3 Things I Learned About Finances in College

No one has ever accused me of being amazing at handling money. It's not that I have a spending problem, I just don't pay attention to the money I spend. Most girls spend money on clothes and shoes, but I'm that girl that was spends money on books and food. While my money habits haven't exactly gotten better, my money management skills in college were absolutely horrible. I had periods of not even having a job and how I survived is a mystery to us all. 
I think the best thing that came out of my bad spending habits in college is that I was able to learn what not to do when I finally entered the "real world" and had to start paying for things like water and electricity. I guess my only complaint would be that I never learned these things in a classroom. Seriously, can they teach a life class in college that prepares us for filing taxes and dealing with landlords?
1 | PLAN AHEAD The majority of my college career was spent living off of my income checks. These were the checks that I received after my scholarships and loans paid for my school expenses. I received one of these every quarter, and the beginning of the quarter was spent counting down to when I would get these. I didn't have a job for a good portion of my college career, so I had to decide what things I was or wasn't going to do according to the amount of money I'd receive from my income check. 
Because I only received a large sum of money at one time, I had to plan out how I was going to use it. I would put a good portion toward food (because a girl's gotta eat), but I'd also leave some breathing room for fun stuff. I lived on campus all four years of college, so I was fortunate that I didn't have to worry about paying rent or utility bills. 
2 | UTILIZE CAMPUS RESOURCES I didn't really start taking advantage of all of the things my university had to offer until my junior year. Our Tech IDs also served as debit cards of sorts, and we could use our Tech Express to purchase things on campus as well as at restaurants and gas stations around campus. If I needed ketchup but was running low on funds, I would be more likely to go to the on-campus grocery store and overpay with my Tech Express rather than use my own money because technically I already spent the money with my scholarships and loans. 
Take advantage of things on campus like the gym, workout classes, the pool, free movies, cheap concerts, etc. because once you graduate, you won't have access to all of these things. Also, many places around your campus may have discounts specifically for college students. Don't be afraid to flash your student idea and use these discounts while you still can. 
3 | DON'T STRESS ABOUT STUDENT LOANS When I signed up for student aid at my school, I wasn't sure what I was doing when it came to my school finances. I think we all know that college is an expensive investment, and you should be informed about the money you're spending and know what your options are. Did you know that 3 out of 4 college undergraduates wish there was more helpful financial information available to them? I was definitely part of the former in college. 

College Ave Student Loans is a company that helps simplify the student loan process. They are an online marketplace lender that specializes in student loans, and they help current and future college students figure out what the best plan of action is for their particular situation. They offer competitive rates, several repayment options and a customer-friendly process that helps take the stress off of you. 
College Ave gives you choices for when to start paying off your loan and how long you have to pay it back, and there are no fees for paying the loan back early. The application process only takes a few minutes, and you get an instant credit decision. Another bonus: if you sign up for automatic payments, you get a 0.25% interest rate reduction. For more information about College Ave, visit: http://www.collegeavestudentloans.com/
To help you through the college process, College Ave Student Loans has partnered with Chegg on a #CollegeGoals Instagram contest where they're giving away several prizes, including $50 Chegg textbook credits and a $5,000 scholarship. All you have to do is share your college goals with College Ave (https://instagram.com/collegeaveloans/) now through June 30. For more information visit: http://blog.chegg.com/collegegoals/

Finances in college are no joke, which is why it's important for you to explore your options. Debt is a scary thing, and the majority of students don't even have a plan for how they plan to pay off their student debt after graduation. Before finalizing your financial decisions check with people who have knowledge about finances and explore the vast amount of sources available to you online. Managing finances in college doesn't have to be stressful. 
What's a piece of financial advice that you've received? 
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by College Ave Student Loans and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Endless Bliss possible!

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Love Your Curls

When it comes to hair, I think all girls want the opposite of what they have. Girls with straight hair want curly hair, and girls with curly hair want straight hair. When I was in middle and high school, I spent so much time straightening my hair. If it wasn't straight, I didn't think it was pretty, so I'd just put it up in a bun and not deal with it. 
Did you know that only 10% of women with curly hair feel proud of their hair? I would say I'm surprised, but when I think about how I felt about my own curls, it makes sense. Dove decided to take this statistic and crush it with the "Love Your Curls" campaign and Love Your Curls book. The campaign focuses on encouraging women to love and celebrate their curls and help them realize that their curls are beautiful. The book is a poetic tribute to curly hair that was inspired by thousands of stories from women and girls with curly hair. The book was written by best-selling author, Taiye Selasi, and illustrated by Annick Poirier. Read and share this free e-book by clicking here. You can even create a personalized e-book with a custom dedication and illustration for the curly-haired women and girls in your life and share it on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

