First let me make something clear. If you expect this article to be about the benefits of working from home, stop reading. This ain’t THAT type of post. Nope. I am going to tell you a true story, my story and you can help me draw a few conclusions about what stays and what needs to go/change.
Home….. schooling
I have been teaching online for 2 years now. Teaching online? Yeap. I use Skype and teach people English. I am in Greece and my learners are in France. That is my morning job, so it is only inevitable that I work from home. In the afternoons, I work as a freelance teacher and my students come to my home. So, again I am at home. Now let’s do the math.
Morning online teaching 9-2:30: 5,5 hours
Afternoon teaching at home 4-9: 5 hours
Does this look appealing? Are you jealous? Well, don’t be. What this actually means is that I am at home all day, working. When I am not working I am kinda working.
Kinda working activities: blogging, reading blog posts, social media-ing, preparing for lessons, material designing.
So, in my free time at home, once again, I am in front of the computer. You want more? I work out at home as well. I have a stationary bike in my room, so that’s where my gym is!! Yeap.
I do not need to go to the supermarket cause someone else does. I do not need to go into town to pay bills cause someone else does.
So, what about weekends? Well, on the weekends, I go out a bit (nothing cray cray people. Just a meal or a drink).
Well, if you work all day, like me, you will probably end up with vitamin D deficiency (that’s cause you never see the sun).
At some point you will become one with your chair.
The action plan-Things I am now changing
I want to work out more which is why I am cutting down on my kinda work related activities and am running to my bike a bit more.
I will continue my hobby which is painting and do more chores that have to be done outside the house, like paying a bill!! No online bill paying folks.
Working from home has it advantages, but there are disadvantages as well. So lovelies, do you work from home? How do you manage?
So, here is this week’s spread (in progress). There is stuff I will add during the week and some personal things that can’t go in this post (sowie). Anyhow, this is what my weekly spread looks like so far and printables+ stickers I used tagged under the spread.
Stickers
You can check out the stores by pressing the store name (linked in post)
Most of the spread is from Elle Fowler’s store Glam Plan printables and it is the White bridle Printable Glam Planner. This is for the Erin Condren planner, but I made it work by leaving a bit of the white space. I know, I still need to work on my ‘cutting’ skills, but I really like it (for my first try). So, bottom washi, half-boxes, and little flags from Elle’s store.
Bath tub , makeup brushes, little planner, and open book stickers are all from Michelle and Patch
The tabs that say Copy, plan,To grade and the donut sticker are from Lilly Top.
The stethoscope and the scales are from the Sassy Planner.
*If you want to buy a Happy Planner and you are not in the US, you can get one here.
So, lovelies, happy planning. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone or made a mistake. If you see a little mistake, let me know in the comments section below. Check out all the stores cause they have really pretty designs. I just want to let you know that some of these stores have given me coupon codes (Michelle and Patch) or free printables (Lilly Top), so press the planning category sidebar and press the planning tab for more info (the extras and other interviews). You can also check out my Happy Planner review and sticker haul here. Follow my blog cause I have more coupon codes and planner-related posts coming soon.
Talk soon
xx
This is an Amazon affiliate link. You do not pay extra for this product, you just give me a small commission. Thanks xx.
Hi guys!!! My planner arrived. I am now an official member of the Happy planner club, so let’s talk about planners and stickers 🙂 Yay! I am officially a planner addict.
So, the Happy Planner
I got mine from Amazon and it cost me about $50 dollars which is a lot, I know, but then again, it made me happy, so who cares? It is black and has a gold heart in the middle. The cover is laminated and the interior cover is with polka dots. The month tabs are laminated as well. There are two pages dedicated to the monthly spread and then you have a two page close up of the months. There is also a note tabe on the left hand side. Each week has a pattern or a quote at the bottom of each week. The final page of the month has boxes where you fill in next months goals, birthdays, special events, things you shouldn’t forget and notes.
What did I do to the months that have already gone by?
I used washi tape to cover the months and I am using them to write down my blog post ideas, my blog statistics, and everything that has to do with blog posts. I am also going to use a section for all my passwords.
Here are some of the stickers that I got from Etsy stores. Some were sent to me for free and others I purchasede myself. I really like them all though which is why I am sharing them today (links to the Etsy stores are in the names of the stores)
*If you want a Happy Planner and are not in the US, you can buy the same one as mine by pressing here.
Remember to follow my blog (see side bar) and leave a comment below if you have any thoughts about planning. If you have an Etsy and would like to be featured, email me (about page). Press the planning category on my sidebar to find free printables and coupon codes to some of the shops mentioned here today. I will be back with another Etsy store feature, so stay tuned :).
