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So in an effort to my Erin Condren (*) Life Planner to the best of its ability next year (you can see my review on the planner itself here), I have been picking up some things that are going to help me out.  I am planning to use my planner (that sounds so silly), for meal planning, appointments, birthdays, B’s stuff, L’s stuff, just everything.  Last year (well this year), I did a horrible job of tracking things and was just disorganized about too much stuff. But 2014, will be different!  I hope!  Here’s what I am planning:
Labels: I have birthday labels, No School labels, B Off Work Labels, etc. labels. Â These came with my planner, but I also ordered some custom ones as well. Â And I hear that Target has a great plain set in the dollar spot as well that people have been printing theirs on. Â I may try and find those.
Pens: I ordered the Erin Condren pens, but there are only 5 of them and I like lots of color options. Â These.are.fabulous. Â They are by “The Board Dudes” and are the Neon Ultra Fine Point Pens. Â They don’t bleed through the pages and are totally fun. Â I got mine at Target, but I think they have at Staples too. I have been staring at mine wishing I had some more plans for 2014…
~Labels / Flags: I’m not totally clear what I am going to do with these, but I love them. Â They were in the “One Spot” at Target and for $1 (well $0.80 since I used Cartwheel today when it was 20% off) I couldn’t resist. Â I may use them for things I am just not 100% sure on. Â Like B’s drill weekends. Â Things I want to put in my planner, but things that may end up changing so I don’t want to write in pen.
~Washi Tape: Everyone says that I need washi for my planner (and my life in general), so I am going with it. Â I picked up the set from Costco, a few rolls from Target (like the Glittery ones I found in the One Spot below) and Michaels and I am ready. Â I am going to pick a washi to kind of “theme” up my weeks and use it to tape around the borders of the days. Â Beyond that? Â Not too sure yet. Â Anyone???
~Pockets: And finally, I picked up some pockets to add to my planner because, well, I saw how some people had them in my planner and thought it looked cute. Â What will I put in them? Â Hmm, not totally sure yet.
Those are some of the ideas / plans I have for my 2014 Erin Condren planner. Â I am seriously hoping to get super organized and things planned in advance so I am not scrambling around at the last minute trying to figure out what to eat or looking in the fridge and realizing yeah, I haven’t been shopping in a while. Â Or even worse, having the doctor call and be like where are you, your appointment was 10 minutes ago.
If you use a planner, how do you use it? Â What do you use it for? Â And do you have any tips to help better utilize a paper planner? Â Do you carry it with you? Â I’m not sure what I am going to do yet. Â I am home most of the time, so I’m thinking of having it OPEN on my desk might work out best for me.
I just got my EC planner for 2014, and this is SUCH a helpful post. I too got the EC pens but wished there were more color options. I am definitely going to have to try some of your ideas! (p.s. I realize that I comment on your blog A LOT. You are just one of my favorites!)
Aww thanks!!!! Totally get those pens! They are fabulous!!
So this is my first EC planner. I carry some paperwork and this planner in a tote. I don’t have two little ones and a busy hubby….but I hope to use it as much as possible.
Doesn’t mean you’re not just as busy though!!!
I so need some of those pens! The ones that I have always bleed through & it drives me crazy. I am going to be on the hunt for sure! They did not have the flags or glitter tape at my Target tonight but I did pick up some of the cute pens & note pads.
That dollar spot had so many goodies this season!
I got my EC planner for next year today!!! I bought some of those pocket things but never used them for this years planner. Thinking about seeing what this washi tape is about though and picking up some sticky flags and actual stickers. I want mine to be fun this year and not just something I write in.
I feel the same! Maybe if it’s fun I will use it more.
Oh man I love all. of. that. Especially that glitter tape! I need to get back to Target ASAP! Also, weird question, but if you see anymore of those Starbucks advent calenders is there any way you could buy/ send me one if I paypal you the money?! I am dying for one and haven’t been able to find one anywhere!
Yes! It might cost more to mail
Though than the calendar itself???
