Another Friday is finally here and the sighs of relief are a plenty around these parts. I'm looking forward to a weekend of visiting family, relaxing, lighting candles, and watching college football. My creativity feels gently renewed going into the weekend and I can't help but hope it lasts. There has been so many things I've been loving, coveting, or have been inspired by around the web and I'm thrilled to share. Hopefully, you'll discover a few new faves like I have. Enjoy!

• I know it may be a little early to talk Halloween, but I couldn't not share Studio DIY's Halloween Costume Lineup for 2016! They have step by steps instructions and an affordable costume shop so that your perfect costume is totally within reach. I'm obsessed!
  
• "Readers Gonna Read!" This enamel pin totally has my heart!
  
• Need a small decor update? Consider styling or restyling a reading nook! Emily Henderson shows you how here. Need a big decor update? Mandi shares how to pull off an entire living room refresh (+ how to refine your style / stay on budget)!
  
• Geode patterns seem to be everywhere and I'm loving the trend. Two faves are these killer geode inspired coasters and the new May Designs Notebooks!
  
• Have you seen Moorea Seal's new office line of goods? I'm wanting the Weekly Planner List and The Luxe Golden Pen to match.
  
• Don't apple crumble cupcakes just sound perfect for fall? Zoella shared her recipe / video tutorial recently and they look like a total treat!
  
• Speaking of fall, Carly is giving me major fall style inspiration! Her apple picking photoshoot is a perfectly preppy mix of hunter boots, plaid, and puppies. Can I just live on the East Coast now?
  
• Currently coveting this coffee table book! I flipped through it recently in Barnes and Noble and felt myself crushing so hard. It's absolutely gorgeous!
  
• I really enjoyed reading this fashionable visual interview over at Cup of Jo! Dalila has seriously enviable style.
  
• Last, but not least...have a happy weekend!

One of the most loved recurring posts I do here on this blog are my seasonal to-do lists! Usually, they're my own personal to do list which I share, mark off, and document on the blog. This year I thought I'd change it up a tad and make one for anyone and everyone to follow. Fun, right?

Fall is such a special and beautiful season. Truly there's nothing like cozy, comfy feeling fall gives you. There's nothing like the crisp air, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes. There is nothing like the first day of boots and cardigan weather paired with the smell of something delicious simmering and sizzling in the crockpot or baking sweetly in the stove. There's nothing like the first good sleep after "falling back" or the way your house smells after lighting that fall candle. There's certainly nothing quite like the elation of running through a corn maze or visiting a pumpkin patch and finding just the right pumpkin.

I really feel like I've rounded up some of the best things you can do this fall and compiled them all on to one handy dandy list which you can download above. However, here's is the list itemized and expended upon:

