Leelee's Planner Essentials - Guest Blog Post

Hi friends, today I have for you a guest blog post from the lovely Leelee who has just started out her own blog called Leelee's Planner Addiction. Leelee is giving us an insight into her planning essentials, over to you Leelee...

 

Hi Guys, My name is Leelee, and Anna and I are going to do guest blog posts for each others blog, you can find Anna's post over on my blog on the 5th July 23:55 GMT. 

This post is talking about some essentials I use for my planner, when I first started planning and organising I searched for the essentials, but they were like washi tape and all things decorative, if your starting with them, you might think oh I've got to buy lots of this, but the truth is you don't need washi tape, or stickers you can get what ever you want for you planner, there is no do's and don'ts with planners you can do what ever you want and that's the best part. This is just what I like to use and I think you should try it out, but you don't have to if you don't like it.

So first on the planner essentials list is sticky notes, these work really well and help pretty up your pages! They help highlight important things as well. But remember if your just starting the planner world then buy a pack and see if you like them, if you do experiment with more!

I use a variety of sticky notes these are the ones that I tend to use:



The next essential (remember you don't have to get this it's just what works for most people.) is washi tape. Lots of people like to use washi tape. Most new planner fanatics get overwhelmed and think that they need to get lots of washi tape and quick but they don't. Most planner fanatics have accumulated it over time. If your not a big decorator, then don't worry buy a roll from the shops to test it out, or you can buy samples for as little as 20p on etsy.

This is some washi tape that I have:



The next essential is a hole punch I have a cheap one but it's lasted through tuff plastic for my planner and it's amazing. This is a definable planner essential if your planner is ring-bound, and you make your own inserts and/or dividers! It's worth the £0.75! Mine looks like this:

The next thing I would try out to put in my planner is... Stickers, I can't live without them however they do tend to get on the expensive side, so I'm sticking with stamps, you can reuse them, it's good for the environment and then once you've got stamps you like you just have to buy ink which, I feel lasts a long time. I've got this stamp:

I also think paperclips are an essential, because you might need to clip paper together. Everyone has paper clips at home, use them! Then if you like them get shaped ones or make your own! I will do a blog post on how to make them, I'm sure Anna has one up. I know she has a youtube video for it. I have a set it looks like this:

The next essential on my list is pens or at least a pen, your going to need this to write. I have a variety of pens for colour coding or just adding colour to my page, but beware some pens bleed through paper and aren't good, some pens are quite expensive, but some cheap fine liners or something like that, see if they work out for you! Mine look like:









I have even more but these are the main ones I use.

The next essential is one that everyone will need and you have to have this and it is a planner, there are different varieties of planners I'm not going to go into detail about this as I will do a corresponding post in a few weeks time on my blog, some planners are Kate spade, Erin condren, filofax, franklin covey, day timer and day runner, there are plenty more these are just a few. that was my planner essentials list and remember... 

Dont worry about what planner users are doing with theirs, do with yours what you wish to do to make it yours!

That's all for now. Check out my blog at www.planneruniverse.wordpress.com

~Leelee xoxo

PS you can find any of these on esty, ebay, Amazon, and any good stationery and craft stores, like staples.

My Current Journal Collection {Part Two}

Following on from last week I wanted to share with you the remainder of my current journals. If you missed last week you can see it on this blog post.

So let's get straight into it, here are the rest of the journals that I keep...

Anniversary Journal

When we got married I had a picture of us printed onto a notebook from Photobox and I only ever write in this journal once a year on or around our wedding anniversary. Mr B and I went to school together and we have known each other since we were 11, only getting together as a couple age 16 when we left school and realised that we missed seeing each other everyday. We then married in 2007 and this journal was started on our one year anniversary.

In this journal I record how we celebrated our actually anniversary and I also record things like where we are at in our life, what we have done or accomplished that year and our goals and aspirations for the coming year. I also like to record some factual data as follows:

• Who was no 1 in the music charts
• The price of a pint of milk
• The price of a load of bread
• The price of a litre of fuel
• Who is Prime Minister
• Our place of employment, job title and salary
• Our address

I think these things would be really interesting to look at in years to come because it is those simple every day things that we take for granted when we are currently living them that would be fascinating in 50 years time!

