Since I started Royally Pink, I have been talking about my love for one certain company. May Designs (formally MayBooks) has been my go-to for my stationery and monogrammed needs for the past year. I have more Maybooks than necessary: five to be exact and I don't ever want to stop buying them.

If you don't know what May Designs is, it's an eco-friendly company that sews their products with an old school sewing machine so it ensures no tear outs. The great thing about May Designs is that they are all green so their products can be recycled. Also the fact that you can customize your notebooks in any way you please is just so incredible.

Earlier this year, May Designs debuted MayNotes and I've been dying to get my hands on them. I always found the excuse not to buy them but who can resist monogrammed, personalized, colorful stationery?

It's not just the products that I have fallen in love with, I fell in love with the company. I love the way the way May Designs represents themselves on social media; they are fun, classy, and chic. They care about their customers and that shows through their customer service (seriously, some of the BEST). 

May Designs is a company, a brand, that I haven't been able to shake. Something about it just constantly pulls me in. I'm obsessed.

The company is something I have been dying to be part of in some shape, way or form and I have finally achieved my dream.

When May Designs announced on their blog a few weeks ago that they were going to start accepting Campus Representative applications, I got so excited I started to feel light headed. This was it! This was my chance! I immediately downloaded the application but then hesitated, did I have too much on my plate? I mean it's senior year, I have classes, an internship, two jobs, this blog, Phi Sigma Sigma, CGG--I am a busy, busy girl. 

After some deliberating I knew that I had to do it; this was my favorite company and I needed to associate myself with it.

I applied and was fortunately accepted! I am officially a May Designs Campus Rep!!!!!

Basically what that means is that I'm in charge of promoting May Designs on my campus and on social media therefore, here I am!

If you would like to learn more about May Designs or even get a coupon code for your next May Designs purchase, please email me at lucabriana@gmail.com.

There is few things I love more than back to school shopping. After the fourth of July, I count down the days till I am able to go to Staples or Target and buy all new supplies.

The smell of a fresh, blank notebook, the touch of a brand new pen to clean paper, the first time you open your planner--it's such an experience for me. And I'm being awfully dramatic but that is just how much I love school supplies.

It really pains me that this was the last time I will go school supply shopping. It was the start to many lasts of my senior year and I'm not ready to let go of this one yet. I think during August and September for the rest of my life I will always go school supply shopping and buy new notebooks, planners, etc.

I now consider myself an expert in the school supplies since it gives me the types of chills watching "The Notebook" does. 

I usually stick to the same types of school supplies but here are some that I am LOVING this year!

This year I discovered a lot of new companies and brands. Some were new to me, others were new to the world. It was exciting to become familiar with these brands and buy their products...they've now become my favorites!

Maybooks

I discovered these adorable notebooks at the beginning of the summer and I've become addicted; I've purchased four of them and I'm constantly looking at new designs to satisfy my addiction.

The soft covered notebooks are yours to customize, whether it's your sorority name, monogram, or cute saying. You pick how you want the entire notebook to look. They're too small to use for class but perfect for a planner, spare notebook, or any other of your paper needs. I use mine for a journal, a planner for my sorority, a random notebook, and one for the blog.

Maybooks is now called MayDesigns because they've brought notecards into the mix which are perfect. The customer service is incredible and you could tell that the product is made with love and care. 

I will forever love and be loyal to Maybooks.

Kate Spade

Kate is an oldie but goodie. I remember when I was younger my mother always had something Kate Spade but I forgot about her for a while. This year, I rediscovered Ms. Spade and all of her glory.

I've bought a few things from her this year, including some phone cases, iPAD cases, and a clutch; for Christmas I got a new wallet and a cross-body bag.

Yes, Kate Spade is a bit on the expensive side but I don't mind. You are definitely paying for the leather and quality of the product but it is so worth it.

With each Kate Spade item comes a little green card that tells you how to care for your item and on each card comes an adorable saying such as "She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party."

SO CUTE!

I am simply obsessed with Kate and I am looking forward to buying more of her in 2013!

Birchbox

I'm pretty sure you are all sick of hearing me talk about Birchbox but I simply cannot stop! Buying this box of beauty samples every month has improved my make-up routine and made me more conscious of what products I'm using.

I was never much of a make-up gal but this completely changed the way I think about make-up. It's only $10 a month and it's so much fun. I love getting new products in the mail every month, it's a special surprise that you treat yourself to. 

It's not just the products and idea of Birchbox that is wonderful, it's the company itself. The customer service is great and everything runs smoothly when dealing with them.

If you have the extra money, definitely sign up.

Lilly Pulitzer

This was definitely my #1 during 2012. As a sorority girl, I felt it was my duty to start liking Lilly and I definitely did. 

I bought so many accessories in a variety of Lilly prints, it was obnixious. My little made me a Lilly paddle, I finally got a Lilly scarf, and lets not forget my Lilly planner.

The story of Lilly Pulitzer is a great one and I love what it stands for--fun, strong, empowering women. Lilly is fun and carefree, I'm totally in love with the brand!

I went Lilly Pulitzer crazy this year and I'm sure 2013 will be even more Lilly-fied.

What were your favorite brands and companies in 2012?

If you're on the East Coast, you are surely preparing for the apocalypse aka Hurricane Sandy. For days the media has been building up Sandy creating sheer panic across the states.

Here in New York, the rain hasn't started yet but school has been cancelled for today AND tomorrow. My hometown is near a beach town and people are posting pictures of the flooding and the huge waves. It's rather scary.

Here in New Rochelle, there's some wind but nothing drastic but me and my roommates are still prepared; we bought candles, flashlights, junk food, and duct taped our windows up.

But, with two days to completely relax, we're bound to get a little bored so here's some tips to stay busy while held up inside and take advantage of Sandy.

1. Catch up on your TV shows

The weekdays are super busy in my neck of the woods so I rarely get time to sit down and watch television anymore. I'm taking full advantage of today and catching up on Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, and whatever else my heart desires.

2. Do those Pinterest crafts you've been waiting for

We all have a board on pinterest full of fun crafts and DIY projects that we never have a chance to do. Take some materials from around the house and get crafting! You finally have the time.

3. Finish that book that is sitting on your night stand.

I've been reading Prep for months now and feel like I'm nowhere near finished. I just don't have the time to read nowadays so these next two days are perfect for finishing whatever book you have in your hand. This is the perfect activity if the power goes out so get ready!

4. Online Shop

If your bank account can handle it, treat yourself to those new winter boots or that cute wallet you've been eyeing. I am broke therefore I'll be window online shopping all day, especially with the new Maybooks and MayNotes designs.

5. Catch up on homework and busywork

If you've been running behind on applying to internships or writing that paper that is due next week, this is the perfect chance to do so. Make a to-do list and set aside a portion of the relaxing day to be productive!

For all of those who needed a break from school and regular life, Sandy is the perfect chance so thank you mother nature, just please be kind to us! Everyone stay safe!