Preppy Shoe Care

Hey ya'll! So the other day, I was cleaning  out my closet and thought about how I need to "update" my shoes. So I bought some new shoes (yes I will post about them) but I also decided to clean my old ones. (Yes, I know this is a weird topic) All of the shoes I cleaned are listed below, and the step by step instructions of how I cleaned them! (The brands are in alphabetical order just to make things a little easier :))

Chaco's

Chaco's are, the bomb.com. Mine have lasted for 6 years, and they're the most comfortable shoe for hiking, camping, biking, and outdoors adventure basically. So here is my pair:

The straps you see are all one long strap (plus a smaller on for the heel) that complete a loop and form the shoe so that you can adjust the straps by sliding them in and out to make it fit your foot! The shoe itself does not get dirty, but due to this cool feature, the toe strap can be put down to transform into another style most commonly worn by men. I put mine down for about 2 years and when I tried to pull it back up, it was stuck! After doing a little research, I found out that many people fix this problem by doing these steps.

Step 1: Try to adjust the straps as much as you can, it's okay if they  don't budge!

Step 2: Pour one teaspoon of fabric softener into the opening of whichever straps aren't budging.

Step 3: Throw them into the washing machine with cold water, into a "mini" load

Step 4: When thee wash is done, your straps should budge and your soles should look just like new! There's no need to put them in the dryer!

Flats

No, this is not how to clean flats as that would vary depending on what they're made out of. This is really just a super weird way to fix getting blisters or just having tight areas!

Step 1: Blow dry one shoe at a time making sure you get the areas that put the most pressure on your foot. 

Step 2: Put a fluffy/thick sock on the foot of the shoe that you are blow drying, and put that shoe on your foot while it is still warm.

Step 3: Do the same to the opposite shoe, then put them on.

Step 4: Walk around in them till they're cooled

Step 5: Take off your socks and put your flats back on (comfy, right?!)

Is the back of your flat still rubbing you?

Apply a little bit of deodorant where the shoe is rubbing your heel. Now you're done!

Jack Rogers

So Jack Rogers is one of my favorite brands. Simply because of great quality! I have had mine for almost 3 years now and they're at their best! Jack Rogers don't get dirty, but because I'm very specific on details, I decided to spiffy them up just a bit! ***Note: I have always wanted the soles of mine darker to make nail polish colors pop, so the last step is how I did that, if you are only wanting to clean your soles, do not go on past the next to last step! Here's what you'll need:

All this is, is some saddle soap (leather soap). When I first heard that I'd be needing this, I got a little worried. How was I going to find saddle soap??? Turns out it's inexpensive, and one of my friends has horses, so she chopped off a little piece for me. I go to town with this step, so as you can see, this little smidget has lasted me a while. Then, you'll need a wash cloth, and a couple tooth picks.

Here's a picture of my Jack Rogers before just so you can compare them. My main focus was to get the dirt build out from the small hold designs, out from there the heel platform starts next to the arch, and to darken the sole as well as seal the cracks.

Step 1: Detailing

Simply use your toothpick to get the dirt build up out of the details, and creases. This will take a couple toothpicks, and don't be worried about pressing too hard! It takes A LOT to get the heel detailing to come off.

Here's what my Jack's looked like after! Clean, just the way I like it :)

Step 2: Soaping Up

This is a step that is a necessity when it comes to cleaning all leather. On the left, you will see the before, and on the right, you will see the during. Don't worry!!! After this process your Jack's will NOT be all brown, they will turn back to the regular color after drying and have a thin layer of sealant over them.

For this step, simply dampen your washcloth, rub it on the bar (or can) of soap, and apply it to the tom side of the sole, rubbing in circular motions until all is rubbed in.

Step 3: **This step is optional. it will help with cracking issues, and WILL darken your shoes, but only a tiny bit, not as much seen in this photo. This is the during image.** All you do for this, is take some olive or vegetable oil and put it on your washcloth, then apply it to your shoe and let it sit.

Then you're done! I hope this helped ya'll as much as it helped me!

Rainbow's Sandals

These are comfy, but the breaking in process can be a little confusing. To get them "warmed up" to your foot sooner, just soak them in water for about 2 minutes, then wear them around a bit! 

Sperry Topsider's 

These are pretty comfortable as well from the start, but one time my friend spilled ketch up on mine, and I wasn't too happy. How'd I get them to look like new?

One and only step: Dampen them!!

Here are my tips and tricks for the shoes I find to be most common in the "preppy world". If you have any other requests, let me know! Don't forget to check the social media in the right hand side-bar! Love my prepsters <3

How to: organization during the school year

I am a Junior in high school and until this year, I didn't study, I wasn't organized, and school was just another thing to add to my "to do" list. But now, I'm trying my best to make all A's! I know it won't be easy, but staying organize will play a big role. So here's how I do it (and you can too)...

So my school has two different days, A and B days with four classes in each day. So for each day, I bring these Items:

I have the purple folder filled with notebook paper and the reason for this is that I really can't stand spiral notebooks. They don't fit evenly in book bags, tear up folders and papers when going in, and are bulky. Plus the messy paper edging you have to tear off if so much trouble! Folders are thin, easy to slide in and out, and you can tell which ones are which because you can see what's in them and the color from the top!

The yellow folder is my "A Day" folder. I fortunately was assigned two core classes in each day, so One pocket has my AP Lang "current" papers in it, and my Math "current" papers. By current papers, I mean anything that was due or is assigned for homework. It's really easy to organize like this because you know that all you have to do when you get into that class, is take out one folder.

This is my A-Day binder. I have two matching for both days. Yes...that is Lilly Pulitzer. Why? I love seeing personalized binder covers but downloading fonts and adding them to 8 different covers is just too much work. So I totally DIY'ed this project.

DIY Lilly Pulitzer Binder Cover

For this simple project, you only need:

~ Either:

    - A thick piece of paper

    - A piece of cardboard the size or paper

    - Or a regular piece or paper

~ Lilly Pulitzer tissue paper (or any other pattern of tissue paper- Lilly tissue paper can be found if you purchase a Lilly Pulitzer clothing item)

~ Glue

~ Flat surface to spread glue

Directions:

1. Take your piece of paper or cardboard and use it to measure out a piece of tissue paper (leave about an extra inch around the border)

2. Use your glue and spread a VERY thin layer on your main surface (the paper or cardboard)

3. Center your tissue paper and lay it on to the main surface gently. If you mess up and need to re-center it, be very careful to not tear the paper!

4. Cut four lines on each corner of the extra inch of tissue paper (cut from the corner point of extra paper and stop when you get to the corner of your main surface. **DO NOT cut main surface**)

5. Then apply glue to the extra edging and fold over to the back side.

6. Let dry, then you're done!

To organize all four classes into my 1/2 inch binder, I had to do a little planning but now I've got it down pact! 

Each of my classes has about 4 grading categories such as Major Assessments, Minor Assessments, CW, Exam, etc. I found these cool little 1/3 tab organizers at Target, 5 in a pack for 99 cents! What's even better?! The sticky labels come on a large piece of paper that you can put in your printer. You then go to that brand's design website and design your own patterns on your tabs! You won't see that here, though because I have yet to make them! I basically took the first 3 category's that I listed and made them into tabs. Then I made a miscellaneous tab and a study guide/notes tab. These tabs are the bomb.com though because they don't stick out the side and bend, leave room to see what's behind them, and come in adorable colors that just so happened to match my pattern of the year!!

After that, I took clear full sized pocket holders, labeled them with the classes names, and those keep my work safe!

Then, ya'll I am so proud of this, I have my Lilly Planner, notebook, and tervis! Okay seriously, the agenda is just flawless so ill have a section on that, but the notebook's paper has pink designs, and my tervis just tops it all of!! I have to say..I'm in love!!!

Here's my school print/agenda print of the year

And every pattern in school supplies has a different accessorizing pattern on the inside (as seen above) which just makes it even more perfect!!

So how do you organize all of this?! Pen's, my friend. I have all of the pens pictured and more, plus my highlighters and sharpies just to help me through the year. I don't know, everything's just more exciting when its in color :)

Lilly agenda's come with adorable stickers on the inside that cater to birthdays and special holidays to help you make your planner super fun which I think is a great idea. Whoever though of that? A genius, that's who.

I use the notes section of my agenda to write down tutoring days for my classes and passwords to anything I have to sign up for, through the school. I'll also probably use it throughout the year to put other important stuff in it, like college things. MMMMMM..funnnn.

(Psssst! This is my favorite month pattern!!) The beginning page of each month has a different pattern on it that is carried on throughout that month. I'm sure you've seen post about "what to do with old Lilly agenda's" so if you were confused on that, this is what they were talking about! I always see people use them for cool DIY's like cozies, whale stickers, desk decor, anything, and this print is probably my favorite of all of the months!

So above I was suppose to have my August, September, and November over-views of the month pictured, but the photo's havn't gone through yet! Since there are some adorable doodle's, I will probably post about them later. But, I like to put motivational quotes on random days just to give my days some random turns for the better! On Sunday's I like to put quotes or something having to do with god, and for holidays, I decorate that day with some funky doodle's! This is one of my favorite parts because I love personalizing my agenda.

This is an example of what my week's individual days look like. Ignore all of my personal notes, but I write down anything I need to do as soon as I'm assigned it. After I have COMPLETELY completed the task, I mark off the pink dot with a gold dot! Yes, I use a sharpie, and no, it does not bleed through!

Sometimes I don't understand in class material or I just want to write down my notes over and over to help me remember them so I use these notebooks for that. They're huge which is why I never carry them around, but they're good for taking notes on!

Pencil case?? Who uses that anymore?!?! Ummm me? Haha, yes I use a pencil case. It has three separate pockets and I am in love with the tastles!!! (Pictured lower down) Basically my two favorite C's: Convenient and Cute.

I always keep a little stack of sticky notes on my desk just to re write my to-do's as soon as I get home! A simple yet easy way to keep track!

This is my Lilly Pulitzer TI-84 calculator. Yet, another DIY...what can I say <3

Last but not least, on the average day, this is what my bookbag looks like...

My main big pocket, has my binder, notebook, agenda, and two folders equaling to about 2 inches of space being used.

My second biggest pocket has my calculator, pencil case, and yes, glasses case. (They make me look smart!! - But are also prescription because I'm just a smidge blind)

And my pencil pocket has my pens, highlighters, and white out thingy ma bob because my English teacher makes us write in ink and I always mess us. Shout-out to Ms. Rodney.

Every day I get home, I do my chores, transfer all of my to-do's from my agenda to my sticky note, and pick out my clothes for the next day. GIRLS!!! This is important you do not forget that last step! I use to not pick my clothes till the next day, and I'd always get to school late and ave rough mornings. Prepare your clothes the night before, you WILL NOT REGRET IT!!! Also pack your book bag for whatever it is you'll need for the next day.

Make sure that wherever you do your homework is a clear, organized, working environment! My tip to you is to turn your phone onto do not disturb for those homework hours as I know what getting distracted means..very well.

That's it for my how to stay organized during the school year! I told you the tricks I use, and now it's time for you to try them yourself! I will leave all of the item prices and purchase locations below! Ask me questions below in the comments about any ideas or any questions in general! 

5 Star 5 Subject Notebooks: Staples ($7.00)

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda: Pink Sorbet (Lilly Pulitzer- $34.00)

Lilly Pulitzer Notebook: Pink Sorbet (Lilly Pulitzer- $15.00)

Lilly Pulitzer Tervis Tumbler: Pink Sorbet (Lilly Pulitzer- $25.00)

Folders: Staples (50 cents)

White 1/2 inch Binder: Target ($2.00)

1/3 Tab Dividers: Target ($1.00)

Sleeve Covers: Target ($5.79)

Sharpie Pack of 3: Target ($3.99)

Gold Sharpie: Target ($1.59)

Pack of Colored Pens: Target ($4.99)

TI- 84 Calculator: Staples ($119.00)

Pencil Case: Target ($4.99)

Happy school year, ya'll!

xoxo,

     Hannah