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!!

Friday Five 5/26/17

Wow I have been slacking on this... life has just been busy. Finishing school, starting my internship, adjusting to working 9-5 every day... But I am ready to make blogging a priority again! Without further adieu, five things I am thinking about this Friday!

1. Poshmark
Why did I just now discover this?!? Designer clothes cheap? Yes please!! I have ordered a variety of items and I have been tickled to death with everything. I also have been doing a bit of closet cleaning and selling on there to get rid of things I just don't wear. It's awesome! Use this code to sign up after downloading the app - UQNBO

2. Harry Styles on the Late Late Show
I may have skipped out on the One Direction craze but I am 110% on board with the Harry Styles craze of late. I am obsessed with his new album, I can't wait to see him in Dunkirk and he is absolutely hilarious with James Corden... they should co-host all the time. I watched all of the segments today and died laughing.

3. V8 Energy Drinks
An attorney in our office got me hooked on these this week. They are a perfect little burst of energy for mid-afternoon. They are little fruit drinks with natural B12 energy. I have to have one in my lunch every day now!

4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Yay for new episodes! I adore this show- it is so cute and so fun. I got hooked on the first season last summer and I have anxiously been awaiting the next season. If you are looking for a quick, fun binge watch- this is it!

5. Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Supplies
I just got a shipment of these (detailed post coming soon) and I am obsessed. The basil scent especially is amazing. I went on a major house cleaning spree after they arrived and It was so nice to clean without worrying about harsh chemicals yet still getting a good clean.


Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy the long weekend but do not forget the reason. Thank you to all service men and women, currently serving, retired or selflessly lost in service, who make this country safe and free. Memorial Day is a lot more than just a reason to have off work- do not forget that.

What to Wear in Law School

As I continue to reflect back upon 1L year, I am trying to remember any of the things I was concerned about prior to starting law school. Now that I have a year under my belt, I am going to try my best to blog about those concerns I had and hopefully clear it up for future law students!

Up first, what do you wear in law school? I, being the type A person that I am, was super concerned about whether or not people got dressed up every day or if it was just like undergraduate college full of oversized t-shirts and leggings. All my stress was for naught; I ended up being dressed perfectly acceptable for law school and my wardrobe was sufficient. Still, I am going to share the general wardrobe to help ease anyone who worries like I did.

An Easy Diet for a Young Professional

I will preface by saying I am dieting merely out of a personal effort to be a little more healthy and to eat less junk food in the wake of final exams where I ate like crap. It is not a lose weight diet but merely a more regimented way to stay on a healthy eating plan. Bikini season is just around the corner so this healthy diet will be paired with some exercise and hopefully, all that winter flab and finals week pizza will be gone. 

I have always been a healthy person blessed with a high metabolism. I have always been very active, growing up on a farm with endless work to do and riding horses daily my entire life. My family ate pretty healthily and I have never been one with a huge appetite so I have always been thin and trim and had zero concerns about my body. After starting law school and moving to a new city with only a small yard to work in and no horses to ride, suddenly all of my physical activity was cut out of my life and I spent all my time hunched over books or sitting in classrooms. Though I still ate healthily, took the stairs and did Yoga when time allowed, I could definitely tell a negative difference in my body and my overall fitness.

Now that school has ended for the year and the weather has gotten better, I have made a vow to get my fitness back under control. Besides the gym membership I will be purchasing in the next few days, I know a healthy diet is the best basis for a healthy body. I have done some research and devised an eating plan that will be simple enough to stick to as I start my internship and could work for most busy young professionals looking to trim up a bit and feel better about what they are putting in their body without breaking the bank or giving up enjoying food.

Breakfast

I will start my days with a whole bunch of coffee (non-negotiable) and one of a few varieties of filling, yummy and healthy breakfasts. I also take a variety of vitamins every morning including: Biotin, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Calcium, B12 and Vitamin E.

• Oatmeal with Fruit 
• Whole Wheat Toast with Peanut Butter
• A Fruit Smoothie
• Egg Sandwich (1 egg, 1 slice of cheese on an English muffin)

Lunch

I will be packing lunches to take to my internship so they need to be portable and easy enough to eat at the office. My lunches will include carrots and ranch, low-fat vanilla yogurt, whole wheat crackers and a variety of entrees. (oh and a cookie because I have the worlds biggest sweet tooth)

• Leftovers from previous dinners
• Baby Spinach Salad
• Turkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread

Dinner

My husband is on a Gluten Free diet per doctor's orders so most of our dinners are Gluten Free. Because of this, they are all homemade and relatively healthy. I have a variety of go-to recipes and I am always looking for more. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Lasanaga
• Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Mongolian Beef Stirfry
• Shepherds Pie
• Grilled Chicken with a Vegetable side

Dessert

Did I mention my sweet tooth? It's rather persistent so I will need some sort of dessert in my life that still operates within the general realm of "not too unhealthy". 

