Organize Your Life with Planners

 Dear Readers,

We will start a new year in a few days and it's time to get a new planner!  I love planners and I wanted to show you the ones I used.  I meant to post this article in the summer but I had to change my plans many times because of people getting sick around me, at home or at the office.  At times, I felt overwhelmed by bouts of illness but had to quickly get back on my feet because my family depends on me and I can't take days off from work without affecting the office.

My fixed schedule was constantly interrupted and I had to postpone or cancel many plans.  The changing circumstances around me forced me to find new ways to juggle my time.

I knew it was time for me to re-evaluate my planning system.  I know many people don't ever want to use a planner and they seem to live fine without it (I don't know how they do it!) but I am not one of those people.  I need a planner to not forget appointments, deadlines, birthdays, events, meetings, etc.  I also use my planner to work toward my personal goals as well.   

There are many planner systems and people should choose a system that suits their needs and lifestyle!  So what I will show you in this blog post may not be something that works best for you but it could give you some ideas!

I have used different types of planners since elemenary school years.  I started with a tiny lined notebook, then I upgraded to a small 3-ring binder, then a full-size binder, the bullet journal, and then I got hooked to the Traveler's Notebook system.

I love how easy it is to use a Traveler's Notebook but with increasing projects in my life, I needed more than just one planner and I needed more writing space too.

So I use different planners depending on the areas where I need the most organization:

• Events, billing, appointments
• Work, tasks, deadlines
• Health, workout, diet
• Gratitude Journal
• Family Photos
• Meal Planning

I prefer dated journals when I know I will write something daily so I don't have to spend too much time on adding dates.   

For my photo journal, I don't use dates at all because I won't print pictures everyday.  If you are the type of person to print photos everyday, then a daily dated journal would probably work best for you!

I'll show you today the planner I use for work : The Classic Happy Planner Twin Loop, which is a wire-bound planner with a vertical layout from Michael's Craft Store.

It has a hard cover and it stays on my desk at the office.

You can see the whole year in one spread.

There is a monthly vertical layout.

It also has a monthly section where I can see the whole month in one spread.

At the endof each month there is a recap page.

I like how each month tab has a beautiful art cover.

The weekly spread is where I write most of entries.  It has a margin on the left to write a weekly list or follow-ups.

I wanted to show you my other journals too but that would be for another day!  I hope you will find the planner type that suits you the best!

I wish you all a Happy New Year and good luck with any resolutions or goals you may have!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was not paid nor received gifts to write this or mention any store or website.  

A Christmas Vacation in the City

Dear Readers,

I have posted a little Christmas story on my Instagram account so I wanted to share this as well on my blog for those who don't have Instagram!  The first dollhouse I bought after my daughter was born was a dollhouse from Calico Critters/Sylvanian Families and I still love this brand very much.  The animal figures are adorable and I wanted to share my love for these toys by creating a photo story with them.  I have also included toys from the Playmobil company and miniature from Re-ment.

The Norwood Mouse Family live in a cozy cottage in the countryside.

A few days before Christmas, the Norwood Mouse Family gets a call. Their cousins are inviting them to come over for the holidays

Mommy mouse hurriedly picks a few vegetables from her garden as gifts to her cousins. 

Far away in the city, the Milky Mouse family is getting ready to welcome their cousins for the Christmas holidays.

The Milky Mouse Family are gathering in the living room to light the Christmas tree.

At last the Norwood Mouse Family arrives!

“Fresh vegetables? Thank you ! It’s so sweet of you! But my family prefer cookies and cupcakes.

“This is your room ? I never want to leave this place!"

“Let’s watch the World Cup and play video games after! Best vacation ever!”

After a very exciting evening, all big and little mice are fast asleep.

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël! 

Christmas vacation was so much fun but being away makes you appreciate your own home even more because nothing compares to home! Merry Christmas dear friends! May you enjoy happiness and peace with your loved ones.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this story and I wish you all a very happy holiday season and a happy new year!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was not paid nor received gifts to write this or mention any store or website.