10 Ideas for the Perfect Girls Night In

9.12.2019

10 Ideas for the Perfect Girls Night In

Where all my introverts at?! *raises hand eagerly* I love a good night in rather than going through all of the effort to get ready and go out with friends. Plus the mid-westerner in me loves saving money. So gather your gal pals because these 10 girls night in activities are far superior to anything outside of the house.

1. Planner play date. Ughhhh what I wouldn't give to throw all of my planner supplies in a bag, head over to my friend's house and sit down for a good planner session. It's so relaxing to get your planning done (which you have to do anyway) next to someone else. Plus you can share supplies and gush over adorable stickers you've been hording.

2. 80's RomCom marathon. 80s John Cusack is a serious dreamboat. Set up a pillow filled viewing room and turn on Say Anything or any of the amazing movies that came out of the 80's. Make it a double or a triple feature!

3. Video games aren't just for the boys. Gather some gals and break out the Switch to play Overcooked or a racing game. I've done this a few times and it always ends in serious laughter. And it's always interesting to see how chill girls are on a team compared to a mixed team or just guys.

4. Wine and cheese pairing party. But seriously...meetup where we bring a wine and cheese pairing? Can that become a thing. Have your friends bring a cheese and a wine to go with it. You'll feel super fancy tasting wine and cheese together.

5. Cookie swaps don't have to just happen around the holidays. Each of your friends makes a few dozen of their favorite recipe, get together, and swap. Keep the fun going and have milk with your cookies and catch up. 

6. Follow a Bob Ross video. Unless you're some talented painter, this will end in horrible paintings and a ton of laughs. Wine's also a must.

7. Watch the Bachelor even if you're not into it. I go over to a friend's house every once in a while to watch the show and love it even though I don't know who is who. The drama is so over the top you can't help but love it. Plus there are so many commercials you can spend that time catching up.

8. Board games. Ah board games. My favorite way to get a group together. With so many amazing games out there I could go on for post after post, but I've always been a fan of cooperative games. Check out Escape the Temple if you're looking for a good one to play next.

9. Netflix movie pajama party. Netflix is starting to rival the Hallmark channel for cheesy love stories. Throw on your pajamas (even if it's in the middle of the day) and have your pals over for popcorn and love puns. Has anyone watching Falling INN love yet?!

10. Potluck meal. Have each one of your friends bring a different course to a meal over. Someone brings an appetizer, a salad, a main course, a side, a dessert, etc. You can pick a theme or have people bring their favorites in that category!

This month's Oh, Hello Box inspired this blog post! This month's theme is girls night in and if you need a jump start to your evening it's the perfect thing. Order yours before the end of September!

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How to Start a New Creative Habit

9.10.2019

How to Start a New Creative Habit

As the summer winds down and my brain evilly reminds me that 'winter is coming,' I thought it a good time to test drive some new creative habits to keep me busy during the colder months. Sure you could just pop over to the store and strike up a new creative habit, but I find taking these few steps as the best way to start (and stick with) something new.

First and foremost, do your research. Whether you want to take up kitting or baking, watch some YouTube videos about your interest first. That way you aren't diving into something that you'll quickly jump back out of. When I started baking, I read a lot of blogs to see what recipes were the easiest to follow. That way I could have some creative successes under my belt right out of the gate rather than burning a bunch of cookies and losing hope.

Accountability is key when starting any new habit or hobby, so tell people about it! It's something new in your life so share it with your friends and family. Plus they'll likely ask you a few months down the road how it's going. Don't disappoint and stick with it!

Give yourself a timeline of how long you're going to try out the new habit before moving on to something else. If you find you just aren't cut out for hand lettering, move on to something else. But make sure you're giving yourself a few weeks to a solid month to try it before switching.

One of the easiest ways to start a new creative habit is to schedule it in your planner. That way it becomes a priority and not just something you talk about doing but never get around to it. I like to bake on Saturday mornings, that way I won't go months without creating something new and delicious. Find a day during the week or a two week schedule so you can actually do this new habit.

Don't forget to start slow. If you're like me you'll want to jump right in and buy everything under the sun for this new hobby. I can't tell you how many bins are in my basement full of hobbies I thought I would stick with. For real...I couldn't tell you...start small and work your way up if you find you enjoy the new habit. Start with a simple hand lettering set and expand your collection if it's something you actually enjoy. That way you aren't throwing away money you could be saving for a hobby you want to do in the future.

