Reset & Refresh~ Prepping for a new semester!

So, I’m no expert in school prepping or being well organized. Probably, far from it. Three semesters in, I do feel slightly better prepared in what works for me! So, I would like to share how I jump into a new semester, resetting myself so that I come at any new chapter in my life feeling like I am prepared for a good time and in a way that reduces my stress and distractions.

I like to set aside some time if possible, minimum 2 days, to knock off any tasks that I’ve put aside (probably due to procrastination) and to prepare everything for what lies ahead.

I’ll make a list of what then needs to be done: 

The first tasks I like to tackle are the most daunting ones on my list. For me, those were cleaning out my old room, getting rid of the old furniture, and organizing my junk trunk.

Following those tasks, I then focus on cleaning everything! I love that step because cleaning helps calm me down and releases my stress. I deep clean everything and everything! Then I move on to doing all my laundry and making my drawers neat and tidy. (If I notice clothing or items I have had no use for or that don’t bring me any joy then I can also use this time to compile items for donation.)

I feel it’s especially important to have nice clean bedsheets, as it just feels so great waking up in a clean bed on the start of a new journey!

The feeling of having everything in its place and nothing to worry about really helps to feel like I have nothing holding me back, and clears my head so I can focus on what is most important, in my life that would be school.

On a more specific note, since I use my iPad for my schooling, I accumulate many files and use up a lot of my storage. I like to go though all my digital files and emails to clean out any clutter sitting in there! It may be a bit underrated but my future self always is thankful for this step when I don’t need to stress about running out of storage space!

Then, before classes start, the day before, I like to charge all my devices that require charging and replace any batteries that I fear might be running low on power. It helps to relinquish any anxiety that may sit within me that I could be left unprepared for any situation that might pop up in the following days.

During the time I reset, I like to build an outline for the routine I want to have, or strengthen/improve my current daily routine. So, during the few days prior I like to try waking up and sleeping at the times I want to have ingrained in my schedule. It takes a couple weeks for a habit to fully solidify so I like visualizing and concentrating as much as I can on the routine to try retaining as much of it as possible down the road. 

In regards to my routine, I’ve been consistently waking up at 5 am, making my bed and exercising well before 8 am, so I feel like I hav e a good head start on the routine I want to have come the start of my semester. So, It will be a test on my consistency and trusting the plans I laid out for myself.

Knowing that I have everything planned out, eases any apprehension or excuses that I may create for myself and refocuses my energy to be spent on what I deem as important!

I don’t think I get any extreme anxiety, but I know I am a ‘type A’ personality~ so if things don’t go perfectly I tend to get overly self deprecating. Planning things out and making sure that I create the best chance for myself to work to my full potential helps me wake up on the morning school starts feeling great and hopefulness that the coming months will work out just fine!

If anyone reading this post needs help with a jump start or might need any aid in releasing a bit of apprehension when starting something new, maybe this exercise might be just the thing to help guide the way! 

Please feel free to use the above outlines I created for your own use! 

School starts for me in a few days. I completed my reset a bit early, but I can still fine tune my routine!

I’m going to try up keeping my blogposts during this semester! So, there might be some more growing pains, but hopefully I can pursue this and grow a bit more as this year progresses!

<3CarisseIris

Fall/Winter Fashion Inspirations~ Where I Shop

As per requested, now it's getting chillier~ 

Where I buy my winter clothing and what I would wear for cooler weather. 

[I will soon do a post on what's in my winter wardrobe, but I'm still waiting for some of my stuff to ship in. I actually have some of the items underneath~]

I'll also be listing places [online shops] in order of price range...

I'm also not linking specific products~ It's more fun to go through the online shop and explore because I didn't even put all of the other lovely things I came across! [Ah, all the clothing I put down is making me so happy! They're all so pretty<3]

~~this blog entry is NOT sponsored~~

Forever21 [link] 

 I feel like it's only this season I've been loving F21 apparel! The sweaters are soft,cute and fit surprisingly well! I went into a craze and bought a big handful of them in store because of it<3

 I also came across a lot of cute cardigans and pretty jackets for staying warm!

Trinity Styles [link]

 Trinity is selling a bunch of Korean fashion themed winter wear! They're all so cute and warm looking~

 Besides the sweaters, they have in stock Liz Lisa jacket, Rose Bullet clothing sets and ASOS tights. Besides that they have pleather skirts and shorts [so in trend right now] and these awesome fleece lined "sheer" looking stockings! How perfect for looking stylish and yet staying super warm!
I even ordered a Rose Bullet angora sweater set from them that's shipping in! I'm so excited!


American Apparel [link]

 I love AA<3 I think for me I'm loving their circle skirts, and the corduroy ones seem perfect for cooler weather! I also think that a maxi would be wonderful for really chilly days and you can wear layers of thermal leggings under them for maximum comfort while staying in style~

MinkyShop [link]

I'll just say this. Brand.
They have branded clothing, and lots of sweaters and cardi's in stock! Same with cute shorts and skirts too. I'm also awaiting clothing from them [it's on the way], as I'm restocking on cooler weather wear for myself!

I'm also a fan of hand warmers, this one from strapya [product link] is reusable! I'm pretty close to purchasing one for myself, but I'm waiting for the pink one to come back in stock..

I also want to direct you to

YESSTYLE [link]

They have tons and tons and tons of adorable and fashionable winter clothing/shoes/scarves/accessories and very large inventory... They are a bit on the pricier side, but if your picky and can't find something to your taste, they'd probably have something for you. I've ordered from them a few times and have always had a good experience<3

 Now for a spam of winter outfit inspirations [all lovingly taken from tumblr..]

I own no right at all to any of them...

@                     m                   @;;;

Ah, so much clothing I want! I love winter because wearing layers is so lovely!
I love a short skirt with a sweater, and boots! There's something so wonderfully feminine about it and it makes me feel so pretty going about.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3CarisseIris

Summer Fashion Inspiration~

Note: I really should invest in photoshop so I can collage these images in a pretty way...
Anyways, here are some 'coordinates' and ideas in recent issues of Happie Nuts and Skawaii that I found inspiring for summer<3

 Showing a hint of shoulder or decolletage is in this season.

  Or instead of baring your upper body, showing a hint of leg instead is another point.

 I also love how cute masculine is mixed this season. In the same way casual is thrown in there makes it look so effortless~

 ^^random note, I love the lyrics on the side... HAHA<3

 I also am in love with how they threw in the cross trend with the pastel girly look! The grey is such a great touch without over shadowing the whole outfit!

Mint pumps and denim jacket on top of a screen tee and white denim shorts! I'm loving it!

 Also, the plus size gal on the run way made me really happy! Girl can werk it!

AND... Amazing hair inspiration~

I really want to embody these styles this season and hopefully they'll transfer beautifully into late summer and fall!

Also... I want to throw some links at you to where I purchase clothing, both online and in store.

online:

http://www.minkyshop.com/

http://www.yesstyle.com/en/home.html

http://shibuyacloset.com/

http://www.ebay.com/

[I also liked minimaos, but apparently, they're in active for the moment]

in store:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-apparel-long-beach

http://www.yelp.com/biz/eden-boutique-belmont-shore

http://www.facebook.com/TGbyKK

<3CarisseIris