Back-To-School: Le Pen and Russell+Hazel

School is coming and therefore school supply shopping (aka my favorite time of the year) is upon us. If you are like me, you already know exactly what supplies and what brands you are buying. Good for you, nothing screams Type-A like needing school supplies to be specific brands and colors. That being said, if you're looking for some new brands to try out or you have no idea what to get, let me introduce you to my favorite pen brand and basically, my favorite school supply...aside from my macbook.

Some of you may have noticed my Le Pens in Instagram posts before, but if you haven't they are these adorable, bright colored pens that bring my planner and school notes to life (when I don't type them). These pens write incredibly smoothly and they don't completely bleed through the pages. Mackenzie Horan sells them in her shop, but I went for the big multicolor pack on Amazon. 

What do I write with these beautiful pens. I use them in my planner, notes, and for my to-do list. On that note, I got a new to-do list notepad at The Container Store the other day and I am absolutely obsessed with it. Instead of crossing things off my list, I now put a check mark in the little bubble at the end of the line. It might sound less rewarding, but I am good with the check mark for now. My momma actually got the Russell + Hazel Planner while we were there and it is super cute as well. If you are still stumped on a planner because you have certain needs for how the categorization is broken down, I highly recommend this build-your-own planner they design. She can use as many notes sheets as she wants and since it's a little binder, everything is removable!

Plus, the Russell and Hazel website is 25% off through labor day! How cute is this keychain? I think I might get it for my keys this year at school!

What is your favorite back-to-school supply?

xx,

Erin

My Workspace {linkup}

First of all, thanks to Rebecca, Carlee, and Dorothy for hosting this linkup! I love seeing how other people get work done, and in what environment they thrive. Study and productivity preferences vary so much from person to person, and I know that I certainly have some preferences for where  I study.

A little disclaimer before I go any further though, most of these photos are of my desk, but to be honest I spend every week night in the library with my friend, Meghan. Sometimes I do accomplish work at my desk (I am doing it this morning), but for the most part, that is where I'm productive. I had to add this one pic below late because I totally forgot to take pictures when I was here yesterday, plus I love the desk (that I painted myself) in my apartment!

my spot in Club Clem this morning...
complete with coffee and a red solo cup of yogurt!

1) Where is your favorite workspace located?

The second floor of Clemons Library (UVA has a bunch of libraries, but this 24-hour one is my favorite). And yes, it has to specifically be the 2nd floor, I never work on the other floors, except for the occasional finals week studying on the 1st floor which is silent as the grave...ugh. Oh, and it's not pictured here, but I almost always have water and/or coffee with me when I am studying.

2) Do you prefer a sleek desk or are you more of an "organized chaos" kind of person?

I am very specific about working conditions being organized. My planner is color-coded and I make to-do lists all the time and that's reflected in workspace organization. I like for everything to look like it's geared towards productivity because it makes me feel like I can get more work done. On that note, that's why I work outside of my apartment. Whenever I work here, I super clean the place first so it's conducive to studying...yeah, it's a bit neurotic, oops.

3) What is your favorite writing utensil?

I love Le Pen. I use them in my planner and when I am highlighting words in hand-written notes. They're bright and clean and the colors make it easy to distinguish what's going on throughout my week. 

4) Show us your calendar or agenda!

I have both a calendar and agenda, but the calendar is only for big events too look at at-a-glance. Oh, and my to-do list is as important as my agenda because it's a more detailed picture of every day. I also use iCal on my phone, does anyone else use this many organizational tools?

5) Just for fun, what are you looking forward to most about spring?

I am so excited for sandals, flowers, and getting back in shape!

Thanks for hosting the linkup, ladies!

xoxo,

SSP

Cat Lady Confessions...

...no, I am not a cat lady. I am 100% a dog person, let's just get that straight before we dive into this post.

However, recently I have been spending my evenings like a quintessential Cat Lady/Spinster. I love BBC Miniseries'. There, I said it. It is my total Netflix guilty pleasure. They're fabulous for the classic book lover like me. They take a book and, because it's over several episodes, actually tend to really embody the spirit of the novel.

My favorite BBC miniseries of all time actually doubles as one of my favorite cinematic events to watch. Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy might just be the greatest thing ever (see old post about my love for Darcy). Unfortunately it is not available on Netflix, but it is totally worth the investment if you ever get the chance.

Colin Firth as Darcy over everything

Don't worry, though, there are plenty of good options on Netflix just waiting for other classics nerds to have a relaxing night in, settling down for a couple of hours to watch one of these. Also, I have heard that a glass of wine and a homemade dinner is the best accompaniment for this ;)

North and South

Based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

I am not kidding. I am absolutely in love with this one. I wish I had read the book before I watched it because I just don't see how it could even compare...yeah, that's how good this was. There is definitely a certain Pride and Prejudice element here with their relationship, however the circumstances of the plot are quite different and the characters are amazing. The dynamic of this is far different than the gentry that are so often covered in Austen novels, adding a really refreshing labor element.

