Rue's Tips: Going to a Festival? (2014)

This weekend the town that I recently moved to had a festival, so I got to thinking that I would share some tips with you all when you are attending one. Now, I know that most are during the summer time, with this weekend being the last weekend of Summer, but I know there are festivals that are in the fall.

1. Do Research. Know the rules. You need to know if there are any restrictions on what you can bring (like a backpack, outside drinks and food, etc.). If you are attending an out of town festival and you have never been there, research the town.
2. Plan Ahead. Get a schedule of events, and know what you definitely want to see and what you won't mind missing out on.
3. Weather Forecast. Know the weather for the festival. This is where you know how to dress, and it you need to prepare for bad weather. Yesterday, I wore blue jeans, and it was hotter than it had been the past few days, and burned up. Also this brings me to my next point.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing and Shoes. You want to wear clothing that you feel comfortable in walking around in. I don't like jeans and I am not comfortable in them. I only own three pairs of jeans. I should have wore shorts, since it was warmer than I expected. Now my cousin did not know that we would have to walk from our parking area to the festival area, which we were both expecting a shuttle, which yesterday there wasn't. She had wore flip flops, which wasn't subtle for the walking distance. I suggest you wear a pair of tennis shoes or a pair of broke in canvas shoes. I hate wearing shoes that confine my feet especially in the summer time, do I always pack flip flops with me to change into, but they are not the best walking shoes.
5. Bring Extra Clothing. If you can bring a backpack in, put a change of clothing. For experience, when I don't bring extra clothing, something always happens and I wish I did. The festival I attended this weekend, I didn't because I lived not even 5 miles from it, so if I needed them I could go to my house, but if it's out of town, then definitely take extra clothing. If you are unable to bring a backpack, then leave it in your car.
6. Prepare for Freaky Weather. The weather man is not always right. So, I suggest bringing an umbrella or poncho, in case of rain. This is true especially for the summertime, due to the pop up storms from daytime heating. This is also where the extra clothing comes in, if you get soaked. Also bring a light jacket, especially if the Festival goes into the night. It gets cooler during the night, and your tank top or T-shirt may not keep you warm.
7. Bring a portable Battery Charger. We all know that cell phone batteries do not stay charged for a whole day, especially if you are taking a bunch of pictures with it. So get a portable battery charger that doesn't have to be plugged into an electrical socket. Your lucky at festivals to be able to find one.
8. Eat Before you go. Food at festivals tend to be more expensive than eating out. I suggest that you eat before you go into the festival. If you are able to take food with you, bring a snack, because you can be there an entire day. Also bring your own drinks. Drinks are even more expensive than the food. I suggest bringing a camelback backpack and fill the it with water. You need to stay hydrated.
9. Bring wipes and hand sanitizer. You don't know what the bathroom situation will be at this festivals. A lot of time it's portable bathrooms, and you may not have the option of a sink to wash your hands. Keep clean with wipes.
10. Leave the big purse and wallet at home. If you can only bring a purse in, then chose a small cross body bag that you keep only the essentials in it. Also keep the wallet full of important cards at home or in the car. Only bring in your ID and some cash. I don't recommend to bring your debit card with you. Most only take cash, and if their happens to be an ATM, then the fees are ridiculous.

These are just a few tips that I have found useful over the years of attending festivals. I hope that this may help at least one of you all out.

Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Rue's in College: 10 Tips (Sept '14)

For most of us, school is back into full swing. I have been back in school for almost three weeks now, so I thought I would get on here and give some tips that help me get through my classes.

1. Make a master schedule. When you received all your classes syllabi, they typically include a schedule for the semester. Take the schedules for all your classes, and compile it all into one week by week. Last semester was the first time I did this, and it helped me out a lot.
2. Have a planner/agenda. I have always used a planner, even in elementary school. It keeps me on top of things. I recommend to use a planner that has both weekly and monthly calendars.  Last semester I did things a little differently with the master schedule. At the beginning of each month, I would put all the important assignments (such as tests and papers) on the monthly calendar. Then each week on Sunday's I would fill in the due dates for the assignments due that week. Also either on a post-it note, or a day that I did not have anything due on, I would write a weekly to-do list. More of my planner organization will come later in a new post. Also there is no need to go buy an expensive planner (Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, etc.) for school. These are good planners\agendas, but on a college budget they can get a bit pricy. Most college typically offer free planners to students, and this planners have dates that are important for your school (AKA when there is NO CLASS!!!)
3. Music is a Must. I have found that I study the best when I am listing to music. I am weird about the music I listen to though. It's not classical, which I find that most listen to when they study, but it's music I grew up with. I put on my Garth Brooks Station from Pandora. This is the music from my childhood, so I know most of the songs, which means I will not be paying attention to the lyrics of the songs instead of the homework I am trying to finish.
4. Be Comfortable when studying. This does not mean be in your bed while studying. I don't know how many times I have had started studying on my bed.... 2 to 3 hours later, wake up. When I was getting my first degree, I liked to study in my dorm's lobbies, and I was typically in the floor. For some reason, I always have rather sat in the floor rather than in a chair at a desk, studying. Find the place where you can study the best. Right now, I really like to go on my back porch and study. Also wear comfortable clothing, whether that be leggings and an oversized T or sweatpants and a hoodie. It's not a fashion show when your studying. Your going to be studying a while so why not be comfortable.
5. Take Breaks from Studying. When studying for a big exam, take a breaks about every hour or so. Now, this does not mean to take a thirty minutes break and study for thirty minutes. I mean about every hour take a 5 to 10 minute break.  Get up and stretch, get some fresh air, or check social media.
6. Staying up all night is for the birds. If you plan right, there is no need for staying up all night to study or do an assignment. You can only study so much. At some point, if you don't know it your won't.
7. Have an actually Alarm Clock. Don't count on your cell phone all the time. Have a back up alarm. I have a cell phone that loves to not charge or it will not be say the wrong time. You don't want to be late!
8. Don't buy your Books at the Campus Bookstore. You can usually find new and used books online for cheaper than at the Campus Bookstore. If it is cheaper to rent your books then rent, but be careful sometimes renting the book is more expensive to just buy. I would recommend books you think that you would want to keep for future references than do not rent. Also if you like to write in your books do not rent.
9. Turn off the laptops, and put those cells phones down when going to bed. Pick up a book or journal about your day right before bed. Do a brain dump. But leave the electronics away. This will help you go to sleep faster.

Update on Rue's Life.

So I have not been around this summer, as most of you can tell. I have been real busy. I have moved, and this summer was a summer of packing, going through everything, and getting rid of everything. So I have not had the time.

Also I do not know what type of blog this blog will be in the future. I still love nail polish and beauty, but it's something that I am not considered with at this point. I will continue to blog on here, but it will be more like tips or advice. It's not going to be strictly beauty or nail polish. I will still blog about that from time to time, but it's not going to be the main focus.

Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.