Girl Has A Planner!!!

Well friends, almost a *year* later, I am finally putting up my planner post. Yes, these pictures are almost two months old, and I apologize for that. The agenda I have is the large Lilly Pulitzer agenda. Recently I won a free planner (winning never really happens to me), so maybe when I start using that one I'll do a different post. Also, theses pics were taken on my phone, so bear with me.

I use these PaperMate pens. On the first day of school, I made out that little key to assign a color to each class. I use the Sharpie pens for all clubs, appointments, etc.

 On the monthly calendar, I write down when all assignments are due as soon as they are assigned using that class's specific color. Every so often I'll use the stickers that come in the front of the planner. And then I'll put things on the weekend as motivation to get through the week. :)

I cross off the days on the monthly calendar as they go by. 

 At my school, we follow a block schedule, so that makes it a little easier planner wise. I write down the assignments during class, and then all major assignments I write down at the top of the day they are due (pictured below). After I finish an assignment or turn it in, I go over it with a highlighter.

And that's all folks!

10 Tips About the College Process

Hi friends! Today I am going to talk about the buzz word around my school recently-COLLEGE. (ooooo scary). But really, college has been the it topic with deadlines approaching and ACT scores coming out today. I am no expert, but these are 10 things that I have learned throughout my process over the past 5-ish months.

1. You do you.

I listed this one first because it is the most important in my opinion. You are going to college for YOU, so make the decision based on what you want! Of course there are circumstances such as financial need or family situations, but you are the most important factor in this decision. I have been guilty during my process of applying to/favoring schools because of what I heard someone's parent say or talking with a friend. Ultimately, your college experience will be what you make it, so don't let others strongly influence you if you don't agree.

2. Do the work on the front end.

My school has a session during the summer where we work on college essays, resumes, applications, or anything else college-related for three days during the summer. Was it awful having to do that much work during the summer? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. When I started submitting applications, all I basically had to do was copy and paste because I had done all the work previously. Take my word for it and start early. 

3. Don't become reliant on your parents.

This one is about the whole topic of independence. Most likely, you will be living away from your parents, and you will ultimately be responsible for almost every aspect of your life. Use the college application process as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to do something on your own! (But don't be afraid to ask your parents for help, too). 

4. Prioritize.

The way most colleges work is that you apply, and then you apply for scholarships, and then after you get accepted, you apply for housing, meal plans, etc. I have tried to kind of follow that pattern as a guideline for all of my colleges. Be cautious about deadlines though-don't do every possibly application for one college and then realize the deadlines for another college have already passed. 

5. Choose a roommate wisely.

This is the step that all of my friends are kind of freaking out about now. I feel like I'm kind of hypocritical because I always said that I wouldn't room with someone I was close friends with, but most likely I probably will. A lot of my friends have already found roommates, but a few are having a hard time finding one. I've heard a few girls say, though, that they don't particularly want to room with someone, but they probably will anyway. My advice to you, readers, is to go with your gut. If you know for a fact that you and someone else will not mesh well, do not room with them. If you know that now living in separate houses, just imagine what it will be like when you are forced to share a tiny dorm room together. 

6. Don't wait until the last minute.

As I said in #4, be cautious of deadlines! Don't wait until the week before to start your essay. Leave time for several people to edit it so you can produce the perfect draft. Also, request your recommendations early! If you wait until April to ask a teacher to write a rec for you, chances are they've already written 20 or there are 20 people in line in front of you. 

7. Don't wish away your Senior year.

High school may have been awful for you, but Senior year is the best year! This is the last year that you will be around everyone you've grown up with for the past 12 years. I have made so many special memories this year, but there have also been so many "lasts" that I've taken for granted previously. If you find yourself wishing away Senior year, then make a list of your favorite things from high school and try to relive those. 

8. You're not planning the rest of your life.

College is an important decision, but it does not determine the rest of your life! Nothing is set in stone. You can change your major, change your school, change your career-anything can happen. My friend was in a terrible ski accident last spring. Last week, she talked to our high school about how sometimes God calls you to Plan B. Or C. Or D, E. F...etc. I personally struggle with planning, more specifically always having the perfect plan. I want to know that I am choosing the absolutely perfect college and that there will be no problems or issues. Someone that spoke to our Junior class on our class trip last year said, "Would you rather have God's assurance that you picked the right college or the assurance that God will be with you wherever you go?" Food for thought. 

9. Get over the Senioritis.

Last year I thought Senioritis was just an excuse for those who were super lazy, but in the past three weeks I have discovered that it is a real thing. I have about zero motivation to anything school related. BUT....push through it! Put your best foot forward and produce great work-in school and on those applications. You won't regret it next year when you enter into the hardest classes of your life. 