So whether it's baking, writing, painting, or whatever, pull out your planner and carve out some time. I always feel so calm and focused after I bake something and it ultimately helps me throughout my work week (plus I get delicious snacks!). A creative habit is a powerful tool!

What creative habit are you trying to start?

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A Look into the World of Oh, Hello Promo

9.05.2019

A Look into the World of Oh, Hello Promo

One thing I mention but rarely go into detail about on this blog is our second company, Oh, Hello Promo. I thought it time to finally give you a look into the world of our other business, share the origin story, and some cool products we've worked on recently. 

Now my husband Alex didn't plan on starting another business, but through our expansion of Oh, Hello Stationery, he learned a ton about manufacturing products. We added mugs, home goods, and other items to our store with our designs and soon companies wanted their logos on the same products. Oh, Hello Promo popped out of the need to have a place to send businesses that wasn't a stationery website. 

That was about two years ago now and Promo is going stronger than ever. Alex runs the business full time while I run the stationery side of things. He has three employees and earns more than stationery does annually. He's truly found what he's meant to do. Alex cares about people, and it comes out in how he runs his business. 

We've done so many cool projects over the past two years of Promo! These photos are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we've created with various companies.

I'm a proud wife and business partner seeing everything that Alex has accomplished with his business. One successful small business seems like a fluke, but two? I think it's something we're both meant to be doing.

If you're interested in seeing more about the world of Oh, Hello Promo, just let me know! I'd be more than happy to share what we are getting up to!

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My Go-To Skincare Products

9.03.2019

My Go-To Skincare Products

This girl's got dry skin. No matter what the weather is like outside my face is as dry as a desert and begging for moisture. I tend to use the same products all year around, but with more focus on overnight masks in the winter. These are my four favorite products that keep my skin clear and hydrated.

I can't tell you how many tubes of the Derma-E Hydrating Serum* I've thrown on my face in the past few years. It's an incredibly light serum that packs a moisture punch. I love how fast it sinks into my skin so it's great to use in the morning before I start my makeup routine. It's FAB.

Although I use the Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask like a crazy person in the winter, I still like to use it every two weeks or so to really pump up the hydration. My skin tends to get dull over time if I don't do a shot of serious moisture every once in a while. I take a small amount on my fingers and massage it into my skin after my evening routine is done. It feels thick, but works its magic throughout the night. Seriously good stuff.

Another mask that I can't get enough of is Glossier's moisturizing moon mask. You can find me in the bath with this stuff slathered on my face at least once a week. It's incredibly light, doesn't dry out or pull the skin, and leaves it feeling bouncy and refreshed. Plus a little goes a long way which is always a plus.

As for makeup removal I try to keep things gentle and not moisture-stripping (you're seeing a trend here eh?). The It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Balm is a makeup removing oil that doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry after using it. I apply it to dry skin, rub it around, and then add some water to foam it up. Rinse away and continue to the next step in my routine. Easy peasy. 

What are you favorite go-to skincare items?

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How to Balance Friendships When You Have a Hectic Lifestyle

8.29.2019

How to Balance Friendships When You Have a Hectic Lifestyle

I think it's safe to say that everyone is busy in one way or another. People are constantly juggling work, health, hobbies, and a social life. It's tough work. So here's what you can do to balance friendships when you have a hectic lifestyle (aka everyone...)

Check in regularly even if you aren't able to schedule time to see them. I call my check in times "Text Tuesdays" to remind me to send my friends a text message to see what's new in their lives. A decent number of my friends live out of state so it's a great way to know what's going on with them. Even if it's just a quick, "Hey, you're one badass person," it's important to let them know I'm thinking about them.

Let worlds collide. Over the weekend I had a photo shoot for my business and I invited my friends to join the shoot with me. Sure it wasn't an ideal way to spend time with them, but I still got work done and got to hear about their lives. Two birds with one stone is sometimes the best way to accomplish it all. Try finding a way to combine your social life with your work life so that if you can't have undivided attention, at least you still get to see your friends.

Plan ahead if you and your friends have a busy schedule. Sometimes I have to plan things out a month in advance for our D&D squad to meet, but it's better than nothing. 

