20 Things to Do Before Your First Day of Law School

The start of school is fast approaching. For all those soon to be 1L's, this is a very exciting and nerve wracking time. As a list maker, I am always writing lists of what all I have to do before _____ (whatever is coming up). This time last year, I had lists all over my house of all the things I needed to do before starting my 1L year. To help all the new 1L's (and even 2Ls and 3Ls), I have compiled all of that into one big master list of the things you need to do before starting law school... I included some GIF's to hopefully keep you laughing and keep the stress level low. Also, I included a printable checklist to help! I hope it helps!

Download here

1. Buy Books 
Don't wait until the last minute to buy books. The University bookstore is usually more expensive and if you start early you can find better deals online.

2. Organize Financial Aid
Make sure your finances, whatever they may be, are in order so that you can start school in the clear! It never hurts to double check even if you did this previously.

3. Scope Out Parking
Nothing is worse than getting to school on the first day and making yourself late by not finding a parking spot or not knowing where to park. Make a point to scope out the parking situation and ask upperclassmen how the parking is when school is in session (busy times, etc.). This way you can arrive on your first day knowing what to expect parking wise.

Don't pull a Ross

4. Buy School Supplies
Go get your folders, binders, notebooks, highlighters, etc. Make sure everything is organized and ready to go for your first day. If you wait too long, the stores will be super picked over and the good stuff will be gone. More info on school supplies here. Also, get a planner. Trust me- you absolutely need one to stay sane and organized in law school.

5. Sign up for Lexis Nexis
You can sign up for Lexis Nexis and start earning rewards points before school even starts! They offer many videos and information that may help with your first day reading as well.

6. Pick out a First Day Outfit 
Maybe I am extra crazy, but I have always made a point to pick out the perfect first day of school outfit. I feel like it sets the tone for the semester. Especially for your first day of law school, this is your first impression to your classmates so you want to make it a good one. Take 10 minutes and put together a killer outfit that makes you feel confident and bad ass to rock on your first day!

7. Print Syllabi 
Print your class syllabi and figure out what each teacher is looking for. Can you use a computer? Is there a midterm? What is the first reading assignment? You can take all the dates and assignments and add them to your planner. It is good to go into day one with an idea of what your professor is looking for and news flash, law school doesn't really do syllabus day so it is up to you- they won't spoon feed it to you like undergrad.

8. Complete First Day Reading
Finish your first-day reading assignments sooner rather than later. Don't wait until the night before- you will go crazy. Start early and spread it out over a bit of time so you can slowly acclimate to the massive amounts of reading. Take good notes because you never know who will be the first person cold called. You do not want to recreate that famous scene from the movie The Paper Chase.

9. Double Check Classroom Locations
Once in undergrad, I went to my first day of class only to find a locked classroom and no other students. I quickly double checked the classroom online and realized it had been changed since I had last checked a week or so before classes started. Needless to say, I ended up running across campus and being late for my first day of class. To avoid this, double check classroom locations the night before your classes. You do not want to be late to your first law school classes; it makes for a poor first impression and you will get a crappy seat.

Don't be this guy

10. Make Laptop Updates
Make sure any updates are done to your laptop before starting classes. You don't want it to suddenly decide to complete that update you have been putting off in the middle of your first class while you are typing out notes.

11. Pack a Tote/Bookbag
I always like to have my chosen bag packed and ready to go the night before an event or in this case, the first day of classes. It makes me feel prepared and less stressed. I suggest packing your tote or bookbag ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need and to make the first morning a little smoother. Also it is good to know if everything will fit or not and if you need to reevaluate what bag you carry. Here is everything I keep in my law school book bag: Whats in My Bookbag- Law School Edition.

12. Invest in a Lunchbox
Packing a daily lunch saves you soooo much money over going out to eat every day. It is also healthier than getting fast food all the time. Go ahead and invest in a lunchbox- you will not be sorry!

13. Decide on a Study Space
I knew from the beginning I would primarily study at home. Therefore, I set up a home office to be my study space. Decide you a place where you will study productively and without distractions and plan on it. If you decide on the library, plan to head there after classes to finish the next days reading. If it is at home, have your desk clean and organized so you can come home from the first classes and get to work. If it is a local coffee shop or cafe, put aside $5-10 to treat yourself while you study there. Wherever you decide to study, plan on it and try to stick to it from the start. You may find that you original plan didn't work and there is no harm in changing up your study location. Just figure out a plan and try to stick to it. It helps to form a routine.

