Top Ten Fun Things You Can Do With Your Planner

Hi everyone!

We all start out wanting to use a planner to get our lives organized. I've realized though that it also helps that your planner is running smoothly, you can find things easily, and that it's also pretty to look at. That last thing is obviously not the most important aspect of paper planning, but it sure is the most fun!

Over the years, I have had several permutations of how I've used my planner/s. The two constants have been that I can still manage my days with it and that I want to continue to use it. 

Here are the top ten things you can do to enjoy using your planner. Enabler Alert!

And if you see me on Instagram, some of these may be familiar to you. 

DIY'ing It

1. Personalizing your dashboard/flyleaf to reflect your personality and/or add color.

This is the one thing I do to switch it up a bit and keep my planner from being just a boring calendar. I change it quite frequently depending on my mood, and I enjoy making them myself. There are many printables you can download, or paper you can buy, to create your own. I have quite a stash of these but I still continue to make more. 

2.  Coordinating your tabs and/or dividers that divide your sections. 

I've had some success lately (I know, late to the game) making laminated dividers, and I've been making a set for each of my planners. I've also made some cute, quirky ones that I never thought I would ever like. Monsters! In my planner! Yeah!

There's lots of pretty paper to choose from, or simply print ones you like. I print quotes too and love having them as dividers. 

You could also use repositionable tabs like these from Martha Stewart, my personal favorite. But there are tons of other brands to choose from like Post-It and Avery. 

Using stationery supplies. 

3. Sticky notes are super functional and there are tons of cute ones to choose from. I have a few I love because they're either cute, stick really well, or both. I stick them everywhere for quick notes, and always have a stash in my planner. They add color to your pages if you prefer not to decorate them, which I don't, and which brings me to my next point,

4. Decorating your pages. 

I personally don't do this on my weeklies although I would for a special occasion like Christmas or my birthday. I do decorate my monthlies which I use as a mini journal.

There's a plethora of supplies to choose from - washi tape, stickers, stamps, sticky notes, etc., etc. The only limits are your imagination, and the possibilities are endless. This is also one of the things I've seen that make some want to actually use their planner and if it helps you to be organized and efficient, I say go for it! 

5. Using cute bookmarks. 

I personally use bookmarks everywhere to (1) clip pages together or (2) mark important pages. There are several kinds: shaped paper clips, binder clips, magnetic bookmarks, etc. I'm sure you'll find the one that works for you, or have a selection at hand to choose from. I love them all!

6. Making/printing your own inserts. 

Another thing I don't do because I'm rubbish at printing and cutting so I'll just buy my inserts. But if you need something specific to your needs, or want to personalize your own, you may want to try this. 

Here are weekly inserts I asked someone to make for me. She prints, cuts, and punches them herself so all I need to do is stick them in my planner. 

7. Adding charms. 

Again, something I don't do because I tried it once and it got in my way. But it makes for a very girly planner I think. 

8. Using cute pens. 

I think if you're reading this blog it's safe to say you love stationery and have an army of pens at your beck and call. Finding the right pen is very important to me. And finding one that looks good with my planner is heaven. You may have to check around to find one that works best for you. Multi-pens are my personal favorite. 

9. Color Coding. 

I wrote about color coding in an earlier post. Please just search through this blog. 

Some need to color code, some not at all. I'm in between - I color code for certain important things like money or appointments. And I do it in my monthlies. Other than that I just use a black or blue pen. 

10. Decorating/Designing your pockets

This has to be my favorite part. I find doing this both beautiful and functional at the same time. I love having a lot of supplies at hand and pockets provide easy access. I may actually carry around more than I need but I don't care. Ha!

There it is, the Top Ten of Fun Filofaxing! If you think I missed anything, do leave me a comment. 

And I'd be happy to hear how you use your planner!

Thanks for visiting!

Carry-along Pencil Case

Hi everyone!

I know most of us carry our daily planners around with us.  But, have you ever been out, waiting to meet someone, or having a moment to spare, that you decide to get up-to-date on your planning, and realize that you didn't have one or two of the tools you need?

I confess, I have!

In an effort to downsize the contents of my bag, I 'try' to carry only what I think I will need.

Having had more than enough of these moments however, I decided to carry with me a few things that will make planning/writing more efficient and fun.

At the moment, I'm loving this tandem!  This is my everyday, carry-with-me-everywhere planner, and now, the pencil case I carry as well.

kikki.k Mint Medium Planner and Pencil Case

The pencil case is a very basic, one compartment affair.  It's quite roomy, and made of a durable vinyl that cleans up easily.  The zipper is strong and sturdy and opens all the way around so you have full access to the contents.

Here's the lot!

It may look like a lot but it really isn't.  And everything fits into the pencil case snugly.

These sticky notes, I think, are my favorite to use out of all I own because they stick really well.  I use Post-It brand as well but have those stuck on flyleaves in the planner/Filo.

Top, from L to R:  Galison, kikki.k,
Daiso, Martha Stewart and Muji.

(L)  Frixion Slims 0.38 in the colors I use to color.  (R)  Muji scissors, Uni highlighter,
Martha Stewart glue pen, Pilot Plumix fountain pen, and eraser pen.

Masking stickers, Cloud sticky notes,flags, and some clips.

I love having them with me to make sure I enjoy writing and planning, whenever the opportunity strikes.

Do you do the same?  What do you carry in your on-the-go pencil/stationery case?

Until later, thanks for visiting!

Martha Stewart for Avery for Filofax

Hi everyone!

Don't let the title mislead, Martha didn't really create Filofax-related items.  However, a lot of her Staples-exclusive items can be used for a Filofax.

As I left for the US, I knew that I wanted to check out her line at Staples.  I had browsed the Staples site previously and knew what items I could use for my Filo.  But of course, there's nothing like seeing it for yourself.  And while in Staples, I was thrilled at the amount of stuff she had.  There were two full aisles of Martha goodness.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo.  (I never remember to take photos when needed, sorry.)

I had to contain myself.  (:  There was so much stuff to choose from.  And, knowing Martha, all of them are functional, and pretty to boot.  I had to be brutal and get only the items I knew I could use and narrowed it down to a few things.

The Martha Stewart for Avery haul.  Not big. 

My favorite of the haul is the Planner Insert.  It fits the Personal perfectly and contains 20 tabs and 50 ultrahold sticky notes.  I'm already using it in the Chameleon.  I also got some for my mom, sister and daughter.

Planner Insert

Out of the package

In action in the Notes section of the Chameleon

Planner insert as bookmark, and lots and lots of post-its on a flyleaf.
Unlined pages are behind the flyleaf.

I love accordion files!  I have a few that I use to store Filofax inserts and I wrote about it here.  I figured I could always use one more.  (:

I had previously been looking everywhere for metal bookplates but they're usually expensive elsewhere.  I was happy to find them in packages of 3 and 6 for big and small sizes respectively.

Accordion file at the back and 2 sizes of metal bookplates.

You could never have enough sticky notes, right?  Perfect excuse to get a package of these lovely scrolled ones.

More sticky notes and metal-rimmed tags.  The tags were a gift from my sister.

Lastly, another gift from my sister, a 40-pack of Note Tabs that didn't make it to the photo above.  There are 10 of each color, plenty to go around.

Like I mentioned, there were tons of stuff.  Unfortunately, I don't think Staples ships internationally, so if there's anything else I have a hankering for, it will have to wait.

For now, I'm happy with what I got and will put them to good use immediately.

Thanks for visiting!