It wasn't until college that I really started to embrace my hair. It's naturally wavy, and I usually have to use a bit of product to make it have pretty curls or non-frizzy waves. I think the most common challenges I've faced with my hair are dryness and frizziness. Dove has created a new line called Dove Quench Absolute, and it's designed specifically for people with curly hair. It provides 4x more defined, natural curls, and it's infused with protein, nutrients and Buriti Oil to provide a nourished, smooth finish. 

As soon as I tried this new line, I fell in love. The Ultra Nourishing Shampoo leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth. The Ultra Nourishing Conditioner revives and strengthens my hair and makes it much more manageable, and the Intensive Restoration Mask provides nourishment to my hair. My favorite product in the new Dove Quench Absolute line is the Supreme Creme Serum. It's a leave-in nourishing treatment that can be used on either wet or dry hair. I've used it every day since I received it. I put it in my hair as soon as I get it out of the shower, and I put it in my dry hair every morning. It really helps reduce frizz and make my hair more vibrant. 
Now, I wear it curly about 99% of the time. I've learned to embrace my curls and fall in love with my hair. 

Do you have curly hair? What are some of your favorite curly hairstyles?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Essentials for a Rainy Day In

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareSmiles #CollectiveBias

When it comes to spring, you never know whether you're going to get a beautiful, sunny day or a gross, rainy day. As much as my boyfriend, Jon, and I would love to take the dogs to the park, spend a day on the lake or enjoy some freshly boiled crawfish on the patio, the weather may have other plans. That's why we like to find other ways to have a fun day indoors. 
It doesn't take much to turn your outdoor plans into something fun to do inside. You really just need four things:

1// BOARD GAMESBoard games are our go-to activity when we're stuck inside. We have an entire closet full of board games, so we never have to worry about getting bored of one. I love to play Scene It, which is why we have about a billion different versions of the game. My favorite right now is the FRIENDS version because Jon and I are making our way through the series on Netflix. We've finally made it to the last season. 

Even if you don't have a ton of board games at your disposal, you can get creative with a simple deck of cards or search the internet for fun games you can play at home. You could even gather some household objects and recreate some Minute to Win It games!
2// REFRESHING BEVERAGESOf course it's important to quench your thirst while you're getting competitive with all of those games. Coke has always been one of my favorite beverages. Let's just call it old faithful. After visiting the Coca-Cola factory in Georgia and trying out all of the different flavors from around the world, I still can't get enough. 
Jon and I went old school and purchased these glass bottles of Coke from our local Brookshire's. Ever since I traveled to London and saw the "Share a Coke" personalized bottles, I've been so in love with them. I still haven't been able to find my name, but I did bring Jon a bottle with his name on it from London. 
The glass bottles we purchased were celebratory bottles, and it's perfect for this time of year when we're celebrating grads, moms, dads, etc. One of the bottles we bought said "Soulmate" on it, and we couldn't resist cracking that bottle open first. And of course, I had to hone in on my inner superstar to drink from my own bottle.

3// DELICIOUS CUISINEIt wouldn't be a rainy day in without some good grub. Our go-to is pizza and wings. We'll also indulge in some chips and then ice-cream for dessert. 
4// MOVIESAfter the competition has dwindled down, you can end the night with a movie or two. Jon and I have completely different tastes in movies. I'm all about the rom coms, and he's a fan of action, but we can meet somewhere in between with movies like August Rush and In Time. 

There are so many ways for you to turn a rainy day into a fun day when you Share a Coke with the ones that you love. Keep an eye on Brookshire's Facebook page for a chances to win yourpoints, offers, fun and conversation.
What are your favorite rainy day activities? 

Visit your local Brookshire's store and pick up some of your own celebratory Coke to share with the people you love!

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A Day in the Life of My Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro.