Ideas Journal
I have an ideas journal for jotting down and recording all of those little things that one day I may want to refer to.

Home decor ideas
I have a journal dedicated to the house with ideas and inspiration for possible decoration. Whenever I see something in a magazine I clip it out and stick it in. I didn't want to make any rash decisions when it came to decorating the house as this is a long term project so we want to make sure we get it right and take time to formulate our ideas!

Character journal
My character journal is a journal written by my alter ego 'Elana'. It is kind of a work of fiction but also an outlet when I was going through a very rough time in my life. I could write as this person and have fun in a mystical world. To be perfectly honest I haven't written in this for way over a year, which is great in a lot of ways but also I feel it is a shame as I liked her and the story. Maybe I could pick it up again now I am in a better, brighter place?

Meditation / Dream Journal
I like to meditate frequently so I have a journal beside me so that I can jot down anything that comes to me afterwards. I also have some funky dreams sometimes so I like to record those in their too.

Faces Sketchbook
Last but not least I have a sketchbook dedicated to my drawing study of faces. I was always told off at college for drawing what was in my head rather than what I saw so every now and then I like to have a practise and as I very often like to draw / paint faces in my art journal then this is great practise for me. Again I haven't used this one in a while but it it there if I want to. This is a sketch from about a year and a half ago...

And that folks sums up my current journal collection. For now. It will change, I know it will, the reason I know it will as I have something on order currently so that will add to my collection in a matter of weeks. And then of course I will finish my art journal so it will be on to a new one. So it kind of changes in as much as the book itself will change but the format may not. Who knows, lets just wait and see!

I would love to see your journals if you would like to share them with me :D

Book Review - Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

I literally have one word for this book. Phenomenal.

OK book review done, bye!

Only kidding but seriously this book is still with me now. You know when you read a book and it kind of becomes part of you in a haunting way, it stays with you and you keep thinking about it and find it difficult to move on to the next one as your mind is still wrapped up in this one. Well this is that book.

This was actually quite a hard book to review other than simply saying wow, because it really was a wowzer kind of book! It was unbelievably gripping, I just had to find out what had happened and piece all of the bits together. I read this book in two days, nothing else mattered I just had to read it and get to the end, I really did.

Unfortunately the synopsis on Amazon and the new book cover is now alot more comprehensive than the copy that I bought which I think is a bit of a pity as I went into the story without knowing quite so much but I share it with you here as it is widely found on the internet:

A gripping, suspenseful debut that will haunt you long after you have turned the final page…

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night.

The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years.

Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind.

With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past.

But does she really want to know the truth?

For me the plot was a little predictable, well the main story line, the reason she went missing was and I think it will be for most people but what really gripped me was the way in which the story was told. There is an underlying plot too which I really did not suspect and the reason Angie has other people with her. That is all I am going to say as I really don't want to spoil it for anyone.

The most interesting thing in the book for me was learning about DID (Dissociative identity disorder) which I found quite fascinating. I really like a book that makes me think more. Obviously this is a work of fiction but also a very frighteningly true possibilities which makes it both interesting and scary at the same time.

This weeks decorated Filofax Pages! - Hey Foxy!

Another week in a row I have decided to decorate my pages. I could get addicted to this! So far I don't have all that much going on but as I well know, all that could change in a blink of an eye but still there is plenty of room for me to write should I need to do so.

This week I went with a fox / orange theme!

So I started out with just two lines of washi tape, one in a plain orange and the other with a mixed pattern on. Both of these tapes are the slimline washi tape. The patterned one came from Fox and Star and is sold in a set of three along with a green and red tape.

The stickers are both ones that I sell in my Etsy shop. The fox is from the woodland sticker set and the squirrel is from the sticker set that is in the woodland letter writing set.

I then remembered that I received a woodland themed set of sticky notes in my last Linkys Stationery Subscription Box so I decided to add those in to my pages both as decoration and little places to write notes.

