Artline Monday - How to start planning

So it’s a brand new year and the perfect time to get organised!  If you got a lovely new planner for Christmas or treated yourself in the sales then I have some tips for you today to help you get started on your planning journey.

My planning tips - created with Artline pens

No matter what kind of planner you use the basics of planning are the same: 

• Write down any important dates and reminders 
• Take time to check and use your planner daily 
• Follow through with your plans (it's no good writing things down & then not doing them)
• Utilise to do lists 
• Colour code

For this post I will be showing you how I plan my month but you can also use these tips for planning your week or day too.  

A blank month ready to be filled in

The very first thing I do is decide what colours I am going to use for my colour coding, having a set colour for certain things means it is easy to spot the information I need even when there are a lot of notes on my pages.  

For January I am using dark blue for birthdays, light blue for my children, royal blue for my blog, grey for me, black for my husband and a blue highlighter for any bills or payments I need to make.  I made a note of this in the long, thin box down the right hand side of my page but as the month goes on I usually remember what each colour is for anyway.  Then it was time to fill in the month with my important dates and reminders.  

All my dates and reminders

I also add any money that will be coming out of my account by drawing a thick line with my highlighter and writing over it which bill it is for.

Adding bills & payments with a Supreme highlighter

I like to use a little bit of space to write down my goals for the month (or week or day depending on what I am planning) so I used a Supreme brush marker to create my own header for this and then added them to my notes section.   

Goals for the month

I also made another header for my monthly to do list.  These are usually things that I need to get done over the course of the month but not on a specific week or day.  On my weekly pages I have daily to do lists that include things like tasks and errands.

I use to do lists to help me achieve my big goals too.  Sometimes a goal can seem really far away and hard to reach so I try to break it down into smaller steps that I can complete and it feels less scary and more manageable doing it this way.

Monthly to do list

Now I have all this information in my planner I need to open it up and check it daily!  Every night before I go to bed I look inside to see if I need to prepare anything for the following day and then I check again in the morning to make sure I know what I need to do or where I need to be.  I also need to add more notes and reminders as the month goes on and things change or crop up, setting aside 5 or 10 minutes a day to do this really helps me to keep on top of everything!

My month so far

If this post has inspired you to start planning but you don't have a diary or planner then you can use a notebook and pen to get organised, check out my Bullet journal basics post for some more ideas and information.

Recipe Diary 2019

Are you looking for a new planner for 2019?  Do you love to cook, consider yourself a foodie or know someone who is?  Well then let me tell you about the Recipe Diary!

The Recipe Diary*

As you can guess the diary contains lots of yummy recipes for you to try over the year and it is available in a range of beautiful covers so you can pick the one that suits you best.  There's even a special Mum's edition which has extra space for your kids timetable and activities, it makes me feel like a domestic goddess just thinking about it!

The full range of Recipe Diaries for 2019*

When Emma from the Recipe Diary contacted me she said I could select which diary I would like to review but it was a really hard choice!  I was torn between the aqua and gold Foliage one and the Pineapples.  In the end I went with Foliage and it really is stunning. 

Foliage

Okay, now let's look inside the diary!  The leaf print is continued and there's a storage pocket containing a sheet of stickers with lots of different icons for birthdays, appointments, anniversaries and more.

Pocket and stickers

There is a cover page for your details so if you loose or misplace your planner it can be returned to you.  Next is a yearly overview for 2019 and then some pages for your important phone numbers and information under the headings Personal, Health, Home and Travel.  There are sections for your contacts, useful websites, calendar dates (bank holidays, religious dates, when the clocks go forwards and back etc) and then there are two pages with the calendars for 2018, 2019 and 2020 which are great for forward planning and looking back. 

Cover page for your details

There really is so much packed inside this planner, from pages for you thoughts and plans, space to list the books you would like to read, TV shows and films to watch, places to visit and events to attend right through to pages for you to record birthday, anniversary and Christmas gifts so you won't buy the same person the same gift twice!  

