April was a bit of a wacky month for me. My friend from Germany visited at the end of March, which threw my first week of April off balance since I didn’t prep for the week like normal. And then, in the middle of April, I went to Virginia for a weekend, which threw me off again for an entire week. Even though it was a bit wonky, I made some amazing memories with old and new friends, and found some new things to love. Let’s get started with my April favorites!

1. Dresses with Jean Jackets
I’m the queen of wearing a self-imposed uniform, and I can already tell my spring go-to outfit is going to consist of jean jackets and dresses. It’s seriously the easiest combo to throw on, and I instantly feel more put together than I do with any other pairing. I also love it because, for me, it’s work appropriate with a good pair of flats. You can dress it up with heels, or dress it down with sneakers (my pick is always white Converse). It also instantly makes any dress look more day-time appropriate.

2. Podcasts
I’ve been listening to podcasts like crazy — when I’m at work, when I’m folding laundry, when I’m cooking dinner. Seriously, it’s been non-stop. I think I like podcasts more than audiobooks because I don’t have to devote my attention to them entirely. It’s like watching “Friends” for the 100th time — you can throw it on in the background, and you won’t really miss anything (unlike an audiobook which I felt I had to listen to very intently). Here are some of my favorite podcasts so far:

• Gilmore Guys — Hosted by Kevin (long time fan) and Demi (first time viewer) where they break down each episode with fun bits and just talk about each episode.
• Young PR Pros — This podcast is hosted by a handful of PR professionals in Canada at different points in their careers. They give advice about jobs in general and working in the public relations field.
• No Such Thing As A Fish — This is a weekly podcast from Quite Interesting where four researchers share the most interesting facts they learned over the last week, and then they discuss. It’s really entertaining, and I can’t listen to it at work because I laugh too hard.

3. Chokers
I think I jumped on this bandwagon way past its prime, but I’m finally into chokers. Sticking with my classic style, I prefer dainty chokers to thick ribbons around my neck. There’s just something about this style that makes me feel like I’m at least a little bit fashionable. I also like them because they work with almost any neckline and you can layer necklaces more easily.

4. The Financial Diet
Ever since moving out on my own and starting a career, I’ve been highly anxious about money (truthfully, I’ve always been anxious about money, but now, it’s actually based on something real — being on my own and having to live within my budget). I found this YouTube channel called, “The Financial Diet,” and it’s been an awesome resource for me. With tips from how to budget for a big move to things the creators wish they had known before they accepted a job offer, TFD has something for everyone looking to be a little more responsible with their money. They also have a book that I’m planning to read in the near future!

5. My Used “Winnie-the-Pooh” Book Collection
It might be a bit pre-mature to say I have a used book collection dedicated to Winnie-the-Pooh, but I started this month, and I am obsessed. I went to Norfolk to visit my best friend this month, and every time I visit, we always go to this amazing used bookstore nearby called “The Way We Were.” He always finds incredible books, and we could seriously spend hours tucked into the corners of this store. During this trip, he happened to find an old, battered copy of “Winnie the Pooh” from 1926 (the year it was originally published), and offered it to me to purchase, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it, so I let him take it. He has an awesome relationship with the shop owner, and he ended up just giving him the book, which he then ended up giving to me. I may or may not have cried a little, and I get so excited when I see this displayed on my bookshelf every day. I know this is just the start of what is going to be an incredibly meaningful collection to me.

6. Bullet Journaling
I’ve been bullet journaling since the beginning of 2018. I was looking for a way to utilize my planner without have three different notebooks. I was using the Passion Planner for a little bit, but ultimately, it wasn’t for me. I felt over-managed with it’s hourly scheduling instead of organized and efficient. If you don’t know, with bullet journaling, you start with a blank notebook and basically create your own planner to fit your lifestyle. The basic premise of bullet journaling is to be as simple as possible, but it’s turned into a very flowery way to be artistic and organized. When I originally started bullet journaling, I kept things pretty black and white. But in April, I decided to be a little more creative and utilize some of the spreads I saw online like mood trackers, habit trackers, and more. I absolutely loved setting it up and stretching my creative muscles. Even though I’m not the best sketcher in the world, I still try to have fun drawing and making simple doodles. I also felt like this layout kept me more focused on my work and personal goals this month, which is the main reason I switched to bullet journaling in the first place. I’ve already set up my May spreads, and I’m so excited to get started with the fresh month!

Let me know what you’ve been loving throughout April in the comments below!

Happy adventuring,
Kimberly