6.30.2016

Patriotic Memory Planning Stickers & Journaling Cards

Last week I shared my first free printable memory planning kit and this week I have another for you!!  Remember how I used to share free Journaling Cards each month?  Well I'm going to try to get back into sharing a few Memory Planning kits on the blog!  This one is July 4th or Patriotic themed for the upcoming holiday.  If you don't have your week already planned - or you might be doing some post planning if your reading this from the future - I've got the kit for you.
(this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.)

Since I plan on taking a lot more pictures than normal, I thought I might need some more filler cards so this kit is huge!  First you get 2 printable PDFs of journaling cards.  There are six 3x4 cards and one 4x6 (I hardly use 4x6 cards, so that is why there is just one).  Secondly, you'll find a PDF and a Silhouette Studio file of printable stickers.  

I used my favorite (and free) design software to create this download for you - PicMonkey!  So if you need anything to match you can use the new 4th of July inspired overlays (for Royale members only) + some fonts offered by PicMonkey.  The fonts I used were Lavandaria, Sue Ellen Francis, and Shadows into Light Two.


If you haven't already, you should consider signing up for the Royale feature through PicMonkey.  Not only do you get access to more overlays, filters, and other options - but you get more fonts.  And the fonts are some of those really cool brush script style fonts that are very popular right now!  Royale is $4.99/month or $33/year and you can sign up here.

Don't forget to tag me on Instagram if you use this kit!! I'd love to see it!!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

xoxo, Moe

6.28.2016

Beauty Review // Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer

I'm not 100% sure how to review an eyeshadow primer - it has no color so there are no swatches of it - but I just knew I had to review this one.  First off I will spoil the review (I don't really like doing that) because I love this primer.  It seriously brings out the colors of even the cheapest shadows and makes them last super long!  I was very impressed using this primer thte other day with a drugstore Wet n Wild palette.  That palette is not the best quality that Wet n Wild can put out, but applying the shades over the primer made the colors more vibrant and increased the lasting power.
So let's just get into my thoughts on this product :

From the Website
A lightweight and waterproof formula that locks in your eye makeup and prevents shadow creasing. This silky blend dries transparent and preps your lids for a smooth and even application. Watch your favorite eye shadows intensely come to life. More importantly, it protects your eye makeup all day, so you can get back to the important things in life (cat videos, selfies, and hoarding makeup samples).
taken from the website here.
First Impression & Application
When I first applied this primer I was a little confused - it is very thick and I didn't realize that you only need a very, very tiny bit.  The first time I used this I think I used too much - it felt like a cheap cream shadow on my eyelids.  The key is to use the very least you can.
The way I apply this primer now is to take a bit about the size of the head of a pin - this is for both eyes!  I rub it between my two fore fingers to warm up the product, then gently swipe it onto my lids.  I then dab a clean finger (often my ring finger or middle finger) on my lids to pick up any excess product.  This is important because the shadows will blend easier.  This is the first primer I've used that has acted like a glue.  It doesn't really absorb into your skin but rather sits on top to create a sticky layer that holds onto the shadows.

Wear Time
This primer is great for cheapo shadows.  I used an old (yikes!) Wet n Wild eye shadow palette that didn't really have that great of a color pay off or lasting time with any other primers.  And I went into the bathroom before I left work to grab some lunch and my eye shadow was still there! It wasn't the greatest but it was still there!
In the picture above I tried to capture the color payoff of that not so great Wet n Wild palette and the lasting power of the primer.  This was a hard review to photograph!  You can see the light colors became a little more vibrant - like the pastel purple and even a little tiny bit of that pink and the cream color.  And the darker colors were the last to stick around.  That purple though is still showing up in the far right image!

