Dorm Closet Organization + Space Saving Tips!

My bed comprises approximately half of my bedroom, so my closet space is substantially limited. And since I love shopping for clothes, knowing how to maximize closet space was key. And if you live in a dorm room, you know that there is not much room at all for storing clothes so taking advantage of the closet space that is available is necessary. Here are some of my tips on organizing my small closet. :)

 Double-rod closet: Having a double-rod closet has been extremely beneficial in saving space, because of the two rods in which I can hang my clothes. I've also made use of the four shelves, too.

Thin plastic hangers: They are worth the money since they allow you to hang twice the amount of clothes than if you used thicker plastic hangers. I bought a 10-pack of blue hangers at an Asian market for only $2.49. I might be a hypocrite here because I succumb to buying the thicker ones since they are a lot cheaper (only about a dollar).

As you can see, on the left the plastic hangers which I mainly use are a lot thicker than the blue ones on the right.

Storage bins: I utilize plastic storage bins from Target for organizing my hoodies and sweatshirts.

How to store sweaters/tank tops and pants: I fold them instead of hanging them. I could actually fit all my tank tops and pants in one shelf and sweaters have their own separate shelf.

How to store scarves: Use a plastic hanger and shower curtain rings to organize scarves. If you don't have shower curtain rings, you can simply tie the scarf onto the hanger (which is what I do, and works just as well).

My Everyday Makeup Routine

I'm not the type of girl who changes up her makeup every day; in fact, my makeup routine has always been the same because I'm afraid to venture into something new. Even so, I may change it up by adding blush or an eye shadow because I usually don't wear either of those.

The look is very simple, and doesn't take a long time to complete so it is perfect for school or work. You can look polished in only a few minutes! I think the most time-consuming part is applying the mascara because I take that very seriously and I have wimpy lashes >.< LOL.

Here are the beauty products that I use to get ready:

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock: Sunscreen is essential in your makeup routine, and I particularly like that this one has an SPF of 55 and is waterproof and sweatproof.

2. Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer: I've had this concealer for a heck of a long time, and there is still some left. I spot-conceal on my pimples or any areas of redness.

3. Rimmel Exaggerate Brown Eyeliner: I line only the outer third of my upper lashline, extending it a bit at the end for a bigger, doe-eyed effect. This eyeliner comes in a twist tube which is important to me because it means more product. I hate when eyeliners don't have a twist tube...seriously. I pay this much $$ for a tiny bit of product? Not worth it.

4+5. Maybelline Rocket Volume Mascara/Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara: I actually  use these two mascaras in conjunction; I coat my lashes with the Revlon one first, and the Maybelline one after to add a dramatic black effect.

6 +7. Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Apricot Pucker/ Nivea Cherry Tinted Lip Balm: I apply the Nivea one first on my lips to add a subtle red color, and the Almay one goes on the center of my lips for a glossy finish.

Inexpensive Ways to Treat Yourself (Shopping Edition)

For some reason, "retail therapy" actually works for me. When I buy myself something girly, it boosts my confidence and helps me recover from a painful experience or a stressful situation. It feels good to reward myself sometimes, so here are a few inexpensive things I shop for:

1. Panties

Yup, that's right. Having a cute new pair of panties makes me feel more confident without spending a lot. My favorite store to shop for panties is Victoria's Secret.

2. Body Products


Whether it be a fragrant body mist, lotion, or body wash, a nice, an uplifting scent can have the power to change your mood. Bath & Body Works has mini body products in yummy scents that are relatively inexpensive.

3. Printed Scarves

I don't wear scarves that much, but the patterns are simply adorable and just looking at them makes me feel happy. Stars, florals, polka dots - the list goes on! They are so versatile and can dress up a plain outfit instantly.

4.Tinted Lip Balms

I find that having a hint of color on your lips makes you look more alive and healthy, and tinted lip balms give just the right amount of color! I've heard Baby Lips by Maybelline are great, though the tinted ones are always sold out everywhere D: However, I'm currently loving Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Apricot Pucker.