1. Visit a pumpkin patch
• If you do nothing else, do this one. So much fun! Plus you get more variety of pumpkins and the pumpkins are typically better/cheaper than the ones from big box stores like Walmart. 
2. Go apple picking
• If you're fortunate to live near an apple orchard definitely take the opportunity to pick apples! 
3. Master making pies / cobbler
• Especially of the pumpkin or apple variety! Those pumpkins you just picked? Those apples your just picked? Turn them into delicious fall magic!
4. Drink a PSL
• Have at least one! If you're not big on Starbucks, I bet your favorite local coffee shop has their own spin on it.
5. Make mini carmel apples
• They're fun, festive, and bite sized! The perfect fall snack.
6. Light candles that smells like fall (pumpkin, spice, caramel, apple, leaves!)
• Here are three favorites: one, two, three
7. Open up the windows and inhale crisp, fall air
• Fresh air is good for the soul and any time I can cut my electricity bill down by having the air off is a total win.
8. Go on a walk
• It's good for the soul and your health. Take advantage of the mild weather before temperatures drop and the last place you want to be is outside!
9. Revamp your wardrobe
• Time to bust out the boots, cardigans, scarves, flannels, light jackets, and sweaters
10. Try a darker lip color
• We all know dark, bold vampy lips are in. Rimmel 107 does the job for me.
11. Buy something undeniably seasonal 
• Whether it pumpkin pie spice creamer or caramel apple Oreos take advantage or the things you can't get any other time of year!
12. Have a bonfire + make s'mores
• There is nothing like bundling up on a chilly night next to a warm blaze and simultaneously stuffing your mouth with chocolate/marshmallow goodness
13. Weekend getaway to a cabin or the mountains
• Fall calls for cabin adventures and sleepy mountain hideaways!
14. Take a scenic drive once the leaves change colors
• One of my favorite fall activities! Check out this fall foliage prediction map to see when leaves are in peak season + google "scenic drives" in your state for the ultimate leaf peeping experience.
15. “Fall back” and sleep in with your S.O.
• Gaining an hour of sleep and snuggling in with your significant other is never a bad idea
16. Drink cider 
• Adult apple cider is a good option too
17. Tailgate for a football game
• Regardless if you're a sports fan, tailgating with your friends is so much fun and a tried and true staple for the fall time
18. Visit the Farmer’s Market
• Take advantage of the last few weeks of your local Farmer's Market. Stock up on seasonal veggies, jams, and honey.
19. Make chili or soup in the crockpot
• Nothing quite spells fall like having the windows open, a candle going, and simmering something savory in the crockpot. There are 8 million crockpot recipes only finger tips away via Pinterest!
20. "Fall cleaning"
• Similar to "spring cleaning" except for the fall time. Restart life and rejuvenate your home by paring down your belongings and giving things a good scrub! P.S. - my mom always liked to take this time to rearrange furniture.
21. Give mulled wine a shot
• Because we've all heard about it, but have never really tried it. Could be quite good?
22. Go on a Hayride
• There are so many fun hayride options out there nowadays! I've found the spooky ones to be the most fun of all.
23. Visit a Corn Maze
• Combat the anxiety of getting lost and take to a corn maze with a group of friends for an afternoon of sure fired fun
24. Watch Hocus Pocus 
• It's a fall staple and in my 22 years of life I never met anyone with lukewarm feelings about this favorite flick
25. Have a scary-movie night
• October demands at least one horror movie marathon. If you're not into the new age horror with all the jump-scares, try a classic like Halloween. 
26. Carve or decorate pumpkins
• You could even turn it into a pumpkin carving party! P.S. - if you kind of hate carving pumpkins like me - painting them works wonders and provides the same punch as a carved pumpkin!
27. Read a new book
• New season? New book! Make reading a priority this fall as you cozy up with a paper back (or perhaps a Kindle) next to a warm fire
28. Make bread (ideally of the pumpkin variety!)
• There's just something so comforting and nostalgic about homemade bread. Elise has a killer pumpkin swirl bread that looks to die for here!
29. Start pre-season Christmas shopping / list making
• It's never too early to start sussing out X-mas gifts. Beat the Christmas crowd and aim to get most of your  shopping done before the craziness of Black Friday.
30. Enjoy all the TV shows coming back 
• Mine are American Horror Story and Vampire Diaries, but nearly any good show that went on hiatus is back and in action thankfully
31. Decorate your door, yard, or porch 
• It can be as simple as a festive wreath + pumpkin or as an intricate as a maze of spiderwebs and a whole yard of ghostly gravestones! 
32. Pin a few potential Thanksgiving recipes
• Try them out beforehand so there  will be less scramble before the big day. Make sure to write down the tried and true favorites so you’ll have them forever.
33. Make apple butter
• Kind of an 1800s move on my part - but there's something so festive/delicious about apple butter. Serve on warm bread or biscuits all fall long and thank me later.
34. Donate to a food pantry to those in need
• Give thanks and be generous. Donate to those who'll be struggling a bit this holiday season.
35. Volunteer your time 
• This is is the season of giving, so why not give your time? Whether it's helping out at a children's carnival, manning a fundraiser or ladling at a soup kitchen your time is invaluable when it goes to helping others! 
36. Do a craft or DIY project
• Pinterest runs amuck with turkey hands,  fall wreaths, and other easy, fun projects this time of year. It won't be hard to find a few favorites.
37. Plant bulbs for spring
• Get ahead on the merriment of blooming bulbs once the frost of winter has all melted away
38. Try pumpkin flavored beer
• I've heard mixed reviews and surely you have too. Put the rumors to rest and try a batch for yourself.
39. Stock up on Halloween candy
• While you're at it, buy a bag for yourself
40. Try a Halloween inspired makeup tutorial
• There are so many good tutorials out there for sugar skulls, deers, superheroes and more. My favorite so far has been this effortlessly cool Maleficent inspired make-up tutorial. 
41. Eat More Seasonal Veggies
• Squash! Pumpkin! Gourds! OH MY!
42. Visit a Haunted House
• Brave the dark halls of a haunted house this fall. I suggest doing nothing too intense (hey, unless you're into that sort of thing!). Anything that requires me to sign a waiver or lets the "actors" touch me along the way is generally a no-go. Just make sure to have fun! Bonus points if the haunted house gives part of their proceeds to a deserving charity.

