This Easy Notebook Hack Will Make You a Multitasking Pro

Aug 23, 2015

The first day of school has officially arrived, guys. Students everywhere are heading back to class with their brand new notebooks + school supplies and are gearing up to learn. Thanks to the folks at High Five HQ, we learned about a super cool notebook hack DIY that is a total game changer. Here’s how you can DIY your own index right into the back of your notebook.

Materials:

– colored ink pen(s)

– lined notebook

Instructions:

1. In a fresh new notebook, write your notes/a recipe/whatever you like onto the first page.

2. On the edge of the page, on the topmost line, draw and color in a little rectangle with an inky pen. Use whatever color you’d like.

3. Flip to the back page, and in the corresponding line, write the index topic that first page’s content falls under. Use the same colored ink as the little rectangle from page one.

4. Continue taking your notes/adding recipes/whatever into your notebook, marking the page and adding to the index in the back as you please.

5. Optional step: Change the colors of your pens for different subjects/categories.

This simple hack only requires one pen and a notebook, but feel free to use multiple colors for a more vibrant look.

Decide what you want to fill your notebook with! It could be notes for different school subjects, a recipe book or even a dream journal. The sky is the limit.

When you’re done with your entry, color in a small rectangle on the side of the page in the top line. Make sure you get the very edge of the page—that way the mark will show through even when the book is shut.

Flip to the back page where your index will be and write the topic in the corresponding line.

Over time, continue adding entries to your notebook and index as you please.

And voilà! You’ve got a totally DIYed index built into the back of your notebook, making every entry so much easier to find.

Take this nifty trick to class with you, and don’t be surprised when all your classmates are trying copy your style.

Grown ups, feel free to use this hack for work too. This trick is pretty handy for absolutely anyone.

And that’s genius notebook hack 101. Go forth, note-taking masters, and prosper.

What do you think of this nifty notebook trick? Will it be changing the way you take notes? Tell us in the comments below!

DIY Production + Styling: Kimberly Wang

Photography: Kimberly Wang + Michael Leung

30 Congratulatory New Job Gifts to Give Your BFFs

Don’t you just love when something amazing happens to one of your own? We all LOVE our friends and we have every reason to celebrate when they land their dream job. As supporters, we have been with them through the fun times and the not-so-fun times. And since this is definitely one of those better times, why not celebrate? Let your bestie know that you are their biggest cheerleader with a congratulatory new job gift (and a few drinks!). With everything from desk flair to essential techy goods, these 30 gift ideas are perfect for sending your friend off on a new adventure.

ban.do Giant Gem Speaker

Music makes the world go ’round, and this portable pink speaker is perfect for someone who LOVES listening to tunes 24/7. It’s also great for an impromptu dance party or in-office happy hour.

Kate Spade Business Card Holder

This letter-engraved card holder means business. And with a case this rad, your friend will want to give out their new business card to every person they see.

Paper K Studios Personalized Notepad

It’s awesome to have your name printed on anything and everything, isn’t it? Gifting your friend one of these notepads will let them know you were thinking ahead (insert best friend points here). Maybe you can get yourself one too while you’re at it… you know, for being such a good friend. ;)

Sonix Tamarindo Portable Power Bank

When function and sparkle come together, we are all for it. This mobile charger makes it easy to stay in touch on the go so there are no dead phone excuses for the new boss.

Rifle Paper Co. Notebook Set

These notebooks with golden accents look oh-so-classy and will help your friend stay on top of their crucial new-job to-do lists.

Ash And Ember Co. Canvas Tote

We already know that getting a job requires hustle, but it never hurts to have a reminder. This canvas tote bag is sturdy, encouraging, cute and it fits everything. #Winning.

Sweetwater Decor Boss Lady Pen Set

We know that a new job means taking a lot of notes. But with these pretty pens, your friend will be taking notes like a boss.

House of Longfellow Triceratops Planter

Things that are out of the ordinary are just SO cool. This little guy would stand out on any desk and might turn into a conversation starter at your friend’s new job.

Erin Condren Carry All Clutch

A new gig means carrying lots of awesome new things. This personalized carry-all clutch is roomy and perfect for anyone who wants to stay organized.