14. Explore Your New City
Not everyone moves to a new city for law school but many do. Before classes start and you get caught up in the hustle of 1L year, try to do some exploring in your new city. Try some restaurants, find a cute coffee shop, find the closest and most well stocked target and if you have time check out some local attractions such as zoo's and museums. It is nice to take some time to become familiar with your new city and gain some affinity for it. After all, you will be spending 3 years here so get comfortable.

15. Prep a Few Meals
I am super into meal planning/prepping. It saves me so much time and stress to have everything planned out ahead of time for what we are eating for the week. I have an entire blog post all about my meal planning and prepping (view it here). Your first few days (and probably weeks) of law school will be hectic and stressful. I suggest stocking up on a groceries ahead of time and planning some easy meals, lunches and snacks so you aren't stressing about cooking or spending a bunch of money on fast food the first little bit of law school.

16. Fill Your Gas Tank
Confession time: I was almost late to my first day of law school classes because I had to stop and get gas last minute because I didn't realize it was low. Avoid my mistake and go into the first day of classes with a full tank of gas... no matter how broke tuition has made you.

17. Do a Social Media Clean Up
Law school is your first foray into the legal community and your classmates will likely become a part of your professional community. It is a good idea to make a little clean up of your social media accounts: remove pictures featuring lots of alcohol (a glass of wine is usually okay), crazy college party pictures, swear words, excessive amounts of selfies, etc. You want people to see a professional image when they search your social media pages (because you know they will be after orientation). You don't want your first impressions to be marked by some old stuff on social media accounts. Another idea is to put strong privacy settings on or change you name on social media but millennials are as bad as the FBI- if they want to find your social media, they will. It is a good practice to start cleaning up your social media now because future jobs will also look at social media accounts and you want a professional image.

18. Rest Up
Law school usually leads to less sleep than you may prefer. Sleep in while you can and take a few naps. You want to start out feeling rested and ready to rock!

19. Relax
Law school is stressful and hectic and relaxation time will be a rare treat. Take some time now to relax and do things you enjoy.

20. Treat Yo' Self
Along with resting and relaxing, it's great to pamper yourself before law school starts. Go for a mani-pedi if you can afford it or just do it at home. Get your eyebrows waxed and maybe a fresh hairdo. Take a bubble bath and do a face mask. Go for a shopping trip and grab Starbucks. Pamper yourself now because you are about to put your mind to quite a challenge. Channel your inner Tom and Donna and treat yo' self.

Enjoy these last few weeks before law school but make sure you get everything done so you are not scrambling at the last minute. Good luck!

Helpful printables: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LegalDuchessShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Why I Meal Plan + Free Printable

Happy August! I realize I am almost a week late for that... life's been a little crazy... being married, taking care of three dogs, being a homeowner, interning, blogging, classes- there is a lot going on. Because I am so busy, I have had to smarten up about planning. Particularly for shopping and cooking. My husband is on a gluten free diet which limits the options for quick dinners. Also, we generally prefer and enjoy eating homemade, healthy food. In order to accomplish this along with our busy schedules, I have become rather good at meal planning. It is so easy to come home from a long day at school or work and just opt to go out, eat something frozen or just snack on junk instead of eating a good healthy meal. It is very tempting to me to do that if I have not planned and shopped accordingly.

Meal planning ensures that I have a well stocked kitchen, a predetermined plan for what we will eat each day and eliminates the "what do you want to eat" discussion that can be never ending. Meal planning is not too difficult. On Sunday, I sit down with my recipes and a notepad and I make up a shopping list and what we will eat for the week. I try to change it up so we have a varied diet and keep the dinners from getting repetitive. Here is my meal planning process and a sample of what my meal plan was for this week.

What to Wear to Every Type of Summer Wedding

Summer is wedding season... everyone knows that. However, every wedding is different and there are many different dress codes. Not sure what to wear? No worries! I am here to help.

I have partnered with Bonobos fashion to provide a guide of what to wear for every variety of summer wedding. Bonobos is a classic fashion destination for men so check it out to get your wedding date/boyfriend/fiance/husband dressed to impress and within the dress code for every type of summer wedding. They offer every kind of men's attire and it is all very stylish and quality.

A Little Update in Life and Law

Hello all!

I have been so preoccupied with posting tips for incoming 1L's, I realized I hadn't really shared some of the big life changes going on in my life lately.

