Friday Favorites (January)

Part of my New Years resolutions was to post on Salut more (haven't been doing to well), but in doing so I decided to try to post my Friday favorites after each month. So, here is the first month! 

"Friday Favorites" does not really have any restrictions - food, clothing, brands, blogs, anything goes. Moreover, "Friday Favorites" does not have any maximums or minimums. I have been a big YouTube follower for a while and sometimes I feel like their monthly favorites are not as genuine because they are just trying to go for quantity over quality. Have no fear, I promise to only list things that I genuinely love and have been using. 

So, lets begin - in no specific order or with much organization 

1. Bae_Beads
Adorable, affordable, and high quality - what more can you ask for?! Bae_Beads is a small online jewelry store that two college girls started together. They make the cutest jewelry for all different occasions and their price points are fantastic! I absolutely love this store and want just about everything from it. I have three pieces as of yet, but by the time you read this I could easily have more! 

2. Ole Henriksen ANYTHING
For Christmas I got a lot of Ole Henriksen products: Walnut Scrub, The Clean Truth face wash, Find Your Balance face wash, toner and so on. I have been using their products for a few years, more specifically the gel and night time face cream duo and LOVED them. Not only do the products work really well on my skin, but they are a great price and great quality. Moreover, they are all made with natural and healthy products for you and the environments. So, you know that what your putting on your skin and releasing into our beautiful world is good and safe. I would honestly recommend and trust any product by this company! 

3. Lou and Gray Joggers
I bought this pair of Lou & Gray Joggers a few months ago and I have been wearing them non stop! The fabric of the joggers are actually the most comfortable things in the world - they feel like butter and plush pillows on your skin all at once. I could not find the exact pair, but a similar pair is linked here. I love this store as a whole and thin that they make very nice, comfortable, and cute clothing for all different body types! 

4. White Vans
I know I am very late to hop on the Vans band wagon, but I got a pair of the classic high topped white vans for Christmas and I am obsessed. You can literally throw these shoes on with any and every outfit - they are perfect! 

5. Huji
My friend showed me this photo taking app, Huji, over break and I am now obsessed with it! It is supposed to take photos similar to how a disposable camera would develop, adding those warm tones and pixilated look to it. It is so fun to use and the photos turn out so cool AND already edited! 

Xoxo, 
Salut Sophie

The Impossible Mission of Keeping It All Together

Image Source: Pinterest

I don't have my life all together in the slightest, but really does anyone now a days? I forget things, put things off, and sometimes just get so close to giving up. Everyone feels this way at some point in their life, but I try to do everything in my power to keep trucking along. Here are four tips I have for not keeping it all together because, as I said in the title, that is impossible, but rather to live your best life as well as you can. 

1. Plan it Out

I am a planner. My calendar is filled with every little detail, my phone notes are filled with random lists, everything I do is planned as best it can be. My brain feels scattered and lost without a physical list in front of me of what I need to do. Because of this, I plan out my work days. Every day I take a bright yellow sticky note, stick it to the day on my planner, and make a list (in order) of what I need to do. Home work, sports, meals, plans, so on and so fourth. I even write in my time to watch TV or get my nails done. Its excessive, its honestly a little psycho, but it helps to keep me on track as best I can. While you may not take this planning thing to the level I do, I encourage you to take time to zoom out, breathe, and make a plan or do whatever it takes to get your head space in order. 

2. Find Your Space

I know where I cannot do work: around noise, outside, in public places, or near comfy seating areas. I know why I cannot do work there: I will get distracted, I will fall asleep, I will eat instead of doing work. I know what I don't like and because of that I have found what I do. Find your place where you can get things done and separate it from the place where you relax. Studies have shown that students who do their work on their bed have more trouble sleeping. Whether this is true for you or not, it shows that it is essential to separate your work space from the rest of your spaces in order to maximize your best success. Find the place that works for you and stick to it. 

3. Exercise

I'll be the first one to admit it: after a long day of school or work no one wants to hit the gym. You're tired, cold, and lazy and all you want to do is curl up in your cozy bed and watch Greys Anatomy. It's hard and I am not going to tell you I am the best at this tip, but going to the gym and just getting in a quick work out is honestly one of the best things you can do for your body in order to stay motivated and happy. Exercise works wonders for the brain: it releases chemicals in your body that help to improve and promote happiness, mood, and energy. So, while it may be hard to get yourself to go to the gym, the pay off for your mental and physical health in the long run (pun intended) is great. So, start with twice a week and then work your way up to three. You don't have to be running marathons or lifting thousands of pounds, I do not do that in the slightest, but even just a short run or elliptical work out will do the trick!

4. Make Time for Yourself

I often overbook my day with work. I wake up, go to school, play sports, do work, go to bed, repeat. I have learned that it is  essential to carve out time in your day to watch TV, get your nails done, or something of the sort. Taking time for yourself is not something to feel guilty about, which I have to keep telling myself, rather, it is essential in order to take a break from the daily stresses of life and just relax. As humans, we do not have to be go go go all the time, which I think is something our society does not promote as much as it should. Taking time to step away from the fast paced and intense world we live in is important for you in order to be the best version of yourself, thus it is also important for the rest of the world.