It's back to school season and this is the first time in my life where I am finally not going back to school. The feeling is definitely a strange one! I graduated from college in May, but for 4+ long years I've been blogging a lot about college and the college experience. I've dished on everything from the planners I use to from hard lessons I've learned about scheduling classes and apartment hunting. I've even talked a lot about projects I've made and my sorority experience. So, I thought I should take a short jaunt down memory lane and compile some of my best college themed posts for you all.

Whether you're an incoming freshman or a seasoned college pro, there's something in here for everyone.

- Tips for Surviving Your First Week on Campus
-  Things I Know to Be True: College Edition
- 10 Things I've Learned Since Graduating High School
- How to Get Along With Your Roommates & Neighbors
- College Essentials Checklist
- College Rewards System for Motivation
- Fun, Functional, Favorite Dorm Room Inspiration

- Sorority Bid Day Dos and Don'ts
- Introverted Girls Guide to Sorority Recruitment

- Back to School Must Haves
- 10 Things I Know to Be True: Internship Edition
- What Feels Like Home To You?
- Consider Creating a Sanity Manifesto
- Finals Week By The #'s Pt. 1 and Pt.2


So, tell me, are you headed back to college? What was some of the best advice you got in college? I'd love to know!

1. Working Full Time - I went from two part time internships to one full time job. It's been a strange, awesome, and hectic switch these past few weeks as I've been getting in a new daily routine. One huge bonus? My job is actually in the town I live in. I'm happily saying bye to the 30-45 minute commute and hello to living and working in the town I love best.
2. Avoiding Laundry - Oh, the laundry and how it never seems to end! While I've been away I may have let things get a tiny bit out of control. One well intention closet clean-out coupled with several unrecognizable piles of both dirty and clean laundry led to a very unfortunate week and a half where our couch was buried beneath swarms of unidentified laundry. Thankfully, over the past few days everything has been sorted and put away in it's proper place...for now.
3. Watching Youtube - I can't stop and won't stop. I've fallen so in love with Youtube. It's the perfect way to wind down and I find myself more inspired than ever when watching beauty tutorials or style hauls. Instead of blogging, I've been eagerly consuming the playlists of Zoella, Batalash, Elle Fowler, and LoeyLane one video at a time like it's my day job, although sadly it is not.
4. Going to Sleep at 10pm - I'm an old soul, but my boyfriend prefers to exchange "old" with "ancient" during the recent week nights when I could barely stay awake between our DVRed recordings of Teen Mom 2 and Bar Rescue. So what if I can't make it past 20 minutes of any film I put on before going to bed? At least I'm getting my 8 hours 10 hours of beauty rest.
5. Shopping Like I'm Going Back to School - This is the first August since I was 5 that I hadn't been back to school shopping and that was seriously starting to bum me out. What is August if not fresh school supplies and an excuse to buy new clothes? So I may have gone a little crazy and shopping the likes of Gap, Old Navy, and the mall until I had acquired five or six new dresses, three grey tops (which look different from each other I swear - no matter what my boyfriend says), something maroon colored (because #fall), and three pairs of new shoes. Whoops.
6. Hanging Out With My Brother - He started the first grade today, so excuse me while I pretend to keep it together. Recently, I've been trying to make regular visits with him a priority (not that they weren't before...but you know how life is sometimes). I got to spend two awesome weekends with him recently. We went to the zoo, to the arcade, blacklight bowling, and The Amazeum. It was great to get some one on one time with that amazing kiddo before he's locked down learning full time.
7. Eating Lots of Ice Cream - My excuse? It's summer. Now give me all the ice-cream!
8. Not Working Out - I have no excuses for this one. I just have been probably about the least motivated I've ever been in my entire life to workout. The idea of going to the gym sounds miserable and the idea of working out at home totally unproductive. Thankfully, a pilates and barre studio is reopening in town in a new location and is offering a week of free classes. I forced myself to sign up for three. We'll see how it goes!
9. Catching Up With Old Friends - Having your friends suddenly scattered out post graduation has to be by far one of the most unexpectedly sucky things about adulthood. It was staggering the amount of friends who suddenly got job offers, got married, started grad school, or decided to move back home within such a short time frame. I spent some time while I wasn't blogging catching up with a few friends who I hadn't seen in months. Good news, one of my best friends just moved back to town! I'm over the moon.
10. Losing My Debit Card - I'm just good like that I guess. I bragged recently about how I had never ever had to replace my debit card in the history of me owning a debit card. Two short days later, I lost mine. Thanks karma, I got the message. Now I'm just patiently waiting those 7-10 business days for the new to come in. It already feels like forever.

