Not an Excuse, but an Explanation

I did it again... I took a job that sucks up my time, because someone needed me.

This is not an excuse, but an explanation as to why my posts will be a little further between. This is just for a short while but I don't want to mess with my posting schedule without an explanation. 

Thanks for the support and for reading my little piece of the internet!

Go Change the World!!!

Half Twist Halo Tutorial

I get asked a lot, "How did you do that to your hair?" No one believes me when I tell them it took only two minutes. So I made a video to prove it to everyone.

This hair style is easy for traveling because you can lay on it and the messier the better! It's also great for formal events because you can polish it off with hair spray. 

Disclaimer: I am in no way a professional hair dresser. Most days I can barely get my own hair to behave. This one is easy and takes only three things to complete the look. I hope you like it and, if you have the hair to pull it off, try it.

If you do pull it off on your own, send me pictures! I want to see your beautiful hair! *non creepy*

The ONE Party I Went To...

Let it be known that I am not a partier and I choose the outings I attend very carefully because of it.

This story takes place during my upperclassmen days of college. It's probably the sole reason I didn't attend future parties.

The party in question was one that took place only two blocks from my apartment, and was strictly advertised as a NON alcoholic party. For the most part it was... more on that later. Since the entrance fee for the party was going to a part of our music school my roommate, a good friend, and I decided to attend.

It was my very first and last party.

The party started out innocently enough. We had walked to save on parking and ensure a quick get -a-way if needed. So by the time we arrived the party was already in full swing. Lots of dancing, lots of glow sticks, LOTS of heat. It was really hot from everybody dancing in a small space, so many trips out for fresh air were needed.  We really enjoyed ourselves in our little safe corner dancing and glow sticking away.

On one trip outside for fresh air we noticed a friend trying to enter the party, severely under the influence. SEVERELY. I guess since alcohol wasn't allowed they decided to bring it the only way they could...completely bonded with their blood stream.

We had only stepped out for a little fresh air, but decided to stay outside a little longer to talk to people where we could actually hear them. After a while it was time to either go back in, or leave the party for the night. It was at this time my EXTREMELY germaphobic roommate was reaching for the door handle.  That's when everything went wrong.

Oh so very wrong....

Little did she know just inches away on the other side of the door was our very inebriated friend starting to feel the liquor she imbibed. As soon as the door opened the chunks flew. I mean that literally. My roommate narrowly missed an encounter with exorcist style vomit. Our friend had just made it out the door, slung her head over the railing, and started throwing up from the second floor balcony onto a misfortuned bicyclist's mode of travel.

It was time to go.

We braved our way back in long enough to  grab our coats and make a hasty escape. Not taking for granted our near miss with certain disaster. Afterwards we spent the rest of the night in the comfort of the apartment (far away from flying chunks of fast food and hard liquor) watching movies and having a much better time.

Moral of the story:

If your aren't a partier, don't party. People don't actually know the meaning of "limits."
Always be prepared for projectile vomit...always.
Life is better with friends who leave the party with you.

I know that all parties are not like this, but it was a scarring experience for me. I have yet to want to try again. Do you have any scarring party stories to share? Tell me about them in the comments.

Why I Blog

I started Duffel Tales soon after I graduated from college and just before I lost all sanity. It started as a place to tell you all the things I learned from living out of a duffel bag and it began to evolve from there.

 The reasons I blog have changed slightly since the beginning.

Now I blog to make people laugh,  tell about life hacks I've learned, meet other bloggers, have opportunities I wouldn't have before, and more importantly to tell my story.

Blogging evolved from a way to waste my time to a hobby that makes my life better. 

I've learned to enjoy everything around me, and notice things I would normally have taken for granted. 

Pictures have become a thousand times more valuable than they were before. 

Most amazingly there is a whole other world of life bloggers out there that were just waiting to take me under their wing and help out.

This blogging thing became a new way of living... I know I'm still a young blogger but I'm so excited to see what else is in store for this adventure.

Oculus Reaction and Review

As soon as I saw the trailer for the movie Oculus starring Karen Gillan, I knew I had to see it immediately. Being the scaredy cat that I am though I knew I couldn't see it alone. As soon as it came to a nearby theater I enlisted the help of my trusty movie going buddy and we were off to see it. 

Here is a our before and after reactions to the movie. Also included is a new special movie rating scale, but you'll have to watch the video to see it.

The thumbnail for this video sums up our relationship completely.

Unexplained Pictures on My Phone

Do you ever go through the pictures on your phone and think, "I have no idea where that picture came from..."

I do that all the time. Here are a few examples. I won't explain them. I'll let you decide what's happening.

The pictures are far better without an explanation. Do you have any pictures that are better that way?

DIY Window Picture Frame

Have you ever strolled through a flea market or yard sale, saw an old window and thought "I can do something with that!" I do that too! One day I got the nerve to buy one of those windows and this is what I did.

If you want to see how I turned an old window into a really epic picture frame just keep scrolling...scrolling, scrolling.

What you will need:

• 1 old "unloved" window
• Wet rag (To clean off window)
• 1 Wax pencil
• Puff paint like this in any colors you want (Found at almost all Walmart and Craft Stores)
• Pictures you want to show off
•  *Optional* If you choose to paint the frame of your window you will need paint for this step. My window stayed as it's original color.

Step 1:

Clean your new found and unloved window. Make sure to remove any dirt from the frame and glass panes. If there are any pieces of metal sticking out of the frame (like on mine), it's a good idea to remove any sharp pieces.

Step 2:

Use your wax pencil to map out a design of your choosing on the glass. (On my window I used a regular pencil to map out the design on the frame.)

