1. Find a hat you love and give yourself a break with an extra dose of the snooze button. Bad hair days begone!

2. Wrap it up. Nothing says cozy days like a favorite scarf. Keep the chill at bay with a splash of color or pattern around your neck.

3. The Goodie Hoodie! A long established stable. Go girly puff sleeves or classic sporty. There is a hoodie that is right for you. Slip in and zip it up!

4. Its all in the jeans! Denim is like dynamite. Go dark and take a girlfriend with you to do a “how does my bum look…?” Think stretchy and avoid the on-the-bed wiggle!

5. Grace in your pace. Its all in the shoes. And whether you boot it or a sneaker pimp or somewhere in between, the sole must soothe your soul!

About Sima

I moonlight as a fashion stylist, give creative ideas away for a price, am a reluctant writer and an aspiring yoga teacher. I keep a flat in Vancouver and my Heart in London. You can follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/simakumar or in twitter tweet @simakumar.

If you girls feel like getting into the “Back-to-School” spirit of things, try throwing on one of these flicks about the joys, sorrows, discoveries and adventures of life as a teenager. These lists are a sampling of the high school genre, and are in no particular order. And don’t hate on me because I didn’t include “High School Musical”, or whatever your fave may be. Tell us in the comments which ones we should check out! I focused on high school, so I left flicks like “Legally Blonde” and “Old School” out, maybe a list for another time. Also, the content in some of these flicks can be really heavy, so check the content and the ratings before you dive in (okay, disclaimer over .

Enjoy! Learn! Laugh! And know that you’re not alone!

The Entertaining

1. Mean Girls

2. Rushmore

3. Election

4. American Pie

5. Bring It On

6. 10 Things I Hate About You

7. She’s All That

8. Can’t Hardly Wait

9. Napoleon Dynamite

10. Clueless

The Classic Coming-of-Age

1. The Breakfast Club

2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High

3. Juno

4. Ferris Bueler’s Day Off

5. Dazed and Confused

6. Sixteen Candles

7. Grease

8. Pretty in Pink

9. The Outsiders

10. Varsity Blues

The Edgy/Dramatic

1. Heathers

2. The Virgin Suicides

3. Cruel Intentions

4. Dead Poets Society

5. 13

6. Kids

7. Welcome to the Dollhouse

8. The Craft

9. Boyz N The Hood

10. Ghost World

11. School Ties

About Jen

Jen Pimm is a freelance graphic designer and writer who feels blessed to have found a way to turn her love for all things creative into a grown-up career. As a writer and editor for Girls By Design, she wants to encourage self-expression and confidence in young women because, once upon a time, she was not so sure of herself. When she’s not working like a fool, she’s probably taking artsy pictures of stuff, watching Jeopardy, or snuggling with her pug Stella. She appreciates a quick wit and is currently planning her next travel adventure. And now she’s on Twitter! At http://www.twitter.com/JenniferPimm or just tweet @JenniferPimm.

So, I think we all know that it’s that time of year again. Suddenly only one thing seems to come to mind…. school!
For some of us we love this time, it means a new start, new people, new classes, all that sort of stuff. But for the majority of us it means probably one of the most grueling things we’ll ever have to get through in life.

Personally, I kind of like going back to school, mainly because it’s something to do, you get to meet all your friends again and school years really are the best years of your life. My guess is that most of you think that I’m some sort of freak telling you I like going back to school but it’s really not all that bad.

Every morning when I’m getting ready, to brighten up the mood a bit I put on a bit of music. Mainly upbeat tunes because let’s face it, slow depressing songs on a Monday morning won’t help you girls!
Trust me though, music is my life and since the day I started pre-school (or kindergarten as some of you may call it) I’d have some form of music playing while getting ready. And if I didn’t have access to anything I’d just sing to myself! You’d really be surprised by how much this helps in the morning. Even on the way to school why not blast your iPod until the people around you can hear it! And if you’re walking with friends get them to bring theirs too! Believe me you’ll go into school smiling (or laughing!).

Ok so one of my favourite school songs (which is also very catchy!) is ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus. Check out the video. his song is so amazing. It’s also very funny and it’s also about school. The lyrics to this song are so brilliant that it will probably be stuck in your head for a week!

Of course the list wouldn’t be complete without this! ‘What I Go to School For’ by Busted. Check out the video here (The Jonas Brothers’ cover of this song isn’t too bad either). This song is really a personal favourite of mine. The song itself is a few years old but honestly, I think it’s never gonna get old!
Finally, a small list of some amazing tracks just for your school days!

6. ‘No Such Thing’ John Mayer

5. ‘Popular’ Nada Surf
4. ‘Rock ‘n Roll High School’ The Ramones
3. ‘Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)’ Baz Luhrmann
2. ‘We’re Going to be Friends’ Jack Johnson (White Stripes did a sweet rendition too)
1. ‘Graduation Song (Friends Forever)’ Vitamin C

‘Graduation Song’ is one that means a lot to me and my friends. If you girls haven’t already, you should really check it out and listen to the lyrics… it will get you thinking!  So I hope you enjoyed girls! Cos’ I really do enjoy writing these! Remember to smile, laugh and keep on singing!