1. Make a List
• Make a list of things you need to do, a grocery list, places you'd like to go, books to read, people to call, favorites, etc. Make a list of all the lists you hope to one day make. Making a list is a great way to get organized quickly.
2. Write Yourself A Note
• I keep scratch paper at my desk during the day to write down thoughts or feelings or encouragements. It lets me get down the clutter in my head down on paper. Kara Haupt documents her note-writing with #karawroteherselfanote on Instagram. She even turned her notes into a book called 45 Pep Talks.
3. Go For a Short Walk
• Get up and get that blood flowing. Since I’m sitting at my desk nearly all day, it’s important to get up and get moving. It doesn’t matter where you go, just as long as you go. Go to the kitchen to get some water, go around the block, go to the restroom, go just around the floor in your building. There’s a ton of places you can take a quick jaunt to in 5 mins.
4. Grab a Healthy Snack
• Grab a small, healthy snack. Here’s what I find myself snacking on at work: Almonds + peanut butter, cut-up strawberries, half a banana + peanut butter, Lara Bars, Nourish snacks, apple slices, cuties, and Pop Chips.
5. Meditate
• Don't know how? Try using Calm. You can pick the time, your favorite relaxing nature scene, and whether you'd like it to be guided or not. If you're not so much into that you can also try doing nothing for 2 minutes. Love this when I'm feeling sluggish midday!
6. Check Social Media
• Take a scroll through instagram, check up on your tweets, repin a couple of things, stalk one person on Facebook. Then, remember to put it away!
7. Take a Multi-Vitamin
• It doesn’t hurt to start a good vitamin regiment now. Take a few seconds and put some good into your body for lasting energy and overall health.
8. Organize Your Purse
• Get rid of lingering receipts, throw out old pens and makeup products, collect loose change, and put other things away into pockets. I guarantee you already feel more sane!
9. Fix Your Makeup
• Reapply lipstick or lipgloss, fix winged liner, and blot oily zones on your face. There! You’re good as new.
10. Do A Different Hairstyle
• Sometimes it’s just nice to have a little change midday, especially if my hair isn’t particularly thrilling. Go from wearing your hair down to an artfully crafted bun. Go from a messy bun to a fun braid. Pin back your bangs in a braid or twist. Throw on a a fun headband. Keep a hair tie and some bobby pins your bag and there’s so many simple styles you can achieve in under 5!
11. Declutter Your Digital Space
• Take a minute to clear away and organize files on your desktop. Try deleting apps that you don’t use and organizing the rest. Set up Carousel to automatically declutter your phone’s photos.
12. Stretch It Out
• If you can’t spare time to walk around, try a few basic stretches. Get blood flowing and stay energized by trying these moves.
13. Send a Text to an Old Friend
• I’m always happy when I take the time to get in touch with someone I’ve been meaning to. Say hey to your friends who you don’t get to see too often. Good things always seem to come from this small act of reaching out!
14. Unsubscribe
• Use unroll.me to unsubscribe from unwanted email lists and newsletters.
15. Pay a Bill Online
• There’s no such thing as paying a bill too early after all.
16. Load/Unload The Dishwasher
• For some reason this task is unpleasant to me and I often find myself putting it off. However, it definitely needs to get done. Set 5 minutes and see if you can beat the clock. Bet this chore will take half the amount of time it actually feels like it takes.
17. Make Chia Pudding
• 1 cup nut milk, 1/3 cup chia seeds, 1tbsp of vanilla extract, sweeter of choice (agave, stevia, honey, maple syrup, etc) to taste. BAM. Throw in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until thick and enjoy.
18. Make a Fun Cocktail / Mock-tail
• Make a quick cocktail (if you’re at home) or a quick mock tail (if you’re at work)! Stick to tried and true favorites with simple ingredients and maybe only 1-3 steps. If you’re lacking inspiration, collect some here!
19. Throughly Clean Your Glasses or Screens From Fingerprints and Smudges
• Grab a microfiber cloth and make your lens to the world fresh and clean again!
20. Change The Wallpaper On Your Phone/Laptop
• It’s a quick change bound to brighten up your day. Grab seriously lovely wallpaper freebies from Design Love Fest’s “Dress Your Tech” series.
21. Up Your Daily Water Intake
• grab a glass of water or refill your current one. Try investing in a good water bottle so you can be environmentally friendly and get more water in one sitting than a glass will provide.
22. Brainstorm 5 New Blog Post Ideas
• It never hurts to always be thinking and planning ahead.
23. Respond to an email
• So many emails, too little time. Take 5 minutes to quickly answer a few low priority emails.
24. Create a Filter on Gmail to Organize Your Emails For You
• Save time in your inbox by utilizing Google’s filters. They have seriously saved me so much time and pain-staking organization. Here’s how to use them.
25. Plan What You’re Having For Dinner
• Prime time to text your significant other or friends and figure out dinner plans ahead of time. I know I’m not the only one who comes home from work and plays the “what are we going to have for dinner tonight?” game.
26. Write Down 5-10 Things That Make You Happy
• Just by putting down your positive vibes I guarantee you’ll feel a lot better. Plus this little list can help you identify gratitude and seek out positivity in even the smallest of actions. If it helps, you could also vent your frustrations in an opposing list (but make sure you do the “happy list” no matter what).
27. Order Lunch
• Call in your lunch order or do it via the web. I love how much time it saves me when I call ahead for my lunch. All I have to do is pick it up and not waste precious minutes of my lunch break standing in line or at the drive thru waiting to order. If your city has access to a delivery service like Seamless you could always utilize that. If you're in Northwest Arkansas like me, you could try Chef Shuttle, CHEW Wagon, or an up and coming service called TapItDelivery!
28. Update Your Planner
• Keep your planner up to date. Things change - make sure you're all up to date!
29. Get Caught Up on the News
• Being informed is never out of style. Catch up on what’s going on in the world via a service like The Skimm.
30. Practice Your Breathing
• Like every good yogi knows, the power of your breath is essential. 
31. Order Prints of Photos
• I always keep saying that I’m going to print more photos. Take 5 minutes, log onto wherever you like to print your pics, and just do it. Utilize PostalPix, Social Print Studio, or Sticky9 from your phone to get photos delivered to your doorstep. You could also just try using a local store. Order online and pick up on your way home from work. Easy peasy. I know Walgreens usually has great photo deals.
32. Compliment a Co-worker
• Being nice never goes out of style. Remember to be genuine! The littlest encouragement can brighten someone's day exponentially.
33. Make The Bed
• It feels like an unnecessary chore because you’re just going to mess it up again later, right? I totally understand. However, I always feel better coming home to a freshly made bed. It makes me feel really put together.
34. Make a Playlist
• Though it may feel like a throwback to your Junior High self (did anyone else make mixes to burn to CD's?), don't ever estimate the power of a really good playlist. Download Spotify and get to it!
35. Sanitize
• Wipe down your desk, the counters, or anything else that hasn't been thoroughly sanitized in a while. Slather on some yummy smelling antibacterial. Doing this every now again in the down time will help cut down on the # of times you get sick this year.

