DIY & Planner Girls you should check out on YouTube

Posted in DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Hi Lovelies,

A while back I asked a really important question in some of my planner and crafts groups. The questin was,

which planner girls or DIY YouTube channels do you watch?

Loads of you came to my savior and well, this is the result of crowdsourcing.So, if you are looking for YouTubers to get isnpired, look no more 🙂 There are so many YouTube videos and channels to watch if you are looking for inspiration or How To videos. So, let’s have a look at a few channels that focus on planning and/or crafting. All the channels mentioned below have less than 30.000 subscribers. All the girls put a lot of effort and creativity in their videos.

Channels

Creating and Co

Paige does lots of DIY and fun plan with me videos.

Jenuine Crafts

Jennifer shares lots of videos that have to do with How To make stickers, pouches and other crafts. She also uploads videos for teachers (crafts/stickers for teachers and in the classroom).

The Vegan Organiser

The Vegan organizer does lots of planner reviews and set up videos. She also focuses on vegan friendly notebooks.

The Sassy Club

Sandra Amelia does a lot of crafts and scrapbooking videos. She also uploads stationery and DIY videos.

Cheap Crafty Girl

Cheap Crafty Girl does haul and plan with me DIY videos.

Pretty Paper Designs

Stacie Jo does Silhouette tutorials, hauls, and plan with me videos.

Jenna Rose xo

Jenna does hauls, plan with me videos and DIYs. She also does beauty videos.

Mrs Brimbles

Anna does plan with me videos, planner reviews and subscription box unboxing videos.

So lovelies, get your coffee or tea, sit comfortably, and check out these channels. You will definitely come across something new that will inspire you. Happy planning and happy video watchng 🙂

Subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read. I blog about life, beauty, planning, makeup, and all the stuff that make life beautiful. Maybe give my Facebook page a ‘like’ so you can get notifications of when I post :)? Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram (cause as you can see, my pics are fantastic!). Please ‘pin’ this post if you enjoyed it.Check the planning category in the sidebar for more planner-related posts 😀

❤ ❤ Thanks for stopping by!

xox

Jo

29Feb2016

What are you doing today? How about making a time capsule?

Posted in DIY, Planning, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

Hi mummies!

I am not a mommy blogger, but I did post a blog post about something similar on my edu blog and thought I’d pop onto here for a very quick post.

Today is February 29th and I thought it would be a cool idea to make a time capsule with your kids. You could even make it a whole family time capsule.

What do you need?

A box (you can use a cardboard box and decorate it with your kids. They can draw on it, stick scrapbook paper or anything they like.)

A smile

The process

Tell whoever in the family you want to be involved, to put things in a box (your time capsule) and that you will open it on February 29, 2020. They can find newspaper clippings, they can make lists of popular songs/ games/ movies (maybe even a usb stick if your kids are really high tech), chocolate rappings. Anything! You make the family time capsule and it is stored somewhere in the house till 2020.

It would be a nice idea to video tape the whole process or take pics and keep them in the box as well!!

capsule

So, that’s all folks.

Happy February 29th. Please do subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read. It does help me out a lot (look at the sidebar on ways to follow ❤ ❤ ). Maybe give my Facebook page a ‘like’ so you can get notifications of when I post :D? Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Please ‘pin’ this post if you enjoyed it.

28Feb2016

Eisenhower Matrix: plan with me

Posted in DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Today I did something a bit different in my planner. I used one page for my work schedule and another page for my To DOs. I used the Eisenhower matrix which is a matrix that makes you think about what you want to do but prioritise.So, you have to decide what’s important and urgent, urgent but not important and so on. It helps you be more productive and this week I am giving it a shot. You can try this type of planning method by printing my printables.Please do subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read. It does help me out a lot (look at the sidebar on ways to follow ❤ ❤ ). So, may the planning begin ❤ ❤ .

💖 My spread

My timetable

My To Dos

Of course, I have not shared everything here. Just a few things. My planning is more of an ongoing process.