• Cookies made with applesauce in place of butter
• Chocolate covered blueberries
• Dove Dark Chocolate Squares
• Chocolate Pudding

Snacks

I am a bit of a grazer so I always have to have some snacks available. This is usually how I end up eating junk so I am trying to be proactive and have some healthy snacks available. My goal is to limit to 2-3 snack breaks per day but we will see how that goes....

• Crackers and Laughing Cow Cheese
• Carrots 
• Celery
• Apples and Peanut butter
• Fruit Smoothies
• Yogurt 
• Granola bars 
• Trail Mix (nuts, cheerios, m&m's and raisins)

Well, friends, we will see how this diet fairs... fingers crossed my willpower is strong!

Preparing for Your First Legal Internship

First year of law school down... what next? For most of us, we move onto our first legal internships to fill the summer between 1L and 2L year. Personally. I will be working in my local criminal prosecutor's office and receiving class credit for externship experience. Preparing for my first foray into the professional legal world has me a little stressed out and apprehensive. Regardless, I have spent my week off between the end of finals and the start of my internship preparing myself in every way I can.

1. A Legal Wardrobe
One thing I have had tucked in the back of my mind for years is my future as a lawyer = professional wardrobe every. dang. day. Partially fun to dress up every day, partially daunting to dress like that day in day out and never being able to rock a pair of leggings at work. Over the years, I have been collecting professional clothing when I find it on sale or something I just have to have (working at TJ Maxx all through college helped with that). As my first legal internship has been growing closer, I have been spending a little time and moolah on my "lawyer wardrobe". J. Crew Factory has some amazing sales! I have gotten some amazing deals including a $12 lace pencil skirt! The sales rack at Kohls has also been rather good to me. I tend to be a constant shopper.... no matter where I am, I browse and see what I can happen across; if it is a good deal, I get it. This has led to me taking over the closet in our office with just my professional clothing... sorry hubby! I highly suggest spending some time and money before you start a legal internship on amassing a wardrobe large enough and varied enough to last you a whole summer in a law office. You don't want to be known as the girl who wears the same pants every other day or spend the first few weekends shopping frantically and getting stuck with clothes you don't love.

Once you have the wardrobe, spend a little time creating outfits and make sure you aren't missing the right color belt or a certain color undershirt. I like to plan out my outfits a few days in advance so I will do this Sunday night for the upcoming week. It makes me less stressed to have it done.

2. Invest in a Work Tote
Ladies, a work tote is a must-have. First, you need to carry all of your stuff to and from an internship. The old Vera Bradley tote from 9th grade is great for school and trips but do you really want to waltz into a professional legal internship carrying it? I am not huge on name brands so I do not have a Kate Spade or Michael Kors tote for work; I found a cute leather option on sale at Kohls that is high quality, exactly the size and style I wanted and did not break the bank. In my opinion, it's a win-win. Also, I spend a little time this week packing my work tote. Inside I have my wallet, my little cosmetics emergency kit, my planner, a small notebook for jotting down assignment notes, a small bag of my favorite pens because I am a pen snob, chapstick, hand lotion, a phone charger and a bobble refillable filtering water bottle because who knows what the courthouse water will taste like. For boys.... I guess this is a briefcase... Sorry I am of no use in what a male lawyer should carry.

3. Research Your Internship
You have likely already done this when interviewing, etc. but it never hurts to brush up on things! Figure out where you are going to park, the route you will take to work, how early you need to arrive, etc. I emailed my internship supervisor early this week to work out last minute details. I drove down to check out the parking situation yesterday; I can pay for the parking garage on Monday. Check out the Linked In accounts of the lawyers you will be working under. See if there are any prominent cases happening and read up what you can. The more research and prep I have done helps me to feel less stressed on the day of.


4. Treat Yo'Self
As I typed that, I internally said it in the voice of Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation.... but I digress. You just finished finals and a whole year of law school. Give yourself a little break and do what makes you happy. For me, that was spending large amounts of time on my couch watching Netflix, working my way through a few new novels, doing a few face and hair masks, some shopping and cleaning my house top to bottom, cleaning out our closets, cooking, baking a million cookies and getting it back to an organized state. I am also planning on getting a manicure this weekend so I can walk in Monday morning feeling fresh, rested, happy and with bangin nails. I had things to do this week but I also spent it just recharging and refreshing after a few weeks of intense stress so I can move onto the next challenge.


As hard as it is for me to believe that my first year of law school is over, I am enjoying my week off and I am so excited for my internship to begin! There will be many more updates throughout the summer so stop back to hear how it's going.

Reflections on 1L Year

Well... I did it. I completed my first year of law school. I am still too tired to really comprehend that fact but it is starting to sink in. This whole experience has been hard, exhausting, enlightening, entertaining and completely fulfilling. I have never been so proud of myself as I was upon completing my last exam and officially becoming a 2L. Now that a few days have passed, I have had time to sit back and really reflect on this year and all I have learned; inside the classroom and out. Here are my reflections on 1L year and tips for future 1L's.