What are some things you find yourself doing when you have 5 minutes to spare? Let me know!

1. It's a All About Balance
Internships are great practice for real life jobs and real life / work balance. Learning how to juggle projects and work-related commitments, in addition to your life outside of work is challenging. Add school into the mix and it's especially challenging! I currently attempt to balance my internship, a full course-load of college classes, a bi-weekly ambassadorship, and weekly sorority-related commitments. It's a lot to take on and I've never felt more inundated with things I need to do.

Instead of completely sinking under the weight of it all, I've actually found myself becoming more focused and organized. On the whole, I get my work done in a more timely manner both at school and at work. I've begun to procrastinate less in all aspects of life and I find that I'm more focused while doing work. Free time is precious and I want to ultimately set myself up to enjoy as much of it as possible.

I'm more organized. If I don't write it down or set myself a reminder – then it won't get done. I've learned how to realistically schedule myself and brace for the week ahead.


2. It's Going To Be Fast Paced
Don't worry, it's nothing you can't handle. Internship and business work days function vastly different from school days. There are a bevy of deadlines to meet and everyone has their own list of priorities and to-do's. Getting assimilated into this fast paced environment will be the hardest part. There will be days when you feel like you're drowning, but hopefully those are far and few between. A great example from my own personal internship experience revolves around a project I would've had two or three weeks to get done in school. It was my second week at my internship and I was given roughly 3-4 days to bring something substantial to a meeting. I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to meet the deadline and an equally tremendous amount of pressure to prove myself all at once. The first big project may be the hardest just because of those two factors alone. Don't be afraid. Push through. You'll adjust to the pace! Pride yourself on quick turn arounds.

3. Be A Self Starter
All I mean by this, is be self-motivated. Don't sit back and wait to be told what to do. Don't wait to be asked if you're working on anything. Don't wait until people come asking about projects long ago forgotten to start on them. Motivate yourself to go above and beyond in order to see long term success. Once you finish all of your tasks, make it a habit to immediately ask for more. I often find that when I've come to a good stopping point on all of my projects, I take a good 20 minute breather and then ask my fellow designers if there's anything they'd like me to do (whether it be picking up something they need help on or starting something new entirely). Remember that an internship is all about gaining experience and the more projects you're able to get your hands on, is just more experience. Make it worth your while.

