Come with us to @disneyonice! We had SO much fun l Come with us to @disneyonice! We had SO much fun last night. There is nothing like watching the magic through Ben's eyes. If you have a Disney-loving kiddo in the Atlanta area, Disney on Ice is at State Farm Arena through Saturday! Get your tickets now!

#disneyonice #magicinthestars #disneyonice2023 #atlantablogger #thingstodoinatlanta #toddlerfriendly
Here's our take on the ghost cupcakes. Stephen sen Here's our take on the ghost cupcakes. Stephen sent me a reel of this and asked if we could make them. Super easy and a fun spooky treat for your kids! 

#ghostcupcakes #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenparty #halloweendesserts #halloweendessert #easyrecipesformoms
Let's make an easy potion light! This makes for fu Let's make an easy potion light! This makes for fun party decor and an extra light if your Halloween party is dark! 🧪 

#easyhalloweendecor #diyhalloween #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenpartydecor #halloweenpartyfood
Let's make a kid-friendly ghost garland! 👻 This Let's make a kid-friendly ghost garland! 👻 This is easy to make and less spooky than some of your typical Halloween decor! 

#halloweendecor #easyhalloweendiy #halloweendiy #kidhalloween #cutehalloween #ideasformoms #dollarstoredecor #dollarstorehalloween #dollartreediy #dollartreecrafts
We had so much fun at Monster Jam this weekend! My We had so much fun at Monster Jam this weekend! My truck-loving toddler loved seeing all the trucks. There were SO many kids and toddlers there so if you have a truck-loving kiddo, definitely check it out when Monster Jam comes to your city! But definitely get ear covers! 

#monsterjam #toddleractivities #thingstodoinatlanta
Let'a make apple cinnamon sugar ice cream cups. Th Let'a make apple cinnamon sugar ice cream cups. These are the perfect treat for fall! 

#fallbaking #falldesserts #easyrecipesformoms #easycakes #easycake #falltreats
Let's make an easy Dollar Store pumpkin bowl for H Let's make an easy Dollar Store pumpkin bowl for Halloween candy. 

#dollarstorediy #halloweendecoration #halloweendiy #easyhalloweenideas #dollarstorehalloween #budgetfriendlydecor
Let's make witchy ice cream sundaes for Halloween! Let's make witchy ice cream sundaes for Halloween! 

#halloweendesserts #icecreamsundaes #halloweenparty #halloweenideasforkids #easyrecipesformoms #halloweensnacks
Let's make Caprese skull skewers. These are a perf Let's make Caprese skull skewers. These are a perfect party treat while it's still warm out but you're in a spooky mood. 💀 

This video also turns into a baking with benny halfway through because he consults on my wardrobe and realizes I'm filming without him. He's such a ham.

Do you like Caprese?

#halloweenpartyfood #halloweenappetizers #easyrecipesformoms #halloweenfoodideas #halloweenfood #halloweenpartyideas
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Blogging, Life · January 2, 2019

My 2019 Planner and How I Use It


Omg. OMG.

ICYMI…2019 is here. Like when did that happen? I legitimately feel like we were just celebrating New Year’s Eve 2018 and BAM here we are again.

I love a new year. I like looking forward to a fresh blank(ish) slate. I like setting goals and making resolutions. I like the promise of things to come.

Most of all though, I love that a new year brings a new planner.

2019 planner

Last year, I used a Kate Spade planner that was great, but this year I am loving my Ban.do Gold Holographic 2019 Planner. I take a few things into consideration when I purchase a new planner. Because I use it for very specific things, I need the following:

  1. Must be an annual planner, not an academic. I plan by quarters, not semesters. This has obviously changed since I graduated because it used to be the opposite.
  2. It must lay open flat. OMG nothing sucks more than trying to hold open a planner when you are writing. I like spiral bound planners with hard covers so it can sit completely flat on my desk.
  3. Size matters. It must fit in a tote, back pack purse, etc. but it also can’t be small. It has to have enough room to write in, but because I drag it everywhere I go it has to be portable. Call my Goldilocks, but it has to be “just right.”
  4. It needs a weekly view. I get pretty detailed on which content is posted each day. Plus a monthly view is a smidge overwhelming. I use it for key events, but weekly is more important to me.
  5. It has to have extra note pages. I have a lot “ta-da” lists, random thoughts, and quick flashes of ideas that need to be flushed out later. I need so many notes pages.
  6. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. I used to spend a lot of money on a planner, but I was planning school, work, events, etc. Basically my entire life. Now that I’m using a planner for content

Obviously I’m extremely particular when it comes to planners, and this Ban.do Planner checked the boxes. It’s a spiral bound 2019 planner. The size is perfection– I have the medium version, but they have different sizes and patterns. I love the gold holographic cover–it’s very fun for a new year. This planner has TWO full pages of notes before each month and a lot of fun stickers. ALSO, it’s $28. So sold it’s insane.

