My Planner Organization

I love my planner. My planner comes with me practically everywhere and I write almost everything in it. I am currently using a Kate Spade planner. Last year I used a Lilly Pulitzer Agenda and I loved it. I think I will go back to the Lilly planner this year because of the color.

My planner is super organized and I love to utilize it to the best of my ability. I use the Le Pen pens to color code my planner. Now that school is out I don't really write as much down but I still keep many things the same. I try to only use my Zebra Midliner highlighters because they are almost pastel colors so I can still clearly read what is under neath. I know the color code organization isn't for everyone, but i really like it and i find that it works really well to match my lifestyle.

These two photos are from the school year and how I used my planner. I think its funny that the two pages I happened to choose were from the first week of school, and the last.

I try to use sticky notes to make lists or notes. On weekends I may add a sticky note to list the many things that I have to do that weekend and detailed notes on when and how I should complete them. I also really try to make it as cute and fun as possible so most of the sticky notes that I use are either pink or blue so they match the other colors. I also will draw little pictures on important and exciting days, but I am not an artist so I know these little doodles are not great.

There is a front pocket in my planner. I love this for small handouts from school or other things that I do. I also store some extra post its in there.

There are a lot of parts to this planner that I don't utilize quite as much as I would like to. Towards the front of the planner there is a  year at a glance section that I haven't really used. There is also a special events for each month section that I don't really use. When I first got the planner I added my family members birthday and some close friends birthdays to it but I haven't really looked at it since.

I use a paper clip to mark where I am in my planner. I got a pack of really cute paper clips that are blue and white from home goods and I just love how it looks. I have used a binder clip before but I didn't really like the indents that it would leave on the paper. I also didn't like how it wouldn't close all the way.

I really love all things about this planner but I will be going back to the Lilly Planner in a size large. I think I am going to get the print Gypsea because of the light pink and blue colors. If I was comparing the Lilly Pulitzer planner and the Kate Spade, I would say Lilly wins by just a little bit.

I hope you guys enjoyed this! If you have any other tips or your favorite planner, please let me know. I am always on the hunt for new planners!

2017 Summer Bucket List

Hey guys. Yesterday marked the first day of summer so I thought it would be fun to do a 2017 summer bucket list. This summer I will be traveling for practically the entire time so this bucket list will apply to not just the summer season.

I love making a list of things to do in the summer because around July I get super bored and order pizza and watch Netflix all day. That is super fun but it is summer and it is time to get outside and do something productive. So here are my 17 things to do this summer for the year 2017!

1. Workout Three Times a Week- In the summer I have a lot more time to do things and going to the gym is one. I am also able to workout without having to worry about school work or other activities that I have to plan my day around.
2. Learn Ten New Recipes- Again, with so much time I love trying out new recipes. Now that I am vegetarian I am trying out a lot more high protein no meat meals. Ill share any that I really enjoy.
3. Explore New Places BY MYSELF- I am going to be traveling this summer with my summer so I will have the opportunity to travel and explore a few new places by myself and get to know myself and the city.
4. Go Unplugged for 24 Hours- I think we all know that social media has many effects on someones confidence and personality. I think taking a day to just think about yourself and not focus on others is super important. 
5. Finish Ten Books (new post soon)- I love reading but during school I don't really have enough time in the day to read. I plan on reading at least ten books this summer and I will keep you updated on how they go. 
6. Start College Applications- I am a rising junior now and that means this summer is all about college applications. I am planning on getting most of the common app done before I go home and back to school. Please let me know if you guys have any tips on the college application process. 
7. Master my Australian Accent (hint hint)- I don't want to say anything more. 
8. Try Weird Food- I am a super picky eater and it annoys my entire family. Sometimes I go out of my comfort zone and try some crazy foods and I plan at least trying one weird food this summer. 
9. Try to Blog Three Times a Week- With all the free time (I feel like I am repeating myself but I haven't had this much free time in a long long time) I plan on using it to blog and get some really high quality content on here. 
10. Go Vegetarian- So I guess I already am vegetarian (I have only been for 3 weeks) but I want to continue this and stick with it and explore the many aspects of it. I especially want to see how it effects my body. 
11. To Not Drink Coffee for Two Weeks- I love coffee and there is a point where I drink way too much coffee. I am going to try a coffee cleanse to let my body take a break from the caffeine. 
12. Eat Ice Cream Every Day for One Week- I feel like this may be the easiest thing on this list but I want to put it on. I love ice cream so much and I think it would be fun to have some everyday for a week. 
13. Bike Ride Around Some Place New- I really enjoy bike riding but where I live there isn't a ton of places to go bike riding. However, there are places not too far from me that are really fun to go bike riding at that I want to try. 
14. Go Camping- I don't love camping. There is so much dirt and weird bugs but my family really likes to go camping so to make them happy I will make a promise to go camping at least once with them.
15. Try 10 New Restaurants- Again I am a super picky eater so I tend to stick to the same food but I have been really trying to go and test new places. 
16. Watch Fireworks- Although I won't be in the country for the 4th of July but I love watching fireworks. Hopefully I will see them at a different time then or at least celebrate from a distance. 
17. Make a Ton of Memories- I am so excited for this summer. It is the start of many lasts and I just want to make sure that I am super happy and my mental health takes priority. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this. I love doing things in the summer! Please let me know what your summer bucket list is and what you plan on doing this summer!