4. It's Important to Ask A Lot of Questions
Any time you start somewhere new, there's going to be an adjustment period. That's okay. What's not okay is fumbling around blindly through your adjustment period and failing to ask questions along the way. There's no shame in asking for help–ever. Bottom line. There's definitely no shame in asking questions in order to do your job effectively or how to thrive effectively on a personal level within the confines of work. Ask about company culture, basic rules, and definitely ask for a general run down of a typical day. As a designer, I came in needing to know everything about the way my company branded itself (internally and externally). I came in knowing that my job didn't have an a "typical day" and that I'd have to be largely communicative and self motivated. Ask lots of questions in your interview and ask lots of questions post hire too. There's no shame in knowing ahead of time what you'll be signing up for if you accept an offered position.

Luckily, most jobs/internships have on-boarding for new hires, which is a great resource and a perfect chance to get a more in depth look at your company and your role within it.

5. Technology Isn't On It's Way Out Anytime Soon
Where I intern there are a lot of locations and a ton of the employees work remotely at home. Members and head honchos on my team are based out of an entirely different state! I've found that this work situation has become increasingly regular amongst a lot of businesses. It's amazing what technology has done for the work environment and it's more vital than ever.

My advice? It's important to practice polishing those video conferencing skills. Whether you interview via video conferencing or attend weekly meetings with members in remote locales, it's important to know how to utilize tools like Google Hangout, Skype, and Facetime. My first week, I was given a crash course in Google Hangouts and instructed to plan 15 minute introductory meetings with our team members in another state. I felt awkward and nervous, but ultimately, it was a great exercise.

Also, it's important to figure out the whole email thing. Businesses utilize email in a much more demanding and practical way. Before my internship the only email I received was from my sorority and shops I signed up to send me deals. In that same vein, I rarely did any emailing either (unless you count emailing myself documents for class ten minutes beforehand). Now? That's a totally different story. I email everyday and quite a lot. It's important to master email and professionalism via email (be courteous, be yourself, never hit 'reply all' unless you're sure, know the difference between cc and bcc, and spellcheck!). Be authentic when emailing and err on the formal side of things when in doubt. Once you get settled at your internship you'll get a better idea of the tone most commonly used in office emails and between employees.

6. However, Face-to-Face is Key
On that note, know when email or IM isn't appropriate. If you're able to communicate face to face with someone on a project detail, I always find it more productive. There are countless studies out there about this I'm sure, but being able to see, hear, and read the body language of someone really eliminates the confusion often garnered through email. I find that face-to-face interaction is great whenever someone is not sure about something big/complex within the project (sometimes concepts are hard to convey over email) or if an urgent response/snap decision is needed.

Also, getting feedback face-to-face is invaluable. I find I take feedback better when given to me face-to-face because it feels more like a conversation or discussion. I like being able to hear, "This color isn't working, but maybe we could implement this color here and adjust the overall width to comply with the background change the client requested. What do you think?" versus sending off a project via email and getting a list of critiques (i.e. Color isn't working. Adjust widths. Nix the background). It comes off more accusatory at times and I'm more inclined to feel like I've done something wrong.

7. Find The Right Fit
Even if your first real job or internship experiences aren't everything you ever wanted, never lose sight of finding value in the right job fit. Find companies whose missions you believe in, whose culture is compatible with your nature, and companies who value people with your skill set. Focusing in on these characteristics may help you narrow in on ideal and attainable places to intern (and hopefully someday work at). Finding the right fit is key to loving what you do long term.

8. Organization Tops Everything
Being organized feels like something second nature to put on a resume, but really take a step back and ask yourself if you are. Be honest about how organized you are and then try to set yourself up for success in the workplace. I'm the type of person that has to write everything down. If it doesn't get written down, then it doesn't get done. I utilize productivity tools while at work (mainly Trello for keeping up with projects and Toggl for keeping track of how much time I'm devoting to each task). I also like to keep a physical list and an agenda of things to get done. I try to keep work and school separate as well. Organization is impossibly crucial during your internship process. There will be a lot of metaphorical balls in the air and making sure you're organized enough not to drop them is half the struggle.

