Thriving on a Budget

We all want that incredible, classy, trendy style, but it is NOT CHEAP. It is so hard keeping up with today's trends when I only have about $30 in my wallet at any given time. Through my four years in college I feel as though I really mastered my bargain shopping and wanted to share some of these tips with you all! 

1. Retail Me Not: I really don't know why people aren't using this app 24/7. Basically it locates you, and shows you all the coupons that are available at the stores you're shopping in. Lets say I'm in Michaels, all I have to do is enter Michaels in the search bar and they show me every coupon and deal available! It's so cool and I've seriously saved so much money this way. Retail me not has coupons for in-store and online, and all their coupons are verified! 

2. Shoe Shopping: Okay, I know this one is going to sound crazy, BUT, look in the kids section. Now I'm not telling you to go buy light up TMNT Sneakers (unless of course you want light up TMNT sneakers) but you can get some great Nikes for $15-$20 cheaper than adult sneakers. Most of the time they are exactly the same shoe, just marketed differently. I just bought a pair of Nike Tanjun sneakers. They are a little boys size 5.5 (equivalent to a woman's 7.5). They are absolutely identical to the adult Tanjun. There isn't a single difference in the shoe, but there is a difference in price. I only paid $50 for them, while the adult sizes started at $65. No one will ever know that you're wearing youth sneakers, and you'll have an extra $15 in your pocket for Chipotle. 

3. Target Cartwheel: This app is life changing. As we all know- Target is a holy place. Well it's about to get even better. Cartwheel is an app and all you have to do is scan each item you pick up while shopping. The app will get you Cartwheel exclusive coupons for certain brands and products. While you're at checkout, you show the cashier your barcode and once they scan it, all the discounts are registered and you save some $$$! It's so easy. 

4. Subscriptions: Okay, I know getting a million promotional emails is annoying, but they can actually get you a lot of great deals. My tip is to set up a separate email account for all of your promo emails from different stores and websites. You only have to check it every few days to see what kinds of sales are going on. Plus, many stores offer coupons exclusive to those who subscribe to their emails! 

5. Rewards Programs: Tons of stores are hopping on this train. The one I find most useful? Ulta's Ultamate Rewards! I've been an Ultamate Rewards member for years and I have seriously saved a ton of money. You get a point for each dollar you spend, and once you reach 100 points you get $3 off your next purchase, then $6, then $12, all the way up to $100 off! Plus if you get your hair done at Ulta, (10/10 recommend Emily at the Ulta Salon in Patchogue) it is really easy to rack up points. Rewards members get a ton of exclusive offers like early access to new products, plus cute samples and freebies. Ulta is not the only store doing this! There are plenty of places that offer rewards programs like Sephora and American Eagle.

6. Holiday Sales: We all know about Black Friday, but what about Memorial Day sales? And Fourth of July? So many companies offer some great discounts during these holiday weekends where you can pick up a few things you've had your eye on. This Fourth of July I scoped out some good discounts at KJP.com and was able to buy my first rope bracelet! My best advice is to buy things you've had your eye on for a while during these special sales. I've wanted a KJP bracelet for a long time, and it felt so good to finally get one, plus save some money! J.Crew and Loft always have awesome holiday sales as well! 

Easter Outfit Ideas

Well hello there!
I wanted to post some inspiration for those of you celebrating Easter this weekend!
Easter is always weird for me because it's not quite spring weather here on Long Island, but there's no reason to bundle up, it's always right in the middle!
So I came up with 3 outfits: 2 casual and 1 more dressy for those of  you going to family parties or to church and such!
Let me know in the comments which is your favorite!

Cardigan: Lord & Taylor

Tank: Forever 21

Shorts: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Jack Rogers 

Jeans: Old Navy 

Purple Flow Tank: Old Navy

Flats: Target

Bracelets: Francescas 

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Wedges: Top Moda

Necklace: Target

Bracelet: Francescas

xoxo, CourtneyBridget

Spring Break Essentials

Spring Break is SO CLOSE. We're gunna make it..It's almost here...Oh God.... I NEED SUNSHINE. 

With Spring Break approaching so quickly, I thought I'd share my list of my essentials when making my yearly pilgrimage to Florida for Spring Break. Some of these may be total 'Well DUH' products, but hey they're important to me so leave me alone.

