more people you bring the more stressful the situation will become.  A good amount of people to bring with you would be one to two people.  You also want to make sure you're bring people you can count on.  The day of, you don't need to be worrying about wether or not your ride will show up.  

Those are my move in day tips, that I have learnt from experience.  If you have any more tips, share them with us below!  And keep your eyes pealed for the next three videos coming your way!

-xx Sally 

Nail Polish Collection

Hey Everyone! I decided for todays post I would do a nail polish collection. I have been wanting to share this with you all for a while and I figured there was no better time than right now! I hope you enjoy! I tried to categorize them so it's easier to read and follow :)

China Glaze: Peachy Keen (868), Ruby Pumps (182) and Dorothy Who? (857).

Essie: Sexy Divide, Turquoise & Caicos, Good to Go and Grow Faster.

Joe Fresh: Neon Pink, Onyx, Brick and Sun Kissed.

Joe Fresh: Mist, Butter, Seashell, Ballet Slipper and Lilac.

Sally Hansen: Green with Envy (110), The Real Teal (480), Grey Area (330) and Rockstar Pink (140).

Sally Hansen: Sorbet (80), Sea (07) and Polar Purple (902).

Sally Hansen: Coral Pink, Nonstop Nude, Dry-Kwik and Complete Care.

CoverGirl Disco Dazzle (405), Wet n Wild Everybody Loves Redmond (221C), Avon Pink Fantasie and L.A. Colors.

Zoya Arizona, Borghese Chroma and Models Own Beach Party.


I hope you enjoyed my ever growing nail polish collection. I'm sorry I can't remember a lot of the prices since some are a little older or were given to me by my mother. But if you want a general price range for some I can give that to you or at least try my best.

Hope you have a wonderful day!
-xx
Kelsey

University Series : How To Pack

We're on to video two for the University Series!  This one is all about how to pack for school.  You can watch the video here or on our Youtube Channel!  Also if you haven't watched / read the last video (What to Pack for University) you can do so here! 

How to Pack for University 

Below are some quick tips on how to make your packing easier! Also I've done a blog post on how to pack on a budget, which you can read here. 

Divide Your Packing 

I personally like to divide my packing into rooms / sections to make it easier on myself.  That way I don't miss anything, and it's a lot easier when you're unpacking.

Make A List

Once you've divided your packing to rooms / sections you want to make a list of all the things you need to pack.  By making a quick list you can see what things you may have missed, or things that you don't really need to be bringing with you. 

Use What You Have 

When packing I like to use a couple of suitcases that I already have.  This means less boxes for you to get!  However you want to make sure that you are bringing only a few small suitcases (duffel bags are best for this) as you wont' have a lot of storage space in Residence.  Or if you want to use larger bags, simply empty them once you arrive and give them to your family to bring home!

Label Label Label!

While you're packing take the two section to label each box by either the room, or the contents.  You'll be happy you took the time when you're frantically unpacking. 

I hope this quick video helps with the daunting task of packing!  If you have any packing tips and tricks be sure to leave them down below in the comments.  Keep your eyes pealed for the next four videos coming out soon!

-xx Sally 

University Series : What To Bring To University

Hi everyone as I mentioned in my blog post last Thursday (you can view it here) I'm starting a University Series which includes six videos!  This is the first video in the series, which you can watch here, or on our Youtube Channel.  For each of the videos I'll be doing in depth blog posts which include all of the information that I mention in the Video so you don't miss a thing!  Now on with today's post. 

What To Bring To University 

As I mention in the video I like to organize things by room / section to make it easier when planning what to pack.  This video is also geared more to people who are moving into Residence rather than moving into your own apartment. 

*As a side note, before you begin packing you need to make sure that you've contacted your Residence to find out what you can and cannot bring with you.  They will most likely be sending out a list of things that you should be bringing with you (this is usually pretty detailed), so this is a supplement to that list. 

Bathroom 

Toothbrush and Toothpaste 

Hairbrush 

Elastics / Bobby pins / Headbands 

Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash / Soap 

Painkillers / Cold Medicine *

Shower Caddy **

Makeup 

Hair Products 

* Being in school and living in Res, you will get sick and have headaches.  It's really important that you come prepared ahead of time because when you're already sick you don't want to be going out to the shop to get these things. 

** If you don't live in an apartment style in Res where you have your own shower, you'll be needing one of these.  It's great to put all of your shower things in it so when you're going to shower to don't have to carry everything in your arms.  You can pick these up at the dollar store. 

Kitchen*

Cups / Mugs / Water Bottle 

Pot / Pan / Toaster / Kettle

Bowls / Plates**

Cutlery / Cooking Utensils 

Snacks***

*If you are living in a non apartment style, you won't be needing to bring a whole lot of kitchen equipment as each floor will have it's own kitchen with equipment. 

**Only bring a set of two, as most of the time it will only be you eating, you don't need them taking up a lot of room.

***These are great to keep in your room for when you're studying and need a quick snack or if you're heading out the door for class.

School Supplies*

Notebook / Binder /  Laptop

Pens / Markers / Highlighters / Pencils 

Printer / Printer Paper / Flash Cards 

*This is just a basic list of things you'll need.  I would wait to get a whole bunch of things as during the first week your professors will tell you what exactly you'll be needing for that course 

Bedroom 

Two sets of bedding*

Mattress Pad**

Two Pillows 

Duvet 

Throw Blankets***

Clothing Seasonal****

Decorations*****

Desk Lamp and Chair ******

Plant 

Books (a few of your favourites)

Movies (a few of your favourites)

Slippers 

*You'll want to have an extra set of bedding so that you can put the new one on while you wash your old sheets. 

**The mattresses they provide in Res are really uncomfortable.  I would bring a mattress pad or an egg crate so that you can get the best possible sleep.

***The rooms are extreme temperatures so I would bring throw blankets so you can layer up while you're sleeping. 

****Don't bring all of your clothing with you when you go.  You don't have a whole lot of storage space in your room.  I would bring that season's clothing and then before the seasons change you can rotate out some of your clothing.  

*****The rooms in Res are all generic and prison like, so I would bring as much decorations as you can.  You'll be spending eight months in the room and you want it to feel like home.  I would bring posters, photographs of family and friends, christmas lights and any other small decorations. 

******The desk lamp and chair they provide really aren't the greatest when you're studying.  I would bring your own (you can pick up cheap ones at Ikea and Walmart) to make sure you have the best possible study area.  

Random 

Kleenex* 

Fabreze** 

Cleaning Supplies***

Chargers 

Extension Cords****

*As I said earlier, you will be getting sick, so having some on hand will help.

**These rooms can get very stuffy, so having some Fabreze to freshen up the room will help with that.  Normally I would suggest some candles, but all Residences will have an no flame policy.  However, you can get some flameless candles to bring with you.

***Only bring a few things with you, as each floor will most likely have their own cleaning supplies.

****These are a must, and a life saver.  You'll have tones of things to plug into, and sometimes the outlets are in awkward places.  I picked up two from Ikea for $4 two years ago and they still work great. 

I hope that this list has helped all of you get ready for when you're going off to school.  As I said earlier, this is just a supplement list to the one your Residence will provide for you.  If you have any suggestions of what to bring, leave your ideas down below!  Don't forget to keep your eyes pealed for video two, which I'll be putting up tomorrow! Have a wonderful day and happy packing!

-xx Sally 

Weekly Tip : Cheap Packing Tips

Hi Everyone!  First off I want to say sorry that my first video for the University Series isn't up (you can read more about the series here).  I've had a tone of trouble with my computer lately and wasn't able to get the first video up for today.  However to make up for it, I will be posting the first and second video up this Thursday so be sure to keep a look out for those two!  I will also be doing in depth blog posts here about each of the videos.
Now on to today's post.  Since I am doing the University Series, I wanted to say on a similar topic for this post, I'll be talking about how to pack on a budget!

Things You'll Need for Packing 
Boxes
Tape
Packing Paper
Markers

How to Save Money 
Boxes - for your boxes, don't go out and buy brand new boxes from a packing store as they'll be over priced.  Instead go to your local McDonald's, Walmart of Grocery Store and pick up some boxes there. They are always happy to give away boxes they aren't using as they would have gone into the garbage.  Tip : Make sure to check the boxes before you take them for rips or grime on them.

Tape - Head to your local Walmart and pick up some clear packing tape for a good price.  Tip : Get tape that includes a handle with a sharp edge, this will come in handy when you need to cut the tape.

Packing Paper - If you want your can go and pick up some brown packing paper from a moving company, or you could simply use old newspaper.  It does the same job and it doesn't cost you a cent! Tip : Make sure to wash any dishes you've wrapped as newspaper will leave some ink on your dishes.

Markers - These come in handy when labelling your boxes, and you can pick them up at Walmart or even the Dollar Store.  Tip : Make sure to get a black marker as it will be easier to read when you're unpacking.

Do any of you have good tips for packing on a budget?  Happy packing!
-xx Sally

My First eBay Purchase

Hey Everyone! So I have never purchased anything off of eBay before, and I was a little nervous to do so, but now I am obsessed. I purchased this rose gold ring for about $13 and it is made of genuine rose gold and crystal. It is absolutely stunning and I am extremely happy with it. It did however take about 20 days to ship, but the seller discounted the ring for me because it took such a long time to ship. I cannot even express how many compliments I have gotten because of this ring.

For security reasons I used pay pal and it all worked out. Now I may become addicted to online shopping with eBay. I'm a little late on this band wagon.

What amazing things have you bought on eBay? Leave me a comment below!

-xx
Kelsey