Make time for the things that matter.

Xoxo, 
Salut Sophie

The Tricks You Wouldn't Think Of: Dorm Room Addition

I am a neat freak, interior design loving, freshman college student. I do not go to a preppy southern school where the girls like to team up and decorate their dorms (wouldn't that be lovely), but I do have a pretty cool dorm room, if I do say so myself. Due to my desire for a "Pinterest" worth dorm room, I have adapted just a few small tips and tricks to maximize space, keep it clean, and, of course, good looking.

1. Dryer Sheets

I have a thing about scents: they must be fresh and known to me. Additionally, I love the smell of laundry, hence the dryer sheets. I place dryer sheets in between all of my piles of folded clothing and replace them every few months. This way, my clothing stays static free and constantly smells like laundry, rather then the wooden drawer they are folded in! 

2. Keurig

I know this one may seem straight forward, but having a Keurig has been so helpful and convenient for so many reasons other then coffee. Yes, it does make coffee, but the Keurig can do so much more then that. Oatmeal, hot water for tea, Ramen noodles (gross, but true), Easy Mac... there are so many different foods you can make by just using the Keurig! I have a small single serving one, meaning I pour the water in each time I use it, and its perfect for me. It replaces just about every need I would have for a microwave, it doesn't smell bad (like many microwaves do), AND it comes in a variety of adorable colors. So, if your hesitant on the Keurig front I highly recommend you get one before you decide to invest in a microwave, as it is not nearly as expensive.

3. House Lamps

No, I don't just do this for good selfie lighting, although it is nice. Having house lamps in my room has really helped to make it feel more like a comfortable living space then a stuffy old dorm room. I bought a lamp for near my bed and then a few other scattered throughout the room and they are SO much better then the painfully bright and yellow overhead lights. I bought a few lamps from Ikea, very inexpensive and easy to set up, and then a clip on lamp from Target for next to my bed. Overall, this, in addition to #4, has been the biggest thing to make my room actually feel like my room. 

4 . Full Sized Room Rug

Originally I got this rug because I thought the floor would be cold in the winter (TBD, I will let you know when the time comes), but the rug has really made a huge difference in opening up the tiny space of my room as well as, just like the lights, turning it into a living space. I got a basic in door outdoor light brown rug that is the size of our floor and it really added to the look and feel of the room. Additionally, I put a small white shag rug by my bed, which matched my bedding. All in all, a great purchase that I know I will be able to use next year as well! 

5. Poof with Storage

I have a lot of shoes and I have a very, very tall bed. While a lot of people get poofs to add a decoration to the room, my room is very small so when I am adding objects to the room they need to serve multiple purposes. So, my poof not only adds to the decor, but it also provided me with a place to store my many pairs of shoes, an additional sitting place, as well as a stool for me to get up on my bed (yes, it is that high and yes, I am that short). I got mine for $12 from Ikea and it has been great! 

Xoxo, 
Salut Sophie

Salut's Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Finding the perfect gift for anyone is incredibly hard. You want to give something that is unique, useful, and not predictable. I get it, it's challenging, but thats where I come in. I have made your holiday season so much simpler with this detailed holiday gift guide, complete with everything from technology, beauty, gifts for him, and gifts for her. No one in the family will be left out. You can thank me later ;) 

For Mom 

1. Hermes Perfume: you can never go wrong with a classic. 

2. Diptyque Candle: a simple gift that will always be a home run. 

3. La Mer Gift Set: a great indulgence during a cold winter season.  

4. "Wicked" Good Moccasins: the name says it all. 

5. Swell Bottle: keep mom trendy. 

For Dad 

1. Cuff Links: a classic gift, and a nice wardrobe update. 

2. "Dressy" Slippers: the way to prevent dad from wearing his real slippers to the grocery store. 

3. Jack Black Gift Set: even dad likes to be pampered as well. 

4. Quarter Zip: nice, simple, and very much appreciated. 

For Her 

1. Calypso Perfume: a unique scent that smells incredible on anyone and is perfect all year round.

2. PJ Set: we all know she wouldn't buy them for herself. 

3. Nice Sunnies: a staple wardrobe piece and a great thing to receive as a gift. 

4. Beauty Set: pleasant surprise to change things up and try new products. 

5. Nice Piece of Jewelry/ Bag: what girl doesn't love something thoughtful (more ideas below). 

For Him 

1. Trendy Sneakers: keep him up to date. 

2. Joggers: update the casual wear. 

3. New Outerwear: we all know he wont buy them for himself. 

4. Watch: the male version of a nice piece of jewelry, thoughtful and classic. 

Technology/ Misc. 

1. Drone: the latest and greatest. 

2. Apple Watch: always stay connected. 

3. Headphones: an essential wherever you go. 

4. Amazons Alexa: great for anyone of any age. 

5. Pop Socket: simple, fun, and customizable. (http://www.popsockets.com/) 

6. Apple TV: great investment, even better gift.