Ways to Procrastinate During Exams

After finishing my last final yesterday, I'm finally headed home to Nashville to celebrate the holidays with my family. Exams were rough, and I can't imagine going through them again, but for those of you still stuck in University libraries nation-wide, here my favorite procrastination websites:

College Humor--Okay, so some of the jokes are a bit questionable, but the site's definitely good for a laugh when you're stressed out. Parodying college life, this multimedia website was started by a Wake Forest alum, Ricky Van Veen, so you know it's got to be good.

Orisinal's Winterbells-- Winterbells is not your typical computer game. Soothing music plays are you navigate a bunny through the sky, collecting bells as you go. Lose a round? No problem, the bunny falls peacefully to the snow-filled ground. There's no animated violence, no aggression, no simulated bunny death, just good clean fun. Be careful though, it's addictive.

Pandora--For those of you who can't study in complete silence, I recommend Pandora. Just plug in an artist or song you like into this online radio and you'll be instantly serenaded by only the music you like. It's my favorite place to discover bands I might not find otherwise.

Sporcle--Whether you're cramming for a History final or just a Harry Potter fanatic, Sporcle has a quiz for you.  My favorite trivia games? Historical Tweets, Harry Potter Top 200, and Famous Faces Badly Drawn.

Online Shopping--Even as my bank account inches closer to $0.00, I find myself scouring the internet for this season's latest trends. My favorite one-stop shops with lots of inventory include: department stores like Bloomingdale's, Etsy, Shopbop, Bluefly, and online sample sale sites RueLaLa and Gilt.

Readers what are your favorite websites to procrastinate on? Besides blogs of course!

Save the Tatas through Shopping

While it’s important to focus on breast cancer prevention and education all year long, October has been designated the pinkest month with the label Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Corporate America has jumped on the pink bandwagon offering products whose price includes a donation to breast cancer prevention, research or education. There are hundreds of products available so show your support while shopping this month. Here’s a list of my favorites:

Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Campaign includes both products and an auction that benefit breast cancer care and prevention. My pick from the collection? The slim-fit pony tee pictured left.

One of my favorite beauty products, Clinique's Dramatically Different face lotion, benefits the Breast Cancer  Research Foundation this month with $10 from each purchase going directly to the nonprofit.

Check out this limited edition Lilly Pulitzer scarf. Five dollars from each $118 purchase goes to the American Cancer Society.

Tomorrow, October 22, the online sample sale site Rue La La is hosting a pink-themed event with 10% of the retail sales going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  (Plus, if you click here and sign up before October 25, you'll get a $20 credit for the site!)

From now until October 31, Coach will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of their pink leather Mia Maggie bag to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is "to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health."

Gorjana will donate 60% of the proceeds of their Heart Necklace ($48)  to Breast Cancer Connections, "an organization whose mission it is to support women and their families in overcoming breast cancer."

 A portion of sales from Essie's sweet shade of "We Can Do It Pink!" nail polish benefits Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national education and support organization devoted to helping those who have suffered or are currently suffering from breast cancer.

Summer Sale Roundup

Sorry for the lack of posts lately--This past weekend I went to visit my boyfriend in Baltimore, and I didn't have a chance to update! I'm short on time today, but I thought I'd throw up a few sale links from around the web. Happy shopping!

Today only, Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic are all 30% off online with free shipping on orders over $100. Just enter the promo code SAVE30 at checkout. This is a great sale to stock up on basics I definitely recommend checking it out. Top picks for this sale: Gap City Flats (reviewed here), Gap Favorite Tee, Old Navy Drape-Front Vest, Old Navy Embroidered Scarf, and Banana Republic Wool Charcoal Pencil Skirt.

Rue La La, one of my favorite members-only websites, is offering a special promotion from now until August 8. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, Rue La La is a virtual sample sale offering limited quantities of designer products at a hefty discount for brief periods of time. If you aren't currently a member, click here to join and you'll instantly have a $10 credit on your account. (In the interest of full disclosure, when new members make their first purchase, I will receive a $10 credit)

J. Crew is offering 30% off all final sale both online and in stores. Enter the promo code EXTRA30 at checkout. Orders over $150 will also receive free shipping. Top picks for this sale: Cottage Skirt, Erica Dress, and Flat Flower Headband.

Nordstrom's Annual Anniversary Sale has been going on for over a week now, but it still has a great selection of products. From winter boots to jeans and cocktail dresses, hundreds of designer items are on sale. I hate to mention unmentionables, but this sale is a great time to stock up on Hanky Pankys. They rarely ever go on sale, so it's worth it to buy in bulk.

I recently ordered a pair of silver Jack Rogers sandals from Shoes.com and used the promo code: SHOEDEAL to get 20% off. I'm also considering ordering these Michael Kors heels. Readers- what do you think?

What's the best sale you've spotted this summer?

 (Image Credit: Natalie Dee)