I put on my make up at 6:30am and leave work around 4pm - so that is around 10 hours.  If I use a good shadow - like a Lorac palette - I find that I'm taking off my eye shadow with the rest of my make up when I get home.  That is impressive to me!
Overall Impressions & Recommendations 
I love this primer.  However, the full price is $20 for .35oz.  I got this sample in one of my last Ipsy bags and the sample size is .17oz.  I don't think I will ever go through this whole tube, honestly, so I can't tell you if I'd purchase this again or not.  I can tell you that I'm glad I tried it!  If long lasting primers are important to you I would suggest dropping the $20 on this.  The tube will last you literally forever so it is worth the money.  This is my current holy grail primer - I've had it in my last few make up baskets too!

I hope this little review was helpful - I am so very glad I have this product.  It really is a standout!

Do you have a current favorite eye shadow primer?  Any products to recommend?

xoxo, Moe

6.27.2016

Make it Monday // Printable Episode Tracker Insert

I've been watching a lot of stupid TV recently - like every night for the past few weeks I've settled in with my History Channel app to watch Ancient Aliens.  The good thing about watching something on Netflix or an app on your Apple TV is that the program keeps track of your progress.  When you're watching a current TV show - like Game of Thrones - you may need some tracking.  For example I have zero idea what episode I was on when I stopped watching Game of Thrones...I honestly think I'm like 2 seasons behind!
(this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.)
So I decided to pop over to my favorite little design program, PicMonkey, and whip up a fun episode tracker.  This is great for any current shows your watching or to mark what episode you're on when it comes to Netflix in case you find yourself using someone else's Netflix while on vacation!  I've done a few DIY's like this before - monogrammed notes pages, Christmas countdown, Halloween notes pages, school class schedule planner inserts - and I used the same technique for this tutorial.
First, head over to PicMonkey.com.  Under the Design tab, open up a new 4x6 canvas.  Crop this canvas using the iPhone 5 proportions.  Uncheck the scale photo box in order to maximize the print quality.
Overlay the text you would like - in this case the title Episode Tracker.  Make sure that you're kepeing the text and images over to one side of the canvas.  This will leave room for the holes to be punched later.  One of the things I love about PicMonkey is the array of fonts they offer.  I also love that I can use my own fonts, but this fonts I used here are part of the free selections.  I'm subscribed to Royale - which offers a greater selection of every aspect of PicMonkey - but the free version works great for simple designs as well.

The font for the main text of the design is Geo Sans Light.  This font is clean and simple.  It looks great in a block of text.  Use that font to create your episode guide.

Next, overlay some rectangles in a gray color.  Right click and select send to back.  Copy and paste the text boxes and rectangles down the length of the insert. 

Once the insert is complete, save your work but do not close PicMonkey!  You'll want to then click on each element and using the arrow keys move each element over to the other side of the page.  This will give you the opposite page to punch the holes on the opposite side.  Save this image
Now you'll want to open your images in a word processor - you can use Word, Pages, or even Open Office (like I'm using) to insert the images into.  (Here is a video to follow along.)  Insert both images, align the right page to the right of the document using the arrange and align feature of the program you're using.  Align the left page on the left side of the document using the same process.  Be sure that each insert is lined up at the top or the bottom so that double sided printing works with the document.  You may also need to add a border around the image so that it is easy to print.  This should be under border settings.

Then print!  Once you're fully satisfied, close out your PicMonkey screens and save your document for future printing.  If you're not down to make your own, you can download this one here.  Remember all things on the blog (unless otherwise stated) are for personal use only.  If you'd like to share, please link to this blog post.

What are you currently watching?  Anything good to catch up on?

xoxo, Moe

6.24.2016

Free Printable Memory Planning Stickers & Journaling Cards

I've been using my Memory Planner for a few weeks now and have to say I really, really love it.  You may remember when I used to do Project Life albums...you also may remember how I have slacked off from them for a long, long time.  For me, this is a new way of memory keeping that I'm really digging.  It has inspired me to work through my photos to put into my Project Life albums, but right now I'm focusing on memory planning.
I'm going to be posting a walk through of how I set up my memory planner on my YouTube channel, but I want to give you a little visual of what I use when it comes to setting up my planner for the week.  If you're familiar with my Erin Condren plan with me videos, you'll know I do full no white space spreads.  This Memory Planner has more of a white space look to it - I don't fill up every inch with stickers, the white background of the planner pages still shows through.