Schedule the next event at the current one so you don't find yourselves going months before seeing each other again. 

Make it a priority. I know that's easier said than done, but if you want to find time to have friendships, you have to make time. Maybe you have to skip a night binge watching Netflix to have a girl's night, but it's worth it to maintain your relationships. Trust me, from one introvert to another, it's worth it.

Sometimes your friendship maintenance will slip, and that's ok. The best of friends will understand that life can get crazy sometimes but you still care about them. So pick up your phone and shoot a friend a text to hang out next week. Even if it's just for an hour for coffee. You're going to need the caffeine anyway...

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Habit Tracking for a More Intentional Life

8.27.2019

Habit Tracking for a More Intentional Life

I'll admit it, I'm not the greatest when it comes to habit tracking or maintaining habits. Before I started tracking them in my planner I was downright awful. So trust me when I say that habit tracking, actual tracking, can make a world of difference to building and maintaining positive habits.

I've tried quite a few different methods over the years, but the sticker in the planner method seems to do the trick. My planner is always with me (security blanket much?) so it's a lot easier to see what habits I'm trying to track and work on improving them every day. Sure I'm still not perfect (I barely ate at home in the photo...), but it's more about awareness for me than anything else. The next day I can try to be better and whatnot. It's a process.

Now I've received advice about not having so many habits I'm tracking and I understand there is value in focusing on a few, but I personally love having a bunch. If I happen to have a crappy time with mindful eating on a particular day, I still can feel like I wasn't a complete and total failure. Having more things to track means I have more opportunities to succeed. 

As I've continued this process for a few months I've also noticed that some habits don't need to be checked off every day. I don't need to check my finances every day, but every few days works. I've started highlighting the dates that I want to make sure I do a certain habit that way I don't feel bad if it isn't all filled in. Plus some of the things I'm tracking I don't want filled in. Like anxiety for instance. I want to keep track of when I have higher amounts of anxiety, but if I go a month without marking a single day, that's definitely a win.

Like with all planner related things, it's best to find a method that works for you. Whether you track two or three things to make sure you're staying focused throughout the month, or tracking a whole butt load like me, you do you planner peeps.

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Why You Should Try a Double Monthly Planner System

8.22.2019

Why You Should Try a Double Monthly Planner System

Two months ago I took some pliers to my Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly in order to add another monthly view to each section in the hopes of some planner satisfaction (planner peace just doesn't exist...). I always think of the song "I can't get no (planner) satisfaction!" when it comes to planning. But that's a whole other tangent...

Ok back on point Kayla. Double monthly spreads. I needed a way to keep track of my blog posts and videos without them cluttering up my main monthly view. I don't use weekly views (I prefer to see the entire month at once) so I had to figure out a way to make it work. So why not two planner spreads? 

I'm in love. It works so well at keeping all of my content organized in a way that visually makes sense to me. I can easily flip from my main monthly view to the content and know exactly what's going on. It's all in the same planner so I'm not carrying around extra notebooks or calendars unnecessarily. Sure a larger monthly view could also do the trick, but honestly I like having them separate but similar. Plus it means two planner spreads to decorate which is always a plus.

A double monthly spread could work for you if you have a blog or regular content you're creating on a regular basis. Or if your family has a very busy sports schedule you could separate it all out in the second monthly view, and have a little icon to mark it in your main view. My content schedule never changes, so I know there will be posts on Tues/Thurs and videos on Wed/Fri so I don't need the reminder in my main view, but if you're just getting started it could be helpful so you aren't missing anything.

To me this solves the personal planner/work planner problem without the multiple planner situation. It can also function as a workout or health tracker. The sky's really the limit on the two monthly view planner. I'm just sayin'. It's pretty insane. 

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5 Beauty Products I've Been Loving and You Will Too

8.20.2019

5 Beauty Products I've Been Loving and You Will Too

So my last beauty post was like a year ago...Like I just didn't stop wearing makeup. Or new products. But apparently beauty posts went out the window when I changed the blog from MicroscopeBeauty to Oh, Hello Living. Well they're back my friends and what better way to dive right in than talk about some new products to my collection that I've been loving? Let's get our toes wet again with this whole beauty blog post thing...

