Notebook Sessions: September 2014

Welcome to my second issue of Notebook Sessions. (Find last month's premier session here) This is a monthly series of all my favorite things, put together in my notebook! Here's what is inspiring me this September:

Hope you enjoy! XOXOXO,

Welcome, Autumn

It's that time of year again! I love fall in my area, with all of the leaves falling and the not too hot not too cold temperature... love this season so much! Happy fall.

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XOXOXO,

Autumn

Even though fall technically starts on September 22, midway through September when the weather gradually starts to drop, the only thing on my mind is retiring my summer dresses! Autumn is an amazing season. When I was younger, I definitely did not appreciate fall as much as I do now. I am looking forward to days in comfortable sweaters and well-worn boots. I love the rustic vibe that accompanies this quickly-approaching season. (To the left are some of my favorite fall-inspiration shots from tumblr.)

Although this autumn will be a particularly difficult time for me, school-wise, I am still so excited with the fun events that coincide with this season.

Homecoming is just one of the many fall events. At my school, not only is there a football game and a Sadie Hawkins style dance, but there's also a pep rally where all of the senior members of the fall teams have a dance competition, in front of all the students in grades 6-12. I am so excited to finally be able to do this with the lovely ladies of the volleyball team. I am already starting to think about what songs we should dance to! (And I am trying to find a good Homecoming dress as well)

One thing that I love about my school is Halloween. On Halloween, seniors dress up in really well-put-together costumes, and parade in front of all the grades, showing off that perfectly styled superhero costume, for example. My friends and I have not yet decided what to do (we still have a month to think about it!) but we have lots of good ideas! Some of my favorites are frat boys, awkward school photos, and princesses.

The day after Halloween, I have college applications due. Hopefully I will not still be working on the apps that night...

Anyways, happy (almost) fall!

XOXOXO,

Saturday Six: Seniorness

1. Feeling stressed? You're not the only one, trust me. I get really bad anxiety, and I have learned over the years that stress can be unavoidable. If you are stressed, here are some of my tips to help relax.

2. I love my volleyball team more than I can describe. Although we need to fix some things with how we're actually meshing on a volleyball court, I love these girls to pieces and I am so grateful to play next to them everyday. Our team dynamic is really just amazing. This is one group of people I will really miss next year when I am off at college! I adore my princesses!

3. It's almost fall, and Williams-Sonoma once again has my favorite soup in the world available. Their pumpkin bisque starter is perfect for those brisk fall days. Find it here or in stores.

4. I read this amazing "This I Believe Essay" by a high school senior. Her quote, below, really resonated with me. 

5. My friend kAb's post on high school is perf. (here)

6. I have my fall music playlist on repeat. Missed the post? Find it here.

Y'all, it's almost fall! XOXOXO,

Fall Music, Part Two

Fall is my favorite season for music. I just have such a better appreciation for music when school starts, because it is one of my vehicles for relaxation. Most school nights I listen to my "and now we're seniors" playlist on Spotify while I do my homework. These are some of my favorite songs from that collection.

Check out last year's autumn playlist here.

XOXOXO,

Beach Daze

After an extremely crazy second week of school, I was so grateful to be able to go to the beach and recharge for the week. However, I am just as exhausted as ever! It is so hard getting back into the swing of things school-wise. Senior year is kicking my butt!

This weekend I have been doing homework (ugh!), watching college football, and trying to simply relax. I have been debating over whether or not I want to ask anyone to my homecoming dance this year. A lot of my friends are not going to ask anyone, and I don't know if I really need to ask anyone. I guess I will just follow my gut.

I actually had a breakdown this weekend from all of the stress. I cannot wait until second semester, the time that is rumored to be so much easier! I'll knock on wood and cross my fingers, but meanwhile I have four months of crazy scheduling between school, volleyball, college applications, and yearbook! (Not to mention my other clubs!)

My goal for this semester is to be more concentrated, and I will work on that right now by finishing my homework! #seniorness

XOXOXO,