Happy August!  With less than two weeks till I head back to school, I could not be more excited.  The other night, my boyfriend and I talked about it and we agreed that it will be nice to be on our own schedules.  We will not only be able to hang out more easily with our friends, but with each other.

Before I begin wishing the rest of my summer away, it's that time again to go over some of my favorite items from July!  These are posts are a lot of fun for me, especially because I feel like I can connect with my readers in a different way.  

Since starting my full time job this summer, lately I have been budgeting my money a lot more.  That being said, most of the products below have been used for a while BUT it just comes to show how you need to me resourceful sometimes and limit yourself on purchases.  Budgeting is definitely not easy for me (since some would say I am a bit of a shopaholic), but it's been worth it.

Costco Madeleine Cookies // Marc Jacobs Gold Watch // Neutrogena Redness Soothing Cleanser

Rifle Paper Co. Notepad // Victoria Secret's Wild & Breezy // Vera Bradley Duffle

Handmade Headboard // Day Designer for Blue Sky Planner

The few, newer products I want to highlight are my Vera Bradley duffle, planner and duffle.

As explained in yesterday's post, I went away last week for an Entrepreneurship competition.  The other duffle bags I previously had were gym bags from my high school (short lived) athletic career.  My school's colors were orange and black so definitely not the cutest combination.  I gravitated towards the Vera Bradley because it was soft, spacious and the red, white and blue pattern was adorable.  If you see the link, Amazon has a ton of patterns for Vera Bradley duffles and most of them are discounted because they're from previous collections.

Another item I have been loving is my planner.  If you remember a past blog post, I was in a bit of a dilemma as far as which planner to pick.  I decided on the Day Designer for Blue Sky at Target and couldn't be happier.  There's so much room to write and the cover is very stylish.  It cost less than ten dollars and exceeded my expectations.

A final favorite of mine is my (soon to be) dorm room headboard!  With this being my last year living on campus, I wanted to really make my dorm cozy.  I was inspired on Pinterest to make my own headboard and will show how you can make your own next week!  Hobby Lobby or Joann Fabrics has tons of patterns that I recommend you check if you're planning on creating your own headboard like me.

Hope you had a great July, until next time!

x.

C

It's almost July!  I cannot believe how quickly this summer is going.  While summer means no classes, my schedule has been nothing but busy.  It's harder to keep energized when it seems like you can't catch a break.  Between balancing a full time job to having a social life, so far this preview for the "real" adult world is a bit daunting to me.

But there are a few things that help keep me in tact and making these past weeks less awful.  On other blogs I follow, a lot of authors always feature certain products or items they love and I thought I'd give it shot!

Tote // Keurig Cup // Book // Flats (Similar) // Greek Yogurt Bars // 

Tumbler With Straw // Bracelets // Lotion

GH Bass & Co. Tote

I am a "mom" bag user.  I love having the ability to throw all sorts of stuff into my purse, even if none of it stays organized.  As a high school graduation gift, my parents gave me a Madewell Transport Tote which I consistently used.  But when I started my new job this summer, I decided to switch to a bag that had a sleeker, more professional design.  While shopping at the Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, I was immediately drawn to the this tote.  Black is such a versatile color and the cutouts make it an awesome seasonal accessory.  It is very similar the Sole Society Nordstrom one, however I like that Bass has more of a variety of styles and colors.  Mine was on sale for $25- a fraction of what my Madewell tote cost!

Nude Flats

I wear these shoes on a daily basis.  They're easy, comfortable and the stylish pointed toe adds to the overall appearance.  I'm also drawn to the ones with scallop detailing, as seen as one of my links.  I bought mine at Marshalls but similar pairs can be found at DSW or Dillard's.  You can wear them for any season and they are a great staple for your closet.

Straw Tumbler

With the humidity and hot weather, it's important to stay hydrated.  These straw tumblers from Ashley Brooke Designs are so fun and make drinking water that much better.  To spice things up, I sometimes add a lemon or strawberries to my glass which is so refreshing.

Nepal Bracelets

When I vacationed in Hilton Head, SC a few years ago with my family, we became obsessed with these!  They're designed by LILY and LAURA®, this brand that creates handcrafted glass bead roll over bracelets.  They can easily be worn with any outfit and add the perfect pop of color.  The best part about LILY and LAURA® bracelets are that their value proposition is to improving the lives of others.  From the profits they make, they pay more than fair wages to artisans in Nepal.  And in return, we've given a beautiful beaded bracelet! 

Starbucks Caramel Coffee K-Cups

My mom finally gave in and bought a Keurig for our home a month ago and as a result, we are all K-Cup addicts now.  From our variety pack of cups we had in the beginning, the Starbucks one has been my favorite ever since.  

Go Set a Watchman

In my first blog post, I mentioned on my bucket list I want to read at least 5 books this summer.  Go Set a Watchman is the first of many.  I loved Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and since it was released last year, I had been meaning to start the sequel to it.  My boyfriend also decided to join me in accomplishing my goal- hopefully he will like the rest of my picks!

Yasso Mint Chocolate Chip Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars

Looking for a healthier alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth?  These bars could be the answer.  Made with all natural ingredients, low in calories, and only 2 grams of fat, you will want to eat all of them.  They come in a number of flavors so you can pick the best one that your taste buds will like the most!  I found them available at Walmart but be sure to check your local grocery stores!

Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion

Highlight your summer glow with this great product!  Since high school, this Burt's Bees product has won me over.  The nourishing serum helps boost your skin's natural radiance with a complimenting shimmer.  It's sold at regular pharmacy stores and will become your summer essential.