Summer Shenanigans | Week Nine

HELLO TO ALL MY BEAUTIFUL FOLLOWERS (AND TO ALL MY FIRST-TIME VISITORS)!

I am bringing this Sunday Update to you on my brand-new Dell laptop that I got on sale at Office Depot (woot woot)! I am typing this quite late, but I am only partially asleep because I just got home from a HUGE dorm/college supplies shopping trip with one of my best friends. I saved a ton of money because it was tax-free weekend here in Tennessee.

As most of you know, I was on vacation in Florida this past week, so I'm just going to take you all through what I did on my trip. I'm still reading on College Rules! and I am almost done typing up a review for The Maybe Boyfriend. I started listening to the Daily French Podcast almost everyday to help keep my fluency in French, and I'm in love with it, even when it is challenging!

Monday: We went to Clearwater Beach and ate at Crabby's, though we didn't go into the water because there was a rip current advisory and no-swim flags flying. After that, we went to the Dunedin Causeway and enjoyed the view of the bay from a much less wave-y area.

Tuesday: We drove to Safety Harbor and grabbed Coldstone Creamery (my favorite!). I go the Apple Pie a la Coldstone in a cup and it was DELICIOUS! Also, it was my friend/fellow blogger Jasmine's birthday (go hit her up on Instagram @stayclassybyjazzy and on YouTube Stay Classy by Jazzy)!

Wednesday: I went fishing with my grandpa on his new boat. I caught two catfish; one small, one decently big. The highlight of the fishing trip was getting to see a manatee for the first time ever in the wild; it was so mesmerizing! I got a pretty bad sunburn on my stomach though! After that, we had dinner at my great uncle and aunt's house with their grandchildren.

Thursday: We took my mom's boyfriend to Spring Hill to drop him off at his brother's, as well as to see his dad (practically my step-grandpa). We all went to lunch together in Hernando Beach at a place called The Cove where we could see turtles and even an alligator swimming in the channel right behind the restaurant! It was another friend's birthday, but I forgot to wish g=her a happy birthday until Friday morning.

Friday: My mom and I took a trip to Clearwater Beach where I FINALLY got to go swimming in the ocean. I spent a good hour and a half or more just walking and treading water alone in the ocean; it was so relaxing and beautiful. To make the day even better, we went parasailing for the first time since I was just a wee tot! The view from up there was breath-taking, and all we could hear up there was the gentle breeze and each other. We met up with my grandparents for lunch at a restaurant called Eve's that my great-grandmother used to always take my mom and grandmother to. After taking a break at home, my grandma and I went shopping at Goodwill, where I picked up a cardigan, a blouse, and a pair of vintage heels! I also got a pair of leggings, but they had a huge run and a couple holes in them :(

Saturday: We drove home :(((((((

Sunday (aka today): I went to church with one of my guy friends and obviously spent the rest of the day shopping haha!

I am so thankful that I was able to go on this trip; it definitely helped me relax and relieved a lot of the stress I've been bottling up over the past couple months. I really feel like I'm truly in a great mindset to start college, but I still have to wait a few more weeks!

I will see you guys again next Sunday!

Bisoux!

Catheryn❤❤

Summer Shenanigans | Week Eight

Wow, another update a day late. I’m sorry you guys. I’ve been traveling A TON the past few days, and this is the first chance I’ve really had to sit down and type up this post. 

I did pick up another book, as featured on my Instagram (@thebooklioness). It’s called College Rules! and it’s all about how to survive going into college. I love it so far, and I’m pretty sure I’ve underlined something on almost every page. Since it’s not a book I’m reviewing, but I feel like I can do both a book and lifestyle related post on it, I’m planning to post my top 10 or so favorite quotes from the book so you college kids out there can take some tips with you. 

