Ways to Make Money this Summer

Hey Pals!

The key to a perfect summer job, is that it shouldn't feel like a job. It shouldn't be too much work, you shouldn't feel like you've missed out on everything fun, and most of all you should be able to make insane amounts of money. 

Does this job really exist? Probably not. 

So, here are some ideas to help you raise some funds while still enjoying your summer! 

1. Be a cleaning assistant for the people in your neighborhood. 

Now you may be thinking 'I don't even want to clean my own room so no...' But hear me out! Helping your elderly neighbor by doing a few chores once a week at their home= only a few hours of work per week being paid off the books. meaning no taxes! It's really easy, and old people like to feed their guests so who knows, maybe you'll get a free sandwich out of it too! 

2. Sell some unwanted clothes and accessories.

Poshmark is an amazing app that I am constantly using. It is kind of like ebay, but specifically for your clothes. You take a few pictures and list whatever it is you don't wear anymore, then you can set a price, and off it goes! Poshmark is awesome because they only take a 20% comission, so you're left with a nice chunk of cash! Once you've made a sale you can either direct deposit your earnings, or keep them in your account so that you can find something new and amazing right there on the app! I've been using the app for about a year and I am so so thrilled with how they run their business. 

3. Be a Camp Counselor

This is kind of only an option for people who really like working with kids, but if you can do it, I can't think of a better way to spend your summer. Most local schools, town rec programs, even churches host some kind of camp program throughout the summer. It's a great way to get outside and stay active, and most parents are really great about tipping the counselors who take care of their children. Another plus side: most camps don't run on weekends, or during the evenings, so you have a ton of time to still hang out with your friends or go to the beach! 

4. Be a Dog Walker

Who wouldn't want this job? Who wouldn't want to be covered in puppies for a few hours a week?.. I feel like this a job sent from above. And with apps like WAG coming out making it easier for you to find clients, the possibilities are endless! Who doesn't love new doggie friends?! 

So maybe these don't sound like the perfect job for you, but hopefully they have given you some inspiration! There are so many opportunities out there, you just have to make sure you don't give up on the search! 

My Websters Pages Planner

Hey Pals!

OH how I love a brand new planner. Oh it just makes me so happy. Don't you just get giddy filling in your new planner, or is that just me?..

So when I found this walnut colored, 6 ring planner on acherryontop.com for only $24.99 I couldn't stop myself from purchasing it.
It arrived in the original Websters Pages packaging, and I am thrilled with this planner. The only thing I could possibly complain about is the strength of the rings, but honestly I don't stuff my planner enough to be worried about it. But the colors are great, the pockets are perfectly functional, and it's the exact right size for me and my life.

I actually made my own dividers from scrapbook paper I found at Michael's. I laminated them with the Scotch self-seal laminating pouches, and I have to say I'm really disappointed. As soon as I cut the dividers out, the laminating came apart, I had to put scotch tape around them to seal them off...not really doin their job!! Maybe you guys could help, am I doing it wrong? It's honestly quite possible.. Well, regardless they're still cute, I'll live.

I purchased my inserts from The Paper Starfish on Etsy, (I'll link them below!) and I'm really thrilled with them. The paper quality is great, and the printing is picture perfect. I am so excited to fill everything out! I only have weekly and monthly inserts right now, hopefully I'll be able to purchase some more as I get used to the 6 ring design. Essentially, I would like a 'well-being/health' section, a finance section, and then probably a section for odds and ends. Does anyone out there have suggestions? Besides your calendar itself, what else do you keep in your planner?

I'll keep you posted in a month or so as I've filled everything in, and really gotten into the groove of things!
xoxo, Courtney Bridget



Inserts: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperStarfish
Planner: They don't have the exact same planner in the personal size anymore, but here it is in the natural color!
http://www.acherryontop.com/shop/search/websters%2Bpages%2Bplanner/sort/relevance/315224

Goodbye Junior Year...

I'm a senior in college? How did this happen? I'm turning 21 in a month... I have to start searching for an apartment? I have to apply for graduation? I'M SO CONFUSED.

Here's the thing. This year was hard. And I'm not trying to complain like 'wahhhh my classes were hard.' I mean like woah a lot of stuff happened this year and I was so unprepared and I need a vacation. I didn't live in the same building as my closest friends, I took upper level courses that challenged me and at many times, frustrated me, and I worked an internship that ate up my time. Junior year was not the 'hey lets hang out till 4am and snuggle' kind of year like sophomore and freshman year. I'm not going to lie to you all, it took a lot of adjusting. I suddenly feel the crushing weight of becoming a real person and it's scary.