I always like to add in a co-ordinating paper clip or two for clipping in extra to do sheets or holding bits of mail that need attention and I also use them as page markers. This week I am using my plushie fox paper clip that came from itsfluffystuff on Etsy.

I am really pleased with the overall look and decoration. As you know I don't like to have too much stuff that will get in the way of my 'seeing' what is on my to do list extra.

Linkys Dream Stationery Subscription Box Unboxing - July 2014

Hey guys, it is that time of month again when my door mat is smiling, why? It is Linkys Stationery Subscription box time again! Whoop whooop! I cannot tell you how happy this little (well as it turns out, not so little) box of goodies makes me feel. I mean for a starters just look at the way it came! A delight even before you open it, just look at that yummy cupcake wrapping.

I loved this box and I just knew I would from the outer wrapping. I am such a packaging nerd I can tell you so you can imagine my utmost delight to open the box to find that everything was so lovingly wrapped in the cutest miffy tissue paper. The bunny fan in me practically bounced off the walls! I really don't know how she has the time to do it but pretty much everything is wrapped. By hand. By Leah herself, I tell you Leah, I really do appreciate it, it really is like Christmas.

So on with the unboxing, what did I receive? Well in every Linkys box there are always little bits and pieces like confetti, sequins, pom poms, feathers, that kind of thing and I just love it. I collect it all. You also always receive a confectionery item of some sort and she always pops other little goodies to discover in amongst the packages like paper clips and notelets, lots of nice little bits and bobs.

On to the main items or wrapped items. I received a froggy pen which is in the same style as other pens that I have had from Linkys, super cute and really good quality and they fit very nicely in a Filofax pen loop too! There was also glitter washi tape, a roller deco tape and cute little sticky notes and flags. I also received Martha Stewart Dew Drops which I have heard so much about and seen other people using but I have never actually used any myself so it will be interesting to see how I can incorporate them into my organising and the star stickers will come in handy for prioritising tasks or important dates and as symbols go I do love my stars!

I received some lovely items for my A5 Filofax. I received two super cute bunny dashboards, one super sparkly dashboard and a lovely animal print fly leaf. I also received a pack of beautiful paper, hole punched and ready to go which is just perfect for the Filofax that I use as a journal. I love it all and can't wait to pop them in my Filofax.

I do have an utmost favourite item though and that is the Little Miss notebook not only fun and so me but it is also really good quality. I will without a doubt, put that to good use along with the coloured pencils... I am thinking hobonichi or fauxbonichi style! Also included were project life sized cards which are perfect as journalling spots in my journals or as little notelets in my Filofax.

If you would like to see me 'unbox the box' so you can get a better feel for the items and size etc please do watch the video below.


Wasn't it a fantastic box? If you agree why not get one too! I would hurry if you do, I know at the time of writing this that she is all sold out for July and August is selling out super fast too. There is a limited number of each box but you can buy any month (going forward) right the way through to the end of the year. Boxes are priced at just £15 with shipping in the UK at £3, she does ship internationally and the price is dependent on your Country, you just need to get in touch with her for a quote! Head on over to LinkysDream.co.uk to order yours!

I know everyone's boxes are different as she tries to cater to your needs. Don't worry if you are not a Filofaxer but just a stationery lover, you don't have to have the Filofax related bits! If you got a Linkys Box and have done an unboxing do leave me a comment as I would love to see what you got too! I know you shouldn't with the time away but I really can't wait until next month now...

Filofax Friday!

Hi Filofax Friday Friends! Today for FF I am coming to your in vlog format again. I do really enjoy just sitting down and having a chat with you all!

So what am I talking about this week?

Getting to 1,000 followers on instagram! Crikey, I still can't believe that over a thousand of you want to look at pictures from little old me, that just blows my mind it really does and I just wanted to say thank you so much to all of you for your support, it really does mean a lot to me and I do appreciate it. As a token of my appreciation I ran a giveaway over on instagram for a £25.00 voucher to spend in my Etsy store. This giveaway is now closed and the winner was annouced. I am sure I will do another giveaway in the future when I hit another milestone. I do very much like giving back to the people that support me.

