May 9, 2018

Law School Graduation Gift Ideas

What to ask for as a law school graduation gift or what to get for a new law grad. Law school graduation gift guide. Law school gifts for her. Law school gifts for him. Law school graduation present ideas. law school blog. law student blogger | brazenandbrunette.com

Hello hello and welcome back to graduation week on the blog! Today's post is near and dear to my heart because it involves presents for law school grads (like me). When people ask you what you want for graduation, it can be really awkward because you have to keep their budget in mind, so I've included things for all kinds of budgets for you to get ideas from. Or if you wound up here looking for gift ideas for someone you know who's graduating law school, I've divided this up into work and play to help you find something that matches the vibe you're going for. 


Work

Starting with work because a very important piece of advice I was given before going off to college is that in the saying "work hard, play hard" there's a reason why work comes first. These are the more practical gift ideas, but are such a good idea because they'll get used a lot. I'm also just going to point out here that these are also more "safe" gift ideas so they're great if you don't really know someone's personality that well.


This is a simple, but great option! I swear lawyers are single-handedly keeping the printing industry in business. This adorable Kate Spade business card holder is professional but not stuffy, and for an added touch you can easily take it in somewhere and get their name put on the back.


Along those lines, a personalized card holder for their desk is a great gift for their big kid job.  I personally like glass the best because it goes with all different styles of offices.


There's lots of personalized suit hangers on Etsy that are great but I really like this one because you can add their school and grad date, and probably also their name. Now obviously this is just a jacket hanger and pants can't quite go on this, but it's okay. Usually law grads are broke anyways so they might just have one suit jacket.


Almost all law students already have a portfolio, but by now it's probably on it's last leg after being shoved in a backpack for three years straight. So an updated portfolio is a great tool for them to have on hand as they go into a million and a half job interviews.

Every guy who just graduated law school is about to need a tie almost every single day, so what a great gift idea! But instead of just getting them one tie or trying to figure out his style, a tie subscription box is the gift that keeps on giving because he'll get a new tie every month.


Want something that no one else has probably thought of but will definitely get a lot of use? Pay to have their diploma framed in a custom diploma frame! You can call their school to get the diploma dimensions before hand. Or this also is a great gift for procrastinators or people who forgot to get a gift because it's perfectly acceptable to give this to them later after their graduation date.


One of my classmates got a Montblanc pen for graduation and I'm in love with it! Nothing says "I'm a big shot lawyer" quite like signing your first job offer with a very fancy pen. Now obviously this isn't within everyone's budget, but a personalized pen will also do!

Literally THE most classic law grad gift ever, and for a reason! So if you're going to follow tradition, follow it well and get a timeless design yet excellent quality briefcase. This briefcase was actually designed by a former lawyer (who may or may not be on the blog very soon 😉) so you know it's well-thought out to what a lawyer will need! I have a notebook from this company and let me tell you, it is some very high-quality, sturdy leather! Like, this thing will last and last which is great because it means that it can be passed down to future generations. Or if you're not feeling the briefcase, they also have a high-quality laptop case, too. Which brings me to...


If they have the same laptop they got before heading off to college, chances are that it's pretty beat up after 7 years of being thrown across the library in frustration studying. A newer, lighter MacBook will be greatly used since so much of Bar prep (and the actual Bar exam!) is on laptops, not to mention how work laptops are usually old and so slow. 


The one thing that new law grads will need but can't afford is a new, nice suit. You can get them one off the rack from somewhere like Ann Taylor and get it altered or you can even order a custom suit from places like Sumissura. No matter what kind of law you do you'll need a nice suit, even if it's just for getting sworn in to the Bar.

Play

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right? These gifts are great if you already know that they're going to be getting lots of work-related gifts from other friends and family or if you want a gift that's a little more unexpected. Just know your audience so you don't spend a bunch of money on something that isn't their style.


A laptop and keyboard cover is a great and inexpensive gift because although it is practical, mostly it's just cute. 



Scales of justice stuff can get kinda "cutesy" and almost knick-knack-y pretty soon, so if you're going to go that route at least do something fun and useful like this wine cork shadow box.
An Amazon echo dot is probably the one gift I've received that I've used the most. You can get it with a smart plug so that they can easily turn appliances on and off with their voice or get it with an Amazon TV stick so they can save money on cable and take movies to-go with them. I actually have two Alexa's— one in my living room for turning things on and off and one in my bathroom so I can have voice-controlled music in the shower and while I'm getting ready.