10. Choose the best fit.

This is self-explanatory, but choose the school that works best for you and make sure you're going for the right reasons. 

That's all, folks! Let me know whether you agree, disagree, or having other tips in the comments!

Happy Tuesday!

-Abigail

School Uniforms: OOTD

Hi friends!
Hope you've been getting back into the swing of your post-summer routine. This year by far has been the most difficult for me to transition. Labor Day weekend=completely relaxation for me!

Anyway, last week I took daily pictures of my outfits for school. My school's dress code is pretty basic-any shirt with a collar & any pants besides jeans. *note-all these pics are mirror pics...but they do give a truer look at my mornings #rushed* We wear uniforms Monday-Thursday, and Fridays are casual days. Here's a glimpse of what I typically wear:

Monday

 Shirtdress: Old Navy

 Shoes: Target (old)

 Earrings: Francesca's

 Watch: Fossil / Bracelets: BaubleBar

 Tuesday 

 Shirt: Polo Ralph Lauren / Pants: The Limited / Shoes: Rack Room Shoes

The lighting is really odd because this pic was take around 6:30 a.m. :/ (yay ACT prep).

Wednesday

 Shirt: Francesca's / Pants: Gap / Shoes: Birkenstocks

 Star Necklace: BaubleBar

 What is this face?

 Shirt: Polo Ralph Lauren / Pants: Old Navy / Shoes: Franco Sarto

 Lol at the jogger watch. Quick story behind the watch....about three summers ago, I started wearing a watch to summer camp. I typically only wore it during the summer, but then my watch tan got so bad that I just started wearing one every day to cover it up. Now I feel weird not wearing it!

Top: Francesca's / Necklace: Francesca's / Jeans: Joe's Jeans / Shoes: Target / Watch: Fossil

Post about the blog's namesake (a.k.a. planner) is coming soon! Hope y'all had a great Labor Day weekend!

-Abigail

Senior Year?!

Well guys, when you are reading this, I will have completed a full week of Senior Year!! I still can't believe that this is my last year of high school. Yes, that sounds so cliche, but it's true.

A few days ago, I wrote out a list of goals I want to accomplish this year. So far, I've had not a lot of homework/no job/few extracurriculars, so they've been pretty easy to keep.

A few school essentials pour moi

*side note*-take advantage of your free afternoons while they last!! I know pretty soon I will be swamped with college applications, essays, homework, and social obligations, so I'm using the time I do have now very wisely!!

Without further ado, my 8 goals for Senior Year:

1. Spend time with Jesus. 

Whether it be two minutes in the car before school or an hour before bed, I want to have some sort of devotion/prayer/journal time each day.

2. Sleep at least 7 hours.

Y'all, Junior year killed my sleeping hours. Some nights I honestly went to be at 3 and woke up at 6:30. I would really prefer to avoid that this year. (After only 5 days of waking up for school, I think my body realizes there will be no more sleeping til 12 every day).

3. Keep my desk clean.

OK kind of random, but my desk is something I really want to take advantage of this year. I always tend to have random papers or books with no place to go just sitting on my desk, so I've tried to find spots for all of them. If my desk is clean, then I will choose to study there instead of my bed, which is where I'll most likely not do my best studying.

4. Drink lots of water.

I can already notice a change in my body from this one! I don't feel as weighed down as I used to, and my craving for a Dr.Pepper with vanilla from Sonic has decreased (although one every once in a while is fantastic :) Also, I did not just buy that new monogrammed water bottle for nothing. 

5. Run at least twice a week.

One of my friends and I are running in the Color Run in November, so I am trying to get back into decent/somewhat/I can actually run 3.1 miles shape. I've been writing down all my workouts in a little journal just to visually keep track.

6. Be a friend.

Most likely, I won't see the majority of the people in my class until our 20 year reunion, so what does it hurt to be a friend to everyone and kill 'em with kindness?

7. Keep up with the blog.

Y'all, I am going to try to hard. I have so many ideas, but sometimes it is just so hard to spend the time to put them on a computer (psh, excuses, excuses). My *rough* goal for this year is one post a week. My brother is taking a photography class at school, so maybe I can get him to be my unofficial photography?? 

8. Read before bed.

I really do love reading, but when Netflix is calling my name, I usually choose it over a book right before I fall asleep. So many people have told me it is bad to look at a screen right before you go to bed, and I've also almost broken my computer several times from leaving it on my lap (and then I fall asleep and it falls off the bed-whoops!). This will also give me a chance to read books that aren't required for school.

So, there you have it friends-my 8 goals for Senior Year! Leave a comment with any goals you have for this year. Hope your new "year" is off to a great start!