*Quick Tip* Draw your design on the front side of the glass. That way you can just trace over the wax pencil with the puff paint on the back side. Once you are done painting just wipe off the wax pencil on the unpainted side. This also keeps the smooth surface on the front of the window.

Step 3:

Once your Puff Paint has dried, clean up all excess wax pencil markings or regular pencil markings using your wet rag. Use this time to touch up any mistakes you might have made.

 Step 4:

Add all of your pictures. TADA! A one of a kind way to show off all of your favorite memories.

I hope you enjoyed making your own Window Picture Frame. If you have any pictures of your project, I would love to see them!

If you would like to check out any of my other DIY projects you can find them here, here, and here.

Humanity Doesn't Suck

It's vlog time again! I couldn't resist the beautiful weather, the need for a new blog post, and the inspiration from one of my favorite YouTubers. This video is about one of my favorite qualities in people. I hope you enjoy!

Watch it here for Apple products.

What makes you fall in love with humanity? Let me know in the comments. Have a great day!

20 Things to Never Ask a 20 Something

1. Do you still live with your parents? Maybe...

2. When are you going to get a real job? When you stop asking.

3. What do you plan to do with your degree? Use it as a fire starter during the zombie apocalypse.

4. Why do you eat so much fast food? I don't actually know how to cook...this is how I survive.

5. Can you watch my kids? Can you buy me a car?

6. Do you have to sleep so much? I'm enjoying not having kids, and sleeping whenever and as much as I want.

7. When are you going to grow up? Never. The answer is never.

8. How can you eat all that? You're just jealous, and because I'm hungry.

9. How can you afford to go shopping if you don't have a real job? Magic.

10. When are you getting married? Depends...do you want to buy me a husband?

11. Why are you always so grumpy in the mornings? I'm still trying to have a life while working. I haven't figured out it's impossible yet.

12. Why do you have so much laundry? Because laundry is hard, and buying clean clothes is easier.

13. Where did all your dishes go? I threw them away...they were dirty.

14. Why are you so lazy? I'm not lazy. I'm EXHAUSTED.

15. Why are there phone chargers in every room? In case I fall and can't get up, at least my phone will be charged.

16. Is frosting straight from the jar a good idea? Get out.

17. Why do you have Wi-Fi but no car? Because Netflix....and Facebook, but mostly Netflix.

18. How do you have the entire Starbucks menu memorized? It's easier than U.S. History, and tastier.

19. Why would you get a graduate degree when you're already broke? Because debt is easier to face than the real world...and the impending existential crisis of no longer being a student.


NEVER, I REPEAT NEVER ASK SOMEONE THIS!!!

20. How does it feel to be the only unmarried one left? It's glorious. I've already got names picked out for my first fifty cats.

I hope you enjoyed my...

11 Reasons Finding Nemo is the Story of My Life

Finding Nemo is one of my all time favorite movies. Sometimes when I watch it I find myself saying, "I do that!" Here are a few of the most uncanny similarities between the movie and my life.

1. Sometimes I'm stupidly defiant.

Source

2. I have an over protective dad.

Source

3. I love squishy things.

Source

4. I have primitive nicknames.

Source

5. I often embarrass myself publicly.

Source

6. I can speak whale.

Source

7. I'm honest.

Source

8. I'm obsessive.

Source

9. Boys don't like me either.

Source

10. This is how I react when I want something.

Source

11. I have an irrational fear of fish.

What movie do you think is ripped straight from your life? Let me know in the comments. Please tell me so I know I'm not the only one who's life compares to a cartoon.

I Collect Stories

I'm a collector of sorts... You've probably seen where I collect cups. If not you can see that here. 

I don't collect things because I like to have them as possessions. I like to collect things for the stories they hold. One of my favorite collections is my rosary collection. To me rosaries are things that are meant to be saved and kept safe. Here are just a few (I do mean only a small portion) of my favorite rosaries from my collection. I hope you enjoy!

Given to me by my aunt before setting off for college for the first time. She said it would protect me.

My smallest and very first rosary. I got this one when I was about 11 years old. It's a baby rosary that I found in an antique store. I begged my mom for it until she got it for me.

Made by the nuns in the Vatican. It's my favorite token from my trip there. Instead of a cross on the end it has a book with the Lord's Prayer in Latin. It now protects my car.

Rescued from a yard sale several years ago. It was too beautiful to leave. This beauty now hangs in the center of my room on my fan pull.

Do you collect stories or things? I want to know what you like to collect.

DIY Travel Magnets

I did it again....another Pinterest Win and this one is even easier than the last.

If you're like me you have a ton of currency left over from your last trip. If not, maybe you have a really boss coin collection that you've been wanting to show off. Keeping them locked in a box or sitting in a drawer won't do them justice. Here is a VERY easy DIY magnet project I found on Pinterest. It takes less than five minutes and half as many supplies.


If you want to learn how I made these ridiculously easy and very chic magnets...just keep scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.

What you will need:

• Coins (of your choosing)
• Magnetic buttons - Found in the craft aisle of Walmart or basically any craft store.
• Craft glue *optional*

Step 1:

Find small round magnets that are approximately the size of your coins or smaller. These magnets can have an adhesive back on them already (like the ones below) or you can glue the magnets to the back of your coins. Then choose the coins you would like to turn into magnets.

Step 2:

Attach magnets to one side of the coin in the center. For mine I did one on the back of a coin and one on the front of a coin, as I had two of each.

Step 3:

That's it! Find the perfect place to show off your new awesome magnets!

I hope you found this to be and easy an fun DIY project. If you make some of your own I'd love to see pictures!