Happy Tea 3 oz

We all love a little something that can get us through a tough day. Working alongside this happy tea can make a day much better (and tastier).

Personalized Stationery

If your pal is constantly sending cards and thank-yous, we think a personalized stationery set would be the perfect gift. Plus it will become one less thing to check off on their to-buy list.

Birch Lane Geo Terrarium

A terrarium is easily customizable for someone who loves plants. And this geometric pair is the just the thing to deck out someone’s new desk.

Feminist Pencils Beyoncé Personalized Pencil Set

You can’t go wrong with these gilded pencils. They’re great for that friend who loves to doodle or pencil everything in on their calendar.

Red Rose Digital Cubicle Poster

Jobs that require cubicles often call for a glamming session. This sweet print can make any regular cubicle feel instantly homey.

CB2 Set of Five Cord Tacos

Cord. Tacos. Yup, we all love and need them in our lives. Pick these up to keep your friend from pulling an amateur cord-tangle situation at the new office.

Day3Dream Wooden Desk Organizer

Who doesn’t love storing all their must-have gadgets in one spot? This classic station makes it easy to not misplace everything that always gets lost in the desk abyss.

Zana Products Pink Specks Soft Pot Fabric Bucket

Keeping items fashionably stored is no longer a problem. These fabric buckets, which also come in different prints, and are multi-functional. Feel free to store (or plant) away.

Kate Spade New York Rotating Stamp And Ink Pad

We found a new way to communicate in the office, and these stamps are it. If you need to tell the world you are in need coffee, are having a paradigm shift or are out of the office, then this stamp has you covered.

UO Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Headphone

Most of us like listening to some tunes at some point during our day, and doing so with cute earphones is even better.

American Greetings Awesome Sauce Congratulations Card

Everyone who gets a new job deserves to be called awesome sauce. A card like this is bound to bring a smile on that special someone’s face.

Dry Erase Calendar Message Board

No more wasting paper with those other write-on calendars. If your friend likes to be able to see their monthly agenda without having to open their 50th browser tab — this dry erase calendar is perfect for any office (or cubicle).

Gingher Stork Scissors

It happens in every office: eventually someone, somewhere is going to need a pair of scissors. So, why not get your friend the prettiest pair on their floor?

Memorable Dimension Multi-Photo Frame

It’s sad, but true. Being at work means being away from the things we love, whether it’s your kids, your pets or hey, even your plants. This pretty gold frame will remind your hard-working friend what all that time in the office is really for.

Marble Mini Lidded Trash Can

While your friend’s office probably provides a little trash can, give your friend another opportunity to customize their space. Plus, the swinging lid is good for squeamish people who hate being able to see everyone’s rubbish.

Liquid Lava Desk Timer

Your new friend is going to have to stay productive in order to stay ahead. A lava-lamp-looking timer is a useful, if a bit nostalgic, tool for keeping your friend on track. Plus it’s a total ’90s blast from the past.

Particle to Play Llama Duster

This is one dust buster that your friend won’t need to hide in a drawer. This adorable, little llama is cute on display and super useful when spring cleaning comes around.

Walkas Mini Portable Cool Mist Humidifier

This cool-mist humidifier conveniently plugs into your friend’s USB ports. Not only does it keep the climate pleasant, but your friend can also use a little essential oil in it to make the air smell sweet (as long as it’s okay with their desk mates).

Paper Source Polyhedra Rose Gold Magnets

Keeping track of memos is always easier when you can keep important documents front and center. These cute, shiny magnets are perfect for using on a magnetized board or calendar so your friend can stay organized.

Paper Source Pushfins Pins

If your friend is more of a cork board person, these whale fin pushpins are a cute touch for displaying photos or keeping track of important notes and memos.

S’well Milky Way Water Bottle

One thing a lot of commuters out there always forget about: staying hydrated. With this gorgeously translucent water bottle, your friend won’t want to leave home without some fresh agua ever again.

Dakota Fanning's "The Watchers" Is The Perfect Summer Horror Movie

Did you really grow up in the 90s and 00s if you didn't binge watch all of Dakota Fanning's movies? After a childhood in the spotlight, Dakota moved from Uptown Girls and Reese Witherspoon's Sweet Home Alabama to projects like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Ripley. And her newest summer movieThe Watchers is one of the wildest yet. The new trailer dropped April 22, and I love the immediate emphasis on eyes (and the idea of watching someone, naturally), and I can already tell Dakota's Mina will be a rebellious heroine I can't wait to watch. Here's everything you need to know about the new movie!