I like using kits that have a little bit of everything - check lists, full boxes, half boxes, labels, deco, icons, etc.  But I don't need everything for a full no-white space because I pull in a lot of other stickers that represent things - date night, coffee, trash bags, make up brushes, youtube stickers, etc.   If you read this post you learned about the anatomy of my no white space spreads.  The spreads in my Memory planner are really decorative and less functional.  They aren't really plans but what actually happened in the day.  I mark things that happen birthdays, babies being born, current events, date nights, movies we watched.  I also mark the mundane everyday things, trash out, doctor appointments, etc, mainly because I have a sticker for it.

I also throw in some pocket scrapbooking.  When I have a purchased kit, or a kit I've found for free, I try to search through my journaling card stash & my Pinterest boards to find some cards that will match.  I use 6x8 pocket scrapbooking sleeves - the two holes already punched line up perfectly with the middle ring in the set of three so all I have to do is punch 4 more holes.  I don't have to washi the edges or anything.

To keep track of what happens I take a moment each day to jot down what happened that day on a note pad from the Target dollar spot.  I have this taped in on top of the pocket scrapbooking sleeve and I just take a second each day to list what happens.  I jot them down in revers chronological order because I find it easier to start with what is happening now, then move backwards through the day.  Then when I sit down to fill it out I don't have to think about what the heck happened that day!
So today I wanted to share with you a free printable package - stickers + journaling cards to match.  The patterns are from the Free Pretty Things for You blog (love this blog for cute stuff!).  In the package is a PDF file and a Silhouette Studio file.  Unfortunately I was unable to make this into a cute file for the Cricut Explore, but you may be able to manipulate either file into something usable for you.  It is very hard to offer files like this in all formats for all cutting machines.
As always, please play nice.  This package is for personal use only.  Please do not disseminate this in mass quantities, sell any of the parts of this package, claim the designs as your own, or use in an commercial way.  If you would like to link this to your friends or pin this to a Pinterest board, please pin this blog post and not the files themselves.

I do hope you enjoy this little set and I hope to offer more of these soon!!

xoxo, Moe

6.22.2016

How I Deal with a Creative Block

Recently I've been suffering from a creative block.  The things I love aren't bringing me that much joy any more and I feel like I can't create anything new that I love and feel passionate about.  When these type of blocks hit me (usually around this time each year) I just have to stop and reevaluate.  Often this is when a new passion is going to come about.  I'll find something new I'm interested in.  
While I love that, I also feel like I switch hobbies too soon.  But I'm the type of person that just goes with the flow when it comes to creativity.  I can't force it, it is something that just has to happen.  Usually, I have a good flow going....but every now and then I get stuck.  When this happens there are three things I do to try to get through it while still feeling productive.

Just Try
I try a lot of things when I'm not feeling creative.  I try to write blog posts, I try to make things, and I try new things.  Often I feel such an urge to create something but nothing comes to mind.  I have so much creative energy but nothing to focus on.  Often the things I try I fail at, and that is ok.  By trying I can get some energy out and hopefully be inspired to bring a full idea to fruition.  I find that it's not that my ideas or the things I want to make suck, they just aren't fully developed ideas yet.  When I feel a block coming on its like I have to just take a second to get all the shitty stuff out so I can get going again.  Didn't mean for that to be so graphic.

Flood Myself with Inspiration
I often browse Pinterest or Instagram more than usual when I feel I'm at a block.  I need something to inspire me to get me going again.  Flooding myself with this stuff often helps me hone in on something to create.  Maybe I'll see something and an idea will instantly click.  Sometimes I'm just looking for pretty things to make me feel something.  While doing this I often find great sources of inspiration, new users to follow, new ideas to expand upon.  And I love that.  These little tidbits of ideas get caught in my brain and months or years down the line I'll grab on to them to develop them into something my own.

