Lifestyle – Page 22 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Lifestyle

Back to School Week | What’s in My School Bag?

Posted on August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am taking you inside of my school bag to see what I carried around with me as a student. I have both photos and a video for you, so you can really get a good idea of how I pack and organize everything. I tend to carry around just a little more than I actually need so that I’m prepared for any situation. At the same time, I make sure that my bag isn’t too heavy. It’s definitely a balance, and I’m going to share my tips and tricks with you. Let’s get started!

I like to carry a tote bag instead of a backpack, just because I find that it’s more my style, but also let’s me have more control over my belongings. If items are right under my arm, it’s easier for me to keep an eye on them than if they are behind my back. Plus, a tote bag can double easily for a carry on or regular purse. This one is from H&M and called the Shopper. It retails for just $24.99, but is super sturdy and can fit a LOT of stuff in it. I used it when I moved to carry two laptops, my iPad, my purse essentials, my planner, and a lot more. I highly recommend it! You can buy it HERE.

TECHNOLOGY

The type of technology you carry in your bag will be dependent on your schooling situation. In college, I used regular notebooks until I got my iPad. Then I used the app UPad to handwrite my notes using a stylus. That allowed me to cut down on what I was carrying, and easily transition from handwritten notes to electronic notes. You can download UPad HERE for $5.99 – it’s worth the price if you use it often! The stylus I use is from Boxwave, and comes in a variety of colors. It’s only $7.50 on Amazon HERE.

In law school, I used a 13-inch MacBook Air. It is very lightweight, but still makes typing up lots of notes really easy. You can use the education discount at Apple to get $100 off your purchase when you show proof that you are a student, or shop on Amazon HERE for a discount as well. As for your chargers, use a pouch to keep them organized. Otherwise, your wires will get tangled up in a mess!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Despite using a laptop or tablet to take notes, I like to have a sturdy notebook on hand for meetings, or for those classes where the professor doesn’t allow computers. Five Star notebooks are my favorite because of the sturdy cover and high quality paper. They are a bit more expensive, but will last all year. Of course, I need to have my Erin Condren Life Planner (more info on it HERE). Lastly, I use a Sephora case for all of my school supplies, such as pens, pencils, highlighters, and more.

PURSE ESSENTIALS

My school bag doubles as a purse, so I keep all of my essentials in it as well. This includes my Firmoo Prescription Sunglasses (review HERE), an umbrella, an emergency beauty pouch, and my wallet. You can see everything I keep in my beauty bag by watching the video embedded in this post.

VERTICAL ORGANIZATION

When packing my school bag, I like to stand everything up vertically instead of just tossing in the pouches and such. That allows me to find whatever I need, plus it saves room in my bag. Pouches really help to keep everything in place as well. This system is especially useful for a bag like this one, where there are no pockets or zippered compartments inside.

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I hope you enjoyed seeing what I keep in my school bag, and how I pack it all. Of course, you will probably need to toss in a textbook or two depending on your program. That’s another reason why I love the MacBook Air and iPad – it lightens up your load! Definitely let me know in the comments what your school necessities are! I would love to know!

This post contains some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclose Policy for more information.

Back to School Week | 5 Tips for College Success & Survival

Posted on August 25, 2015August 20, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Back to School Week post is going to be something a little bit different here at Adventures in Polishland. I wanted to share with all of you some of my tips for having a successful and positive college experience. College was a very difficult time in my own personal life. While I loved my classes and professors, I just didn’t fit in with the social atmosphere. I went to a small liberal arts school, and felt isolated and really unhappy my freshman year. It was my first time away from home, and I really missed my family. In addition, my roommate and I completely clashed, so I was uncomfortable in my own room. To top it all off, I don’t drink, so it was extra difficult for me to make friends outside of class and find things to do on the weekends. All of that being said, I tried to make the best of my situation, and by the time I graduated I had a great group of friends, and a lot of positive experiences I can look back on with fond memories. I hope that this post will help those of you just beginning college this year, or those who are struggling to fit in just like I was. Without further ado, let me share five tips for college success and survival!

