These are some of the things that have been making life just a little bit easier for me these days.

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The Teacher Planner - If you've known me any length of time, then you'll know that I live by my planner. Always have, so when I decided to pursue teaching, I knew I needed to find the right planner to meet all my planning needs. And this is definitely it. I love how it's broken down into monthly, weekly, and even semester(ly?) planning. There's a place to keep up with contact information, passwords (because let's be real - we all have way too many to memorize), and it's even got a built-in grade book for an all-in-one experience.

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm - Burt's Bees is my favorite lip balm of all time, but now that I'm working outside of my house again, I need more than a chapstick. I am in love with these tinted lip balms, especially the Hibiscus color. It's the perfect natural shade for my complexion and so much more hydrating than regular lipstick.

Rainproof Tote Bag - I've had this for a few years now, but it's really been getting put to good use the last couple of months. This bag has a pocket especially for a laptop, as well as a zippered pouch in the middle, pockets for pens/pencils and your phone, and plenty of room for my planner, workbooks, and papers that  need grading. I really love that I can fully zip the entire bag closed so that when it rains I don't have to worry about everything inside of it getting ruined.

Zak Insulated Tumbler - I use this tumbler literally every work day for my coffee. I've got a 40-minute drive every morning, and my coffee is still hot/warm (depending on if I drink any while I drive) when I get to work.

Old Navy OG Chinos - These are my preferred work pants at the moment. I own them in navy blue, black, gray, and pink. The elastic waistband makes them ridiculously comfortable without being frumpy (I was surprised by that!), and they're easy to wear rolled at the ankles or straight depending on your preference. They work with both casual and dressier tops, as well as a variety of shoes.

Publix Apron Meals - I'm not going to lie, as much as I like to cook dinner and eat together at our dining room table, I don't love the prep work that goes into some of my favorite meals. That's one of the best things about shopping at Publix, though. The meat counter always has put-together options that I just have to throw in the crockpot or stick in the oven. And I've yet to be disappointed with something we've tried.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Face Scrub - Aveeno has become my go-to skincare brand since I turned 30, and this face scrub has quickly become an integral part of my daily routine.

Suave Wave Mousse - I have been struggling to find a styling product that's light enough for my hair texture but that actually does the job I'm looking for. When I saw this on the shelf, I decided I had nothing to lose, especially since it costs less than $5, and I've been so pleased with the results. First of all, it has yet to dry crunchy, even on the days when I probably use too much. It also air dries pretty and is the easiest product to restyle that I have ever used.