college

Last First Day of School

Posted on by thepatternedprep

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Hello friends! I decided to take a break from the Paris blog posts today because today is an important day in the life of Morgan.

Today, August 28th, 2017, I have my last first day of school (minus grad school but that is going to be a completely different experience). I cannot believe I have been through so much to finally say I am experiencing my final first day.

People truly are not lying when they say college flies by. I remember moving in my freshman year, so nervous to meet new people but extremely excited to be experiencing a new place. Sophomore year I knew more of what I was doing but was definitely having to adjust to harder classes and a harder schedule. Then junior year came around and I felt like more of an adult, moving into my first apartment and taking more of a leadership role in certain clubs. Finally, we are here. Senior year. I have such mixed feelings of excitement and nostalgia.

On one hand, this is the last year of my life that will ever be like this. Living with really close friends, getting to have more free time than I would with a job but also having to focus extremely hard on finishing the year strong with great grades. At the end of this year, I can add JMU alum to my list of attributes.

I was trying to think of some goals I want to focus on this year. Here’s what I came up with…

  1. Make Dean’s list both semesters
  2. Say yes to hanging out with more people, rather than staying in my own bubble
  3. Complete my senior year bucket list (a post on that is probably to come)
  4. Grow my relationship with Jesus
  5. Take lots of pictures

I mean, I have a lot more goals than that, but I just want to make senior year something worth remembering. This year is a year for work, fun, friends, and memories and I could not be more excited for it.

SENIOR YEAR BABY! Here goes nothing!

xoxo Morgan

Home Away From Home

Posted on by thepatternedprep

Happy July 24th lovely friends! I am back at school for the week to complete my EMT shifts for July. Coming back to the apartment I have been in for the past year and will be again for this year has been such a blessing. I did not have to move out and am so thankful to be able to stay in one place. It’s rough as a college student to have to change where you live every year. You still have your room at home but when your home away from home keeps changing, settling in takes longer.

I figured I would do a post of things that are definitely a necessity when living in a dorm or your first apartment when it comes to making it feel like home, rather than just a temporary dwelling. When you put effort into the little details, it makes life ten times better.

  1. Fuzzy robe // There’s nothing better than getting out of a warm shower and putting a comfy fuzzy robe. Sometimes I even just put it on in the morning or if I’m doing a face mask at night.
  2. Blankets and Pillows // Staying on the comfy note, I am a big advocate for the more blankets and pillows the better. I legitimately have a ladder full of blankets and my bed is filled with unnecessary pillows.tumblr_oba9l6D7g01qa8rqwo2_500tumblr_oba9l6D7g01qa8rqwo1_500
  3. Christmas lights // Honestly, this one couldn’t be more basic (see how basic you are on this post) but like the best thing is plugging in some lights and just hanging watching netflix.
  4. Pictures of people you care about // I take so many pictures so this one is a given. Putting up pictures of family and friends remind me of the people that love me, which makes me feel at home. (also pictures of my dogs make my heart happy).
  5. A piece of home // This can be completely different for everyone. I have trinkets from home, like an elephant figurine or a cute fake flower. Sometimes this can be completely different too. I know cooking something that my family eats a lot also helps it feel like home. Bake some cookies and make the house smell like love.

There are honestly sooooo many more things but I tried to keep it to five. I always love painting canvases so I have a few of those up as well. I actually need to make more canvases for my future glittles (AH news about that COMING SOON).

ALSO I have another big announcement… the Van fam is going to PARIS! I literally cannot wait. I am already planning outfits in my head and cannot wait to picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower and get macarons from Ladurée.

But anyway, what are you fav things to make your place at school feel like home?

xoxo Morgan

The Patterned Prep Room Tour

Posted on by thepatternedprep

Hey MTV welcome to my crib! Happy Monday folks! Today I thought I would show you around the little humble abode that is my room here at school. It has definitely been added to since I moved in at the beginning of last year. I feel like I have added a lot of my own little personal touches to make a basic apartment my own. So without further adieu, let’s take a lot!

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When you first walk into my room, there’s a little hallway with my bathroom on the left and a few hooks for my coats on the right.

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Here’s obviously the best corner of my room. My bedding is from Kate Spade and I have way too many throw pillows obviously. I decided to put my printer under my nightstand to save space in my room. This picture also features my fav collection on my mug rack. I also used a Lilly Pulitzer cooler as a storage bin.

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I made the wooden wall hanging on the right. The bottom frame has a piece from Evelyn Henson. The top frame is completely lame because I didn’t replace the frame picture with anything but I don’t think it looks too terribly bad.

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The top piece is one of my favorites from Hobby Lobby. From left to right on the bottom: the left is from pinterest, I made the middle, and the right I found in my grandmother’s house.

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I always love adding pieces that I made to a room. The top I made while making presents for my little. I also keep my monthly mantra on my mirror near my bed since it is something I see each day.

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The two images above feature my desk. I try to make it as functional yet aesthetically pleasing as possible. I also have a plethora of candles sporadically placed around my room and they are constantly being rotated. Another thing near my desk is my blanket ladder, an idea I found on Pinterest and took me forever to find the perfect ladder at an antique store.

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Another favorite of mine is my record player. I recently bought a few more records including the Dirty Dancing soundtrack which has been on nonstop this week.

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My closet is where I take most OOTD pictures and where I keep the probably insane amount of clothes and shoes I own. I am currently doing a method to get rid of some of my clothes which I will let you know about by the end of June!

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A final detail of my room is my dresser. My jewelry tree and random things bin (or junk bin as some would call it) help keep me organized and ready to go.

So that about covers my room! If you want any details of how I organize it, comment below any questions!

xoxo Morgan

Finals Week Essentials

Posted on by thepatternedprep

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Hey y’all! Happy Friday lovelies! I would like to say yes it’s finally the weekend but this weekend is not going to be a break because finals are upon us. All college students will be living in every library and coffee shop around campus. Study sessions last all day and for some people all night (I am not one for all nighters if I can help it).

I know there are definitely some things that I have to have for those long study days so I figured I would share my wisdom and maybe y’all could comment some of your tips to help a sister out!

  1. Coffee // Obviously that is going to be the number one thing on this coffee addict’s list. I always like using coffee as a sort of motivation that if I get x amount of studying done then I can treat myself.
  2. Granola bars // It is really hard to study on an empty stomach so having a granola bar on hand is always helpful. Lately I have been liking Nature Valley Oats and Honey bars and I have been dying to try a Larabar because I’ve heard great reviews.
  3. Cardigan // Whether you prefer a cardigan or a sweatshirt, you will want to bring it or you’ll regret it. I always get chilly and having something easy to throw on is always helpful.
  4. Chargers // There’s nothing worse than when you are studying and your laptop (or phone because c’mon everyone takes breaks).
  5. Water bottle // Gotta stay hydrated and keep that brain hydrated so you can pump out those long hours.
  6. A positive attitude // The most important thing to get you through finals is just staying positive during all of the studying and keeping in mind my last coffee date.

I know finals can be scary but we are all more prepared than we think. We just need to breathe and pray and all will be well. It is all gonna be ok, friends. Study what you can. Get some sleep. Take breaks everyone once in awhile. You are so smart and finals will not change that.

Let me know if you have anymore tips in the comments below.

xoxo Morgan