-Abigail

All About Introverts

Hi friends!

So, this post might seem kind of random, but I've been talking with a friend a lot about personality types, so I decided to share my thoughts. But first, a few things.

-I took an aptitude test last fall, and I was 60% Introvert and 40% Extrovert. *side note-I took the Meyers-Briggs test last night, and I am an ISTJ!

-I am in no way am trying to give professional opinions. These are just my thoughts.

-I don't mean to come across as rude or mean; writing, like I'll share, is just how I prefer to share my thoughts.

So, without further ado, here are six things that I would like you to know about introverts.

1. We have to have alone time. 

Introverts gain their energy from being alone. I love hanging out with friends and going to do social things, but spending time by myself is how I recharge.

2. We are not loners.

This sounds contradictory to #1, but it's really not. Just because I have "me time" doesn't mean I want to spent the entire day locked in my room.

3. We're not unfriendly.

Please do not take offense if I do not come up to you and introduce myself. Just because I don't offer my life story at our first introduction doesn't mean I don't want to get to know you. Communicating with new people and trying to be genuine is hard until I really know you.

4. Please invite us.

I think this one will apply to all personality types, especially because everyone has FOMO, but please do invite us. Everyone hates being the instigator, but in the end, you are the one who could have organized the most fun night of the summer!

5. It's hard to start a conversation. 

This one is similar to #3. Communicating with new people and trying to be genuine is hard until I feel comfortable around you. 

*Personal note here-I am a one-on-one person. I have great conversations with people if it's just the two of us or a very small group. Also, although it may not apply to all introverts, I communicate even better through writing rather than speaking.

6. Please don't get mad at us.

Some people get irritated when someone does not act the same or enjoy the same things that they do. But what fun would that be if we were all the same?! We are all unique and have our own ways of doing things.

What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments!

-Abigail

Farmer's Market Finds

Hi friends! Long time, no post. But good news…I am finished with my summer reading (forever!), and I have several posts prepared before the dreaded start of school.

To kick off the month of August, Cate (one of my best friends) and I took a little trip downtown to visit the Farmer's Market. We both have been making our own summer bucket lists, and this was definitely something we wanted to do before school starts.

I brought my camera and was determined to take a bunch of photos, but I realized that I am not used to being in "blogger" mode yet. Will have to work on that.

My mom gave me a list of a few things–cantaloupe, corn, tomatoes–and other than that, I just purchased some flowers.

 These cucumbers were too cute not to photograph.

 This is a really random photo, with a blur of white at the bottom because I was struggling with a shopping bag, but hey, I think it really conveys the experience.

 We took this picture as a joke, and then someone from Texas asked us to take a legitimate photo for them. Whoops.

 And this lovely gal is Cate. She is the one who introduced me to blogging (check her out here),  one who is always up for an adventure, and the one who I have the best conversations with about life. She's the best, y'all.

Also, two things we learned from this adventure:

1. Do not wear black if you plan on being in the sun at noon.

2. Just because it is light outside does not mean you should walk around by yourself. 

Leave a comment if you want to see other bucket-list adventures!

How to Prepare for Vacation

Hi friends! Hope you're having a great Thursday so far.

Ok, so let me start out with a few things.

1. This post mainly focuses on the packing aspect of preparing.

2. This post contains some not so typical "pretty" blog photos-I wanted to portray the craziness of packing.

3. I tried to pack light for this trip (or lighter than I usually do), but now that I'm here and I've unpacked, I've realized that I brought enough clothes to last me for more than two weeks. Not even kidding. Ok now on to the actual post!

So, when I know I have a trip coming up, I usually start planning a list of things I'll need about a week in advance, and then use one of the days before I leave as an errand day. This errand day mainly consisted of returning a FitBit, spending way more money than necessary at Target (anyone else have this problem?), and visiting the library for the second time this week.

Just a few random products…oh and yes I know the background of this photo looks quite odd, but I had no natural light and had already put my normal photo backgrounds back in its normal place.

 So, after I finish all my errands, I start the packing process. Y'all, let me tell you, when I pack, it is like I am moving. No joke. Every time I go anywhere more than two days I feel like I am bringing my entire wardrobe and heading off to college. (Can you tell yet that I have a knack for exaggerating? :)

For this trip, I tried to be a little more methodical in planning my outfits. Usually, I'll have an idea of the schedule for the trip and what kind of clothes I'll need, but not for this one. We are spending the week in Destin, Florida, where my little brother has a baseball tournament. So, we're technically at the beach, but not really. Anyways, the days here typically go something like one or two games in the morning and then we'll have the afternoons free. I tried to bring an equal amount of casual clothes/ norts and "cute" outfits.

