The Lilly Agenda

Lilly Agendas in Large Size

Lobstah Roll (covered spiral) // All Nighter // Wild Confetti // Scuba to Cuba

Pink Lemonade // Tusk in Sun // Lilly's Lagoon // Bazaar (covered spiral)

Lilly Pulitzer has officially released their 2015-2016 academic year agendas for pre-order!!!! I've never once heard a bad thing about these planners, and for the first time I think I'm going to make the plunge and order one myself! 

In the past I've used the Blue Sky planners from Target, and they work fabulously. But this year I checked and I'm just not loving anything they have in stock. So, it's time to make the switch and pre-order my very own Lilly agenda. I'm stuck between Lobstah Roll (one of my faves!) and Lilly's Lagoon - the bright blues make me super happy!

Which pattern would you choose? Don't forget to check out the Jumbo, Medium and Small sized agendas on the Lilly website, too! 

Gifting for Grads

school colors jack rogers // initial mug // fun notebook // sunglasses

agenda // monogrammed water bottle // monogrammed keychain 

tassel friendship bracelet (these are great to DIY) // jewelry tray // cute backpack

As graduation approaches, shopping for your friends may be difficult! Everyone is heading in their separate directions, and your summer time is cut super short. It's important to make the most of the time left, and stress less about graduation gifts. 

If you'll be heading to lots of graduation parties, it may be a good idea to get the same type of gift for all of your friends. The Fornash keychains pictured above can be customized for a variety of colors, which means that you can individualize them with each of your friends' monograms and their new school colors.

For a closer friend, a pair of Jack Rogers in their school colors, or a cute but functional backpack or tote bag would be good gift options! They are a bit pricier, but make a great gift for a long time friend.

 What will you be purchasing for your graduating friends? Which gift ideas do you like the best?

Neutral Sandals

one // two // three // four

five // six // seven // eight

Brown sandals are an essential part of my summer wardrobe. They go with everything and are very easy to wear - such a no-brainer when you're getting ready in the morning and you don't know what summer adventures you may be up to that day. I've owned the same pair of brown Steve Madden sandals for a while now, and they have seen better days. I need to replace them anyway, but there's no better time than now since the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is happening! I fell in love with this Jeffrey Campbell pair that Caitlin Covington always wears, but unfortunately Nordstrom doesn't have those in stock. I love the look of the thick straps across the foot and the embellishments! What's your favorite pair of sandals for the summer?

Tale of A Sale

Hey everyone! Just wanted to do a roundup of some of the recent sales I've seen going on! There's a lot happening now that it's Memorial Day weekend and summer is coming our way; hopefully it starts to feel a bit more like summer at home. School was beautiful but now it's gotten chillier the past few days.

For starters, Aerie is having a great swimwear sale where you can get a free bathing suit (actually it costs $0.01!) with the purchase of every bathing suit top. This is a really great way to stock up on some bathing suits for summer, and Aerie has the cutest swimwear. You can mix and match and get whatever sort of look you want, and they make lots of padded/cupped bathing suits for if you need more support. The sale ends tonight, so be sure to check it out!! Check out some of my favorite combos below! 

1 // top and bottom, 2 // top and bottom, 3 // top and bottom
4 // top and bottom, 5 // top and bottom 

Next up, Kate Spade is having up to 75% off their website!! Just enter the Surprise Sale page and type in your email and zip code for great deals on the most adorable accessories! There's one day left to snag up these great items. 

floral bag // palm springs tote // boat cuff (sold out already, similar here)

striped bag // knot earrings // toucan box clutch

bright handbag // slim wallet // lemon printed tote 

Last but not least, Nordstrom is having their Semi Annual "Half Yearly Sale." You can always find so many great pieces at these sales and the deals on designer brands are awesome! I'm keeping my eyes peeled for Hunter boots, but also designers like Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and more should be on sale!! There are tons of great items from shoes to handbags to clothing that will be available during the sale, so be sure not to miss this one!! It ends on May 31st so there's a little time left. Follow this link here to visit the sale.

Happy shopping, everybody!

What Am I Studying?

Hey guys!! I figured it would be fun to do a blog post talking a little bit about my major and minors, and why I chose to study what I did. I have been extremely lucky to know right from the beginning the things that I am passionate about and want to pursue, but I know most people don't know for a long time what they want to study in college.

Some of my best friends are still undecided, and that's completely okay! If you don't know exactly what you want to pursue, I suggest taking lots of classes that sound interesting to you, or spreading your studies over a wide area. This way, no matter what you choose to study in the end, you have a well-rounded background. Lots of classes will carry over from major to major, but some won't. 

For example, I have taken a lot of EPS (Earth and Planetary Sciences) and GECS (Global Environmental Change and Sustainability) classes in the last year, but unfortunately these classes wouldn't really count for many other majors. However, I have taken things like Social Psychology, Introductory Chemistry I, and Expository Writing, which are good base classes no matter what subject you end up studying long term.

Now, onto my areas of study:

Major: Global Environmental Change and Sustainability 

Concentration: Social Science

After taking AP Environmental Science, I developed a serious love for environmental science. At first it was a big joke among my friends that I loved the class so much, but one day it dawned on me that this was something I could seriously consider studying. Luckily, with a little bit of searching on the JHU website, I realized that the Global Environmental Change and Sustainability major was exactly what I needed. I love the idea of reworking products to meet sustainability needs, since I don't believe that humans will be as much of a help with reducing climate change. Ideally I would love to study abroad in Bermuda looking at the water filtration system, and seeing how we can implement this in other areas of the world. I also think that developing products of sustainable quality is super interesting, and starting a business for this would be awesome!

White roofs in Bermuda actually filter water on their own!

Minor: Entrepreneurship and Management 

Concentration: Leadership and Organizational Behavior

This brings me to my minor, Entrepreneurship and Management. Hopkins doesn't offer a business major; there is only the graduate program at the Carey Business School. I find that business can be a valuable asset to have no matter what else you want to study, and since I hope to look into starting a sustainable business, this was perfect for me. This way, I could focus my studies on sustainability, but I would have the business background I need to work for/create a sustainable company. I actually took my first business class this semester and I loved it! The professor is one of my favorites, and I can't wait to take my next business class with him next semester.

Minor: Spanish

Concentration: Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture

Another one of my big passions in high school was Spanish. I started taking Spanish classes in third grade and am basically fluent in the language. I have used Spanish many times while traveling and think that the culture is super interesting. I also was a member of the Spanish Honor Society in high school and became President during my senior year, which I am very proud of. Our advisor was absent a lot, which meant that I had a lot more responsibility than past presidents. It was a rewarding, but certainly challenging, experience. I decided to pursue Spanish in college because I had really never been without it. I took placement exams over the summer and was placed in Advanced I, which I then followed with Advanced II this spring. I had thought about studying Spanish as a major before, but in reality didn't think it was something I could make a career out of. When I needed a class that would fit into my schedule for next fall, one of the classes that worked was Modern Spanish Culture. I thought about it and upon doing my research, I found out that by taking this culture class, I am already halfway done with the requirements I need for this minor! Since I love Spanish and it has been part of my life for so long, it would feel strange to me to not be involved with it at least a little bit in college. I'm so glad I decided to minor in Spanish; I love it!

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Best of luck to everyone going through the college application process or deciding what you want to major in! It can be daunting at times, but in the end you will end up making the right choice. And it's super easy to switch if you need!! 

Ultimate Summer Playlist

Hey everyone!! 

I realized as I was making this just how many songs I love - these are all from my Spotify favorites playlist and are only some of the songs. The full playlist has 145 songs on it and can last 10 hours!! I seriously don't think I'll ever run out of music. 

I like a wide variety of songs; most of my music is classified as "mom music" by my friends, but I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock and oldies, so that's whatcha get. I'm also  super typical and love listening to poppy Top 40 type songs during the summer! As much as I love my "mom music," I had to throw in a few classic summer pump up songs (Hello, Party in the USA). 

I think this playlist would be perfect for lounging by the pool, chilling at the beach or a barbecue, and for blasting in the car with the windows rolled down! 

It's a great mix of old and new but all of these songs are great for singing along and having a fun time! Check it out below!

What's on your summer playlist?! 

Prep for Less: Sunglasses

Sunglasses are my favorite accessory for summertime! They are so cute and the variety of styles can amp up your look, no matter what you're wearing! One of my close friends (and sorority sisters) Brooke used to work at Sunglass Hut and she would always rock the coolest sunglasses - from heart shaped styles to classic aviators. 