 

Wireless headphones are great for everything from making commutes more bearable to gym-bag necessities. Noise-canceling headphones like the Beats headphones are also great for Bar prep. I personally have a pair of Apple AirPods and have convinced a few friends to get them because they're so handy to have.


Almost everyone I know is either taking a post-graduation or a post-Bar trip somewhere, so luggage is a great gift! It's also a subtle come visit more hint haha. 


Okay this is just wishful thinking on my part and if I hadn't already asked my parents for something else, I would absolutely request a pair of Louboutin pumps because nothing says I've made it quite like a pair of red-bottoms. Honestly, it's probably what I'll spend my first paycheck on as a treat for myself.


A Louis Vuitton Neverfull is so popular right now for a reason. Besides the timeless design and classy brand, it's also very practical. These things can hold a lot so there's plenty of room to stuff a laptop and legal pad plus tons of documents in to haul into a court house, or even enough room to stuff a change of clothes for a carry-on bag. Definitely worth the investment! 

Lastly, there's cold hard cash. I literally asked my parents to make a "sizable contribution to the 'Nikki is drowning in debt' efforts" because being able to pay off my loans a little faster is way more valuable to me than a scales of justice pendant necklace or something. It sounds impersonal, but money is what every graduating student could really really use. Even if they managed to have a full-ride scholarship, that can help with living expenses during Bar prep and so forth. But whatever you get them, make sure that you tell them how proud you are of them. Law school can be a rough 3 years and I can't explain how much those words are appreciated.
let's be friends!


 

May 7, 2018

Graduation Guest Outfits

Need some last minute ideas on what to wear to your bestie's graduation ceremony? From dresses to rompers to jumpsuits and even shoes, I have graduation outfit inspiration for you! What to wear to graduation. College graduation outfits. Grad school graduation outfits. Law school graduation outfits | brazenandbrunette.com

Welcome to Graduation Week here on the blog! I'm flipping excited for the ending of this weekend so I decided to make all my posts this week about the big day. So I hope y'all got some good ideas from last week's post on how to pick the perfect grad outfit, but after a little inspiration from a conversation with Little PD on Twitter and after such positive feedback on my workwear from Amazon post, I thought I'd share some guest outfit ideas on Amazon for those of your who will be watching your friends walk the stage. Amazon has really been working hard lately on stepping up their came and has come out with with Amazon Fashion, a part of their website just for clothes. The good thing about it is that you still get 2 day shipping and free returns with your student prime membership so you can order an outfit last minute and not worry about returns if something doesn't fit or you don't just like. But because Amazon is a resell place you don't always know what you're going to get when you order so always, always read the reviews and look at pictures!


Dresses


This shirtdress is only $50 and is perfect for looking casual and summery but still nice. 



Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. But this dress is only $20 and comes in 7 different colorsso that's pretty impressive.



If you like ruffles sleeves and are okay with wearing a strapless bra, then maybe check out this cutie that's under $50.



I love this little fit and flare dress because it's a super flattering shape and the color is so pretty.



Here's another cute and cheap floral dress option that's sleeveless and would be perfect for if you have a beachy vacation coming up.



Okay one last cute little ruffly wrap dress that is a little nicer option for you!


Rompers


I have a polka dot romper just like this that I got from Stitch Fix and it's perfect for brunching in before you head off to graduation.



Okay how precious is this little lace sleeve romper? I actually have this in the same color for my friend's graduation!



This little floral romper is less than $20 and has the cutest sleeves! It would look so cute in photos with your friends.




I love the bright colors of this romper! And I just realized that all of these are a blue/white theme haha.


Jumpsuits


If your legs get cold easily, this jumpsuit is a perfect option for less than $20.




Gingham is so in style this season and this gingham jumpsuit is super trendy and cheap.




This halter jumpsuit looks super comfortable and is probably great to throw on if you're rolling up to graduation hungover after reliving your college glory days when you're back in town.




I love how bright this ruffle one shoulder jumpsuit is super cute and fun for celebrating your bestie's accomplishment.


Shoes


These shoes are actually what inspired this post! And according to my source, they are super comfortable and durable. 




Here's a chunky heel option that's only $30 and so great for formal events!




If you'll be walking through grass to get to the ceremony, then these wedges are a perfect option for you!


 


And here's a sandal option if you don't want to wear big heels or will have a lot of walking to do.

Ta-da! Lots of last-minute ideas for you if you have a graduation to go to soon but still don't know what to wear. I tried to pick only pieces that had great reviews and were on the cheap side (just because I didn't list a price doesn't mean it's expensive, I just felt repetitive).
let's be friends!