Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
Prepare yourselves for the heaviest photo-filled post to date. I just couldn’t help myself. The Plum Paper Planner* is all that I can think about since unboxing it a week or so ago. It has me strongly considering saying goodbye to my Erin Condren to give it a whirl come January. That’s a bold statement, I know.
What’s so great about Plum Paper is just how customizable their planners are. Erin Condren has a ton of options, but Plum Paper has more. From 11 different layouts to choose from to add-ons galore, there really is a planner for everyone. I got the Vertical 3 Layout because I love the style of an hourly without the hours. Now let’s get into the absurd amount of detail photos.

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
The planner starts out with your standard yearly overview and has a spread for important dates. It has another page for ideas, plans and goals that would work great for my accomplishment tracking I like to do. I love that there are two separate pages so I don’t have to choose between important dates or memory keeping. I can do both!

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
The note pages before the monthly view remind me a LOT of the Erin Condren ones. The circles are on both and I like that the Plum Paper planner gives you prompts for the extra spots. If you don’t want to use them for those categories they can easily be covered up with a sticker and used for something else. I already checked if my beloved habit tracker sticker can fit in the bottom section of this page and it most definitely does.

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
The monthly view is pretty standard, but it fits Erin Condren sized stickers. Another reason I’m considering cheating on EC. It’s so awesome to find so many planners that can fit our stickers that I’m really starting to be question my current planner setup.
Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
The weekly view is filled with easy to write on lines with a handy three-priority checklist at the bottom that can be used for meals, main to do list items, or online content scheduling. Plus the columns are just the tiniest bit bigger than standard sticker sizing. I’m not that picky though so I’ll definitely be using stickers like crazy on these pages.
I opted to add some to do list pages dispersed throughout the planner because these could be really helpful to plan out monthly projects. Just write the project on the pink box and list all the tasks below it. I love the idea of seeing all the projects for the month on one page to. It’s like a master monthly to do list.
The add-on feature is probably my most favorite thing about Plum Paper planners. There are so many different options to choose from and they come with their own tab at the back of the planner. I opted for the blog one to see what it had to offer.

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On

Plum Paper Planner Vertical 3 Layout Review with Blog Add-On
The blog add-on doesn’t mess around and includes things I didn’t even consider tracking. It’s in-depth, easy to use, and makes keeping track of all the nitty-gritty details a whole lot more enjoyable.
Overall I’m mad at myself for not checking out Plum Paper sooner. You can start the planner on any month you want, get it without a coil to put it into any planner system you choose, and it’s cheaper than Erin Condren planners even with a few add-ons (my planner was around $38 before shipping). My biggest complaint is that they don’t have interchangeable covers. I’m sure I could cut slits in the current cover and switch it out with Erin Condren ones, but it would have been the cherry on top of this planner if that option was available.
I’ve already got my eye on a few more add-ons and am planning out how to use this planner in 2018. If you haven’t checked out Plum Paper you definitely should. Don’t be like me and wait ages to figure out how awesome it is!

How to Figure Out What You Want

How to Figure Out What You Want

How to Figure Out What You Want
Growing up I always had a plan. I knew what I would be doing, how to get there, and what I wanted to do along the way. That all changed when I became self-employed and started working from home. I feel like I’ve skipped a few steps and am now in this no-man’s land without any clear idea of what to do next. It’s caused a lot of stress and anxiety with a dash of listlessness thrown in for good measure. I just didn’t know what I wanted anymore. Days started to blur together and I lost a lot of passion.
My brilliant husband Alex came to me one day after months of watching me just go through the motions. He asked to take me out to lunch to talk about what we wanted in life. I jumped at the chance for lunch at Panera and didn’t realize how this one lunch date would completely change my outlook on things.
We both brought our own notebook and he asked me, “What would you do if you didn’t have to work constantly and money wasn’t a concern?” At first I wasn’t sure, but soon the ideas started flowing.
I want to take more dance classes, focus on interior design, grow more plants, and take a cake decorating class. Just writing these wants down instantly changed my mood. It gave me things to focus on, goals to work towards, and things to look forward to. 
Plus I got to see what he would do. It taught me so much more about him, about what he values, and how to make our relationship even stronger.
So if you’ve found yourself on the other side of college without a road map you’ve followed for so many years previously, don’t fret. Write down the things you want to do, whether it’s travelling, opening your own bakery, what have you. Just getting your dreams and goals down on paper is a huge motivation booster. Then figure out what you have to do to get to those goals. 
I know it sounds simple, but why can’t it be?
Get to Work Book Planner Review

Get to Work Book Planner Review

Get to Work Book Planner Review
Of all the glorious planners I had my sights on for this year’s ultimate planner mashup (more commonly known as the “Which Planner to Choose in 2018” video), the Get to Work Book was at the top of the list. This gorgeous calligraphy filled beauty oozed productivity in all the Instagram posts. In person it doesn’t disappoint. It feels like a back-to-your-roots kind of planner focused on no-fuss, goal-oriented planning. On to the nitty-gritty.