I leave mine on the counter open to the day — I can easily see whats going on, or coming up in the next day or two! Right now, I have a plastic clip on the pages I flip to the most {the monthly page that has bills to pay written on it, as well as the menu plan for the month} but I think the flags would work better! I need to order my pages and get things ready for the new year — Im ready to get on top of my game!
I’m so ready! I figure I have a week or so of being disorganized and then it’s on!!
I bought my planner with the last three months of 2013 in it so I’ve been using it for awhile now. I use the paper mate pens and they don’t bleed which I love I think I have 6 colors going. I haven’t been meal planning but I’ve been recording what we eat for dinner so when I finally get ready to plan my meals ill have a list of ideas in there already
That’s a good idea!!!!
You are such a bad influence in me…. I’m so getting that Washi tape dispenser! I need it! 🙂
You do need it. It’s a good deal.
I just ordered mine. Hopefully the fun colors will keep my attention and I’ll remember to use it everyday!
I got the frame one in navy/pink (my wedding colors!)
That sounds pretty! What pattern did you pick?
LOVE that washi tape set!!! Too bad there isn’t a Costco up here! I’ll look on Etsy for some cute ones maybe!
Do you only have sams up there?
I’m heading over to Target this afternoon & I hope I can find some cute stuff for my planner too! I need those pockets for coupons!!
Ohhh I think they’d be great for gift cards too! And all those bath and body works coupons I always misplace.
I need to run to Target to pick up the glitter tape. It looks so festive!
It is!!! Did you get my package?
I got the “Frame Me” in navy and pink. It’s the one with all the squares (kinda plain compared to other designs, but I love it)
I also went out and bought the pens you posted. My husband just shook his head at me. I really hope you make a future post show exactly how you glammed up your planner, I’m not too creative, and I could use some inspiration!
LOL!!! The pens are great!!!
Oh, I just look at other people’s pictures for ideas!!
You do realize with all the product you bought you are halfway to Project Life scrapbooking? Planners are the new gateway drug!
I don’t even know what Project Life is? Should I google this? It sounds like a lot of work.
I finally decided that I need to order the planner! For some reason the gift20 code is not working! Neither are my other 10$ off codes. I saw on their fb page that others are having the same problem. It’s so annoying! But I already bought an address book from them and it’s so nice! And I just ordered those pens you bought and some washi tape from amazon at 3 am while up feeding my baby 🙂
I hope that they get that fixed!!! I heard it wasn’t working either.
Ugh I just ran to Target to The One Spot and looked around like a crazy person for that tape. No luck! But I DID get those page flags…the ones on the left. Super cute!
I love those page flags!!!
I don’t have an Erin Condren but I bought the Day Timer Family Plus Planner. I also use Papermate Inkjoy 100 pens. They aren’t the brightest but I use all of the colors. We are a family of 4 (5 during the school year when we host foreign exchange students) and we each have a color. Then we have a family color, our dog has a color and the other two colors happen to be the colors of football teams we follow so its perfect for writing in game days:)
My problem is finding pens that will write on Washi tape. The pens I mentioned above don’t write, I’ve tried ultra fine point Sharpies and I don’t like those either. Anyone else having this trouble? I love using Washi tape for days off of school, tentative plans, doctor’s appointments (since they sometimes have to be rescheduled).
I have been using the mini sharpie markers. For some reason I like them better than the bigger sharpies and they come in a ton of colors.
The flags are to dieeeee for! Please tell me you have extras that you are willing to trade?
I’m a late bloomer when it comes to the dollarspot !!
Hi there! Do you have the rounded black/white dollar spot page flags available for sale?
Awww… Those Page Flags.. I have been looking EVERYWHERE!!!
It seems that planner lovers everywhere are! They are from Target over a year ago though, so the chances of finding them at the store is super super slim!
This was great! I’ve been looking a post like this one.
Love this! I’m all about planners now and was looking for some good pen recommendations. Waiting patiently for my first EC planner to come in the mail.