It's my birthday! We're making glitter drinks! ✨ It's my birthday! We're making glitter drinks! ✨

This is my favorite way to make a regular drink feel fancy! Sprinkle a little edible glitter in a silicone mold and fill with water and freeze. When it melts, your drink will be cute and sparkly.

My drink today is two ounces of bourbon, one ounce of peach syrup, lemon juice and club soda! Stir and watch it sparkle. 

#glittercocktail #peachcocktail #birthdaydrink #birthdaycocktails #edibleglitter #easydrinks #easydrink #easydrinking #signaturedrinks #recipereel
Today we're making golf tee cupcakes for the Maste Today we're making golf tee cupcakes for the Masters! ⛳️

First, either make or purchase cupcakes with green frosting. My kitchen was under construction for this video, so I purchased mine. But you can easily make your own and even use the grass piping tip to make grass. 

Then I found these golf-tee toothpicks. Place one in each cupcake. 

Then use cookie icing to secure a white chocolate truffle to each of the tees. 

Allow the icing to harden, serve and enjoy!

#mastersparty #masterssunday #masterstournament #springdesserts #golfcupcakes #golfparty #golfpartyideas #springparty #recipereels #cupcakereel #cupcakereels
Obsessed!! From the day we got the cabinets painte Obsessed!! From the day we got the cabinets painted to the finished project with backsplash and under cabinet lighting. I love our kitchen so much! 

We are going to replace the outlet and switch covers to blend a little more, but for now, we are so excited to have this completed kitchen! 

#kitchenreno #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenremodels #kitchenrenos #kitchenrenovations #farrowandballpaint #kitchencabinetsmakeover #kitchenbacksplash #kitchenidea #kitcheninspo #coastalgrandmother
Today, we're making a super simple centerpiece for Today, we're making a super simple centerpiece for your Masters viewing parties. ⛳️ 

First, take a vase and place a small shot glass in the bottom. 

Then fill the vase around the shot glass with golf balls. 

Place the stems of some faux grass into the shot glass and use for decoration!πŸŒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#masterstournament #masterssunday #mastersparty #golfparty #golfpartyideas #centerpieceideas #centerpiecesideas
Today, we're making bunny bundts for Easter. 🐰 Today, we're making bunny bundts for Easter. 🐰

My kitchen was still under construction for this video, so I prepurchased my mini bundt cakes, but feel free to make your own! 

Use a tube of green icing and a grass piping tip to create grass on the top of the bundt. 

Then use a toothpick to secure a bunny peep in the grass. Place a few eggs and jelly beans around the bunny. Serve and enjoy!

#easterrecipes #minibundtcakes #bunnybundts #easterdesserts #easterdessert #easterparty #easterdinner #recipereel #easterideas #springdessert #minibunny #minibundt
Today we're making Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches for S Today we're making Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches for St. Patrick's Day. 🌈 

First either make or purchase M&M chocolate chip cookies to represent your rainbow. My kitchen is still under construction, so I purchased mine from the grocery store. 

Then fill a ziploc bag with frosting and snip off the corner. Coat the back of the cookie with frosting and then place another cookie on top. Squeeze until the frosting is at the edge then roll the entire cookie in green sprinkles. 

Serve and enjoy! πŸ€

#stpatricksdaycookies #stpatricksdaytreats #springcookies #rainbowcookies #cookierecipes #recipereel #easyrecipesformoms #easyrecipesforkids #stpatricksday2023
#ad Today is March 14, or Pi Day! πŸ₯§ Today we #ad Today is March 14, or Pi Day! πŸ₯§ 

Today we are baking a fun Pi Day-themed apple pie from @pollyspies who offers nationwide shipping on their delicious double-crusted pies! After 55 years in business, Polly's pies are still family-owned! 

There are lots of pie flavors to choose from and the pies ship directly to you frozen and packaged in dry ice. Add a little egg wash, and bake for a delicious, classic pie! 🍎

Sending a pie is a great idea for someone celebrating a birthday, a new baby or who just would love a traditional, delicious pie! 

