Saving and Making Money in the Summer

Sell your clothes: 
Each season I clean out my closet and take the clothes that I don't want anymore to Plato's Closet to earn so extra cash. Sometimes my parents will send some clothes along and will let me keep all of the money that Plato's offers which comes in handy throughout the year. I've earned anywhere between $20-$150 with the clothes I have taken in. I recommend checking your local Plato's to see what items they are currently in need of to earn some cash.

You can also sell used books at used bookstores such as Half Priced Books! I have sold a lot of books there and usually get a fair amount of money back.

Keep your change:
 I keep whatever coins I get back from purchases and place them in a container to take to a coin counter later. My parents do the same thing and then cash the coins in right before vacations for spending money! At school I kept my coins in a plastic bag and then would bring those coins home to add to my container. The coins really do add up! I'll be taking the coins in at the end of the summer to get cash back and then I will with deposit the money or keep it for spending money at school!

 The container that I keep my coins in. (It also has a lid with handles)

Sports Lessons: 
During the summer, I teach tennis through a tennis camp in my town, but will also be giving lessons on the side the summer after some people asked me to. Giving sports lessons means that you can plan around your schedule because it's not a full time job. 

Barista: 
Yes, this is a lot of work, but if you are good enough barista and are nice to your costumers, the tips could become a big part of your summer cash! Also, think about the coffee drinks you can create! 

Babysitting/Nannying: 
Become a licensed babysitter and babysit around your community. Make sure you are trained in CPR and First Aid and have references. Also consider dog sitting, house sitting, or flower watering (a job that I did when I was younger, but the money was fantastic!). 

iPhone 6 Cases

So I just got the iPhone 6 and here are some of the cases that have caught my eye: 

via Polyvore 

1 / 2 / 3/ 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

Other cases that caught my eye:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

and 

Here is the case that I bought

Sonix 

Gifts for High School Graduates

water bottle | notepad | Alex and Ani bracelet |

 | coloring book | pens | Birkenstocks | sunglasses | wallet 

I can't believe that it as almost been a year since I graduated high school. Here are some gifts that I would recommend either gifting, or buying with money that you receive at graduation. 

Personally, I think a small wallet and a water bottle are two of the most important things to have at college because you can just grab both and go. This Tory Burch wallet is the perfect size to just throw in your backpack without taking up much room! I personally use either a Nalgene or Camelbak for my water bottle, but I saw this Kate Spade water bottle and thought it would be perfect for this guide! 

The Adult Coloring book will come in handy when you want to destress during the week. I like these coloring books because the pictures are detailed and are more than just cartoon characters. Similar books are available from Barnes and Noble and Amazon. 

Also, I am obsessed with Birkenstocks! They are perfect to just throw on with jeans and a simple shirt to add to a comfortable outfit! 

I also recommend typing up a list of advice for your friends that are graduating. I got one such list from a friend that is a year ahead of me and it really did help me get through freshman year! Some of the tips she gave me were to Go Greek and to study for exams well ahead of time (not that I always did that). 

Also, here's a throwback to my high school graduation. I loved the Lilly Pulitzer dress that I wore! 

Follow Hoosier State of Prep on Bloglovin' and Instagram for the latest updates! 

Mainly Monday

Happy Memorial Day! I'm spending the morning packing and watching tennis after a great weekend of Indianapolis 500 and spending time with friends!  Thank you to those who have served our country! 

- Chicago -

I'll be going to Chicago later today and I cannot wait! It's one of my favorite cities to visit and plus I get to meet Dayna from Monogrammed Mermaid! I'll also be going to a Cubs game (I wish it was a Blackhawks game, but I guess that I can't complain too much). 

- Flowers -

I'm so excited that I can have flowers in my room now that I'm home! I love the little color that the flowers add to my room in the summertime. I got these sunflowers last week and that added the perfect amount of color to my room! 

via Instagram @hoosierstateofprep

- Roland Garros -

The 2015 French Open is officially underway as of yesterday and I'm hoping the iPhone app can keep me updated on the matches tomorrow as I'll be in Chicago. I'm quite excited about a new male player Borna Coric because he's not even 19 yet and he's already making quite a splash in the tennis world! Of course, I can't forget Roger Federer. Hoping grand slam #18 might happen this summer. A girl can hope right?  