💖 Downloads

Eisenhower matrix

Click here to download the pdf: Planner pdf-girlie

Weekday boxes and polka dot washi strips

Click here to download the polka dot washi (short and long) with polka dots

When printing the Pdf files, remember to click actual size.

*I also used lace washi tape which you can get here.

If you want to read more about the Eisenhower matrix, press here (there are more files that help you prioritise in that post).

Please do subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read. It does help me out a lot (look at the sidebar on ways to follow ❤ ❤ ). Maybe give my Facebook page a ‘like’ so you can get notifications of when I post :D? Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Please ‘pin’ this post if you enjoyed it. Check out the planning category for more on planning. Let me know what you think of this tpe of planning post. Do you want to see other types of productivity templates? Your input will be of great help.

27Feb2016

My planners & Colour crush personal planner review

Posted in DIY, Hauls, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Hi lovelies,

TTAP: Time to talk about planners (again). My Webster’s pages colour crush personal sized planner arrived. Yay. I now have 3 planners :D.

Show us your planners!!!

My Happy planner: this is where I do my decorative/ crafty planning. Pretty eh? This is my creative outlet (+ decorative planning is a thing. YouTube it).

full spread polka dots

A random Greek planner: this is where I write down my lesson notes/ my work schedule. My messy planner.I am a busy teacher.

And now this beauty!!!

My Colour Crush: How do I use it? well read below for more details about this one 🙂 CC pic

Where did I get it from & cost?

I got it on Amazon and it was 19 pounds.

Mini review

It is pretty and light. Ideal for travelling. The rings are in good condition. Nothing flimsy about it.

My set up

I have inserts, paper clips, some post it notes, and a pen.

background

The paper clips I made myself and you can read that post here. (a bit of decoration of course. I don’t use them, use them).

The inserts are from Just Jaimee (story planner) and you can get the March printables here. They are printable inserts.

February kit

What will I be using this one for?

Ok!! So I am trying to find my planner self. At the moment, I am using it to plan my blog posts. In the summer I will be using it as my main planner cause I will be in the UK for about 15 weeks, and well, I need my 20 kilo suitcase limit for other stuff.

Colour crush.jpg

In the mood for some shopping?

* The Colour crush planner and the kit (inserts) can be found here.

*The Happy planner (if you like crafting and planning this is great) can be found here. This is an 18 month planner but the pages can be taken out or repurposed. I wrote a review of the Happy Planner and you can find it here.

* A more everyday planner (like my messy one 🙂 ) can be found here

These are all Amazon links. You do not pay extra for the products, I just make a small commission off your purchase.

planner review.jpg

21Feb2016

Book Review: The Decision Book

Posted in Books, DIY, Planning, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

Today’s book review is of the Decision book: fifty models for strategic thinking by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler. This is a European bestseller which presents the fifty best decision-making models. These models are popular models taught on MBA courses. What I love about these models is that they are presented in this book in such a way that can be understood by anyone.

What models are presented?

Well as I said earlier, there are fifty models for strategic thinking and they are in the following categories:

How to improve yourself

How to understand yourself better

How to understand others better

How to improve others

The Book’s layout

A brief and easy to understand explanation of each model is on one page and a table/graph/ grid is on the other page. So each model is 2 pages long. At the end of the book there are templates/pages for you, the reader to practice these models!

What do the writers say?

According to the writers, you should read this book if you have to deal with people daily. It will help you with questions you are always confronted with.

How do I make the right decision? How can I motivate myself or my team? How can I change things? How can I work more efficently? And on a more personal level: What do my friends reveal about me? Do i live in the here and now? What do I want?

Krogerus and Tschappeler (p. 5: 2011)

Looking at one of the models I liked

One of the models I love and am sharing with you today is the Eisenhower Matrix. Eisenhower is claimed to have said, ” the most urget decisions are rarely the most important ones.” Whatever job you have to do, you should look at the Eisenhower matrix and decide on what to do first. Most often people do the things that are important and urgent. What about the things that are important, but not urgent (Krogerus and Tschappelerp.10:2011)? The latter actually have to do with long term decisions. How do you prioritise? This matrix helps you with prioritising and visualising your tasks.

