Cheers to One Year!

| Shirt (similar) | Shorts | Belt | Shoes | Earrings | Watch |

I can't believe I've been blogging for a year now! This blog just started off as a way for the me have something to do during my summer but it has become more than that now. It is my way to express my creative side as well as being my stress reliever from school. I am so proud of how much it has grown and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

xoxo,

Madie

Thursday Threes

I've decided to do a weekly post about three things that have happened in my week. I feel this will help readers get to know me better. I'm also hoping it will show more about my life and what is important to me. These are my favorite types of posts to read from other bloggers, so I hope you'll enjoy mine.

|1|

It's the first week of summer and I'm so happy about it. I got to go on a picnic and hike already. I almost stepped on a turtle which would have been unfortunate. It was a really simple picnic, but a great way to start the summer. 

|2|

This summer I'm making a point of spending as much time with my friends as possible. We had a bonfire this week which was a blast. Everything from the s'mores to the ukuleles made it a night to remember! 

|3|

I got this pocket tee from Frat Collection this week and I am in love with it! It's so comfortable and will be perfect for the fourth of July. I am definitely planning of getting more shirts from Frat Collection. 

Any fun plans this summer?

xoxo,

Maddie

Summer Bucket List

This was part of summer link-up! Go check it out here!

xoxo,

Maddie

What I Learned From Junior Year

It's finally over. I got through the year the year that was supposed to be the hardest one of all. And most importantly, I'm still alive and well. These year wasn't what I would call easy. With the ACT, managing clubs, sports, blogging and trying to maintain my GPA, it left little time to relax. This year definitely had tears, but there were also tons of great times that I will never forget. 

For me, this year really showed me that hard work pays off. I studied for my ACT for months and I am so proud of myself for my score. The studying started in July when I got my book and continued to October when I took the test the first time. Keeping my GPA was my biggest priority this year. I had tried hard in my freshman and sophomore year, but that was nothing compared to this year. Three AP classes was enough to keep me on my toes, as well as a teacher who only put in grades once a semester... at the end. I had no idea what I was getting in that class which was super stressful. The outcome of this year really showed that the work paid off. Staying up late a few times and talking to teachers helped me this year. Overall it proved that hard work does pay off. 

The biggest lesson of all was to find ways to relax. I put a lot of pressure on myself this year and at times it proved to be too much. It was clear that I needed a way to relax and calm down. Chai tea was my life saver. I currently have about 5 different types in my house because was how much I drank. The act of making the tea and slowly drinking it, calmed me down and helped relieve my stress induced headaches. Running also helped a bunch. Going out and taking a run made me forget about any of my worries for the time being. The short reprieve made me ready to go for whatever came at me. Take the time to find what helps you relax because if you don't the year is going to be that much harder for you. 

Coming to the realization that I don't have to be perfect was a hard one for me this year. I am under falsehood that I am perfect in anyway. That sure didn't stop me from trying to be. Whether it was with friends, soccer or school, everything I did this year I wanted to be perfect. Sometimes things don't work out and it can be a hard pill to swallow. You just have to take a deep breath and keep going.

Part of me is so sad that junior year is over. I have had a great time getting to know my friends better and I had some amazing classes that I will miss. This year was one for the books and I am so blessed that everything ended out the way it did. 

Now of course for the year in pictures:

I guess there were good things about cross country

Gross Picture. Best Friend.

I took too many pictures of my feet this year

Still too proud of this whale

There were a large number of college tours this year and I'm so nervous to start applying!

Now on to senior year!

xoxo,

Maddie

Best of May

// Shorts // Leggings // Watch // Dress // 

      My birthday was this month so obviously some of my gifts happen to be my favorites, such as the leggings and the watch. The Lulu lemon leggings are so much nicer than I thought they would be! I already want another pair. The watch was great to get since this is my first nice watch. I probably won't wear it a lot now that it is warm outside but it is so pretty either way. 

   You can tell that the weather is getting warmer with my favorites. For the last week it has finally been warm enough to wear shorts. (the weather jumped from 60 to 85 degrees!) I have also started drinking a lot of Starbucks iced chai. It is my favorite drink for the summer. The warm weather has also allowed me to start wearing dresses again which is really nice for school. 

May always goes by really fast in my house. Every kid has their birthday which makes the house crazy. There also is the added fact that school is ending soon so the excitement of that makes everything fly by. 

What have you liked this month?

xoxo,

Maddie 

Stripes. Stripes. Stripes.

//  Dress // Purse // Espadrille // Shorts // Top // 

Stripes have always been such a summer thing for me and I think it has to do with it being a nautical look. This year I have been finding so many cute striped things on sale that it has been hard for me not to buy all of them. I figured that I should round up some of my favorite striped things and share them with all of you! I just bought the dress and it is the most comfortable one that I own! I love the criss-cross on the back the most! The espadrilles are definitely on my current wish list.  I hope this gives you some pre-summer shopping inspiration!

What's your favorite?

xoxo,

Maddie

Great Lakes Clothing Company

Great Lakes Clothing Company has become my favorite company this year. They make  pocket tees, baseball hats, cabin crews and other super cute accessories. Since it has become such a great company I figured I would share my top 5 favorite parts of the brand. 

1. It is Midwest based- There are so many companies that sell shirts and similar items, but most of them are based out of the east coast or the south. It is so nice to see a company based out of the Midwest. By being Midwest based, the company is perfect for me. It is all about the lake life and to me that is the best part about living near the Great Lakes. 

2. Everything is made in the USA- Everything by this company is made in America. I am normally not too picky about where my clothes are from, but it is really great to know that your purchase is helping US jobs. It also helps that I love America so anything related with it is a good thing. 

3. Amazing Quality- The quality of this company is superb. The shirts are thicker than most which is great for those winter days and summer bonfires when it cools down. I haven't had an issue with anything pilling or strings coming undone. 

4. Fantastic Customer Service- Great Lakes Clothing Co. has the best customer service. With each order you are sent a postcard written by the owners personally thanking you for the order. (you also get adorable sticker but that is besides the point) Anytime I email customer service I get a response very quickly and they are always ready to help. 

5. Everything Looks Great- All of the shirts fit really well. They aren't as baggy as other brands which I really like. This is not to say that the shirts are fitted. They are the perfect in between. The prints on the shirts are tailored to the Midwest but could be worn everywhere.  My favorite print is the Adirondack shirt because relaxing near the water is my favorite thing to do all summer. 

// Long Sleeve // Short Sleeve // Cabin Crew // Hat // 

Go check Great Lakes Clothing Co. out!

xoxo,

Maddie

This post is in no way affiliated with Great Lakes Clothing Company. All opinions are my own.