Whats in My Travel Bag?

Hello Dolls!

First I would like to apologize for not posting this earlier today. I have been running around helping my aunt and others and finally now just got home to start this post.

One thing I absolutely love is to travel. Unfortunately being a full-time college student tends to prevent traveling more, but when school is out, I always try to get to go somewhere exciting. This coming weekend I am going out of town and I thought it would be fun to show y'all what I am bringing with me. This weekend I am going a small and more secluded beach near Santa Cruz for a company event for my moms job. We get our own villa with a magnificent view of the beach while lounging around and indulging on delicious meals provided for us. (YES I will be using my tips on how to be healthy on vacation, you can see them here!) (I can make a blog post about this trip if y'all would like to see it! If you would like to see it then comment below and let me know!)

The suitcase I use is a hard shell  hot pink one that I purchased at TJ Maxx. They have great suitcases at reasonable prices (I definitely recommend going to check them out!).

Everything I put inside my suitcase:

1. Survival Kit
   As y'all know I carry this with me in every bag I have, here you can see what exactly goes inside my infamous survival kit.
2. Toiletries Bag
   In here I keep everything I could possibly need! I got this lovely bag at Target during the Lilly for Target collab. 

• Travel sized shampoo & conditioner
• It's A 10! Leave in hair conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Contacts case
• Contact solution
• Travel sized body wash from Bath & Body Works in the scent 'Pink Chiffon'
• Travel sized deodorant
• Number 7 makeup
• Botanics facial cleansing set

     3.  Macbook Air 

I always bring my laptop with me everywhere! It is so important because you never know what you may need it for and it never hurt to bring a small laptop along with you! 

     4. Clothes

Of course this varies on the type of trip I am going on. Since this weekend is a beach get-a-way I will be bringing mainly cute printed shorts, plain tees, a couple shep shirts, pajamas, and a dress for the annual clam bake.

     5. Accessories

Obviously this depends on the type of clothes I am bringing. I always bring my gold monogram necklace, gold nautical knot earrings my late grandmother gave me, Tory Burch wrap bracelet, Hermés H clic clac bracelet, J Crew paved link bracelet, and my silver Michele watch. As for a purse I bring my Rebecca Minkoff mini quilted affair and for shoes I bring various types of flip flops. 

     6. Necessities for the specific trip (Beach Bag)

Since I am going to the beach I am obviously bringing my beloved beach bag! I have an entire post of everything inside my beach bag and you can check that out here.

7. Lilly Pulitzer Agenda

If y'all know me, then you know that this is a given. I carry my agenda with me everywhere and a weekend get-a-way is no exception! You can see how I organize my agenda here. 

I guess my travel isn't too different from others, however if there is something you carry with you on every trip let me know down in the comments section below! (and yes you can comment anonymously and let me know if you want to see this trip documented in a blog!) 

XOXO, 

The Californian Belle

How To: Organize Your Backpack for College/What's in my Backpack

Hello Dolls!

It is officially been one week before school has starts for me and I have been schlepping around and making sure I am keeping myself organized. I thought I would share what I do to keep myself organized in my backpack.

The main issue I have always had with organizing my backpack is after a month it fails because I am too lazy to keep up with it. Then once I realized my backpack is a mess I start to get discouraged about school (so weird but for me its the little things).

So I finally found a way that is simple yet so effective I can't imagine this one going downhill. I have learned to carry the minimal amount inside my backpack over the years. The more you carry the more of a mess it will make.

I am currently a "commuter student" which means I live at home and drive to my school, because I am a commuter student, my organization is a little different from those who live on campus. First off, I like to stack my schedule and then use downtime to go to the school library and study there. It is also a coincedence that I work at school, so I typically get to stay in one place all day.

Due to that, I keep a lot of my stuff in my car, and then just take out what I need thoughout the day. I keep all of my text/lab/notebooks in my car and periodically walk over to switch my books out as I need them. This eliminates all of the stress on my back of carrying a million books with me all day.

So here are the items that I keep in my backpack at all times (keep in mind that the items mentioned above go into my backpack on an "as needed" basis). The backpack that I currently have is a simple Jansport backpack that I've had since high school. I plan on getting a North Face backpack once I transfer and need to have more room in my backpack, so for now this bag works just fine for my needs.

Expandable File Folder:

This has been my true lifesaver in school. I absolutely love this system so much better than a binder and here is why: I don't have to punch holes into my paper. This sounds so silly, but in the past I would put my papers in a folder pocket inside my binder and then neglect to hole punch them. The idea and organization of a binder is a great method, it is just not practical for me. I'm also in love with the tortoise print on them and I got it at Target for only $8!