Where can I watch The Watchers?

Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

The Watchers hits theaters June 14, 2024. Even though the story takes place in chilly Ireland (and the costumes feature a lot of chunky knits), the lighting and color palette still feel summery. Plus there's something about the edge of horror movies that feels just right for summer.

Who's in The Watchers cast?

Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

Dakota Fanning stars in The Watchers as Mina alongside Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouere. Throughout the trailer, we can hear the titular Watchers (especially when they applaud Mina's arrival. Creepy!!) but we don't know who will be playing them — or if they're even human.

Is The Watchers a horror movie?

Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

Yes, The Watchers is definitely a horror movie! It's officially described as a supernatural horror movie, and it looks like it'll be a blend of the contemporary horror we know and love, with additional fantasy elements. I would love if the Watchers end up being part of Irish lore or mythology.

What is the Watchers 2024 movie about?

Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

The Watchers follows Mina (Dakota Fanning), an artist who gets stranded with her pet bird in a large Irish forest. Thankfully it doesn't take long for Mina to find shelter with three strangers, but her relief turns to fear when she learns they're being watched and stalked by unseen creatures every night.

The fact Mina and her new companions can hear the Watchers but can never see them feels like a contrast to John Krasinski's A Quiet Place, especially since the Death Angels and Watchers sound very similar to me. I love how A Quiet Place emphasizes family and connection in the face of horror and I hope we see the same in The Watchers!

What book is the movie The Watchers based on?

Image via Amazon

The Watchers is based on the novel by A.M. Shine. If you're into horror books, add these 20 Spine-Tingling Horror Books and The 17 Best Mystery And Thriller Books to your summer reading list!

What horror tropes do you hope to see in Dakota Fanning's The Watchers? Or what do you hope not to see? Read up on the other 33 Most-Anticipated 2024 Movies coming soon!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

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Handwriting and Doodling Can Improve Your Memory

Even though we *love* the convenience of our iCals and journal apps, there’s something inexplicably magical about carrying around a good ol’ fashioned paper notebook. Now that paper planners are definitely having another moment (along with adorable sticker sets), we’re super excited to hear that paper notebooks are still important too.

According to a study from Princeton University and the University of California at Los Angeles, taking notes using a paper notebook will actually help you better retain information. Comparing students who took notes on laptops with students who opted for longhand, the researchers found that students with paper notebooks performed better on conceptual questions. They also had a better understanding of the material and were able to recall it.

Furthermore, another study published in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology shows that people who doodle also have the upper hand when it comes to remembering dull info. For this study, 40 participants were asked to listen to a monotonous mock telephone message detailing the names of people coming to a party. Half of the group was assigned to doodle while listening to the message and — you guessed it! — they recalled 29 percent more information on a surprise memory test.

So whether you use paper notebooks because it helps you recall information better or you’re just obsessed with super cute stationery (we’re guilty!), one thing is certain: Sometimes it’s a good idea to put down the digital devices and go analog.

Are you a paper notebook addict or a strictly digital gal? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty)

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"Outer Banks" Season 4 Could Premiere As Soon As This Summer

Outer Banks fans got a treat during 2023's Poguelandia event (which took place on February 18 in Huntington Beach, California). While celebrating the release of Outer Banks season 3, the cast took to the stage to announce that we were also getting Outer Banks season 4! As a native Outer Banks-er myself, this is one teen drama I will never be able to get enough of — so keep the seasons coming Netflix!

I'm already dreaming about my annual beach vacation, so naturally, I'm thinking about what hijinks the Pogues will get up to in Outer Banks season 4. Here's everything we know about the new TV show, including the cast, the plot, and the Outer Banks season 4 release date!

When is Outer Banks season 4 coming out?