Now on to the foodie bits!  There is space for you to note down your favourite meals and recipes, cook's hints and tips (meat cuts, storage times etc), recipes for quick dips, dressings, sauces and desserts, weight conversions and measurements, cooking times and metric conversions.

Week on two page layout

The next section is the main part of the diary.  The seven days of the week have equal space (which is my preference) and then there is a tasty recipe complete with a photograph to tickle your fancy and inspire you to get cooking!

Each day has enough room for your to do lists, reminders and appointments and the paper is nice and smooth giving it a luxurious feel.  The diary is A5 size so large enough for your plans but still lightweight and portable if you wanted to pop it in your bag.

Recipes to make your mouth water

The wirobinding is cleverly hidden from the outside of the diary and it makes the pages lay completely flat wherever you open the book.  This is great for when you are writing in it or if you are following a recipe in your kitchen.  Speaking of recipes, doesn't this Coffee Sponge with Ginger Cream look simply divine?  I think I am definitely going to have a go at making it!

The last few pages of the diary are for notes and thinking about the future with space for your thoughts and plans for the new year and a two page overview of 2020.  Finally there is a recipe index so you can quickly find which pages have ideas for breakfasts, main courses, cakes, drinks or desserts etc.  There is also a coordinating ribbon bookmark so you easily mark your place in the planner.

I have really enjoyed reading all the recipes in the diary, there's quite a few I would like to try and better still I think I can manage as they're not too complicated!  There's a bit of a running joke in our family about how I'm not the greatest cook and my youngest daughter always tells people she prefers her school dinners to my food but maybe, just maybe next year I can change her mind if I give these new ideas a go!

If you would like to buy a copy of the Recipe Diary it costs £9.99 and you can find them here.  If you would like to win a copy for yourself or as a gift for someone else make sure you are following me on Instagram and the Recipe Diary to so you don't miss our giveaway!

Thanks for stopping by!

* Disclaimer - Images marked with * are taken from the Recipe Diary website.  I was given this product to review free of charge and as always all opinions are honest and my own.

Coming full circle - my 500th post & back in an A5 ringed planner

I can't believe this is my 500th blog post!  To mark the occasion I thought it would be a good time to reflect back a little and show you my brand new planner!

A5 Kikki K

Back in 2013 I brought a pink A5 Apex Filofax to help me get organised and as soon as I started using it I loved it.  I felt like I was finally on top of things again and it really helped me feel like I had some control over my life.  

My first ringed planner

I enjoyed using the Apex for quite a while before I decided to move onto a personal size planner which I liked because it was more portable and would fit easily in my bag without weighing it down too much. 

Over the last five and half years I have tried lots of different sizes and types of planners which I have written about and shared with you (you can check out my collection here if you like) but recently I have let my planning slip.  

Our new pup!

We have added a new puppy to our family and I have had less and less time to get my planner, supplies and stamps out so I have been relying on the calendar and notebook on my phone instead.  I know, it's shocking!  

Anyway, an email dropped into my inbox from Kikki K a few weeks ago showing off their newest planner collection called Sweet and I was smitten!  I couldn't justify spending money on another planner so I just lusted from a far and that was that..... until I got a second email some time later advertising a special offer, spend £60 and get 30% off.  It's my birthday next month and it was a really good deal so I thought I'd buy my present early (don't tell me off, I'm usually quite good!).  I added the A5 planner to my cart and some matching stickers, post its, magnetic page markers and a pen and got my discount and free shipping!  Here it is!

A5 Sweet Kikki K planner

Before I checked out I noticed that this design also came in personal size but I thought A5 would work better for me right now.  I'll be doing a lot of planning with this balanced on my knees or on my lap and I wanted the extra room to work with.  I don't take a bag out with me very often at the moment either so I wasn't bothered about the size and weight as I won't be carrying this one around.  Let me show you the inside....

Card slots, notepad, larger sections & zipped pocket

Every day is a little ray of sunshine- Monthly divider

I love all of the dividers, the illustrations are so cute!

Some pretty stickers to get you started

Undated monthly pages - 18 months

Collect moments - Weekly divider

Weekly pages

To Do divider

To do pages

The next four divider tabs were left blank so you can label them yourself, either with the stickers provided or using a pen.  I chose Journaling, Inspiration, To Action and Goals for mine.

