Sorry for the lack of posts these last few days, school has been crazy, and it turns out moving out of a six person apartment is more work than we all expected.

It seems like we somehow managed to accumulate more and more things this year. Yesterday I was helping one of my roommates pack her room and she kept stumbling across things she didn’t even know she had. She had an entire plastic bin (large enough for me to comfortably fit in) of clothes from high school that wouldn’t even come close to fitting her now. She is known for holding onto things for years, and we finally got her to let go most of her unused things from high school and freshman year.

We have all been putting forth a serious effort to cut back on our stuff, and not having to carry it up and down the stairs while moving out is a huge incentive. In the last four days alone we have donated more than five 30 gallon trash bags full of clothes and other usable items. It has turned into a game where we try our best to fill the donate bags and boxes as quickly as possible so we can take it downstairs to a donation location set up by SCU. We cheer and high five every time we fill a bag, and it makes it feel even better to clear our clutter.

Coconuts are the newest health food craze and miracle problem solver. They are everywhere from the personal care aisle to cooking. As much as I hate to admit that I am going along with what is most likely a trend, I’m in love with coconut water for a post workout pick me up and coconut oil for just about everything.

When I found this list of 52 uses for coconut oil I couldn’t stop myself from sharing some of my favorites.

1. Hair and scalp treatment: on weeks when I have multiple workouts  or I have to straighten it, my hair gets incredibly rough and my scalp itches like crazy! I heat up a tablespoon of the oil and rub it on my scalp as if it was shampoo and through my hair. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes before you wash as normal. My hair stays soft for days and my scalp is significantly less oily than normal and not itchy.

2. Hair styling: just a little bit tames fly aways and makes my hair look shiny and smooth

3. Incredible for cooking and baking

4. Shaving cream: the warm oil makes shaving less painful and my legs are wonderfully moisturized afterwards.

5. As a “lotion”

6. Make doors stop squeaking

7. Dry skin moisture balm

To see the rest, check out Delicious Obsessions

This weekend I started the overwhelming process of packing, and in the process I took the opportunity to re-evaluate every item I was packing up. After the closet debacle, I had already mostly sorted through some of my stuff. So far I have started a pile for donation and given away a few items to my roommates.


While you are packing consider:
1. When was the last time I used or wore this? If it’s more than six months or a year, it’s time for it to move on to someone else.


2. Do I really need this?


3. Does this item take up space or truly add function to my life?


4. If I didn’t have this item, would I miss it two months later? 

I went to the farmers’ market near campus today to get some fresh fruits and veggies. I’m going to miss how close the market is when I have to move home for the summer, but for now I’m going to enjoy all of the fresh, in season fruits and vegetables. 

 I can’t wait to cook it all up, especially my purple cauliflower!

There are only 21 days until summer vacation (not that I’m counting), and I am already starting to dread moving out. 


I feel like every year I accumulate more stuff, and the thought of having to move out this year is frightening. But there are ways to cut down on the amount of things you have to pack and to make moving more sustainable. 


The biggest factor in making move-out tolerable is planning ahead. Shoving things into boxes and every available space in your car the day of move out is not only stressful, but it often means throwing things out or ruining your stuff in the process. Make a plan at least a week before of what you need to pack and strategize your attack. 


To make moving out more sustainable, be sure to reuse boxes or use reusable containers to move. I have started to collect a few big boxes that I will start to fill in the coming weeks, and everything else will go in milk crates or storage bins that I already own. Good moving boxes can be found all over campus in or around recycling containers. 


When it comes time to actually pack and you are frightened by the hordes of junk (or treasured items if it may be), don’t be afraid to cut back. Donate all of your unwanted clothes and other items that are still usable to the locations in every dorm on campus or to a charity that accepts donations. 


There are also drop-off locations on Santa Clara’s campus for used rugs and electronic waste. However, be sure that you only place broken items that run off of electricity in the e-waste drop off and donate all of your fans, vacuums and other electronic items that still work. 


Once you have donated a few items, your load should be lighter, but it’s still important to pack efficiently and carefully. This is especially important if you are flying home. 


Think back to the countless hours you spent playing Tetris, and try to fit as many items as possible in every box. The more you fit into each box, the fewer boxes you have to carry, and the better it fits into your car. If you have more than will fit in a single carload, consider placing some of your items in storage for the summer instead of using the gas and the time to make multiple trips. You can share storage units with friends to cut the cost. 


Don’t forget to try to pack similar items together and label your boxes to make unpacking quick and easy in the fall.


This article originally ran in The Santa Clara. 

Not only was it printed on easily recyclable paper, but by making it to particular dimensions he eliminated all of the extra waste that comes with store bought wrapping paper. 

Because I currently live in university housing, the decor is unimagined and industrial. My mom found these paper poofs to hang from the ceiling and bring some life and fun to the place. I’m going to move them upstairs and hang them in my room. 

I’m still enjoying the leftovers from the paninis, fresh fruit and vegetables, and dips from the amazing dinner my mom made. All in all it was a great 21st birthday.