9. Internships Are Multidimensional
Sure, you'll be doing everything in your job description, but internships are far less one-noted than that. They comprise themselves of things you'd never thought you'd be doing (in a good way). You'll get to help with projects in different facets. You'll gain a ridiculous amount of experience in professional areas besides just your specific job role. For example, my internship has been less about growing my design skills (though this has definitely happened!), but rather honing them for the work environment. I've learned more about how a company functions and more about how to work professionally on client projects. I've learned how to design more quickly and efficiently, too. I've learned so much about marketing, branding, and development. Your internship is going to be multidimensional you'll gain more knowledge than you bargained for!

10. Treat Yo Self
Find paid internships if you can. There's been a big wave of turnover recently in the general attitudes surrounding internships of the paid variety (which are becoming more and more). In some industries it may be harder than others to find paid internships. Sometimes the connections and value you get from getting hands on experience in a well-known or highly regarded establishment trump getting a pay day. However, most companies are beginning to view internships as a starting point for soon-to-be grads or post-grads. In fact, a lot of places are implementing intern-to-hire type of programs. Compensation shows that the company values your presence, work, and time. It's a win-win. So, find a paid internship if you can. Save most of your $ and then TREAT YO SELF!


Do you have any valuable insights to add to this list? Let me know! I'd love to know any tips/advice you have about thriving at an internship or in the post-grad work environment! Tell me all about your experiences (good & bad).

• Get a library card: I love reading. What I don't love? The price tag that comes with buying a physical book. I don't know why it hasn't hit me before now to get a library card. They're free for university students, so it's a win-win. No cost for me and an unlimited amount of books to read. I'm excited!
• Get on top of my academic workload: I have two exams, two projects, one report, one workshop, and one quiz this week. It's safe to say this week is going to be a busy one. It's time to get on top of and stay on top of things! 
• Workout 3x: I've been slacking hard core on the workout front. Thankfully, my friend Jenny asked if I'd like to start working out with her. With a friend by my side to keep me motivated, it should make getting to the gym and getting a real workout in a tad easier.
• Shoot something on my film camera: It's been awhile since I brought out my film camera. I loved that camera so much and I loved learning all the ins and outs of shooting and developing film. I found one roll of surplus film I had stashed away with it. I've got 24 shots and a whole semester. I'm feeling a project coming on.
• Be fearless and apply: This goes for a graphic design internship at my dream company and an art history scholarship. I need to quit second guessing myself and just apply already!

It's hard to believe it's September and now that the last hoorah of summer (aka Labor Day) is officially over. And now that Labor Day is officially over, it's officially time to start thinking about the impending fall season. I woke up this morning after extensive Labor Day lake time this past weekend and was met with tons of rain and lightening...and coldness. Yikes. I didn't think the transition from summer to fall would happen so quickly, but hey, let's embrace it.

Last year I started doing little seasonal "to-do lists" of things I want to do/document during each season. Fall is a favorite, because there's just so many festive things to do! It may be a bit early to think about purchasing a new sweater and carving pumpkins, but on the other end the PSL (pumpkin spice latte) is already available at Starbucks. If that doesn't scream 'fall,' I'm not sure what does.

Fall To-Do List

• Drink a PSL (I celebrated finishing a test with a PSL!)
• Buy at least two decorative 'fall' items for the apartment
• Have a horror movie marathon (watched 2-3 scary movies)
• Carve/decorate pumpkins with friends (painted a pumpkin with my Mom and Jack!)
• Buy a fall scented candle
• Document Fayetteville's beautiful leaves whenever they begin to turn
• Buy new fall apparel (tall socks/cardigans/sweaters/scarves/etc)
• Make a fall inspired cocktail (made apple pie moonshine for #halloweekend)
• Go to a haunted house
• Try pumpkin flavored beer
• Go to a pumpkin patch date (with Jack) (did this over fall break!)
• Bake something with pumpkin in it
• Go apple picking and make something yummy from picked apples
• Have a bonfire

It's that time of year again, and if the non-stop ads running on every media outlet available weren't enough to let you know, it's time to get back to school! This year feels exceptionally different for me because I will be starting my senior year of college. It's weird to consider that next week may possibly hold my very last first day of school ever. I can barely wrap my mind around it!

With that being said, this year, I'm making certain to do back to school shopping like a pro. I may never get the opportunity to do this ever again. Today, I want to share with you some tried and true must haves for me as I head back to school!

