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Here are some Finals Week essentials to remember to help your week go by a little smoother:

Writing Utensils

Make sure you have a back up pencil. It would be tragic to be stranded right before an exam with only your blood to write with.

Scantrons and Blue Books

If your professor says you need a scantron or blue book, get it before you forget. Make sure you know what number scantron you need and how many. There’s no excuse not to get one. They’re only 25 cents.

Note Cards and Paper

When you’re studying, note cards could very well be your best friend. Get lots of them because usually you need way more than you thought you did. Paper is also good to have to write down little things that you may need to remember.

A Schedule

Figure out when you are going to eat, study, and when your exams actually are. It would be tragic to miss something.

Coffee

If you are someone who gets sleepy when studying, get some coffee. It will pep you back up in no time.

Water

Don’t forget to stay hydrated during finals week. Lack of water can result in headaches and sluggishness.

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Snacks

Granola bars, almonds, or whatever else you may like would be a perfect study snack if you are stuck at the library.

Sleep

You aren’t going to be at your best if you don’t get at least a little sleep.

Chargers

Don’t forget your computer or phone charger if you are going to be at the library for long periods of time.

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These are just a few items to help you get trough the stress of Final Week. Study hard and don’t be afraid to take a break every once in a while. After this is over, remember you’re that much closer to graduation. Good luck everyone!

The Traditional Grilled Cheese

Ah, yes. When you think of grilled cheese, you think of American Cheese Kraft Singles and bread. This is the tried-and-true. If you want to stick to your roots, treat yourself with the Traditional Grilled Cheese and some tomato soup.

The Pizza Grilled Cheese

To recreate this masterpiece, all you need is some pepperoni, pizza cheese mix, bread and butter. You can have some bonus points if you get your cheese to string like ours.

The Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese

 You may look at this and say, “Uh no.” However, you should be saying, “YES! YES!” The Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese may even rival the Traditional Grilled Cheese. It is really just that good. (Tip: make your mac and cheese before you put it on the sandwich.)

You can’t have a good meal without dessert!

The Blueberry and Brie Grilled Cheese

I’ll be real. Brie is some fancy cheese that may not belong on such a simple sandwich, but your tastebuds will be thanking you after you make yourself this grilled cheese. It is the perfect dessert to end National Grilled Cheese Day.

National Grilled Cheese Day is a day to bask in the wonderful and simple sandwich that pairs so well with soup. Grilled cheese has been there for you when you were sick or when there was just simply nothing else in the fridge to cook. Today and everyday be thankful for grilled cheese.

Sorry, was that last bit a little cheesy?  

]]> /happy-national-grilled-cheese-day/feed/ 0 5506 /pinterest-challenge-easter-edition/ /pinterest-challenge-easter-edition/#respond Fri, 30 Mar 2018 13:00:54 +0000 /?p=5424 Easter is almost here once again, and so I was challenged to find an Easter dish on Pinterest and try my hand at it. I will go ahead and give you a spoiler alert; it was not a fail! My friend, Lizzi, and I put our own spin on the following recipe from Spend with Pennies:

Ingredients:

• 12 Chocolate Cupcakes, baked
• 6 White or Yellow Cupcakes OR 12 donut holes
• 12 mini marshmallows
• 1½ cups fine coconut
• Chocolate cookie crumbs
• 1 jar chocolate frosting
• 1 jar vanilla frosting
• 1 package white candy melts
• Pink candy melts or pink gel coloring (you will just need a couple of melts)

Instructions:

1. If using white/yellow cupcakes for the bunny body, using a melon baller, scoop out a ball of cupcake for each bunny body (you should be able to get 2 per cupcake). If you are using donut holes, cut a small slice off the bottom so it can sit flat.
2. Frost each chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. Dip into the cookie crumbs.
3. Place about 20 white candy melts into a small Ziploc bag and microwave about 20-30 seconds or until melted. Snip a small corner off and pipe little feet shape onto parchment paper (2 feet per cupcake plus a few extras just in case). Mine were 1″ long by about ½” wide.
4. Once cool, melt the pink candy melts in a small ziploc bag and pipe toes and the pads of the feet. Let set.
5. Place ½ cup vanilla frosting in a small bowl. Microwave 10 seconds or until soft and slightly runny. Dip each white cupcake ball or donut hole in the vanilla frosting and then into the coconut. Gently press to adhere. Dip each mini marshmallow into the frosting and then the coconut. Let the bunny body and tail cool.
6. Using white candy melts as “glue,” stick the tail to the body (you can cut part of the marshmallow off if it is too big). With white candy melts, stick the bunny butt to the cupcake. Finally use the candy melts to adhere the feet with the toes facing downward.