About Tracey

I’m a young girl with big dreams living in a tiny little corner of Ireland! As you probably guessed music is my life and means almost everything to me. I laugh way too much and spend too much time with my guitar! My nails are always painted black and I have way too many earrings to fit in my room! I love Paramore and hope someday to be the next Hayley Williams. I love spending time with my amazing family and friends and making the most out of life!
You can check me out at www.youtube.com/XXxxtraceyfxxXX

Rant: Too much work!
Rave: New awesome experiences.

Rant: Getting up way too early.
Rave: The fall is fast approaching.

Rant: Finding out that all my friends are in different classes.
Rave: Meeting new people at a school.

Rant: I hate walking past where all the popular kids hang out.
Rave: Getting to sit beside a cute guy in a class.

Rant: Hopping on the school bus and having no one to sit with.
Rave: Being old enough to drive my own car to school.

Rant: Increased traffic, increased hustle and bustle, increased stress.
Rave: Increased activity, increased progress, increased fun!

Rant: Homework.
Rave: Watching football & basketball games at school.

Rant: Cafeteria food.
Rave: Seeing my friends every day.

The morning before I lay out everything I need to get out the door: clothes, food, purse, etc. If I’m really on my game I have the coffee ready-to-brew with the touch of a button. Yes, I know it sounds geeky… but it works! ~ Lara

Planning my outfit the night before. ~ Jenny

I get dressed while I brush my teeth and I don’t make a mess. Muahaha. ~ Sarah G

I oversleep. That way I wake up in a panicked state and get ready in a frenzied dash. Necessity is the mother of speed. This is probably not the best way to go about doing things though because I’m often late. ~ Kathy

I take a shower the night before. ~ Grace

I *try* to remember to put everything I’ll need in the morning in one place: keys, purse, cell phone, etc. ~ Jen

Make lunch the night before so you have one less thing to do in the morning. ~ Kristi

Multitasking: putting on my makeup while I blow-dry my hair, brushing my teeth in the shower, eating breakfast while I get dressed. ~ Dawn

For one GirlsByDesign high-schooler in Boise, Idaho, back-to-school is a good thing, because it means reconnecting with the people she loves. A generous girl with a light heart, Delaney Glass is passionate about her school, her community, and her friends… and it shines through everything she touches. She told us, “I try to see the best in people and I absolutely love helping people in need.”
Delaney looks to her community for people in need – and – for people who can help. She asks neighbors to donate clothing and she raises money through babysitting and dog sitting. Everything she collects goes to Corpus Christi House, www.corpuschristi.wordpress.com, a center where struggling people can enjoy a cup of coffee, food, and a shower, and grab some free clothes.
“I try to help as many people as I can with any of their problems. Don’t get me wrong, I do not do it for self satisfaction… I do it so the people I help can live better lives. I am always looking to help and to love,” says Delaney. And she takes every chance she gets. Delaney helps with her church’s youth group projects, she collects money for kids in Africa, and she raises money for a local hospital Teen Center.
School starts on August 31 for Delaney, and when it does, she’s ready-set-going for a scholarship. “I am going to work my butt off for a full ride scholarship to any Ivy League college or possibly the University of British Columbia,” says Delaney. She’s thinkin’ a little study abroad action in Ireland, England or Canada is lookin’ pretty good too. Delaney says, “I love to enjoy life and simply suck the nectar out of it. Life on this planet is so beautiful and precious.”
Diggin’ on Delaney
Don’t mess with her: She says “I currently have a blue belt” (um, a mere four from black belt, folks).
She’s a baller: “I’ve been playing volleyball for 5 years,” says Delaney.
She also plays electric guitar, piano, sings, and writes fiction, non fiction, and poetry. 
Delaney by Design: 
Fave:
Angel: Zach. “I had a brother named Zach but he died before I was born. My mom used to say I would be talking in my room when no one was in there and she’d ask who I was talking to, and I said a little boy angel. So I think that could have been Zach,” says Delaney.
Way to pass time: Travel and shop.
Fun Obsessions: Old music, classic cars, vintage style, and vintage decor.
Style: Vintage meets modern.
Music: Classic rock, blues, alternative rock, classical, soft rock, some screamo, and 40’s and 50’s music.
Books: “Woods” by Harlan Coben, “The Maximum Ride Series” and “Sunday’s at Tiffany’s” by James Patterson.
Inspirations: Kristin Kreuk (aw!), Allison Mack, Tom Welling, her jiu jitsu instructor Keith Owen, and Mr. Falash, her seventh  grade history teacher. “He changed me for the better. If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I truly think he is an angel,” she says.  

About Lara

GoodGossipgirl, Lara Piu is all about good things celebrities do and how anyone, anywhere can Live the Good Life too. Check her out at www.goodgossipgirl.com.
Photo of Lara Piu courtesy of Barbara Stitzer Photography, www.barbarastitzer.com