Personalise your dividers again & again

Journaling

Plain paper to work with

Inspiration - I love this quote!

To Action - making plans!

Goals - write them down and make them real

There's a gorgeous notepad inside the back cover too

Everything looks so adorable!

Back cover

I can't wait to get started planning properly again!  I think to begin with I'll just be using my pen and a few stickers for my everyday plans and then break out my stamps and ink for Planner Friday posts until I either have more time or I just feel the need to use them every week.  

Oh and here's to the next 500 posts, thank you for being here with me!

Amanda

Artline Monday - Getting organised as a busy mum

When I first became a mum, nearly 14 years ago, I never really had to write anything down.  I could always remember phone numbers, appointments and birthdays etc without any trouble but as time passed and we added another couple of children into the mix suddenly trying to keep track of five people's lives and schedules in my head was an impossible task.  I was completely unorganised and I hated it!  I decided I had to do something so I brought myself a planner and put my whole life in there.  It was nice to have everything I needed in one place and always to hand.  I never wanted to go back to feeling like I was overwhelmed so I used the planner daily and I have been for the past four years.

Nowadays I am pretty organised and on top of things, though there are still blips along the way, today I thought I would share some of the things I have learned to help you add a little order to your busy family life.

You don't need to buy a fancy planner to get organised, you can use a notebook,  some paper or a diary (whichever you have to hand) and a pen or two or three, I really like pens!

Notebook and Artline pens

I think some people feel daunted by the idea of planning but it isn't that hard.  You just need to get into the habit of writing things down and referring back to your notes.  Here are my tips:

Created using Artline Stix drawing pens
and brush markers

Write it down

School picture day, after school clubs, Charlie's birthday party, write them down in your notebook or diary.  Even if you have a good memory it is worth making a note of them, knowing these things have been committed to paper stops me thinking about them at 2am and saves me stress and brain space.  

Depending on how busy you are, how old your children are and how many of them you have it might be a good idea to have a page or two dedicated to their activities and social lives.  My eleven year old could fill a page on her own with her drama club, choir practice, football practice, ice skating and shopping with friends... the list goes on and on.  All you have to remember is to check each section you create when you are looking through your notes and reminders.

I'm a very visual person so I love adding a splash of colour to my pages and using different coloured pens to highlight information helps me see what I need to know quickly when I look at my notes.

Make plans

There are a couple of plans I am talking about today, the first is to plan out your week or month so you can see what things you have on and what you need to do.  For example a dental appointment on the 5th, buy an anniversary card and gift before the 18th for mum and dad, pay the phone bill on the 22nd... I usually give myself a double page spread for each month and I write down any events and appointments on the one page and use the second for my to do lists and goals.

Goals are my second type of plans, what do you want to do and how can you achieve it?  Maybe deep cleaning your house sounds like a massive task which puts you off starting?  I know I would rather sit down with a cup of tea and a biscuit instead of saying to myself "Today I am going to clean the whole house"!  But if I break the whole house down into rooms it feels less scary and if I break down what I have to do in each room into simple tasks like put things away, dust, polish and vacuum it feels much more manageable.  I'd create a to do list for each room and then add the things that need to be done.  Small steps feel easier to complete and you can break down most goals this way if you take the time to think about them.  Then you just have to write them down and tick them off.

Be prepared

There is a reason this is the Scouts motto!  If you know you are going to be having a busy day or week try to be prepared for it and get everything you can out of the way early.  All of my children are in school now so mornings are especially crazy in our house.  My husband is usually out of the door before the kids are awake so I am on my own trying to wake, feed and nag them into getting ready for school so no one is late.  I find it easier to sort out everything before I go to bed the night before, I leave three bowls and spoons out on the draining board, I put water bottles and snacks into their bags which I leave by the front door with their shoes and coats.  Then there are book bags, homework and PE kits to be added depending on what day it is and yes, I have these days written down in my planner so I don't forget.  Doing these things in the evening only takes me a few minutes but it saves me so much time the next morning!

