Samantha K Schmidt

When you first step into your dorm room on campus you might be shocked by the drab appearance. Unless you've arrived at Fancy U your dorm probably has nothing more than the basics. This first look can be a real downer, but there are a few quick ways to take your dorm from drab to fab and make it feel more like home. Add Color Painting probably isn't an option, but there are a lot of other ways to add color. Try a cute bedspread, a patterned rug, or drapes. Brighten Up A dimly lit room is a real drag. Brighten up with some fairy lights for a romantic, dreamy feel. Designate Your Space Separate your space from your roommates with curtains. It will give you a sense of privacy during those all nighters.  Make Your Mark Decorate the walls with things that reflect your personality. Use command hooks and sticky tacky to avoid damaged walls.

It's been a while since I've updated you guys on my favorite technology. This week I'm featuring one of my favorite ways to stay organized, Evernote. Evernote is a do it all application that you can access from any device. It's a word processor, ultimate checklist, notebook extraordinare.  Not only can you do everything from write an essay to save a recipe you can also add photos, audio, or other word attachments.  While getting ready for the new school year I created a few notes to help me prepare. I added a shopping list, decor inspiration, and preliminary lesson plans. You also have the option to organize your notes into categories from your computer. Evernote is incredibly user friendly and unlike other word processors is completely FREE!  Give it a shot and tell me what you think.

This week's trend crush is an amazing office supply company called Poppin. I was immediately drawn to the eye popping colors from this brand, but I also love their simplistic design. Poppin has all the makings of an ultra stylish office. I'm getting ready to go back to work and I've been eyeballing a few things for my desk. I'm in love with the aqua and pink items because it matches my Lilly agenda perfectly. Here are a few of my favorites. Poppin Desk by samantha-k89 featuring home decor You can find Poppin products at Staples and The Container Store. You can also see all the amazing colors and designs on poppin.com