Ok, let’s talk about how I use my planner.

I use different calendars for different things. For example, I use Google calendars to organize Stephen and I, and also in my full-time job. These calendars are shared so when people need to know where I am, they can find me. I color code our house one so that we know which events are Stephen only, which are me only, and which we both need to attend. My work calendar is pretty scheduled out with where I’m supposed to be when.

I also get a Barbie wall calendar from my sister every year for Christmas. I keep this in my office so I have actual events where I need to be present at a glance.

I use a physical planner for my blog, this is where and how I plan content. I take it with me everywhere. I plan out my content on the weekly layouts. I write down the topic I plan to post at least a week in advance so I can work on the meat and photos ahead of time. If it’s a seasonal post or a post around an event, I go ahead and plan those out throughout the year. I also *try* to plan out Instagram photos, and other social media posts.

I also use the days layout as an extra TA-DA lists. If I need to send an updated media kit or follow up an email, I put it on the day I need to do that. If I think of something I need to do that day, I go ahead and add it to my list for that day. I also plan when I take trainings, block off time for editing, etc.

Finally, I add notes with my content ideas (example: if I want to talk about 5 beauty products you need this spring, I make a list of the 5 products I’m going to feature.) If I have ideas of photos that will go with this post I go ahead and write those too. If I know which outfits I need for a specific event or post, I go ahead and plan these out too.

Like I mentioned previously, I put lists, ideas, and random things I think of on the go on the notes pages. If I have an idea, I write it down right then so I remember and can work on it later. This is why I take it everywhere, you never know when an idea is going to hit you. If you’re anything like me, you’ll forget 20 minutes later.

I also love to add a fun sticker here and there. Gives it a touch of whimsy, ya know?

Ok, this post was a little longer than I anticipated, so if you made it this far thanks for sticking with me. I’m clearly passionate about my planner.

What about you? What planner are you using in 2019?

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In: Blogging, Life

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Comments

  1. Miss ALK says

    January 2, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    I stopped using physical planners in 2017 (for a digital calendar) but I went back to it in 2018 because it is just so helpful to physically write stuff down! Thanks for sharing your best planner tips 🙂

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

  2. Marette Flora @ Floradise says

    January 2, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    I am using the Erin Condren again this year. I has worked for me for three years so I didn’t change it. I kinda want a separate planner for life and blogging, though!

  3. Jasmine Maria says

    January 2, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    I have 2 planners I am using this year. One of them is to achieve my goals and the other is for my daily use. I love seeing how others use their planners.

  4. Beth_Daily_Dog_Tag says

    January 2, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    About a year and half ago, I signed up for a free planner course for bloggers. I learned a lot about organization and we did some pre-planning work, but never got to the part where we wrote in our planners. I still have that empty planner and apparently I’m quite intimidated by it.

  5. Kait | Slumber & Scones says

    January 2, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    Love this. I’ve always used a paper planner, and it sounds like we use them in a lot of the same ways. I love adding stickers to pages, and definitely need a spiral bound one that lays flat too!

  6. Denise // The Elle Aesthetic says

    January 2, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    I love a good planner and ban.do really does have the best, cutest, and most functional elements for me too!

    Denise | http://theelleaesthetic.com/

  7. In Saitama says

    January 2, 2019 at 9:40 pm

    I love shopping for my planner each year. This year I was much earlier than normal (October) and was waiting with much excitement to use it!! Glad I finally can. My criteria for my planner is very similar to yours – and I am all about the stickers 😉 Lynda H of insaitama.com

  8. Lecy | A Simpler Grace says

    January 2, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    You have such a pretty planner! I agree about the yearly as opposed to the academic. I’ve always felt off when my planner doesn’t start in January. 🙂

  9. Amanda K says

    January 2, 2019 at 10:34 pm

    Cute planner! I can’t go without using a planner, otherwise I will lose my mind.

  10. Lily Ayala says

    January 2, 2019 at 10:40 pm

    I’m all about a good planner — total planner addict here. LOL!

  11. Indya | TheSmallAdventurer says

    January 3, 2019 at 1:49 am

    Yes, I agree with all your requirements 100% ? I fell in love with planners last year and don’t know what I’d do without one now. I mostly just use it to track blog posts and doctor’s appointments, but it’s already taken SO much stress off my shoulders! My one this year has HEAPS of extra lined pages and sticky notes to write random lists on, which is one of my favourite things to do ?

