2019 Planner 101.

Apparently I took a year hiatus from my blog and I completely apologize, it wasn't intentional.

I'm not even going to try to update you all on what I've been doing the last year- half, because it would take too long and half, it wasn't that exciting.

I'm hoping that 2019 takes a turn for me - not that my life is horrible but a fresh start wouldn't be the worst idea ever.

For 2019 - I am going to try - as always to start a planner. I have tried a few times- with different brands but for some reason, it always falls to the wayside  But I've dare I say- been researching? stalking? on YouTube and various ways of media other people's planners. Showing different methods to their madness and I think- I think- I may have a better grasp on it than I have in a while and a few more things in my life I really would like to get a grasp on via planning.

I have been in the loop of Happy Planners for quite some time- I bought my first one back in 2015 I believe when they were first big on the market. Their sticker books so cute and tiny. I was doing pretty good at the planner actually but that's when my "major" break up crisis happened. I definitely let go of the planner in the mix of that junk.  Plus- lets be honest- I didn't have much to plan anymore.

I again tried with the planner a few more times here and there as well as with other brands. I'm always infatuated with the idea of planning. My high school and college planners were filled with all sorts of craziness and I was obsessed with them. How the hell can I get that girl back?? Anyways so as you can tell- I've always kind of let it go.

So here we are- round 5321789 of planner attempts.

If you are familiar with the Happy Planner lines or collections, I will be using the Super Mom mini this year. Which apparently has the new dashboard layout- I love this and so glad I came back when they introduced this great concept.

The monthly spread and dashboard resemble what is already pretty tradition for the Happy Planner line. The dashboard has spots which I changed to fit what I needed- a To Do List, Birthdays, Important Dates and a box I'm going to be putting the total miles I ran as well as my beginning weight and ending weight for the month.

With the weekly spread, they have a dashboard concept (which hence the name as well as the new inclusion).  I changed up the categories again to fit more of what I want to keep track of.  I made a To Do list , a To Buy list, Habit Tracker, Bills, and a Prayer list spot.

In the daily boxes, I am going to be tracking what I eat, my hours, and if a major event takes place that day.  At the beginning of all the daily boxes is a box they placed for people meal planning, I'm writing down my work out for each day.

Hoping this will turn out to be a great year with my little planner. I intend the carry it in my purse so it'll be with me at most times. I'm thinking this way it'll be utilized if its always on hand, fingers crossed.

That's so much crazy information I know, I babbled. But I'm not a YouTube girl at all so hopefully you will bare with me and my endless entries.

Join me again, Ill show you more about my planner and my goals! - Yes, I wasn't done!

xo . Renee

So speaking of goals...

I'm doing horrible at writing on this blog this year clearly. I need to step it up a few notches, so I apologize to anyone following and wondering if I disappeared off the face of the planet. I surely did not, so don't you worry! 

So speaking of goals, in which is where I left behind. I was inspired to make a page using a set of  number stickers I've purchased from Hobby Lobby. Being they were a stand alone piece, I had to dig in my stash to find bits and pieces that would match them! Which is perfect because I'm trying so hard as you all know to use up my crazy stash.  

I found a polka dot paper from Pink Paislee that had some of the same colors that were in the stickers- which I thought would be perfect also for a challenge in the Paper Issues Facebook Group.  This month- which started a new term of design team ladies, they are going to be posting all their challenges for the month at once on the first then show examples through out the month. So as I was strolling through the album of challenges, the Polka Dot Party stood out for this paper idea I had in my mind. 

I used the numbers to form a list of goals I have for 2018.  From my stash, I found that a lot of my planner stickers matched the colors from the number stickers and also fit most of my goal list. I love how I found "goal" stickers in my mini fitness planner book to cover up the sayings on the stickers - made it seem fit. I found pieces in all of my different sticker books that related to each of my goals and inspiring sayings!  