Happy planning
xx
Amazon affiliate link. You do not pay extra for the product, you just give me a small commission. Thanks xx
Since I am a teacher and I teach vocabulary, I thought I’d share with you a post I wrote for my edu blog a while back. It has to do with words. First, let’s start with one of my favourite extracts.
“It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words. Of course the great wastage is in the verbs and adjectives, but there are hundreds of nouns that can be got rid of as well. It isn’t only the synonyms; there are also the antonyms. After all, what justification is there for a word which is simply the opposite of some other word? A word contains its opposite in itself. Take “good”, for instance. If you have a word like “good”, what need is there for a word like “bad”? “Ungood” will do just as well-better, because it’s an exact opposite which the other is not.Or again, if you want a stronger version of “good”, what sense is there in having a whole string of vague useless words like “excellent” and “splendid” and all the rest of them? “Plusgood” covers the meaning, or “doublegood” if you want something stronger stills……….You don’t grasp the beauty of the destruction of words.” Syme talking to Winston (George Orwell in his book 1984).
This got me thinking about words and how they give colour to our life. Imagine not having any words? Imagine if we only had the words “good” and “ungood”:!! What if everything we described, had to be confined in those two words? I love words, so much that I’m actually a very wordy person, and while I think that my ‘word bank’ is kind of broke, there are a few English words I really appreciate, and that’s what this ‘ramble’ is about. So, here goes. the words I like.
Mesmerise: It makes me think of passion and love and all those nice feelings. It has a nice sound to it as well. Just love it.
Mouthwatering: Just makes me think of food and chocolate and Pavlov’s dog.
Quintessence: I don’t know why, but this word just makes me think of things that are important. Unique, significant. It gives meaning to meaning.
Mushroomed: OK, so this word makes me think of pizza, but it is also a nice word. Things popping up everywhere. Hmm, nah, maybe I like it cause I like mushrooms. Anyhoo, it’s one of my favourite words.
Cathartic: Greek word comes from catharsis. Just beautiful, as is the feeling.
Serendipity: I like the meaning. Something beneficial that happens by chance, by luck.
Word I wish existed?
Badest of course (one -d). I think the word worst does not do bad justice. I have said this in an older post. You have something bad, you add -est and it gives a whole new dimension to how bad something is.
So, yeah, that’s about it. I have no idea why I am writing this post (then again, I have no idea why I write many of the things I share on my blog), but I think about it.
Words make our lives………….. (you can add whatever you want here).
After writing this post and as I was going through my Reader, I saw that Helen has written a post about her favourite German words (she beat me to it :D). You can read her post here.
I am going to Barcelona in November and will be presenting at a conference, so I was looking for something nice and serious (it’s a teacher conference). So, I went to Marcs and Spencer. I bought 3 blouses (all thin woolen) and I am sharing them here with you today in case you are looking for something similar.
Zigzag top
It is a long blouse (it goes below the bum. Am I allowed to say bum in a blog post? :p) and it is low cut in the front, so you probably need to wear something on the inside. I am going to pair it with a nice necklace and then I am sorted for outfit number one.
Black blouse
Now, the picture is not doing this one any justice. The lace details on the side and the fact that the back of the blouse is of another material (like a shirt) is what made me buy this one. And anyway, you always need a black blouse, don’t you?
Bright Orange blouse
I thought a nice pop of colour would look great, so I got this. It is a nice soft wool and something I will definitely get a lot of wear out of.
Now because I like to be practical, I have taken a picture of the codes of these tops, so if you like them or want to check them out, all you need to do is show the tag and a lovely lady at M & S will help you find it.
Today I am going to review a hand treatment. I am always looking for a verygood hand cream/butter. I also get eczema which is why I have bought tons of hand creams and nourishing treatments. The product I will be reviewing is the Wild Rose Nourishing Hand Butter by the Body Shop.
It is a thick cream and takes a good 2 -3 minutes to rub into your skin. If you do not take the time to rub it in, you get stripes and blobs of the cream on your hands. It does feel a bit greasy which is why I usually put it on before I go to bed.
Scent
Rosy scent with a bit of a soap-y twist. You can smell it for a while. I have had it on for about an hour, and I can smell the rose on my hand while I am typing (but when I put it on my hands at night, in the morning it does not really smell).
What does it do to my skin?
I have a very mild eczema outbreak at the moment. The cream does nourish my skin and it is doing better. Does it treat eczema? No, definitely not. It nourishes your hands and they feel softer. I also use it for the dry skin under my elbow and that feels smoother as well.
Would I repurchase?
Yes!
Where can I find this product?
At the Body Shop of course! Price: UK £12
Or shop now by clicking here(Price comparison: *Amazon price $17.99/ Body shop USA price on website is $20.00. Shipping varies).
So, that’s all lovelies. Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think of this product. Don’t forget to follow my blog if you like what you see ❤
Talk soon xx
*This is an affiliate link (check sidebar for more information). You do not pay more for the product, I just make a small commission from the sale. This product is one of my favourites. I have not been paid to write about it and the opinion is my own. If you do make a purchase. Thanks so much :). If you do not, thanks for reading anyways :).
So lovelies, it’s Sunday again and time to plan. Today I am featuring Julia from the Etsy store LillyTop. She also has a lovely surprise + a 15% thanksgiving Coupon Code (valid till the 15th of November 2015).So, start reading and let’s see what Julia told me!
Interview
Hi Julia!! Thanks so much for this interview!! I am really interested in hearing a bit more about your self and your store. So, let’s chat.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
Hi Joanna! Well, I am a married and am a stay at home working mom of two boys. Seven years ago, my American husband and I moved to the USA from Germany. I love everything cute and girly. My creative outlets are diverse. I sew, knit, bake, and make paper goods, which include stickers, cards, party decorations, and more.
How and why did you start making stickers?
I have a very bad memory and I used to use sticky notes and note pads to write down important dates. However, they can easily get lost and I would end up with a purse full of paper. I always forgot something. I am not a fan of mobile phone planners, so the solution was a paper planner. Since my penmanship is not the best, I like to use a lot of stickers. The stickers I found did not always meet my needs or taste. They were often not bright and colorful enough for me. So, I started making my own.
What can someone find at your Etsy store?
In my Etsy store people can find almost every sticker I use in my own planner. In addition, I made some of the stickers according to customers’ wishes. The focus is functionality, while being cute and colorful. The seasonal stickers are more to decorate the pages.
julia’s Planner Spread
What are the advantages and what the disadvantages of having an Etsy store?
The advantage of having an Etsy store is definitely the traffic that the platform brings to your shop. This is the best advertisement. When people look on Etsy they know most of the shops are owned by real people and what to expect. We make our products the best they can be. Our goal is to try to offer the best customer service and we like to make people happy with our products. I like the idea to give my money to mothers who need it or small businesses and not to corporations. This is why I like to shop on Etsy, too. I get a handmade item (not in all the shops though, that seems to change) and I support someone in a similar situation.
The disadvantages are the high fees and the possibility that Etsy can decide to close your shop at any time they wish. I heard that this has already happened to so many people, who relied on the income from their shops. This is also the reason why I have my own web shop (Lillytop.net) in addition to my Etsy shop. My own shop also allows me to pass on my cost savings by offering better prices on some of my items or promotional discounts. We need to be real here. It is awesome to share the art you create and the items you made with your own hands to make other people happy, but we also rely on the income. If I can make people happy with what I like to do and earn a living with it, it is a dream-come-true situation, especially nowadays. I am very grateful for this opportunity! This is where I really would like to say “Thank You” to every single customer, blogger, Youtuber and everybody who supports me on this path. I appreciate all the help, input and support. I want to especially thank my husband, who helps me with everything that comes up and needs to be addressed.
Wow! There is a lot of interesting information there. Now let’s move on to planning. How do you plan?
I plan on the go. My planners are always open and when I need to remember something I have to write it down immediately. This way I do not need to sit down at a certain time to plan. I wish I would have the time to do that.
So, tell me Julia, where can someone find you? How can we connect?
Julia very kindly shared a Pdf file with us and you can download it here and make your own planner/scrap-book LillyTop Free Printable Thanks sooooo much Julia ❤
There is also a Thanksgiving SALE valid till the 15th of November for purchases over $10 dollars. Coupon code is: turkey15.Visit her store Lillytop.net (This Code is only valid for the Lillytop.net link).
You should also go visit her store and do some shopping cause her products are lovely 🙂
A few months later…..
A few months later……
I am now making plan with me, DIY and planner videos on YouTube and I would love your support. You can check out my videos and maybe subscribe to my channel ? ❤ ❤
If you are interested in more free printables check out FruVesasPrintables here. Stay tuned cause there are more interviews freebies and coupon codes coming your way, so make sure you subscribe to this blog (‘follow’ tabs on the sidebar). Check out the planning category of this blog for all the planner/planning -related posts.If you are looking to buy an Eric Condren planner, I have a $10 off offer for you guys if you purchase the planner by pressing the words $10 off my ELCP below (this is a referral link).
As you have already seen, I have published a number of planner/sticker-related posts, and today I am sharing with you another Etsy store owner interviews. Today, I am interviewing Kristen from Sassy Planner. So, let’s hear from Kristen 🙂
Hi Kristen! Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Kristen and I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; I’ve been married for 7 years and I have two “Irish Twin” boys (11 months apart in age) that are 2 and 3. I work full-time as a teacher during the day and run my shop at night after my boys go to bed. Basically, I never sleep. 🙂
How and why did you start making stickers? What inspires you when you make your stickers?
