2014 Resolutions & Organization

Hey everyone!

It's my first post of 2014 (on the first day of 2014)! Last night was pretty low-key in my house. I had some of my favorite Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bisque, which is only available in the fall (but luckily my mom found one and gave it to me for Christmas). I watched the ball drop, and whoop there is was... 2014.

I actually really liked 2013. It's been a really good year, but I am so excited for this year! In 2014, I will go to France with my school, the Dominican Republic on a service mission, hopefully to Europe with my family, and I know this summer I will be visiting tons of schools in preparation for my SENIOR YEAR (how am I already this old?!). I'll be applying to colleges this year. It's something that I cannot really wrap my head around!

I know that most people make resolutions for the new year, and almost always they are about diet, losing weight, and exercise. Although, like everyone else, I have those kind of goals for 2014, I think my main resolutions aren't going to be about those things. Here are my 2014 resolutions:

1. To try to be more outgoing, and more eager to take advantage of my final years at home with my family, and in high school!

2. Not mess with my hair. It's kind of a gross habit, and not something that I want to do.

3. Spend less time trying to impress people on social media. Who really cares if I lose a few followers or something like that? I shouldn't, and that's what I am going to work on!

4. Keep my room more organized, and not procrastinate as much!


Although my room is often what my mom calls "a disaster zone", my planner is very organized, and I thought that people may want to improve on their own calendar's organization for the new year!

Even though my school gives every middle and high school student planners, I prefer the Lilly ones much more. I have a Jumbo Lilly Pulitzer Planner. Because I have relatively large hand writing, and this is the perfect size planner for me. A lot of people at my school have the Large planner as well, it just depends on preference.

 

I use my Crayola magic markers religiously, and the main place that I use them (as you can see in the pictures above and below) is in my planner. I use them to bring attention to special days, and to box in any reminders. The pack that I got has gorgeous colors, they really brighten up my planner!
 

I mark the week with a K magnetic bookmark that I got as a gift. It makes it a lot easier, so that I can just flip to the week, instead of searching for it. Another thing I do is that I write all of my subjects (even days when I do not have that class) and highlight them in the same color. I highlight to separate them from the assignment. I put a box to the left of every subject, and put a check in it when I have finished that subject. I have done it this way for over 4 years now, and it really works for me!
 

Another little piece of advice I have about organizing is to use a backpack with different compartments, which helps me to be more organized than if I we're go use a tote bag. 

 (That's my backpack, from North Face... and my SAT book and new blanket that I got for Christmas from my mom!)

Another great thing to use are sticky notes! I use them to mark pages in books for English, where my notes start for a new test in History class, and countless other places! I just got new ones for Christmas! 

I hope this helps, and I hope your 2014 is going well so far!
 

XOXOXO,

Kels

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I cannot believe that only four days from now is Christmas! Also, I cannot believe that the last time I posted was like three weeks ago!! I finished my mid-term exams on Friday. Some of them were really tough for me, but I am glad that they are in the past now. It was a really hectic week!

Yesterday was really fun though after exams. My friend kHr and I went out to lunch at my favorite burrito place, went to Starbucks, then went to a ceramic painting store that I absolutely love! I painted a mason jar that I think I will either give to my cousin, or keep for myself. I also painted a light switch cover in an attempted copy of the Lilly Pulitzer first impression print. The colors are kind of dull right now, but when it gets glaed and fired in the kiln the colors will really pop! I love painting, and it was a great thing to do after all of the stress of exam week. I also took Maelia here when she was staying with my family, its a great things to do with people of any age! There were older ladies, a young woman, young kids, and other teenagers in there with us yesterday. If you have something like this around you, I highly encourage you to go and treat yourself to a fun and relaxing few hours!

I also have been busy practicing for my church's Christmas pageant, which I have done every year since I could walk, probably. It is often hectic, and there are always mistakes, but I love going to church and seeing it packed on Christmas Eve! I am a big angel, and am essentially in charge of girls in 6th to 10th grades with doing a candle dance. Its very beautiful!

I love baking, as you can see from my last post, and I am going to start my holiday baking today! Maybe I will share a few more pictures and recipes...

Although I love receiving presents at Christmastime (I will share with you below what is on my list!) I think giving presents to family and friends is so special. I love looking at people's faces when they open a gift that they love, or a gift that they have been coveting for years!


Here are a few items that I have selected from my Christmas list to share!

1. Hunter Boots I have been asking for these for basically every birthday and Christmas for the past few years. I think that they are so versatile and cute!

2. Frames! I love having photos of my friends and family in my room, and I thought that this would be a good thing to ask for, because there is such a great variety of them out there! This particular chevron frame is from Anthropoligie's website.