Apart from all that, I have so much to be thankful for. I got to spend my entire first semester working with an incredible woman and her dance company in Brooklyn, learning so much and meeting so many wonderful people. I also met a few new friends who have become so important to me, and I'm going to miss them terribly. I was able to *finally* pass accounting, I took some great marketing classes, saw some perfect theater (still trying to sell body parts to see Hamilton though..), and I was able to go through everything with my 5 best best friends who I plan to keep with me for the rest of my life.

What are my favorite memories you may ask?

1. Well first of all, I got to go to Florida as you all know, and visit my aunt, spend time with my friend Ryan in Disney, and soak up so much sun.
2. Waggies. I wish I could explain it.. Basically it's a roast, plus an after party where unspeakable things happen but none of it matters simply because it's waggies. And everyone wears themed costumes and it's the most perfect night of the year.
3. The fundraiser gala for my internship in November. It was so rewarding to be able to celebrate a year of beautiful performances with the AL/DD team.
4. Finding Vanberbilt Beach. Since my freshman year I have ached to find a beach on this silly island where I could sit and de-stress, enjoying the sounds of the water just like I do at home. Though the first adventure came with a $95 parking ticket, I am so thrilled Ryan, Austin, Anne and I were able to find that baby beach and dip our feet in that ice cold water right underneath the bridge!
5. Rocky Horror. This was the only time I was able to perform this year, and though the process was super short, Rocky is fun no matter what you do.
6. The annual Halloween scavenger hunt. Not only, did the Zaddy Squad WIN, but we won by a landslide. I felt like a super secret spy for the evening. A super secret spy with a rainbow tattoo on her face.

So yes, though this year brought some personal struggles, and I found myself struggling some days, I still have incredible friends, and dedicated teachers, and seriously I am so lucky to love where I'm at. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm so excited for senior year, and growing up, and making my own future.

Peace out Wagner, see ya in August!

xoxo, CourtneyBridget

My College Study Tips

Well hello friends!

As finals are quick approaching (*vomits*) I felt it necessary to share with you my favorite studying hacks. Though I'm not a huge fan, I do find myself cramming more than I'd like. It's inevitable when you have to juggle so many different classes and papers and tests oh my!

I've always kept the saying 'Cs Get Degrees' in the back of my brain because sometimes I find myself stressing out so much over some of the littlest things. It's so important to get good grades, and I'm not trying to tell you to slack off in school, but you really need to take a step back and breathe when you're having a panic attack over a 70 on a quiz that counts for 3% of your grade. Unless something truly tragic happens, you are going to graduate. If you're putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, you're going to miss out on some of the best moments in college that your parents wish they could go back to. It's all about balance. And hey if you have 4 tests in one day, and one comes back as a 75, don't throw a fit, and don't punish yourself. There's only so much you can do and so much your brain can tolerate! Take that 75 and use it to motivate you for the next test! 1 bad grade doesn't define you as a person, nor does it define your level of intelligence.

Okay now that I got that off my chest, I have a few actual tips and tricks for you when you're stuck cramming!

1. Write everything out. It's scientifically proven to help you retain information. When you write something in your own handwriting, a part of your brain is triggered that helps you remember the information during the test. When you prefer flashcards or full blown color coded study guides, it really helps to cement everything in your brain.

2. Speaking of color coding- it's a miracle. Seriously it is the best way to keep everything organized in your head, plus fun colors can actually motivate you to study! If the paper and the notes are fun, your brain will be tricked into thinking that the information is just as fun!

3. Social media is sometimes the leading cause of cramming. We begin to write a paper and then we quickly check facebook. Suddenly it's 2 hours later and you've found yourself looking at pins of cute baby otters on Pinterest. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?! Well I have your answer: www.selfcontrolapp.com It's only for Macs but it blocks sites like Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter for a set amount of time while you work!