So far my year is going good in relation to my goals, I could definitely hit things harder than I have been but by no means are they left behind. I hope to kick it up in high gear so I am able to accomplish them sooner than later. But I know that I still have plenty of time, so there's no need to stress myself.  I am excited to have my bills paid off, miles in my bank, and staying creative as I can be. 

This page turned out perfect I think! So glad I was able to utilize the number stickers in a fun way as well as find stuff in my stash to match!! As always, I recommend checking out the Paper Issues Facebook Group! They have my heart, and if you go check out their store- new stuff is being added all the time with the new lines coming out. I'm trying so hard to not cave in but I have a feeling I will fail and buy all the things! 

I hope you all enjoyed my latest page! I'll be back soon, I promise- I have a few more things up my sleeve!! 

xo. Renee

Stitch Fix Experience.

Some of my favorite blog post are when people share their experience with new products and especially their experiences with box subscriptions which are all the rage these days! I think there's a box subscription for almost anything you can think of anymore! I have tried a few and so I kind of wanted to give you an unbiased opinion on them as I am not affiliated with anyone - just a random 30 yr old trying something new! 

I have loved watching people showing what they get in their Stitch Fix boxes on various blogs all around the net.  So I decided to give it a go and see what kind of amazing styles they'd send my way. 

When you first join- they ask to you fill out a questionnaire to get a feel of what your style is, your sizes, and etc. I literally wear whatever is comfy - and have no idea what you'd "classify" my style as. So this was kind of an odd thing for me to do because I literally just guessed on what looked cute in the pictures. 

So they send you several pieces to try based on this questionnaire and your comments. Which I left them a note saying- I am trying to find things to wear to church or out on dates. 

*Nevermind my messy bathroom in the following photos

The first thing I tried was this gorgeous dress. I fell in love with the pattern before I put it on but when I tried it on- it fit I thought perfect! It was a definite yes. 

With the stuff in the box they also send a style card, which shows how you could pair up the things you receive as well as various information about the pieces. Which is helpful for the lack of style girl like myself. Ha!  So you'll have to see how I tried on the other pieces.

I am not going to lie I got super excited about both the pants and this jacket upon seeing them; but once I got myself in to them- I had failed myself by gaining some weight. Plus I think I have broader shoulders then I may have listed or something. This happens with every jacket so I'm not at all shocked.  But the jacket fit nice until I try to do any range of motion with my arms- then suddenly it feels it shrinks 2 sizes. Not the jackets fault, not blaming the cute clothes.  The pants- same story kind of. Cute when you wear them- sit down, not such a pretty story. I loved them both but they got sent back. 

Then there was this sweater, which I knew would be a no from the beginning. Just not at all a fit that I desire. I tried it on just to confirm to myself that it wasn't really for me and I was correct. Wasn't comfortable in it although it isn't horrible looking. Just wasn't me. So it got sent back. 

The other item I got was a set of hoop earrings which I sent back as well. They weren't really my style and I knew I wouldn't wear them. 

Overall I loved the excitement of trying the Stitch Fix box. I did keep something which I thought was a plus! The stylist picked great clothes I just wish they had fit better on me. But again, that's not a reason for me to not try the box again!  I definitely don't want to review it bad on my account and I have another fix scheduled for in March. I'm hoping I will have lost some weight and with the start of the spring season- new clothes will always make a great beginning! 

If you want to try Stitch Fix- I will be attaching a link that you can use to take off the $20 styling fee off your first box! Which is a great deal because that means you'd basically be trying it for free if you don't like any of the clothes and if you do like the clothes- there will be a discount to the prices of what you pick! Click here to take off your $20 styling fee!!

xo. Renee

A New Year, A New Beginning.

Happy New Years Everyone!  Hope everyone had a wonderful night however you celebrated!  I am excited for all the new beginnings that lie ahead in 2018.  Am I the only one who felt a ton of excitement when I found out that the year started on a Monday? My non-diagnosed inner OCD girl in me was overjoyed. 