5. Fun Socks

Socks also come in a bunch of different colors and patterns, and you can mix and match them if you buy them in singles. You can find them anywhere, and they never fail to brighten up my mood.

6. Nail Polish

Need I say more? I don't own a lot of nail polish, but I'm slowly collecting a few colors. My favorite summer color is neon pink.

"Eye Stuff" Haul

Here is a mini haul of the stuff I got at the mall. I desperately needed a new pair of sunglasses because summer is here and the only pair I have did not suit my style at all (meaning it didn't look flattering on me). I find that aviators look the best on me, so I picked up a pair at Charlotte Russe for $5.99. 

They have UV 400 protection, and mirrored silver lenses. I think it makes me look effortlessly cool.

I also desperately needed an eye mask for sleeping because I always unconsciously rub my eyes at night, and it's gotten to the point where I wake up and my eye feels swollen and irritated.

NOT GOOD AT ALL especially for the delicate skin around my eyes! The last time I bought a sleeping mask, it was at the dollar store and it didn't fit very well around my head so I would always wake up wondering where my mask went.

One time, my sleeping mask actually ended up caught on the side of the bed. How did that happen? No one will ever know.

So, I thought it would be a good idea to invest in a better-quality eye mask. I found a satin sleep mask at Christmas Tree Shops for $3.99, and the pink polka-dot design with little black bows is ULTRA-CUTE. It has an adjustable pink head strap for a comfortable fit, which is great for my big head LOL.

So far, I've worn it for one night and it stayed put the whole night! The satin material is also very comfortable for my eyes. I LOVE IT!

I love me some aviators :p

Korean Dramas

Now that summer has arrived and I am mostly stress-free, I have time to watch Korean dramas. I've only watched a few in the past, including Love Story in Harvard.

I just finished watching Flower Boy Next Door, which is now my favorite drama.

The main character, Go Dok Mi, is a sweet recluse who spends her days spying on a hot neighbor. She is afraid to open up her heart for fear that it will become broken, is so relatable. I could see my actions and thoughts mirroring hers.

I like how there is romance, comedy, and drama all intertwined in the series, so there are times when I would laugh hysterically (the panda dance that Enrique did was hilarious) and other times where I teared up.

Enrique is my favorite character, because he can be silly yet emotionally deep at the same time!

Watching their love story unfold also offered life lessons that the viewer can learn from. I AM SO ADDICTED. They are absolutely hands-down the cutest couple ever.

"Silver Linings Playbook" Movie Review

I just finished watching the movie "Silver Linings Playbook" starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. I love how the romantic comedy-drama film is not the conventional "two average people fall in love". Instead, the two main characters, Pat and Tiffany, both have mental disorders and their quirks are what makes the movie very interesting.

I enjoyed it a lot, and didn't realize that Chris Tucker was also in it! One of my favorite parts was when he told Pat to "black it up" when they were trying to dance. xD I even teared up a little at the end, because the romance was quite adorable.

I've never read the book, but I assume that the book is better than the movie because that's always the case since in a novel the plot is more detailed and goes in-depth, whereas in a movie the story line must be brief. Nonetheless, it was an awesome movie and I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a film with a little more edge than a sappy chick flick.

New Sandal Purchase

I needed a pair of wedges for graduation, so I ordered a pair of Merona black wedges online via Target website. I previously bought the gold wedges in a size 8, which were too loose on me. So this time around, I opted for 7.5. They were $24.99, not including shipping costs.

The estimated delivery was the day right after graduation, which sucked but I still ordered anyway. As fate would have it, they came in the day before graduation! And I was ecstatic that they actually fit perfectly this time.

It's difficult to come across such a comfortable wedge with the perfect heel height, which was 3.25". Comfort is key when I'm buying shoes, because beauty isn't worth too much pain. I have to admit though, my feet did feel sore because I walked around so much at graduation. However, I imagine it would hurt way more if I bought a higher wedge or a less comfortable one.

So happy it was delivered right on time!

