Peaches and {Orientation} Prep: Daytime Orientation bag

I was completely unprepared for the day time part of orientation! Like I didn't even have a pen! I mean I did end up making friends because of my unpreparedness, but I'd recommend going prepared.

I packed in a small-mediumish Kate Spade cross-body. Bad decision! The cross body strap gets tangled up with your name tag and it is just a pain. Plus I didn't have much room to carry anything extra.

So I recommend packing in a nice tote bag. Like a Longchamp. This bag will pay for itself in terms of use multiple times between now and graduation, so I recommend going ahead and purchasing it (plus you can use it as a work bag after college).

Large Longchamp Le Piliage Tote

Inside your Longchamp you'll have room for everything you could need, while not feeling like you're carrying around Marry Poppin's magic carpet bag because it is a light weight tote bag. So I recommend packing these essentials.

Yay for being prepared and not an unprepared mess like I was!

Peaches and {Orientation} Prep: Packing your Over Night Bag for Orientation

When it came time to pack for orientation, I was lost. I compiled a list of the things that from my experience  you really need, and left off what you don't! When you're checking into the dorm, you'll be much happier to have a smaller bag to deal with than a big bag to keep track of.

Pack in:

Vera Bradley Large Duffle

This bag is the perfect size to fit everything on the list (including your pillow) plus a few extra things while still being compact and looking cute!

What to pack:

Stay tuned for what to pack in your day time orientation bag!

Peaches and {Dorm} Prep: DIYS

Today I decided to start on the monstrous list of Dorm DIYs I have. As of 12 hours ago, I had done absolutely nothing on my list, and with only 58 days until Move-in day, I figured I should get started. I devoted today to my DIY List (And a quick dinner with friends at my favorite Mexican restaurant and some shopping. I mean breaks are good, right?)

Even with my breaks, I still feel pretty productive. I mean any day where you shop, spend time with friends and cross 6 things off your list is a good day.

Confession: I actually am a diva, and am not happy with the color I painted the bookshelf. In case you were wondering how a Panatone Radiant Orchid book shelf would look, the answer is diseased Oompa Loompa's vomit. So I’ll be repainting it again soon.

-What's on your list of dorm DIYs?-

XOXO

Peaches and {Dorm} Prep: Where to Shop

Dorm shopping has definitely changed my shopping patterns. Before I would hardly ever go into some of these stores and now I find myself going multiple times. 

Pottery Barn Outlet:

This little piece of heaven is just 45 minutes away from my house, so I don't go as often as I do the other stores. I still manage to get up there a few times a month. Especially during the summer. My mom and I will head up for when the outlets open and be back home by the early afternoon. 

The deals here are incredible. I’ve gotten bedding for as little as .97 cents before! My most recent scores include a beautiful area rug for my dorm room for $60 (Retails for $300+) ,a Duvet cover for my bed for $30 (Retails $110), and some miscellaneous decor in between. 

Buy:

Bedding: I’m a bedding snob, I’ve only ever used Pottery Barn bedding and I’ll never use anything else, ever!

Rug: I suggest a Sisal Rug, because lets face it, a dorm is pretty much the same thing as outside. But the sisal is softer than Jute or other outdoor rugs, and it looks like it belongs indoors. I love this one)

1 Standard Pillow: 6 years ago I got a down feather pillow from here and could not live with out. While it might be a little more expensive than your average Costco pillow bundle, this one pillow will last forever, and you’ll love it.

DON’T BUY: Lamps, Curtains, Throw pillows, or storage baskets. All of these items are insanely expensive and never marked down. So check out the other stores for them.

TJ Maxx/Marhalls/Homegoods

These are normally  hit or miss stores for me, but when it comes to dorm stuff it is always a hit!

Buy:

Storage baskets- I got 6 for under $50- talk about a good deal!

Organizers

Towels

Kitchen Stuff

Folding Step Stool

Desk/Table Lamps

Don’t buy: Bedding, Large Throw pillows or Hangers

Target:

Target has some great options, but be careful because it might not be the best quality, and everyone will have it!

Buy: 

Storage ottaman

Plastic storage solutions: like rubbermaid tubs, and Sterlite drawers

Floor Lamp

Extra sheet set

Cute school supplies

Don’t Buy:

Comforters (everyone gets theirs here, and I don't know about you, but I don't want what everyone else has)

Towels

Walmart:

I hardly ever go here, except for during the back to school season!

Buy: 

Plastic Storage solutions

Kitchen stuff

Mattress pad

Extra pillowcases

Basic office supplies

Extra sheets 

Don’t buy: Your comforter- bad quality!

Costco:

Buy: 

Hangers

Standard Pillows

Ikea:

Buy:

Throw pillow inserts

Silver Ware: I like the rainbow plastic kind! I use them instead of real silver ware when I’m at home

Lack Tables- Only $10! 

I didn't include curtains or pillows, because making them is the best way to go. They are both very simple to do and the DIY way saves you a ton of money. Especially when you get your fabric from here! Premier Prints is my favorite brand, but I'm also loving the Nightfall Metallics collection 

-Where do you like to shop?-

XOXO

Peaches and {Dorm} Prep: Shopping Checklist

I’ve looked forward to dorm shopping, ever since I helped my sister with hers four years ago. Now that all of the graduation festivities are over for me, its my turn now for dorm shopping (eep!)

I’m a compulsive list maker, so of course I started with a checklist divided up by categories! 

I keep my list down in an extra bedroom of my house where I’ve been storing all of my dorm stuff. When I cross something off, I take a picture of it so I have a copy on my phone and with all of my dorm stuff. This way I have my list where ever I go, yet can still cross everything off.

I hope you all have as fun checking off your list as I have!

XOXO

About Me

Like most of you, I’m an incoming freshman. So I understand how important it is to have the cutest dorm, how you are always on Pinterest looking at dorms (and may even be at the point where you’ve seen All the dorm related pins multiple times #guilty) yet still have no idea what to pack or how to decorate your dorm.

However I have an advantage when it comes to dorm preparation, my sister just graduated from the same college that I am attending in just 61 days (eep!). I might even be staying in the exact same dorm room she lived in her Freshman year! Helping her back up to go back at the end of each summer gave me an idea of how and what to pack and what to leave at home. And after staying with her countless times, and doing room inspections with her, I’ve seen every girl’s dorm, furnished and unfurnished. 

Some rooms were really cute, others not so much. So here’s to avoiding the “typical freshman mistakes” and going in to college like an insider with the perfectly prepared dorm that is absolutely adorable!