How I Use My Erin Condren Life Planner!

I've had some requests for posts about my Erin Condren planner so here it is. Some people want to know how I use my planner, and some where I buy all my goodies to go in my planner.

I never really thought I would use a paper planner when I always have my iPhone in hand BUT I always forgot to check my phone. If my alarm went off to remind me something I would turn it off and usually forget within minutes what I was suppose to do. So, I figured it was worth a shot.

Turns out, a paper planner works wonders. Not only do I find it relaxing and peaceful to sit and add stuff to my planner but using fun stickers, washi tape and quotes to brighten it up really makes a huge difference!

First I will start by saying I found a wonderful community on Facebook called We Love EC. Where I also signed up for RAKs - Random acts of Kindness. Which is where we request peoples addresses and send an envelope full of goodies to the person for our planners. Nothing spectacular but stuff we already have to spice up our planners. I've sent quite a few and also received quite a few which is where I have gotten lots of items to use inside my planner.

WASHI TAPE.

I started out buying the dollar store washi tape. Not truly washi tape, it's more paper tape that isn't repositionable and you can't write on but it worked in the beginning. Then I moved on to true real washi, and now have a giant collection to use for my planner, RAKs and envelopes I mail out! Here are some of my favorite etsy stores for washi:

001 002 003 004 005

STICKERS.

I love stickers, not as much as washi but they are super fun to add. I've gotten them at the dollar store, walmart, Michael's and the majority from RAK I have received.

WASHI SQUARES.

I absolutely LOVE washi squares. These are "Shape-n-tape" sheets cut into exact squares for the LP boxes. I order all of mine from Kristen and her shop at Queen Bee Designs on etsy. You can write on them with some pens, and I personally love adding labels to them if something needs to be written.

LABELS.

Most of mine do come from Erin Condren. Some from the ECLP that are included but I also purchased some of my own premade ones from EC when I bought my 2015 planner in June I have been using. I recently discovered the Martha Stewart tear drop labels that have since been discontinued. I went out and got the last 4 packs at my Staples the other night - I love them for my husbands schedule!

QUOTE SQUARES.

These are my new found love. I absolutely love putting quote squares in my planner. Not only does it look adorable, but I find the quotes really help brighten my day if I'm having an awful day or just need that extra push to get something done. These I've gotten from the glorious free files that others upload on the We Love EC Facebook page. Which, a lot of amazingly talented people upload their adorable creations for others to use for free personal use. I just print them off, run through my sticker maker and stick them in!

PENS.

QUE PEN OBSESSION. I am obsessed with pens. The first pens I got for my planner were the staedtler pens. I loved them at first. They don't bleed, but are extremely expensive and you don't get a lot of colours unless you spend even more and get the giant pack.

I don't have a photo as I've given these to my oldest son, and he is asleep as I am getting this prepared ;)

Sharpie ultra fine point pens.

These are great! I haven't had any issues with bleeding. I've found great deals on these pens on amazon and use them often.

Papermate Flairs.

NEW OBSESSION! I got these pens from my Elster Christmas in July buddy. I've never been more excited for pens! They are by far my favourite pens to use in my ECLP. They don't bleed, have all the colours I need and work really well on all my labels and washi.

Erin Condren pens.

These are okay. I got them in June when I ordered my 2015 ECLP I that I won from Erin on Instagram. They aren't my favorite but I like the way they write and the colours, they work well.

What exactly is a RAK? Here is an example of a RAK I got last week! Super sweet, fun and all goodies I will enjoy using in my ECLP.

And, Here are some examples of how I use my ECLP.

 

When I was working it was a lot more full. Now, I just record soccer games, blog posts, doctor appts and random things I need to remember so it isn't as full, but I still love it and use it daily.

How do you stay organized and on time? Do you use an iPhone, Android or App? Or do you keep it simple and use paper like me?