*If you are interested in purchasing the book, you can find it here.

Little extras

I am also sharing with you a table I made that is based on this model. You can print it and write down all the things you have to do based on their ‘urgency’. Of course, there will be two versions: a ‘girlie’ one (with polka dots ❤ that works great in your planner) and a plain version (two pages: one for brainstorming and the other one for planning your goals) which you can stick to your notice board/ on your wall.

Downloads

For your ‘girlie’ planner (smaller table/ suitable for your planner)

planner-pdf-girlie

2 Page Plain Table

Plain model

Final thoughts

It all comes down to one thing folks. I really enjoyed reading this book. It got me thinking about what I want to get done. It is so easy to read and I finished it in one day!

Let me know what you think of this post. Do you like it? Do you want to see more models? Also, tell me about how you set goals.

Book review The decision book.jpg

Thanks for stopping by.

xox

Joanna

I use Amazon affiliate links. You do not pay extra for the purchase. I just make a small commission off your pruchase.

15Feb2016

FREE Printables & Plan with me

Posted in DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Hi lovelies!

I am really excited about today’s printable cause Jennifer designed it especially for my readers 🙂 ❤ <3. I asked her to make a gray and white spread, something with no colours because I had in mind that I wanted to make two spreads that were aiming to raise colourblind awareness.

I am colour blind and while I love decorative planning, it is so hard to match colours, especially when I am sharing my ‘plan with me’ posts with you guys.

Colourblind Info

1/12 males and 1/200 females are colourblind. The most common type is red/green colourblindness. This does not mean that CB people confuse their reds/greens. It actually means that they confuse reds, greens, shades of these colours, and any other colour that is formed with these colours (that’s a lot of colours folks). Being colourblind ain’t easy, especially if you think of everything, you, a normal vision person can do, and I, a colour blind person cannot. From the simplest, choosing a banana that is not green to crossing the road. That’s why on my blog, my platform, I try to tell my story, and try to be heard cause awareness will make my life easier.

This week’s spread

I used the printables from GabisPlannerPrints and the Washi tape is from PetitePinkBoutique (she has some really nice stuff ❤ ). I like writing down my work schedule and bits and bobs I want to get done this week. I add stuff throughout the week, so my planning is an ongoing process.

Printables

Click on the pictures to save them and use them as well (hover over the pictures and then press save picture as on your desktop. The quality is better when it is a Jpeg. When printing choose the option ‘actual size’).

Happy Planner printable

Erin Condren Vertical

Coupon Code for both shops: MyPinkRambles25 25% OFF any order from BOTH shops.

www.etsy.com/shop/GabisPaperCo

www.etsy.com/shop/GabisPlannerPrints

*If you want a Happy Planner and are not in the US, you can buy the same one as mine by pressing here. (amazon)

I also 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).

$10 off my ECLP

Happy planner PIN - Copy

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 ? ❤ ❤

That’s all lovelies! Happy planning. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read :D. It does help me out a lot (look at the sidebar on ways to follow ❤ ❤ ). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Please ‘pin’ this post if you enjoyed it. Check out my “planning’ category (see sidebar) for more coupon codes and printables. If you are interested in beauty and lippies, check out my latest post on lipsticks from H & M (mini review and swatches). If you are an Etsy store owner and wish to be featured, feel free to email me (check my ‘About’ page).

Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy planning ❤ ❤

Joanna

7Feb2016

15 ideas for DIY planner covers, dividers & dashboards

Posted in DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Hi loves,

Today I am going to talk to you about covers, dashboards and dividers. I will share with you some ideas on how to make your own dividers/covers and what to put on them. Here is a disclaimer: while I have loads of ideas, I am a bit clumsy with my execution :). So, what do you need to make your DIY covers/dashboards and dividers? A cup of coffee and creativity. A laminator would be useful as well :D.

