5 Habits to Better Utilize Your Time

How many times in, let's say a week, do you exclaim to yourself or someone else (or something else, if that's how you roll, I'm not judging), "I need more hours in my day!"? Well, if you are anything like me you probably say this quite a bit. Lately I've been feeling this way even more than usual. Maybe more than ever before. With a full time job, this blog, a side project, my social life (which I'm trying not to lose!), and taking care of my body and mind, plus all the traveling I've been doing I really can't seem to find the time to get everything done. So, in the past month I've started to adopt some new habits that are helping me better manage my time and I think they might help you too.

1) use a planner
Last month, after months of searching, I found the perfect planner. The large 17-month florabunda agenda from ban.do (which is sadly sold out, but here's the smaller version). It's big, it has lots of space for notes, a full month calendar, but also a weekly calendar so I have more space to plan out my days. Plus it came with stickers and has lots of really cute illustrations throughout. I've also had friends who recommend the Day Designer planner and this one is pretty fun as well. But, regardless of what kind you get the important thing is that you have something to help you plan out your busy days in an organized manner. Which brings me to habit #2.

2) create a schedule
In my trusty bando planner I'm able to set up a schedule for my weeks. I usually write down my schedule a week at a time so I'm not planning too far ahead for things that are probably daily tasks, like paying bills, emailing people back, or looking for a new mirror on Craigslist (yes, these are actually random things I need to do this week). Unless of course there are bigger things I know I need to get done later on or a big meeting coming up, then I'll go ahead and pencil it in. And don't get me wrong, I love a good list, but rather than just writing things down on a post-it, having those tasks as part of your schedule and intentionally setting days to accomplish certain items on said list is much more efficient. Also, scheduling serves as a great reminder to actually get done what needs to be done.

3) set some goals
I've never really been much of a goal-setter but thanks to Nicole and Pei I'm really starting to find so much value in intentionally setting and writing down my goals rather than just saying them out loud or thinking them to myself. I even started blogging monthly goals this month and am going to continue to do so. It's fun for me to have them written down somewhere so I'm better able to hold myself accountable to them. And there is definitely no limit to what kind of goals you can set. They can be small, medium, big, or gigantic and they can span from one day, to a week, a month, a year, or 5 years. Whatever you want. Just set them!

4) don't over-commit
Or as I like to call it, learn to say NO. I have to admit I have always had a difficult time doing this and I'm still very much struggling with it. I never want to miss out. FOMO is a real thing y'all and I got it bad. But honestly, lately I've really been trying harder to make sure I'm not doing all the things. The habits I've mentioned so far are helping me become better at this. Since I have a schedule in place and I know the goals I want to accomplish it's easier for me to know when I just can't attend that event or go out to brunch with friends. I know it hurts to say no to brunch but sometimes you just gotta do it. Life is real rough sometimes friends.

5) take a day
This is something that a lot of my girlfriends are really good at but I'm definitely not. I never take days to just do my own thing. Chelsea has recently decided to take one day a week to not work and I think that's super valuable. Having a day off helps all of our on days feel a little less exhausting. It's a day to look forward to and a day to recharge those giant batteries you've been overusing all week. Don't let those batteries die y'all. Give them a break from time to time!

I know these may seem super micromanage-y and uptight but they really do help me feel more at ease and pleased with my weeks. So I hope they will help you feel the same way because who doesn't want to feel better about each week. We only live once y'all... so we may as well use our time wisely!

Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook

10 Preparation Tips for Traveling Abroad

Whether you're going to Europe or South Africa. Whether you'll be traveling for a week or a couple months. I've put together a list of some helpful tips for any kind of international travel. Here are 10 preparation tips for traveling abroad!

1. Get a credit card

I promise I don't work for some sleazy credit card company that's trying to persuade you into a 30% interest rate and then before you know it one year down the road you find yourself in some serious debt! Really, I'm not. If you are a responsible human being and feel that you would be OK owning a credit card then this is for you. They are wonderful for gaining travel miles. So if you don't have one already and are wanting to do some traveling, get one now. I paid for a large part of my trip with points I've racked up over the last year. Do your research and decide which one would work best for you. I have the CapitalOne Venture card which I highly recommend.

2. Research rates on discount flight sites

Hipmunk and skyscanner will take flight prices from all over the web and show you the cheapest options. Also, within Europe, I've found that Ryanair and EasyJet have the best rates. And then you can use your points you've racked up on that credit card to pay for those cheap rates. I'm here to save you money, I swear.

3. Use airbnb

Yes. Yes. Yes. Airbnb is usually so much cheaper than staying in a hotel. You can rent out an entire home or, like me, you can stay with a host who will have so much valuable knowledge about the place you're visiting because they actually live there. They can tell you about all the "secret" cool spots you may not hear about otherwise!