Routines

Setting yourself a daily or weekly routine is a really great way to keep organised.  If you are a stay at home mum or a working mum it is really handy to plan your days and see what time you have and when you can get things done.  I'm not saying you should schedule your days down to the minute but doing certain tasks on the same day each week makes them second nature and helps you stay on top of things.  I know that I do my online food shop on a Wednesday and that the car needs filling up every Thursday too but I still write this down just in case my brain gets distracted by something else and doesn't remind me!  

I have tasks I do daily after the school run, the first is to put the kettle on and then while it boils I quickly wipe down the surfaces in my kitchen .  Once my brew is ready I sit down and check my online banking and pay any bills that are due. After that it's time to put the laundry in and then I can check my emails and start my work... you get the idea.    

I only stick to my routine Monday through to Friday though.  During the weekends I just like to go with the flow and enjoy spending time together as a family and after we have been at school and work all week none of us wants to have to adhere to a timetable on Saturday and Sunday too. 

So, have I tempted you to pick up a pen and start planning?  There really is something very satisfying about crossing things off your list or marking them as done with a big tick!  I also get to let my little artistic side out when I'm making notes as I usually add some doodles or try my hand at different fonts and lettering styles, if I'm going to have to keep looking at my pages each day I want them to be fun.

I hope you found my tips useful!  

If you are a fellow pen addict and like the look of my Artline pens you can check out their products here.  They are also on Facebook and Twitter if you want to give them a like or follow.  I have to say I am a big fan of their calligraphy pens, I have been practising with them recently but I will save that for another post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lord Dodo's Acad-Pad review and giveaway! *Now closed - winner announced in the comments*

Is it a bird?  Is it a plane?  No!  It's the Dodo Acad-Pad and it's here to save you from your daily, organisational struggles!  The Acad-Pad is perfect for anyone who has just gone back to college, school or uni or for someone who just can't wait until the start of the new year to get themselves a new planner.

Acad-Pad 2016/17

I have been a fan and user of Dodo products for years and years now, before I became a Filofax/planner addict I used their desk diaries to schedule my life and when I moved on to the ring bound system I stuck with the Dodo Pad and Acad-Pads as they're also available as Filofax inserts.  

The Acad-Pad is an academic diary which runs from September through to August (the Dodo Pad is for January through to December) and it has a week on one page layout with a second page for notes, doodles, reminders etc.  Both pads have bright, colourful covers so they are easy to spot if they are buried under piles of paper on your desk or hidden behind everything bar the kitchen sink in your bag!  The covers are also made from sturdy card so if you're balancing the diary on your knee while on the bus to school or on the train to work you have a nice, firm surface to write on.

Example of how to use the pad

The weekly page is incredibly versatile, there are five boxes for each day and you get to label them however you like.  On the example page in the diary they have split the day into To Do, Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Dates & Deadlines.  When I first started using a Dodo Pad my headings were Notes, AM, PM, Kids and Ian (my husband), now my children are older they get their own box each so they are labelled Me, Ian, Hayden, Caitlin and Summer.

Having a second page each week gives you plenty of space to makes notes about your course work, thesis ideas, meetings or even meal plans and shopping lists.  It is pretty much a blank page to fill however you see fit, the possibilities are almost endless!

Weekly layout

Each weekly spread has a theme, some are seasonal and some are just fun and now these pages are more colourful than ever before as for the first time they are printed in a variety of colours instead of a single colour each week with shades of grey, black and white. 

Some pages are factual, some are humorous and quirky but they are all entertaining, practical and certain to keep you organised and amused throughout your day!

Each week has a different theme

As well as the diary you also get overview pages for Aug 2016 to Sep '17 and Sep 2017 to Aug '18 for all your forward planning needs and an Appendix section too.

Stuff and store pouch

At the rear of the pad there is a special stuff and store pouch, I have popped a little notebook in here to help you see it more clearly.  This spot is great for holding loose bits of paper, your homework, shopping lists or anything else you would like to keep neatly in your planner.