I was always one of those people that said I didn't have a need for a tablet because what could a tablet do that my phone and/or my laptop couldn't? Of course, that's before I discovered the Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro. It isn't like most tablets, and I've found a way to ease it into my everyday life. It has features that many other tablets can only dream about. 
The tablet was designed by Ashton Kutcher, who is Lenovo's product engineer and was hands-on in the concept and development of the product. I think we all know how hectic Ashton's life can be, so if this Lenovo tablet can keep him organized, that I think it can definitely work for anyone, no matter what your lifestyle may be. 
As a full-time sales coordinator in hospitality, a blogger, YouTuber, a wannabe author, and a dog mom, life can get pretty hectic sometimes, but my tablet keeps me from going insane, especially when it comes to my writing.
This is what a typical day looks like with the use of my Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro:
MORNING I use my tablet as my alarm in the morning, and I like to set it across the room so it forces me to get up and turn it off. Sometimes, I'm guilty of falling back asleep, which is why I have a second alarm just in case. I also use it as an alarm to let me know it's time to leave for work and make sure I'm not running late. 

Before I leave for work, I like to check the weather and help that determine what my outfit will be for the day. It's handy to know if it's going to rain so I don't wear white or anything sheer or if it's going to be a little chilly, I can quickly grab a jacket. 
While I'm at work, I look at my calendar to see if I have any appointments or engagements for the day. I also use it to keep track of birthdays, lunch dates, and for any plans I may have after work.

I use the Evernote app to keep track of my tasks for that day. I'm a big believer in lists, and I love being able to check things off of my to-do list. I love Evernote because you can set reminders for yourself or share the note with others and collaborate. 
AFTERNOON During my lunch break, I like to get a little blogging time in. I use the Facebook app to keep up with The Blogging Elite, a Facebook blogging community that I created with the help of my friend, Nina. I also use Evernote to see if there are any blog tasks I can quickly get done while I'm off the clock.  I use the Inbox by Gmail app to keep up with my emails, including any comments that anyone may have left on my blog posts, inquiries about collaboration posts with brands or bloggers, and anything else that may come through.

Throughout the day, I'll use Evernote to keep up with any ideas that may come through my head, whether it's an idea for a blog post, YouTube video, a character or plot for a book I may write one day, etc. I really love having Evernote close by me at all times, and I love that it syncs between my Lenovo tablet, my phone, and my laptop. 

Another frequently used app on my Lenovo tablet is Google Drive. You'd be surprised by how many documents I've created with it. I use it for my blog for giveaways, keeping up with sponsorships, documenting my blog earnings, etc. I also use it for The Blogging Elite, so my co-founder and I can easily edit documents, share ideas, and collaborate. For real life, I use it to keep up with my movie and book collections, planning future vacations, expenses, an ongoing list of wines I've tried, and so much more. 
EVENING I'm a big fan of multi-tasking, and that's one of the things that the Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro helps most with. While I'm on my laptop writing or editing a blog post, I can catch up on YouTube videos or even start binge-watching a Netflix show. It has a little stand in the back which makes it easy for me to set it on my night stand or even next to me in bed while I use my laptop to catch up on work for my blog, YouTube channel, or my first book that I'm currently in the middle of editing. 

Before we go to bed, Jon and I often like to watch a bit of TV, but we don't have the cable hooked up in our room. While the tablet screen is plenty big for us to be comfortable watching it together, we do like to take advantage of the one blank wall we have in our bedroom. My favorite feature of this Lenovo tablet is the Pico projector. We literally use it on a daily basis to watch TV together (right now, we're currently rewatching every episode of Friends). It's also perfect if we want to have friends over for a movie night or practice a presentation for work.

A few of my favorite features of the Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro: // Versatility: I can use it like a typical tablet or I can use the stand to prop it up. I can also put out the stand and flip it to the top and use it at a tilt. I could even hang it on the wall using the hole in the stand. I love that there are so many ways for me to use it.

// Long-lasting battery: It's crazy how long the battery on this tablet lasts. Jon and I can watch several episodes of Friends (or any other TV show for that matter) and the tablet just can't stop, won't stop. 
//Pico projecter: Like I mentioned earlier, this is probably my favorite feature of the tablet. I've always wanted to get a projector, but I think having this tablet is even better than just having a projector because I also get so many other awesome things rather than just one.
As you can probably tell, I'm in love with my Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pro, and I really have found a way to incorporate it into all aspects of my life. I'm officially a believer in owning a tablet, but only if it's this one. I love that it's lightweight, and I can use it anywhere, and I've taken it with me on numerous leisure and work trips. I've also purchased a case for it (found here) so it can better fit my personality and of course also protect and prolong its beauty.  You can also see the journeys of many other Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet Pros by clicking here. 
Are you a fan of using tablets? 
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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My Spring Essentials

I've seriously been loving all of this sunshine. I've been spending as much time outside as possible just reading, catching up on YouTube videos, and playing with the dogs. I only wish I could temporarily transfer my office outside so I could enjoy the sunshine just a little more. These are a few things that I need (okay, not really need, but love to have) during spring. 

