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

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.

 

Eisenhower Matrix: plan with me

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 ❤ ❤ .

write.jpg

💖 My spread

My timetable

Written.jpg

My To Dos

left

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

 💖 Downloads

Box

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).

Eisenhower.jpg

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.

Jo

My planners & Colour crush personal planner review

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.

1

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.

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

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.

What are your subpersonalities?

I was sent the e-book by Cheryl Bridges Me, myself and I-28 days of Creative Self Love. It’s a book that helps the reader love him/herself. It has lots of  creative/ reflective activities you can do at the end of each chapter. I liked the chapter Body Hate/ Body Love. What does this chapter talk about?It’s about what Socrates called daimons, Freud instincts and drives, and Cheryl calls subpersonalities. So, what exactly are subepersonalities?

According to  Cheryl Bridges,

behaviors we develop to help us navigate life, particularly when we are little. The  behaviors help us cope with specific situations.

After reading the chapter, I decided to do what the writer suggests.Look a bit more closely at my own ‘subpersonalities’, reflect and be a bit more creative by giving the subpersonalities names. So, let’s dive into my mind and my subpersonalituies: my little people (behaviours?).

💖 Polyanna & Pessimist Jo

So, there is definitely a Polyanna in me: you know the one that is always positive and thinks that tomorrow will be a better day and finds positive in everything, for others that is. Polyanna the optimistic advisor of others. Sometimes, I follow her lead and think that everything is great on my little pink cloud. Key word here: sometimes, cause other times, I think of the worst case scenarion and that’s when Polyanna’s butt gets kicked by negative/ pessimistic Jo. There is always a real battle between those two. Sometimes I am all about positive thinking and seeing/hoping for the best, and other times, I think that I am doomed.

💖 Pushover Jo vs. Pushy Jo

There is also pushover Jo, the one who doesn’t want to let people down and sometimes doesn’t really focus on what she wants but does what the others want. She is probably Polyanna’s cousin! Funnily enough, I also have a somewhat bossy version of myself and that one surfaces when everyone else is indecisive. I mean come on, ” Let’s go to XYZ already”. I think one of the things I hate the most is indecisiveness. So, in those cases the subpersonality of pushy Jo rocks. I am all about planning and thinking about something, but surely on things that are not life threatening you definitely do not need fifty hours to decide!!

💖 Insecure Jo vs. Risk-taker

There is an insecure Jo who tells me” You cannot do it. You are not good enough” and a risk-taker Jo. A voice that says, ” Go ahead! You can do it! What’s the worse case scenario? You will fail. Eh! Big woop. Everybody fails at something, at some point!

Interesting thing those subpersonalities, the ones that make us who we are. The little voices/instincts in our heads that define our behaviour. You gotta love them though, cause they make you, you, and me, me. They grow, they mature, sometimes they vanish and sometimes they hold you back.

💖 Some final thoughts

This reflective task was fun. It made me think of the things I want to work on. There are many chapters in the book that are really interesting.  There are chapters on self-love, emotions,nurturing your body and soul and lots more. The writer invites you to use your markers and your crayons, to draw and be creative on a journey to learn more about yourself. * You can get the book here. If you are interested in reading more posts, use the hashtag #creativeselflove

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.

Subpersonalities pin

Thanks for stopping by.

 

             xox

                   Joanna

 

M&S Toiletries: mini haul and review

I got a few things from Marks and Spencer’s the other day and I thought I’d share what I got and how I feel about these products. They are toiletries.

🌸 What did I get?

Floral collection China Blue La Porcelaine Blue which is a moisturising hand and nail cream.  Fragrant Water lily shower gel with added moisturiser and fragrant water-lily anti-perspirant roll on.

M%S all

Price

Hand cream: 3.50

Roll on: 3.50

Shower gel: 3.50

I got these products in Greece during the sales.

🌸 Water lily Shower Gel (with added moisturiser)

wash

According to the tube this shower gel,

enriched with extract of water-lily and added moisturiser will cleanse your skin and help leave it soft, smooth and delicately scented

Does it do what it says?

Sure. The scent it leaves is subtle (water lily: floral scent-not too strong). I had a shower an hour ago and can still smell it. Does my skin seem softer. Sure, but doesn’t it always after a shower? It makes a few bubbles when you apply it. Would I repurchase? Sure.

🌸 Water lily anti-perspirant roll-on

roll

It’s a roll-on that smells like a water-lily. It smells for quite a while but I haven’t gone to the gym whilst wearing it, so don’t know if it is a heavy-duty anti-perspirant. The thing I do not like about the roll-on is the packaging. It is light, so good for travelling but the ball (roll?), which is used to apply the anti-perspirant, often gets stuck, and you need to move it with your fingers. Would I repurchase? Probably not cause of the packaging.

🌸 China Blue moisturising Hand and Nail cream

cream

According to the packaging this cream,

is a carefully formulated ph balanced cream with added moisturisers that will soften, condition and nourish hands and strengthen nails.

Does it do what it says?

Well, it’s a hand cream that does soften your skin. It does make them look a bit shiny. It is not greasy. The scent is of clean linen and it is quite strong. If you put too much on, it’s overbearing (for me at least). I have used hand and nail nourishing creams from M & S before, and I ❤  them. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have. I would probably buy a different scent though.

Have you tried and M&S products? Let me know what in the comments below.

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

             xox

                   Joanna

 

1.113 amazing people: who are you?