Let it Pass
Sometimes I just stop.  I just don't do anything.  I sit with the thoughts that I have and see if anything materializes.  I roll them over in my mind trying to get them to form into anything.  (When I think they have, I move into the just try again phase.)  I just don't.  I just stop.  I don't force it.  I don't push it.  I just stop and try to let it pass.  I know that one isn't that helpful but sometimes you just have to.  You just have to let things happen.  At least that is what I have to do.

All of these help me gain new perspectives.  The biggest one on this list is to just try.  I just try to make something until I can get my momentum going again.  I just try something new.  I just try to get going.  I just try.

How do you deal with creative block?  Any other tips to get my mojo back?

xoxo, Moe

6.10.2016

Free Planner Stickers // Vacation Countdown!

Anyone love free, printable stickers?  I know I do! I have a family reunion that I'm going to in July and that is counting as a little mini vacation for me so I decided to whip up some vacation countdown stickers for myself!
Every year since I was little my family has gone to Lake Gaston just of the border of Virginia and North Carolina.  This year will be the first year in a long, long time that I've actually been able to go.  So I thought I'd make some fun countdown stickers.  These little palm trees are awesome + there are some little deco stickers at the bottom for your vacation week!


There are 3 files included in the download - 1 Silhouette Studio file, 1 JPG with gray cut lines to upload to Cricut Design space (watch how to cut PDF printable using your Cricut Explore here), 1 PDF to print & cut by hand if you don't have a cutting machine.  

After you convert the PDF with the gray outlines to a JPG, it will require you to clean it up after uploading to Design Space - simply use the magic eraser to erase the entire background, then use the precision eraser to erase the text.  After you add the image to your canvas, size the width to 5.5 or 6 inches and it will still fit in the 6 x 8 inch print area.
And remember - these printables are for personal use only.  Do not print these in mass, give away the physical or digital file, claim these as your own, sell the physical or digital file, etc.  Play nice, these are for personal use only.  If you'd like to share this with your friends or add this to a Pinterest board, please pin the blog post and not the file itself.  Thanks!

Are you looking forward to a vacation this summer?  

xoxo, Moe

6.08.2016

Anatomy of My No White Space Planner Layout

If you watch any of my Plan with Me videos, you'll know I layout my planner each week nearly the same way.  I am very picky about my 'little things' options, my weekend banners, my checklists, and the shape of my icons.  All because my planner layout is a visual way for me to clearly see what I need.
A no white space spread may look busy to some but to others it totally works.  For me, my layout is a spacial way of coding my life.  Much like color coding - all appointments are yellow - this way of using space as a way to code - all appointments are on half boxes with a time icon - is a visual language you are creating for yourself.  Even if you color code (or do a bullet journal type of thing) your planner may look way crazy to someone who doesn't use your same system.  Pink means something to you...but I don't know what it is.  A circle with a dot in the middle means something to you.....but I don't know what it is.  A half box with a laptop icon means something to me.....but you have  no clue what it means. 

My no white space layouts are all about dividing the space in to consistent pieces.  Every week is the same and that way I can go back, week to week, and see what has and hasn't been completed.  The biggest example of this is that I put a cleaning checklist on the bottom of each Monday - Thursday in my ECLP.  I've done this for a long, long while....and this week I can look back and see that man, I really need to vacuum the living room because for the past three weeks I haven't.  (You can read more about my cleaning list and cleaning routines here)  So much like another may look for a certain indicator like a color or a doodle, my indicator is the space the task/thing/item takes up.  My indicator is where the task is located or how it is noted.  I'm going to go through and break down one of my no white space spreads for you in hopes that it inspires you to try out no white space planning....or just helps you understand why some of us planner girls cover our pages in stickers!!!