The Forsyte Saga

Based on the novels by John Galsworthy

Ohhhh, this series. This is a fabulous miniseries that will actually take a few weeks to watch. The character development is absolutely spectacular and you end up gaining a really personal attachment to some of them. All the women in my family have our various preferences for favorites because it really is that well developed! Watch this...just do it. It's shorter than a real TV series, but you can't watch it all in one sitting.

The Buccaneers

Based on the novel by Edith Wharton

A great story about four American women coming out in London society. Well worth the watch and seeing where the different women end up and how their values have shaped them and their lives.

Pride and Prejudice

Based on the novel by Jane Austen

I know, I know, I told you to watch Colin Firth. But if you just want one for now, this one is pretty good. I thought the actor was a bit stern, but overall very nicely played Darcy...a role I find has been historically hard to cast. Also, the actor who portrays Mr. Collins is absolutely great in this movie...just the sort of repulsive, yet harmless character I always imagined.

What is your Netflix guilty pleasure?

xoxo,

SSP

Rough Week

"School prepares you for the real, world which also sucks."

Happy Bunny (yeah...)

Anyone remember when Happy Bunny was almost cool? I know I do. I had 2 shirts and pajamas and...I'm gonna stop embarrassing myself there.

Anyways, I am writing this post while writing a paper with a thesis I changed 14 hours before the deadline so that's exciting. I am going to be kind of MIA on this blog until Thursday and maybe even then if I decide to try to catch up on sleep. Basically, I still blog but this week (and weekend because of Parent's Formal) is just not conducive to blogging.

Have a great couple of days and I hope your week involves more sleep and less mediocre coffee than mine.

xoxo,
SSP

Back To School Resolutions

Oh right...I blog. Sorryyyyy for my absence but life has been crazy busy. There is just something about the first week of class that demands you to have no free time and as many coffee dates and meetings as humanly possible. Seriously, my little and I were texting about getting lunch and she went to one place four times since classes have started...craziness!
Anyways, this hectic schedule got me thinking. Being involved is great and I totally encourage everyone to do it. I actually am working on a new outlook this year. Obviously my transition to UVA was tough and I didn't throw myself into the experience as much as I wished I had and now I am aiming to make up for lost time. 
Get involved, meet people, develop relationships, take classes you are interested in and love college. I realize that sentence sounds simple, but until you don't work on it, you really have no appreciation for how crucial those steps are.

First day of my 3rd Year!!!

yeah, roomie and I match...casual

I am planning to be busier, more active, and happier this year. I believe in New Year's Resolutions, but I also believe that resolutions are a personal thing that can come around at any time. This year I am making a couple for myself based on the academic calendar and I encourage everyone to do the same:

Sugar Snap Pearls' Resolutions:

Raise $1000 for Relay for Life

Run 2 half-marathons (messed up feet are a no-go for the full thing)

Give back to the community through service

Learn conversational Spanish

Become more fiscally responsible

Blog 4x a week...yay

Get my class reading done ahead of time

Make a firm academic/future plan

Finish decorating the apartment!!!

What are your school year resolutions?

xoxo,

SSP

Desk Obsessed

Okay, I am obsessed with my new desk! Seriously, it is amazing what some knobs and a few coats of paint can accomplish. While I am not ready to do an apartment or room tour yet (so much decorating left...but it's already the most amazing apartment ever), I do want to share this desk and vertical file shelf. 

So I got this old desk from my Momma's boyfriend because its the perfect size for me. I don't study at my desk a ton because I am better off getting serious studying done at the library, but it's really nice to have the option. 

This was a super simple project, but it did take a bit longer than anticipated because of work schedules, paint drying, stenciling, and a couple of design overhauls. In the end, I love this and it has totally won the prize for "Favorite Room Decoration." 

To paint this I used Behr paint, furniture primer, a Martha Stewart Stencil, and Anthropologie knobs.  

Not only did I paint the desk, but when my momma and I came across these filing units in TJ Maxx, we knew they were perfect for my room. I love having a place to store important papers or documents that's easy to sift through. This was a really, really simple task. All I did was prime it, paint it, and then paint the brackets and put them back on. 

Now these project may seem like a lot of navy in my room, but my room is MASSIVE and has white walls. I need all the color I can get! And I know I am not giving away my room yet...but here is a hint for those of you who've actually read this whole post:

Oh, and I can't wait to show you my closets...yeah, plural...

Have you ever up-cycled furniture before? 

xoxo,

SSP