This Easy Notebook Hack Will Make You a Multitasking Pro

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

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.

Our spring fashion era is in full swing at the moment, so that obviously means we’re on the hunt for all the cutest spring dresses. Abercrombie & Fitch simply killsit when it comes to dresses, and we can’t get enough of their latest styles! Their current collection of spring dresses strikes the perfect balance between effortless and elevated, so you can work with endless outfit combos this spring – from formal to casual.

There's an Abercrombie & Fitch spring dress just begging to be added to your spring outfit rotation – shop our 9 faves below!

Abercrombie & Fitch

The A&F Mara Strapless Denim Mini Dress

Made with denim that has a bit of stretch, this button-up strapless dress totally makes a statement – all while keeping you comfortable.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Dipped-Waist Smocked Midi Dress

Polka dots are the "it" pattern this spring. Rock it in the form of this adorably flattering drop-waist dress, and your look will instantly stun!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Straight Neck Slip Skort

This marvelous mini comes complete with built-in shorts for added security wherever you wear it.

Abercrombie & Fitch

The A&F Julia Strapless Slip Maxi Dress

The smooth blue hues on this slip dress make it perfect for a beachy vacation, recalling the ocean waves to a tee. The strapless design of this cutie can be worn interchangeably with detachable straps, too, if you wish for added support up top.

Abercrombie & Fitch

The A&F Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

We're huge fans of gingham dresses over here, especially for springtime. This maxi flaunts all the coolest details, from the playful puff sleeves and tiered skirt to the femme square neckline and body-hugging ruched bodice. It'll look iconic with sandals and boots alike!

Abercrombie & Fitch

The A&F Julia Slip Lace Maxi Dress

This lacy maxi would work wonderfully for more formal events, thanks to its luxe, satiny finish! The simple slip silhouette is always timeless, and ideal for accessorizing with spring heels and your go-to jewelry stack.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Knit Tube Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

Drop waists help elongate your bod, adding to a most flattering fit. Thanks to the strapless nature of this dress, it'll also make you feel like an absolute princess, no matter how you style it for spring! The cotton-modal fabric it's cut from is impressively soft and breathable to keep you feelin' cool all day.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Babydoll Bubble Hem Mini Dress

Yes, yes, and yes to butter yellow dresses! This mini also boasts a unique (and super trendy) bubble hem that adds such a whimsical vibe to your spring get-ups. We'd definitely pair this one with some platform sandals to make every step comfy as can be.

Abercrombie & Fitch

V-Neck Linen-Blend Mini Dress

This little black dress is the ultimate spring basic for wearing in all sorts of ways. The ruching on the back along with its natural body-skimming shape instantly complement your figure, so you can feel confident pairing it with everything from casual sneaks to elevated boots this spring!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more editor-loved fashion picks!

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

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)

As much as I've written about Reese Witherspoon's book club, you'd think I was on a first name basis with her (wishful thinking)! But, the truth is that it's the reason I rediscovered reading for fun. As informational as books can be, there's also joy, anguish, fear — and even spicy romance — to lose ourselves in. I'm become a firm believer in holding on to things that bring us joy so if your book stash is overflowing, you're going to love Reese's January and February picks!

Learn about Reese Witherspoon's 2025 Book Club picks!

April 2025

Amazon

All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett

Considered one of our most-anticipated new books in April, All That Life Can Afford grapples with one young woman's experience with a fast-paced life filled with classism. It begins with an introduction of Anna and her love for the "beautiful" London. Based on glossy images in Library books, she's convinced that's the place she needs to be. But she's sorely disappointed when she arrives to find a gloomy place that mirrors life in her hometown.

Before long, Anna's swept into the luxurious life of the Wilders as their daughter's tutors and begins experiencing the glitz she thought London would give her. From parties to two attractive pursuits, she's living a life that many dream of...until she begins to struggle under the crushing weight of portraying a "rich and famous" lifestyle" that doesn't match her background.

March 2025

Amazon

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Beth and Frank seem like they have it all on the surface of their marriage, but that's only because they've been avoiding a huge elephant in the room. Bliss seems like a wonderful place to stay, but Frank's brother commits a crime that stirs up the presence of Gabriel Wolfe. He's the man that used to make Beth's heart beat so long ago, but she swore him off after their romance ended in heartbreak. But now he's back with a son named Leo who feels familiar to Beth.