First up, a life update. As my Instagram followers likely noticed, my husband and I just returned from a week long vacation to the midcoast of Maine. We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed the scenery and time with family. We were overdue for some time to just relax together without the day to day stresses of being homeowners and dog parents, working and school. At just over a year of marriage, it is so nice to sit back and just enjoy each others company and remember that we are still newlyweds living our happily ever after. As for the midcoast of Maine, it is one of my favorite places in the world. I am going to be posting a travel guide soon for anyone thinking of taking a trip there.

My favorite little town in the world with my favorite guy in the world ❤️ #maine #nofilter #newlyweds

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Aug 3, 2017 at 4:07pm PDT

Last day in paradise calls for coffee with the best view ☕️️😍 #maine #nofilter

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Aug 4, 2017 at 9:56am PDT

This summer I have had time to read some books I have been dying to read, catch up on some TV shows I enjoy, see some new movies and spend time with family. I have been making a point to put my new FitBit to use and I started running aagin- must get back in shape!

Iced coffee and starting a new book makes for a lovely Wednesday evening 📚📖 #guiltypleasureread #blogger

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Jul 19, 2017 at 3:41pm PDT

I finally got to show my horse again with great success after a year hiatus.

I spent some time babysitting my little nephew- he is getting so big and my dogs just love him!

I chopped my hair off and it is the shortest it has been in about 10 years. I feel so light and fresh- nothing like new hair!

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Jul 29, 2017 at 10:08am PDT

As for an update in my life legally, I am just about finished with my summer internship. I have been interning at my local Prosecutors office- criminal felony division.  I have absolutely loved my experience and I am going to miss everyone in the office dearly. I have learned so much through the summer and my writing and research skills are vastly improved. It has served to reaffirm my decision to pursue a career in criminal law.

Sunny, warm days make it harder to spend my day working inside this building. At least it is a beautiful place to work and I'm doing something I am truly passionate about! #lawstudent #legalintern #courthouse #prosecutorsoffice

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Jun 9, 2017 at 9:14am PDT

As for next summer, I have already secured a position clerking for a local common pleas judge. I have worked with this judge some throughout my internship this summer and I am so excited to work closely with her next summer. She is 35, a wife, a mom, a judge and in every way a complete badass and huge role model to me! I am so excited for where that experience will take me and what I will learn... and it is a big relief to already have a position secured this early and not have to worry about it anymore.

I will be starting my 2L year in about 2 weeks and I am very excited for some new things. First, I was selected as a member of our schools Moot Court team and I will be arguing Products Liability. I am so honored to have been one of few selected out of our 1L class for this opportunity. Second, I will be working in my school's admissions office as a student representative. I will be giving tours, helping with social media, working the desk, etc. I will get paid through work study so it will be nice to have a little extra cash flow! I think it will be really fun and I am so excited to help welcome our new 1L class at orientation in a week or so.

Overall, summer 2017 has been pretty darn great and I am so excited for upcoming adventures and challenges. Thank you to everyone who has followed my little blog and my crazy life- the comments, messages, and notes I get just make my day!

What to Expect from Law School Orientation

The beginning of school is sneaking right up on us. Law school will be here before we know it! For the incoming 1L's, that means orientation time. Law school orientation is the first step in the law school journey and I know around this time last year, I was very nervous for it. It is hard to know what to expect- undergrad orientation is usually an experience for making friends and getting to know your new city. Law school orientation is more a time for letting you know how hard your next three years will be and telling you how to survive. Law school orientation is an important part of the experience as a 1L but try not to be too nervous- it's only step one.

How to Care for Thin Hair

I think every girl wishes for long, luscious, thick hair. Some are lucky. Other have wispy thin hair... myself included. It has been a lifelong battle to work with my thin hair to make it look voluminous and to grow it longer. I finally have a system that truly works so I am sharing it in the hopes it will help other thin, fine haired ladies out there.

1. Beauty from the Inside Out
Beauty starts inside so I make sure I am eating and drinking things that will help my hair grow. I take a gummy vitamin every morning specially made for hair, skin and nail health. I have noticed a significant difference in my hair and nail growth. Also, vitamins are never a bad idea in general so what can it hurt? These are a great price and do the trick very nicely.