OK so here is a misconception about me... a lot of people think that because I have a blog and make youtube videos that I am online a lot. In fact that couldn't be father from the truth. I practically never go on Facebook or Twitter but I do LOVE with capital letters, Instagram. For me that is my social media of choice because I just love the positivity and I am a very visual person and just love looking at photos about anything and everything. My instagram is not just Filofaxes but also other stationery, journals, my guinea pigs & bunnies and also random stuff about me or my life. I kind of treat my vlogs on my Ginger Juice channel and my instagram account as little mini journals in their own right, documenting the day to day stuff. Anyway I really enjoy it and I wanted to say thank you once again!

Following requests I am also sharing with you what I bought when I went to the Philofaxy meet up in London. I did say it wasn't a lot so when you see it you will probably be very disappointed lol!

I also share with you my recent planner pretty additions in the form of two lovely flyleaves from the lovely Beck of Just Keep Pinning. They are so fab. I already have the minions one in my A5 Apex and my pocket size one will be working it's way into my pocket aqua Saffiano which, hint hint, will be the topic of next weeks FF! So if you want to see what I turned that little beauty into please make sure to click the follow on Bloglovin button on the right hand side or follow me by email or other social media becuase the blog posts automatically feed in to social media when they are published.

Last but not least, homework. I mentioned in a previous vlog that I had stopped setting homework for you as it was time consuming and I was struggling to think of what to set. Well quite a few of you said that you were enjoying that and that you missed it. Sooooooo, I am thinking of reinstating it BUT I need some input from you guys too. I am happy to do that again but I would like to know what sort of topics you would like to see videos / blog posts on. As I have said all along, there will only ever be content from me when I have something to say, that is usually most weeks but there may be some weeks where there isn't any. Filofax Fridays will take place in the form of vlogs, me chatting about what has been going on FF related in my world, Tutorials & How to's, and then more inspirational and instructional videos. So let me know what you guys think.

Anyway, that is enough ramble from me, let me know your thoughts!




Click here to see the video!

Guest Blog Post: Acetate Dashboards {Filofax, day planners etc}

My name is Becks and having recently manifested what can only be described as “Pinaddiction” - completely addicted to Pinterest. I thought it might actually be time to actually do something with all these boards I have for inspiration, creation and organisation. That way I can justify my addiction as having a useful purpose (well that is what I will tell myself and my partner) and just keep pinning!

 

So in May the JustKeepPinning.com blog was born and serves as a record of my “Pinspired” activities. I hope some of my activities in turn, will inspire others to make, create and do. Pinterest serves as inspiration for my Filofax decoration and customisation. You can't really spend much time in the friendly, Filofax world before you stumble upon Mrs Brimbles wonderful Etsy shop and from their her fab blog and Youtube channel. All of which are great for top tips, and inspiration. I wanted to mention, in particular the first Mrs Brimbles video I watched "Filofax Dashboard - how to make and what with". As it inspired me to try something just that little bit different with my Filofax Dashboards. Mrs Brimbles mentions using a chocolate box acetate that she cuts down to size for a planner with a snowman on and for some reason that sent my neurons firing back to my teaching days when Interactive Whiteboards did not exist and I used (sparingly due to the expense) OHPs you could print onto. I managed to dig them out and find them:

 

 I was aching to try them out as a Dashboard but, what to use as an image? Thankfully Mrs Brimbles could also provide me with the answer..... her FREE Filofax Friday could artwork dashboard, so I quickly printed this and punched it, and it looks great: 

 

The above is just with plain lined paper behind but because of its transparency you can use it in all kinds of ways. I tend to use mine in my journal Filofax with a quote behind it like so: 

 

Which looks even more amazing! That was only the beginning, it got me started creating a whole range of different dashboards with acetates: 

 

Just goes to show how one spark of inspiration can take you so far! Thanks Mrs Brimbles for being such great spark! I am even thinking of selling these in my new Etsy shop to spread the joy of acetate dashboards.