3. Stationary: I think the practice of sending letters is not dead. I love sending thank you notes, and expressing my gratitude to people who have helped me in any way, or gave their time to help me when it was not asked of them. I love so many stationaries! You can find this sassy animal print kind, here.

4. I love posters, and I think this one is so cute! Posters are a great and pretty inexpensive way to decorate a space. You can find this poster here.

5. I think that Lilly Pulitzer scarves are a cheery accessory that is very transitional, and can be styled for practically every season. You can find a variety of their scarves here.

6. I love love love Patagonia! I got a Patagonia fleece for Christmas last year and I wear it all the time. It's so cozy! This vest would be a great thing to wear around. I love my J. Crew Expedition vest (in black) and I think this would be a good thing to have, so I don't have to wear the same vest all the time.

7. Sunglasses: I probably do not need sunglasses, but I have been lusting over these for a while. Ray Bans are classics! You can find them here.

This Christmas, I am thankful for a lot of things. I know that not everyone gets presents for Christmas, and I realize that while I am typing this blog post, some kids are dying of diseases and starving to death. I am grateful for so much, and I love my family and my friends to death, and cannot imagine my life without them. I thank God for all he has given me. I wish you a Merry Christmas (or a relaxing break if you are not Christian) and I hope that you have a happy and healthy 2014. 

See y'all later!

XOXO,

Kels

Nantucket Shopping

Nantucket is honestly probably my favorite place on earth. Preppy people parade down the streets, and sometimes it feels like a runway show, where you can only dream of owning their clothes. Another fave is that literally every house has the most gorgeous hydrangeas (my all time favorite flower). Here are my family's favorite stores on the island.

STORES

Sunken Ship
Quick Description: Crowded souvenir shop
More Info: My brother loves this store. Me? Not so much, its just really crowded with stuff and with people. They sell Rainbows (probably the only thing that I have bought in the store), along with a random assortment of other items that appeal to tourists, like hats, shirts, and random electronics.
What We Bought: A new Nantucket sticker for our car, and a shirt for a family friend

Jack Wills
Quick Description: British clothes
More Info: I think I mainly like this store because of what the employees do when they are not selling clothes in the store. They throw the best parties where hand out free "party pants" (neon Jack Wills underwear), and hire college age kids who know how to have a good time. The clothes are pretty cute, but anything I love does not fit me well and the clothes that do are just kind of blah. However, every teen goes here at least once during their stay.
What We Bought: This year... nothing! Last year I got a floral shirt, underwear, nail "varnish", and makeup and my dad got a swimsuit

Murray's Toggery
Quick Description: Great for Guys, Blah for Girls
More Info: Have you been craving a Nantucket Red clothing item? If so, you can find one here. They have great preppy clothes for guys. My dad and brother can always find something good here. However, I find the women's clothing section geared towards older women. The only thing that I can ever find here are Jack Rogers sandals. My mom likes their driving shoes. They sell a little bit of Vineyard Vines clothing, but there is a VV on the island that I like better!
What We Bought: This year I got Jacks, my mom got sandals, my dad got a belt, and my brother got a shirt and a belt.

My new Jacks!

Vineyard Vines
Quick Description: Guys can get anything here
More Info: One of my favorite places to shop on the island. I recently got a "frocket" (front pocket) tee shirt from there and will soon get a hat. They have the best clothes for guys. BEST. Shorts in every color, ties in every print, and everything else a guy summering on Nantucket could possibly need, except for a sports coat! A great place to buy tunics for women, and everything is pretty cute, if not expensive.
What We Bought: I got a Tee Shirt and a hat, my mom got a cover up, and my brother got a sweater.

Lilly Pulitzer:
Quick Description: C'mon, its Lilly!
More Info: Yes, Nantucket has a Lilly! In August, they have huge sales. They have something for every amount of money you want to spend.
What We Bought: This year, we did not get any Lilly in Nantucket, because I already got some earlier in the summer, and didn't really want to dish out money for any more this time.

Blue Beetle
Quick Description: Preppy clothing and cute jewelry and monograms
More Info: Some of the stuff in this store I really liked, but some of it was that stretchy and plastic-y feeling material (I don't remember what it is called specifically)
What We Bought: My mom bought a striped sweatshirt and a Nantucket keychain and I bought a cute pair of starfish earrings!

Current Vintage
Quick Description: Wine Shop that sells clothes
More Info: I feel like I always am in here with my dad, while he is buying wine, I am looking at their rack of vintage Lilly dresses. They also sell other random vintage clothing. I think the only new clothes they sell are Genetic Denim jeans! They actually were the store that introduced me to this brand a few years back. I did not buy my Genetic Denim here though, because a pair of jeans normally costs around $170 from them, which I do not like to shell out for denim. I bought them on sale online for around $100 instead!
What We Bought: My dad bought wine.