Laptop:

The laptop I have is the 13 inch Macbook Air and let me just say how much I love it! I also have an older Macbook Pro that I use as my home computer, but this Air is perfect for carrying around in my backpack when I'm on the go! Its very light and I don't feel like I'm breaking my back.

Pencil Pouch:

Yes, this one has definitely been overdone. Everyone has a pencil pouch and uses it, but doesn't always stick to it and keep their pens/pencils in there, well I keep mine in the front pocket so it is always handy when I need it. Taking a few extra seconds to put your pens/pencils back into here will help you out in the long run because you won't lose your writing utensils.

Supplies Pouch:

Yes this sounds funny because I also have a pencil pouch, but in here I keep any other type of school suppy that is not a pen/pencil. I keep this pouch inside the larger compartment of my backpack. Inside my supplies pouch I keep: sticky notes, white out, stapler/stapler remover, high lighters, clips, pencil sharpener, flash drive, pencil led, and an eraser.

Flash Card Expandable File Folder:

I love this folder because it keeps all my flash cards together when I am trying to keep everything in one place. This file folder fits perfectly in my front pocket, however I keep it in the larger section because I put other things inside the front pocket. Keeping my flash cards together is so crucial because it is mainly how I study for my vocabulary terms. Without this file folder I have no idea what my grades would have been like. Also purchased at Target, I think it was $4.

Survival Kit:

My infamous survival kit, as y'all know I take this with me everywhere, and school is no exception. If you want to see what is inside my survival kit, then click here.

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda:

This is my holy grail organizer. School hasn't even started yet and it has made me so productive already, so I'm beyond excited to use it! I keep this in my larger pocket as well, and if you would like to see how I organize my Lilly agenda, click here.

Miscalaneous:

This are all kind of "obvious" items that I keep in my backpack but I thought I would add them anyways. I have my iPhone 6, car keys, phone charger, J Crew water bottle, Tom Ford sunglasses, and I used to carry my calculator, but since I am done taking my math courses, I don't think I'll be needing it.

So this is how I organize my backpack, I like to keep as little as possible inside because remember, this is all stress on your back and you want to keep it at light as possible. Let me know what is the number one thing you MUST have in your backpack in the comment section below!

XOXO, 

The Californian Belle

Fashion Friday: Iconic Fashion Pieces of All Time

Hello Dolls!

If it's one thing I absolutely a d o r e it's fashion. There is something about outfits that just make me so happy. 

I thought I would share with y'all (what in my opinion) some of the most iconic fashion pieces of all time. (Keep in mind there are so many more but I just picked my personal top 5).

1. Burberry scarves and trench coachs

Burberry, which originated in London, England in 1856, is known for their gorgeous scarves and classic trench coats. Both of these items so classic in this brand that they even have their own section on the website! 

2. Malono Blahnik heels

If the shoe fits then get it in every color right? Best known from Sex and the City as Carrie Bradshaw's "addiction" Manolo Blahnik is the fairytale princess shoe that we can find at our local Neiman Marcus. 

3. Louis Vuitton Luggage 

I know that luggage is a very unusual piece to put in this post, however, a Louis Vuitton is not. Louis Vuitton, known for their iconic monogram print and desired across the world, is definitely a piece worthy of being called iconic in the fashion world. Style runs from more then just head to toe, it runs all around you and the Louis Vuitton luggage does just that. 

4. Chanel 2.55 Quilted Classic Flap Bag

Everyone knows that the quilted Chanel bag is a must because...well...look at it! It's the definition of perfection! What I love the most about this purse is that it's timeless and will ALWAYS be in style! 

5. Hermés Birkin

And of course, I saved one of the best for last, the infamous Hermés Birkin bag. The most recognizable bag on the planet and the most desired. These bags may cost and arm and a leg but you can't deny its pure beauty. Get them in any color imaginable and cherish them for a lifetime because they are truly perfect. 

These items are all so iconic and have been displayed everywhere in the fashion world since the time they introduced to us. Definitely something to be admired and appreciated are these gorgeous pieces. I would love to know what fashion piece you love! Comment below (you can comment anonymously and all comments are welcome) and let me know what pieces you loved in and outside of this post.

XOXO,

The Californian Belle

How to: Mentally Prepare Yourself for School and Stay Organized

Hello Dolls!

With it being August, school is just around the corner and it is time to get back into that mode! One of the hardest things for me to do is get back into that motivated school mentality after being able to relax all summer.