I basically cannot live without Glossier's Boy Brow, so whenever I place an order to replenish my stash I've been slowly trying out other Glossier products. I figured I would try the Perfecting Skin Tint (I'm the shade G11) in my most recent order and I'm so happy I did. It's an incredibly lightweight formula that I love for days that I don't want to wear a ton of makeup but still want to even out my skin tone. It has somewhat of a satin finish that I've really been digging lately. In the summer months dewy skin just looks sweaty so this is a great, build-able option.

The vegan and cruelty-free brand Clove and Hallow recently popped up on my radar. Having absolutely no idea about the brand, I chose three products from the line and completely love each one. How often does that ever happen!? Definitely since I'm a grandma when it comes to new things. I went rouge with the Hydraglow* as I'm not usually one for highlights (goes back to that looking sweaty thing). It's amazing. Specifically I use it to highlight my shoulders and collar bone if I'm wearing a tank top or an outfit that shows off those areas. it provides this amazing shimmery glow that I'm completely obsessed with. It's incredibly easy to apply just a little bit so my heavy handed ways don't go overboard. 

I also snagged one of their lipsticks in the shade Desert Rose.* The formula is so smooth. It has the hydration of a lip balm and the pigmentation of a lipstick. Plus the packaging is gorgeous with a strong magnetic closure. Gotta love hearing that satisfying snap of the tube closing. 

The third product I picked up from Clove and Hallow is their Hydratint Blush in Georgia.* I'm having a moment with liquid blushes lately and this one is fantastic. I find that it's really easy to control how much pigmentation you want when it comes to a liquid blush. I apply a bit to my fingers, dab it to my cheeks, and blend out with the beauty blender I used to put on my foundation. It gives this gorgeous flush to the skin that I can't get enough of. I'm definitely going to have to go back for more shades!

Derma-E has become my go-to skincare brand as of late because there hasn't been a product that I haven't liked. It's also a 100% cruelty-free, vegan brand (blog post on my favorite brands maybe?!). Their serums are definitely some of my favorites, but I really have been liking their Vitamin C Renewing Moisturizer.* Vitamin C is great for adding vibrancy and life back to the skin and with the long nights and early mornings I've been pulling for my business lately, I need all the help I can get. I particularly enjoy how liquid-y their products tend to be as they sink into the skin super fast.

Phew. It feels good to be back on the beauty blogging wagon. I can definitely see a shift in my beauty and makeup style over the past year so I'm excited to show you the evolution. Gone are the days of poorly blended eye shadow (fingers crossed). It's all about natural skin and glow (but not sweaty!!).

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My Weird Travel Quirks

8.15.2019

My Weird Travel Quirks

One of the first things my husband accepted about me were my weird travel habits. I'm a strange, anxiety-filled duck when it comes to most things, but I get even weirder when it comes to travel. I honestly don't know why I'm still like this after travelling every month for the past two years. Yet here we are.  

I always bring a pillow. Like a full sized one. From our bed. Regardless of how limited we are on space, I somehow always manage to jam my pillow into the suitcase to bring along with me despite Alex's eye rolling.

I always have to have peanut butter M&Ms. I rarely eat them any other time, but when I'm travelling it's a must. Anyone else have a weird travel-only snack you just have to have?

Now this one has to be the planner girl in me, but I always pack early. We're talking a week early on average. I like to pick out the clothes I want to bring with me early so I don't wear them before we leave. Plus I'm constantly paranoid I'm going to forget something (like a hairbrush I'm constantly forgetting) so in my head packing early means I have more time to think about what I need. Without fail, no matter how often we travel, I still pack like I haven't traveled in years. 

Now so far these aren't too crazy, but I also always use Google maps to check what food will be around me. I'm weirdly paranoid that despite living in the 21st century and really only travelling domestically, I won't be able to find food. Like come on Kayla, there's a Starbucks around every corner. You're good. And yet about a week before we leave for a trip I find myself frantically googling food within walking distance of our hotel. Just in case I find myself starving to death.

Regardless of knowing where all the closest food sources are to the hotel, I still bring enough snacks to feed four people for a week. Without fail. Now that TSA requires you to take out snacks I look like I'm emptying a grocery cart every time I go to a security checkpoint. Apparently my fear of hunger knows no bounds.

What are some of your weird travel quirks? Make me feel less insane!

