9 back-to-school essentials

1 | Poppin Black Signature Ballpoints | $12
2 | ModCloth Pack to Basics Lunch Bag | $20
3 | Kate Spade Saturday iPhone 5 Case in Windowpane | $25
4 | FEED for Target Acrylic Water Bottle | $13
5 | Burt's Bees Aloe and Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer | $5
6 | With Love From CA Bright Elastic Hair Pack | $7
7 | Sugar Paper Kraft To Do List | $13
8 | Forever 21 Luxe Noise-Isolating Headphones | $20
9 | Aldo Ciardullo Spotty Canvas Backpack | $38

I know a lot of people are already back in school, but for me, classes don't start for another couple of weeks. I've always loved this time of year -- at heart, I'm just a big nerd who loves routine, going to class, and studying into the wee hours of the night. The first day of school always feels like a second New Year's Day to me, which means the back-to-school season is the perfect time for me to check in on my resolutions, make new goals, and yes, buy some cool new things.

As someone who has made it through 16 years of school and is about to go through more, I feel like I've got my school necessities down. As much as I love buying new notebooks, pens, binders, etc., those are pretty much a no-brainer. In this particular shopping round-up, I've skipped over the actual school "supplies" and instead included those little things that will make your life easier on a day-to-day basis -- things that will help you stay organized, focused, and healthy!

gifts | 5 anthropologie finds for mom

1 | Kitchen Garden Cookbook | $25

2 | Soap & Paper Factory Hand Cream | $18

3 | Mother's Day Tulip Card | $6

4 | Rifle Paper Co. Get It Done Notepad | $10

5 | Climbing Roses Gardening Fork | $15

My mom loves Anthropologie. And I can't blame her! They have an endless supply of playful, whimsical items that still manage to be appropriate for a more mature woman. The downside? They can definitely be a bit pricey -- and my mom is not one to treat herself often. Since I don't exactly have the biggest budget, I decided to pick out a few small gift ideas that embody the Anthropologie aesthetic without breaking the bank!

style | festival accessories

Mango Aviator Sunglasses | Forever21 Lace-Trimmed Straw Fedora | Topshop Daisy Stud Earrings

Aldo Hammersley Ring | Dorothy Perkins Arrow Head Pendant Necklace | Zara Tie-Dye Scarf

ASOS Cut Out Stripe Cuff Bracelet | Nordstrom Nail Color in Creamsicle | ModCloth At Your Leisure Sandals

As I mentioned on Monday, I am so looking forward to Outside Lands in August. I think all the pictures from Coachella are playing a big role in my excitement, and even though I won't be headed to San Francisco until August, I'm already thinking about what to pack. Spending three days straight at one of these events calls for comfort more than anything, so I prefer to dress simply and let my accessories shine. Here are just a few pieces that could automatically add personality to any outfit!

decor | graphic + gold desktop

1  |  E. E. Cummings Print by ObviousState  |  $24

2  |  Target Threshold LED Desk Lamp  |  $45

3  |  High Street Market Brass "Good Luck" Elephant  |  $28

4  |  Dreams Print by Kimsey Price  |  $15

5  |  Poppin Black + White Postcards  |  $17

6  |  Acrylic Stapler  |  Sold out, unfortunately!

I have a very clear vision of what I want my future workspace to look like -- ideally, there'll be a herringbone-patterned wood floor, a big white desk, and a gallery wall full of inspiring work. Of course, I don't have the means to create that perfect space yet, and I definitely want to wait until I have a permanent space so I can do it right.  In the meantime, I've found a bunch of great (and affordable!) pieces so I can still capture the aesthetic I want. Plus, this way, I can always add new finds or switch things out when my mood changes!

5 things | on my birthday wishlist

wacom bamboo create pen tablet | $200

marc by marc jacobs rock chronograph | $300

fresh sugar face polish | $55

3.1 phillip lim pashli shark embossed large satchel | $895

nike lunarglide+ 4 shield | $96

Since it's my birthday on Thursday, I thought I'd indulge with a little list of dream (read: way-out-of-my-price-range) items. I don't usually like paying more than $20 for a shirt, so a Phillip Lim bag or a Marc by Marc watch are definitely a little out of my price range. But that doesn't mean I can't window shop! And to be fair, the Wacom tablet and the Nikes are at least somewhat practical...

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