Through the years I have accumulated a few pairs of sunglasses. I bought a cheap pair of wayfarers a few years back at the shore, and I love wearing them when I don't care about losing/breaking/damaging my glasses. But for everyday, I go straight for my Ray Ban Clubmasters! They are the perfect style for me (not as big as the aviators, like I originally wanted) and I'm obsessed with them. I wear them out and about on campus, in the car, and around town. No matter where I am, you can be sure that my Clubmasters are by my side! 

Along with those I have a Christian Dior pair of prescription sunglasses (similar) that my mom and I scored at Saks Off 5th Avenue a while back, and I love wearing those on the beach when I don't feel like wearing contact lenses! They are so cute and oversized - perfect for lots of protection on the beach! 

I think collecting sunglasses is so much fun since you can wear them basically everyday in the summer, and can get a lot of use out of them in the winter too when you're out and about walking on a college campus. Snow is super reflective and some of the brightest days at school were actually the coldest. 

PrepOfTheSouth posted about this pair of glasses on her Graduation Guide, and I fell in love with them immediately. I didn't know Nordstrom sold sunglasses for so cheap! All of these pairs are below $25; how awesome is that?!

On another note, sometimes it's worth it to invest in good sunglasses. I love my Ray Bans because I know they will last a super long time. Check out my higher end picks below!

Which pair is your favorite? I'm definitely looking into those A.J. Morgan "Ellie" glasses ASAP!

Pumped Up Kicks

Today's post is getting a little old school! If you follow my Tumblr, I'm sure you're already aware that I'm basically in love with my white Converse sneakers! I wear them with just about everything, and they are comfy as can be.

I love Chucks because they are so timeless and are long-lasting in the fashion world. No matter what the styles may be, a good ole pair of Converse will never do you wrong. I'm even thinking about getting another pair - most likely in navy - to replace the gray ones I have now (old/dark colored Converse make great shoes to wear at college parties). 

I also love my Asics for running and workout things, but I don't find those to be practical for everyday. They can get a little bulky, and sometimes running shoes can clash with an otherwise cute outfit. 

The perfect in between? If you're looking for a shoe that has a bit more support than a Converse sneaker, but isn't as heavy as a running shoe, New Balance "classics" are the answer. These styles are a homage to the old school look of New Balance sneakers, and they certainly feel a little bit vintage. They still come in tons of great colors, so you can get the sporty-chic vibe you're looking for!

Which is your favorite? I really love the Nantucket red pair!! Totally on my wishlist.

White Dresses for Graduation

Graduation is fast approaching, which means that the hunt for white dresses has begun! Lots of high schools and prep schools ask that the girls wear white dresses to graduation, and I know that it can be a struggle to find something that doesn't look the same as everyone else's dress. You want to stand out at your graduation! 

If you're anything like me, graduation was a special moment marking the end of an era, and you're gonna want to look on point for all the photos that you take after! I know I took soooo many photos with the friends I could find (my graduating class was almost 800 students!!).

I wasn't required to wear a white dress for graduation, although I strongly considered it for a while because it seemed like the classic, traditional option. And of course, what store did I head to? None other than Lord & Taylor, my favorite for dresses! 

This flutter sleeve pick from BCBGeneration is super cute!! I love that the sleeves add a bit of extra detail to the dress, but won't be too bulky under your gown. Plus the fit and flare type skirt will be super flattering in photos and make you look A+!! 

I love bows, and so when I saw this bow front swing dress on the L&T website, I was in love! It's super cute and I think it could even transition into the summer if you have a special event to attend.

Lastly, I looooove this ruffled off the shoulder dress from Cynthia Rowley (it's my favorite of the three). It is absolutely fabulous and is an ode to Caitlin Covington. Her love for off the shoulder tops makes me want to try one out this summer, and this dress would not only be perfect for graduation, but for vacation later on in the summer!! Just throw on some bright jewelry and you'll look totally Caitlin-esque! 

All three of these dresses are perfect for graduation and will transition well into the summertime. Check out the rest of my picks below. And congrats on graduation; it's such an exciting time!

Don't forget to follow along here and on all my other social media, and comment below! 

Color Crush: Porcelain Blue

Alrighty. Prepare yourselves.

I LOVE PORCELAIN BLUE. I LOVE PORCELAIN PRINTS. I LOVE THEM WITH A BURNING PASSION AND MY DEEPEST DESIRES AND I CANNOT GO TO THE STORE WITHOUT TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING IN A PORCELAIN BLUE COLOR OR PATTERN.

