Summer is Here, Once Again.

Hello loves,

I hate to say that I failed yet again, but I got so behind posting. For that, I am so sorry. Life gets crazy, and it becomes hard to keep up. Between writing articles for my writing and reporting class, working on designs for my visual communication class, and writing papers for both of my English classes, life got wayyy to out of hand. I had a blog post written for my March favorites, and I never even got around to posting it. However, I will (hopefully) get back to posting regularly over the summer. I have an intense summer job with 10 and a half hour work days, and I am working the night shift, so my days are going to need some adjusting. I will try to get into a schedule of posting soon so I might be a little easier to follow! I’ll give you lovely people a little update in this post, and I promise I’ll have a favorites post to for you all soon.

I took on quite a bit this spring semester of my first year at college. I wrote an article for Drake Magazine in their print edition, and it was such fun to do. It was about sustainable fashion and healthier clothing alternatives, and I’m thinking about scanning in a copy for you to read if you so please. I was able to interview some designers and bloggers, and it all came together really well. It’s incredible seeing your byline in print.

I continued to blog for Drake Magazine Online, and it was just as great of an experience this semester as it was my first semester. I was given the opportunity to come up with a new post each week, and I was in charge of getting pictures and editing done by each Monday. While I wasn’t too keen on the photos (I like to say I’m not photogenic!), I must say I had an incredible time working for the magazine and I’m hoping to find a way to get involved next year again. If you would like to take a closer look at what I did, then I’ll post a link below so you can check out what I wrote for them.

DrakeMag Online: http://drakemagazine.com/author/maggie-dickman/

(My favorite was my post about styling a basic tee—you should check it out. It's perfect for summer!)

Some friends and fellow classmates also featured me in two articles for my fashion and blogging, and it was interesting getting interviewed and not doing the interviewing myself! I’ll leave you links to those two articles as well so you can get a different glimpse of what I’ve done.

College Fashionista: http://www.collegefashionista.com/accessories-report-trendsetting-with-a-twist/#prettyPhoto

Times Delphic Blogging Feature: http://timesdelphic.com/2014/04/21/students-turn-to-blogging-to-explore-their-interests

Outside of schoolwork, I had some incredible times with my friends. College has given me the opportunity to find people who have so many things in common with me, and it is amazing to find people who will, well, fangirl about the same things. I was able to see Hoodie Allen in Des Moines when he came for my college’s big event, Drake Relays. The concert was downtown in the city, and I had such a blast going to that. I was so stoked to see Karmin and Bonnie McKee when I found out that they would be coming to a local venue. My friend, Aundrea, (and roommate & fellow London traveller) and I went to see them, and I was able to see one of my friends from high school, which was fun too.

Two of my friends from my journalism class and I at Hoodie Allen

My friend Alli, from high school, and I at the Karmin concert

We were second row, so I got some awesome pictures of Amy, Nick, and Bonnie!

Also, during this time, I celebrated my 19th birthday. I got The Craft and an adorable surprise party from my friends at college. I haven’t ever been to a world market, so luckily one of my friends got me digestives. I don’t know what I would do all summer without them!

My lovely birthday gift!

And yes, that is a Niall Horan cake topper that I got from my lovely friend Brittany. :)

The gifts from my parents--including The Craft. xx

I worked on my writing this semester in both my English and journalism classes, which was an extremely great (and exhausting) thing to do.  I also took a great visual communication class that taught me a lot about design, and how much my blog layout is in need of a facelift! While these courses were a challenge, I think they solidified that I’m doing what I want to do.

I’ve done a bit of shopping so I have a few favorites and new things I’ve tried that I can’t wait to share with you all.

Here are my plans for the summer, and I would love to see what you have planned:

• Work, work, work, work
• BLOG
• Improve my photography skills
• Finish applying for studying abroad in London
• Read (Do you have any book suggestions? Leave them in the comments below)
• Make a new blog layout
• Start a YouTube channel (?!)

I’m going to miss everyone at college so much, but I’m excited to see what this summer has in store. Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces again soon!

Much love,

Maggie D. xx