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!

Beauty Favorites

Hey guys,

This spring has left me loving a few beauty products. I have definitely streamlined my routine in the mornings because of these things. I also wanted to say that I am a bit of a beauty geek. I have way too many products and putting on makeup is definitely one of the best parts of my day. I love makeup so much, bad sadly I don't enjoy wearing a ton of it because I am somewhat lazy. So here you guys go, these are my favorite beauty products!

Bobbi Brown Foundation- This foundation is perfect because it comes in so many shades, which is great for people that has super pale skin (like me). I also love that it covers up what I want to hide, but shows things like freckles. I have never broken out because of this foundation and I have super sensitive skin! If you are on the hunt for a new foundation, definitely give this one a try!

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder- This is also by Bobbi Brown, so if you couldn't tell they are my go to for makeup. This powder is amazing at setting your foundation and making your skin look like... wait for it... skin. This powder uses many different shades and finishes to create a super natural look that feels great on the skin.

False Eyelashes- I have had eyelash extensions for about a month now and I love them! I love that I wake up in the morning and look ready to go. However, it is all about where you go because I have friends that have them and they don't look good (sorry)! Definitely go in knowing what you want and be clear if you don't like them!

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick- I am very pale and because of that bronzer doesn't really work for me. The Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick is amazing because it is a bronzer, blush, and highlighter all in one. This makes it super easy and adds the perfect amount of color to your cheek. This one is my favorite and isn't dramatic.

The Perfect Pink Lip- So it does not look this color in real life, it looks like a nice nude pink. This pink is almost the exact color of my lips with just a bit more pink. This makes it my perfect shade because I can throw it on at any time without people being like "wow when did you put on lipstick." This matches so many people and it works with almost any outfit!

Hope you guys had fun reading this! Have a great day!

Top 5

Hey Guys,

I decided that it could be fun to list my top 5 favorite things from this week. This week had consisted of schoolwork, working, and family plans. From this crazy week I learned a few things that I guess I need to have on me at all times.

1. Coffee- Okay I guess this is a bit obvious, but I love coffee. I probably drink about 2 cups of coffee a day. My favorite and go to coffee is a grande vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso from Starbucks. On days like this when AP testing is over it's just a little harder, i need a coffee.

2. Essential Oils- Whenever I am feeling a little stressed, I feel sick. I get headaches all the time and Advil doesn't always work well with me so essential oils are amazing. I defuse them in my car and in my room. I got mine from whole foods and another local store. There is an essential oil for almost everything!

3. Swell Water Bottle- I have 2 of the Lilly Pulitzer Swell Starbucks water bottles and they have not left my side this week. It is definitely important to drink a ton of water when you are super busy, other wise you will crash (i have lots of experience).

4.New Music- These past few days I have discovered a few new songs that I just love. Harry Styles' new songs are great and there are so many others that I have kept on my recent playlist!

5. Snacks- Sometimes I forget to eat when I am stressed or I eat too much junk food. This week I have developed an abundance of snacks that will keep me filled yet still taste good.

I hope you guys have an amazing week and weekend!