Category Archives: organisation

LifeInNotes now open on Etsy!

You guys!
As of today I am a shop owner! I’ve finally set up my Etsy Shop, called LifeInNotes and I will be selling self-designed inserts / notebooks for all your Midori / Fauxdori (any sort of Dori really) / Traveler’s Notebook needs.

My first two listings are:

1.)  Chunky 2016 All-In-One Calendar
Year on 1 Page for both 2016 & 2017
Month on 2 Pages for the whole year
Week on 2 Pages for the whole year)

LifeInNotes Chunky 2016 Calendar

as well as

2.) 2016 Monthly calendar
12x Month on 2 Pages
2 pages of notes
Year on 1 Page for both 2016 & 2017

LifeInNotes 2016 Monthly Calendar

The paper is thick and doesn’t shadow / bleed when fountain pens or stamps are used.

You can find the Chunky One here, and the Monthly One here.

In time I will also be stocking Recipe inserts, Review inserts (movies/books/theatre etc.), simple notebooks (plain, grid, lined, sketch), Fitness tracker, Travel Journal and loads more.

The calendars were listed first as they are dated, and those wanting a new calendar for 2016 should get their orders in before the start of the new year. I’ll be adding more listings as the inserts are going into production.

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Weekly Goals Vol. 22

 

My goals for this week continue on from last week. I need to get assignments done for uni, I’m halfway through my book and I really like the Field Notes size for inserts, so I want to make more of them.

  • Complete CCC505 Assignment #1
  • Complete CCC505 Assignment #2
  • Complete CCC501 Assignment #2
  • Prepare College Binders for MA502
  • Design more Field Notes inserts
  • Read Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the Universe
  • Edit The Bravery of the Soldier for contest submission
  • Vote in the Election

Look inside my (travel) handbag

image

As I prepare for my weekend in the UK (and then, later, my 9 days in the UK), I thought I’d show you what I take with me when I travel.

So here’s my #handbagconfession.

From the top: my Samsung Galaxy 7″ tablet, spare scrunchies.

Middle from left: my Midori Traveler’s Notebook, pocket mirror, Fossil wallet, pencil case, small tube of Rituals “Touch of Happiness” Orange & Cedar Wood Body Cream, business cards, mobile phone (picture shows my phone cover as I took the pic with my phone).

Bottom: glasses case with shades (or empty simply to store my normal glasses, depending on season), Bodyshop Tea Tree Blotting Tissues, Essence Roadtrip Deo Wipes, spare bobby pins, and one or two lipsticks (just in case).

Normally, I don’t take my tablet with me, but I need it as an eReader this time. For my London Trip, I’ll also take my Canon 3000V camera, a zoom lens and rolls of film with me.

Bear in mind, this is for city trips. My proper overland travel bag looks different.  Plus I wouldn’t take lipstick camping, for example. But when I know we’re going out, I keep it in the side pocket, should I need it.

What do you take with you?

My Midori Traveler’s Notebook – all ready to go!

A while back, I posted about contemplating whether I should splurge on a Midori Traveler’s Notebook. You see, I always have a notebook on me, if not two or more. So a nice leather-bound one sounded perfect to this stationery lover.

I ordered it, and got it in early June. But it wasn’t quite ready yet – I wanted to customise it a bit, make it mine.  But now it’s finally ready and about to go on its first trip with me. You’ve seen me put goals every week of designing templates – well, let me give you a walk-through and show you some of my DIY inserts.

This is my Midori Traveler’s Notebook set-up:

Continue reading My Midori Traveler’s Notebook – all ready to go!

20 Things To Do The Summer Before College

The summer between high school and college is an exciting time. You’re officially grown up and you’ll soon be off to college, with new people and (in most cases) in a new town.

Needless to say, you want to make the most of this summer of freedom, now that you’ve graduated high school. However, there are 20 things you should do during that summer before college.

1.) Familiarise yourself with the town and college

Chances are, you’ll be moving away from home and the first few days can be overwhelming when you try to take everything in. If you can, visit your future home. Check out where you will be living and what sort of shops and conveniences are within walking distance. Where can you get the bus? Where is the good but cheap coffee (this is important)? Sign up for a library card while you’re there, and get reward cards from shops you’ll likely be using (grocery stores, stationery supplies etc.). If you know your address (in case you’re living off-campus) walk from there to the campus and measure how long it takes. If possible, get a map of the campus and familiarise yourself with the layout in order to avoid getting lost and being late for your first classes. And beat the rush of fresher’s week / orientation and find yourself a doctor / GP / dentist etc. early – especially in the UK they may not take new patients in after the first few weeks as there’ll be a rush for the available spaces with thousands of new students arriving at the same time.

2.) Write and print your CV

A CV for a student job does not have to be fancy or colourful.
A CV for a student job does not have to be fancy or colourful.

Write a professional looking CV, print it out a few times and also take a digital copy with you. You’ll likely apply for student jobs or work experience at some point, so on your town familiarisation (see above) check who’s looking to hire students or part-time staff and hand in your CV. That way you may already have extra income lined up when you start. If you can’t do this beforehand, hit the town on your first or second day and leave your CV with businesses that are hiring. You’ll have the time advantage over those still needing to write and print their CVs when they arrive.

3.) Invest in business attire

You’re not in high school anymore and your clothes should reflect that. That does not mean that you need a whole new wardrobe, but invest in a few nicer tops and trousers. Men, if you don’t have one yet, buy a suit, dress shoes and a tie. Women, invest in dress pants, blouses, a blazer and a nice (and comfortable) pair of pumps (or shoes fit for a business environment). You will probably apply for a part-time job or work experience at some point while you are at university/college, so make a great first impression by dressing accordingly. Mix & Match with your usual wardrobe plus accessories can work wonders as well. Hint: try jeans, T-shirt/blouse and blazer for a smart casual / business casual look you can pull off every day.

4.) Get a haircut

Try a new hairstyle for a new chapter of your life.
Try a new hairstyle for a new chapter of your life.

Going away to college is a chance to present a new, grown up You to the world. Go to your trusted hairdresser / barber. Even if you just get a trim or renew your highlights, it may be a while before you’ve found a hairdresser in your college town who you trust to get it right. A new hairstyle can be confidence boosting, just make sure you ask the hairdresser for tips on how to best style your hair in a hurry or what products you should / could use.

5.) Learn to do laundry

Laundry / Care tag with icons and explanation
Laundry / Care tag with icons and explanation

If you move away for college (especially when you move too far away for weekend visits home) you need to learn how to do your own laundry (if you don’t know this already). Memorise what the symbols mean and which clothes to wash with what detergent and temperature. Go through your wardrobe and look at the things you want to take with you: how easy are they to keep clean? Except for suits/coats etc. try and stay away from dry-clean only items as those bills can soon add up. Likewise, you need to know exactly which items are handwash only and which ones can’t go in a tumble dryer, so you don’t ruin your favourite clothes. Also, learn how to iron your clothes.

Continue reading 20 Things To Do The Summer Before College