Planner Friday - January

My first Planner Friday post of the year is now up on the Trendy Twine blog, this time I am going back to basics with how I decorate my planner pages.

Hello!  Welcome to the first Planner Friday of 2017!  As it is the start of a new year I wanted to write a back to basics post for all the people who have a new planner and don't know where to begin when it comes to decorating their pages.

No matter what kind of planner you are using, Erin Condron's LifePlanner, Happy Planner, Travelers Notebook or a ring bound organiser like Filofax and Kikki K there are a few Annie's Paper Boutique essentials you will need.

• Washi tape
• Stickers
• Planner stamps and inks
• Trendy Page Dots circle reinforcements (for ring bound planners)

I always start with adding a couple strips of washi tape to the top and bottom of my pages.  I then choose some coordinating Trendy Page Dots for an extra pop of colour!  I usually know how busy my week is going to be when I start planning it so I know where I can add a few stickers and leave myself enough space to write.  If you aren't sure then you could add decorative stickers after you have filled in your notes, reminders and to dos. 

Planning my week

Next I use my Check It Off stamps to print my check boxes.  If you haven't used stamps before my advice is to not overload the stamp with ink and don't press down too hard, you need to apply firm and even pressure to get the best image.  You might want to do a few practice stamps on some scrap paper before you print on your pages so you know which technique gives you a good, clean image.

Stamping

You can read the rest of my post here.

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My week #2

After last week's bright colours I decided to go for a pastel palette this time.  I was given a cute sheet of stickers by The Library Designs as part of a RAK (random act of kindness) a little while ago and wanted to use them too.  The planner sticker reminds me of the nude Original Filofax which I have always loved! 

My week #2

I am really enjoying being able to use my new inserts however I need to.  At the moment my days are quite quiet so I am using the second set of boxes on Monday to Friday for my lists and notes etc.  When I get busier and need more space for my daily to dos and reminders I can change labels on the boxes and use two per day instead.  My weekends are nearly always quiet so a single box for each day is fine for those.

Close up

Close up

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My week #1

For my first week of 2017 I used lots of lovely stickers from Little Rainbow Moon on Etsy, I wanted bright colours to cheer me up when the post Christmas blues hit and these did just the job. 

My week #1

I tend to only use orange colours in autumn and I wouldn't think to pair them with pinks either but I love the combination now!  What do you think of it?    

Sunday was my favourite day of the week, after lots of cleaning and school starting again it was really nice to spend the day in my pyjamas, eating the last of the festive treats and watching films with the kids.  I wasn't quite ready for things to go back to normal, I was still on Christmas time!

Close up

Close up

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My week #52

Christmas already seems like it was ages ago but I wanted to share my first week in my new inserts with you. 

My week #52

You might remember I trialled the vertical layout from Just So Stationery last year and really liked it.  The first set I tried had the day split into Morning, Afternoon and Evening, this design has unlabelled boxes for each day making them more versatile for me.  

Close up

Being the last week of the year I didn't have much on so I had plenty of space to play with.  I used the Title It set of stamps to make my own headings for some of the boxes giving me room for my shopping list, notes, to dos and blog ideas.  

Close up

Have you changed things up for a new year in your planner?  I'd love to know!

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My favourites - 2016

Hello!  Happy New Year!  I wanted to kick things off with round up post of some of my favourite products of 2016.  

Favourite pen

So it has to be my Lamy Safari fountain pen I was given to review last year.  I love this shade of green, it reminds me of the first shoots of spring every time I use it! 

Lamy Safari fountain pen

Favourite planner

My favourite is still my Van der Spek custom organiser, it's coming up to 18 months in this planner now and I'm still very happy in it.  The leather has developed a nice shine with continued use and it still smells fantastic.

Van der Spek custom organiser

Favourite pencil case

I used to have one of these in pink but after a couple of years it was a bit grubby and looking worse for wear so I replaced it with this lovely blue one.  As far as I know these do not have a brand name, I found mine on eBay by searching for a "travel passport case" and hundreds of them popped up!  They have so many handy little pockets and slots for my stationery, perfect for on the go planning.

Pencil case

Favourite stamps

I'm cheating a little here and picking two sets of stamps as my favourites this year!  I love these Documenting the everyday #1 and #2 sets, I use them all the time in my travellers notebook.  I think they are really fun and brighten up journal entries.

Documenting the everyday stamp sets

Favourite colouring pencils

No one is allowed to borrow my Staedtler noris colouring pencils, they are mine, all mine *insert maniacal laugh here*  they are such vivid colours and blend beautifully on all different types of paper!

Favourite notebook

I have a little notebook addiction, if I spot a pretty one I always buy it even if I can't think of a use for it straight away.  This gorgeous shimmer accents notebook from Go Stationery is very stylish with it's gold polka dot cover and the luxurious cream paper inside is thick and smooth to write on.

Go Stationery Shimmer accents A5 notebook

That's it for my 2016 favourites, I can't wait to share with you some new bits and pieces I find this year too!

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