1. Join an On-Campus Club or Organization

My first tip is what I consider the most important, and that is to join at least one on-campus club or organization. I joined a lot of clubs my freshman year, and even became the president of two of them later on. Not only are clubs a great way to meet classmates with similar interests, but it gives you the opportunity to get out of your dorm room each week. I met some amazing friends through the clubs I was a part of, and got to experience some really amazing events as well. I suggest picking one or two clubs to start, and perhaps even adding a couple more from there. I can guarantee your college will have at least one organization for you, whether it be an intramural sport, political club, or something else.

2. Change Up Your Study Location

Now let’s talk about your studies. That is why you go to college, after all! Many students like to find that one study area where they can go on a regular basis. It’s definitely a good idea to find a study location where you are comfortable, but I recommend having about three or four locations that you rotate on a regular basis. That way, whenever one location isn’t working, you can change it up and go somewhere else. I liked to study in my dorm room, in the library, and in my school’s atrium. The change of scene helped me stay on track, but I was still comfortable studying in each location. I also picked spots that had food available nearby (gotta have that caffeine boost!).

3. Write Letters to Friends and Family

While social media and phone calls are a convenient way to stay in touch with your family and friends back home, I really enjoyed writing letters as well. There is something special about getting something in the mail, especially in today’s world. Make sure to swap addresses with your friends before you leave for college, and try to write to them at least once per month. It might sound silly, but it’s a lot of fun, and you’ll get to know your friends in a new way. You can even save the letters and cards in a scrapbook to look back on them later in life.

4. Take Advantage of School Freebies and Student Discounts

It’s no secret that the price of a college education is ridiculously high, so be sure to take advantage of all the freebies your school offers, as well as student discounts. My college had free laundry, free printing, and free gym facilities. We also had the opportunity to buy discount movie tickets. Moreover, my college had a free shuttle bus to take us to the local Target, grocery store, movie theatre, and train station. I could also go on and on about all the goodies they gave out at events, too. I always took advantage of these freebies and discounts, not only to save money, but to get off campus once in a while. Plus, your tuition is paying for these extra goodies, so make them count! Believe me, I miss having that free laundry big time!

5. Stay True to You

Last but not least, you have to remember to stay true to you. College is a great time to reinvent yourself and to grow as a person. However, never feel pressured to anything you don’t want to do. It was difficult to be one of the few people in college who didn’t drink, but I knew that I would rather be myself than just do what everyone else was doing. During my senior year I decided not to attend many of the senior events that celebrated the countdown to graduation. Looking back four years later, I don’t regret that decision one bit! I much preferred the quiet night in my dorm than feeling uncomfortable at the event. Sometimes it won’t be easy to stay true to you, but always remember to stay safe and never do anything you don’t want to, no matter what your own personal limits may be.

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That brings us to the end of this post! I hope you found it helpful as you either begin or continue on your college experience. If you have any questions, or would like more advice on a particular topic, please let me know in the comments! You can also email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com if you’d like to ask a question there. Best of luck to those of you heading back to school!

Welcome to Back to School Week at Adventures in Polishland!

Posted on August 23, 2015August 11, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Now that the end of August is drawing near, that means it’s time to celebrate the Back to School season. This is the first year of my life since the age of three that I am not heading back to school, and it feels really weird! I began nursery school part time at age three, and continued all the way through law school without taking any gap years. If you’re counting, that a full 23 years of my life that I’ve spent learning. Despite not being a student anymore, I’m an expert at being one, so I thought it would be fun to share some of my tips and tricks for heading back into the classroom with all of you.

In 2013, I held my first Back to School Week. You can see those posts HERE, as they still apply today. This year, however, I have a lot of fun posts in store for all of you. Of course, I’ll be sharing some affordable nail polish and beauty products that I recommend for school, as well as a special Plan With Me video for college students. In addition, you can expect some new posts that will discuss topics that have never before appeared on Adventures in Polishland. I want to make Back to School Week fun and helpful at the same time, no matter if you’re heading back to high school, college, or a post-graduate program.

Make sure you’re following Adventures in Polishland so you are notified when all of my Back to School Week content goes live. The easiest way to follow my blog is on Bloglovin HERE. It’s free, and a great website that allows you to follow all of your favorite blogs in one place. I will also be posting a special planner video on my YouTube channel that will not be announced on my blog, so be sure to Subscribe HERE so you don’t miss it.

