I’ve been really struggling to stay organized lately. The month leading up to our move to Connecticut was hectic and chaotic. It was right in the middle of back to school (big blog time!) and we had a trip out to Indiana. Then we moved and pretty much immediately hit the ground running with a week-long trip to Bonaire. I feel like I was barely keeping my head above the water work-wise. There was just so much to do and I was doing the best I could!
I’m relieved to have a little break in terms of travel (for now… oy.) and can finally really dig my heels back into my daily routine and schedule. While the actual tasks I do during the day vary, one thing remains the same: I love a good list.
Writing down what I have to do not only keeps me organized and ensures I don’t forget something, it relieves some of my stress. Knowing what I have to do and when it will get done makes me feel confident and ready for the day.
Whitney, the creative behind Heart and Arrow, sent me one of these notepads (use code “CARLY” for 10%!) a while back and it remains a favorite of mine. I tend to keep my agenda-ing digital nowadays, but I still like writing down my tasks. Especially if I don’t have any meetings and need to get through a lot of desk work.
I also like how the notepad is flexible and you can use it for all kinds of days. You’re not limited by the text at all. You can use it to plan your weekends. You can use it every now and then without having weeks worth of blank pages (my biggest pet peeve about planners). You could even use it to plan and keep track of a trip’s itinerary!
That is so cute! I wish I had an excuse to get it, but I put everything in my planner anyways. It does look like a great to tool to help keep organized! XO Alyson | mylifeasalyson.blogspot.com
Need this in my life! Before, when I think about creating an hourly schedule, I would already start to feel restricted with my movements throughout the day. But then I realized, it really does help in being organized and productive on really hectic days.
This and yap 🤍 Don’t forget to create holiday magic for yourself too! I can’t tell you how nice it was to do some gingerbread decorating without having to follow a three year old’s vision (or fight the sugar battle)! It’s fun to do it with kids, too, but sometimes you just need coffee, baked goods, and little bit of kid-free catch up time with your mom friends! Thank you for hosting @blueskyehouse!!
I wrote down a list of things I wanted to do for fun in 2024. I crossed off exactly zero of them (having a baby will do that to ya) and my only hope of accomplishing one would be to host a cookie exchange! I wanted to SO bad but I was also feeling exhausted after a long year (losing a dog, having a baby, running a business, etc.) and I didn’t know if I had hosting a party in me. I sent out the invitations and told myself I’d figure it out. There was no going back! It was SO FUN though and I will be doing this again. I feel like so much of the holidays as a mom is spent making the magic for kids. It’s Santa meet and greets, Christmas shopping, holiday pageants…. And then seeing Santa again (and again and again). THIS party was for us! 🥂
🎧 Five 5-Star Audiobooks I Listened to This Year ✨
Audiobooks have been my secret weapon for fitting reading into a busy life. Whether I’m folding laundry, driving to preschool drop-off, or squeezing in a solo walk, I can dive into a story at the touch of a button—and @Audible makes it so easy. Eligible new subscribers can sign up for a one month free trial of #Audible Premium Plus anytime! #AudiblePartner #amazoninfluencer @amazoninfluencerprogram
This year, I listened to some incredible audiobooks, but these five stood out as absolute favorites:
📚 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: A beautifully written coming-of-age classic. I didn’t want it to end and could absolutely see myself re-listening in a few years.
📚 None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: A psychological thriller with unreliable narrators that kept me guessing the whole way through.
📚 Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter: Part mystery, part family drama—flawed characters, a gripping storyline, and a chef’s kiss ending.
📚 All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: A masterpiece of storytelling that starts as a serial killer mystery and evolves into something much bigger.
📚 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: A stunning exploration of sisterhood, grief, and imperfect people. The ending left me in tears (happy ones!).
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Holding on for dear life this December ❤️ I have had SO MANY conversations this week with my friends near and far and we are *all* struggling. I have to say, just knowing it’s not just me feeling the pressure of “end of year-holiday magic- cold/flu/stomach bug season-darkest days of the year,” has made it a little easier to handle. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too 😮💨 (Telling myself this because I could use the reminder too!)
I just ordered her blog planner and cannot wait to use it! This looks awesome!!
Kendal // Life With Kendal
I have seen that notepad on etsy before and it is so cute and definitely looks like a great tool to use to get organized!
Lauren.
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
That is so cute! I wish I had an excuse to get it, but I put everything in my planner anyways. It does look like a great to tool to help keep organized!
XO Alyson | mylifeasalyson.blogspot.com
Need this in my life! Before, when I think about creating an hourly schedule, I would already start to feel restricted with my movements throughout the day. But then I realized, it really does help in being organized and productive on really hectic days.
I really love this notepad! I'm a huge fan of planners and to-do lists, and this one is just perfect for me!
xx
ALINA ERMILOVA | BLOG
Can't find any more items in her shop:(
This notepad is absolutely adorable and would definitely make a huge difference in my daily schedule while at college!
Xo, Rach
http://www.seashellsandsparkles.com
That is SO cute! I just bought my Kate Spade planner for the year, and my husband might kill me if I buy anything else, but that is AWESOME!
I love that!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com