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

Surprise! There's another Kate Spade Surprise Sale. Is it really a surprise? Not really. These sales happen way to often to be a surprise anymore. 

Here are my picks for the current Kate Spade Surprise Sale:

Sawyer Street Maxi 

Highland Place Katie 

Montigo Avenue Toucan Emanuelle 

Palm Springs or Bust Small Coal 

My family and I may be spending Thanksgiving break in Palm Springs, so this tote would be perfect! 

All photos via Kate Spade 

What are your favorite Kate Spade pieces at the moment?

Mainly Monday

| Tank Dresses |

|| Yesterday's post ||

PC: Brooke N 

Confession: I'm still insanely obsessed with t-shirt and tank dresses. 

I thoroughly believe that most of my dresses will be tank or t-shirt dresses by the end of the summer. 

Here are some dresses that I'm obsessed with: one | two | three

| Tassels |

Yes, like almost every other blogger, I am currently obsessed with tassel jewelry. I recently ordered these tassel bracelets from Purple Peridot and I cannot wait to style them for a post! I really want to make some of my own tassel bracelets, but I have feeling that I would just give up in the middle of the process. 

| Crafting |

Like almost every other sorority/college girl, I am currently obsessed with crafting. However, that doesn't mean that I'm good at it. 

Example of my struggling skills:

| If anyone has some crafting advice, please tell me |

| Pitch Perfect 2 |

I saw Pitch Perfect 2 this weekend was very impressed, however I do wish that there had been more moments between Beca and Jesse (Anna and Sklyar). I definitely recommend checking out the album on iTunes and seeing the movie. 

Outfit: Vacation at Home

My Outfit: Dress (similar) | Kimono  | Necklace (similar) | Shoes | Bracelets 1 & 2 

Ashley's Outfit: Shirt | Shorts (similar) | Shoes (similar)

Photocreds to Ashely's sister, Brooke Neubaum. 

My high school friend Ashley and I both love traveling, so we thought we would shoot a post with outfits that we would wear to dinner on vacation. We thought that this greenway in town reminded us of South Carolina and the work trips that we used to go on down by Charleston. 

I love this dress! It's one of my favorite t-shirt swing dresses and I previously wore it in a post from spring break! I also got this Free People shirt from Nordstrom Rack and I love Nordstrom Rack's Free People selection! 

Book Store Wandering

Yesterday, my first official day of summer, my friend Leanna and I decided to find a used book store and see what it had to offer. Now an excursion to the town it's located in always includes my GPS sending us in the wrong direction which ends in us getting lost. However, after a few wrong turns, Leanna and I were able to find this little, used book store in the middle of a residential area in the town. 

It started raining cats and dogs as soon as we got near the bookstore and by the time we got into the store, my tote and Leanna's shoes were soaked. 

Leanna took this photo of the cat because I looked in the window and pointed at it while yelling "CAT, THERE'S A CAT IN THE WINDOW".  I promise I'm normal, really. 

All pictures taken at Hyde Brothers in Fort Wayne, IN. 

Leanna purchased some old maps for her boyfriend and I purchased a book titled Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante. 

Later in the day, we ran to Barnes and Noble where I purchased three more books: 

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn 

and

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I am so excited to read this summer without having to do a summer assignment to go along with the novels!

My Summer Reading List:

•  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (Currently Reading)
• Stiff by Mary Roach
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Already started)
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed
• The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling
• 18Q4 by Haruki Murakami 

My goal for this summer is to read at least these ten books and maybe more. 
To keep updated on what I have read this summer, check out my Summer Reading Link

What books are you planning to read this summer?

Mainly Monday

It's the first Monday of summer and I could not be happier with the fact that I am home. Although, who wants to come and help me unpack?