Just ask my mom. When this became a trend a little while back, I went head over heels for it. I think that the bright blue and white color scheme is so ladylike and elegant. It's like wearing your grandmother's finest china, or drinking tea with the Queen of England (and Kate Middleton. Even better).  And on top of that, they have a very Grecian feel as well because of the color scheme.

How pretty is Santorini?!?!

While I have yet to find the perfect blue and white piece for me, I have had my eye on a few options and I cannot hold back my excitement. 

Here are a few more of my blue and white favorites:

One // Two // Three (just purchased!) // Four // Five // Six

What's your opinion on this trend? Does it work for clothing, or should is it meant for plates only?

Vicstagram

Today's the perfect day for an Instagram roundup! I just got out of my first final exam and am waiting to say goodbye to my roommate (Lauren I can't believe you're leaving me already), head to lunch with some close friends, and then take a long nap to rest my fried brain. Micro is hard, people!

Homecoming was sooo much fun! Hopkins Homecoming weekend happens in the spring, since our lacrosse team is awesome and we have a lot of lacrosse pride! We're actually headed to the NCAAs for our first Big 10 conference. I'm super excited for it and can't wait to watch the games at home with my parents and siblings. If only they were playing Rutgers, I could have seen it in person! And of course, what would homecoming be without a picture of my two best friends, Annaka and Josie?!

In honor of the last two weeks of classes, I needed to get myself organized. I love making lists, and checking the items off as I completed them made me feel like I could conquer the world. Now that my first final is over, I'm starting to feel like that again!! I love having a go-get-em attitude.

Alrighty - Spring Fair weekend was a huge blast! I went and got so much great food from the food trucks every day. I had gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, Island noodles, a fish po'boy, chicken-on-stick (a Hopkins classic), some yummy pizza, fried Oreos, funnel cake, deliiiicious strawberry lemonade, and Wild Bill's soda. Everything was amazing and I certainly ate my way through Spring Fair, as they say most students do. There was also tons of fun stuff going on - petting zoos, games, carnival rides, and vendors selling all sorts of handmade items. We also had a bunch of concerts on campus and everyone stops what they're doing for Spring Fair - so many thanks to the students who turn Johns Hopkins into Hopkins State University for a weekend each year!! 

Surprise! I'm with Josie again. We loved our Theta Spring Fair tanks - the theme was Survivor, so they say KATch Us If You Can! The bright coral was the perfect color for this spring event, and we loved the gold foil letters!! 

I finished off a great year of dancing with the annual Jaywalk Banquet at Tapas Adela in Fells Point, located near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The food was delicious and I had such a great time with my teammates thinking back on the year and chatting without being in workout mode. We worked super hard to put on our showcase in April, and it totally paid off! It was one of our members' birthdays, so that made it even better. But the part that I loved most was that we got to sit outside in a special room that was actually a converted alleyway. Tapas Adela has a very rustic Spanish feel, and the redesign and repurpose of the alley for seating was so nice - the weather was perfect and we were surrounded by greenery (great use of sustainable urbanism for this Enviro major!). 

We woke up on Tuesday morning to one of Hopkins's favorite traditions - flamingos on the quad!! This has been going on for years and makes the day before finals that much more fun. Everyone takes a study break and hangs out with the flamingos and takes photos. My roommate and I even each took one and brought them back to our room; they're so silly and I love it. Plus, flamingos are one of my favorite animals. No one knows who goes out and puts all the flamingos on the quad each year, but they're fun to have around and always make their way onto JHUSnaps, our school Snapchat, from weird locations all over campus! 

Wednesday was my mom's birthday! I was super sad that I couldn't be home to celebrate, but in a week I get to come back home and give her the birthday present I got her, as well as spend a ton more time with her in person. I called my mom almost every day this year; she's my best friend and talking to her always makes my day better when there's a lot going on or I'm feeling stressed. And check out this photo - don't I look just like my mom?!

Wednesday night was Theta's formal! I had such a fun time with my date, Nick (left) and all my friends. My friend Mary took Nick's roommate, Miguel (right) and so all of my closest friends got to hang out together at formal. One of my Tumblr followers even recognized Miguel and asked how I knew him - he's stoked that he made it onto my blog and that someone knew who he was! He thinks he's famous now (lol). 