C Wonder
Quick Description: Expensive, cute clothing not the best quality
More Info: I first heard about C Wonder about two years ago in the style section of the New York Times (my addiction!!). C Wonder opened their Nantucket location last year, but I never had a chance to stop in. This year I finally did, and it was kind of disappointing for me in the clothing department, but I absolutely loved their jewelry.
What We Bought: My mom purchased a pretty navy v-neck dress that was on sale, and I bought the most adorable neon and gold bracelet (shown below).

I am now in the process of getting ready for school. I will miss my time this summer in Nantucket every second, and I look forward to returning soon to my favorite place on Earth!

XOXOXO,
Kelsey

Duck and Lilly Pick!

Hello!

I just got some pictures from my trip to Duck, NC and I thought I would (as promised) share a few! Unfortunately these pictures look kind of gloomy because it was overcast when I went, but luckily there was not any rain! So, the dark sky just made it that the temperature was not extremely hot.

When I was in Williamsburg to visit William and Mary, I dropped in on their Lilly Pulitzer store and bought the Buttercup Shorts! These shorts are honestly the cutest; they glow in the dark, and their scalloped hem is drool-worthy.

I have already put all the important dates from school in my Lilly planner. Still lusting over it! (Weird, I know.)

Catch y'all later!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Gearing Up for July 4th

Hello Everyone!

Happy first day of July! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have developed a little bit of a writers block. There are only three more days to July 4th, which I cannot believe. This summer has all ready flown by. In the spirit of Independence Day, I have put together some red white and blue favorites of mine which would be perfect for festivities on the fourth.

Gearing Up for July 4th.... by kelswills 

J Crew sleeved t shirt / Jack wills / Hot Anatomy bandeau top / Chino shorts / J Crew halter top / J Crew j crew / J Crew underwire swimsuit / Jack roger / Jack roger / Longchamp / Kate Spade iphone case  / Free people

A Frenchie Update: My Frenchie comes in less than 2 weeks. I am really excited, and actually really nervous as well. She will stay with us for two weeks. I will learn who my in-school French exchange student is sometime this summer, as well. For Mae, my summer Frenchie, I am currently planning what we will be doing. I still need a lot of help deciding what I should do with her when she is here. I will be taking her to eat out alot, so she can get a feel for all the types of food that America has to offer. Some ideas include:

-Shopping at the Mall
-Tubing
-Paddle boarding
-Outdoor concert
-Beach Day
-Zumba or Hot Yoga class
-Trampoline Room (many different names for this, basically it is a giant room full of trampolines!!)

My Lilly Pulitzer Planner arrived in the mail. I am actually in love with it and cannot wait until next month, when it begins!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Update

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone's summers are going well. I have been really busy, in the weird kind of way where you should have a lot of time, but little things keep making you busy. Does that make any sense at all?

First off... has anyone heard of Bluebell Ice Cream? It is amazing. AH-mazing.

It was recently introduced to the market in my area, and was originally only available in Texas. Literally every person I talk to has brought it up in our conversation, it's just that good. The best flavors are Homemade Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies-And-Cream, Strawberries & Homemade-Vanilla (My new favorite! It is what it sounds like, their homemade-vanilla ice cream with strawberries mixed in), and Key Lime Pie. You can buy them half gallon size, which you can barely find anywhere anymore. If you see it in the grocery store, I highly encourage you pick up some, even if you are a die hard Breyers (PET, Edy's, Ben & Jerry's, ect.) fan. You will not regret it!

Secondly, I have just pre-ordered my first Lilly Pulitzer Agenda. A few girls from my school have had them (which I have lusted over), and they gave them great reviews. I use the planner my school gives me religiously, but it is too poorly made and too small.

My favorite Lilly print from this summer (and probably of all time) is "Let's Cha Cha". Lilly does make Agendas in that print, but not in the Jumbo size I needed. So, I compromised by getting another great pint, "Tropical Pink Lulu". I can't wait for it to arrive next month.

I am also looking for a new North Face backpack. I currently own the Vault, but it has a huge rip on the top, so I am thinking about upgrading to the Womens' Jester in black. I like how it has side pockets for water bottles, which the Vault does not have.

I am also in the process of refreshing my wardrobe and cleaning my room. Quite a hard task if you ask me! I have a love hate relationship with cleaning. Today I was in the mood, but who knows what tomorrow will bring!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey