Utoria BYOB Recap

On Sunday, I attended Utoria BYOB, and it was a blast. I had been following Tori on Twitter for a while and begged her to bring BYOB to Massachusetts - she's my age and a successful entrepreneur, so she's a huge inspiration to me. When I found out that she was coming to Boston, I was thrilled and immediately bought a ticket when I could!

BYOB (Become Your Own Boss) is all about helping you build up your own business. The conference was held at Babson College, which is actually my dream school! The event ran from 10 AM-4:30 PM, and it was full of non-stop girl power! When it started, we enjoyed a continental breakfast (could not stop eating the coffee cake!) and a coffee machine (I had one too many cups of coffee... Oops). Then from that time until 12:30, we learned so much stuff about what it means to own a business, how to network, etc. Lots of grueling but important stuff!

At 12:30 we took a lunch break. The lunch was fabulous! I had steak tips, chicken teriyaki, Caesar salad, and roasted potatoes. Then I followed up with a dessert of mint chocolate chip ice cream - my favorite! After lunch, we headed back to our room and really got down to business. Two other girls attended the conference with me, so the three of us sat down with Tori and dove into working on our own businesses. We figured out how we're going to find clients, how we're going to market our business, what our rates are going to be, etc. It was awesome!

The conference ended at 4:30. Everyone had to get back home, but I didn't have a certain curfew since I only live around 35 minutes away from Babson. So Tori and I decided to go to dinner! It was so nice to be able to just chat with Tori about anything. She had to go back to her hotel that night, but I'm hoping I get to see her again soon!

If you have ever thought about owning a business, I highly suggest checking out Utoria! It helped me so much. Tori will be doing a spring tour, and she's planning a conference in Tampa in January and a big three-day conference in Disney in June! Definitely get in touch with her to see if she's coming somewhere near you.

Navy & White

One color combination I have been loving this fall is navy and white. I'm always attracted to the color navy (#navyornothing!), but now I'm starting to swoon over the way it looks against white.

vest ℅ // shirt // jeans // riding boots

I got my Marley Lilly vest about a week ago, and I have been loving it! I've always wanted a white jacket, but I never got one because I was always so afraid that I would spill something on it. I decided to take the risk this year and get one, and I'm so happy that I did!

How do you style navy and white?

Vineyard Vines Sale Picks

Just like I mentioned in yesterday's post about the Kate Spade sale, I love a good sale! So when I found out that Vineyard Vines was having a sale as well, I got super excited. Unfortunately, I am unable to shop the sale because I need to start saving my money for more important things. But if I were to shop the sale, here's what I would pick!

one // two // three

What are your favorites from the sale?

Kate Spade Sale Picks

When I found out on Friday that Kate Spade is having a sale, I freaked! I live for good sales, especially if they're from one of my favorite companies. I (obviously) have a large list of what I would like from the sale, so I'm hoping to get at least one thing! Check out my picks below:

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten

What are your favorites from the sale?

Socially Sound

As many of you know, I have been wanting to start a business for a while. I've spent hours and hours jotting down multiple ideas into various notebooks of possible business ideas, but none of them seemed to stuck. But then I thought of Socially Sound, and I knew that was the one.

After starting this blog, I developed a huge love for social media, mainly Twitter. I became obsessed with networking with so many different people over the Internet and sharing my thoughts. I did that social media internship last summer because I had the extra time and just loved social media. So it's even better that I'm finally able to turn that into a business!

Socially Sound specializes in copywriting, scheduling, management, and analyzing. It focuses on helping its clients' social media platforms reach their full potential in order to apply to a certain audience and help their social media presence grow.  The clients can be anybody from events planners to companies to bloggers. I already have a couple of clients, which is so exciting! I'm hoping to get as many clients as I can, and I can't wait to see where this business will take me.

Do you need social media assistance or know someone who might? Check out Socially Sound!

New Business Cards

As some of you know, Private School Prepster is getting totally rebranded by the fabulous Breckenridge, and I could not be more excited! After blogging for more than two years, I felt that it was time to splurge on a new blog design. I chose to go with Breckenridge because her work is amazing, and I wanted to help out a fellow blogger!

After going through some changes, I have finally decided on an image that is right for me! I decided to get business cards because I have been attending more and more blogging events lately, so business cards would come in handy. And with my own business launching soon (stay tuned!), I felt that having business cards was necessary.

I am so obsessed with the way my business cards came out, and I can't wait to see what the rest of my blog design looks like too!

Do you have business cards?

Why You Should Choose J. Crew Factory Over J. Crew

one // two // three // four

I rarely buy anything at J. Crew because I always buy items from the factory store. I've always preferred the factory store over the regular retail store, so I thought I would share why I feel as though it's better to go factory!

one // it's cheaper

Prices at the factory store are obviously way cheaper than they are at the retail store. As a high school senior with just a part-time job, the factory store fits my budget better than the retail store does! I find that I'm able to afford things more often with the factory store, and the sales make it even better.

two // the items are cuter

I don't know why I feel this way, but in my opinion, the factory items are cuter than the retail items. There are some factory items that I like that are either the same as or very similar to retail items, which is awesome! But, I often find myself not liking much of the retail items while loving a majority of the factory items.

three // there are always sales

It seems like I'm getting emails from the factory about sales on a weekly basis! There are always great sales that I can never seem to pass up. Although the retail store does have great sales too, the sales don't happen as often.

Which do you prefer: factory or retail?

Shopbop Sale

Shopbop is having a 25% off sale from now until the 16th! Use the code FAMILY25 to get the discount. Check out my favorites from the sale below!

one // two // three // four

Parkas are fabulous for chilly weather, white tees are always practical, the clear trench coat is just unique and fabulous, and baseball tees are always a classic piece!

Which are your favorites from the sale?

Uses For Notebooks

one // two // three

I always love having notebooks on me, and I can never resist buying pretty notebooks! Notebooks are an easy and organized way of recording your thoughts, goals, plans, etc. I have multiple notebooks that are piled on my desk, and I have all different uses for them!

one // to-do list

Ah, the classic to-do list. My to-do list notebook is my life and probably my most important notebook! Everything I need to do, whether it be assignments for school or errands, is recorded in that notebook. Basically if it's not in there, I completely forget about it. This notebook keeps me sane and reminds me of everything I need to get done!

two // journal

I do keep a journal of my life because I think it would be so cool to look back on my life when I'm older and read what my thoughts were as a teenager. Although I don't write in it every day, which is something I would like to do, I do write in it once in a while. I have been journaling since fifth grade, so it's actually kind of funny to read back on what my life was like almost seven years ago!

three // blog

The most important notebook after my to-do list notebook is my blog notebook. It keeps track of all of my ideas, outlines what I want each post to say, and indicates when I will post each one. I always have so many post ideas floating around in my head, so it would be super hard to try to remember them all. My blog notebook helps me to do that!

four // job

If you have a job or internship, it might be helpful to use a notebook for that depending on what your job/internship is. You can use it to keep track of important dates, take notes at meetings, right down ideas, etc. I use a notebook for my social media business. This notebook consists of when I need to post, what I need to post, who my clients are, and more!

five // life plans & goals

We all have so many plans and goals for the future. Whether it be to travel to Italy or own a business, write it down! It'll be cool to look back on these plans and goals one day and see if you still have those plans and goals. It can become your bucket list!

six // accomplishments & gratitude

Sometimes we just have really bad days. Days where we feel unimportant, worthless, and not good enough. Whenever you accomplish something, write it down in a notebook no matter how small it may be. When you're feeling like you can't do anything right, look back at these accomplishments and you'll be reminded that you have succeeded before! If you have something you're grateful for, write that down too. When you feel like you have nothing, you can look back and realize you have been blessed with some pretty great things!

What do you use notebooks for?

J. Crew Factory Sale Purchases

The J. Crew Factory sale was so good this past weekend that I just couldn't get myself to pass it down! It was the perfect opportunity to stock up on some clothes for this fall and upcoming winter. After looking through my favorites from the sale, it was so hard to choose just a few! I ended up picking these three lovely pieces below, and I cannot wait for them to come in.

one // two // three

You can never go wrong with a navy shirt! #navyornothing, am I right? ;) The red sweater will be perfect for the holidays. And I am already planning on wearing the "cheers!" sweater on New Year's Eve. Perfect!

What did you purchase from the sale?

J. Crew Factory Sale Picks

For the past couple of days, J. Crew Factory has been having a 50% off sale for almost all women's items in honor of their second birthday! I've been so busy that I haven't even had the time to look through anything until today. The sale ends at 11:59 PM EST tonight, so get crackin'! I've picked out my favorites below.

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine

What are you planning on getting from the sale?

Fall Jackets

one // two // three // four // five

One thing I love about the fall is the outwear. I love picking out jackets that are warm yet cute! I've picked out my favorites for this season above. I'm head over heels in love with the Barbour one... I would kill to get it for Christmas! And I'll let you in on a little secret about the Marley Lilly monogrammed vest - you'll be seeing that in a post soon ;) The Burberry trench coat is fabulous! And of course, the J. Crew puffer vest is always a classic. As for the North Face rain jacket, you can never go wrong with that! I use mine all the time in the fall when it's raining.

Which jackets are you favorite for fall?

Think Pink

I love that one of my favorite Lilly quotes is so relevant to the month of October. As most of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month. This month is always important to me because I've had a few family friends who have had, and luckily survived, breast cancer. October is meant to be thankful that your loved ones who survived breast cancer are live and remember your loved ones who lost their battle to breast cancer.

My boyfriend's football team all bought a ton of pink accessories to wear during their practices and games, and I think it's the sweetest thing ever! And I have made sure to somehow incorporate pink to my outfits and accessories every day. So here's a goal that I want all of you to follow for the rest of the month: wear pink and make the boys wink.

Magazine & Cookie Drive

Every year, my school hosts a fundraiser for magazine subscriptions and various cookie doughs. Because I go to a Catholic high school, my school heavily relies on any type of donations and fundraisers to lower our tuition. Each student actually pays $1,000 less per year than what it costs for them to be there! That is because that extra money comes from fundraisers.

I would love to help my school raise as much money as possible, and I'm asking for help from all of you too! If you are interested in purchasing a magazine subscription or cookie dough (the cookies are delicious!), I would love it if you could help my school and me out.

The best part about the fundraiser is it can even be done from a computer! The process is super easy, too. All you have to do is click here: http://bit.ly/1EqgFkx

Then when it asks for a school code, please write 2499481 and the name Ashley Mason. Please let me know if you end up getting anything! I really appreciate it!

Reward Yourself

We often face situations that cause a ton of stress and really wear us out. Whether it be studying for a test in a hard class, planning an event, or something else, it can really drain the life out of you. But one of the best feelings is the feeling of relief that comes once you know you aced that test or the homecoming dance that you helped plan turned out to be a lot of fun.

I truly believe that rewarding yourself is one of the best things you could do for yourself. Rewarding yourself is an awesome way to realize that you did in fact get past whatever obstacle you were facing. For me, one of my favorite things to do is stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way home from school on a Friday and get a coffee and a donut. After a super long and tiring week, it feels awesome just to get those two things! It can be something simple you do every week like that, or it can be something big for a long-term achievement, such as getting that Kate Spade bag you really wanted after getting all As on your report card.

No matter what it is, always remember to treat yourself because we all deserve to be congratulated for getting over the obstacles we face.

Pretty Notebooks

one // two // three // four // five // six

One thing I can never resist buying is a pretty notebook. I always love having extra notebooks at my desk just in case I may need one for something. Obviously I love to make sure the notebooks I buy are fun colors and prints, so of course the Kate Spade ones above are some of my favorites!

Which notebook is your favorite?

Fall Bags

one // two // three // four

I have come to the realization that I desperately need a bag for the fall. I could use my Ralph Lauren cross body or my navy Longchamp, but the cross body is sometimes too small and the Longchamp is sometimes too big. So I have picked out some lovely options for some medium-sized bags! I'm obsessed with all of these, and I hope I can get at least one.

Which bag do you have your eye on for fall?

Fall Shop Favorites

I have finally updated my shop to include my fall favorites! I am absolutely lusting over these, and I'm hoping I can get my hands on at least a few of them. Check them out below!

Which ones are your favorites?

Fall Bucket List

Now that it's officially October, I'm so excited to start working on my fall bucket list! Fall is my favorite time of the year because of the adorable clothes and fun activities. I plan on doing all of these with Tyler and some of our friends! It'll be super fun to cross these off and do them throughout this whole month. I can't wait to get started!

What's on your fall bucket list?

Fall Shoes

Bean boots // riding boots // moccasins // loafers

I absolutely love getting cute fall clothes, and it's even better when I have adorable shoes to match them! I've picked out my favorite fall shoes that I'm hoping to get this season.

one // Bean boots

I was supposed to get Bean boots for Christmas last year, but then they became backordered all the way until the beginning of March! I didn't see a point in getting them then because it becomes too warm to wear them in March. They're perfect for chilly weather!

two // riding boots

I got a pair of Steve Madden boots about a month ago that I love, but I'm absolutely obsessed with Frye boots! However, I just couldn't justify paying $348 for a pair of boots as a 17-year-old ... so maybe next year! Riding boots are the typical boots for fall, and they look fabulous with pretty much anything.

three // moccasins

Moccasins are great for chilly weather because of the fur on the inside. Pair them with jeans or leggings and they'll look awesome! However, be really careful when wearing them because they easily get dirty.

four // loafers

I have recently become obsessed with loafers, but it's been so hard to find a pair that I love. I was so happy when I came across those studded ones because they would go well with so many of my outfits! Loafers would look fabulous with a pair of rolled up boyfriend jeans.

What shoes do you like for fall?