How to NOT Be a 'Broke College Kid' | Top 5 Tips

1. Ditch the Dryer - Hang your clothes to dry
Two dollars doesn't seem expensive but when you have to pay that for each load for the washer AND the dryer, that's a huge expense! I know personally, my semesters are 15 weeks each- so 30 weeks of school. Let's just say you do one load of laundry every two weeks; that's at least $60 spent on laundry! Why not instead, buy a clothes drying rack to keep in your room? I bought this one for $15 at Wal-Mart. I do pay for the washer obviously, but this saves me two dollars per load of laundry which means it paid for itself in 8 loads. Can't complain about that!

2. Frequent Flyers & Shop Sales! 
Groceries can get expensive! It seems that no amount of grocery store trips with my mom could prepare me for just how much I would have to spend on groceries. Plus there's those random things you need to buy as an adult that you never really considered (like toilet paper, and batteries, and light bulbs). Save.ca has been super helpful for finding sales near me. You put in your postal code and it delivers the flyers to your email for stores that are near you. Another tip I've learned is to buy in bulk. For things that are freezable (like cheese, veggies etc) or that have extended expiration dates (pasta, canned goods, snacks etc) buying a whack when it's on sale can really save you a pretty penny in the long run! 

3. Free Fun is Still Fun - Find free/cheap events to go to
I think the social aspect of college is definitely the biggest expense that is totally avoidable. Don't be a hermit by any means, but finding cheap or free events to go to can help you save a boat load of cash. Most colleges/universities will have entertainment at a discount or free social events (that aren't as lame as you think they are- think sports games and dirty bingo). Just recently my college had Jus Reign come and tickets were only ten bucks! It was a great night. As a photography student, we love to fool around and take pictures for fun to blow off some steam. For a night out, pre-drink so you only need to spend money on one or two drinks at the bar, it can save you quite a bit of money!

4. Apply for bursaries
There is so much money that colleges and universities have set aside specifically to give to students and yet so many go unclaimed because not enough people apply. Guys, it's literally free money that you don't have to pay back! When the time comes, fill out the bursary application because the worst that could happen is you don't qualify for any. On the other hand, you could get free money. Anything from $50 to $5000 is just extra cash in the bank!

5. Skip Starbucks
This is the big one guys...Starbucks is expensive. Even Tim Hortons is expensive. One coffee everyday, you're looking at over $100 per semester (and that's a conservative estimate). I don't have the time to brew coffee and I don't have the desire to spend a crap ton on a coffee maker when I know I'd probably want to upgrade when I get a more permanent place with a more permanent living partner. Instant coffee has become a great love of mine. Don't squish up your nose! It's actually not bad whatsoever- Folgers makes a really great instant coffee. Save your pennies for the more important things guys- like maybe rent haha. 

I hope these top five tips help some of you out! College is expensive and funds- especially this time of year- are running out quickly. Be smart and responsible with your money. Do you have any tips that help to save money? Please do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back to see what KatieDidd, xo

19. Favourite Christmas Films | Blogmas

Something that really puts me into the Christmas spirit is a good holiday film! There are SO many holiday films that I absolutely love so I tried my best to narrow it down. Today I'm going to share with you (in no particular order) my five favourite holiday movies!

For me a good Christmas movie is one that leaves me with that warm feeling of holiday joy. I love a film that can make me laugh but also hit me right in them feels haha. Of course a happy ending is a must for a feel good Christmas film!

Holiday Inn

This is quite an old film- from the 1940s I do believe- but still so amazing! It's not exclusively Christmas, but a great one to watch this time of year none the less!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

An absolute classic, the Grinch is one of those movies I just have to watch at Christmas time! Unpopular opinion: the Warner Bros original twenty minute short is infinitely better than the newer Jim Carrey version... sorry not sorry haha.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

My mom is a huge peanuts lover and she's passed that down to me. We watch every Charlie brown special for each holiday but the Christmas one has got to be my favourite! It doesn't feel like Christmas until I get to watch Charlie Brown with my mom!

Love Actually

Nothing better than a good rom-com, am I right ladies? I really enjoy the multiple plot lines in this movie and just the feel good Christmas vibe that this film has! It's one that makes you laugh and cry and leaves you with a warm feeling that I just love, especially round Christmas time!

Elf

Is it really a complete list of holiday films if Elf isn't mentioned?? I'm a huge Will Ferrell fan and he definitely doesn't disappoint in Elf! It's a must watch.

I hope you enjoy these films and if you have any favourites that I haven't mentioned please do leave them in a comment below!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Random & Weird Beauty Tips | Top 5

Lately I've been loving doing top 5 posts (you can check out my others if you'd like: MCM & WCW). This time I decided to combine my top 5 with my love for beauty! Today I'm very excited to share with you my top 5 random and weird beauty tips!

By random and weird beauty tips I mean not your conventional "drink water" "wash your face" etc kinda tips. I mean the kinds of things people don't really talk about on a regular basis. So without further ado, here are my top 5 random and weird beauty tips.

1. Moisturize your underarms 

If you're like me and have really sensitive underarms then you'll know the magic that is a moisturizing deodorant- I love mine! However it seems that a moisturizing deodorant just doesn't cut it as the weather gets cooler. My underarms tend to get really sensitive and dry. It has now become part of my post-shower moisturizing routine to moisturize my underarms and I can feel a world of difference!

2. Wash behind your ears

I feel like everyone has heard their moms and their mom's mom say this but it's because it's so applicable. Every night when I apply my moisturizer I bring it down my neck and around behind my ears- it's just my routine now. Well, about a week ago I went to scratch an itch I had behind my ear and I was so disgusted to see that under my nail I had scratched off a buildup of moisturizer and conditioner. It's so easy to forget to wash behind your ears but it's an area that needs that little extra attention. 

3. Carry an emergency pouch
I'm sure most of us have a little case in our handbag that has some emergency essentials in like tampons, but I recommend having an emergency pouch that can handle virtually any emergency. Mine includes things like a pen, Tide-To-Go stick, kleenex, a few squares of toilet paper, Q-Tips, hand sanitizer, and a few other bits and bobs. You can never be over prepared I think!

4. Don't shave everyday
It may be tempting to have smooth, supple legs everyday- especially in the summer. If you can go 3 days in between shaves (and I mean that for all the parts you shave; you know what I mean) then your skin will definitely thank you for it! I have found that I get a better, closer shave with less ingrown hairs and sensitivity with waiting a few days in between shaves. It may not be ideal, but it's definitely worth it! And your body will get used to the natural hair grown cycle. 

5. Let your nails be naked
A little while back I was having problems with my nails peeling and being quite brittle and I really had no idea why- my diet was good, my hands were moisturized well, my nails were filed, buffed, and painted- but they just kept getting weaker. It wasn't until I had a no-makeup day that I realized that maybe my nails, like my skin, needed a break every now and then! For 3 days I left my nails bare and I already saw a difference just in that short period of time. It really does help!

I hope you enjoyed these weird and random beauty tips! If you have any to add DO let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Man Crush Monday (But on Tuesday) | Top 5

So today I decided to do something a little bit different and share with you the top 5 celebrity men that I just swoon over. I'll let you know now that what really sells me with a man is the eyes and the smile! So here are my top 5 man crush Monday celebs:

5. Jeffrey Dean Morgan

If between Grey's Anatomy and Ps. I Love You, you weren't sold on this man's charm and smile then I don't know what to say. I think that he is such an incredibly handsome man. His scruff and deep chocolate eyes lend to his good looks but what really sells me is the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs- it's so dang cute.

4. Jesse Williams

You know someone once said I looked like a brunette April Kepner... so I guess it's fate haha. Just kidding. But, Jesse Williams is such an attractive man. Those blue eyes are absolutely piercing against his dark olive skin. His closed lip smirk is so captivating!

3. Zac Efron

There's just something about Zac that is so attractive to me, I can't quite put my finger on it though. I do enjoy his shaggy hair, his blue eyes, his gorgeous face, scruff, and his smokin' hot bod, but all together they just create this masterpiece of a man!

2. Theo James

It's the smile. 100% it's all about the smile with this one. He's such a cutie with his innocent grin that extends into his smouldering eyes. Theo is incredibly handsome.

1. Ben Bass

I get the weirdest looks when I say that Ben Bass is my all time man crush- not everyone can see it I suppose! His eyes just draw me in- they're so dark in colour yet so kind in appearance. His smile is effortless and genuine all the time and lights up his entire face. I love how he can pull off scruff and a clean shaven face. His thick eye brows and dark hair are the perfect frame to his strong face (that jaw line though!). I think he is an incredibly handsome and sexy-without-trying man.

So those are my top 5 man crush Monday nominees (on Tuesday haha). Who are your ultimate man crushes? Let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Top 5 YouTube Workout Videos | Saturday Series: Fit-spiration 1 of 6

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a personal trainer or a  fitness expert by any means. Working out and living a healthy, active lifestyle is just something I really enjoy. I have taken a lot of fitness classes and received a lot of advice from people I know who are professionals in the fitness realm, on top of doing a lot of my own research. These posts will be a combination of everything I've learned. 

The series I have decided to start this week is fit-spiration! This series will span over the next 6 Saturdays and cover a whole range of fitness related topics- I really hope you guys like it!

I decided about a year ago that I wanted to take my health and fitness a lot more serious again as I kind of fell off the wagon fitness-wise. I immediately began doing research about workouts and healthy recipes and was astounded by how much amazing content there is on YouTube in the fitness realm!

I have decided that to kick start this series I would share with you my top 5 favourite workout videos that I've found on YouTube. Some of these are from legitimate health/fitness channels but the majority are from more lifestyle based channels. I've done all these workouts multiple times and I really love them all.

1. Anna Saccone

I'm a huge lover of Anna and her entire family and I absolutely love this workout! I suppose it is technically Lucy's workout, but is in on Anna's channel. This workout is amazing for toning and shaping without bulking up. 

2. Blogilates

I really love all the workouts that Cassey posts (as well as her recipe videos and her personal videos), but this is definitely my favourite. It's 4 super challenging moves that leave my muscles with a nice burn. I really like that she does the videos in real time so you can do the workout along with her. She is very motivating!

3. Gabi

This isn't the most professional video out there but the exercises are very effective. I love that she does high rep with low weight because that's the kind of workouts I love- I just want to be fit, toned, and healthy but I don't want to be bulky.

4. Niomi Smart

Niomi is an absolute goddess in my mind! She is the epitome of everything I want to be. I love that her workout is straight forward and easy to follow. Two exercises per body part is easy to remember and easy to manage. It's not too much- she also includes a little recipe for a pre-workout smoothie and a coupon code for AMAZING workout clothes as well.

5. RachhLoves

Rachael makes me laugh so much in this video! Her exercises are great and she keeps you in a good mood whilst watching as she really does ring true to the lazy girl in me. 

BONUS: Blogilates

As a little bonus I decided to include this video by Cassey. After doing this I actually do feel taller, as silly as that sounds. I love doing these exercises on my rest days as it's not really a true workout.

What are your favourite workout videos on YouTube or favourite fitness channels? Please do let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn