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?

Welcome to Canada!

Sorry I've been slacking a bit here on the blog. We've been dealing with major issues with the kids school. We had to pull them out, and today they finally started at a new school... so I'll be back to normal now!

Alright, now I know Target has been in Canada for a little bit now (a year or so I think?) but I've never had one near me or close enough for me to get to easily so I have never been. That is until one opened up right around the corner from me 2 weeks ago!

Oh boy, am I hooked now! I've been at least 5x now since the opening, and every single time I leave with at least one or two things, if not 20 from the One Spot. How much fun is One Spot?

I've been buying a ton of stuff for my planner - and I'm always checking for Washi there which I can't ever find. But everything else I've found and I stock up. Lots of page flags, pens, paper, pads, note book, OH MY GOSH it's like planner crafters heaven! I love it.

I've gotten lots of stuff like I mentioned for my planner, but also another little adventure I am planning in the next couple of months. Although its a "dollar" section I find the stuff great quality, and nothing like Dollar Store items I've gotten in the past. LOVE IT..

Forget the rest of the store, One Spot is my absolute favorite!! I won't lie though, I checked out the kids clothing yesterday for the very first time as well and I was impressed. While I think Wal-Mart still has a bit better prices, Target has a much bigger variety and MUCH cuter clothes. Ava was with me yesterday and went nuts over the girls clothing section. 

The toy section also blew her mind. She wants nothing but a Target gift card for her Birthday in August so she can go pick her own stuff for her big day. Talk about easy to please! 

The only thing I'm disappointed in with our Target? No Scrapbooking section, no Washi tape and it's so big it will be hard to get used to. Those aren't really big issues, they are minor and most definitely not stopping me from going there all the time and loving it! The employees are beyond nice (much nicer than the down the street Wal-Mart) and because it's so new its SUPER clean, like really clean.... Wal-Mart? Not so much. I hope it stays that way. It's also in a new mall that's opening very soon so I'll be there a lot for just about everything as the new mall has Carters, Bulk Barn, Micheal's, The Children's Place, Dollarama, Winners.. etc!

Welcome to Canada target, I'm one happy shopper here!

The Life Planner & Washi Tape Addiction!

I've known about Erin Condren and the wonderfulness of her planners and notebooks for quite sometime now but I never bought one because the shipping to Canada is quite large. ($39.99 to be exact - but SO worth it!)

Well, I finally decided to purchase my very 1st Erin Condren life planner. I was told by friends it could be in production for a short time but then shipping to me could take a few weeks... Boy was that wrong!

I ordered on a Friday and I had it the next Thursday! Less than 1 week. I was very very impressed. But a little disappointed too because thinking it would take a while I had my planner start in April. So I am waiting until I can fill it up!

It arrived in this beautiful box, wrapped in some gorgeous tissue paper smelling wonderful of gardenia, tuberose, white florals perfectly balanced by ginger, spices and fresh greens. the scent created to smell of Bora Bora where Erin and her husband honeymooned. It smells heavenly. It also came with some a sample pack of Gift Labels. Which I absolutely ADORE and need to order, and will be ordering. I should have read the website more clearly because I had no idea they were coming, however - it was a nice surprise!

I ordered this bright beautiful planner called Happy Stripes. I loved everything about it. All the colors, the writing and although you could add a photo to the front and back I chose to leave it blank so I could enjoy the happy colors.

The pages are fabulous. There is a month at a glance calendar of the month, then turning the page you get your weekly days for planning. Now this is where the excitement comes in!

Stumbled upon the hashtag #ErinCondren on Instagram and was immediately blown away at what people were doing with their planners.

Washi Tape? What the heck was that? Well it's gorgeous tape often made of rice paper (or masking) that come in many colors, patterns and sizes. People were using them to brighten up their days, make their planners cute and creative. I was in awe.

So of course I had to go on the hunt for some too. I found some at my local dollar store. But that made my need for these so much more. This was my first time out looking for "Planner goodies"

 My SIL was heading to Michaels and offered to grab me some. Now here is my full stash of washi..

I have 12 more on the way I bought off etsy, and another roll on the way from a co-worker that our Michael's didn't have. It may be addicting but look how adorable the days look what them..

Right?
LOVE.

Well even though I chose my planner to start in April, I have started to add Birthdays, doctors appts and things I already have planned into it. Even started using the washi, and stickers to things I know are coming up.. It looks so cute. But I can't wait to get all my blog plans into it, and all my weekly day to day plans too!

Do you have a planner? Would you like to try Erin Condren too? Why not sign up and get $10 off your 1st order with my code: CLICK HERE

Once I am able to use mine regularly I will post again. I'm excited to washi washi washi and decorate it weekly! So cute and gives me something to do at night when the kids are in bed!