I’m not going to lie, this past week has been really hard for me. I’ve been struggling with my anxiety as well as some other unrelated issues, and I’ve been under a lot of stress at work lately. But thankfully, I am now on vacation, relaxing and recharging. Saturday morning we left Nashville, Tennessee to go to Franklin, North Carolina for a family reunion. Then Sunday morning we left to go to Oldsmar, Florida, a small town right outside of Tampa. I am taking lots and pictures of videos for you guys, don’t worry!

Since I’m in the middle of visiting family, I’m gonna cut this post short. I’ll fill you all in on Sunday. 

Love you all!

Cat💕

How I Made My First Budget!

Y’all, I’m so excited for this post because it will be the first of my new lifestyle posts to help expand the content of my blog!

Just as a foreword: most people calculate their income by their upcoming paychecks during the month, but since I am paid the last weekday of each month, I base my income off my paycheck for the previous month. 

Step One: I figured out how much I would be paid by looking at my payroll receipt a few days before payroll was deposited. 

Step Two: I created several categories for my spending to fall under: gas, groceries, fast food/restaurants, beauty, health, entertainment, planner supplies/stationery, other. 

Step Three: This one was the weird part for me because I’ve never really calculated how much I spend on certain things. I played around with different allotted amounts for each category until I felt confident that each category had enough money, but not too much. I kept my total allotted amount around $150 less than my income so I could set that money aside for savings. 

Step Four: I put my spending goals into my bullet journal alongside with a Remaining Funds tracker for each category. 

Step Five: I write down the date and type of purchase every time I buy something, as well as how much money is remaining in that category.

Bam! That’s it! I am by no means a professional budget maker or financial advisor, so this may not work for everyone, but if you’re wanting to start a simple budget or try monitoring how much your spending, I think is was a great way to get started!

Message me on Instagram if you have any questions!

❤️ Catheryn

Summer Shenanigans | Week Seven

You guys are going to be so proud of me! I’m not typing this at 9 pm (or later)!

I’m actually typing this while in the last hour and a half of a 9 hour drive home from Michigan. This won’t be posted until I get home, though, so I don’t have to use any data. 

Here’s my updates for the week:

I finished The Maybe Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin and LOVED IT! I have not yet started on another book. The review should be posted soon. 

I left for Michigan Thursday afternoon and will have gotten back shortly before this post goes live. I was up there to celebrate my graduation with my mom’s family. 

While up there, I did a TERRIBLE job of keeping up with all my habits, especially with working out. I have no regrets, though, and I’m glad I was able to devote that time to being with my grandparents. 

Work has been a nightmare, and I was very relieved when I left for my trip. A break was definitely what I needed to get my mindset back into a good place. 

On Monday afternoon, I got to sit down and have some delicious coffee with one of my good church friends to just talk with her and get to know each other a little better. On Wednesday evening, I got to see two friends that moved to Texas several years ago and that I have barely seen since. We had a yummy meal at Cracker Barrel and had a joyous reunion, tears included. They leave to go back tomorrow, but I hope to see them again soon. 

Besides that, I don’t think there’s anything else to update you guys on! I have my Budget Making post typed up and ready to go, so that should be posted within the next few days!

I hope you all have a safe and blessed week!

Love, Cat 💕

Summer Shenanigans | Week Six

It’s 9:46 pm where I live, and guess who’s up typing her weekly blog post because she was crazy busy all day and procrastinated on pre-typing the blog post. (Hint: it’s me!) Since I’m exhausted off the wazoo, let’s get started so I can go to bed as soon as possible. 

For reading, I’m still working on The Maybe Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin. I’m about 70% of the way through, and I’m hooked. If you want to keep up with my reading progress for any books, or to know when I start/finish a book before my Sunday Updates go live, go friend me on Goodreads (I believe I’m under Catheryn Bolick).

For my bullet journal this week, I have crafted THE CUTEST spread ever, featuring mason lanterns, fireflies, fairy lights, and gold glitter washi tape! Keep an eye on my Instagram (@thebooklioness) for a picture! I love the way my budget page is working, even if I don’t completely like how the bottom turned out. I’m hoping to make a post about how I set up my first budget for those of you wanting ideas or tips. 

For workouts, I have still been following Cassey Ho’s Blogilates POP Pilates Beginner’s Challenge. I missed my workout Wednesday because I was celebrating the Fourth of July, and I missed yesterday because of how busy I was. I did still get workouts in both days, I just didn’t do the Blogilates videos. 

As for work, I’ve been really busy. Even when there are no patrons, I still have to manage all the chemicals, plan our end-of-summer party/in-service, get everyone’s last days, and a million other things. The craziness never ends, and I really need a break soon (which I will be getting in a few days since I’m going on a trip to Michigan)!

As for other miscellaneous things, Tuesday night I went to a devotional for college students and had fun, though I think I’m leaning towards the other Tuesday night service I went to the week before this past one. Wednesday I went to a local lake to go fishing and tube-floating with my mom and her boyfriend, and I’m the afternoon/evening we went to a neighbor’s house to celebrate the Fourth of July with good food and loud fireworks. Saturday night I got to go watch the Nashville Soccer Club play at the big football stadium in downtown Nashville with one of my closest friends; I had a blast and my voice is still recovering. The had a spectacular fireworks show afterwards. This evening, I went to a prayer and worship night that my campus ministry hosted, and it was very moving to see so many people all coming together to publicly pray for the students of MTSU. I managed to get on-stage and say a prayer of my own for girls struggling with their self-image, especially girls with eating disorders, which was a huge moment for me since I have pretty debilitating anxiety when it comes to public speaking, even more so when speaking about a topic so close to my heart. My friend, however, was there to support me afterwards, and I’m so very grateful that I met her. I hope the Lord moves on the campus of MTSU, and I hope to be a part of that change. 

With that, I’ll close out this blog post. 

If you are curious about my faith, or would like to learn more about who I believe in, please feel free to direct message me on Instagram. 

I love you all and I hope you have a great week. 

Catheryn ❤️

Summer Shenanigans | Week Five

So it’s 9:57 pm where I live and I just realized I haven’t posted anything for this week’s update for my Summer Shenanigans series. If there are typos or things that don’t make sense, I will apologize now. 

For reading, I started The Maybe Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin (Book Six in The Boyfriend Series). So far I absolutely love it, but I’m wishing I’d gone back to The Almost Boyfriend to get a refresher on all that went on with the characters. 

Work was about the same this week. I finally got my first paycheck, and it was mighty pretty. It feels weird to have a decent amount of money in my bank account again, but I’m definitely not complaining. This brings me to my next point...

I started my first budget! I’m thinking about actually doing a post specifically for how I made my budget to kick off the Lifestyle portion of my blog, so keep an eye out for that!

For working out, I have fallen madly in love with Blogilates. I started Cassey’s Beginner Challenge on Monday, and I already feel stronger and more confident. I love how she reiterates the importance of working towards being stronger rather than skinnier because all body shapes are beautiful. 

On Tuesday night, I was invited to go to a college church service with some friends from work, and I really enjoyed it. We went to get donuts afterwards (I could only get water due to my gluten intolerance) and they were all so fun to hang out with!

On Saturday, I volunteered my time and talent to help paint a mural in the town I live in from 8 am to 2 pm. It was open to the public, and we had so many people come out from the community to help out, even little kids! You can check the pictures out on my personal Instagram (@catherynamber). 

Saturday evening I traveled with my mom and her boyfriend, as well as my mom’s boss, to a family friend’s baby shower a few hours away. It was really fun and I got to see some boys I’ve grown up with that I haven’t seen in awhile, plus there were fireworks and yummy food, so I had a great time. 

Other than that, I don’t think there’s much else to talk about. It’s been crazy hot and humid where I live, and I’m honestly surprised I didn’t melt while making the mural. 

I’m sorry this post is going up so late, and I hope you understand. 

I love you all very much ❤️

Catheryn