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Stories, tips, and downloadable guides for living intentionally and creating spaces you love.
The Dorm Edit
Sending Your First to College: A Survival Guide
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The Dorm Edit
Sending Your First to College: A Survival Guide
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Sending my first child to college was everything at once—emotional, overwhelming, and a crash course in “realistic” dorm planning.
The Parent-Tested Strategy
After weeks of research and a successful move-in day, I realized that the best dorm plan isn’t about buying everything on a generic list. It’s about timing, technology, and realistic counts. We learned that waiting until close to move-in for basics like power strips and hooks kept us within return windows, and pausing on big tech purchases until classes started saved us from buying things she didn’t actually need.
The Quiet Win: Instead of trying to get everything perfect before move-in, we focused on setting her up well, and staying flexible once real college life began. That balance mattered more than any single item we packed.
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The Edited Laundry
Freshman Year: The Laundry Edit
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The Edited Laundry
Freshman Year: The Laundry Edit
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Sending my first child off to college has been a crash course in letting go, and a secondary lesson in realizing that even the most talented athletes still have to figure out the dorm laundry room.
The Space-Saving Hack
My daughter is officially navigating her first year as a college athlete. Between early morning practices and study hall, she needs a routine that is fast and efficient. To save valuable closet space, she uses Earth Breeze Eco Sheets. They give her a powerful clean without the bulky plastic jugs, and they dissolve perfectly in unpredictable dorm washers.
The Towel Strategy: Dorm bathrooms are notoriously cramped. I personally love this 8-piece 100% cotton towel set because they have a built-in hanging loop. She doesn’t have to worry about her towel sliding off a hook and onto a dirty dorm floor.
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The Move-In Edit
The Strategy: A Stress-Free Move-In
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The Move-In Edit
The Strategy: A Stress-Free Move-In
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A successful move-in day is not just about what you pack, it is about how you arrive. From the “Reverse Load” to the final exit, here is how to edit your move-in for zero stress.
The “Reverse Load” Philosophy
Do not just throw things in the car. Pack in Reverse Order. The things you need first, such as cleaning supplies and your “Move-In Day Bag,” should be the last things loaded. We swear by Heavy Duty Moving Bags—they are water-resistant and have backpack straps for easier trips up the dorm stairs.
The Fuel Station: The day is stressful and emotions are high. Avoid a blood sugar crash by packing a dedicated bag of snacks and cold drinks. Access to quick protein ensures you stay focused on the task instead of the heat.
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