Last but not least, I said goodbye to my roomie today after we both took exams this morning. We became so close this year and have so many great memories to look back on together. We already want to plan to meet up this summer and hang out! I seriously don't know what I would have done without Lauren this year - she's seen me through it all and I miss her so much already!! 

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Be sure to keep up with my daily happenings at @victoriagram91 on Instagram!! 

iPhone Envy

One // Two // Three // Four

Five // Six // Seven // Eight

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To whom it may concern: I do NOT own an iPhone. 

*crowd gasps*

I love my Android - it works great, is well built and won't break, and I don't need to worry about becoming trapped in the proprietary world of Apple. I don't own a Mac computer either, and I'm still alive and well without one. 

Before heading back to school in August, I'm going to need to get a new phone, since I'll have hit the two year mark when phones magically decide to stop working. It's going to come up faster than I expect, and from now until then I have to stop and ponder the deep questions of the world - Team Android or Team iPhone??

Right now, I can only see two really good reasons why I should make the switch to the iPhone. One is that iMessage seems like it's really fantastic. You can text through WiFi, which means that if I'm away on vacation in another country, I can text other iPhone users without an overseas data plan. Also it makes group messages easier - something I always hated about Android. And you wouldn't believe how many of my friends are annoyed by the simple blue/green color difference in the texts they get from me!

The second (more important) reason why I would make the switch is the cases. There just isn't anything great out there for us poor Android users, and the few options I've found that are actually cute have been waaaaay expensive. I'm obsessed with iPhone cases, and think they act as a really great accessory! But is it worth making the switch just for a plastic case? I still have yet to decide.

What's your opinion on the iPhone vs. Android battle? Is it worth it to make the switch?

Dress Well, Test Well

HELLO WORLD! 

It's that time of the year again. AP exams, finals, and the end of the year are upon us. My exam period starts today, but I don't have any tests until this Saturday (woohoo for extra study time)! In the meanwhile, I'm studying a ton and drafting up some blog posts so that I can try and post consistently though the next two weeks. 

To start off this finals period, let's talk about how to dress in order to ace your exam. It's hard sometimes to figure out what to wear. Your head is telling you "what if that cute boy sits next to me during the exam? I need to look good!" but your heart is saying "you know you want to stay in your pajamas and head right back to bed when this is over." What do you do?! 

I've put together a few looks, ranging from "most dressy" to least, and hopefully they give you the comfy-chic inspiration you need to put yourself together during hell week.

This first look is by far the most causal, but I'm a total fan! When I want to go for a super comfy look that's a little sporty, I'll throw on a pair of jeans and a school t-shirt. The longer sleeves will keep you warm if the testing room gets cold, or you could swap it out for a short sleeved version. Cuff up your jeans, put on some boat shoes, throw your hair into a ponytail and hide it with a hat! You'll look cute and spirited, and be 100% comfy at the same time. If you want, switch the jeans out for leggings (but fun fact: I don't own a pair of leggings. I love my American Eagle jeans, though). 

The second look is a bit more put together but still very comfy. Who can say no to a simple t-shirt and flowy shorts? They are the perfect pairing! I love shorts like these, and think that they make an outfit seem so much more special even when you are comfy-as-can-be! The flat sandals are great for walking around campus from exam to exam, and won't make your feet hurt at all. Plus the bling is adorbs, and the simple jewelry keeps things polished without being fussy. A watch is a finals week must - it's always good to keep an eye on the time during your exams!

This last look is by far the most dressy, but it's still very comfortable! I love the color combination of orange and blue, and these jogger pants are just the way to pull it off! It's like wearing socially acceptable pajamas to class. Once again the flats will keep your feet from hurting throughout the day. These ones are from Target and are dupes for the coveted Chanel espadrilles. Some bold studs, a long pendant necklace and a fun bracelet amp up your look without being too much, and the orange top is such a quick piece to throw on in the morning! Just make sure to bring a cardigan in case the testing room gets chilly.

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How are you planning to dress for finals? Do you believe in the "dress well, test well" mantra?

Playing Matchmaker: Swimwear for Your Style

I don't know about you guys, but I think I should be classified as a "bathing suit collector." I love going into all the different stores and seeing the cute swimsuits that they have during the summertime. Right now I have a plain black bathing suit and a plain white bathing suit on my list, but I have so much swim gear already that I'm trying my best to hold off! 