I started making stickers in January, 2015 after I got my first Erin Condren planner. I was looking for some functional stickers for all of my daily activities and couldn’t find anything that I really liked without paying and arm and a leg. I opened up my shop shortly thereafter. I’m inspired by everyday, often mundane activities.
Screen shot of the Sassy Planner’s Etsy store
Ok, let’s move on to your store. What can someone find at your Etsy store?
I specialize in functional stickers and planner dashboards. I may venture into personalized covers in the near future. What are the advantages and what the disadvantages of having an Etsy store?
I love meeting new people through my Etsy shop and being able to provide them with planner accessories at an affordable price (and FREE SHIPPING if they live in the US!) I really haven’t found there to be any disadvantages, except for maybe the lack of sleep thing. 😉 How do you plan?
I plan as things pop up. I’m not the type of person that sets aside “planning time” every week, because honestly, I don’t have the extra time. When an appointment, meeting, or activity is scheduled, I put it in my planner with a sticker, even if it is six months down the road. Sometimes I’ll put some washi down, but lately that hasn’t been happening very often!
So, that’s it folks. I placed an order and I am really looking forward to getting my stickers (I couldn’t resist the mini- books) and I really look forward to some serious planning!! Go over to her shop and place an order, she has amazing stickers. Check out my planning category for more Etsy store owner interviews, freebies, and coupon codes (sidebar).
In the mood for shopping? If you are looking to buy an Eric Condren planner, I have a $10 off offer for you guys if you purchase the planner by pressing the words $10 off my ELCP below (this is a referral link).
So planner buddies, here is this week’s spread. At the moment I am more a functional planner than a decorative one.I use stickers but I also like white space. I don’t want my planner to be too busy. I am using my Teneues planner and the stickers are 90% printables. This is my spread and under the picture you will find out where I got my stickers.
Sorry if the pic is a bit blurry. Not great at taking pics yet (
I used printables from facebook groups I am a member of, a blog and stickers I got from Waterstones. So check these out:
I also used some stickers I got from Waterstone’s (the two round ones and the butterfly post-it note. Blog post here).
If you are looking to buy an Eric Condren planner, I have a $10 off offer for you guys if you purchase the planner by pressing the words $10 off my ELCP below (this is a referral link).
So, there is a fine line between being a teacher and being a normal person. Now, if you are not a teacher, you will not get this, but if you are, you will. I don’t make sense. I know. So, I will make it simple. When you are a teacher, it’s hard to switch off. So, you are a teacher 24/7. The same goes for anyone who loves their job and takes it home with them.
For the past few months, I had been complaining, even whining about how I work all day, I had no free time, yada, yada, yada. It was my choice. I love my job, but yet I complain. It’s a thing I do. I decided to find time and do something I liked or at least try something new. My friends suggested taking up painting. And we did. Apart from the fact that my teacher has her studio right opposite The Body shop and Sephora (how cool is that?) which allowed me to do my 2nd favourite thing, shop, I also found out that I really liked painting/drawing. Seriously. Time flew. I spent 90 mins drawing and they were the most ‘into’ something I have been for a while.
I go to class feeling a bit idle, lazy. Then I start drawing and it’s fantastic!! Of course, I am not going to turn into a painter any time soon, but I am doing something I like and learning at the same time. My conclusion?If you find work has taken over, get a hobby. I can promise you this, when I am painting, I am not thinking about work.
Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles Picture taken from here
The end product of my hobby: My 1st drawing
I adapted Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles (picture above). Only mine is a ‘girlie’ teacher room. That’s what my painting teacher said when she saw what I had changed. Instead of drawing a glass, a jug and a brush on the table (see original), I drew a book and a pair of glasses (instinctively) which of course goes back to the first paragraph of this post.
My drawing
I love painting and cannot wait to start my painting lessons this year. This hobby has changed the way I view things. It has not only helped me to avoid burnout, but I also learnt something very important.
Even if someone tells you that you can’t do something, but you feel you can, do it.
I have no idea what the colours. I am partially colourblind. I do not know how well my colours match. I used what I learnt about colours, my teacher helped me, and I made something, even though I thought I couldn’t! Yes, there are loads of imperfections, and of course it could be ten times better but.. who cares? I did it 😀 Here is my first painting, and as I am colour blind, this is ‘my mountain’ and I kinda climbed it! Yay!
My perfect imperfection
So, two birds with one stone. I have a hobby, something that makes me forget about work, and I am pushing myself. Therefore lovelies, if you think work has taken over your life, find something you like, find time to do it, and do it!
Hope you liked this post. Don’t forget to follow my blog.
Talk soon
xx
This is an adapted version of a post that appeared in my educational blog (myeltrambles).
My Pink Rambles 