I hope you’re excited for Back to School Week! If you have any questions or a certain blog post you would like to see, feel free to leave a comment. I’ll happily consider any ideas you have, and incorporate them into future Adventures in Polishland posts. I’ll see you tomorrow for the first official Back to School Week post, where I’ll show off some fabulous and affordable nail polish you can rock this school year!

The Best Delicates Laundry Wash Bags | Review + Coupon Code + Giveaway

Posted on August 20, 2015August 20, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Welcome to one of my first lifestyle posts as part of the Adventures in Polishland relaunch (more information on that HERE). Today I have a review of some laundry bags from the brand HaveSome Goods. I’ve been wanting to get some wash bags for delicate items because a lot of my items were getting damaged in the washing machine. Of course, I could hand wash everything, but who has the time for that?! I was so excited when I got the opportunity to review the aptly titled The Best Delicates Laundry Wash Bags. Let me show you how they work, and share my experience with them! Plus, stay tuned to the end of the post for a giveaway!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT & MY EXPERIENCE

The Best Delicates Laundry Wash Bags come in a set of three bags in the sizes small, medium, and large. The mesh fabric is designed to be strong yet soft, and can be put in both the washing machine and dryer. I really like the bright colors on the zippers, as it adds a pop of color to the bag that is purely decorative, but makes the bags a bit more fun to use. I decided to put all three to the test in one load of laundry right from the start!

There are two things that I absolutely love about these wash bags. First, the mesh fabric is thick enough to not snag in the washing machine, and I know it will hold up for many washes. At the same time, it allows for the soap and water to still pass through freely so your clothing will be thoroughly washed. My items came out smelling just as fresh and clean as always, and the bags held up perfectly through the washing and drying process.In addition, I also love the elastic band detail around the zipper closure. It allows you to hide the zipper so that it is not clanging around in the washer and dryer. It is a small detail, but one that is pure genius. Not only will you not hear that annoying clanging noise, but the zipper will not get caught on anything else in the laundry. I’m really impressed!

Finally, I wanted to mention how much you can fit in these bags! I placed two bras in the small bag, and there was definitely room for one more. I put two delicate blouses in the medium bag, and at least one or two more could fit in there as well. Lastly, I put one of my big cozy sweaters in the large bag. The large bag could hold more items for sure, but I wanted that sweater to go in alone because it has a tendency to snag easily. As you can see, these bags are perfect whether you’re doing just your laundry or your entire family’s!

WHERE TO BUY

All in all, I highly recommend The Best Delicates Laundry Wash Bags! I will be using these on a regular basis to care for my clothing from now on. You can buy this set of three wash bags on Amazon HERE for just $18.99! I think that is a fabulous price for bags that you can use again and again. In addition, HaveSome Goods offers a lifetime warranty, so you know this is an awesome product to invest in for the home. HaveSome is also offering a coupon code for all of you! Use FH8HR6YK at checkout to save 20%.

GIVEAWAY

HaveSome Goods is kindly sponsoring a giveaway! Enter to win one set of the wash bags using the Rafflecopter widget. Please read all of the Terms and Conditions in the widget before entering. This giveaway will be open for one week starting today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by HaveSome Goods. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Adventures in Polishland 2.0 is Coming!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you some big news for Adventures in Polishland! I first began this blog back in April of 2012, and back then it was purely a nail polish blog. I was inspired by the fun nail art looks on Pinterest (a website I had just joined!), and when my friend casually mentioned in conversation that she “read the nail blogs,” I knew I had to be one of them! About eight months into my blogging journey, I decided I wanted to blog about more than just nails. I opened up the world of Polishland to include beauty products, too. It felt natural to include things like makeup, skincare, and hair care with nail polish, but I didn’t want to go too far beyond that.

Throughout my three years here, I’ve done a few lifestyle posts here and there – fashion, technology, housewares, you name it! I’ve tossed in some random posts and hoped you would all enjoy them. However, I didn’t want to lose my nail polish and beauty audience, and blog about things outside the Polishland realm. Well, the truth is, I am a person with a lot of different hobbies and interests. I love to read, go to Broadway shows, go antiquing, and the list goes on and on. I would love to share these hobbies with all of you! For a long time, I kept a separate blog to write about these things. But that blog never got a chance to grow or shine. I loved Adventures in Polishland way too much to focus my energies on another, separate blog.

