{tips for moving to a different planet} a guest post

I am a southern girl. I was born and raised in Texas and despite the unfortunate politics, it will always be home to me. I grew up in place where everyone was nice; just as nice to strangers as they were to family. I grew up with sweet tea, home cooking, cowboy boots, football as a religion and cows within walking distance from my house. Needless to say, Texas is light years away from the beautiful, but ever so confusing (at least to me) Massachusetts. So, for any of y’all who are thinking of heading out into space as well, here are a few tips to make the move a bit easier.

1.      Bring food that reminds you of home. For me this meant the sweet tea mix my Grammy used to use and Texas Trash (its homemade Chexmix). One of my favorite things to do when I’m feeling homesick, is making a big glass of sweet tea; it tastes like home.

2.      Take your favorite stuffed animal. I have a green teddy bear named Green Bear (creative, I know) and he is the most comforting thing in the world when all you want to do is cuddle up and wonder why you moved to a place that gets so damn cold. I want to make it very clear that there is absolutely NO shame in taking stuffed animals to college, do whatever makes you most comfortable. 

3.      Dress the part. For me this meant figuring out how not to freeze come winter. So, for my dear little southern belles who are wanting to move up north you will need:

·         A good parka (it’s okay if you don’t know what a parka is, I didn’t know either). I recommend one long one with a hood.

·         A good pair of snow boots. Make sure they are water resistant!

·         A big umbrella. I can’t even begin to tell you how much rain there is here. These people have definitely never experienced droughts.

·         Gloves, scarves, hats and most importantly fuzzy socks! These will keep you nice and toasty(ish) in the cold!

·         Sweaters. Lots of sweaters.

·         Fleece lined leggings. Just trust me on this one.

4.      Be prepared for a bit of culture shock. The North and the South are very different, neither one is necessarily better, but be prepared for some changes. If you are moving north, try not to get offended if strangers aren’t as nice as you would expect. They are not being rude; they just aren’t always as openly friendly as a lot of southerners are. On that note, if you are planning on moving to the south for the first time, try not to be put off by everyone smiling so much and asking how you are (whether they know you or not). That’s just what is considered polite, you’ll get used to it.

5.      Politics, if you were considered liberal in the south, you will probably be considered conservative up north and vice versa if you move from the north to the south. Role with the punches my friend.

6.      Remember that in a sense you are an ambassador for wherever you are from. For a lot of the people you meet, you will be the only person that they have ever met from your home state, so represent it well. Basically just be polite and try not to be an ass.

7.      Stay in touch with family and old friends. Social media, cell phones and Skype are all great ways to stay connected with loved ones. Use them! Being able to talk to people face to face makes being away a lot easier.

8.      If you miss your pets. It’s pretty common for people to walk their dogs on campus, so don’t be afraid of asking to give the pups some love! If you are missing a different animal, check out a local pet shop or shelter.

9.      Embrace the culture. Don’t lose your old traditions, but be open to new ones that are specific to the area. Try to just go with it!

10.  It’s okay to be homesick. It happens to the best of us, but just remember why it is you chose to move. Call home, cuddle your teddy bear, drink your sweet tea, and basically just do whatever you need to do in order to feel safe and comfortable in your new home. It won’t happen overnight, but as the days pass, it will hurt less and less until one day, this strange new planet will feel like home.

For any of you that are thinking of a big move but are unsure, I encourage you to try it. Worst case scenario, you hate it and move home. But who knows, maybe you'll love it. You never know where your next adventure will take you, so just be open to it.

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Lily Williams is a freshman at Mount Holyoke College. She is a book lover, a vintage clothing junkie, and a dog person. She loves old black and white movies. She is a hopeless romantic and adores tea. She should have been born in the 50's and aspires to be a mix of Audrey Hepburn, Tina Fey and Hermione Granger when she grows up.

Please check out her blog, Horribly Bookish Button!

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I have too many notebooks [a guest post by Alexa Anne]

I have too many notebooks. I'm a fanatic when it comes to bound paper. I enter a book store and make a beeline for the journals. After a couple of trips, they really start to pile up. 

But take a look at my stock and you'll notice not a single one is similar. That's because every one of my notebooks serves a unique purpose. Each one is special for something. 

Come, I'll show you.

My art journal is fairly new to the family. In it, I record inspiring lyrics and quotes, write whimsical poems, and paste captivating illustrations, pictures, and prints. Its name is Linkshänder - a German word for 'left-handed'. As a fellow lefty, I find there is more to the word than just physical use. To me, the word evokes thoughts of creativity, passion, and individuality - words that I find fitting to the journal's purpose. 

This is my sketchbook. You may ask what the difference between my art journal and it is, but let me tell you, they are quite different. Here I am free to create. With an abundance of blank paper, I can sketch anything, write anything, design anything. My art journal, on the other hand, has a limited number of pages - a precious amount that must not be spared. In fact, I often practice what I will 'publish' in my art journal in my sketchbook first. Think of it as the rough draft of the art journal, and then some.

This little guy is one of my favorites. It's small, it has great paper, and the sound a filled page makes when I turn it is absolutely appeasing. Usually I make lists - to do lists, wish lists, lists of my goals and dreams - but sometimes I roughly sketch a camera or the New York skyline.

My beloved journal. Keeper of all my deepest secrets, hopes and dreams, and vague narrations of everyday life. It's a Chronicle Books notebook, which I highly recommend checking out.

My moleskine. If you do not own one, please, just - get out. And don't come back until you do. Seriously people, these things are amazing. I can't explain why - they just are. Trust me. Mine almost never leaves my presence. I doodle, I write, I plan, I list - I live in my moleskine. I seriously go through five pages of this notebook a day. It has become a part of me, people.

This is yet another Chronicle Books product. I purchased it at a local Anthropologie a few months ago. It's not your average planner. No, rather than a monthly preview and maybe an address page towards the end, this planner has a doodle page, a notes page, a daily plan page, another notes page, and so much more - and it repeats for every day. I love it.



My blog book is really just as it sounds. Before I write a post, I jot down my ideas. I like to say I'm a much better writer with a pen than a keyboard.



Last but not least, my word book. I'm a writer, and a nerd. I cross a word I don't know and write it down here. Simple as that.



So there you have it. My family of notebooks. Each one serving a very important purpose. How many do you have?

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About the writer

I am Alexa Anne. An aspiring photographer and writer. I dream, I think, I wonder. Easily inspired, I spend too much time on pinterest. My style? Somewhere between eclectic, bohemian, and indie, with a touch of vintage. I enjoy rainy days spent by the warmth of a fire in a nearby coffee shop. Give me my camera and my moleskine and I'm set for the day. Jesus is my savior, my hero, my love. I'm an introvert all the way. My heart belongs in the city. I believe the quietest people have the loudest minds. I love to create. I adore elephants. I hope to one day live in New York. I am Alexa Anne - a young woman discovering her place in this world. I blog over at Hello, Hodgepodge and I'd love for you to come check it out!