Anyhow, enough with the babbling. Here are some ideas:

🌼 A drawing

My 3-year-old niece drew a drawing and I laminated it. I get to keep something so cute and precious ❤ ❤ .

🌼 Lined paper

I laminated some lined paper. I can now write on it, then erase whatever I wrote, and use it for something else later on.

🌼 A quote

I found a quote/image I liked and laminated it.

🌼 Ribbons

This ribbon looks so pretty and girlie. It was from my niece’s christening and now I have it in my planner 🙂 . Now be a bit careful cause I am not sure everyone can do this without setting a fire or destroying their laminator. Mine worked fine. Nothing happened.

ribbons

🌼 Digital paper

There are lots of patterns on Etsy which you can buy and then laminate and use as a divider. This one was shared on my blog a while back (so if you like it check out aestheticaddiction’s interview in the planning category in the sidebar). Alternatively, you can use scrapbook paper or even a plastic bag you liked (this idea was shared in one of the Facebook groups I am a member of, so cannot take credit for it).

digital paper.jpg

🌼 3D laminated paper

I used 3D stickers that are intended for wall decorations and made a 3D cover!

wall paper.jpg

🌼 Sticky notes

I laminated Notes and To Do sticky notes. I can use these many times for notes that can move around in my planner. I would use this for more general Notes/to DOs.

sticky

🌼 Flowers

I laminated plastic flowers (yes, the ones you have in a vase). Now be a bit careful cause I am not sure every one can do this without setting a fire or destroying their laminator. Mine worked fine. Nothing happened.

🌼 A photo

This is a photo of me and my cousins when we were young. This is going in my colour crush!

🌼 Other ideas?

Well, you can laminate:

💐 Your wedding vows/a love letter

💐 Your wedding invitation

💐 Your baby’s foot prints

💐 A card

💐 A ticket from a concert you went to

Anything you want to remember and puts a smile on your face.

Pin for dashboards covers

Please do subscribe to my blog if you liked what you read. It does help me out a lot (look at the sidebar on ways to follow). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Please ‘pin’ this post if you enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Till next Sunday!!

❤ ❤ ❤

30Jan2016

How I plan my blog posts: decorative planning

Posted in Blogging, DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

#Feb ❤

So as I said in my previous post, I will be writing blog posts about things I ❤ and I will be using the hash tag #Feb ❤ while doing this. I will be writing posts till February 14th and you are welcome to do the same (just use the hash tag #feb ❤ if you decide to do so). Today I will be talking about two things I love: decorative planning and blogging. So, let’s ‘girly’ plan.

What’s decorative planning?

Using any decorative element in your planner. It can be from using different colour pens to stickers and washi tap.

Why do I like decorative planning?

❤ it is creative

❤ it looks pretty

❤ it’s a leisure activity for me

❤ it makes planning less stressful because my plans look prettier & the whole process is something I enjoy.

Does it take time?

About an hour or two every week.

Decorative planning and my blog posts

At the end of every month I kinda plan my blog posts and I look at my previous month.

What do I do exactly?

I have inserts from the storyteller 2016 and I write down several things. What exactly?

Well, I have two lined pages where I write down my stats. I look at my page views, most popular posts, words that get ‘searched’ and send people to my blog, and items that get clicked in the actual blog posts. I write down if I have monetised and wins of the month like if anyone has emailed me to collab or send me products to review/use.

Traffic

I write down what traffic comes from where. That way I know which type of social media brings me the most views. I, for example, write lots of DIY and planner-related posts. Pinterest and Facebook groups (related to planning) bring me a lot of traffic.

I also write down social media sharing formats that are lacking. Twitter, for example, brings me the least traffic. This helps me focus on trying to get more views from twitter. I started, for example, taking part in more twitter chats and that has been very helpful.

I also write down a few goals for the next month. I do not make a fuss about this though because I do not want to stress myself with numbers and goals. I am more of a slow and steady type of blogger (that’s probably why I have 3 readers :P. I do ❤ you though xx).

