Roomie Gifts

As I have mentioned, I will be headed to college next year and with it being Spring Break, I have decided to cut some of my pre-travel boredom with crafting. What better to craft for than your future roommates? 

Here are some ideas I have been looking at for roomie gifts:

No girl will say they don't think the Starbucks insulated cups aren't adorable. Add some special from you (gift card or to save money make a homemade coupon book (ex. I will do 1 of your chores, I will let you pick the movie, etc.), drink packets (tea, lemonade, hot coco), make-up (lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara), hand lotion or hand sanitizer. *If you want to add some DIY add glitter!



You know this is a gift the roomie(s) will use. Each of you have to have a key, so why not get them a cute little key identifier. These are found on Etsy $7/each (https://www.etsy.com/listing/150845081/acrylic-monogram-keychains?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest)


Why not have a cute and warm accessory for the Winter? These are so cute and customizable for only $10
https://www.etsy.com/listing/171356330/monogrammed-fleece-headband-ear-warmers?ref=exp_listing


I love getting nail polish. Vases can be relatively cheap if you shop the right stores, as well as the nail polish. And adding real (or fake flowers) can add some color to the dorm room. However if you do real flowers make sure they are in a separate vase on the inside.
And another nail care and more package. This idea can be executed with anything really. From roomie gifts I would suggest, A Pampering Bundle, A Prevent a Hangover Bundle, or a Cure a Hangover Bundle.
Pampering Bundle: nail polish, nail clippers, nail file, lip balm, facial mask or scrub, hair mask, lotion or bath oil.
Prevent a Hangover Bundle: Placed in a large water bottle (to stay hydrated), protein bar (don't drink on an empty stomach), a couple multi-vitamins (pre-load with vitamins), these from Urban Outfitters (http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=27873041&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS)
Cure a Hangover Bundle: Coconut water (restore electrolytes), a package of crackers, ibuprofen, sleep mask, Alka Seltzer Morning Relief


If you found out who your roommate was before moving in together, there is a 100% chance you have stalked their social media cite. Find some cute or funny picture of your roomie and gift them to them in the form of a fridge magnet. I like the puzzle idea the most because I feel it adds a little bit a fun the gift.
Tutorial: http://www.beadandcord.com/clipper/kara.davison.1370042/magnets-10157/38882.html


I love this idea, to store all of the gifts you are giving. I can't find somewhere to purchase this item for cheap, so if anyone knows somewhere, please comment and help me out!


How cute are these! These koozies are $8/each and you get to select your color of writing, your koozie color and the monogram!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/164342620/glitter-monogrammed-koozie?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share
Or DIY this:
http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Blank-Beverage-Koozies-White/dp/B00F4IDHSA/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1395072603&sr=8-18&keywords=white+koozie


Everyone needs a hair brush! These are $15 on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/122731976/monogrammed-paddle-hair-brush?share_id=8111816&hmac=3673e137adfe0fb50d8624ea5d79b6fcd9e7c431&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share
Or DIY with this $9 paddle brush!

http://www.amazon.com/Spornette-Zhu-Bamboo-Paddle-Brush/dp/B002AWL68G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1395075010&sr=8-5&keywords=paddle+brush

As it gets closer to the end of summer expect to see more Roomie Gift Crafts, or Purchases!

What I Love Right Now: Hair Accessories

Right now I'm in love with:

BEACHY: shells, stars, and bright colors. Bring on Summer!

BOWS: Are super cute and add personality to the easiest of hair styles.

HAIR CROWNS: These are so gorgeous and make you look like a Greek Goddess!

FLOWERS: Flowers are so delicate, they complete any boho look.

DECORATIVE PONYTAILS: Dress up that easy and quick ponytail with an easy and quick hair tie.

NO CREASE PONYTAILS: Creases are annoying but I like these hair ties because they are so much cuter than regular hair ties, the no-crease is just a bonus.

FAKE BRAIDS THAT LOOK REAL: Every time I wear my braided headband I get compliments. It makes is look like you completed an incredibly difficult and time consuming task, when you really spent less time on you hair than anyone else.