Before I get into that though, I do what to say something - it took quite a while to build up to a no white space layout.  I watched a lot of videos to find exactly what I liked.  I picked on thing from this video, or another idea from another video, or combined this and that from these three videos to create my own style.  A planner only works if it works for you.  You have to be doing something that works for you.  Maybe no white space is not your cup of tea or maybe it is just what you've been looking for - either way I hope I can make sense of the spacial aspect behind no white space planning, for me.
To Do List
Every week my To Do list is located at the top of the column (under what used to be the morning header)  I always put my to do lists here as well as an Instagram icon to mark my posting schedule.  When I open my planner to check my specific daily to do list, my eye knows to go there first.  These are tinier tasks - tasks that don't have a specific category, on the go tasks, or things to remember.  Though these tasks may go into another category (like edit PWM or create kits) they most often are done on these days to keep myself on track.  I've mentioned in this routines video about how I work on specific things on specific days - blogging is Monday, YouTube is Tuesday & Thursday, Etsy is Wednesday and Thursday, etc.  But if something is in a to do list on a day it isn't assigned to, I need to do it to stay on track.  Or it was carried over.  So in short, the first part of my daily column is a to do list
Cleaning List & Little Things
At the bottom of my daily column is my cleaning list (only on Monday - Thursday) where I mark of the area of the house I'll (try to) clean that day.  You can read more on my cleaning routines in the link near the top of the post, but basically I divided the house into 4 parts and take 30 min a day to clean that part of the house.  So I mark what I need to clean and either check it off....or use an arrow to push it off!  Sometimes I use icons to denote where I'm cleaning - vacuum is the living room/office, dishwasher is the kitchen, cleaning bottle is the bathrooms, second vacuum is the bedrooms.  This helps me because more often than not recently I've been pushing off the chores.  So I can look back each week and find my cleaning checklist for each week, in the same place, and see what I've put off.  Sometimes things get pushed to the weekend but sometimes I just close the door and ignore it!!

Above the cleaning checklist is the Little Things area.  This term is quite popular in the planning community.  I am very picky about the icons I need in this section and that is why I prefer printable kits - I can color match my own little things.  In this section I track meals, tv shows, blog posts, YouTube videos, and other little things not to forget go in this section.  When I'm looking in my planner I can easily see what the next blog post is, what I watched last weekend, and how often I'm eating cereal for dinner.
In Between
In between the to do list and the little things and cleaning list areas is an extended version of what used to be the afternoon section of the column.  This is my Today section.  I put the full decorative boxes here and put stickers marking what needs to be done.  It is in this section that I add my blogging, YouTube, and etsy checklists, my appointments, gas reminders, bills due, packages, trash, meetups, etc.  This section is sort of like the decorating section.  I'd like to say this section is decorated because I'm excited about the things - like meetups - but that doesn't really apply to boring things - like taking the trash out.  It is for everything that sort of doesn't fit in my version of the other two categories.  I know where to find my blogging checklist, my planner meetup info, if it is recycling this week too, and what bills may need to be paid.
Other Tidbits
My grocery list is always a checklist on the bottom of Friday.  My weekend cleaning tasks are always a checklist on Saturday.  My weekend blogging and YouTube tasks are always small checklists at the bottom of Saturday and Sunday.  In every layout it is the same.  When I open my planner and what to see my grocery list, I know where to find it.  
Sidebar
My sidebar is for all the things that either don't have a timeline to complete or things to remember for next week.  I have an Important and a Goals section which are two different things.  I also have a Next Week section to jot down what I need to remember to do next week.  This will just get migrated when I plan the next week.  The sidebar gets changed up if I have different stickers from different kits, but usually the content is the same.

I hope this little breakdown helped you to see the spacial relation to no white space planning.  Not every planner does no white space the same way.  Some change it up every week.  But for me, things laying in the same place opens me up to using a lot of fun sticker kits!
If you're looking for a good example of someone who does the same type of spacial layout, Kristen Michelle on YouTube does the same sort of thing.  She will layout day by day but uses her space in the same way - school goes in this area, etc.  So check her out!

If you found this helpful, let me know!

What is your planning style?  Did it take you a while to develop it?

xoxo, Moe