1 | A GOOD BOOK This is also a year-round essential, appropriate for all occasions. Pictured is This Song Will Save Your Life by Lelia Sales. I love this book, and I also adore Leila Sales. I recently just finished reading All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, which was absolutely incredible, and I'm currently reading The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks for #BlissfulBookTalk and listening to I Was Here by Gayle Forman. 
2 | ORANGE BEAUTY PRODUCTS I've really been loving this NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Orange. This is the first cream blush I've ever tried, and I love how fresh it looks and how long-lasting it is.
3 | NEUTROGENA NATURALS PURIFYING MAKEUP REMOVER CLEANSING TOWELETTES I love using makeup remover wipes, and I've tried a few different brands before discovering these towelettes by Neutrogena. They feel great on my skin and leave my face feeling fresh, and unlike some makeup remover wipes, just one towelette does the trick! They're made from 100% renewable fiber, which helps leave skin purified and fresh and healthy-looking. 
The Neutrogena Naturals line has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to help save water, and every day that you don't use water to clean your face, you can save up to five gallons of water. How amazing is that? You can join the #WipeForWater movement with Kristen Bell and use Neutrogena Naturals wipes to reduce your water footprint.

4 | FLOWER CROWNS I became obsessed with flower crowns last spring, so I'm super excited that flower crown season is officially back! I love wearing flower crowns because they easily brighten up any outfit. 
5 | BRIGHT-COLORED NAIL POLISH Spring is the perfect excuse to throw on some bright nail polish. These are a few of my favorite colors at the moment: 
// Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Coral Reef // NYC'S In a NY Minute in NY Blues // Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails in Solid as a Rock

6 | A BOTTLE OF WINE Really wine is a year-round essential, because, I mean, wine. I got this Mopina Rosso in my Club W box, and now I'm wondering why I haven't joined a wine club before now.   What are your spring essentials? 
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary pack of Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes for testing purposes from Influenster. 

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4 Non-Invasive Ways to Live a Healthier Lifestyle

A lot of people love the idea of living a healthier lifestyle, but sometimes, it's easier said than done. Not everyone has the time or energy (or funds) to join a gym or wake up earlier to go for a run or switch to a healthier diet. Here are four ways for you to live a healthier lifestyle without dishing out too much money or completely changing around your daily schedule. 
START YOUR MORNING WITH LEMON WATER If you didn't already know, lemons have amazing benefits and can do awesome things for your body, especially long-term. Check out this article from Huffington Post for a little extra info. 
Try out this super easy recipe, and drink it every morning on an empty stomach: Squeeze half a lemon into a standard-sized mug. Boil some water and fill three-quarters of the way. Put in a splash of cold water to cool it down a little, and drink immediately. 
DRINK MORE WATER Lemon water is awesome, but water in general also has many benefits, including preventing fatigue, clearing your skin, and aiding in weight loss. It's commonly recommended to drink at least 8 8-oz glasses of water each day, which is about half a gallon. Water has always been my drink of choice, and the great thing about it is that it goes great with all meals.
INCORPORATE MORE SALADS INTO YOUR WEEKLY MEALS I think we all know the benefits of eating your veggies. I don't know about you, but I don't like most vegetables. I'll eat spinach, corn, and the occasional carrot, but that's about it. I do enjoy a good salad every once in awhile. I've recently fallen in love with Wendy's Salads. Their vegetables are chopped fresh each day, and they only use premium all-white meat chicken breasts. You can see the journey of the veggies to your plate in these videos. 

Even if you're like me, and don't enjoy vegetables, you'll still love their salads, and they have several different kinds to choose from, including my two favorites Spicy Chicken Caesar salad and BBQ Ranch Chicken salad. I love the lemon garlic Caesar dressing that the Spicy Chicken Caesar salad is dressed with.

And of course I love anything with ranch. Their BBQ Ranch Chicken salad was absolutely divine. I love the BBQ ranch dressing, and it also came with croutons on the side that I quickly added to my salad. I got the half size, which is only 300 calories. Insane, right? Plus, it contains two servings of vegetables. You can taste the freshness of the salads, which makes it easy to incorporate them into your meals a few times a week.