How To Have a Productive Summer

Hey everybody,

Sorry for not posting anything in a while. Today was my last day of school and there had been a lot of things leading up to that day. However, now it is summer and I couldn't be happier. I usually get a ton of stuff done in the summer and get to try a ton of new things.

So my summer can go two ways; me napping all day or me getting everything done. However, each summer I have some sort of project that I need to get done. Now, I know how to plan my summer so each day is productive and I can get a lot done. So here's the list!

1. Use Your Planner- I love using my planner, but for many people they stop using it in the summer. If you keep up with your planner you will want to fill it with many things (or that is just me and like to see my planner full of color).
2. Try Something New- Summer is a great time to start new things. With so much free time, you can probably try a new class or join a team of some sorts. This summer I am traveling and will be trying so many new things, and I will try to keep you guys updated on that!
3. Get a Job- Having a job is so fun and the summer is a perfect time to get one! They give you something to do and you are able to make money! 
4. Start The Day Early- I know that many people love to sleep in during the summer but you loose so much time! Wake up at a decent time (for me around 8) and do something! This works best if you have something to do like a project or a job.
5. Make a Routine- It can be hard to make a routine in the summer when you have no place to be or things to do, but it definitely helps. I think if you at least wake up at around the same day everyday and go and get coffee, it helps to make a day productive. 
6. Start a Project- I love to start projects in the summer and get a ton of stuff done. Usually I will update my room or try some super fun DIY's. Pinterest is a great way to find a ton of fun projects.
7. Help Others- Summer can be a hard time for some people (usually older people) and during the summer it can be great if you can offer someone help. Sometimes it can just be asking them if they need something at the store or mowing the lawn. 
8. Have Quiet Time- I like to use the summer to just relax and give my self some alone time. I try to do this about once a day. For example, I might sit and read a book and drink some tea for an hour one night.
9. Reflect- This is similar to the quiet time one but I enjoy reflecting in the summer. I am alone most of the time in the summer or at least not with friends all the time and I love using that time to just evaluate things in my life and start testing certain priorities. 
10. Reorganize-I love reorganizing. I think it is so much fun and so refreshing. I love reorganizing my room, closet, and even my computer. I love organizing things and making sure that all my things fit my routines and lifestyle. 

I hope this helps you guys have a super fun and productive summer. If you guys have any more ideas please let me know! I hope you guys have an amazing day!

How To Survive Junior Year

It is finally here. This week is my last full week of being a high school junior and I am so excited yet freaked out. It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman! However, because of me being almost done with junior year I decided to write a list of the top 10 things you need to remember to do as a junior!! I hope you guys enjoy it!