2. Shower Smart
Thin hair cannot be washed and treated in the same way as thick hair. If you do not wash often enough, it gets super oily. Too much washing dries out the scalp and causes dandruff. There has to be a happy medium. I wash my hair about 5x a week to keep from drying it out but I have to keep it from getting oily. Dry shampoo is my BEST friend for my oily hair and helps me to skip a few washes. To combat the dry scalp and dandruff, I use a paraben free Tea Tree Shampoo. Tea tree is great for itchy, dry scalp and it seems to keep the dandruff away. For conditioner, I use something light and I do not condition at the roots because that causes it to be flat and oily. I love Costco brand conditioner but when that is not available, I use this as an alternative. About once a week I use a deep conditioner to try to strength my thin locks.

            

3. Quality Products

I have tried SO many products over the years and I have probably thrown 95% of them away because they just do not work. I finally hit upon great products that do what they claim. The Kristin Ess collection at Target is amazing. The quality of the products for the prices is unbeatable. I use the Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner spray after showering to detangle, add shine, and shield my hair from heat damage. I then use the Instant Lift Thickening spray on my roots to gain some body and volume in my thin hair. Lastly, I finish off my hair style with the Refine Signature Finishing Spray which provides a light hold and brushable finish. These products do not weigh down my thin hair and they do what they need to. I am hooked!! 

4. The Right Tools

My thin, fine hair is so tangled. I have struggled for years with brushing it out and finally the hair gods smiled upon me and I found this miracle brush. Game. Changer. You can buy them almost anywhere and they work SO well. Go buy one. Or three. Now.

Thin hair can be a struggle to style in any way except for straight. Thin hair is also more susceptible to heat damage. Using the right products will help to style without ruining your hair. I use a CHI Flat Iron and it is seriously the best. Don't believe me? Check out this research on the best Flat Iron from Reviews.com. They agree- CHI is one of the best on the market.

I also have a Hot Shot Tools Curling Wand. I was always unable to curl my hair successfully and have it stay until I found this superstar. I curl in the morning, spray on one coat of finishing spray and the curls or waves will hold for days. Seriously it is the greatest thing ever. I avoid blow drying my hair as much as possible but when I absolutely have to, this is my go to blow dryer.

           

5. When to Cut

Though it seems odd, it is actually best to cut your hair more often to keep it healthy and growing. I usually go to the salon 4 times a year for a trim and fresh highlights. In my experience, layers help to add some volume to my hair but only when done right. So be particular with your stylist. 

There you go, all my times for caring for your thin hair. It is not always easy but you live with what you have. 

How to Set Up a Study Space for Law School

Law school = massive amounts of studying. No way around it... unless you want to fail. Everyone is different so some people prefer to study only at school, some study in coffee shops and some study only at home. Personally, I am a homebody so I primarily study at home. Thankfully, my husband and I have a 3 bedroom house so I was able to turn one room into an office.

It has taken some time but I finally feel like I have a study space that is functional, aesthetically pleasing and works for me. It is where I do 90% of my studying and it is a space where I feel comfortable and inspired to work.

The Best Planner for Law School + Free Promo Code!

Law school makes life rather busy. I relied heavily on my planner during my first year to keep myself organized and in control. I kept track of homework, reading, meetings, things to do, cleaning and meal planning all within my planner. I am pretty obsessive about my planner and I color code everything. It keeps me happy to open my planner and find it pretty and organized.

20 Things Every Law Student Needs Before Starting Law School

Are you gearing up for your first year of law school??? The last bit of time before the first year starts in nerve-wracking. I spent it trying desperately to prepare myself for the experience: what I would wear, what I would need and what an outline was. It is very hard to prepare and know what to expect from an experience like law school. Also, people were always asking what I needed. I didn't even know what I needed let alone tell them what to get me! So, I have compiled a list of the things I could not have survived my first year of law school without.

5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Starting Law School

Well, incoming 1L's... summer is flying by and you will soon be official law students. This time last year, I was a mix of nerves, excitement, and trepidation. I read everything I could get my hands on to help prepare but I was so very nervous. For all of you feeling the same way, just try to enjoy your summer.  Now that I am officially a 2L, I reflect back on my 1L year and all the things I learned. Here are 5 things I wish I would have known prior to starting law school.

How to Survive Your First Legal Internship

Law school is a whole new world.... as soon as you finish your first year and have it semi figured out, you get thrown into a legal internship which is another whole new world. Many first-year law students find paid internships in firms and such for their first-year summer. I chose a completely different route. I knew I wanted to do criminal law so I got in contact with my local criminal prosecutor's office. They told me it would be unpaid. I decided to seek out an alternative so I am receiving 4 credit hours through my school for my work this summer as well as valuable experience in the legal profession.

