What's in my backpack?

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday!

I can't believe that it's Labor Day weekend already!  This summer went by way too fast.

I start school on Thursday and I'm super nervous/excited.  

I've been shopping for last minute school supplies and packing my backpack for the first day of school!

Now onto what I carry in my backpack...

I've been using this Marc by Marc Jacobs tote for the past two years and I really love it!  The fabric is really sturdy and since it's nylon, it's so easy to clean!  

In my school bag I always always have my Lilly planner!  I would honestly go crazy without it.  

Another thing I always have to in my bag is gum!  Stride spearmint is my favorite!  And a bottle of water is a must.

I also keep a little cosmetics bag filled with translucent powder and concealer just in case!  You never know when your face could get oily or a blemish could pop up.  These come in handy especially after gym! And I always carry some kind of chap stick with me.  My favorite is the Maybelline Baby Lips!

What do you carry in your school bag?

xoxo

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!!

BTS: Homecoming

I always thought homecoming would be a huge deal in high school from watching movies growing up. With sparkly dresses and a homecoming queen and king.  At my school basically no one attends the homecoming dance.  I've always thought it would be fun to dress up and go!  Maybe this year I'll have to drag my friends with me!

Shop!

1. Free People 

2. Lilly Pulitzer

3. Free People

4. Tobi

5. Free People

So lately I've really been loving Free People dresses!  They are super trendy and sparkly!  I also love the kelly green Lilly laced dress!  Green is my schools color so I think this one would be perfect!  Lastly, the plum Tobi dress is so simple and I think would look cute with some fun jewelry and wedges!

What do you think of Homecoming? Is it a big deal at your school?  What would you wear?

xoxo 

BTS: Snacks

After school, the first thing I do when I get home is eat!  After a long day of school all I want is a yummy, filling snack.  I've been looking for new snacks to try online and I think I found some pretty good recipes!  What's great about these recipes is that you can make a batch on the weekend and save them for during the week!  I'm defiantely going to be trying these out soon so I'll let you know how they come out!

The perfect energy booster for after school.

Peanut-Butter Granola Balls

Ingredients:

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

2 tbs unsalted butter

1 cup crisp rice cereal

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup dried fruit

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium, heat honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until loosened and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. 

3. Remove from heat; stir in cereal, oats, and dried fruit.

4. Drop mixture by tablespoon into mini paper cupcake or candy liners. 

5. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

Great for grabbing on the go!

Oatmeal Snack Cakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (room temp.)

1/2 cup shortening

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tbs boiling water

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups rolled oats (pulsed several times in a food processor)

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Cream together the butter, shortening and sugars.

2. Put the boiling water in a cup and add the baking soda to it and then add to the butter and sugar mixture.

3. Beat well and then add the rest of the ingredients.

4. Roll out on floured surface to your preferred thickness.

5. Cut into shapes and bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes or until they are golden brown.

For when you have those days.

Kooky Cookie Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2 tbs butter, softened

1 cup sifted powdered sugar

2 tsp milk

several drops peppermint, almond, lemon, or orange extract or flavoring

2 - 3 tsp small, multicolored decorative candies

12 purchased chocolate chip or other cookies (about 2-1/2 inches in diameter)

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, beat together butter and one-half of the powdered sugar.

2. Beat in milk, extract, and remaining powdered sugar.

3. Spread on the bottom of 6 of the cookies.  Top with the remaining cookies.

4. Wrap and chill. Makes 6.

Whats your favorite after school snack?

xoxo

Check out my other back to school posts if you haven't seem them already!

- Back to School: Monogrammed Madness

- Back to School: First Day Outfits

- Back to School: Study & Organization Tips

- Back to School: Essentials

Sunday Snapshot [8.26.12]

Relaxing at the pool trying to get nice color before school starts!

Gaining 10 lbs at Georgetown Cupcake in SoHo (peanut butter fudge cupcake is to die over)

Went to the zoo with my friend - the prairie dogs were the cutest!

Prettiest peacock at the zoo!

Have a great week!

xoxo

Back to School Essentials

Happy Friday (almost Saturday)!

Shop!

Cardigan - Old Navy

Flats - Tory Burch

Tee - Forever 21

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Jeans - J.Brand

Scarf - Old Navy

Light Weight Cardigan - I usually wear a cardigan in the morning when it's still chilly outside and throughout the day. But by 3 o'clock, it's usually much warmer out.  A light cardigan is the perfect for keeping warm in the morning, then removing when the temperature raises.

Sturdy Book Bag - I love my nylon MbMJ tote bag because it's easy to clean and fits all my notebooks and everything else I need for school.  Plus having a bag in a neutral color ensures that it won't clash with anything!

Basic Flats - A comfortable pair of basic black flats are an essential in everyones closet! They are perfect to just throw on in the morning and go with anything. 

White Tee - Another basic, it can be worn with virtually anything.

Dark Wash Denim - Finding the perfect pair of denim can be really difficult.  I've really been loving J.Brand jeans - especially their jeggings!  One pair of jeans that you really love is all you need.

Scarf - Lastly, a scarf can completely change an outfit.  They can add color, texture, dimension to any ensemble.  

What are your back to school essentials?

xoxo

Back to School: Study & Organization Tips

Getting organized is hard to do.  Staying organized is even harder.  So I thought I would just share some tips on how to start the school year off right!

• Basic Organization
• Have a planner to write down homework, due dates, and everything else that you will probably forget.  I have a Lilly Pulitzer planner and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it.  Basically it's my second brain.
• If you have an assignment due, plan what days and times you will work on it.  I'll admit, I'm a huge procrastinator.  But writing down what I need to do each day before an assignment or project is due really helps!
• Label everything.  I also love to color code - it makes finding everything so much easier!
• Creating an Organized Space
• Make sure you have an area where you can work.  A clean, simple, uncluttered desk works best.
• Also make sure that your space is quiet and free from distractions.
• Studying Tips
• Take breaks!  Letting your brain take a little break every now and then will make you be able to accomplish more without going crazy.
• Make sure you stay hydrated.  I always have a bottle of water with me while I'm doing homework or studying.
• Chewing gum has been proven to help your memory, focus and concentration.  It is also considered a stress reliever. So try chewing gum while working.
• Turn your phone off or put it in another room!  I swear twitter and tumblr are the biggest distractions ever!

Have any other studying/organization tips?

xoxo

ps. make sure to check out my other back to school posts if you haven't seen them already!
- Back to School: Monogramed Madness
- Back to School: First Day Outfit

Blog Award!

First I would like to thank Kristen from Just a Girl and Her Little Dog for nominating me for my first blog award!  She has a really great blog and the cutest dog ever so make sure you check out her blog!

11 facts about me!

1. I'm one of the few teenagers who actually loves to read!

2. I have a huge fear of needles.

3. I have two dogs - a wheaten terrier, Brandi & a morkie, Gia.

4. I have one younger sister, Caitlyn.

5. I'm fluent in sign-language.

6. I'm obsessed with organizing things.

7. I carry chap-stick with me at all times!

8. I'll pretty much eat anything that has peanut butter on it.

9. I'm actually addicted to Starbucks.

10. I paint my nails at least twice a week.

11. I have a huge stash of dark chocolate in my desk! (shhh!)

Questions from Kristen:

1. Why did you start your blog?

I started by blog after a rough time in my life as a place where I could come to write about anything.

2. What is something you do everyday?

Every morning I make a list of all the things I need to do that day.

3. Who inspires you most?

My 90 year-old grandma for sure.  She has taught me to live life to the fullest.

4. What is your favorite place you have traveled?

Definitely the Bahamas!  I just love the water and beaches there!

5. Iphone, blackberry, droid or other?

iPhone!

6. Chocolate or fruity?

Chocolate!

7. What is on the top of your bucket list?

I really want to run a marathon!

8. Describe your dream home?

 My dream home would have a huge closet a spa!

9. What is your favorite reality TV show? (You know you have one.)

Haha I love Keeping Up With the Kardashians!

10. What was the greatest gift you have received?

Tough question!  I think the greatest gift I have received would be my dogs!  I love them soo much.

11. What did you have for breakfast?

Today I had a bagel and an iced coffee.

Questions for my nominees:

1. What is the one thing you can't leave your house without?

2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

3. What is your favorite thing about fall?

4. Is there a quote/saying you live by?

5. What is your zodiac sign?

6. Who in your life are you most close to?

7. Favorite city?

8. What is your go to beauty product?

9. Typical Starbucks/Dunkin/Cafe drink order?

10. Heels or flats?

11. What is your favorite item in your closet?

My nominations!

- Class and Sass

- The Preppy Diaries

- A Girl in the Know

- Classy Not Clashy

- Grace Lamb

- The Preppy Scientist

- La Belle Vie

To accept this fun award you must follow these rules:

1. Each person must list 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you plus you MUST create a set of 11 new questions for the 11 people you will nominate which brings me to rule 3.

3. Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.

4. Go to their page and inform them of the nomination

5. Absolutely no tag backs.

6. Remember to only tag bloggers with less than 200 followers.

xoxo