Get to Work Book Planner Review
The cover is a high-quality matte black cardboard-like material and opens up to a 2018 at a glance spread. Great for project planning, event planning, or tracking monthly accomplishments. I’ve grown accustomed to this page in planners and look for it while scouting out new layouts. It’s such a handy addition.

Get to Work Book Planner Review
Before each month there is a reflection and goal setting page. As someone who has a hard time making and tracking goals, I find this really helpful. It helps to work through goals to figure out whats most important to focus on.

The page right before the monthly view is what sent my heart a flutter over this planner in the first place. The typography and quotes are swoon worthy. Plus the “this month is all about” section at the bottom helps to set a focus to the month ahead. It’s so thought out it’s insane.

Get to Work Book Planner Review
Get to Work Book Planner Review
The monthly view is simple, but in the best kind of way. The grey tones really make plans and writing stand out so you can quickly look to see what’s on the agenda without having the planner distract. This book is all about productivity and thought out design. I can get behind that for sure.
Another huge highlight of this planner? It fits Erin Condren standard size stickers. SCORE. The monthly view’s boxes are 1.5 inches wide so you could snazz up the planner with a bit of color if that’s more your style. 

Get to Work Book Planner Review

Get to Work Book Planner Review
Get to Work Book Planner Review
The weekly view keeps the productivity going with action items on the sidebar, three top priorities for every day, and a ton of space to write daily to do lists. It also fits standard sizes stickers perfectly. I don’t think I could be more psyched about finding new planners that still work with my love of stickers. A few functional stickers here and a dash of decorative there and this planner will reach epic levels for me.

Get to Work Book Planner Review
The back section of the planner has some note pages, but also a few of these project pages to break down large tasks into more manageable objectives. Great for small business owners, students, or people who have projects for their work.

I have two complaints with this majestic beast. The tabs stick out past the cover. Their lamination is thick enough to likely stand up to wear and tear, but if you tend to throw planners into bags like I do, you may want to be a bit more careful with this one. Plus at $55 it’s more expensive than even Erin Condren planners which are on the high end for a lot of people. The price definitely makes me stop and think a little harder on this one despite loving so much about it. If it’s a planner you love and will use happily for an entire year, it’s worth the investment.
The simplicity is a serious strength while the typography is motivating and gorgeous to look at. I find myself feeling more productive just holding this meaty planner. It’s definitely one to consider if you’re looking for something without too much fluff that you can add your own flair to.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
The first of the many, many planner reviews is here! I’m starting with a planner I’ve used in the past in a smaller size and loved to pieces. So let’s get into the nitty gritty of the 2018 Rifle Paper Co Lively Floral 17-Month Planner*
The layout of this planner can be found throughout all of the Rifle Paper Co planners, but what drew me to this planner in particular is the size. I love how big and in charge it looks on my desk for writing to do lists.
The cover is thick, hard, and seems like it will hold up to a year’s worth of wear and tear pretty well. I do wish the corners had metal covers as those tend to get beat up over time, but the size of this planner leans more towards desk usage rather than a planner you carry around on a regular basis.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
One of the most interesting layout features on this planner is how all of the monthly views are located under one tab at the beginning of the planner rather than dispersed throughout. It’s different (in a good way) to be able to flip through the entire year quickly rather than having to jump throughout the planner, but at the same time I don’t find myself desperately needing this feature. I love it when I’m using this planner, but don’t miss it when I’m not.