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How to Start a Planner Instagram in 5 Easy Steps

8.13.2019

How to Start a Planner Instagram in 5 Easy Steps

Any proper planner addict should have their own planner related Instagram profile. Whether or not you combine it with your "personal" account is up to you, but having a place to share your spreads and seek feedback is another element to the planner community. Don't have one yet? Here are five easy steps to get started.

1. Pick a planner related name. That way your Instagram can be found easier when other planner people are exploring for new feeds. Something like "planlikekim" or "kimplansalot" work! 

2. Post consistently. At first your feed won't get much traction, but if you post consistently once a day or every other day, your profile will start to gain more traction and exposure.

3. Use hashtags to help your posts get found. Be sure to mix them up from post to post so Instagram doesn't think you're spamming. Use hashtags like #plannercommunity, #planneraddict, #erincondren, and others depending on what planner you're using.

4. Bright lighting. I mean this one should probably be the only rule with Instagram posts. Keep your photos bright. The easiest way to do this is to put down a white piece of paper next to a window. Take photos of your planner in bright, natural light. No one wants to look at dark photos!

5. Follow fellow planner Instagrams and comment on their posts. The best way to gain a following is to become active in the community. Follow other planner Instagram accounts and comment on their posts. Engage with them and they'll undoubtedly engage with you! Being an active member of whatever community you're using Instagram for is imperative to having success in growing a following.

It's super easy to get your Instagram for your planning up and running! Let me know what your Instagram handle is in the comments so I can go follow you!

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5 Reasons I Love the Day Designer Planner

8.08.2019

5 Reasons I Love the Day Designer Planner

There's a full review blog post on The Day Designer planner a few posts back, but I wanted to share five reasons why I'm completely in love with this planner and how it's completely taken over my planning routine. It's a good'un.

The next week at a glance at the bottom of the weekend page is something I didn't know my planning routine was missing. It's revolutionary. I love being able to see what's coming up in the next week. It helps with my end of the week anxiety over what's to come plus helps me get more prepared in the process. It makes the week feel much more manageable. 

Back when I used a weekly planner, hourly layouts were my jam. So the daily hour slots to write in appointments are right up my alley. I added this planner back into my routine because I had a lot more appointments piling up that previous months. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything and I love how easy it is to mark when I have something with a time attached to it.

If I had a particularly unproductive day I love being able to just turn the page, let it go, and move on. Weekly views tend to pile up on me and make me feel like I'm not getting anything done. A daily planner makes it easy to put a crappy day in the past and get more done the next day.

I also really like the notes section on each page. It's another section that I didn't expect I would use as much as I do. I write packing lists, custom stickers I need to design, and random notes throughout the day. This planner just makes me feel like I don't have to be perfect. I can scribble things here and there and the next day I have a fresh, clean spread to tackle.

Because I can just turn the page to a clean start every two days, the Day Designer lets me mix up my planning style. Sometimes I'll plan out my entire day down to the hour, other days I'll write a to do list and call it good. I love the flexibility.

Oh, Day Designer. Did I just write you a love letter? You bet I did.

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Why You Should Create an Essentials List in Your Planner

8.06.2019

Why You Should Create an Essentials List in Your Planner

First thing's first. You may be thinking, "What the heck is an essentials list anyway?!" It's a list of all of the essential tangible things in your life that if your house caught on fire, you'd try to save first if your family and pets were already safe. The items that bring you joy, that hold sentimental value, and matter to you above everything else. So why should you have one?

It helps you put your life into perspective. To really see what actually matters to you at the end of the day. You'll be surprised at what ends up on the list, but even more with what doesn't. And it makes you have this sense of freedom. Like you aren't tied to all the material crap that builds up in your house and overflows from closets (just me?!) You know exactly what matters to you at the end of the day and the rest doesn't matter.

It also helps you stop frivolous spending. You are so much more aware of the types of things that really matter to you that you'll think twice before making an impulse purchase in the dollar section of Target. My impulse purchases are almost non-existent now. I always think back to this list and ask myself, "Will what I want to buy end up going on my essentials list or not? And does it matter to me if it doesn't end up on the list?" Sometimes we all need to have a planner sticker shopping spree every now and again...we're human after all.

So sit down for ten to fifteen minutes and write up your essentials list. What would you pack into a van if you suddenly decided to abandon your current life and start a new one? What material things matter the most? I'd love to hear what ends up on your list in the comments if you're willing to share!

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