According to my blog, there are 1.113 amazing people following it. 1.113? Wow! Now I am going to make a fool of myself (if no one answers of course) and ask, ” Who are you amazing person?”

I did this a while back for blog number 1 ( my edu blog) and it was a great way to interact with my readers. So, if you stumbled upon this blog post and in the mood for a chit-chat, tell me who you are, what you like, your story ❤ ❤ . Humor me and leave a little comment. Say hello.

This is me:

Joanna, a 40-year-old teacher who lives in Greece (during the winter) and the UK (during the summer). I am colour blind and that does define a lot of my choices. So does the fact that I am a workaholic. I love writing, makeup and pretty things. I like polka dots.

who are you

My mottos

If something doesn’t work, let it go.

If someone doesn’t ‘work’, next!

It’s OK to say, ” I don’t know”.

So, that’s it! I am VERY curious to see if anyone will leave a comment (please do 😀 😀 ❤ ❤ ). I am only going to promote on Twitter, WP, and this blog’s Facebook page (that’s where the 1.113 comes from I guess).I may ‘pin’ it as well.  Oh! If you just came across my blog, then check out my sidebar (I’m a cool chick haha) and follow it. Maybe 1.106 will become more (if it becomes less, I will probably have a meltdown 😦 ). So, let’s see….. Over to you……

             Joanna

Book Review: The Decision Book

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.

BOOK

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

Box

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

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.

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.

 

Niche or no niche? A blogger in distress

When someone starts blogging one of the first decisions they are called to make has to do with whether their blog is going to have a niche, a specialisation. In an age where being a specialist in something is almost an essential, will a more general blog be successful? I’m here today with a post more about my thoughts regarding what is proper, what is kinda expected when blogging. Most people say that you should have a niche, you should be known for something. That is why readers will come to your blog.

How limiting is that though? I mean, have you heard the expression”one trick pony?” That’s what a niche means to me. If my blog is my creative outlet, why should I confine it? Why should I write about one thing? But if my blog is all over the place, will anyone want to read it?

I don’t like the word niche. I like experiencing stuff. I like exploring. Niche means giving me a label. I have lots of interests. Many things make me happy and I want to share. I like makeup, beauty, travelling, books, wondering about my crap! I am not a niche blogger nor will I be a brand (that’s for sure).

Funnily enough, I do need to say that I have a niche blog, don’t get me wrong. My first blog is my niche blog. I am an educational blogger.I have been for the past 3 years. I write about teaching. Lots of my posts have to do with teaching English for specific purposes like business or academic English, but, after having a niche blog. I realised I don’t want to just be a niche blogger. Blogging, in my mind, is a way for me to express myself. If I just blog about teaching, I do not express myself. I share one itsy bitsy aspect of myself.

You may ask, ” Eh! Who cares about you though? Like , who are you woman anyway?”

Another thing that makes me wonder though is if I am going about this blogging thing the wrong way. How do people get 100.000 page views in a day. What do they write about? How do readers come across their posts? Are they niche bloggers?

Don’t they get bored? I did. I love teaching, I enjoyed sharing my teaching experiences, but it wasn’t enough for me. I have more to say. Dunno how many people are really interested in what I have to say, but I do have more.

Does me not wanting to have a niche make me an amateur? A joke? I guess it all comes down to why I blog. Can my niche be wanting to write? That sure sounds like a funny niche.

I was told once that I have a lovely pen. I don’t want my pen to be just blue. I want my pen to be like those gadget-y ones. The one you pull down this little trigger and the ink changes. It becomes red, blue, green, black…..

Niche pin.jpg

Where is this all coming from? Just the fact that at 40, I still dunno what I want. What I like. What to focus on. This is reflected here on my platform.

I struggle. What do you think? For me, no niche.

     xox

             Joanna

 

 

FREE Printables & Plan with me

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.

Spread light gray

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

Gray White Happy Planner.jpg

Erin Condren Vertical

Gray White Erin Condren

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

 

H & M lipsticks review and swatches

You probably know that H & M has come out with a makeup line. I have bought a few things from that line and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products. The packaging is not as WOW as higher end products but the quality of the lipsticks especially is really good!!!

I have bought a couple of H & M lipsticks and I like them. They feel nice on the lips. They are easy to apply. They also stay on for a while. Pricewise they are less than 10 euros and the packaging is good.

💄My collection & Swatches

So, here are some of the H& M lipsticks I have in my collection and love.

20160215_114807-1

H & M lipsticks from left to right (1. Heyday 5. Fancy Freesia)

❤ Heyday: Light brown.

❤ Fareham Brick: Brick colour (brownish/dark pink/red).

❤ Sea shell: Light pink/nude.

❤ Ablaze: Orange/red.

❤ Rust Me: Dark brown/reddish.

❤ Fancy Freesia: Hot pink.

Me glasses

The ones that I have got the most compliments for are Ablaze and Fancy Freesia (I am wearing Ablaze in the picture. I think….)

If you have an H& M nearby, I really recommend trying these lippies out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

2 disclaimers

💄:I am colourblind and have tried to give a detailed description of the lipstick shades for other CB ladies. My sister and mum helped me describe the colours. Unfortunately, like ALL makeup companies, H & M chooses to change the names of the colours on the lipsticks, making it very difficult for me to know exactly what colour I am wearing).

💄💄:I purchased these products myself and I really like them ❤ ❤

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.

H&M

Thanks for stopping by.

xox

Jo