Instead of chocolate cupcakes, we used Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix, buttercream frosting (we made it ourselves) and green food gel. I would say that our cupcakes rival Peter Cottontail himself and put Kim K.’s booty to shame.

We had a great time making these, and cupcakes for different holidays may even become a tradition! Have a happy Good Friday and Easter! But, seriously, tell me who’s do you think were better!?

1. Plant Flowers

Flowers are a great way to make any space look brighter, and they also bring fresh fragrance with them. Flowers can be planted outside or in a flowerpot inside!

2. Do Your Homework Outside

Go to Sweetheart Circle, lay a blanket down and enjoy the weather before it becomes too hot to bear.

Bonus: you’ll be getting some sun, so you have put in less work on your summer tan.

3. Roll Your Windows Down When Driving

Turn off your AC, blare your music, let the wind whip through your hair and enjoy the weather that spring has to offer. However, if a March storm is brewing, do not attempt to tough it out. Roll them up and wait until the storm goes away.

4. Do Some Spring Cleaning

Doing some spring cleaning will make you feel better and more productive. You will clear out more space and with less clutter comes more relaxation.

Here’s a spring cleaning tip: Make three separate piles when organizing your things: a “keep” pile, a “trash” pile and a “donate” pile. This way you know what goes where, and it is much easier to organize the things you do want to keep.

5. Eat Some Fruit

Eating fruit that is in season in the spring is a perfect way to celebrate. According to the USDA, fruits like apples, bananas, pineapples and strawberries are in season during the spring. You can make a smoothie or eat these delectable treats by themselves.

Weather that is not too hot an not too cold, chirping birds, more sunlight and blooming flowers are all reasons to celebrate spring! Spring is the season of rebirth, and it is the perfect time to enjoy yourself and the season.

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!'” -Robin Williams

Happy Galentine’s Day! Also known as the day to celebrate you and your BFFs! Today is the day to bask in your female friendships and celebrate the girls in your life. Galentine’s Day can be celebrated whether you are single or in a relationship, and here are five ways to make your Galentine’s Day extra special:

1. Girl’s Night Out

Do your makeup, put on something that makes you feel good and have a girl’s night that is one for the books. Plus, you can take a cute Insta picture that is sure to make your followers jealous.

2. Slumber Party

Pop some popcorn, turn on Netflix, paint your nails or have a dance party. A slumber party may be just what you and your girls need.

3. Have a Potluck

Plan a potluck and invite your best gal pals! Make sure there are plenty of desserts (and chocolate).

4. Retail Therapy

If you are feeling a little down with all the love that is in the air or if you just want a new outfit, some retail therapy is the perfect solution. Plan a shopping trip with your girls and help each other find the perfect outfits!

5. Homemade Gift

If you and your friends are too busy to drop everything, make a homemade gift for them. It can be anything from cookies to a card to let them know you appreciate them, and you can always make plans to celebrate Galentine’s Day this weekend!

All in all, Galentine’s Day is a day to celebrate friends. It is a day to celebrate women celebrating women, and yes, it should be a national holiday.

1.) A Television

Of course, this is probably a given. However, to ensure there are no riots, make sure your TV works (volume, cable, etc.), and you have the channel that the game will come on before everyone shows up at your house.

2.) Food

Wings, dip, pizza or whatever else is easy to get or make will work perfectly for the party. If you plan far enough in advance, you can get the best prices on food. However, if you are last minute, I suggest getting something like Little Caesar’s $5 pizza; it is the best bang for your buck.

3.) Drinks

Along with football comes drinking, so make sure you are well stocked in all variety of drinks. That means soda too for the people who have an 8 AM on Monday.

4.)  Atmosphere

Make sure you have enough seats and room for all of your guests. I would personally recommend cleaning at least one bathroom as well. As a host, it is important to hide all of your clutter until everyone leaves. This also means personal items are less likely to get broken.

5.) Apparel

Don’t forget to dress for the team you are rooting for, but if you are like me, you don’t have anything with any team logo on it. In that case, dress however you want. It’s your party after all.

All in all, have fun this Super Bowl Sunday. Don’t be a sore loser, and if you don’t pay attention to football, just enjoy watching everyone yell at people who can’t hear them.