Everything You Need to Know About a Disney Honeymoon

It has been almost a full year since we got married and went on a fairytale honeymoon... where has time gone?!? I realized that after all this time I have shared almost nothing about our wedding and honeymoon... So time to remedy that! With no further ado, I am sharing everything about our honeymoon at Walt Disney World!

June Favorites

I can't believe June is almost over! This summer is flying. I am almost finished with my internship, our vacation is coming up very soon and I just had to order my casebooks for fall semester... But I am making the most of the summer while it lasts! Below I have outlined a few of my favorite things from through this June.

1. Lemon Water in the AM
I started putting a few lemon slices in my water- game changer! Not only does my water taste better and I drink more of it, lemon is SO good for you. It aids in digestion, it provides vitamin C, it helps the body to produce collagen which makes for clear and radiant skin and it helps you to lose weight thanks to the pectin in the lemons. I also feel that it gives me great all day energy. I have been loving it! Also, this makes me so basic but lemons in water just look so pretty in a cute mason jar glass.

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Jun 29, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

2. Planet Fitness Membership
My husband and I recently got a Planet Fitness membership and I have finally been getting back into a workout groove. I have been utilizing a "couch to 5K" app on my phone to aid in my workouts as well as the PF 12 Minute Abs each time. I have been sore but it is a good sore. I love feeling my body get back in shape and knowing that I am improving.

Running is hard.... but I'm tired of getting out of breath after one flight of stairs so here we go! pic.twitter.com/KmwgCsSCN9

— Brandy (@Legal_Duchess) June 29, 2017

3. Book Review: Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
I have been reading this on and off throughout the month. It is a historical fiction novel set in World War II London. It follows four young people throughout their war experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is a little slow to start but it gets good after that. It is a lovely account of a fascinating time in history.

4. Caribou Iced Coffee
I loveeeee me some coffee. Like Lorelai Gilmore style, just give me an IV. However, in the summer heat, sometimes I just can't do the hot drink. I love iced coffee but it is so hard to make at home and I am too cheap to stop and buy it every day. I came across Caribou Iced Coffee at the grocery and I am obsessed! It comes ready made, cream and sugar added and the price is super fair. I just pour it over some ice and go on my merry way, iced nectar of the gods in hand.

5. Podcast- Sworn
I am late to the world of Podcasts but I am obsessed. I have been listening on my way to and from work. I most recently listened to Sworn- an examination of the Lake Oconee Murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond. The victims were both in their 80's and he was beheaded (the head has never been found) and she was found in a nearby lake weighed down with concrete blocks. The murders happened in 2014 and yet remain unsolved. Who would kill a couple in their 80's, known to be active in their church and well liked by all? and why?

6. The Great British Baking Show 
I am not sure why I just now found this on Netflix but I am obsessed. First, I adore British people. The accent, the phrases, and the food also looks amazing. Second, Mary Berry is just fantastic. Third, it makes me want to bake, bake, bake all day and my husband has been loving all the baked goods floating around the house as a result. If you haven't watched this show, you should. It is a gem.

I've been watching the Great British Baking Show all evening and it got me inspired so I whipped up some homemade double chocolate chip muffins for breakfast tomorrow. Anyone else obsessed with this show?!? 🇬🇧🍪🍰 #ilovebaking #ineedsugar #imnotontheirlevel #notveryprettypresentation

A post shared by Brandy- The Legal Duchess (@thelegalduchess) on Jun 28, 2017 at 6:26pm PDT

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend full of family, friends, and America!

How to Buy 1L Books on a Budget

Welcome to law school... if tuition doesn't make you broke, the textbooks will! Law school casebooks are big, heavy monsters that update constantly. You often have to buy brand new because the law is ever changing and older editions may no longer be relevant. It makes for a very expensive process when they range from $150-300 per piece and that's not counting supplements. My first year of law school books cost around $1500 total. Now that I am a rising 2L, I have a pretty good system for finding books on a budget, which my sweet husband is very appreciative of. Here are my top tips!

Blue Gingham and other Fun 4th of July Dress Picks

It's almost Independence day!!! As a proud American, I adore this holiday. As a history nerd, I love the surrounding history of it. As a basic white girl, I love picking out a dress to wear for the event. I also love sparklers... and the only appropriate holiday is Independence day.