Indodispensable data

Finally there are a couple of pages for any important information you want to keep handy, mine are full of phone numbers and email address.

My Dodo Pad in my planner

I currently have the 2016 Dodo Pad in my organiser, I will be ordering the 2017 soon so I will have it in plenty of time for the new year!

Ok!  So do you like what you see?  Would you like to win this fabulous pad for yourself?  All you need to do is leave me a comment below telling me what you would label the five boxes in the Acad-Pad if you were to win it.  Here are the rules:

• Leave me a comment telling me what you would label the five boxes in your Acad-Pad (Reminders, AM, PM etc).  I will number them and then use random.org to select a winner.
• Only one entry per person please.
• You must be over 18 to enter or have a parent's permission.
• The giveaway ends at 12pm UK time on the 7th November 2016, any comments after this time will not count.  
• The winner will be announced on this post on the 8th November 2016 and they will have 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize.  If I don't hear from them I will have to draw a new winner.
• The Dodo Acad-Pad is the only prize, there is no cash alternative.
• This is an international giveaway.

I would just like to thank Rebecca from Dodo Pad and Georgie from The M Word for sending me this pad to review and give away, it is really nice to be able to share one of my favourite products with you all!

Good luck!

*Disclaimer - I was given this product free of charge for promotional purposes.  I was not paid to write this review and as always all opinions are honest and my own.

Webster's Pages colour crush planner review

I will start this by saying I wasn't looking to buy a new planner! I was perfectly happy in my bright pink Original Filofax but I had seen the colour crush planners everywhere and they had piqued my interest.  Then on the Thursday before Easter Create and Craft dropped the price to £19.99 and I couldn't resist placing an order!  I received the parcel the following Tuesday which is pretty speedy considering Friday and Monday were bank holidays so that was a nice surprise.

I have taken lots and lots of photos for you because I want to show you all of the different inserts that come with the planner.

It comes in it's own pretty box

First view inside

Colour crush planner in white & the stickers that come with it

Gold interior and inspirational dash

Another dashboard so you can choose your favourite

First divider - write it down

This section has space for your thoughts, ideas
and dreams

Second divider - memory keeping

This section has pages for recording things that happen
each month, sketches, quotes & memories

Third divider - lists to love

This section has space for your to do lists, monthly goals,
meal planning & shopping lists 

Fourth divider - staying inspired

Pretty paper with a positive quote

I absolutely love these Dream Big pages, they're so sweet!

Fifth divider - calendar

Monthly tabs

A month on two pages overview with a section for notes

Behind the month on two pages inserts is more space for
notes and reminders

You also get a week on two pages diary & this
gold spotty page marker

Quote on the last page, a clear pocket, elasticated pen
loop & a little notebook that slots in the back

The back view

Webster's Pages logo on the spine

View from the top, look at those massive rings!

So far so good right?  Here are a couple of things I am not so happy with.

There is a gap...

... in the top and bottom rings

and the finish feels kind of cheap

The gaps on the rings are small and so far the pages aren't catching on them.  I have tried repeatedly opening and closing the rings to see if that would fix the problem but I haven't seen any improvement.  The gaps aren't big enough for me to complain or want to return it to Create and Craft but they have annoyed me a little, especially when the planner was tucked away safely in it's own box.  Also maybe I am being overly picky about the finish?  I feel like I got what I paid for at £19.99 but if I had brought one at the full price of £39.99 I wouldn't have been impressed. 

I do like the range of inserts that come with the planner, they are all pretty and practical but I haven't been won over by the binder.  Here is my list of pros and cons:

Pros

• wide range of inserts supplied 
• comes with a choice of dashboards and two sets of dividers
• the rings are gold
• the rings are bigger than the rings of a personal size Filofax
• it is pretty
• comes in it's own gift box
• colourful and fun

Cons

• gaps in the rings
• cheap finish
• the black pen loop looks out of place on the white binder
• expensive if you buy one at full price

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate this planner.  I can throw it into rotation with my other binders and use it as and when the mood takes me but I don't think I would buy any more of them unless the quality improves. 

Do you own one, am I being a bit harsh?