A Summer of Chic!

     Summer is quickly approaching and many college students are struggling to find work (internships, part-time, etc) or something to do. As a student who is serious about her career and education, I found it only necessary to search for an internship that would not only enhance my skills, but give me a chance to grow as a professional. Over the Spring Break, I interviewed an event planning and event design company, Pure Dymonds Events. All I can say is that from the moment I walked in to CEO/Designer/Special Events Manager Tricia Epps' office, I knew this was the employer for me.

     For the clients who like feathers, Pure Dymonds is for you. If you like unique lamp shades and decor, Pure Dymonds is for you. Oh, and if you like being able to go to one place for all of your event planning needs, Pure Dymonds is defiantly for you. Tricia Epps and her team take every step to make your event a night to remember. This is a company that takes your vision and makes them a reality with packages for every budget.
 

    Pure Dymonds is where simplicity meets chic!

To learn more about Pure Dymonds Events click here.

When You've Hit Rock Bottom....

It's mid-term season and many college students are beginning to feel the pressures of assignments and exams. As someone who has experienced rock bottom, I can safely say that I am amongst the many college students that are about to hit the floor...hard. Why don't I take a break? No, it's not my pride or dedication; it's my tolerance level. 
     A college junior/senior who's taking 18 credits, carrying an internship on her shoulders, and positions within organizations, there's only so much I can hold back. My studies have not been effected, but a lot of my "slack" is because I am waiting for professors to reach back out to be with my assignments to edit. This seems rather odd and unconventional, but I do assure you that it makes sense. Why haven't I blocked out time? I have, but there's only so much that can be done in that block of time. School is just like a job; you have a set amount of hours to work and if the job gets done, it's done, if not, then worry about it the next day. Currently I am writing a research paper (which I have a screen report and critical essays due around the same time), preparing for a History mid-term exam and essay, as well as a group project for Event Planning. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. 
     My high school took college very seriously and from this I learned that my high school practically taught me how to procrastinate, and to do it extremely well. No, I do not encourage procrastination, but everyone will listen to my advice differently. I do my best work when under pressure and believe me, I do it extremely well. Oh, and did I mention I'm applying for graduate school as well? From all of my assignments, work, and my application I have to say that I will be hitting rock bottom very soon and I am ready for the consequences I may face. 
     "Tamara, do you have any advice?" Yes I do. Take everything in doses and organize yourself. Each Sunday I set up a schedule for my internship (social media), and Tuesdays I sleep in a little and get right to work unless I have appointments or tutoring. Honestly, these are things that make your life so much easier and will benefit you in the long run (especially tutoring because your work can be completed here). On a lighter note, make sure your time is well distributed. As I write this, I'm actually waiting for a friend to bring me my English binder so I can work on my paper. This allows me to send my readers a message showing them how I deal with the situation. 

     I hope you found this slightly useful. If you have any questions just leave them in the comments below or tweet me on Twitter (LaPrincesaLola). 

XOXO

Hookah Luxury to Go

Have you ever wanted to go to a hookah or shisha lounge, but didn't have the time or money? Luxury Lites, a company specializing in electronic and disposable hookahs and cigarettes, is making a difference in lives everywhere. Luxury Lites offers an array of  flavors from strawberry daiquiri to mint chocolate, apple cider, and more. Each Hookah is designed for up to 700 puffs (according to my distributor). All I know if that this is probably the best $12 I've spent in a very long time; that's a promise!

      Can Luxury Lites products be ordered online? Yes! Luxury Lites ships across the country and internationally.  Shipping varies by location, however they company does provide a tracking number, and if ordered before 2pm, shipments go out that same day. This is an offer that can't be passed up, but of course, you must be at least 18 years old to order (for all of you underage smokers, I do apologize, but it's the law). If you find this to be a product you can benefit from or enjoy try it; Luxury Lites is the way to go!

My favorite is Strawberry Daiquiri (far right)

Facebook: Luxury Lites

Luxury Lites Website

NACA What!?

Okay, so for the past couple of days (and until Wednesday morning) I've been in Nashville, Tennessee for the National Association for Campus Activities Convention! For those of you who do not know what NACA is, most colleges and universities have an office for campus activities. This rangers from clubs, honor societies, Greek Life, and so much more. The options are endless. Where I attend school, our clubs do their absolute best to put on events for the student body. Our programming committee and and student activities office (as a team) put on events throughout the year for students, and the first 50 days and 50 nights are geared toward incoming students. Many schools find it difficult to plan events for theri demographic, and as a delegation, my university chose nine (9) students to attend the NACA conference to bring back and plan events for the coming semester and year.