1. Law School is a Whole New World
Cue the song from Aladdin because law school really is a whole new world. Sadly there is no magic carpet to guide you through your first year and you will have to rely on good ole' trial and error coupled with hard work to make it through. No matter how many blogs you read, older students you talk to and preparation you do, there is really no way to truly prepare yourself for the first year law school experience... it will try you but you will survive.

2. Friends Make it SO Much Easier
Just like anything else, friends make things easier. Particularly in law school, it is great to make some good friends within the school who understand what you are going through. Your best friend, parents and significant others will try but no one can really understand this experience unless they have gone through it/are going through it. I cannot stress enough how great it was to have those law school besties to lean on when things got tough. I could not have gotten through it without breakfast dates, study sessions, group texts and the constant laughing thanks to my law schools friends.

3. You're Not the Smartest Anymore
Law school forces people of extreme intelligence, strong work ethic, type a personality, competitive nature and a passion for the law into a few small classrooms. Most of us have always been "the smartest" prior to coming to law school and suddenly, everyone is like that. You have to put your ego on the backburner and not let it get to you. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in law school; some excel in legal research and writing, others in oral arguments and some people just jive with criminal law. Find your niche and be proud of that and stop trying to be the best at everything- being your personal best is plenty good enough. This was a bit of an adjustment for me... but as soon as I stopped comparing myself to everyone else, life got a lot easier.

4. But, You are Smart Enough
There will be moments in the first year where it just seems like too much information, you will never be able to remember everything, you will never be able to comprehend adverse possession... let your doubts and concerns fuel you to work hard but also remember that you can do it. You are smart enough or you wouldn't have gotten in. You will be amazed by what your brain is able to comprehend, memorize and discuss by the end of the semester- you will be able to speak what seems like a whole new language. That's the light at the end of the tunnel. I am not the same person I was in August... I know more, I think differently and I have changed.

5. It Gets Easier
The first weeks of law school are hard... everything is so different. But, it will get easier. You will get better at case briefing, you will learn to read faster, you will crush a few cold calls. First semester exams will seem daunting, second semester will seem conquerable. There were a lot of moments where I wondered if I would ever be able to finish reading before midnight or answer a cold call without sounding silly and I can proudly say, I did it and you can too.

6. Don't Lose Yourself in the Process
Law school will change you and that's okay. But you can't let it change who you are. You are becoming a lawyer- that will be your career, not your entire life. Neglecting relationships, mental and physical health, hobbies and non-legal life is not worth it in the long run. Law school will be a huge portion of your life but don't let it take over completely. Balance (or something in that vicinity) is key.

7. Don't Lock into One Path Too Soon
I came into law school pretty open-minded as to an end goal- I wanted to be a lawyer and I wasn't picky as to what kind. I know other people who were dead set on becoming intellectual property lawyers or health compliance specialists. They put all their eggs in that basket and wouldn't accept internships outside of that field. I think they are doing themselves a disservice because you never know where you are going to end up and you never know if you might fall in love with a career path you never saw in your future. Stay open-minded and let life take you where it takes you.

8. Take Failures in Stride
Life is going to happen, you are going to miss a class or forget to read or heaven forbid, fail a class. It's not the end of the world. Life will go on and it does not mean you will not become a lawyer or be a good lawyer. Dwelling on failures will do you no good. Take it from someone who had a few hiccups in the first year.... life goes on and a few months later those things just don't matter anymore.

9. Take Opportunities
Law school is a great time to step outside of your comfort zone a bit. Join clubs, go to events you normally wouldn't, network... this is your last step before the professional world so take advantage of what it has to offer. I would say take chances but I don't think that's accurate- take advantage of opportunities. You never know where they may lead and how it may impact your life and your legal career.

10. If I can do it, You can do it
Law school is really hard but it is manageable. I struggled, I questioned myself, I cried a lot... but I made it. I completed my first year and I am 1/3 a lawyer. I am no genius and I am not the hardest worker in the world. I am newly married, a new homeowner and a dog mom x3. I spent a bit too much time watching Netflix, drinking wine and blogging. Despite all of that, I did it and I succeeded. You can too, I promise.

Law school is hard but if this is the path you are meant to be on, it is so worth it. My first year is an experience I will never forget and I am so glad I blogged my way through it and can look back on these times. Thank you to everyone who has been along for the ride- the sweet comments and emails I get just make my day. This blog is not slowing down anytime soon. I have a big summer full of an internship at my local criminal prosecutor's office, a few trips, lots more DIY's and cooking and just sharing my ordinary life with those who find it worth reading. Thank you to everyone who reads and follows along with "The Legal Duchess:.

Signing out as a 1L for the last time,