Jack Rogers Hamptons Sandals. 

Fun Fact: I have never actually purchased Jack Rogers for retail. Last summer I was wondering around the different shops in my town and found them at a 2Nd Time Around, BRAND NEW. They were marked $40 and I was totally game, and then I find out they're hosting an event for college students to celebrate the end of finals. All I had to do was show them my school ID and I go 50% off..... I only paid $20 for a pair of brand new Jack Rogers. Thank you Lord Above and hallelujah.

These have become my absolute favorite sandals. They are so comfortable and so versatile! Not only can I wear them with a cute little dress, but I can also just throw them on with leggings and a button down and be totally comfy! I know they're expensive, trust me this gal is always on a tight budget (#College) but if you have some birthday money to spend, or magically find them in a 2Nd Time Around, BUY THEM.
Jack Rogers Women's Hamptons Sandal

Comfy Pajamas

My plan for Spring Break is to sleep from approximately 9pm to 8am every night. I know I am in fact a Grandma. But if I'm going to be doing all that sleeping in my big comfy hotel bed, then I better have some super soft comfy pajamas to go with it. I love this tank because its super soft, and flowy so I stay cool and breezy, and if I (God forbid) get a sunburn, it doesn't irritate it because it's so loose!

Namast'ay In Bed Tank Top

A Wonderful Book

I may not have the popular opinion here, but lordy I love a good book. I usually bring 2 just because with all that time on the plane, I'm bound to finish at least one! I just finished Amy Poehler's book Yes Please, and it's incredible. If you need a good vacation read I can't recommend it highly enough! This spring break, I'm bringing 'At The Water's Edge" by Sara Gruen. Water For Elephants was one of my favorite books and I am so excited to see what this one has in store. I haven't decided on my second choice, maybe y'all can help me out! What books have you fallen in love with lately?

At the Water's Edge: A Novel

A Cute Water Bottle

In the Florida heat, the number 2 thing you need, (behind sunscreen) is water. You have to stay hydrated when you're sweating so much! Plus water is just really good for your skin, why not try to look as glowy as possible so you can take super cute instas?.. So I firmly believe if you're going to be drinking water constantly, you need a super cute way to carry it around! 

Lilly Pulitzer Tumbler  

A Good Swimsuit

Okay, I know everyone wants to parade around in their tiny bikinis during spring break, but I've always felt like a flirty one piece is the way to go. You never have to worry about an asshole pulling your straps loose and causing a major wardrobe malfunction; you're more covered from the sun and are less likely to get a super painful under-boob burn, and you never have to worry about saggy bottoms because it's all attached! 

I found this one that I'm very tempted to get. Its a great example of how one piece bathing suits aren't just for our moms! Look at that cute little peephole! 

O'Neill Free Spirit Once Piece Swimsuit

Self Tanner

This is kind of like a pre-vacation necessity. I hate spending the first 2 days of vacation looking like the underbelly of a fish. Its a fact: Everyone looks better with a tan. Approximately 2 weeks before I leave, I start using Nivea Gradual Tanning Lotion. For the first week, I really only use it after every shower, so every other day. The week before I go HAM. I apply before bed every night to get that subtle golden color. This lotion actually smells awesome, and it doesn't leave me feeling like a carrot! 

NIVEA Sun-Kissed Radiance Gradual Tanner & Body Lotion, Fair to Medium Skin, 13.5 Ounce

Chapstick With SPF

Good Lord it hurts to get a sunburn on your lips. Your lips feel all crusty, and they sting no matter what you eat. UGH I wouldn't wish the pain on even my mortal enemy. (That's dramatic, I probably would) I love chapstick that smells so good you want to eat it, so find something that has a killer scent, and SPF of at least 30, and don't forget to reapply!

Hawaiian Tropic Tropical Lip Balm SPF 45+ Sunscreen


So where are y'all going this spring break?
xoxo, CourtneyBridget

Custom Dashboard!

Well hey there Pals!