I was surfing the web and came across a great website that I feel like directly targeted everything I needed to start mentally preparing myself for the fall semester. I found a website and on it is a study assessment skills test, so I printed it out and took it. (Let me say this definitely has me getting into the mental mindset of what I should be like during the school year.)

This 56 question test focused on seven crucial areas needed for success during the school year. I am not going to lie, there were a couple sections that I definitely can improve on, and plan to do so throughout the semester. This test made me really reflect on things I know I've been doing wrong for years, but seeing it on a paper made me really be able to pin point exactly what is wrong with my habits.

Here I have posted my personal final results of the exam, so you can see that I definitely have some sections to work on.

I highlighted the areas I desperately need improvement on. 

So the real question is...how will I remember throughout the semester? 

Well, by keeping this inside the clear slip on my main binder, I can consistently see everyday what I need to improve on and even write daily/weekly goals in my agenda to achieve to score better when I retake this test by the end of the semester to view progress. I also put a paper of a list of everything I need to improve on and how I will do it. This is the most important part of the test: analyzing your results and figuring out what you will do to make your score better next time.

Remember that this test is to help you and allow you to guide yourself towards success academically. Don't worry if you have a bad score, because that means you get to work on improving yourself. And if you feel like you have a great score, then continue what you are currently doing or make a goal to get a perfect score when you retake the exam at the end of the semester.

I am a sophomore in college, however, I think this exam is great for anybody who reads this post, regardless of your age or grade level. It is never too early or too late to improve yourself as an academic. Hopefully with this test you can work towards improving yourself as I am going to try myself this semester.


XOXO,


The Californian Belle

Recipe: Mozzarella Tomato Pesto Pizza

Hello Dolls!

My absolutely favorite thing to have for dinner on a Sunday night is some delicious pizza. The problem is when you order from a pizza place, they use high calorie products that can add up and make your pizza more of a guilty meal instead of a savory treat.

I have been making pizza for my family since I was in middle school (even my dough and sauce was always from scratch!); however, being in college I don't have the time anymore to allow my dough to rise or to make my special sauce and it also makes way too much of a mess, so I have found a quicker solution.

With all of the ingredients purchased from Target, I was able to make a delicious pizza that the entire family enjoyed in under 30 minutes! (Best part about getting my ingredients from Target is that I can use my Cartwheel App and save big on my groceries!)

Details:

• Prep time (including preheat): 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• 160 calories per slice
• 1275 calories per pizza

Supplies You Will Need:

• 1 pizza stone or pizza cooking tray 
• 1 cup measurer
• Knife
• Oven Mitt

Ingredients You Will Need: 

• 1 cup of Market Pantry mozzarella reduced fat shredded cheese
• 1 Market Pantry thin pizza crust
• 1 tomato
• 2 slices of Bel Gioioso fresh mozzarella
• 1 container of Buitoni pesto with basil spread

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Place pizza crust on the pizza stone and use the knife to spread around the pesto spread.
   
3. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella onto pizza.
   
4. Slice up your tomato and put that on the pizza.
   
5. Tear apart the fresh mozzarella slices into smaller pieces and evenly distribute onto your pizza.
   
6. Place pizza into oven for 15 minutes and cook until there is a golden brown color on it. 
   
   7. And it's all done!
   
   I hope y'all enjoy this AMAZING and DELICIOUS pizza! It takes a decent amount of time to make and is a family favorite! Let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comments section below!!

XOXO,

The Californian Belle

July Favorites

Hello Dolls!

I can't believe that July is practically over and it's going to be August VERY soon! Seriously time has gone by way too quickly this summer. While time was flying by, I have been using some great products I just had to share with y'all! (And y'all know I typically don't do monthly favorites, but I had some that I just had to share with y'all!)

1. Target Cartwheel App

Who can't resist saving money?! Remember when I was bombarded by the Target worker about buying Boots products? Well what really got me on board to buy them was the Cartwheel app that the lady told me about! The Target Cartwheel app is where you can find coupons on your phone and add them to your "barcode" and then scan the barcode from your smartphone at the cashier during checkout! The best part is you don't have to schlep so many different paper coupons to the store because it is all on your phone! Honestly, I think I have become OBSESSED with the idea of saving so much money within this month alone...Can you believe I have saved $77.33 in the month of July? Your savings really do add up!! This is definitely worth the download and will probably become a lifetime favorite of mine.

This is the barcode that you add all of your coupons on.

2. Fitbit Flex

The Fitbit Flex is my holy grail secret to staying in shape. This thing not only practically saved my life, but has showed me how to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It is great for wanting to lose weight or just keeping up with your daily activities when you are out and about or on vacation. It is a little costly (mine cost about $100) but this wristband is like a personal trainer that keeps you motivated while on the go! Think about all the money you are saving by not having to hire a personal trainer just by getting this miracle band!

One of my trackings from a day in July. I love how I can track everything!

3. Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt

My aunt introduced this favorite to me. I was over at her house and she goes "try this greek yogurt its like nothing else you have ever had in your life" (seriously how many times have we heard that sentence before). Anyways I tried it to be nice and let me say it is the BEST greek yogurt I have ever had! I had the lemon meringue flavor which was to die for but they also have other flavors such as key lime pie and vanilla coconut. This greek yogurt was already whipped and tasted like frozen yogurt. It was so rich in flavor and had a little bit of a higher calorie count than other greek yogurts, but think of this as a splurge treat throughout the day.

4. Healthy Homemade Frappuccino

This is how I stay cool and refreshed during the summer while avoiding the extra calories. I absolutely love Starbucks, (I am even a gold member in their rewards program) but their calories are just a little too much for me and my healthy-ish lifestyle. So I thought, why not make my own at home? 

1) It is a lot cheaper to make it at home

2) You can control what goes inside your drink!

3) Compared to 410 calories for a grande (16 oz) frappuccino, 160 for this one is pretty decent!

Recipe for a 16 oz Chocolate Chip Frappuccino: 160 Calories 

• 1 cup of lowfat/nonfat milk or almond milk (depends on your preference)
• 1 1/2 cups of ice
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Nestle milk chocolate powder
• 5 Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

(You can also add protein powder of flax/chia seeds for an extra boost)

Blend all of these in a blender on the smoothie setting until blended, pour into a glass, and enjoy!

Can you believe this is only 160 calories?

These are my July favorites that I couldn't resist sharing with y'all! What was everyone's favorites this month? I would LOVE to see what y'all loved this month!

XOXO, 

The Californian Belle

How To: Be Healthy on Vacation

Hello Dolls!

One thing I absolutely love to do is going on vacation. I love the idea of going on an adventure some place I don't go to often and exploring. One of the things I love to explore is the food (of course who doesn't like food).

The problem with this is that I personally tend to get out of control with my food explorations because I'm under the mentality that "I'm on vacation so its ok to eat what I normally wouldn't". (This may work for some people, however this is always destructive for me personally because I try to stay on top of my diet and somewhat healthy lifestyle.)

Over the years of my travels I have learned how to enjoy my explorations of food with still maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

1) Eat Everything in Moderation

Yes, we have ALL heard this one before, but it is always easier said than done. There is always such good food that we want to try, but once we take one bite how can we not finish the rest?! Well, if you are traveling with multiple people my suggestion is to "split" the higher calorie item with them so that way you all get to try the delectable treat without feeling super guilty. Also it is important to remember to ask for a calorie count menu (if the restaurant has it) and to always try to pick the healthier option.

2) Don't Stop Moving!!

My mom went to Austria with my grandmother and aunt a few years ago and she came back home losing FIVE pounds!! I was in total shock of how she could lose weight on vacation. She told me she ate what ever she wanted with her group, but the rule was they walked almost everywhere they went. This is a difficult one because it is hard to walk everywhere if you are in a location that requires a lot of driving. So my suggestion is so move at any opportunity you are given and don't take any shortcuts! For example, if there is a gym at your hotel and you know you didn't move a lot during the day, then spend 30 minutes to an hour working out.

3) Plan Your Meals

This one is probably the most important , yet the most overlooked. One of the ways my mom lost five pounds on vacation is because her sister planned when they would eat their meals. They would have a very large breakfast in the morning, followed by a snack around lunchtime, and then an early dinner to finish it off, while walking around Vienna, Austria the entire day. This worked for them because they spent their time enjoying the vacation instead of mainly eating the trip. Food was looked as fuel to keep walking for them. Now if you're at an all-expense-paid vacation, such as a cruise, where there is a lot of food, you just have to go back to eating in moderation and not stopping your movements!

4) Track it!

I am a huge believer in tracking what you put into your body as well as tracking your activity throughout the day. I love my Fitbit Flex which helps me track everything from my food intake, step count, calories, miles, etc. However, I know not everybody wants to spend $100+ on a tracker because it can seem ridiculous. There are free apps in the app store such as Nike Running, My Fitness Pal, or Lose It! which are great free trackers to help to track activity and calorie intake.

There is nothing more basic than these four steps towards being healthy on your vacation, however, this does not make it any easier. It takes a lot of discipline to be healthy on vacation, but I know with these steps it can be made easier. Enjoy your vacations while being healthy...it actually is possible!!


XOXO,


The Californian Belle