Lake daze

Hello from my much-needed summer vacation! I've spent the last 5 days at a lake house at Hayden Lake, Idaho with no wifi and minimal cell service. I fully intend on constructing a real post when I get home (this whole blogging on my phone thing is hard-- this is the 6th time I've tried to make this post!), but in the meantime, here's what my days at the lake have looked like.

No makeup, unbrushed hair, and a basic white tank... This has truly been a break from reality. 

Capucine down by the water while we watch the sun set. 

Some really cute dogs courtesy of a family friend. 

Fresh halibut and salmon caught 6 days ago by my brother and dad. 

My girls the night before they go to France!

Lots of love to Brendan and his family for hosting us this week!

Get Organized!

I go to a school that uses the quarter system, so I don't actually start school until the end of September. However, I strongly believe that there is no such thing as too much organization. So, I ordered a Lilly Pulitzer 2014-2015 agenda (yes, I decided to splurge) a couple weeks ago and it finally got here yesterday. I've been spending the last several hours getting my schedule down on paper and updating my to-do list. I'm making this post to share some of my organization tips with you, but more than that, I want to show off my new agenda.

Wow. Look how beautiful this thing is. It was well worth the near $30 I spent to buy it. Everyone keeps their schedule and to-do list in their own way, and it took me a couple of years to figure out which method of organization worked best for me. For me, the act of writing helps me remember what I need to do-- I'm also one of those people who has to write their notes in class instead of typing them. However,  I understand that not everyone has to carry around two or three notebooks to feel prepared for the day. Some people prefer using their smartphone to stay organized, like the people who wrote this article over at PC Mag. I can tell you from experience that not every organization app works for everybody, but I do have to tell you that Evernote and Dashlane are extraordinary apps that can be used in quite a few ways.

 There's also quite a number of to-do list apps, like Todoist and Any.Do. After quite a bit of experimentation, I've found that keeping a notebook of lists with me at all times works best for me. Anyone who knows me knows that lists make my world go 'round, so an entire notebook of lists not only keeps me organized, but provides me with something fun to do when I'm stressed. I update this list every morning and every evening, as well as whenever I have time throughout the day. Here's what I put on this list:

• Daily appointments that I need to remember (doctor, meetings, carpools, etc.) that are short enough to feel like a task that needs to be done
• Small, achievable tasks that contribute to the completion of a much larger project. By breaking down the project into small steps I can take every day, I am able to get it done on time without having to rush to finish it at the last minute. For example, when I have 2 weeks to write an essay, I generally divide the process into 7 daily tasks: writing an outline, writing half of the first draft, writing the other half of the first draft, reading the draft aloud to myself and making corrections, having someone peer-edit the draft, editing the draft, and composing a bibliography. I can do each of these things in an hour or two, making the whole process seem a lot more manageable.
• Basic daily tasks.
• If it's been a particularly rough day, I add things that I'm going to do anyways (i.e. brush teeth, eat lunch). When I cross them off, I feel a little bit more productive, which makes me feel a little bit better about myself. A bit ridiculous, but it works!

I mostly use iCalendar to keep track of my schedule, but having a physical, written schedule helps me better visualize what my week or month looks like as a whole. I also keep track of important dates and birthdays in my planner so I don't forget about it until I see it on my calendar the day of!

Any questions? As always, feel free to leave a comment! And keep a lookout for a Facebook page coming soon: if it helps, put it on your calendar for sometime in the first week of August.

Pretty Polished

Sandals: Similar from Charlotte Russe
Shorts: Similar from Forever 21
Shirt: Banana Republic, similar from Forever 21
Vest: Similar from Rue 21
Necklace: Similar from kbj handmade on Etsy

I love this outfit so much. It feels polished and professional, but interesting and unique at the same time. I love these colors together and the contrast of highs and lows in each piece.

So All About That: What I've Bought This Summer

I love my job; but more than almost anything, I like the financial freedom my awesome summer job gives me. While I've challenged myself to only spend my tip money over the summer, that's still more than enough for me to go shopping with. Lately I've been frequenting my favorite consignment store (where I'm on a first-name basis with the employees), Goodwill, and Ross. I've noticed a bit of a pattern with my purchases so far this summer. Maybe what I've bought will inspire your next shopping trip!

Stay Structured

Boots: Similar from K Store
Dress: Mossimo
Vest: Banana Republic, similar from Revolve
Purse: Steve Madden, similar from New Look
Glasses: Similar from H&M

I've been pretty lucky lately with finding some high-end looking pieces from my favorite consignment store and even Goodwill. Pairing these two well-tailored and well-structured items together made me feel like a real badass bitch from hell; something I consistently aspire to be.

My Aesthetic

It's hard trying to put one's sense of style into words. How can you sum up a closet full of self expression into a couple different adjectives? However, I love trying to define my aesthetic. I use the word "aesthetic" in this case to mean something of a combination between one's aura, personal style, and sense of perceived beauty. In other words, an aesthetic embodies who you are and what you like visually. And, unlike one's sense of style, an aesthetic can be defined with as many (or as few) words as you deem necessary. To give you an idea, here's how I define my own personal aesthetic.

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What's your aesthetic? I used my Pinterest to compile my favorite pictures from my favorite boards, then found patterns in the pictures. Or, for an easier way to figure it out, you can take this Buzzfeed quiz.

Hot Summer Days

Shoes: Similar from Bare Feet Shoes
Shorts: Forever 21
Shirt: Rue 21, similar from Xenia
Vest: Similar from H&M
Watch: Fossil
Ring: Similar from Forever 21
Necklace: Similar from River Island

Word to the wise: wearing pleather on a hot summer day is really uncomfortable. It is also, however, pretty cute. I'm excited to bust these out closer to September with a black crop top. In the meantime, I love making a simple and flowy top a bit edgier. These shorts are definitely a statement piece, but they can be a statement piece in a variety of different ways.