     I know it sounds cheesy, but it's really a lot of fun. There are education events, and I'm not going to lie, they are a tad uninteresting, but maybe that's because some of the things they go over are common sense (at least for me), but it's a really great program. From education offerings to career preperation to club and lecture showcases, and even the campus marketplace, my first conference has been so much fun.

    Did you think I was going to let myself stay in a convention center all day? Um, that would be a no! As a team, my peers and I (along with our advisor of course) have branched out and vistited Braodway (downtown Nashville) and visited some interesting eateries. Let me tell you something; I don't think I've eaten this good in a very long time. I love BBQ and that's exactly what I've had since we've been here. Would I change my mind? Nope!

    For those of you who think I'm a little hyper at the moment, I am. Energy drinks are not in my vocabulary, however, tea and sugar are (I apologize for the craziness in advance via YouTube). Tuesday night or sometime on Wednesday when I get back to New York I will be doing a video on YouTube on my experience at NACA. Yes, I will be posting it here, but I have so much to share with you all that I cannot possibly type it and it sound at all enthusiastic. However, until then, please be careful with the consumption of Arnold Palmer and alcohol you consume (I am not condoning drinking, however if you are over the age of 21, Arnold Palmer and a little bit of vodka or tequila does the trick--at least that's what I've heard).

Have a wonderful week!!!!!

XOXO

Intern SPR 2013: Latino U College Access :

As many of you know I have not been actively blogging since November 2012. To my loyal readers, I deeply apologize for my absence. Since November I have been interning for a brand new non-profit organization, Latino U College Access. The goal of the organization is to educate the Latino community in the local Westchester, NY area on the importance of an education. I absolutely love the organization and being a part of a movement that impacts many people, to include first generation Latino students.
Being an intern has taught me so much, and every day I learn something new. I was hired by the CEO/Founder, Shirley Buontempo at my university's career fair, and I am the developer of the organization's Facebook (Latino U College Access) and Twitter (LatinoUAccess). You can find daily tips and information on the college experience from admissions to financial aid to successful Latino grads (I call the, Latinos in the Spotlight)!

Take a moment to think back to your college admissions process and what you went through. Tough, huh? Visit our Facebook and Twitter to slip a peak at what Latino U can offer to Westchester community.

Be safe, choose wisely, and fill out your FAFSA!

XOXO

Up, Up, and Not Getting a Pricey Ticket

As the holiday season approaches, many college students, families, and companies are planning their annual trips across the country and abroad. Since the economy has been, for the lack of a better word, falling and crashing, the price of airline tickets has gone up dramatically, and the longer you wait to purchase tickets, the higher the tickets get. I'm not saying the economy is on a rock-bottom field, but the country is struggling. Though I would love to go into depth about this topic, I'm not going to because it'll make your journey home or vacation rougher than it needs to be. How do we fix this problem?

      Organization, strategy, and budgets are very important. You may not think this is the solution to the problem, but in reality it does help a tremendous amount. In my various trips through the years, I have found that airlines love the hike of prices around Thanksgiving and the beginning of December, especially because they know some colleges don't post the schedules for finals until that time, making finances a little more difficult for students to overcome. My suggestion? Talk to your professors as soon as possible. Many of my professors have their own dates set for finals, which tend to be different than what the university advertises. Be safe and speak up around October/November to get the best answer and the best estimate of time.

      Now, what airline is the most efficient for college students? Personally, I feel that Southwest Airlines is my airline of choice for domestic travels, especially when visiting my parents. Not only are the tickets reasonably priced (typically), but you get two (2) checked bags for FREE! They don't fly everywhere, but check your local airport and your destination just in case. As far as international travel, I suggest Delta Airlines (even though I'm not a huge fan, my international flights have gone very well with Delta), Jet Blue, and sometimes United Airways or American Airlines. Granted they're not as good as one would like them to be, they work with you and are usually the only companies that fly to almost every airport in the country. Either way, make the best decision you can, and always call for assistance (some give student or government rates depending on the situation). Be smart!

     I hope this helped with your travel questions and worries. Flying isn't always the easiest or cheapest, but it is the most efficient. Research, question, book, and save.

Happy travels!