For more of what I love visit my Wanelo (http://wanelo.com/maddimajeski95/collections/hair)

Dorm Revamping

I am getting closer to heading off to college and I find myself less and less focused on school around me and more and more focused on the future. I met my roommate last summer at my state's American Legion Auxiliary Girl's State, we got to know each other a little bit there and found out that we share similar interests. Now that we are both half-way through our senior year in high school we are talking more and more. To girls that are trying to find a roommate, I would suggest asking someone you recently met that you know a little about but not someone you are good friends with. It's a fun and interesting process to get to know your roommate.

We are looking at what supplies we need for our dorm, items you can take from home include:

TV
Pillows
Mirror
Game Console/DVD player/Apple TV/Netflix/HULU
Desk Chair
Picture Frames
Storage Containers
Cork Boards
Blanket
Lamp
Trash Can
Shoe Rack
Stereo/ Karaoke Machine


If you are like me, you have more pieces of furniture in your room than probably necessary. However, I know that my college provides you with a desk, a dresser, and a bed for each roommate. That leaves me with a small storage pantry (found at ALCO), a small cube storage system (also from ALCO), two storage ottomans (Wal-Mart), two non-storage ottomans (Bed, Bath, and Beyond), three plastic storage towers (most likely from ALCO), and a ton of little knick-nacks. My roommmate and I have selected a 4 person suite, some of this advice is geared toward suites, but it may be applied to 2 person dorms as well.

You may need to do some re-vamping on some of these supplies.

A TV can't really get a lot more re-vamped - all though a nice TV Stand can make the TV look nicer/newer.


Pillows can be taken, for me it will be harder to decide which pillows to take because I have so many. - A fresh pillow case is all the re-vamping that you need. If you have had your pillows for a long time, this may also be a good time to get new pillows. Target has pillows as low as $7 (http://www.target.com/c/bed-pillows-protectors-bedding-home/-/N-5xtv3)


Mirrors can make your room feel larger. I currently have two mirrors one that is an over the door mirror the other that is a hanging mirror. In a suite style room you and your roommate may want to have an over the door mirror because it will not show in the hallway, instead into the common space. Adding an edging or details can make a mirror look new.



Game consoles or other entertainment devices are good idea so you can watch movies or if you enjoy gaming you can play. Netflix and HULU both offer and amazing library for hours of watching pleasure or if you have a large iTunes Library you can get Apple TV for $100 and connect your iPhone to it in order to display you pictures, watch a movie, play a game or play your music.


Some colleges provide you will desk chairs, for example: my college. However, I know the chairs will not be comfortable enough to spend much time in, so I will be taking my own. Changing fabrics and replacing cushions could make your desk chair more ready for the dorm.



Picture frames allow you to bring faces of those you love with you, but even if you put new pictures in the frames they can still be boring. Adding details and add-ons to your frames can spice them up a bit.


Storage containers are a must have. Even without trying, I know that all of my stuff will not fit in a dorm room. So you want to take the most important (and attractive) things you can. But you have to have a place to put it. Changing the color or adding detail can re-vamp this storage solution


Cork boards are a great way to keep important things visible. You can make them more visibly pleasing by trying one of the following:



Blankets are a must have if you are from the Mid-West. I use a blanket everyday from about October until April. I know that I have some blankets that I have been given that I will take with me but there are some I want to make this summer too.


Lamps are a great way to allow your roommate to go to sleep when you need to work at night. (I purchased my lamp stand and shade from my local Dollar General. I did my own DIY on this lamp to make it college ready)


Trash cans, usually don't need a lot of revamping but you can give it a shot.


Almost every college girl would agree; the dorm closets are too small for all my clothes let alone my clothes and my shoes. A shoe rack can be great storage.


A Stereo or karaoke machine doesn't really have any DIY or revamping but if you'd like you could take a look at these to enhance your good time.





As for the "left-over" furniture in my room.

I plan to take the pantry style storage unit, I plan to paint the unit and add mirrors to the door. I plan to make this a jewelry storage as well as clothing.*

The cubic storage system will most likely be used as either a TV stand after some paint or as shoe storage.*

The two storage ottomans and the two non-storage ottomans will receive new fabric.*

As for the storage towers, I have no idea yet.

*these plans are tentative. When/IF completed, I will post pictures and how-to's.

For DIY tutorials and more ideas check out my Pinterest page (http://www.pinterest.com/maddimajeski/) and for this collection specifically check out (http://www.pinterest.com/maddimajeski/blogger-prettying-in-pink/)