It doesn't take long for Beth and Gabriel to start interacting, but it comes with painful memories that threaten her marriage with Frank. There'll be a reckoning soon enough, forcing Beth to make peace with her past, present and future.

February 2025

Amazon

Isolaby Allegra Goodman

When readers are first introduced to Marguerite, she's an heiress who has a promising future ahead of her. With barely anything to worry about, she enjoys a sweet childhood until she becomes an orphan under the care of a reckless man. Not only does he seize the inheritance that was intended for her, he also behaves cruelly and leaves her stranded on an island.

Facing perilous weather and other unspeakable things, Marguerite learns how to survive with "faith the size of a mustard seed."

Reese Witherspoon says, "This is easily one of my favorite historical fiction reads yet," (via Instagram).

January 2025

Amazon

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan (New Release)

Cate Kay's a literary genius who's cracked the code of keeping readers engaged in her written work. She's also secured a film franchise that's made fans go wild. But, no one's ever seen Cate Kay or talked to her. She's an enigma on purpose.
You see, 'Cate Kay' and her bestie Amanda made plans to live lavish lives in California. They were so sure everything would work out until something awful happens that forces 'Cate Kay' to leave her real identity behind.

It's not until something forces her to make peace with where she comes from that 'Cate Kay' decides it's time to stop running from who she is.

Reese Witherspoon says, "Have you ever felt like you were living more than one life? That’s exactly what Cate Kay is grappling with in our January pick, The Three Lives of Cate Kay by @KateFagan3. She’s a literary sensation, the face behind a blockbuster film trilogy, but her life isn’t what it seems. This story swept me away with its big dreams, love, and unexpected twists," (via Instagram).

Visit our storefront to check out more of our top book picks!

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

This post has been updated.

Trader Joe’s always knows exactly how to get us excited for new products – and this time, the grocer is bringing back their viral Mini Canvas Tote Bags in four brand-new colors that are all perfect for spring! Hitting stores on April 8, you’re not going to want to miss this TJ’s drop.

Here’s everything you need to know about the return of Trader Joe’s Mini Canvas Tote Bags for spring 2025.

@traderjoesobsessed

Trader Joe’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed first circulated the rumor that the Mini Canvas Tote Bags are set to return to Trader Joe’s this spring.

“Rumor has it that the pastel mini canvas bags will be here in April. Usually, they do release these on a Wednesday. How excited are you for these colors? I can’t wait to customize them!” the caption reads.

Another source, @zuncola, hinted that the totes could hit stores as early as April 8 or 9.

@traderjoesobsessed

There are four different colorways in this season’s Mini Canvas Tote Bag drop: pink, blue, green, and purple. But they’re not your ordinary pinks, blues, greens, and purples – they come in pastel hues that all look stunning.

From carrying your quick grocery hauls to toting each and every picnic essential you’ll need this spring, these bags get it all done in sheer style.

Trader Joe’s

In the past, the Trader Joe’s Mini Canvas Tote Bags have been a limited-time item that garnered plenty of attention from shoppers, even sparking a massivefrenzy inside stores with customers racing to snag their own tote. Some TJ’s locations have also placed a buying limit for bags like these, typically 1 per customer. Based on the reception of the rumors for this year, you’ll likely want to plan when and how you’re going to get your hands on one.

Instagram

Tons of Trader Joe’s fanatics sounded off in the comments of @traderjoesobsessed’s post about the rumors of the Mini Canvas Tote Bags’ return:

“Stoppppp no way!! 😱😱” one person wrote.

‘Yes! These will make great bags for Easter gifts,” another said.

“Looks like I need to buy camping gear cause I'll be in that line before sunrise 🤩,” one more fan commented.

Reddit

This year, the Mini Canvas Tote Bags sell for $2.99 each, per Trader Joe's.

Reddit

The Mini Canvas Tote Bags are restocked on Trader Joe's shelves near you starting April 8. Run, don't walk!

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This post has been updated.