my week #42

So, this is my first week in these Smythson diary refills, and I am super impressed. No show-through and I love how I can fit a whole year's worth of inserts in my binder with no problem (they weren't lying when they said that paper quality wasn't compromised although the paper is thinner than other paper of a similar quality).

I just can't stay away from colour even though they may not fit in with the luxurious and sophisticated air these inserts give off. I need to have my planner pages brightened up in order to keep me interested in being organised so I make no excuses for making these inserts seem less sophisticated than they could be if I stuck to a dark blue fountain pen as my (writing) weapon of choice.

And, as you can see, I have also stuck to my habit of journalling in my planner pages too - something I don't think I will stop as my heart flutters at the thought of flicking through these pages in a few years' time!

How has your week been?

custom personal information page!

It's been a while since I've made a custom insert! In fact, I made this two months ago - I just forgot to upload it until I found it on my hard drive. I have tried to use a colour scheme that goes with this blog (if you can't already tell) and so, expect more custom inserts where these colours are the main colour theme.

Here is a picture of the insert once printed out (I modified it for myself, hence why there is a bit for my Hong Kong ID card number):

Here is the insert:

Please click here to download the PDF version. I personally print it at 93% scale but it should work at 100% too (I have yet to try this personally though!).

Comments and criticisms? Do let me know :) I know the colour scheme might not be everyone's cup of tea but I feel it is neither too feminine, nor masculine, and that it adds an element of 'freshness' to it.  I might also try and do inserts in other colour schemes too, but for now, this is the one I will stick with :)

january review: essentials & happiness project

Another month, another review. This year, the reviews will be split into two parts; one part about my happiness project and the second part being the usual monthly essentials.

H A P P I N E S S

I kind of failed this month with regards to being more social and seeing friends and that is because I was all caught up in the house move that is now imminent! In less than a week's time, I will have a new address and that means a hell of a lot of packing, and also a lot of decluttering.

However, I did manage to fit in some time for friends. I was in London for a day, back in early January, and I met up with a friend for dinner and I will also be going out for afternoon tea with another friend sometime soon! And to cap it off, I fit in some time for volunteering too but I do feel sad about leaving that role after four and a half years' of weekly service.

Noted in my diary - To book a date for the afternoon tea! We bought a deal on Groupon :-)

It is times like these that I have become super attached to my phone too. Short texts and tweets also allow me to keep in touch with friends under the time constraints I am currently enduring (as packing is overriding all other activities right now)!

Although I'm counting this month as a fail, I'm hoping to make up for it after my move back to London. At first, the move was meant to be in mid-January but got pushed back to February, which meant that this goal was no longer (realistically) achievable.

Onto my goals for February. The overall happiness goal is 'Aim Higher' and this I will try and do. I have been applying for jobs in and around the area I am moving to (in an attempt to try and minimise travel costs and time) and am also setting goals for this blog (to continue posting regularly and with posts of a higher quality). I am sure that my February will consist mainly of some inevitable interior design as the new house will need a new paint job in each room as well as new carpets and other little things. Only time will tell if any of my self-set goals are a success and of course, I will be evaluating that at the end of the month.


E S S E N T I A L S

There is only one this month, unless you would like to see pictures of cardboard boxes and packaging tape? I hope next month's will be more interesting but I have a feeling it will consist of wall paints and old clothes that I wore to do the painting in! If that is the case, I won't post pictures of the latter - don't worry!

1) Earmuffs

Due to the snow and bitterly cold winds, I have become reliant on things that keep my extremities and other parts of my exposed body warm. And that's where these cute earmuffs come in. I bought them in the sale at the end of 2011 (I think?) and they have served me well. Plus, they are a quirky alternative to a knitted hat or beret, right?

Was there a lot of snow where you were? And what were your January essentials?

stationery addicts anonymous meeting #9: @purplebag2

Apologies for the gap between these meetings. I have had a backlog of posts of publish and so that is why this meeting comes two weeks after the previous one. Before we get started this week, I just want to say that if anyone wants to talk about their addiction in an upcoming meeting, please email me at paperlovestory @ outlook.com :-) You are free to remain anonymous, of course.

This week, we hear about @purplebag2's addiction. She is choosing to remain anonymous, bar a Twitter handle, but I can definitely vouch for how nice she is (and that she is real!) :) thank you, for sharing your three favourite items this week :)

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I have been an addict of stationery for as long as I can remember, buying pens, notebooks, stickers etc with my pocket money as a child. There are so many things I have that I could write about including my Muji erasable pens but I wanted to be good and just stick with 3. These are my current 3 favourite stationery items, it took me quite a while to decide but these are the things I use and like most at the moment.

1. Sheaffer Delta grip ball point pens

 I found these in Partner’s (a stationery shop no longer trading) a few a years ago and bought a couple because I liked the look of them. After using them and realising how good they were and the price dropping to 49p I stocked up. I use them everyday both at work and home and think they are great.

2. Washi Tape

I found out about washi tape through twitter and blogs including Angela’s. It’s brilliant for sticking things in notebooks, my filofax etc. I love that there are so many different designs and colours and the usefulness of it. Most of mine was brought from Prints International in London and the Moomin one was from Artbox.

3. Mini Memo Pads

I only found these recently but think they are so useful to use in my Midori and Filofax. Sticking them in using a bit of washi tape instead of sticky notes works out cheaper and they are so lovely to look at. I got mine from the Artbox shop in Covent Garden which I love.

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I love the look of those Sheaffer ball pens. I'm not a big ball pen user but I do pick one up from time to time. I love how colourful they are :)

Thank you, once again, @purplebag2, for sharing your three favourite items (and possibly feeding some of the readers' addiction too!) :)

Would you like to be featured one week? If so, please email me at paperlovestory @ outlook.com :)