Today's Mainly Monday picks:

Nordstrom Rack
        I forgot how much I love Nordstrom Rack! While I was in Indy this weekend, I was able to find a new pair of Jack Rogers, several Free People pieces, and a new pair of white jeans! I can't wait to wear them all this summer!

Free People Kimono

Jack Rogers Georgica Jelly Sandal 

Jack Rogers Marbella Mid Wedge

Cafe Patachou
        If you are ever in Indy for the weekend and looking for a place for brunch, I highly recommend Cafe Patachou. There is a location downtown and then several in the surrounding area! 

Sourdough toast, fruit, strawberry jam, Indiana bacon, cream cheese and mushroom omelet 

Kenny Chesney Concert
        Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a huge fan of country music, so I was skeptical when my mom told me that we were going to the Kenny Chesney concert this weekend. However, I loved it! Old Dominion, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice, and Eric Church opened for Kenny and the concert lasted about 6 hours. It was so long, but such a good time.

Chase Rice (In a custom Indy Colts jersey) and Kenny Chesney

Check back tomorrow for a somewhat adventurous post!

Looking Back at Freshman Year

Looking back at my freshman year of college, it wasn't exactly what I expected. Now that I'm done with my freshman year and will be headed to Indy for a concert with my parents, I have realized that I am so grateful for how it did turn out. 

What I expected:

1. Becoming best friends with my suite mate because that's just something that happens to some people.
2. To get all A's and an amazing GPA.
3. Rush and become a member of the sorority that all of these adults said that I would fit into.
4. To not gain the Freshman 15.
5. To actually like using the bus system instead of a car. 
6. To watch great football games with my friends. 
7. To try all of the local international cuisine on 4th St. 
8. To not miss my parents.

What happened:

None of these.

1. My suite mate and I are not friends whatsoever and only talk when one of us locks ourself out of the suite. 
2. That all A's goal definitely did not happen no matter how hard I studied because I did horrible on tests. Thankfully, my psychology professor has diagnosed me with test anxiety and now I have changed my test taking strategies to get the grades on tests that I want. I guess it's a little too late though. At least my GPA was about a 3.0 right?
3. I may not have become a member of the sorority that everyone thought I would be a part of, but I am so thankful to be a sister of Phi Mu because it is truly where I belong and throughout the rush process I could not see myself anywhere else. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The freshman 15 was definitely gained. I'll be hitting the tennis court and the gym if you need me when I get home. 
5. ***Excuse me while I sound like a snob****. I hate the bus system. It smells bad. The drivers are rude. People don't shower, and it's not very reliable. So thankful that I'll have my car next year so that I can drive to the mall and grocery store instead of taking the bus. I'll only have to take one bus to campus from the house so I guess I'll deal with that. 
6. The football games at IU are definitely not what I'm used to. I'm a Notre Dame fan through and through and watching IU football games was very painful. However, how about those new recruits for IUBB? *insert smirking emoji*
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Yeah, I never made it to 4th street, maybe next year?
8. Being an only child that has traveled the world without my parents, I thought it would be easy to get along without them.  I was wrong. I am so happy to be going home and to be able to see my parents everyday. Not to mention I miss my mom's cooking and dad's grilling skills. 

To incoming freshman, no matter what school you're going to, it will not turn out like you expected. Your college experience will not be like your parents'  or your older siblings'. I am so thankful that my Freshman year turned out the way it did. 

Hold on, this is about to sound like an awards ceremony: 

Thank you Sarah, Elaine, Jaleecia, Wei, Stone, and Jon for being great friends from my dorm floor and putting up with me when I'm in a bad mood. Huge thanks to Sydney for being a friend from home that I can vent to, I'll probably cry if you transfer to Furman. Thank you to my amazing sisters, especially Lakin, Cara, and the Molls (Mollie and Molly), for an amazing second semester and I can't wait for the memories to come. Last but not least, thank you Leanna and Ashley for not disowning me as a friend since you guys go to Purdon't, oops I meant Purdue, and I go to IU. Freshman year would not have gone like it did without all of you. 

Thanks for the memories!

Peace out Bloomington, see you when I visit in the summer,