I had this idea for a blog post a while ago but now, in the midst of quarantine, I feel like it's more appropriate than ever. There is nothing to do but be inside and therefore, we are probably using more of our possessions than ever before.

Whether it's food, beauty, self-care, technology... we are using everything to pass the time. I figured it would be interesting to talk about the items that I've been using more that I'm in my house 24/7 and what I'm using as I work from home. I've always loved my stuff and I've talked about that a lot but being home during the day allows me to use my 'stuff' even more.

iPad Mini 5

Right before all of this started, I treated myself to a new iPad Mini. Mine was a few years old, didn't have enough memory, and was a little too slow for my liking. My new iPad is pretty much exactly the same and I love it so much. I use it for reading (I use the Kindle & Nook apps), social media, and even use it as a second screen if I need another browser window while working or blogging. It's my sidekick - my partner in crime. I hooked up my iMessage to it so some days I can leave my phone in another room and just have my iPad. I purchased this Apple Pencil dupe from Amazon and download a coloring book app called 'Pigment' and have been coloring to pass the time. Having a tablet really unleashes a world of possibilities.

Stress Gummies + Supplements

This one goes without saying but it's been a struggle and a battle the past few weeks. It's not just me, as someone with anxiety who is feeling the stress but everyone in the world. I would be nowhere without my favorite supplements that help take the edge off and allow me to think and process things more clearly. I use these interchangeably: Olly Stress Gummies, HUM Nutrition Big Chill, Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies.

Zella Leggings + Graphic Sweatshirts

It shouldn't be a surprise that I haven't worn anything but my Zella Live In High Waisted leggings for the past three weeks. I've been pairing that with any and all sweatshirts. These are the ones I've been wearing the most: Frozen (similar) Cinderella from Box Lunch, BP, and BBX Collection (use code BRIANA15 for 15% off!). There is a definite Disney theme happening to me right now but let's just go with it. I just want to be comfortable. I do my hair & my makeup to feel like a human and look decent on video meetings but comfort is key.

May Designs Priority Planner

The Priority Planner is one of, if not my all-time favorite layout that May Designs has ever released. I purchased it a few months ago and used it for exceptionally busy weekend days but mostly used it when I was working from home. Well now that I'm working from home every day, I found it to be extremely useful and a key part of my sanity. It helps me organize my day into sections, think about the tasks that really need to get done and really stay on top of everything. It's been a lifesaver!

Belle and Park Starbucks Cold Cup

As I mentioned before, I have been on a huge Disney kick. It makes me happy and provides a great distraction. With that being said, I purchased this cold cup from my favorite Etsy shop, Belle and Park last month and have not stopped using it. It adds a bit of magic to an otherwise scary time and it's just a nice, lightweight cup for water and/or iced coffee!

Honorable Mention: Foods I've been eating like they're going out of style this quarantine: Queso Blanco, Tortilla Chips, Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Eggo Waffles. Someone stop me.

What are the items you cannot stop using right now?
xoxo
B

I'm currently sitting on my couch with my aunt, uncle, & mom, watching Football and awaiting for the appriporate time to eat leftovers.

I was going to blog Wednesday & yesterday but just didn't have the time. I was cooking and baking and had to run errands, and I was just exhausted by the end of it.

I wanted to have this post up earlier but I woke up late and was spending time with my family (and working because uh, it's the biggest shopping day of the year).

I've already shopped a few Black Friday sales before Black Friday even began, so I don't have too much shopping to do but I still wanted to round up my favorite sales of the day/weekend.



Kate Spade: 30% off with code GIVEJOY


May Designs: 40% off notebooks, 20% off accessories

Nordstrom: Extra 20% off sale items

Charlotte Tilbury: 50% off select kits & deals all weekend long


*I really am tempted to buy one of the beauty advent calendars for 50% off and I'm doing my best to resist temptation.

J.Crew: 40% off your purchase

J.Crew Factory: 50-60% off everything



Sephora also is having their $15 and under kit sale which I also shopped and picked up this IT Cosmetics skincare set. 

Don't pass on QVC today either; 5 ezpayments on all their beauty & electronic items AND free shipping on everything. It's a must shop in my opinion.