6 Wedding Gifts Millennials Will Love

It's wedding season!!! I have already been to two this year! All this has me thinking about my own wedding and I can't believe it has been almost a full year since my wedding.... time flies when you're married to your best friend! Looking back at our wedding, I can't help but remember all the wonderful gifts we received from our family and friends. The outpouring of love was amazing. As time passes, I have taken note of some particularly useful gifts that have really become staples of our millennial lives. So here are 6 wedding gifts millennials will love.

1. Cash
Good old fashioned cash... you can never go wrong. We got married right out of college and right after we bought our first house. Any cash we received helped us immensely to allow for honeymoon splurges or to buy curtains for our new house. Any young couple starting out can always use a little extra cash if you don't know what else to get.

2. Kitchen Aid Mixer
My Kitchen Aid is my favorite item in my entire kitchen. This is a great gift to maybe buy with a group of fellow friends to help out with the cost but to get the bride and groom an item they will use for the rest of their lives. It is a kitchen staple for a reason- you can use it for anything and everything and it just looks so darn cute sitting there. Mine is a soft turquoise and I am completely obsessed with it. This is a gift that you can't go wrong with!

3. A Keurig
Millenials seems to be a synonym for coffee obsessed. I don't know many couples who wouldn't be ecstatic to receive a Keurig as a wedding gift. I personally use ours every single day. It;s another pricey gift but one which will be loved and appreciated for years to come.

4. A Themed Gift
This is not a gift I received but it is my favorite type of gift to give at weddings. I look at the registry and pick a theme: baking, casseroles, coffee, etc. Once I have that, I pick out a handful of items related to the theme to purchase from the registry. Then I box everything up with a recipe or two for that theme. This could be my favorite baked goods recipes or my easy lasagna recipe or whatever fits the theme. I get so many texts from the couples thanking me for the recipes most of all. It is always fun to make a gift that is unique and slightly outside of the box. Any millennial would love it.

5. Something Personal
Something we received as a wedding gift was a framed copy of our wedding invitation. I will forever have that hanging on our wall to remember our special day. Personal gifts like that are so special and so appreciated. A little thought and creativity can go a long way.

6. "Mr. and Mrs. ___" Gifts
One of our favorite gifts was a set of custom wine glasses that said Mr. and Mrs. Brown. As newlyweds, you get such a kick out of having the same last name and any gifts that highlight that are so fun and so special.


Happy wedding season!

How I am Using Poshmark to Build my Legal Wardrobe

Welcome to the legal profession ladies... you have signed your life away to days in patent leather heels and pencil skirts. Personally, I love getting dressed up. I grew up on a farm so there a part of me that still gets downright giddy to get dressed up in something other than jeans. Now I get dressed up every day... I am interning in the courthouse for the summer so it's blazers and heels for me day in day out. Fun right? Yes. Expensive? Also yes.

I have been stocking up on "lawyer" clothes for a long time. I worked at TJ Maxx all through college and I shopped the sale racks like it was my job for dressy pieces to put into my lawyer wardrobe. The last two Christmases I have asked for shopping trips with my momma for legal clothes. Yet, I still was running out of clothing options by week two of my internship. I am working unpaid this summer and getting class credit. My husband and I are saving up for a vacation and have plenty of bills to pay. There was no spare money for me to go drop a few hundred dollars on fancy dress clothes... it was time to get creative. I have always been a resourceful shopper- I have no qualms about thrifting for quality pieces or picking up a cute shirt at Walmart. I wear what I like and I find cute no matter the brand. Now I am a typical girl and I like to wear good brands but I have never had the budget to buy everything brand new and the top brand. I will never forget desperately wanting a Vera Bradley purse for my freshman year of high school... my mom said it wasn't in the budget to buy the one I wanted brand new since they were putting my older sister through college that year. She gave me a $20 budget for a new purse. I was determined to get a Vera so I got resourceful- I found the purse I wanted in the pattern I wanted on Ebay for $15 with a matching wallet and with shipping in came in right about $20. I got to waltz into my first day of school with my precious Vera and I learned a valuable lesson about budgeting and making the most of a little bit of money and still having quality. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box!

That's a lesson I have never forgotten and something I do to this day. Whenever people compliment my clothes, I love to surprise them by saying this was $5 at Walmart or I found in at Goodwill for $3. Sometimes I buy items with small rips or missing a button- I know how to sew and can fix those things easily and quickly with a needle and thread. I once got a $600 Juicy Couture Dress for $20 because it was missing a button... $0.99 button from Hobby Lobby and 5 minutes of sewing left me with the most gorgeous dress at a steal of a price. That is not to say I never splurge- I adore my Michael Kors purse that I bought with my first paycheck from TJ Maxx. I have a weakness for J. Crew and Vineyard Vines and I will always pay the prices just for the name.