I'm hoping in 2018 to commit to accomplishing plenty of goals/resolutions if you will.  I just wanted to dedicate a post to lay out what I'm out to tackle and interesting in hearing where everyone else is planning to do for your new year!! 

When I make my goals, I tend to categorize them and the categories I place them are either things I'm passionate about like fitness/crafts, etc. or general knowledge such as financial/health,etc. 

So my list is pretty cliche and basic but I think the easier or more general they are - the more attainable they are. 

Read the Bible Entirely

In the last few months, I've found myself really craving growth in my faith. I'm finding some peace in attending church. I really want to read the Bible to educate myself on more of what faith has to offer me. I think it'll help me on multiple levels in regards to my faith. I'm excited to learn and also to finish a book that I've been wanting to for a few years. 

Read 5 Books

Something similar clearly to the one before this one, but if you know me- I'm not a reader really at all. I enjoy a good magazine, some newspaper articles but something about reading never "excites" me. But I feel I rely too heavily on technology for entertainment and I need a break away from that. So if reading will help me- two birds, one stone right? 

Lose 30 Pounds.

This is one of those er, der kind of cliche resolutions but I really have let myself go. I know it's a high number to shoot for but it's where I think would get me back to my "happy" weight/body. Also this would hopefully be a result of me achieving other goals which is kind of a positive domino affect.

Run 500 Miles.

I'm not even sure what to say about this other than I just want to run. I wanted a number that I felt was achievable. I know that its kind of a small number? Maybe not. But that would be around 40 miles a month give and take. I'm hoping as I build my mileage back up again and run races, they'll add up quicker some months than others. 

Run 10 Races.

This past year , I ran no races. Like what?  That needs to change. So I set a goal for 10 races of some shape. I think it's pretty achievable. 

Stay Debt Free/ Pay Off Bills.

I think this isn't rocket science, probably another one of those typical goals. In my head, I think?- I'm pretty decent with my money but I could be off base. I am not too deep in any debts but I want to cut my spending down more and make sure that my bills are just paid off.   

Build Up My Savings

Kind of like above, I just want to be more realistic with my spending and my savings. I want to be able to have a nice pillow to fall upon when I move out on my own. Granted, I've should have done it a while ago but I do end up having scenarios that come in my way that have prevented it. I've had conversations with people and in my best interest, having a smarter savings would help me in a more positive direction to have a more safer savings.

Make 100 Scrap Pages.

I think its a pretty hefty goal but it's definitely something I can knock out. I am still working hard on stash busting. This is something that hopefully will end up letting me make a lot of pages as well as save money although it's so tempting to buy all these new lines that are coming out. Damn, CHA why must you do this?  

Whew, so sorry about that being drug out but I just feel if I talk about it- if I throw it out there, more people will hold me accountable. It's public information- no big secrets. I can't say - I have no idea what you're talking about - *shoves a donut in my mouth*. I'm excited to see where this journey leads me and hopefully I can keep myself going to the right destination even if I derail a little bit. 

Let me know what you guys are thinking, what are your goals? I am all about supporting others and their goals. Lets do this together!! 

xo. Renee

If I Fall or if I Misstep?

I know the last few weeks I've been showing you my scrapbook work as I'm trying to dig deeply in to my crazy stash, but I haven't abandoned my bible journaling either. So today I wanted to show you what I have been up to lately with that project! 

In April, I fell in love with a new church that I was drawn to try. I always seem to lose myself in the sermons and the songs seem to pull at my emotions so hard. Its definitely made me re-evaluate my relationship with God on some levels that I clearly needed. I have always felt spirited and believed but never really studied the bible. I feel now it reaches me in a new way and I am excited about where this journey is leading me. 

But like I said the music reaches me on a whole different level, it's modern and deep lyrics. I'm always inspired by music anyways so it makes no exception with these songs. That's what majority of my journaling pages are based off of, is lyrics that tugged at me in a certain way.