You can use my code helen15 for 15% off your order of $50 or more! Happy Pi Day! πŸ’•

#pollyspies #saveroomforpie #pollyspiespartner #recipereel #pidaypie #pierecipes #applepierecipe
Picking just a few photos to share from our family Picking just a few photos to share from our family photoshoot with @keikilaniphotography was the hardest thing ever! 

I'm saving Ben's 2-year-old portraits for his birthday so that made it a little easier, but every picture Jennifer sent us is just perfection.

Love these two with all my heart. So grateful for this life. πŸ’•

Linking mine and Ben's outfits in the @shop.ltk app! https://liketk.it/44beG

#familyphotoshootideas #familyphotooutfits #toddlermoments #shopltk #ltkfamily
Let's make everything bagel popcorn for your Maste Let's make everything bagel popcorn for your Masters' viewing parties. ⛳️ My husband is originally from Augusta, so the whole week becomes a Masters' viewing party at my house. 

To make this, drizzle melted butter over popcorn, then sprinkle garlic salt and everything bagel seasoning. Mix well and repeat the steps. 🍿 

I found these little "par-tee" containers to hold your popcorn!

Do you watch the Masters? πŸŒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#mastersweek #mastersparty #popcornrecipes #savorypopcorn #easyrecipesformoms #recipereel #recipereels #easysnacks #easyappetizers #movienightathome
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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 wasΒ great, but this year I am loving myΒ 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.Β 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.Β 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.Β 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.Β 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.Β 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’sΒ $28.Β 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 meΒ everywhere.Β 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 onΒ 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, IΒ 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 πŸ™‚

    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 πŸ˜‰ 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. πŸ™‚

  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! πŸ™‚

  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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It's my birthday! We're making glitter drinks! ✨ It's my birthday! We're making glitter drinks! ✨

This is my favorite way to make a regular drink feel fancy! Sprinkle a little edible glitter in a silicone mold and fill with water and freeze. When it melts, your drink will be cute and sparkly.

My drink today is two ounces of bourbon, one ounce of peach syrup, lemon juice and club soda! Stir and watch it sparkle. 

#glittercocktail #peachcocktail #birthdaydrink #birthdaycocktails #edibleglitter #easydrinks #easydrink #easydrinking #signaturedrinks #recipereel
Today we're making golf tee cupcakes for the Maste Today we're making golf tee cupcakes for the Masters! ⛳️

First, either make or purchase cupcakes with green frosting. My kitchen was under construction for this video, so I purchased mine. But you can easily make your own and even use the grass piping tip to make grass. 

Then I found these golf-tee toothpicks. Place one in each cupcake. 

Then use cookie icing to secure a white chocolate truffle to each of the tees. 

Allow the icing to harden, serve and enjoy!

#mastersparty #masterssunday #masterstournament #springdesserts #golfcupcakes #golfparty #golfpartyideas #springparty #recipereels #cupcakereel #cupcakereels
Obsessed!! From the day we got the cabinets painte Obsessed!! From the day we got the cabinets painted to the finished project with backsplash and under cabinet lighting. I love our kitchen so much! 

We are going to replace the outlet and switch covers to blend a little more, but for now, we are so excited to have this completed kitchen! 

#kitchenreno #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenremodels #kitchenrenos #kitchenrenovations #farrowandballpaint #kitchencabinetsmakeover #kitchenbacksplash #kitchenidea #kitcheninspo #coastalgrandmother
Today, we're making a super simple centerpiece for Today, we're making a super simple centerpiece for your Masters viewing parties. ⛳️ 

First, take a vase and place a small shot glass in the bottom. 

Then fill the vase around the shot glass with golf balls. 