Before we get into the monthly views, the front of the planner has the basic pages you want in a planner but don’t necessarily use too often. The 2019 overview is pretty standard without much fluff. I do wish there were more floral designs dispersed throughout beyond just the cover. Rifle Paper Co is known for their iconic designs so it would have been nice to get a few more.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
The important dates page could be used for big events or birthdays throughout the year, but I would probably use it for memory/accomplishment keeping. It’s my favorite way to really get a lot of use out of these pages. Plus it’s always so cool to look back on after just a few months.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
The most exciting thing about the standard looking monthly view is the sizing of it. This planner fits Erin Condren sized stickers! It would be incredibly easy to add a bit of sticker addiction into these pages. There’s a handy little notes sidebar for the monthly view as well.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
The weekly view is why I fell in love and used a smaller version of this planner last year. This is the best agenda I’ve found to use for to do lists. Sure bullet journals and traveler’s notebooks are all the rage right now, but the simplicity and ease of using this for lists can’t be beat. I love how it limits the number of items you can have each day (you get less lines as you go down in sizes) and how it focuses more on to do’s rather than events.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
You could always add a sticker or two next to the date with any events or appointments you have, making this a great work planner. It worked wonders for my work-from-home life. There’s definitely room for themes and stickers in this planner, but I would shy away from full weekly kits and coordinate some functional and decorative things instead.

Rifle Paper Co Planner Review | Large Format with Hard Cover and Spiral Binding
There’s a incredibly roomy pocket in the back with a little ruler detailing on the side. The perfect place to stash some favorite stickers or save paperwork for a current project. 
For $34 this planner is simple, yet incredibly useful and functional for to do lists. It would be a fantastic planner for work or even for school to write down assignments and tests while using the monthly views for events. It’s also the planner that started to shake up my confidence in using Erin Condren planner exclusively. It started to really go down hill when more planners arrived a few weeks ago. There’s no fuss or expectations with it and that’s what makes it so great. You could quickly jot down things you need to get done one week and then go sticker crazy the next. It lets you be you a lot more than other, popular planners.
Prepare your eyeballs for an avalanche of planner reviews coming to you soon! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss a single one. 
What do you think of this planner? Too simple or with room to personalize?

October 2017 Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites

October 2017 Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites

October 2017 Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites
Anyone else feel like October was five days long and gone in a flash? Just me? I still managed to test out quite a few new products and decide on some new favorites despite feeling like we were just in September last week. 
I discovered a new foundation combination this month that’s completely unlike what I usually go for. I start out with the IT Cosmetics Anti-Aging Armour Skin Perfecting Fluid* for a really smooth, non-silicone base that instantly evens out my skin tone. This stuff has to be shaken up A LOT more than I ever imagined necessary, but the instant results are definitely worth the arm work out. Then I’ve been putting the Urban Decay One and Done Hybrid Complexion Foundation* on top for a bit more of a satin finish. The two pair perfectly together and I could probably just mix the two before applying for an even faster result.
The IT Cosmetics Miracle Water* is basically exactly like my all time favorite Body Shop Vitamin E Toner that I’m still having a hard time getting over the similarities. I never thought I’d be able to find a toner that would remotely stack up to the Body Shop one. I love this version because I’m able to see how much product I have left and it’s a bit lighter on the skin. The new Body Shop packaging you’re able to see product levels, but I’m still working through a massive stash of the old packaging. Other than that, the two are identical. I’m a happy camper.
Although I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about Lilac Pineapple Co by now, I had yet to include my favorite traveler’s notebook accessory shop in a favorites post. The hand-knitted bow paperclips are as cute as they are sturdy and I think I have at least 12 of them now. They’re like Pokemon; I have to collect them all. Plus use coupon code OHHELLO20 for 20% off!
As far as traveler’s notebooks go I’ve been still obsessed with the Oh, Hello Notebooks (now in B6). I’ve used up a few completely and I’ve turned one of them into a book tracker! I’ve been using these Book Review Stickers to help me remember the books I’ve read and my thoughts on them. Just in case anyone asks for any book recommendations, I’m ready.
My new Ello Tumbler has to be my favorite purchase of the entire month. I can’t believe just how cold it keeps my water even through an entire night sleeping. I drink a TON of water throughout the day and now it’s always super cold. Definitely worth the purchase if you want an attractive water bottle and hate when your water gets warm.
I also managed to vlog almost every day in October on my Vlog Channel. I think I missed only three days over a weekend and have had a serious blast filming our daily life. I’m keeping things going throughout the holidays so be sure to subscribe! I’ve also been loving Alex’s Twitch Stream this month. He plays Overwatch and other games almost every night, but he lets me stream 90’s computer games on Sundays!
Now that Halloween has passed I’m feeling the itch for Christmas. I’m sure it’ll be here before we know it so get to making those lists!
What things did you love in October?