Today I thought I would walk you through how I create my own dashboards!
It's so crazy easy, I swear this only took me about 15 minutes once I had all the supplies!
Check at the bottom of this page for the links to where I got all of my supplies [Amazon is bae.]
You will need:

• Decorative paper, printed images, etc.. [full page]
• Scissors
• Hole Punch [1/8th inch if you're working with a coil bound planner!]
• Post-it notes and sticky flags 
• Ruler
• Laminating sheets OR packing tape

1. Find 2 patterns you love. You can print them on plain old computer paper, or you can get scrapbook paper, or whatever makes you smile!
                    I love Lilly Pulitzer so I printed two full pages of some of my favorite patterns!

2. Cut both pages to size. The should be approximately 6.15 inches in length and 8.11 inches in length depending on your planner! I used a note page from the back of my Plum Paper Planner as a guide, but if you have a Kate Spade, or an Erin Condren, you might have to adjust your sizes!

I left the white edge along the left side so the holes wouldn't cut into the pattern! 

3. Tape the 2 pages together with your patterns facing out, this way there's even something cute to see when you turn the page!

4. Using that note page, or a bookmark from your Erin Condren, mark where each of the holes are for your coil or binder rings with a small black dot.
       Now you may be thinking, 'but I want it to be laminated! Fear not! That step is coming! We want to mark our spots before we laminate so the pen marks don't rub off!

5. NOW we laminate! They make really awesome self adhesive laminating sheets that you can use, or you could go the poor girl route like I did and use packing tape! As long as you do it carefully, You really get the same effect!

6. Once you're all set with the lamination, take a hole punch (1/8th inch if you're working with a coil planner!) and punch where each of our markings are!

7. Take a pair of scissors, and  snip where each hole is, so the dash can be put in your planner, and easily removed!

Cut through to the hole, but NOT past the hole! 

8. Place your dash in your planner and decorate as you please! I love the target dollar spot sticky notes and use my Post-it flags in class constantly, so it's so great to have them readily available!

Enjoy!!
xoxo, CourtneyBridget

Fiskars 1/8 Inch Circle Hand Punch (23517097J)

Scotch Single-Sided Laminating Sheets, 9 x 12-Inches, Letter Size (LS854SS-10)

What I Wouldn't Do for my Planner...

As I previously told you all, I am in love with my planner.
I'm talking a hardcore.. passionate love....with basically a calendar.

I was always that weird kid in 5th and 6th grade that had all my classwork color-coded. In fact, I used to throw away the school-issued agenda and instead go to the American Girl store and get a fancy 'grown up' planner.
My love continued to grow through high school as I expanded my knowledge to the Vera Bradley and Lilly Pulitzer agendas until finally these past few years, I learned of the magic that is: Erin Condren.............. Well, the student budget version: The Plum Paper Planner.

For anyone who is branching out into the planner world I cannot recommend this planner highly enough. Every single page is customizable. I have my very own one of a kind planner!

I thought a great introduction to my planner craziness would be to take you on a walk through my planner and how I've set things up!

As soon as I open my planner I am greeted by the most adorable sticky notes. If you haven't yet discovered the joy that is the Target Dollar Spot, do it.
(If you'd like a tutorial on how to make your own dashboard, please comment below!)

As we continue on, you'll find the year at a glance pages where I circle all important dates whether they be special events, birthdays, anniversaries, etc... This way, when planning way far in advance, I always know what's coming!

Now we get to the really good part, the weekly planner pages, and though I won't show you any 'how-tos' as far as decorating yet, I did want to give you a little peak into my madness!
At the beginning of each month tab, I use the first page of notes to track income and expenses, each date is assigned a line on the page, and I track whatever money goes in or out to keep myself in check!

Next page would be the classic full month view which is one of the things I love about this planner. I love being able to schedule work, and see everything on 2 pages for the entire month!

As you continue to flip through, you'll find the week on 2 pages where I really break things down and write everything that's going on from to-do lists and gym time, to homework!

• The first tip I will give you, is to plan with sticky flags. The world is constantly changing, so instead of permanently marking up your planner, just write out everything on movable sticky flags until you're ready to seriously plan out your week! 

The last few pages are full of extra notes and a really great little pocket where I keep my Erin Condren: Do It All Dots!

So I hope this little intro got you excited for what's to come! Be on the lookout for Plan With Me posts, and cute little planner DIYs!
If you purchase your own Plum Paper Planner, let them know I sent you!
xoxo, CourtneyBridget