For the last 8 weeks, our sermon series was based on the Gospel of Mark. During one of the weeks' communion, they sang the song "A Prayer Song" which was an absolutely profound performance. I was definitely blown away and the lyrics touched my soul.  

For this page I pinpointed in Mark 15: 33-39

33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[a]

35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”

37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last,[b] he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

I thought it fit with the part of the song that I really loved. I found while digging in my supplies the "washed away my sins" which was gray so I took a black / white look on the page. I was hoping to have more word stickers that coordinated with the lyrics but when I couldn't get all the words- I substituted with some letter stickers ... not quite sure I'm happy with the outcome but it still gets the point across.   

I can't wait to share with you more pieces of my bible journal. It's a special part of my journey and I want to be able to remember these pieces of song that have touched my heart with God's love. Also to share that love with you as well. 

xo. Renee 

You're So Cool, I'm Not Even Mad.

I have told you numerous times that I am still not done with pictures from the Luke Bryan concert and clearly, I was right. I keep finding gems that I want to scrapbook- hey, it was the one occasion that I actually took a million photos so I'm soaking it all up! 

As I have been lately, I'm trying to use up as much as my scrapbook supplies as possible before I venture out and buy more. I have literally enough to start my own store- it's crazy but I have made a nice dent and been doing successful since June! Omitting one purchase of Cocoa Vanilla's Bohemian Dream. I know there would be no chance of me finding it later when I am able to restock my supplies so get it before it's gone! 

But anyways back to this page! 

So again, I found this cute picture of me and my best friend's two foreign exchange daughters. They were able to come with us to the concert and I loved that they did, it was a great way to get to know them better as well as introduce her to crazy American country concerts! I was inspired by Missy Whidden with making the heart out of strips of paper - which of course, with stash- I had plenty of! Most of them were from Dear Lizzy's collection Lovely Day which is gorgeous and I'm surprised I hadn't used more of it! The background paper, I know - I was definitely hoarding for something good but I have been telling myself lately- if I don't use it now, it'll just still be there in a few months. 

I used a piece of scrap paper to trace out a heart- then placed the strips tucked underneath one another to cover the shape. Took it at an angle to form something different on my page- I as always- created layers behind my photo embellished around it as well as made another spot diagonal from it with journaling and embellishments.   I love how I used the hot air balloons across the top of the page- I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to use them for anything. Worked perfectly on this page; it all came together nicely!! 

I hope I have inspired you to use up the stuff you know you've been hoarding for so long. Sometimes the stuff you've been hoping to save for a better page just works on a page you never imagined to put together in the first place.  Such as this! 

xo. Renee 

#Besties.

An idea that I've recently thought of doing- inspired by others who are using up their stash was to make my own kits out of what's left in my stash. So this is a little kit that I put together with stash of both papers as well as embellishments. This isn't all that I put together at the beginning but just like getting a normal kit- you use what you feel fits and save the rest for another page. Or in my case, throw it back in the respective stash piles and re-make new kits. 

I thought with the pink, flowers, and love that I'd use this picture of me and my bestie from my birthday. I wanted a cluster at the upper corner and the lower corner doing a diagonal with the design. Both have a base of using a journaling card- than layer bits and pieces of embellishments and paper. To me, kind of reminds me of a messy desk- but the important things are on top. Anyways, I found a sticker that said "besties" - thought it would be perfect for this page as well as the gold accents I have. Added little glasses to the bunny piece because we both have glasses on and so - she should also. Assuming bunny is a girl.

I thought this page came together pretty well considering not many of the pieces were actually together in a collection. In the past- I wouldn't have thought to do that but since using my stash up- I found most of my pages now have stuff that isn't relevant to each other at all except for some common idea I sprung in my head. I hope you enjoyed this page and challenge yourself to make your own kit out of what you have left lying around! Never know what kind of pages you can magically create. 

xo. Renee