Erin Condren Notebook

I got the Erin Condren notebook in the same 7" x 9" size that the life planner comes in. I figured this would be practical size for a notebook I would lug around with me and toss in and out of bags. I love the sturdy coil because nothing is more frustrating than when your coil bends and breaks. The cover is interchangeable just like the life planner. I got the keep it simple version of this notebook since I didn't know what I wanted to do with it when I purchased it and I didn't really think I would be needing a calendar.

If I haven't already said it. I love how sturdy the cover is as well. Again throwing this in my bag and taking it places I like that it will stand up to the test of time.

I have been tossing this notebook around for a few months and I finally decided to use it for crafts (big surprise there) and in fact I am thinking of getting some others in the future for other projects since they seem to hold up so well.

This one however I commandeered for knit and crochet. I started by neatly copying down instructions so I can understand them for projects I am working on. I also plan the eventually add some photos (scrap book style) of the yarn projects I complete.

The page above shows my interpretation of my grandmothers ripple chevron afghan. She never had any real instructions for how to make this afghan so I had to come up with my own. I like that this can sort of become a diary of things I have made. I also recently learned to make some finger-less gloves with my mother in law Betty and once I have it down and the right fit for me I will add this to my notebook. It will be great to be able to reference my notebook for instructions and sizing, maybe even get my sisters and friends sizes too.

In the back there are some blank pages which would be great for crochet charts or pictures of finished projects, maybe even some inspirational photos or quotes. A dream board for future projects,

And lastly the final page. Here I have my ruler tucked in the back for now I think it will be handy to mark and find your current project.

I will post some updates as I am not far from finishing the fabled afghan. When I feel more confident about the gloves I will post them too.

If you haven't checked out the notebooks they are worth a look.

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

Erin Condren Update and Address Book!

Hello! I just wanted to update you that this has remained my current  basic layout in my Erin Condren Life Planner. Still finding my way but also still very much enjoying my planner.

Another item I wanted to share was my address book also by Erin Condren.

I chose to go with an alphabet initial cover but there are many other options to choose from. I love than this is the same size as the life planner. You'll notice that it also came with a ruler.

Just inside the address book is a perpetual calendar for special dates, I choose to use this section strictly for Anniversaries.

I love how each tabbed alphabet section features the letter all over the page and a quote on the opposite side.

Inside there is plenty of space to add all your contact info for your family and friends.

For the couples on my list, and there are many. I simply put their initial by the birthday portion so I could add both their special days.

In the back of the address book you have a folder pocket which I have placed my travel perpetual calendar from my life planner. Here I have written only birthdays for all my family and friends.

This may seem somewhat redundant however this way if you're not sure when a birthday is you can simply look that person up by name in the address book. Then if you just want to know who's birthday's are coming up in the next month you can just flip to the right month in the perpetual calendar.

 I am a huge fan of a hard copy of all this important info as I have heard of people losing their phones*knock wood* or they become damaged beyond repair*knock wood again* and you are unable to retrieve the info.  But most importantly I enjoy sitting down during the holiday's and filling out my holiday cards without having to constantly look at and refer to my cell phone. Sometimes we need to just break away from looking at screens all day.

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

Studio L2E Planner Stamps

Planner stamps with Studio L2E.

Perfect compliment to my Erin Condren Life Planner.

Each set of stamps comes in a sleek clear envelope sleeve with a piece of white heavy card stock behind the stamps so you can easily see the images.

First off, I am loving these stamps! I am a stamper and these are the perfect size for my life planner they are just the right height in the plan it and list it series for the headers in my planner. If you haven't seen my previous post, see it here for how I use my life planner.

These first two I have to share are the Plan it and List it stamp sets. Each one contained basic planning phrases that I wanted to use in my life planner. If you're looking for some good starter stamps that will get you organized and planning these are the ones.

Next I have everything hexagon... Hexagon Numbers, Hexagon Builder, and then Hexagon Alphabet.

I will admit I have played around with these and love them, however I have not as of yet used them in my everyday stamping. I think they will be great for special days and events in my planner and also used in greeting cards.

Next up... Today's Weather and BeYOUtiful Plans.

I simply couldn't resist the little weather symbols. I probably won't use them everyday but on days we're outside or they're something special going on we can look back and say it was snowing or sun-shining.

The beYOUtiful plans stamp set I though was adroable I enjoy playing with makeup and pampering myself every now and then and this allows me to schedule it right in. I also love that it has "girls night" and "pamper" because sometimes you just need to do something for you.

Thanks for reading♥

Erin Condren Life Planner

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of my very first Erin Condren Life Planner!

The colors I chose for my cover were light gray and plum.

I know many of you who are finding this have already seen the insides of an Erin Condren Life Planner so I'll be brief on the intro and get right into the way I plan on organizing my life.

PS: Click the pictures to enlarge!

First off here's a blank month for reference.

This is November, our current month and when I received my planner. 

I like to use Washi tape to map out my work days since as you can see they are all over the place. Yikes! I have nothing written in the goals section to the right and much of this looks empty and that's because the months nearly over. I want however for my monthly spread to highlight the major things that are happening in my life and work is a big part of that. I will also add in birthdays, family events and other major happenings to this page. I'm planning on using part of the goals section for my bills that are due because I like to see those laid out over the whole month to make sure everything gets paid on time and check them off as I go.

Here's the first weekly spread of my Life Planner, it starts in the last week of October which was weeks ago so I decided to use this as a brain storming page. I thought really long and hard about my life goals and what I want to accomplish and set to lay those things out in these categories. I know things will probably change and evolve as I grow and I love that the blank format of this life planner allows for that. If you get your planner and have some extra weeks in it that have already gone by use them to find out what works for you.

After I decided what I wanted out of each section I decided to map out the whole week. I wanted to see it in full view, so I took another one of my extra weeks and set it up. 

I decided the first section of my day would be my "to do" list, chores, errands, appointments.

The next section I wanted to focus on my passions, my dreams. Which is really anything crafty, sewing, card making, crochet, etc, but  my main focus being my blog and my Craftsy.

The third section I had a hard time deciding what would get that spot but as soon as I realized there is more room at the bottom a decision was made to make it "family time". Now family time to me is as simple as the time I spend with my husband and our cat (i.e. date night, or TV time together) to something more literal like a family gathering. Also I would include it to mean time spent with friends and being social.

Lastly in the small lined section is my space for my health goals. I use a fit bit so I really don't need to document it on paper but I like the paper as a reminder to stay hydrated and workout.

Finally we have the section on the right which doesn't belong to any particular day but rather the whole week or really whatever you want it to be. I want to record what I am currently reading as a reminder to put that device down and pick up a book. As for the rest of the column I haven't decided yet.

And finally I have the start of this week, today is Tuesday and there's still a lot of blank space. I don't want to have my planner swallowed up by stickers and tape. I am practical planner first and pretty second. I will use stickers and tape but carefully. As Tim Gunn would say "use the just fab accessories wall very thoughtfully"

I think my advice to new planner owners would be "leave yourself some room to grow"

If you haven't checked out Erin Condren's life planners yet then click this link to visit her site.

Thanks for reading♥