TAKE THE STAIRS This is just an old school way of saying walk a little more. You may not want to take daily walks or runs, but that shouldn't stop you from being more active. Even if you don't have stairs around, you should make it a point to take more steps during your day. Skip the elevator, take the scenic route, take a break from your desk and just walk around a little. 
What advice would you give someone trying to live a healthier lifestyle?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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9 Things My Dogs Have Taught Me.

Molly and Farah

1// GREET EVERYONE LIKE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THEM IN YEARS I love coming home to my dogs, because it doesn't matter if I stepped outside for 10 minutes or I've been out of town for two weeks, they always greet me like they haven't seen me in a million years. That's definitely a personality trait that I'd like to adapt. 
2// NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NAP If there was an Olympic sport for dogs that was all about napping, my dogs would take the gold. Actually, Molly would take the gold and Farah would take silver because she's always so alert. I think we all regret complaining about kindergarten nap time. I used to take naps all the time in college, but now I can't remember the last time I took one. Naps are great rejuvenators and motivators. 

Sleepyhead.

A photo posted by Tiffany Khyla White (@tiffanykhyla) on Aug 3, 2014 at 6:07pm PDT

3// FORGIVE AND FORGET When my dogs do something wrong, I unfortunately have to punish them. Even though it breaks my heart, I love knowing that in 30 seconds they'll forget about it and start loving on me. While 30 seconds may be a stretch for people to forgive and forget, it's a good practice to calm down, think rationally, and just let things go. Holding anger in your heart gets pretty exhausting. 
4// ALWAYS STAY LOYAL TO THOSE WHO ARE THERE FOR YOU Friends come and go, but dogs will always be there for you. Why not adopt this practice and be loyal to your friends? Stand up for them when people are saying horrible things. Be there for them when they need you most. Just be a friend.

Day 39: I'm sure gonna miss this sweet puppy of mine #100happydays

A photo posted by Tiffany Khyla White (@tiffanykhyla) on Jun 21, 2014 at 10:20am PDT

5// THERE'S NEVER A BAD TIME TO BE SILLY Laughter is the best medicine, and my dogs never fail to make me laugh. Whether it's them jumping around because they're excited about who knows what or they're rolling around on the floor or the bed for a reason no one knows or making noises in their sleep, my dogs always seem to keep me laughing. Take a lesson from my pups and never be afraid to be silly and free. 
6// ALWAYS STAND UP FOR YOURSELF When Farah is doing something that Molly doesn't like, she doesn't hesitate to let her know, even though she's smaller. Molly is always so great at standing up for herself, and Farah never allows another dog to get more attention than she does. If you're really passionate about something, don't be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for yourself.

7// NEVER HESITATE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS The great thing about dogs is that they never hesitate to run up to anyone (or anything) and greet them like they're already best friends. Take a lesson from my dogs and take the time to meet new people and make a new friend. 
8// PERSISTENCE WILL LEAD TO GREAT REWARDS Whether it's a pathetic face or endless begging, my dogs always seem to get what they want. One of my dogs' favorite treats are Blue Bones Natural Dental Chews from Chewy.com. What I love about these treats are that they're not only delicious for the pups, they also help keep their teeth healthy and their breath fresh. Molly seems to inhale the treats as soon as I give them to her, but Farah likes to take her time with each bite. 

It really just goes to show that if you keep at it, you can get what you want. Dreams do come true (especially if your dream is getting a treat cupcake).
9// LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY No matter what happens, my dogs always love me. It doesn't matter if I'm mad at them or disappointed in something they've done, they always seem to know exactly what to do to make me cuddle them and give them kisses. This is a lesson that everyone should learn. Love is better than hate, judgement, fear, sadness, everything.
Disclaimer: I received two complimentary bags of Natural Dental Chews from Chewy.com for review. All opinions are 100% mine.
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This giveaway is hosted by Elora from Out My Front Door and Robin the designer behind Northern Lights Bridal and co-hosted by Raewyn of Be a Warrior Queen, Nina from The Grand Adventures of Me, Cassandra from Cassandra M's Place, Kerry from Kerry's Habitat, Natalie from Natalie Patalie, and Tiffany from Endless Bliss. We are so excited about this giveaway for a 'I am Loki' Loki Pendant Necklace. The giveaway runs through March 20th! 

You can check out Robin's Etsy shop here. You can also check out Elora's review of her work.
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