Place the stems of some faux grass into the shot glass and use for decoration!πŸŒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#masterstournament #masterssunday #mastersparty #golfparty #golfpartyideas #centerpieceideas #centerpiecesideas
Today, we're making bunny bundts for Easter. 🐰 Today, we're making bunny bundts for Easter. 🐰

My kitchen was still under construction for this video, so I prepurchased my mini bundt cakes, but feel free to make your own! 

Use a tube of green icing and a grass piping tip to create grass on the top of the bundt. 

Then use a toothpick to secure a bunny peep in the grass. Place a few eggs and jelly beans around the bunny. Serve and enjoy!

#easterrecipes #minibundtcakes #bunnybundts #easterdesserts #easterdessert #easterparty #easterdinner #recipereel #easterideas #springdessert #minibunny #minibundt
Today we're making Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches for S Today we're making Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches for St. Patrick's Day. 🌈 

First either make or purchase M&M chocolate chip cookies to represent your rainbow. My kitchen is still under construction, so I purchased mine from the grocery store. 

Then fill a ziploc bag with frosting and snip off the corner. Coat the back of the cookie with frosting and then place another cookie on top. Squeeze until the frosting is at the edge then roll the entire cookie in green sprinkles. 

Serve and enjoy! πŸ€

#stpatricksdaycookies #stpatricksdaytreats #springcookies #rainbowcookies #cookierecipes #recipereel #easyrecipesformoms #easyrecipesforkids #stpatricksday2023
#ad Today is March 14, or Pi Day! πŸ₯§ Today we #ad Today is March 14, or Pi Day! πŸ₯§ 

Today we are baking a fun Pi Day-themed apple pie from @pollyspies who offers nationwide shipping on their delicious double-crusted pies! After 55 years in business, Polly's pies are still family-owned! 

There are lots of pie flavors to choose from and the pies ship directly to you frozen and packaged in dry ice. Add a little egg wash, and bake for a delicious, classic pie! 🍎

Sending a pie is a great idea for someone celebrating a birthday, a new baby or who just would love a traditional, delicious pie! 

You can use my code helen15 for 15% off your order of $50 or more! Happy Pi Day! πŸ’•

#pollyspies #saveroomforpie #pollyspiespartner #recipereel #pidaypie #pierecipes #applepierecipe
Picking just a few photos to share from our family Picking just a few photos to share from our family photoshoot with @keikilaniphotography was the hardest thing ever! 

I'm saving Ben's 2-year-old portraits for his birthday so that made it a little easier, but every picture Jennifer sent us is just perfection.

Love these two with all my heart. So grateful for this life. πŸ’•

Linking mine and Ben's outfits in the @shop.ltk app! https://liketk.it/44beG

#familyphotoshootideas #familyphotooutfits #toddlermoments #shopltk #ltkfamily
Let's make everything bagel popcorn for your Maste Let's make everything bagel popcorn for your Masters' viewing parties. ⛳️ My husband is originally from Augusta, so the whole week becomes a Masters' viewing party at my house. 

To make this, drizzle melted butter over popcorn, then sprinkle garlic salt and everything bagel seasoning. Mix well and repeat the steps. 🍿 

I found these little "par-tee" containers to hold your popcorn!

Do you watch the Masters? πŸŒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#mastersweek #mastersparty #popcornrecipes #savorypopcorn #easyrecipesformoms #recipereel #recipereels #easysnacks #easyappetizers #movienightathome
Let's make a spring simmer pot! πŸ‹ This one work Let's make a spring simmer pot! πŸ‹ This one works for spring or summer and makes your house smell fresh and clean!

Add lemon zest, slices of lemon, rosemary and vanilla extract to a pot. Cover ingredients with water and simmer on low heat. 

You could also swap rosemary for mint leaves! I'm definitely going to try that option too.

Do you use simmer pots? What is your favorite combination?

#simmerpot #springsimmerpot #easterideas #springideas #springhome #easterhome #summerhome #summerideas #recipereel #diyhomedecorideas

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