1. Challenge Yourself- Junior year is the year before you apply to colleges, which seems so crazy to me! This is the last real year that colleges will be looking at and you need to make sure you take a class load that reflects you. I definitely recommend taking AP classes (but not AP Chem) because these can give a nice GPA boost and you can earn college credit!  
2. Plan Ahead- This year I loved looking at colleges. Right now I have a list of all the schools I want to apply to and what the deadlines are. I also was able to travel and go look at a few schools that I have a huge interest in.
3. Talk with Teachers- Get to know teachers and let them know you! This year I got a job, a volunteer position, and have great opportunities ahead of me. Most of those things wouldn't be possible without recommendation letters from teachers. Also, colleges usually require those and you want to make sure you receive a great letter from a teacher who knows your passions and work ethic.
4.  Do Something- Junior year is already so busy but this year I was able to do many things that I wouldn't be able to do now. By junior year you (usually) have your license so activities like jobs and volunteer work are now options! Having a job and a volunteer position have been so rewarding!
5. Start Early- I have taken both the SAT and ACT, and the first time a took the ACT was today! It is the middle of June!!! If I could go back in time I would tell myself to start taking these tests in the winter of my junior year. You want to have as much time as possible to study and improve, especially without the stress of college applications lingering above you.
6. Have School Spirit- This year I only went to one football game. I wish I went to a ton more because they are truly so much fun! If you are like me and already have a super busy schedule, use the assemblies and spirit days to show your school spirit. (PS- go to the state championship basketball game because you will hate yourself for not going)
7. Value Your Friends- This year was either great or sucked just because of friends. They can be so supportive and I think we sometimes forget that just because you can't hang out with someone all the time, doesn't mean your friendship has gone bad. 
8. Find Your Passion- This year I found so many things I am passionate about including kids, volunteer work, and writing. My job has been amazing and has taught me that my career definitely needs to have kids in it. My volunteer work has lead me to an organization that needs to be heard. This year has been huge for me in writing. I started a blog (obviously) and I also joined out school newspaper!
9. Be Realistic- I went in to my junior year planning on getting a 4.0 (unweighted) GPA, making a ton of friends, being super social, dressing cute everyday, and getting a 1500 on the SAT (nope). Sometimes life happens and you need to be grateful for that. I didn't get an A in some classes but getting that B saved me my sanity. 
10. Have Fun- You only go to high school once, you are only a teenager once, and this life isn't forever. Its okay to make mistakes and its okay to not like Prom. As long as you are being true to yourself and doing what is best for you, you are doing great!

I hope this helped any of you that are stressing over junior year, its not that bad but its also just a year of school. If you guys have any questions about how mine went just email me!

Traveling This Summer

Hey guys,
This summer I am doing a ton of traveling, including some very long distant traveling. I absolutely love traveling and can't wait to do more traveling this summer. This trip in the summer will be very different from my others! However, because of this I have really been thinking about traveling essentials and what I need to bring on this trip.

North Face Backpack Wallet Longchamp Tote Hand sanitizer

Plane Essentials: On planes I definitely love to go prepared because of my fear of delays. At airports I definitely get hot and cold flashes. Depending on how long the flight is I will either use a backpack or a tote bag. For the longer flights I use a backpack because it can fit more and I can be a bit more organized when packing. If it is a shorter flight I will use a tote bag for when I don't need quite as much stuff. If I am going out of the country I use a document organizer. Those are really helpful when you want all of your important documents in one safe spot. I always carry a phone charger no matter where I go so my phone has a full battery.

Car Essentials: My car essentials are pretty similar to my plane essentials. Depending if I am driving or not, I may or may not bring my laptop or pillow. The bag I use follows the same rules, if its a longer drive I use a backpack and if it is shorter I will just use a tote. Also, instead of an actual physical book I will opt for an audio book so I don't get car sick.

Long Haul Flights: On the long haul flights I bring a lot of stuff because I get very bored. I will write another post of exactly what I pack but it is very similar with just a few more small things. On long hauls I pack a blanket because the plane ones aren't very soft and they aren't from home. I also bring some basic medication because I get claustrophobic or get an upset stomach on the plane. All of those things suck to get on a plane. I also bring a eye mask so I can sleep without the weird plane lights.

I hoped this helped all you guys that are going to be traveling this summer!