I start out my packing process by laying out a ton of outfit options on my bed.

 I usually will lay out jewelry pieces as well if I know they match an outfit.

I am so obsessed with this new coral poppy necklace!! 4th of July outfit preview :)

 See that pile of books? Yeah, for some reason I thought I should go to the library and get enough books to ready two each day….also see how many clothes I lay out?!

Speaking of books, here are the ones I plan on reading. I read Eleanor & Park on the way up (so sad!), and I'm almost halfway through Yes Please!

Let me know what your book recommendations are or if you want a post about my favorite books!

So after the very difficult process of determining which/how many clothes I'll actually wear, I start to lay everything out on the floor, along with shoes.

From left to right in this photo, I have my "cute" outfits, then swimsuits, dresses, and rompers, then swimsuit cover-ups, then pajamas, and some miscellaneous shoes.

Then, I start to put everything in my suitcase. I put all my underwear, sports bras, tank tops, etc. in the zipper pocket, and then I roll up all my workout clothes, norts, and t-shirts in the bottom of the suitcase.

On top of those, I start putting all my outfits. I roll them all up into one roll, along with matching jewelry. 

On the very top, I put some random polo shirts and my Fourth of July outfit options. 

That was all in that bag!

The other big bag I brought was my Vera Bradley duffle. In there all I had was a change of clothes, all my shoes, and my toiletries. 

Again, I apologize for the bad photo quality….it was super dark!

Here are the bags I ended up bringing, along with a backpack with books and summer school assignments, a pillow, and a blanket. 

So now that you've seen the better of the packing photos…let me show you what it's really like. 

Just a little behind the scenes blogging for y'all!!

Also, I was thinking of making one of my next posts a little more personal!! I just have so many thoughts running through my head about being a senior?!! in August, and I need to write them down!

But, be on the look-out for a 4th of July post, and a post about how I organize my planner soon!! I am really trying to create original posts rather than copy the ones that a lot of amazing bloggers have done, so please comment if there is something y'all would like to see!

Hope y'all are having a great summer!

---Abigail

Hilton Head Highlights!

Hello friends!

So, two weeks ago, my family took a trip to Hilton Head Island, SC! My mom had a work conference, so the whole fam tagged along. We have been going to the same resort since I was about six years old.

We didn't "do" a lot so to speak…we spent a lot of time relaxing on the beach and laying by the pool. I read almost four books on this trip; I was so glad to have time to finally read!

Here's a fam selfie right after we had gotten the rental car…I got three hours of sleep the night before so please excuse my appearance…

Anyway, we had flown into Savannah, GA, and the drive to Hilton Head was only about 45 minutes.

We spent a few hours by the pool, and then we went to eat dinner at one of our favorite places called Marley's Island Grill. We make a stop there every year, and they have the best food!

Here's an outfit pic for ya…

Top: Local boutique / Jeans: The Limited / Shoes: Target / Earrings: Francesca's 

This next spot is not the prime place for a photo op, but my dad and I took the same picture about seven years ago, so we decide to take it for old time's sake.

Outfit: White Shorts: Gap / Tank Top: Old Navy / Kimono: Local Boutique / Necklace: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: RayBans

The hotel had S'mores one night, so mom suggested we take a selfie. 

As I said earlier, we didn't really "do" a lot (which was actually very relaxing), but one night we did go to Harbour Town. We took this exact same picture when I was about six years old. 

Sib Pic

Outfit: Shorts: J. Crew Factory / Top: Topshop / Necklace: Target / Sunglasses: RayBans / Bracelets: Bauble Bar / Shoes: Target

lol random mirror selfie…honestly the best part about this trip was the fact that we didn't have an agenda. We had a few hotspots we wanted to visit, but during the day I sat by either the pool or beach all day and read. After this incredibly stressful school year, it was amazing. 

Sunset at Harbour Town

This was our last night there :(. We tried to get a family pic, but both of my brothers had stomachaches and just weren't haven it. 

Just a mini rant here…I do no understand how a person's hair looks good in beach pics. Mine flies everywhere no matter how much product I put in it (ok mini rant over). 

When you try to take a selfie with an actual camera part 1

Part 2

Part 3!

One restaurant I really wanted to visit was the Salty Dog Cafe. Unfortunately, the wait was 2 hours, so we opted for its' sister restaurant, the Wreck. Rumor has it they have the exact same food!

But I still got the Salty Dog T-Shirt :)

And I'm only including this one because I thought it was the perfect depiction of what I look like when I'm #hangry. 

So, that's all folks! I didn't take a lot of pics, so these are just the highlights. I hope y'all are having a great summer so far! Please leave comments of posts you would like to see!

-Abigail