Thus, today I officially launch Adventures in Polishland 2.0! While Polishland was originally just a land of polish, it is now a place that represents me, Christina, online. I love nail polish and beauty, and will continue to blog about it three times a week. On the days where you don’t see a beauty post, there may be something else for you! Here is what the Adventures in Polishland posting schedule will look moving forward:

Monday / Wednesday / Friday: Nail Polish or Beauty Post

Tuesday / Thursday: Lifestyle Post (when I have one to share)

Saturday: #PlanWithPolishland (2-4 times per month)

Sunday: off

You will always get my nail polish and beauty posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and in addition you will get something else when I have it to share. I think this is a great way to incorporate more into Adventures in Polishland without changing my focus. All of my beauty-lovers will still get the same great content every week, and bonus content, too! I like calling the upgraded Adventures in Polishland a lifestyle blog with a beauty focus.

I hope you are all excited for this change! It will allow me to create an even better Adventures in Polishland because all of my blogging energy will be focused right here. In the coming weeks, I will be working behind the scenes to update the way this blog works. I want the categories to be user-friendly, and the layout to look great. I know it will take a lot of hard work, but I am very excited for this upgrade. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask in a comment or email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com.

Welcome to Adventures in Polishland 2.0! I hope you’ll continue on the adventure!

DIY Washi Tape Storage | Birchbox Upcycling Project | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on August 8, 2015August 7, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have an exciting #PlanWithPolishland post to share with you! I don’t know about you, but whenever I get a new hobby a get a little too excited and buy all the goodies I can get my hands on. This is definitely true with my new planner obsession! Just take a look at all the hauls I’ve posted on my YouTube Channel if you don’t believe me. Well, if I’m going to have a planner supplies collection I want to make sure it’s organized. Washi tape is one of the new-to-me products I’ve been collecting, and I wanted a cute yet functional way to store it. I saw a video on YouTube by Xao Vang that really inspired me to make my own washi organizer. In her video, she transformed an entire desk drawer into her washi storage. That didn’t fit my needs, so I grabbed an old Birchbox and decided to put it to use!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS!

If you don’t have a Birchbox, feel free to use any sturdy cardboard box you own. The dimensions of a Birchbox are around 7″ x 5″ x 2″. In the DIY video I also mention a gold washi tape. It can be purchased on Etsy HERE.

As you can see, it is super easy to create this washi tape storage box! I created it about a month ago now, and it fits my needs well. Not only does my washi stay organized, but it was easy to pack during my move. I currently store the box on a crafting bookshelf in my bedroom, but carry it down to the kitchen or family room to do my actual planning. I never need to worry about the tape being lost or damaged, and I have plenty of room to grow my collection if I want to in the future. There is no need to spend money on a washi tape organizer when you can make one yourself!

That brings us to the end of another #PlanWithPolishland blog post! I hope you enjoyed this simple DIY. If you make one, use the hashtag #PlanWithPolishland on social media so I can find your post. I would love to see how you decorate your washi storage! If you would like more planner content, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel HERE where I do planner related videos 2-4 times per week. I also have a planner Instagram account HERE where you can see photos of my weekly spreads and hauls. Stay tuned for more #PlanWithPolishland blog posts on Saturdays!

How to Use the Erin Condren Perpetual Calendar | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on July 25, 2015July 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to bring you another #PlanWithPolishland post featuring my Erin Condren Life Planner. Every Life Planner comes with a Perpetual Calendar, which is a little book with a line for every day of the year. The calendar was originally designed to mark down birthdays, anniversaries, and other dates that reoccur every year. That way, you can mark down these special days once in your Perpetual Calendar and carry it in your planner from year to year. I wanted to put my Perpetual Calendar to use, but I didn’t think its traditional purpose would work for me. Let me go ahead and show you how I’m using the Erin Condren Perpetual Calendar, and share some other ideas I have with you!

Here is a quick peek at the Perpetual Calendar. You can find it in the Keep it Together folder at the back of your Erin Condren Life Planner. I love this year’s cute design, and was inspired by the “Celebrate Someone or Something Everyday,” headline. I’ve decided to use my Perpetual Calendar as a happiness journal, in which I write down one thing every day, no matter how big or small, that made me happy. Here is a peek inside my journal for the month of June – I started as soon as my Erin Condren order arrived!