Image via Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

We don't have an official Outer Banks season 4 release date yet, but the cast has been filming since 2023. And Netflix's co-CEO recently revealed (via The Hollywood Reporter) that, in addition to the new seasons of Squid Game and Emily in Paris, we'll see Outer Banks season 4 during the second half of the year. That means we could see our favorite Pogues this July or August! This is the perfect release window because summer is all about beachy vibes and summer adventure — just like OBX.

Who's in the Outer Banks season 4 cast?

Image via Netflix

We're expecting the main cast to return for Outer Banks season 4, including Chase Stokes as John B., Madelyn Cline as Sarah, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Rudy Pankow as JJ, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Drew Starkey as Rafe, and Austin North as Topper.

Since Charles Esten's Ward ends up (spoiler!) dying at the end of season 3, he probably won't make a return — unless the show ventures into ghost territory. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised. But even if he's not on set, he recently reunited with Madelyn Cline and Drew Starkey!

"That thing where you’re playing your 4th Annual WARDJAMMER...and your amazing friends who also happen to be your @obx son and daughter surprise you by showing up and hanging out all night and even coming on stage to sing 'Left Hand Free,'" Charles writes on Instagram. "What an absolute joy to wrap my arms around these two! The bond is real and my heart is grateful."

The First Look At Outer Banks Season 4

Image via Netflix/YouTube

After Netflix's Tudum event showed off the Pogues' new style (and confirmed that all of them will be returning, thank goodness), we got a brand new look at some Outer Banks season 4 scenes thanks to Netflix's 2024 preview. It's a brief clip, but we hear just how excited the Pogues are to go after a treasure they've "spent [their] whole lives hearing about] (same, TBH) — and get to see them lounging around on a day off. Treasure hunting is hard work, after all!

This first look gives us an idea of what we can expect from this upcoming installment because while season 1 had the golden overtone of our favorite 2000s dramas, season 2 featured warmer orange tones, and season 3 featured a little bit less saturation, it looks like Outer Banks season 4 is youthful, bright, and colorful. And thanks to this clip, we also know for a fact we'll see Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Daviss, Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, and Carlacia Grant come back to their iconic roles.

What is season 4 of Outer Banks about?

Image via Getty Images for Netflix

Outer Banks season 3 ended with an 18-month time jump — meaning the characters will be a year and a half older in Outer Banks season 4 than in previous installments of the show, which works in the series' favor because the characters will be closer to the cast's ages. Plus, being post-grad gives them more flexibility to go treasure hunting without the repercussions of skipping school...like they did the entirety of season 2.

Thanks to some important details at the end of the season finale, we know Kie is working with turtles, JJ bought a charter boat, Pope is going to college, and John B. and Sarah are running a surf shop. But things take a turn for the adventurous when the Pogues are given a new quest to hunt for Blackbeard's treasure. The real Blackbeard loved hiding his treasure on places like Ocracoke Island, which is on the real OBX. I'm super excited for this plotline because it means we'll be back on the Outer Banks for (hopefully) the whole season!

"It’s not going to be the usual Blackbeard story," according to co-creator Josh Pate, and (spoiler!!) we actually have our first plot details. According to Wrightsville Beach recreation program supervisor Katie Ryan (via Wilmington StarNews) and the shows filming permits, we know that one scene will involve "two people jumping from the pier," while a second "involves individuals finding a body on the beach."

While Outer Banks season 4 promises to be as adventurous as ever, Chase Stokes promises People the show will also go back to its roots. “The writers talked about how there was a real want for a lot of the authenticity and the characters in season 1. So I will say that they do a good job this season of that,” he says.

After the death of Sarah and John B.'s fathers, the show's golden couple will have to figure out what their future looks like. “It really will force them to evaluate everything," he says. "Where they are, what their purpose is, what their intentions are, and what was the actual value of it? Was it worth it, in hindsight? If they could go back and change things, would they?"

"[The Pogues have had] a huge, huge shift in lifestyle in a very, very short period of time," Chase continues. “And I think when you go through that level of trauma, for sure, it'll make you start asking those deeper questions.”

Where is Outer Banks season 4 filming?

Image via Netflix

Outer Banks season 4 has been seen filming around Charleston, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, which is where other titles like Dawson's Creek,The Summer I Turned Pretty, andOne Tree Hill have all filmed! Because OBX has never filming in Wilmington before, it makes me think the Pogues will truly go on an adventure we've never seen.

