It's July Already?!

Time is going by way too fast...  I thought I was short on time before I had 2 kids...

It's now July.  I've had so many post ideas, started at least 3 different posts, only to be interrupted... Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining in any way.  Instead I am choosing to prioritize my time!

My daughter will be 1 month old on Friday!  It seems like we just came home from the hospital, and yet we have come so far.  Last night she was asleep by 10pm and woke up at 6am!  A few whimpers during the night, to which we woke up to change and feed her, only to find her fast asleep when we reached her.  I will take this small triumph.  I did try to take a nap this morning, as she is currently sleeping... however since I got more sleep than usual I find I am mostly awake today and should spend the time sharing some things here.

So, I'm just going to jump into July.  I hope to have some time this month to share a bit more about June.  I find that I am halfway through my maternity leave and already wishing for more time.  The summer has been scheduled (allowing for as much downtime as possible).  It just keeps going by so fast... I just want to enjoy every moment!  July will bring one month of more "free time".  Today my 7 year old starts summer camp, which will give him awesome adventures outside and me a bit more downtime.  June was filled with mastering the entertainment needs of the mighty 7 year old, while balancing the brain drain of a newborn.  More on that later...  I hope...

So Here it is!


JULY!  Fun in the sun, fireworks, watermelon, manicures, birthdays, yoga, Sunday's floating at the Lake, and to finish it off a family vacation to Martha's Vineyard!

This week: focusing on household chores and needs, bills, yard care, finishing up projects and starting new pick up/drop off schedules for my son at summer camp!  Sincewe wake up at 5am, we have been watching a lot of She-Ra... I may be slightly obsessed with rainbows and unicorns at the moment, as I found my daughter all of these things in her wardrobe for the summer and they have merged into my daily planning... oh! and don't forgot the Narwals too!  To see super cute pictures of the baby girls super rocking outfits, checkout my Instagram feed to the right of this blog, or click here!



July is also brought to you by NEW STICKERS!  While out shopping with my dad last week we stopped at Barnes and Nobel to pick up new summer books for the kids and the beach I found these new Stickers!  Stickers by PIPSTICKS AND WORKMAN.  They also include fun retro inspired postcards in the back of each pack!  I love sending postcards and these are the right vibe for summer 2018!  Message me if you want to receive a postcard this summer!

Organization!

So, I've gotten a few questions from friends about my Organizer.  Well I found it from this amazing Instagram Post:  BabesWhoStudy Organizer Post

Who else geeks out over organization tools?  Maybe I really should have been a Stage Manager... or a teacher...

Admission:   I love School Supplies...

If they still made the real Trapper Keeper I would totally rock one.  You know the old school 3 ring notebook, with the chipboard in back.   I would even take the zipper version.  I found I was carrying around, pens, post its, a sketchbook, a few random markers and erasers, just like at the bottom of my purse.  Not the best option.

So while I was looking through bullet journal layouts I found this amazing Bullet Journal Maven.  https://babeswhostudy.tumblr.com/

She posted a few pictures of her organizer and I was hooked.  It's a little bit like that old school trapper keeper, just with way more pockets.  I can carry my iPad or my Macbook Air back and forth to school so much safer, and everything is in one place!  No need to have pens and highlighters in duplicates at home and work, just take it with me.  Without loosing anything or having a hard time remembering where I put it.  Just pile everything into my organizer and off I go.  The padding is excellent for my electronics, and the large pocket in the back can hold any paperwork that needs to travel with me.

I have a few stencils and rulers, and these awesome new Pastel Stabilo Boss Highlighters, they are my new fave.  I switch back and for between my Stabilo and Sharpie Accent Liquid Highlighters.  It's also waterproof, which was really helpful this week when my water bottle lid wasn't screwed on 100% and dribbled down the front, My bullet journal stayed dry!

The best part about this Organizer is that It was only about $20 and shipped Amazon Prime!  Bonus, not spending $100+ on anything.  So, check out this amazing organizer, I might have to look into their bags next.  This organizer is super solid, and I love the color I picked!  Check out MYGREENLIFE Organizer  I found it on Amazon for easy ordering.

Happy Journaling!

The Bullet Journal

So, little did I know that I have actually met and had cocktails, a couple of times, with the creator of the Bullet Journal System: www.bulletjournal.com- Ryder Carroll

So, thank you Ryder, if you ever read this: I am an ex-wife of one of your classmates.  Thank you for reminding me that I can remain analog in a digital world.  I have been reminded of how journaling helps the mind, both find focus and release.

I am an organizer, I know... SURPRISE!  I was just always placed in charge, something about being responsible and friendly.  To the detriment of my friendships and personal time, I somehow end up in charge... sorry.  Anyway, my main system for organizing thoughts have been post it notes.  I found that while living by myself in Louisville, KY in my 20's that I needed gentle reminders: Keys, lunch, brush teeth, etc.  So post-it notes became my system.  Brightly colored paper all over the walls, my desks, the fridge, and mirrors.  Helpful, but a few things.... Post it notes don't travel well from place to place.  So while I remember the tasks before me, the ones that are out of sight, were out of mind.  So while feeling unfocused, and encouraged from a check in session- I decided to start journaling.  Find a way to reflect and organize thoughts...

I spent a couple of weeks writing things down in a journal, a new one from the store with a layout and fun colors.  I ran out of space... everyday.... That's when I ran across the Bullet Journal System , so I started practicing in a journal, just something old I had shoved in a studio drawer, it had both grid lines and blank sections per page.  I found that I was drawn to the gridline, and the ability to easily sketch out a page.  I could embellish with color, though several friends warned that color can become overwhelming, which is true.  I do find that color help me categorize, for those who have seen my calendars, you know what I mean.  They were absolutely right about being overwhelmed at points.

I found that daily pages where great, but I am a planner and like to see planned tasks days ahead.  So I played with some weekly layouts, they seemed to be helpful.  I kept having the feeling of... Holding off/ Not Really Getting Started.  It felt that with all of the thought I was putting forth, the research into different layouts and ways to plan the day that I would find calm.  So, I started...

Today.... Is May 1st!  I am officially using my journal and find it enjoyable, though I'm still obsessing a little.  It is fun!  The goal is to have everything set up for the month, I've been very lucky and been able to schedule a few days off... and boy do I feel better.  I have started organizing my mind, tracking the things that I want to learn more about and enjoy.  Trying to find a positive intention to the days when I feel I have a brain cloud, maybe there's a reason.  So here I go: I hope you like the images.  Maybe I'll start sharing my layouts and progress here.  Probably a better place than all over Instagram/Facebook.  Though I'm sure I'll have some things to share there.  It's nice to be able to draw again, incorporate some daily practices and self care.  Artistic expression is important, now I can incorporate it into my daily life, not just when I have "time".  Felt like sharing my layouts so far! Enjoy!

Searching for Daily Practices...
Happy Journaling!