What to Have In Your Bag at College

Hi all,

this is the second post in my College Blog Series. Today I am going to share with you what I have in my bag. These things are essential for everyday and for College.

 This is my bag, I got it for Christmas from my parents. It holds my 15" laptop, so it is absolutely perfect for College. The bag itself is from Forever New, and is unfortunately no longer available. No wonder why it is super cute. But they have similar here.

 It even has polka dot lining (jumps up and down in place). So in case you didn't notice anything with polka dots is amazing in my opinion (hello my blog is even called polka dots and rainy days...).

Inside my bag I carry the essentials as well as other College related items. I don't take my laptop with me everyday but it has its own velvet lined compartment. So starting from the top right corner and working clockwise I have:

Notebook:

 I have one of these for each of my classes (four in total), so in a day I only take the ones that I have that day, unless I am going to the library to study. This notebook is from Typo. It has a great space for holding A4 sized papers such as handouts and the syllabus. There are 120 lined pages, the perfect amount for note-taking.

Planner:  

I have already share a little bit about this planner, but I absolutely love the Kikki. K cute diary. It is just the perfect size for keeping track of assignments and social events as well as being able to carry it around in your bag.

Pen Case: 

 A pen case is a handy way of making sure that all your highlighters, pens and pencils stay in one place (not the bottom of your bag). I made this pen case after stumbling across the simple tutorial here.

Sunglasses: 

It is currently summer-time here so sunglasses are a must. But for most of the year I keep them in my bag just for the odd day that it is sunny, or for when I am traveling home in the evening into the sun.

Drink Bottle:

 A necessity for long hot days at College. Keeps you hydrate and more focused in class, as well as being super good for your complexion.

Muesli Bar:

 I always keep a muesli bar in my bag, just in case I get hungry in class (happens pretty often). Sometimes depending on how many classes I also pack lunch (normally just a sandwich) therefore you can concentrate on the lecture and not your growling stomach.

Wallet:

 It is always a good idea to keep your wallet with you at College, for things like your license, your I.D. and spare change for a coffee or a bus fare home. Similar bought here.

Umbrella:

I always keep a small umbrella in my bag. It is a long walk between some of my classes and it isn't under-cover so I am always prepared (I just don't like sitting in wet clothes).

Make-up Bag:

I keep a small bag of make-up necessities with me at all times, so things like lip balm, lipstick, concealer, foundation, sunscreen, nail file and a mirror all live in this cute little make-up bag.

What do you keep in your bag for College? Is there anything that you like to always have with you?

Things To Do Before You Start Back at College

I start back at college on Monday. It is now nearing the end of our summer and I am about to take the leap into my second year. I am both excited and nervous. Although mainly excited because I can't wait to jump back in and work my way to the rest of my life.

 I always am over-thinking the things I need to do before I start anything and college is no exception. I decided I would create this post as a lead in to my new College Series. A series of posts of things that I found to work for me in terms of studying, note-taking, planning and just managing college life. So the first in this series is this post. Things To Do Before You Start Back at College.

First of all you want to make sure you have selected your classes, and made sure that they all fit in  your schedule. If there are clashes you need to follow your school's system for changing classes or by going to one, one week and the other the next.

Before your first day there are a few things that you should buy so that you have them for the first day. Such as pens. Pretty obvious I know, but there are always people asking for a pen on the first day when the professor starts to talk about the course. 

Another thing that you should buy before the first day is Post-it Notes. These are really handy when it comes to marking pages. I use the page markers to mark the set readings (I will get to this in a later post in this series). I keep mine on my desk in a little glass bowl.

Another thing that is important to buy before you start is some notebooks. I like to use one notebook for each class, therefore it keeps all the notes together and makes it easier for studying and referencing later.

The next thing I suggest buying is a planner, this one is from Kikki. K and is perfect for what I want it for however you should look for one that suits your needs.

The other thing that I suggest buying is a calendar, this one is one that I made and I hang it right in front of my desk so that I look at it and know what is happening that day, this week and this month. Therefore I stay on top of the things that I need to do. It is also color-coded which I will post about later on in this series.

What are things that you like to get out of the way before you start back at College? Is there anything that you would like me to cover in this series?

College Series

I start back at college this week. I am beyond excited. I love starting new things (although it is the start of my second year so not totally new) and I am running through the things that I need to do before I start and I thought that now would be a good time to start a College Series. Specifically on things that I takes a while to work out.

This series will include things like how I study, what I have in my bag, exercise and nutrition, things to do before you start back, as well as planning, organizing your time and many more that will be linked to this page once they have been posted.

The first post in this series will be posted on Wednesday (that is my Wednesday, so most peoples Tuesday).

Posts so Far: 

• Things To Do Before You Start Back at College 
•  What to Have In Your Bag at College
• College Readings 
•  Note-Taking Tips
• Planner Organization 
• Outlining Textbook Chapters 
• School Computer File Organization 
• How I Study 
• 5 Tips to Help with Productivity
• 5 Tips On How to Deal with Stress 
• Keeping Up With College Work 

Under Bed Storage

Hi all, Today I am going to share the be all and end all of my organizing, Under-Bed Storage. This is the best way that I have found to use all the space in your home without feeling cluttered. The space underneath a bed is somewhat wasted space, that is until I thought about how to maximise this space considering I have a small bedroom.