"Gentleman" by Psy

A song that I've been replaying lately is "Gentleman" by Psy. It's funny because when I first listened to it, I thought "meh" but then when I watched Blogilates' Gentleman workout, I totally changed my mind. It's actually a really upbeat song to work out to, and there are few songs out there that literally make me want to get up and exercise.

People say that Gentleman is a ripoff of Gangnam Style, but I actually prefer this song! It's catchy, but not overplayed like Gangnam Style is. The video is likewise entertaining, albeit "safe".

T-Shirt to Crop Top DIY

I was inspired by a tutorial on Youtube showing how to reconstruct an old T-shirt into a crop top. I have this plain T-shirt from Aerie sitting in my closet unworn because the fit wasn't too flattering but the flower print was SO PRETTY. So I thought it would be the perfect shirt to cut up!

Overall I'm satisfied with the way it turned out, though the sleeves that I cut were slightly asymmetrical. Oh well, you can't get it completely right the first time.

The knot on the bottom adds a carefree summer look. I like that it gives off a hipster vibe, and it would look really cute paired with distressed denim cutoffs (sadly, I don't own these kind of shorts - I'm thinking of buying of pair of jeans from a thrift store, cutting them up, and distressing them myself which would be a lot cheaper than buying a pair).

Some of My Favorite Books

I've been really into reading inspirational "self-help" books recently because they are a great reminder to never take things for granted and appreciate everything that life has offered us.

I'm currently reading "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson and I love the tips & tricks that he provides to help us relieve stress.

I've already read L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad, which is a nice summer book to relax in. I've already finished the whole trilogy (Sugar & Spice and Sweet Little Lies). Lauren Conrad is seriously a great author!

Another book that I'm currently reading is "Eleanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell. So far, I'm liking it, but I haven't read to the romance part yet which should be interesting because Eleanor and Park both think that the other is weird in the beginning. We'll see how it goes.

Yummy Lunch

Heaven frolicking on my tastebuds - that's how it feels when I have this Vietnamese lunch. The egg roll was perfectly crispy, the pork was cooked just right and very flavorful, and the noodles with the sauce was simply delicious. There was quite a lot of food, though, but I was able to finish most of it mainly because I was hungry to begin with.

My Favorites

Some of my favorite things! :D

Book: Ready Player One, L.A. Candy, Hunger Games
Color: Lavender
Song: She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5. I played the song 300+ times on my iPod. I'm OBSESSED.
TV Show: The Bachelor
Sitcom: Friends
Animal: Kitty cats! Ducks are cute too.
Food: Chinese and Vietnamese
Drink: Milk tea with boba
Movie: Silver Linings Playbook
Korean Drama: Flower Boy Next Door
Store: Target, T.J. Maxx, Victoria's Secret
Color Combo: Green and orange
Sneaker Brand: Converse
Season: Summer
Quote: "The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason you held on so long."

Ending off this post with a picture of my adorable Pumpkin. =)

Goodies from Bath & Body Works

I needed some body spray for gym class, so I headed to Bath & Body Works to try out the fragrances. After smelling different ones, I picked up these three:

Sweet Pea: This is one of their popular scents, and for good reason because it smells sweet & fruity, but not too overpowering.

Paris Amour: Is a girlier, muskier scent which is perfect for when you're going out.

Beautiful Day: Smells fresh and clean with a hint of floral, I let my friend borrow it after gym and she said it smelled good which is a plus!

Overall, I liked the three fragrances I chose. They all have their own, distinct scent and you can't beat 3 for $10. I prefer buying the mini bottles, however, because it would take me forever to use up a regular-sized bottle.

Gym Shorts Haul

During the summer I'll be lounging in gym shorts all the time because 1) they are super comfortable, 2) they absorb moisture & sweat better than cotton shorts, and 3) the vivid neon colors always brighten up my mood. However, they can get quite expensive, so I lucked out when I found two pairs that were on clearance at Old Navy (!!!).

Neon Pink Shorts

Original Price: $15.00

Clearance: $7.99

Yellow/Green Shorts

Original Price: $15.00

Clearance: $6.49

These shorts include a mini interior pocket to stash your keys and cash. Pretty handy.