4. Call your bank and you cell phone provider

Let them know you'll be traveling internationally. If you don't, your bank's fraud protection program will prevent you from accessing your funds and your phone won't work abroad if you don't switch to your provider's international plan. I have AT&T and their plan is $30 extra/month. And apparently if you are one of those lucky people who has T-Mobile they charge nothing additional for international phone usage!

5. Phone apps to download

This brings me to some helpful apps to download. Viber offers free calls, texts and picture sharing with anyone in the world and texting is free with WhatsApp. Just make sure you are connected to wifi when using your phone or you will get robbed with data overage charges! This article is also a great resource for other useful travel apps. 

6. Plan what you'll pack ahead

    Procrastination usually leads to feelings of stress. So, for longer trips try to start planning what to pack at least one week in advance. This will not only reduce your stress level but you'll end up noticing sooner the things you may not have that you still need to go get. And look at that, you planned ahead so you actually have the time to go get those things. Also, consider the weather and what activities you'll be doing. And one last thing. Try to plan a week's worth of outfits that will mix and match so you aren't just aimlessly choosing things from your closet that you probably won't end up wearing. Those 5 inch heels are cute, but will you really wear them on the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam? Probably not.

7. Bring a weekender bag

If you'll be abroad for a long period of time pack a good sized bag to take on weekend trips. Something easy you can just throw over your shoulder. You won't want to take your normal bag on a quick weekend trip if you don't have to! I love this classic black one from H&M, this black and white striped one and this colorful floral one (which is on major sale!).

8. Don't forget an adapter

This might be obvious but your plugs and their plugs are not the same. You'll need an adapter for things like your phone and laptop charger. I got mine at Marshall's. Also, no need to bring a blow dryer, straighter or curling iron. Most are not compatible with the higher voltage outlets in Europe. Unless you have ones that function on both voltages, like this dryer by Babyliss (which I have), leave them at home and just buy the international versions when you get to your destination.

9. Remember the essentials

Make sure you have all your scripts. This includes any medications you may be taking and other prescriptions (like contacts) that you probably won't have access to get refilled while away from home. Make-up, face wash, that special razor you like to use... Bring all that with you. Chances are you won't be able to find a lot of your favorite brands while abroad. Also, make copies of your license and Passport in case you loose them.

10. Stay Calm

Seriously. Planning a trip abroad is time-consuming and requires a lot of work. When you're looking up flights listen to your favorite playlist, burn that lavender scented candle, take a break and go exercise. Whatever it is you like to do to keep yourself calm (or calm yourself down), do that. It'll make the process much more enjoyable!

Let me know if you found these tips helpful. I really hope you did. And also any tips you have that I didn't cover please share them in the comments below. I'd love to read them! Happy travels!

Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook

Reflections

Top- H&M / Vest- Urban Outfitters / Pants- found during TxSC swap night (similar) / Booties- Jeffrey Campbell / Bag- Rebecca Minkoff / Sunnies- Ray-Ban / Quartz Stone Necklace- gifted Moorea Seal / Rings- H&M

I got these pants during the TxSC swap night. And even though it was over 100 degrees outside it was SO cold in the Hyatt where we had all the classes that these were a life saver. I swear when I wore my overalls on Saturday my leg hairs grew about 5 inches. The pants are adorable and again I'm wearing my trusty denim vest. Literally the best purchase I've made this year so far. That and my mirrored Ray-Bans, of course. How cool are those reflections of all the buildings in downtown ATX?!

Anyway, now that I've come off my TxSC high and have had a couple days to "reflect" and look over my notes I wanted to share a few key tips I took away from the conference. These are the things I found most helpful and I hope you'll find them helpful too!

Lifestyle Blogging Locally:
- Don't be afraid to go to local businesses and take photos to feature on your blog. Most of the time they won't mind and would welcome the extra exposure.
- Share your posts with those businesses on their social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. They might retweet your post. So, then there's not only extra exposure for them but also for you too!

Media Kits:
- Check out other bloggers Sponsor pages. A lot of times they'll have their media kit on that page and it could help you with ideas if you're trying to create your own.
- Skyscraper is a great resource that will create a media kit for you (https://www.skyscraper.io/).

Sidebar Ads & Working with Brands:
- Contact your favorite brands; It's better than waiting for them to contact you.
- Passionfruit is an online ad marketplace specifically for bloggers. It helps you keep track of your ads and is only $9/month (https://app.passionfruitads.com/).
- When working with brands, base your prices for ads on how much you think you're worth. You can even base them on CPM.

Balancing Work, Life, and Blogging:
- Start a editorial/content calendar. This will help you keep up with posting and hopefully become more consistent. You don't have to stick to the schedule, it's just nice to have something in writing!
- Understand the difference between balance vs. fit. You may never find a perfect balance in your life, but you can find time to fit things into your life. (I'll be touching a little more on this topic in a future post.)

So, there you have it. A little recap. Let me know if you liked this post and if you'd like to see more of this kind of stuff on the blog. If so, what? Doesn't have to be about blogging. Could be anything- style, beauty, life in general, whatever! 

Photos by Caleb Kerr