I really like how my happiness journal is turning out, and you can definitely feel free to use your Perpetual Calendar in the same way. I often see people in the We Love EC group on Facebook asking others for inspiration on how to use the calendar, so I thought I would share some more ideas with you. Let’s jump right in!

Gratitude Journal
Fitness Journal / Meal Planner / Weight Tracker
Quote Journal
Reading List
Weather Log
Budget Book
Fun & Silly Holidays (i.e. National Donut Day)
Top News Story of the Day
Song of the Day List
Cleaning Log / Chore List
…any combination of the above!

These are just some of the ways you can put your Erin Condren Perpetual Calendar to use! I hope these gave you a bit of inspiration. Even if you don’t use any of these ideas, perhaps they helped you think of another use for your Perpetual Calendar. I’m really loving my happiness journal, but maybe that’s not the right system for you, and that’s okay! Find what works, and don’t be afraid to experiment! If you’d like to get a Perpetual Calendar separate from the Life Planner, they are only $5 on the Erin Condren website! Please sign-up using my referral link HERE to score $10 off your first purchase!

Show me how you use your Perpetual Calendar with the hashtag #PlanWithPolishland! You can also follow my NEW planner Instagram @PlanWithPolishland HERE.

5 Ways to Save Money on Etsy | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on July 11, 2015July 1, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Welcome back to another #PlanWithPolishland post! Thank you for all the support on my Erin Condren Life Planner Unboxing & Review (see it HERE if you missed it). Today I wanted to share some helpful tips on how to save money on Etsy. When I first joined the nail polish community, I was amazed with all of the indie nail polish makers. Now, as I explore the planner world, I am blown away by the stickers that are specifically made for the Erin Condren Life Planner (hereinafter “ECLP”). One of the reasons I wanted an ECLP was because I wanted to make my planner a hobby – I wanted it to be functional and helpful, but also a creative outlet. Stickers are a great way to dress up your planner, so I did a ton of research to decide which shops I was going to place orders with right off the bat. The only issue is, stickers can get really expensive, especially when buying from Etsy shops. I didn’t want to give up such cute stickers, so I came up with a plan to make this new sticker habit both fabulous and affordable!

1. Earn Cash Back on Ebates

If you’re a longtime Adventures in Polishland reader, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of the website Ebates. Ebates is a reputable website that allows you to earn cash back on many of the purchases you make online. All you have to do is sign up, log in to Ebates, and click on the store from which you’d like to purchase. Then Ebates tracks your order and gives you money! Etsy was recently added to Ebates, and you can earn 1% cash back on all Etsy orders. While 1% may not seem like a lot, it’s still money back in your pocket. I highly recommend signing up for Ebates, and if you use my referral link by clicking on the Ebates banner above, I get credit for you!

2. Always Use a Coupon Code

Etsy sticker shops are really great with coupon codes. There is almost always an active code available, and it’s really easy to find them! Make sure you are following Etsy shops on social media, specifically Instagram. Many shops have an Instagram specific coupon code listed on their profile. In addition, a lot of shops have Facebook groups that keep you informed of upcoming releases and sales. I highly recommend joining those groups. Not only will you get money-saving coupons, but you’ll get to know the shop owner and other planner lovers. If you’re not personally on social media, you can still visit a shop’s Instagram page through your web browser or do a classic Google search. Those few extra minutes of looking online could save you a few dollars!

3. Buy More Less Often

An added expense to shopping online is always shipping. This is especially true if you are located in a different country than the store from which you are purchasing. Thus, plan out your purchases and buy more stickers less often. This will ensure you pay the lowest shipping price, and you will get enough stickers to last you a long time. To keep track of the stickers you want to buy, keep a Pinterest Board or add stickers to your Etsy cart for later purchase. Focus on buying a large order from one shop at a time, and make use of those stickers before buying anything else.

4. Only Buy What You Will Use

This sounds very straightforward, but sometimes this is not an easy rule to follow. There are so many cute stickers on Etsy, and I would love to buy them all. However, I have no need for stickers that are purely decorative. Sure, it would be fun to have macarons or princesses all over my planner, but I focus on buying stickers that are functional. That’s my personal planning style right now. How many times have you heard someone say, “I have no idea when I’ll use this, but I just had to have it!” Don’t be that person! We’re on a budget here! If you want those princess stickers make sure you have a use for them, even if it’s just to decorate. Be honest with yourself and realize that once you click that purchase button you can’t get that money back.

5. Get a Planner Buddy

Last but not least, find a friend with similar interests! I highly recommend having a planner buddy who is local. This will allow you to split shipping costs with her, and you can also split sticker sheets. For example, some shops have sampler sheets with a variety of different stickers, but you might only want to use half of them. See if your planner buddy will use the other half. If so, you just saved 50% on your purchase! A planner buddy will also hold you accountable for your purchases, and is someone who can share your hobby with you.

That brings us to the end of this #PlanWithPolishland post! I hope you found these tips helpful. The best part is, all five of these tips can be combined to save you the most amount of money possible. I’ll admit I’ve already made a few Etsy sticker purchases, but I’ve followed these steps and feel like each purchase is justified. I am uploading all of my sticker hauls on my YouTube channel, so make sure to SUBSCRIBE to know when those videos go live. My first haul will be embedded in this video below for your convenience!

Do you shop on Etsy? How do you save money? What are your favorite shops? Tell me in the comments!

Welcome to #PlanWithPolishland! | Erin Condren Life Planner Ready to Ship Rose Gold Horizontal Unboxing & Review

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am beyond excited to share a new adventure in my life with all of you. About a year ago, I first heard of the Erin Condren Life Planner. It seemed great, but when I visited Erin Condren’s website, I couldn’t believe how expensive the planners were. I put them out of my mind until a few months ago when Elle Fowler of AllThatGlitters21 created a new planner-based Instagram. After seeing her posts, I started to do some heavy research on the Erin Condren Life Planner. I watched Plan With Me videos, browsed tons of Etsy shops, and thought of how I would incorporate the planner into my life. I finally decided that it was 100% worth the investment for me to get this amazing planner, especially considering that I will be using it for the next 18 months of my life. Thus, #PlanWithPolishland was born, and today I’m showing you everything I purchased during the Erin Condren launch this month, and how I plan to use it.

Let’s begin with a quick overview of what I purchased. I filmed an unboxing video so you could see the items in depth, but I will include photos in this post, too.

Ready to Ship Life Planner in Rose Gold – Horizontal Layout $75 (+$5 for extra 6 months) [LINK]
Life Planner Launch Bundle $25 [LINK]

As you might have noticed in my video, I was very nervous upon opening the box. I joined a Facebook group of Erin Condren fans, and as people began to receive their planners a plethora of issues came up. Some planners arrived with small issues such as a sheet missing or a scratched cover, while others had a messed up coil that wouldn’t allow the planner to lay flat. Worst of all, some people were receiving completely wrong orders or missing items. I am very thankful that my purchase arrived unscathed! Everything is in perfect working order, and I’m happy to report the quality is amazing.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that “Ready to Ship” does not actually mean ready to ship. Erin Condren’s website allows you to see every step of your order process, which I found really helpful. However, I got to see my planner being printed. It took six days for my planner to actually be ready to ship, and another four days for me to receive it. If you are interested in the Ready to Ship design, know that it will be printed especially for you, and factor that time into the process.

The last gripe I have with my first Erin Condren experience is that I paid an extra $5 for the 18 month planner in contrast with the standard 12 months. Many people who ordered the regular 12 month planner got the 18 month free of charge. That was really frustrating for me, but unfortunately that’s not something I can complain to customer service about. I just feel like I got ripped off by paying the extra $5 when it seems those who didn’t still got an 18 month planner. This is definitely nitpicking my otherwise amazing experience, but I wanted to share all of my thoughts on this process with you!

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHS

Life Planner – Horizontal Layout

The Rose Gold Ready to Ship comes with this beautiful rose gold coil, and a lilac purple cover with rose gold lettering. I love that Erin Condren’s theme is adventure. It goes perfectly with my blog, and also with my goal to make every day an adventure even when things aren’t going so well.
I wanted to show you an example of a monthly layout. The first page of each month includes a lined notebook paper and then a quoted page with a stunning geode print in the month’s colors.
Then there is a monthly calendar with decent size boxes with plenty of room to add in events, birthdays, and anything else. There is also a section for your monthly goals, which you can certainly customize with stickers based on your needs.
Finally, the weekly layouts are very spacious, with a lot of room to right down your to do lists. There is a notes section at the bottom, which I’m going to use as a weekly to do list. I love the simplistic design, and the font is just stunning. Plus, the monthly colors are beautiful. I could not be happier with the quality of the planner or its stunning look!

Life Planner Launch Bundle

Because this is my first planner purchase, I wanted to start out with some stickers. Erin Condren offered this Launch Bundle for $25, which includes the Designer Clutch, Sticker Book, and Party Pops Markers. This is a $37 value, so I figured it was worth it. I know I will be using this sticker book! Let me show you a few of the different sticker designs inside. These are just a few of the sticker pages inside. They can be used in your planner, in cards, as gift labels, etc. I love the colors and messages, and these stickers are really high quality. I highly recommend this book if you are new to planning and want some stickers to begin your journey.

HOW I PLAN TO USE MY LIFE PLANNER – #PlanWithPolishland

Now that my Life Planner is here I couldn’t be more excited to start my planning journey. I’ve never been successful at keeping a planner in the past. In fact, I stopped buying planners in college because I never used them. However, as I type this blog post, I look around my desk and see five different to do lists. They are disorganized, and they aren’t very helpful. I’m hoping that if I set the time aside to plan my weeks, I will be more organized and put together. Plus, I think this will help me become more creative and also act as a journaling exercise. I hope you are excited to join my journey with my new #PlanWithPolishland series!

Speaking of which, my plans for #PlanWishPolishland are still a bit up in the air, and I want your suggestions. Right now I am thinking about doing blog posts here 3-4 times per month, and Plan With Me videos whenever I get the chance. I also wanted to ask if you wanted a separate Instagram page for my planning journey. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!

SAVE $10 AT ERINCONDREN.COM!

Investing in an Erin Condren Life Planner was definitely a hard choice for me, and I know it can be for anyone who is on a tight budget. I justified my purchase by knowing that this is something I can use for a full 18 months, and it will hopefully help me improve my life a great deal. I also used a $10 off coupon, and you guys can, too! If you sign up with my referral link HERE you will get a $10 coupon code emailed to you, and I will earn $10 as well. Every bit of savings is a huge help!

Are you a planner? Let me know in the comments!

Firmoo Hipster Glasses Review + Work Outfit

Posted on June 11, 2015June 11, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a fashion post for all of you – something I don’t do all that often, but is definitely fun once in a while. I got the opportunity to review another pair of glasses from the fabulous and affordable brand Firmoo. I’ve tested prescription sunglasses from this brand in the past (see those reviews HERE and HERE), but this is the first time I got regular glasses. I’ve always wanted hipster glasses, so I figured now was the perfect opportunity to try them!

Here I am in my hipster glasses! I absolutely love them! The design number of these frames is F043. They are a big frame in a dark brown color, with silver accents on either side. I’m really impressed with the quality of these glasses. They are very sturdy, and the lenses clean very easily. Each pair of glasses comes with both a hard and soft case, a cleansing cloth, and a mini screwdriver. I love that everything you need comes with the glasses!

This past semester I was working at a fashion company, so I liked to dress business casual. My Firmoo glasses were absolutely perfect – there is no brand name listed on the outside, so I didn’t have to worry about wearing a competitor label! The brown color also goes with any outfit. I always felt professional, yet young and vibrant at the same time. Plus, I felt more like a New Yorker in these glasses – everyone here is so hip!

Here are my outfit details:

Sweater – William Rast [BRAND]
Jeans – BDG [BUY]
Flats – DSW [SIMILAR]

All in all, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to test out these glasses! It is so much fun to be able to switch up my glasses depending on my mood. Firmoo is the perfect online shop, too. The customer service is excellent, the products are well made, and the prices are low! The exact frames I’m wearing in this post are now sold out, but there are other similar designs, such as THIS ONE for just $39.00. I highly recommend Firmoo, and hope you all will check it out!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.