If you want a classic look at the beach, I recommend the J. Crew seersucker bathing suit (top // bottom)! This is so cute and great quality, so it will last you super long. Plus the seersucker is the perfect fabric for summer!

This H&M top and bottom offer a much more fun vibe, and are perfect when you're hanging with friends by the pool and lounging around. The bright colors and floral pattern are great for livening up your summer wardrobe!

If you want simple tops and bottoms to mix and match, Victoria's Secret is always the go-to. They make great swimwear, and the endless selection of styles and color options means that you can get exactly what you want.

Next up is this super flirty scalloped one piece, which can be found here at Topshop. One of my close friends has something very similar and it looks stunning on her! I love the black and white combo, and the bustier top with scallop detailing is simply adorable. As a one piece, it's a great option if you want to be a bit more covered up and still look fab.

Of course, what kind of swimwear post would this be if I didn't talk about Triangl Swimwear. This Australian company is awesome! I love the bright colors for an edgier vibe, and the quality of these is fantastic. Every time I see someone wearing one, I wish I had one of my own. These are made from neoprene, which is the same material that is used to make wetsuits, and they are super bright and neon. Love them!! 

Lastly, I found this really great throwback style from Etsy! The nautical suit features anchor print bottoms, a high waist, and the obvious red, white, and blue. It's the perfect suit for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July (and will look super cute in your Instagram photos)! 

I must say I'm ***in love*** with all these suits! Which one would you add to your summer shopping list? Comment below!

Desk-picable Me

Today's post is all about my desk essentials!

Phone quality photo of my desk!

I'll admit, the top of my desk has a bit more clutter than I would like. My desk drawers are on the left, and above them I keep textbooks, my list notebook, a tape dispenser, a stapler, and some lotions. On the right side is where I sit with my computer, and my speakers behind. The back part of my desk is covered in photos, and then next to my computer are always my mouse and my Camelbak water bottle.

On the top shelf I store my makeup and a big ole power strip that has, like, 12 ports or something crazy. My desk holds a lot of my essentials, so even though there's a lot going on, it serves its function perfectly. 

The three drawers on the left side of my desk are also full of things! The top drawer houses my notebooks and folders for the classes I'm taking that semester, along with some essentials like a calculator and my camera (although I take all of my pictures on my phone!). Move down to the second drawer and you'll find lots of random things, such as an extra pencil case, and command strips. The bottom drawer also has a lot of random stuff in it, but I also keep my supply of computer paper there. My computer sits on a mini table right behind me in the corner of my room. And I have another mini table next to my desk that usually is the home for all my snacks (#socollege). 

The exciting part, though, is the desk drawer that pulls out where I sit at my desk. It's like a treasure chest of office supplies, a safe haven for all organization freaks like myself.

My mom found this awesome drawer organizer at Target when we were moving into our rooms in August, and it has honestly saved my life! I was so nervous that I was going to have all my school supplies thrown into this drawer and that it would get super messy, but everything now has a place thanks to these bins. 

I keep tiny things, like pushpins, binder clips, paper clips, pencil toppers, and chalk on the side in the small containers. The chalk is great because my roommate and I have a chalkboard wall decal and we can leave each other messages when we have to tell the other something important, or write a reminder. 

The bins don't take up the full space of the drawer, so I have a container with magnets and a box of pencils along the side. 

In the first skinny bin, I have Bic Atlantis pens on the left and other miscellaneous sharpies/highlighters/dry erase markers on the right. Bic Atlantis pens are my go-to for everything; I seriously cannot write anything unless I have blue Bic Atlantis pens. It's an obsession that runs in the family - they really are the best pens we've ever tried. In the middle, I keep some extra scotch tape (for when my dispenser runs out) and my mini scissors, which I've owned forever and I use to cut tags off clothing.

The second skinny drawer has Papermate Profile pens on the left, Papermate Flair pens on the right, and more tape, plus post-it flags in the middle. The Papermate Profile pens are great for writing down assignments in my agenda, because there is a wider color selection than the Bic Atlantis. This way I can color coordinate all my syllabuses! The Papermate Flair pens are also fantastic, but act more like a marker. I use these for making lists and some doodles. The post it flags are also really useful for marking your page in a book, remembering important passages, and marking the end of your reading section (motivation to finish!). 