A few months ago someone had mentioned Poshmark to me as a way to sell off an old pair of Jack Rogers sandals that no longer fit. I had downloaded the app and sold my sandals but I never thought anything more about it until I was struggling to find clothes to wear for this summer in the courthouse.

I decided to open the app back up and take a look at some of the dress clothes. I know my sizes pretty well in a variety of brands so I figured why not. GAME CHANGER!

I started searching on Poshmark and I found so many GREAT items.

Here is my $10 Banana Republic Suit in lovely condition.

Here is a Maggie London Sheath Dress I picked up for $18.

Issa? As in the brand Kate Middleton wore for her engagement? In my favorite color green? $23.

Kasper Blazer for $5? Yes please. Pair it with a $10 Banana Repulic Skirt? Gorgeous!

Navy Banana Republic Blazer and Harve Benard Skirt for $16?

Two simple cardigans for the chilly office? $12? Did I mention the brands were Banana Republic and Ann Taylor Loft? No complaints here!

Not for work but for a wedding- Lilly Pulitzer Dress for $50

Can you believe those deals??? And everything has been excellent quality! I feel like I have spent so little money for the quality and quantity of items I am finding! Buying is so easy. Link a paypal account and when you find something you want, you can buy outright or offer a lower price and negotiate back and forth with the seller. You do have to pay for shipping but it is not expensive and sometimes there are even shipping deals. Also, if you find a seller that had a lot of items you like, you can bundle them all together and most sellers offer a discount % on bundles as well as you only pay one shipping fee. It's fantastic!

Additionally, I am selling some of my older clothes I don't wear anymore here to offset the cost. Selling on Poshmark is so simple- take pictures, list it and once it is purchased, they send you a prepaid shipping label to tape onto a box and drop at the post office. Just that simple! Also, if anything you buy doesn't fit or isn't what you want, just resell it right back on poshmark!

Seriously- all you legal ladies on a budget, this app is so worth the download and a little bit of search time. Someday we will be rockstar lady lawyers who can walk in any store and buy whatever we want but that day is not today. Today, we need to look like those future lawyers without blowing every cent in our bank accounts. Poshmark is helping me do that!

Want to sign up and receive $5 to spend right away in your posh-wallet? Sign up with my code: UQNBO!

Happy Poshing ladies!

Bingeworthy TV for the Summer Before Law School

Who doesn't love a good TV binge on Netflix? My husband and I seem to always be starting a new binge on Netflix or Amazon Prime... that's what fills our Friday and Saturday nights because we are clearly wild 23-year-olds... not.

Here is a list of a few of my favorites that would be a great way to relax and get in some good TV time before law school and reading cases consumes your life.

Why I Changed to Natural Cleaning Products

Who else actually loves cleaning?? Like I am talking Monica Geller style love of cleaning. Everything thinks I am crazy but nothing is more therapeutic or fulfilling to me than some good ole' fashion scrubbing and a nice clean house. My mom instilled a desire for cleanliness in me from a young age and I have always been a crazy clean freak.

Given that, I am always on the search for new and better cleaning products. Lately, I have been searching to make my cleaning products more natural and less harmful. After trying many products that simply do not work, I stumbled upon the Mrs. Meyers brand cleaning products. Game changer!

Once discovering these products, I began the search for the best deal on them because I am ever the bargain shopper... something else I learned from my momma. Enter the Grove Collaborative. Not only do they offer a huge range of natural products; they offer great prices, tons of deals and even auto shipments so your monthly cleaning supplies show up on your doorstep without even having to think about it!! It is fantastic anyone like me that like to clean often and uses things up quickly.

I am sharing my first shipment with you as well as my thoughts after using the items for a few weeks now.

Cleaning Supplies

Mrs. Meyers Hand Soap (Bluebell scent)
Oh this hand soap... fantastic. Very bubbly, smells fantastic and leaves your hands clean and soft. I am obsessed.

Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap (Lemon Verbena scent)
This is so great. It cleans the dishes SO well, smells great and I know that it is a natural product on the items I eat off. I always hated the idea of any residue that was harmful left on our eating utensils and with this, I do not have to worry.

Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface Cleaner (Basil scent)
The basil scent may be my favorite. I have been using this cleaner all over my kitchen literally every day. Counters, stove top, stainless steel... I use it everywhere for a good, natural clean.

Method Anti-bac Bathroom Cleaner
This is not Mrs. Meyers but I gave it a shot anyway. I am so happy with it in my bathrooms! SO clean! and that spearmint smell is fantastic! Getting bacteria out of a bathroom without harsh chemicals is not easy but this cleaner does it.

Extras

Bubble Up Dish Brush Set
This little thing... omg. You just drop some soap into the bowl, add some warm water, push the brush down inside a few times and scrub-a-dub-dub- clean dishes! This was included in my first order for free so win-win!

Mrs. Meyers Candle (Geranium scent)
This candle smells SO good and is lasting forever! Solid candle purchase for sure.

Bobble water bottle
I absolutely love these!! I can have filtered water anywhere! Also, super eco-friendly. Another win-win.

Glass Spray Bottle 
This was another freebie... so far I have not decided what to use it for but it is always good to have an extra spray bottle laying around.


I am placing another order in a few weeks with a few repeats and a few new things to try. I have been so happy with everything I purchased as well as the fast shipping and excellent service. If you want to place your own order, use this link to get $10 off your first order!!

Happy natural cleaning!

Why the First Semester of Law School Does Not Define You

If you have been reading for a while, you may know that I struggled with my first semester of law school. If you have not been reading for a while, here's the cliff notes version: I entered law school having always been a top student, one of the smartest in my classes, on a full-tuition scholarship and having just graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual Bachelors degrees. I was ready to crush law school just like everything else. Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about school and studying didn't work and I was surrounded by people just as smart and often smarter than me. That was a big adjustment. I questioned myself and my choice to attend law school daily. Eventually, I got into the swing of things and it got easier. Then, I took law school exams... wow. They were unlike any exam I had ever completed and I struggled. A lot. No matter how hard I studied, it didn't seem to be enough and the format of the 4-hour exams was just draining. I squeaked by but my grades were nowhere near where I wanted them to be and I was confused, heartbroken and completely frustrated. I contemplated dropping out. I thought of back up plans if I couldn't finish law school. I cried to my parents and husband.

Finally, my wonderful mother got tired of my whining and moping and gave me the kick in the butt I needed- She informed me that it was okay to be upset and disappointed with myself. But she also said I had never not excelled at something I put my mind to in my entire life and it was about darn time I got knocked on my rear. She told me to stop whining and make a decision- I could either buckle down, work harder than ever before and prove to myself and my school that I could excel in law school the second semester. The other choice was dropping out and figuring out something else to do with my life. I took the first option.

I am happy to report that my hard work paid off- I re-engineered my study tactics, worked my butt off and was able to pull my GPA up 2 entire points after the second semester. I got a higher grade in every single class and I even got my first A in law school which led to me dancing down the hallway of my internship. I am eligible for Moot Court and moved up in the ranking. I have a wonderful internship and I am learning something every day. Overall, I am heading into my 2L year much more confident and set in my plan to finish law school and succeed in the legal field.

So why did I tell this story?? Because one semester does not define you. You can fail and fall flat on your back... it's okay. You can cry it out. Just pick yourself up, make some changes, buckle down and choose to improve. Never ever let one bad class or one bad semester break your dreams. I failed. I had the worst GPA of my life. I got my first C's. I took that failure and let it fuel me to never get those grades again and succeed. If I can do that, so can you!

Never give up after one tough break. You are smart enough, you are good enough and they would not have let you into law school if you couldn't do it. Re-engineer, redouble your efforts and attack it with a vengeance-fueled by all your frustrations. Work so hard you will never have grades that low again. Make success the only option. Whining and complaining will not change your grades- only hard work will do that. Do not give up after one bad semester.

The caveat to that is that it is okay to change directions. If after the first year you truly realize that law is not for you, then find something else. That is not giving up- that is making a way for yourself that is right for you. The law may not be for everyone and it is not what it seems from the outside looking in. There is no shame in choosing to go for a different career. You must do what's best for you.

I wish everyone finishing their first year the best of luck as grades come back- I hope the curve falls in your favor. For those gearing up for their first year of law school, prepare for a lot of hard work, exhaustion and the possibility of failure... but remember, you can always improve and that first semester does not define you. As my internship supervisor wisely told me, there are a million great lawyers out there making a difference and some never even got an A in law school. Grades do not define you. Keep your head above water- you can do it!!