 This is my room, or part of it anyway. Most of it I have shown you but I realized that I have not shown you my bed, so here it is. The duvet is from Bed, Bath 'n' Table and the cushion at the front I made myself.

 Underneath I have two boxes, on with manuals, warranties and old mobile phones, the other with hair accessories. These are just two old shoe boxes that I labeled with my label maker. No need to cover them in paper as they are hidden under my bed.

 I also have this Sistema Storage Box. I especially like Sistema's products as they are hardy and well they are made in New Zealand (Yay!!). You can find a full list of where their products are stocked here. This box is in their storage range, and are really great because it fits perfectly under most beds, as well as being able to open with only undoing one clip because they have a hinged lid. If you wanted you can also buy storage containers that fit perfectly inside to hold little bits and pieces, which are great for art and toy storage under kids beds.

In this box I store folders, purses, toys, photo albums and just general things that I want to keep but have nowhere else to put.

Do you store stuff underneath your beds? Are you enjoying the Cricket World Cup like me?

Bedroom Decor

Hello,

I am currently in the process of redecorating my bedroom, I had decided that it was time for an upgrade to a more sophisticated look. I started of by buying a new desk, and bookshelf as well as repainting my room in Resene Half Surrender. A big change from the childish lilac that it was before.

A few weeks ago I showed you my re-organized make-up drawer and today I will show you the rest of my vanity table, my dresser and my end table. So lets get started.

This is my end table which I tend to keep tidy as I am just like that, however the drawers are a different story and I will get to them very soon. I also have my lamp which matches my pendant. I also have a candle, which is just a french vanilla glade candle as well as my alarm clock.

 As you can see I like to keep a couple of my favorite books in my room, these are Wuthering Heights and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

 I also like to keep my moisturizer, eye cream, hand cream and lip balm for easy reach for my nightly routine. This reminds me to use them.

 The pulley that you can see is for the window above my bed, the handle part is actually one of the supports from my parents wedding cake.

 Next is my dresser, this is the matching set to my bedhead that did not actually come as a set. I have had the headboard since I was little and wanted the set to match, so after scouring lots of auctions on Trademe I found the perfect set. On my dresser I have my Jewellery Box, I was given this for Christmas about four years ago.

 On my dresser I have a vase of sweet pea's, because I like having fresh flowers in my room (although I can't afford to buy them, so the sweet peas are actually from our garden). 

 I also have another stack of books, this time my favorite series, and on top of them sits two trinket boxes one with little treasures that I want to keep and the other with hair-ties and clips The mirror was a gift and it sits at the back.

 I haven't yet decided what I am going to do with my vanity table, but I bought a silver tray for $5 at an op-shop which now holds my perfumes. The rest of the space is still waiting for something to fill it up, maybe I could move my make-up out and have my brushes in a pretty cup or I could pretty it up with flowers or even a plant. Who knows...

 My favorite perfumes fit amazingly on this cheap silver tray. Just what to do with the rest of the space...

I hope you are all enjoying the Cricket World Cup, which is being played right now here in my home town. So nice to see big events returning to the city.

What do you have on your Vanity/Dressing table? What do you think I should do?

Free To Do List Printable

Hi Guys,

Today I am going to share with you a really great tool to use to get organized. A To Do List!! These are so great to help get everything that you need to do in a day out of your head and down onto a piece of paper.

 It includes a space to write your morning and evening tasks so that you can easily see what you have to get done on that day.

Download Here

Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins

Hi,

Today I am going to share with you the recipe for my favorite type of muffins: Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins! These muffins are so delicious and perfect for a snack at anytime of the day. This recipe is a variation of Sally's Orange Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. I also always use her muffin rising trick in all my muffins. So here you go.

Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins: Print
Makes 12 regular sized muffins
Ingredients:
2 1/3 Cups Flour (all-purpose)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 1/2 Tbs Poppy Seeds
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
115g Butter (melted)
juice and zest of 2 lemons
2 large eggs
120g Sour Cream
1 tsp Vanilla Essence

Directions:
 Preheat oven to 425F. Grease 12 Cup Muffin Pan.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, both sugars, poppy seeds, baking powder, and baking soda together until combined.

In a smaller mixing bowl, mix the butter, lemon juice and zest together until thoroughly mixed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and sour cream. Mix until combined. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling all the way to the top. Bake for 5 minutes at 425F. Then reduce heat to 375F and bake for a further 10-13 minutes or until tops are lightly golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn out and enjoy. Store in a airtight container for 5 days, or freeze for 2-3 months.

Cookie Dough For One

I love some cookie dough, it is so yummy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but it is really unhealthy so I don't eat it very often. But when I do this is the recipe that I make.

Cookie Dough For One: Print
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)
28g Butter (softened)
1 1/2 tsp Milk
1/8 tsp Vanilla Essence
1/3 Cup Flour (all-purpose)
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Cream butter and brown sugar either by hand or with a mixer for about a minute. Add in the vanilla and milk, mix until just combined. Add in flour mixing until well combined. Then add in chocolate chips and stir until mixed.

Enjoy!