Let me know what you're buying!! Happy Shopping!

xoxo
B

 I'm someone who loves paper; books, magazines, planners, notebooks, cards, etc. I love holding an actual paper in my hands, I'm constantly printing out things I could read online or writing down lists in one of my 50 notebooks.

I've been that way forever and I've documented that many times before. School supply shopping was always my favorite and when I graduated college, I knew that shopping trip in August would be the one thing I missed most. However, I've found my way around that and I'm always adding to my ever growing collection of stationery.

I don't discriminate either; I love all kinds of paper goods from things in the dollar section at Target to my Henri Bendel planner. I actually have to stop myself from buying more notebooks on the daily because I have too many and not enough uses.

I figured it'd been a minute since I wrote about stationery and with the start of planner season around the corner, what better time than the present!

I'm going to break down my current favorites as well as some items I have my eye on!



1. Louis Vuitton Agendas: This was a big win of 2017 and I think it'll continue to be my favorite for years to come. I use two of these (I got them pre-loved for like $50 each which is a STEAL), one for my blog planner and one for miscellaneous lists. I keep them with me at all times and they are so handy because you can truly customize it.

2. Small, Hardcover Notebooks: I have so many random notebooks sitting in my drawer and they all have something in common; they have random lists in them from over the past year or so and they're all small, hardcover notebooks with adorable sayings and such. I literally had to stop myself from buying this cute marble notebook because I have about 6 of a similar size not getting enough love.

3. Whitney English: Years ago I did a post on Whitney English & The Day Designer for Target; I haven't picked one up since then but am always tempted each year. Last week while I was in Target, I bit the bullet and bought an adorable leopard planner. I don't know what I'll do with it but I have it and I love it! (The planners are not online yet so check your local Target!)

4. May Designs: Can I really do a stationery post without mentioning my beloved May Designs? I don't know how many I have in my collection but I stop myself weekly from buying more. However, they just released an appointment layout that I have my eye on! Also, don't even get me started on the folios -- they are too cute for words.

5. Notepads: As much as I love notebooks and agendas, I love a good old fashioned notepad just as much. Making a single to-do list on a nice piece of paper, whether it's adorned with something cute in the corner or just a regular paper, I'm addicted.

Honorary mention: Post-its are God's gift to the Type A and I just got these ADORABLE coffee & donut ones from Target. I've had these marble ones in my collection for a while too and I love them. They make any note feel that much fancier. Also, I've started an obsession with these awesome diamond pens.

PS: I just discovered this Etsy shop and I need everything from there immediately. She has the cutest notebook designs!

PPS: Evelyn Henson also has some wonderful notebook prints that I've been dying to get my hands on for years but never pulled the plug!

Below are some items that are currently on my wishlist:

This month's brand buzz is dedicated to a stationary brand that has had my heart for years on end. It was one of the first online brands I discovered when I started my blog back in 2012 and it's a brand that I've never stopped following, caring about, or using.

I've spoken about them before and they were once known as May Books, but have transitioned into May Designs since they sell more than just notebooks.

May Designs started because Mica May was obsessed with stationery and notebooks. She started designing notebooks herself, because she was a graphic designer, and people started to take notice and they wanted to buy her notebooks.

That is how May Books started, and soon changed into May Designs when they started selling notecards, calendars, and other fun stuff.

I've been a customer of May Designs since 2012 and I'm obsessed.

The entire point of May Designs is that they are hand sewn notebooks that you can personalize; everything from the cover design to the label to the inside pages -- no two May Designs are the same.

Budget Journal

Daily Planner (with no dates)

Fitness Journal

Regular Notebook with Pink Lines

Gratitude Journal

At first, I only bought regular notebooks to jot down notes or to keep for the blog or work, but now May Designs have expanded into planners, gratitude journals, budget journals, meal & fitness journals, and even wedding & baby planners.

They are really good quality and stay good quality if you take care of them. They are hand sewn/hand made so it is easy for them to get a little run down.

Currently, I have around 7 May Designs in use:

• Budget Journal
• Meal + Fitness Journal
• Gratitude Journal
• 2017 Planner (for work)
• Daily Planner (for home)
• Random Journal 
• Work Journal

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