4. If you're like me, you hate silence. Sometimes I find that silence is more distracting than noise! However I also catch myself stepping away from my work because my favorite song comes on, or I have trouble concentrating when I'm reading and have lyrics blasting at me. My suggestion is to switch to classical music. Just like classical symphonies help toddlers brains develop, it can really help you focus! It takes the place of your latest Spotify playlist, so you still have noise, but aren't as tempted to hop up and dance

5. Check with your school, probably in the library, for the Writing Intensive Tutors. They're students just like you, who have been recommended by professors to serve as 'writing specialists'. They can help you with grammar, help you figure out that weird sentence you just cant get to sound right, and they can help you with formatting and all that fun stuff! WITs have saved my life so many times. Sometimes it just takes a second pair of eyes to take your paper from a B to an A+

So what are some of your favorite study tips? Please share them here to help us all survive April & May!

xoxo, CourtneyBridget

March 21-27 Weekly Planner Layout

Hey Pals!
It's been too long since I posted something planner themed, so I thought I'd share my weekly layout for this coming week in my Plum Paper Planner!
I've mentioned it before, but I really just love my PPP, and can't recommend it highly enough if you're an Erin Condren fan, but aren't ready to pay the Erin Condren price! I'll link the Etsy shop at the bottom of this article!
I am not huge on a ton of stickers because sometimes my planner can get a little busy, but I love using colorful functional stickers, and adding a little flair with some washi tape!
Comment below with your favorite way to decorate your planner!!

 Not everything is filled out yet, somethings are still up in the air, and I just hate having to cross things out! Also, I save the bottom check list boxes for homework assignments that are assigned throughout the week! 

Enjoy!
Xoxo, CourtneyBridget

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlumPaperDesigns

A Letter to my 16 Year Old Self

Dear 16 Year Old Courtney,

You are at a time in your life where everything seems so perfect. And ya know what? Even looking back at it now, almost about to turn 21, it was perfect. You have exactly what you need right now with an amazing group of friends who love you so much, experiencing things you could never have even dreamed about!
You have and still do have, an incredible family with 2 parents who are willing to do literally anything for you, no matter how insane the request. You're brother is always going to seem like a different species to you, but you know that no matter what he'll always come support you. He sits through all your shows in college, even the ones that make him uncomfortable, and whenever you're home, he's always ready for a trip to the marina. So while you're 16, don't alienate him. Don't judge him for the things he does with his friends or the way he handles things. Hes just a boy, they're weird.

Speaking of boys, you'll be happy to know that by age 20 we don't get any less weird and nervous around boys so we'll just keep waiting on that miracle together. There will be a few boys as you grow and get to college, I just want you to remember that no matter what happens you're value does not decrease based on their inability to see your worth. You will experience your first rough heartbreak your first 2 years of college and it's going to absolutely suck. You're going to want to cry all the time or punch him in the teeth, but in true Courtney fashion, you'll smile through it and continue trying to have the best college experience you can.
When you hit 18, you'll get to college, (I won't tell you which one), and you'll fall in love with it. You have an insanely wonderful group of friends who are there for you no matter what happens, and you will experience a whole new part of life. It's an incredible feeling, being on your own and succeeding doing what you love to do. College will come with some rough choices, but always follow your gut. It's never wrong.

Keep an eye out for a crazy Argentinian modern dance teacher when you get to school. She is one of the best people you'll meet in your four years. She will hand you incredible opportunities to broaden your horizons all while kicking your butt in her Barre a Terre class.

I'm sure you're reading all this college stuff and thinking, 'But what about my roommate?!' Well I'm here to tell you that Bridget (or Budge as you'll eventually call her out of pure laziness when auto-correct does you dirty one day) SUCKS. Just kidding, she will become one of the most important people in you're life. She will send you all the cute pictures of puppies, yell Merrily We Roll along at you while she's drunk, watch Aquamarine with you on every snow day, and always be up for roomie pillow-talk. She's there for you when your heart feels heavy, and you are always there to pick up the pieces when she needs you most. You'll still have Nick so don't fret, but you'll meet a few more gems in your freshman year like Jess, Ryan & Madison who are still your 'mainz' now in junior year, and looking forward, that's not changing any time soon.

So look to the future with light in your heart, the best is yet to come! You're going to vomit at a college party, and take accounting which makes you want to implode, but you'll learn to live on your own and deal with your anxiety, you'll read some amazing books, and finally go to The Met like Gossip Girl!
Also, one more thing before I leave, you have celiac disease. It sucks eggs, figured you'd want to hear it from me instead of that weird Dr. with the gross finger nails.

Sincerely yours,
CourtneyBridget