Is Outer Banks season 4 the last season?

Image via Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Netflix hasn't officially announced whether we'll be getting an Outer Banks season 5 or 6 yet, but creators Jonas and Josh Pate have enough story for another two seasons. "We’re going to fill in some gaps in the 18 months," Josh tells TUDUM. "We felt like we needed to migrate them out of school. We think about the first three [seasons] as a trilogy and then we’re starting over on [another sort of] trilogy now. We just needed to clear the decks. We’re going to have new villains, a new treasure hunt, a new life situation."

I'm excited to see what kind of roots the characters put down in Outer Banks season 4 — and how they flourish as the story continues!

Are you excited for Outer Banks season 4? Check out our interview with costume designer Emmie Holmes and The 14 Best New TV Shows Coming In 2024 before you rewatch OBX season 3 again ;).

Lead image via Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

This post has been updated.

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TikTok Loves Complex Female Characters — Elena Ferrante Writes Them Best

Though Elena Ferrante is a pen name, and while the author prides herself on anonymity, her books shouldn't be a mystery to you. The Italian author's beautiful work transcends the need for a face attached, as raw emotions, complex characters, and unforgettable narratives define Ferrante's unique voice. From the intense friendship at the heart of the Neapolitan Novels to the unsettling psychological depths plumbed in The Days of Abandonment, prepare to be surprised, challenged, and utterly engrossed by the brilliance of Elena Ferrante.

Neopolitan Novels

Though Ferrante's entire body of work is worth a read, the first thing that should be on your list is the Neopolitan Novels. This is a four-book series that explores the complex female friendship between Lila and Elena. The two start off as young girls who are being raised in a poor and tough neighborhood of Naples in the aftermath of World War II. The novels chart their complex bond as the two girls grow up, start families, begin careers, and deal with societal pressures and personal struggles.

The Lost Daughter

The Lost Daughter is a brilliant standalone novel of Ferrante's that is centered around a middle-aged woman named Leda. While on a solitary vacation on the coast, Leda observes a young mother named Nina who is struggling with her relationship with her daughter. This awakens memories of Leda's own struggles with motherhood, making for a raw and honest depiction of the complexities of parent-child relationships.

The Days of Abandonment

In The Days of Abandonment, Ferrante delves into the raw emotions of a woman named Olga after her husband abruptly leaves her and their two young children. The story follows Olga's descent into despair and rage as she grapples with his sudden absence and tries to maintain a sense of normalcy for her kids. Faced with a challenge she never expected, Olga goes on a quest to learn about her own identity and find strength within herself.

The Lying Lives of Adults

As the title indicates, this novel deals with the concepts of honesty, disillusionment, and family secrets. It follows the story of a young woman named Giovanna who becomes obsessed with her estranged father after learning a shocking secret about her parents' past. As she continues to delve deeper into their hidden world, she uncovers a web of secrets that shatter her perception of her family and her ideas of adulthood.

Incidental Inventions

Incidental Inventions isn't a novel, but a collection of essays that were originally published in The Guardian. Here, Ferrante offers a glimpse into her thoughts and observations on a variety of topics. Expect insightful and thought-provoking reflections on everyday experiences, personal fears, and the creative process itself!

Troubling Love

Troubling Love centers around Delia, who returns to her childhood home after her mother, Amalia, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. As Delia grapples with grief, she confronts repressed memories of her childhood that were made difficult by her mother's volatile relationships with abusive men. The narrative unfolds as Delia pieces together the events leading up to her mother's death and confronts the lingering effects of her complicated upbringing.

Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey

"Frantumaglia" is a word borrowed from Ferrante's mother and means "a jumble of fragments". This collection of Ferrante's writings does not feel like a jumble, but rather a rich body of work that provides insight into the challenges and joys of her writing process and the inspirations behind her novels.

In The Margins: On the Pleasures of Reading & Writing

Another collection of essays, In The Margins: On the Pleasures of Reading & Writing is Ferrante's exploration of the joys of being both a writer and a reader. She dives deep into her formative experiences with literature, her masterful approach to writing, and the challenges that can come with crafting meaningful stories.

Looking for more book inspo? Be sure to check out our storefront for more fab reading recs!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Amazon

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