  12. Katherine @ The Weekend Fox says

    January 3, 2019 at 8:36 am

    I feel the same way about everything when it comes to my planner!! I’m still trying to find the *perfect* one lol so I might have to try this one out! And, call me crazy, but stickers are a must. Haha

  13. Rachel@The Confused Millennial says

    January 3, 2019 at 8:44 am

    ahh i loveee it!! I haven’t used a planner in forever! But am seriously rethinking it because #stickers!! haha love ban.do products!

  14. Christa Del Giorno says

    January 3, 2019 at 10:55 am

    I love planners. And pretty pens. And stickers. It’s such a fun way to stay organized. I totally agree that planners that don’t lay flat are the worst!

  15. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. says

    January 3, 2019 at 11:56 am

    It’s so pretty!! If I could find a use for every planning system I’d be a very happy (and broke!) girl! 🙂

  16. Linh Vo says

    January 3, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Such great tips! I definitely need extra space for jotting down those notes and having something that can fit in my bag.

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Come with us to @disneyonice! We had SO much fun l Come with us to @disneyonice! We had SO much fun last night. There is nothing like watching the magic through Ben's eyes. If you have a Disney-loving kiddo in the Atlanta area, Disney on Ice is at State Farm Arena through Saturday! Get your tickets now!

#disneyonice #magicinthestars #disneyonice2023 #atlantablogger #thingstodoinatlanta #toddlerfriendly
Here's our take on the ghost cupcakes. Stephen sen Here's our take on the ghost cupcakes. Stephen sent me a reel of this and asked if we could make them. Super easy and a fun spooky treat for your kids! 

#ghostcupcakes #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenparty #halloweendesserts #halloweendessert #easyrecipesformoms
Let's make an easy potion light! This makes for fu Let's make an easy potion light! This makes for fun party decor and an extra light if your Halloween party is dark! 🧪 

#easyhalloweendecor #diyhalloween #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenpartydecor #halloweenpartyfood
Let's make a kid-friendly ghost garland! 👻 This Let's make a kid-friendly ghost garland! 👻 This is easy to make and less spooky than some of your typical Halloween decor! 

#halloweendecor #easyhalloweendiy #halloweendiy #kidhalloween #cutehalloween #ideasformoms #dollarstoredecor #dollarstorehalloween #dollartreediy #dollartreecrafts
We had so much fun at Monster Jam this weekend! My We had so much fun at Monster Jam this weekend! My truck-loving toddler loved seeing all the trucks. There were SO many kids and toddlers there so if you have a truck-loving kiddo, definitely check it out when Monster Jam comes to your city! But definitely get ear covers! 

#monsterjam #toddleractivities #thingstodoinatlanta
Let'a make apple cinnamon sugar ice cream cups. Th Let'a make apple cinnamon sugar ice cream cups. These are the perfect treat for fall! 

#fallbaking #falldesserts #easyrecipesformoms #easycakes #easycake #falltreats
Let's make an easy Dollar Store pumpkin bowl for H Let's make an easy Dollar Store pumpkin bowl for Halloween candy. 

#dollarstorediy #halloweendecoration #halloweendiy #easyhalloweenideas #dollarstorehalloween #budgetfriendlydecor
Let's make witchy ice cream sundaes for Halloween! Let's make witchy ice cream sundaes for Halloween! 

#halloweendesserts #icecreamsundaes #halloweenparty #halloweenideasforkids #easyrecipesformoms #halloweensnacks
Let's make Caprese skull skewers. These are a perf Let's make Caprese skull skewers. These are a perfect party treat while it's still warm out but you're in a spooky mood. 💀 

This video also turns into a baking with benny halfway through because he consults on my wardrobe and realizes I'm filming without him. He's such a ham.

Do you like Caprese?

#halloweenpartyfood #halloweenappetizers #easyrecipesformoms #halloweenfoodideas #halloweenfood #halloweenpartyideas
As the Back to School season approaches, parents e As the Back to School season approaches, parents everywhere are gearing up for a new year. From shopping for school supplies to selecting the perfect lunchbox, getting everything in order can be quite the task. Amidst the chaos, one essential tool that should be on your shopping list is Name Bubbles labels. These completely customizable labels are the perfect solution to keeping your child's lunchbox and its contents organized and easily identifiable throughout the school year. These labels are dishwasher safe, microwave safe, freezer safe, laundry safe and waterproof! Use the link in my bio to shop Name Bubbles for back-to-school and use my code HELEN for 10 percent off your purchase! #Lunchwithnamebubbles #sponsored

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