2017 was an unexpected ride of ups, downs and lots of self-discovery. Overall, my 2017 was pretty great! I made an abundance of new memories with family and friends, I fell into an internship that evolved into a demanding first-time job, which ultimately has paved the way for my future grad school plans, and I have learned more about myself than I ever imagined I could. Here are some of the highlights that 2017 taught me...

• Never put all of your eggs in one basket; just when you think you have an exact plan of how life is going to play out, you will be surprised by the twists and turns it takes.
• Change, albeit scary, can be a magical thing and should be embraced every step of the way.
• Don't think too far in the future, but be cognizant of where you are and where you want to be.
• Experiences are more valuable than material items. Buy the concert ticket instead of another handbag.
• Don't underestimate the value of supportive friends and family. Those you surround yourself with have more impact on your life than you realize. Be choosy about who you allocate your time to.

I was never much of a planner girl. In the past, I'd pick up a planner at the store, use it for maybe 2 weeks and then chuck it in a drawer at home to eventually collect dust. However, last August, I purchased my first Ban.do planner and nearly one year later, I still use that sucker every single day! It's the perfect mix of fun and function without feeling too juvenile. The page layouts suit my large handwriting and the fun and artistic graphics have me flipping through the pages just because!

As we near a new school year, I decided to pick up a new agenda. Ban.do just released their new agendas for the 2017 year (they begin August of 2016) and I didn't want to risk waiting and having my agenda sell out! I picked up this gorgeous floral bad boy with an accompanying dual sticker pack (because, duh, i needed that). Safe to say I will be heading into my senior year of college feeling incredibly organized and pretty damn cool!

• Health Goal: Workout for 30 mins at least once a week.
• Lifestyle Goal: Attempt one new recipe a month.
• Academic Goal: Read 6 books for fun in 2016 (THIS fun list makes a great guide!)
• Personal Goal: Be present-don't engage in technology while in social settings.

There you all have it! My New Year's REALsolutions for 2016. What goals are you setting for yourself?!

I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to organization. I guess you could say my type-A personality tends to dictate everything I do. This summer, I was on the hunt for the perfect planner: one that was functional, fun and one I would ACTUALLY use. You see, in the past, I've had an unfortunate habit of buying planners, only to quit using them about 2 weeks in. For some reason, I no planner had ever really met my needs for function and style. That all changed, though, when I got my hands on my Ban.do planner...