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

DIY Finals Calendar

Hey Pals!
Here comes another finals week post (AGH)
I have found that the best way for me to be successful, is to write out everything clearly (sometimes with a fun creative flair) so that all my obligations are right in front of me and easy to read!

So I decided to come up with an easy to make calendar so you can outline your next few weeks easily!

Supplies:
-2/3 sheets of paper (depending on how many weeks you want to plan
       *consider printing fun patterns from the computer on a full page of paper, or scrapbook paper!
-scissors
-colorful pens, a pencil, and a black sharpie
-a ruler
-washi tape
-post-it notes

Step 1: 
Cut your 2/3 base pages to approx 8.5x11- the size of a normal piece of computer paper

Step 2:
Measure out your weeks and color them in.
           -Holding the page landscape form, draw a horizontal line down the middle of the page
           -For the top row of boxes with only 3 days, each box is 3.5 inches wide
           -The bottom row boxes are 2.6 inches wide
           -Add a line 1 inch from the top of the page, and 1 inch from the middle line to create the boxes             for the day titles
           -Write over all your pencil lines in sharpie

Step 3:
Write in your days of the week!

Step 4:
Use Washi Tape to attach the three calendars together either vertically or horizontally

Step 5:
Using your own color coding system, start to fill in exams, and try to plan out time to study.
     *I also used cute inspirational quotes and journaling cards to block out dates where I won't be               studying due to events on campus or at home

Step 6: 
Use Washi Tape to attach the calendar to your wall and start living the organized life!

           xoxo, CourtneyBridget

What I'm Watching on Netflix Right Now..

Hey there pals! 

So yea.. I have a Netflix problem. And no I'm not going to apologize for it. 

There are some hidden GEMS on Netflix these days, so I thought I'd share what I'm loving for those of you who have just finished the very last episode of the show you've been devoted to for the last 10 months. 

1.Gossip Girl.

        I've watched the series in its entirety twice, now I've got my mother hooked and we spend too many hours glued to my laptop eating chocolate and snuggling with my giant dog. I am not ashamed to admit ANY of this. If you love upper east side drama, really really unfortunately sexy men, and waffles, you will be as obsessed with this show as I am. 

2. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

CAUSE FEMALES ARE STRONG AS HELL. This show is perfect for when you're super stressed and just want to forget your troubles. It's smart humor, incredible cast, and wacky plot make it so easy to fall in love with Kimmy and all her friends. Each episode is only half an hour so you totally breeze through each season, but then are just so sad when it's over.. Get excited, season 2 is premiering THIS FRIDAY April 15th!! 

3. Graceland

Through this show, I have somehow convinced myself I would be an incredibly successful FBI agent. I know how to get out of any situation, and feel I am fully equipped to handle pretty much any traumatic situation.. Not to mention Aaron Tveit is in it so really there's no reason not to watch it.

4. The Office

You're dumb if you're not madly in love with Jim Halpert. This show is full of quirky lovable characters, ridiculous jokes and perfectly  quotable lines. ('Dwight you IGNORANT SLUT') To be perfectly honest, it took me a while to fall in love with the show, the first season is slow, but once I understood the humor I fell completely in love. UGH Jim and Pam are ALL the goals. 

5. FRIENDS

*clap clap clap clap* It's a classic, its addicting, I think it's probably ridiculous for me to even be suggesting it because I'm sure you all already watch it, so just keep on keepin on. 

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

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

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

My Favorite Spring Break Outfits

Well hello there my dear friends!
I am back from Florida, tan, blonde, and a little bit itchy (It's not spring break if you don't give yourself a little sun poisoning)
I really didn't go off the resort property much because I wanted to soak up as much sun as possible, however I did want to share 2 of my favorite outfits from the trip!

Outfit #1:
My first night I was lucky enough to meet up with one of my closest friends and wander around Disney Springs eating Mickey Ice Cream Bars and visiting all the cute little shops! It was actually a little chilly this evening so I decided on my classic Old Navy white V-Neck tee shirt, my favorite Ann Taylor LOFT navy knit skirt, my silver Jack Rogers sandals, and a basic light gray cardigan from H&M! As far as jewelry, I kept it simple with a silver bangle, and some flash tattoos!

Outfit #2:
On the 4th day, we decided to venture out to Celebration, the small community run by Disney. It's super cute and has a bunch of little boutiques and restaurants (including a macaron store... #blessed). I went with casual but cool, considering it was almost 90 degrees! My shorts are the J.Crew 3" chino short, in a super rich olive green color, and my purple and gray floral tank is from Ann Taylor LOFT. I paired that with some easy brown leather sandals with some gold detailing from Target, and finished off the look with a statement necklace from Forever 21!

Though it's not much, I hope this gives you some outfit inspiration for your upcoming trip! And if you're not going anywhere, don't  worry! Spring and summer are just around the corner!

xoxo, CourtneyBridget