• A reliable water bottle: This Brita Hard-Sided 23.7 oz water bottle which is available at Target is perfect for on the go. It's got a really fun color, is easily portable, and helps me to get my daily water in-take way up. Campus life is a constantly active blur and this water bottle is a perfect fit for keeping me hydrated all day! In addition, it's perfect for toting around campus and multifunctional! A total win-win. Also, for home, I love my Brita Space Saver System in turquoise!
• Lilly Pultizer Agenda: I've had a Lilly agenda for ages and I couldn't start senior year without a new one. There are more options than ever as far as Lilly agenda styles/price ranges go. My agenda helps keep me on top of all my tasks for the week and the upcoming month in style!
• Five Star Notebook: I've been using two of these bad boys for the academic year since high school. They're large and have several dividers which means that keeping my class notes organized and separate from one another is never a problem. Plus, they come is a huge range of colors!
• G2 Pens: These pens are exclusively my favorite. They come in variety of awesome colors, glide over paper, and I would be lost taking notes without them. They've also been an unbeatable favorite since high school!

These are just a few of the awesome things I've gathered or restocked up on during back to school shopping, but I love them all so much! I have a feeling this is going to be an amazing year!

What are some of your back to school must haves? Let me know! 

• Get Organized - I move back to school in about two or three weeks. Right now is the prime time to get organized. I'm sorting through all of my boxes of clothes and various apartment goods, trying to get a good feel for what I have and what I need. My Dad has been so helpful in getting me prepared and pushing me to get organized. Over the weekend I found two boxes worth of kitchen clutter (pots, pans, utensils, etc) and began sorting, washing, and packing away what I need. It feels good to be making a dent!
• Get in Touch - This week I'm aiming to text or call friends I haven't spoken to recently, but have been thinking about. I've been missing way too many people!
• Spend Quality Time With Jack - Since school is so close to starting back, I want to spend as much quality time as possible with my brother before things change. He'll be starting school this fall too, so soon he'll be too busy for me! This week I'm aiming to go on a Jack + Sissy lunch date and take him to do a few fun things, just us two. I can't wait!
• Get Fit - I'm aiming to get fit this week by changing up my workout routine to include more workouts from Blogilates and Tone It Up! I've been feeling super inspired to get in shape. Plus, I just bought fresh produce to make healthy smoothies with this week. Feeling optimistic!

• Don't Forget to Exercise: I sort of fell off the health wagon, but this vacation is giving me lots of excuses to be outdoors and active. For the next week it'll be lots of swimming, trudging through sand, walking, and maybe even a little biking. Getting active in ways you don't normally get to is the best. My most favorite unconventional cardio activity? Jumping on Jack's new trampoline. It's so much fun and I definitely work up a sweat!
• Get Back Into The Blogging Swing: I aim to blog 4-5 days in this next week. After two/three weeks out, I'm sort of feeling out of practice. Even though I'm at the beach I hope to share some pictures from my #ashleegoesonanadventure experience and just get back into the general blogging swing. Plus, hopefully I'll be able to share some fun beach/summer related posts. Oh, and I need to finish going through/commenting on all the blog posts I missed while I was away.
• Experiment With Minimalist Makeup: Beach time calls for minimalism when it comes to the makeup department. My skin isn't exactly at it's peak, so my goal is to find the right amount of makeup for still feeling gorgeous, but adhering to the climate where I'll be frequently near water, sweating, and/or feeling hot. Also, my goal is dodge burns with lots of SPF and a fabulous new oversized floppy hat. 
• Write Down Blog Post Ideas / Blog Goals: There's nothing better than having quiet time to sit and brainstorm in a journal. I've just now started to write again. Pen to paper always feels good and is perfect for the pace of lazy beach vacation.
• Read a New Book: There were lots of books I wanted to take to the beach, but I've decided to select from the ones I already own as $ saving move. Is anyone else guilty of grabbing a book and never cracking it open? Or how about grabbing a book and only reading the first fifty pages and never getting around to finishing it? I'm guilty as charged. There's a lot of quarter read reads that could be finished up! However, I did snag the iBook of Palo Alto by James Franco to read on the iPad. Can't wait to dig in!

1. Outline Goals for the Summer: This week will signal the end of my intersession course and summer will truly start for me. I need to start outlining some goals (both fun and serious) to accomplish over these next two months. Let's break out the pen and paper!
2. Stay On Top of Schoolwork: Just reminding myself not to lose steam this last week of classes no matter how tempting! No procrastinating. No getting behind this close to the end. I can totally do this. 
3. Write: I have been slacking on writing for personal enjoyment (although I have been writing a 1-2 page summary every night for class). I need to journal and work on some personal writing projects for fun. I've been slacking!
4. Do a Face Mask for Fun: I'd love to buy a fun scented face mask and do one once I finish my intersession class. It will be a treat to myself that I can't wait to enjoy! Here's to summer and smaller pores. Total win!