Behind that there is a larger bin filled with a lot of random things. However, right at the front there are some bigger post-it notes, a large pair of scissors, stationary and stickers. I use the big post it notes to write reminders to myself and stick them to my desk (as if I don't make enough lists already), and the stationary is used for writing notes and cards, with stickers to decorate. The scissors, obviously, are used for cutting paper, opening packages, etc. Typical scissor things. 

The drawer extends even further back, so there are some more bins with random stuff that needed a home, but I rarely reach back there for anything. All the office supplies I need are right at my fingertips! 

How do you organize your desk? And the more important question -- what is your favorite type of pen?

Color Crush: Yellow

If you can't tell from the new look of my blog, I am honestly OBSESSED with yellow! I think it's because we've had such a long and cold winter (seriously, Baltimore weather, hurry up already), but I am instantly happier every time I see this cheery color. It reminds me of the beach, the warm weather, and summertime! 

I'm super eager to get my hands on a hat like that one, from Marley Lilly. I already have a navy and pink monogrammed hat, but the pastel yellow just screams "summertime!" And of course, it can't be summer without a bright neoprene bikini from Triangl. 

I've always loved yellow during the warmer months, but after I helped design this awesome social media content for my sorority, yellow has been stuck in my head!  

What colors are you recently obsessed with? And how are you hoping to spend your summer? Post in the comments below; thanks for reading!

Summer Bucket List

Well, I just finished my last class of freshman year and I'm totally freaking out about how I'm supposed to feel. Do I jump with joy because the year is over? Or do I bury my head in my pillow and nap since there are two weeks of finals headed my way?

Whichever I choose to do (probably the nap to be honest), in just thirteen days from now I'll be on my way back home!! There's so much I want to do this summer and I don't think I can keep track of it all. In high school, we would end around June 20th or so, and now that I'm coming home on May 14th, I have basically a whole extra month of fun! Here's my summer bucket list:

1 // Go back to my high school and visit my teachers

2 // Talk to the AP Environmental Science class about what Environmental Science is like in college, and how it's really applicable as a career

3 // Watch one of our high school's boys lacrosse games (the season was over by the time I got home)

4 // Visit my favorite teacher who just retired at his auto body shop

5 // Take dance classes at my second home (my dance studio)

6 // Choreograph at least one dance

7 // Go for runs at least twice a week

8 // Get Rita's Italian Ice

9 // Get Taco Bell with my brother and best guy friend

10 // Attend the Belmar Seafood Festival

11 // Go to the Saint Rocco Italian Feast

12 // Visit my cousin who just moved out to LA

13 // Go to Disneyland in California

14 // Beach weekend with my college friends

15 // Hunt down Kiel James Patrick with my big

16 // Beach weekend with my best friend, Celina

17 // Lots of shopping!

18 // Drive to the beach for the day

19 // Get Hoffman's Ice Cream

20 // Get a job working at my dance studio's summer camp

21 // Reconnect with old friends from home

22 // Visit my grandma frequently

23 // Finally meet the new babies in my family!

24 // Go to the sushi buffet with friends and family

25 // Buy a beach cruiser bike

26 // Successfully beat my brother at mini-golf

27 // Wake up early enough to see the sunrise

28 // Eat LOTS of funnel cake and zeppoles (a la Spring Fair dejavu) 

29 // Sleepover with my best friend

30 // See Jurassic World with my siblings (I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT)

31 // Attend a Fourth of July barbecue

32 // Go to pre-prom and see all my friends dressed up with their prom dates (we stalked the neighbors from a friend's house)

33 // CHOWDA. FEST.

34 // Host a fun barbecue or party with my friends

35 // Get a nice tan

36 // Spend more time outdoors

37 // Watch all of Gilmore Girls

38 // Finish all of Friends

39 // Seinfeld MARATHONNNNN

40 // Read at least 5 books

41 // More blog posts featuring outfit photos

42 // Start crafting for my little (goodbye dinero)

43 // City day with Josie!! 

44 // Watch the NHL Stanley Cup Finals (LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!) (they made it to the finals)

45 // See a Broadway show

46 // Attend a Billy Joel concert (if they're not all already sold out)

47 // Chicken or the Egg wings. Yummmm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That's about all I can think of for now!! I'm going to keep adding to this list as I think of new things I want to do this summer, and at the end of the summer I'll post a recap of how successful I was. Also lol at how so much of this list revolves around food!! (Can you tell I miss home food?) Good luck with finals everyone! What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?