I then use my weekly inserts and write down blog post ideas. I write down a few ideas or key words. This helps me brainstorm. Of course I do not always stick to the days or the order I have written down my blogging ideas, but it does help me get ideas, and it forces me to sit down and think. The fact that I am using inserts also allows me to move things around, take pages with me etc. The fact that I have previously looked at my stats and popular posts also gives me a sense of direction.

My blog post planning is all on paper and it is the initial blog planning stage. I do not take pictures or write actual blog posts. Nope. I just sit down with a cup of coffee some music in the background and chill whilst planning. Cutting stickers, using washi tape relaxes me.

What am I using?

My pretty planner is a *light pink colour crush planner which I got from Amazon. They have sold out but you can get an A5 size colour crush here. (It is a bit bigger).

All my inserts and the stickers you see in all the pictures are from the Story Planner 2016 February Kit – Storyteller Add-on.You can get my inserts and stickers here.

My pens are from a brand called *Mersuii and there are 10 pieces of multi colors gel ink pens. They are great to write with. You can get them here.

So, there you have it today’s #Feb ❤ two for one. Planning and blogging.

How do you plan your blog posts? Have you tried to be a bit more creative, decorative? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.Do subscribe to my blog if you like what I have to say (it does help me out and thanks if you do). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Don’t forget to ‘pin’ this post :). Sharing is caring. Check out my previous #Feb ❤ here.

Thanks for reading.

26Jan2016

DIY cute flower polka dot picture frame

Posted in DIY by Joanna Malefaki

Today I am going to share with you a DIY idea for a pretty decorative picture frame that costs almost 3 euros to make!! It is easy and would make a nice decorative piece at home. So, here goes:

DIY Floral Polka dot frames

What do you need?

❤ a picture frame (preferably white)

❤ scrapbook paper/ digital paper for your background.

❤ plastic flowers in a bouquet

❤ glue

❤ ❤ good music in the background and some coffee 🙂

Let’s make some pretty stuff

Take the glass off your frame and put your background paper in the picture frame.

Take your plastic flowers off their bouquet and cut off any plastic stalks. You need your flower as flat as can be.

You must cut off all the stalk bit. You only need the buds!

Stick the flowers on your paper and…. that’s it. You have your pretty picture frames which you can use to decorate your bedroom, your wall, your bookcase, anything!!!

Flower shelf.jpg

My paper is from the store aestheticaddiction. I have a coupon code for you guys if you decide to buy paper. For more info press here.

You don’t have the supplies? Well why not do some shopping?

This is the UHU (contact glue for all purposes) I use. You can get it here.

I found some lovely scrapbook paper on Amazon and it is in my cart at the moment. You can get it here (nice polka dots and stripes)

Lovely plastic bouquet of Gerberas which you can get here.

Set of 4 white frames from IKEA. You can get them here.

I use amazon affiliate links. You do not pay extra if you buy something, I just make a small commission. Thanks ❤ if you purchase something.

So, enjoy your cute floral picture frame making.

DIY Floral Polka dot frames.jpg

Do subscribe to my blog if you like what I have to say (it does help me out and thanks if you do). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram.Maybe even give my Facebook page some TLC? Don’t forget to ‘pin’ this post 🙂 Remember the comments section is all yours. OK!! Enough with the promo!

Thanks for stopping by ❤ ❤

xox

23Jan2016

Plan with me: The Polka Dot Spread & Free Printable

Posted in DIY, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

I ❤ polka dots and I wanted to make a polka dot spread, so this week’s spread is just that. I got digital paper from aestheticaddiction ( I have a coupon code and a printable to share with you later on),I made a few full boxes on sticker paper, and I also printed a polka dot jpeg which I used as the background for half of my week.

My spread

This week’s planning

This week I put all my work schedule on one page and my to dos/ to pay, blog post ideas and other little things on the next page. I also found a few quotes and printed them on sticker paper and added them on my spread.