Decorate With Me - ECLP Week 18 (Apr 27 - May 3) | Three Day Weekend

Here is my layout for next week and I am so looking forward to a three day weekend with hubby! And as per usual I'm keeping it fairly simple cause for sure these pages will get busy as the days pass :) I used a few sweets stickers for the beginning of the week and some travel stickers on the days we'll be out. Page flags on the days I work and for a few reminders during our trip.

Let's Begin...

Happy watching and I hope this comes in useful:

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Decorate With Me - ECLP Week 17 (April 20-26, 2015) | National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week + Bella's Birthday

I got a head start on next week's page decor. I made page flags using the banner cutter I bought at Hobby Lobby and pre printed some To-Do lists, Chores and Work; I measured and cut these to fit the boxes of the morning, day & night then used my Xyron to turn them into stickers. I placed them in the striped black and white mini gift bag. For the weekend I used these cute stickers I bought on Etsy the shop name is "sweetkawaiidesigns". The polaroid photo below of my dog Bella was printed from my Fujifilm Instax Share Printer.

Get $10 off you purchase on the Erin Condren website, copy and paste this on your browser:

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Here is how I decorated next week's spread:

kikki.K MINT Leather Personal Planner Unboxed

Today my much awaited Swedish designed planner from the company kikki.K. arrived at my door after 7 days despite President's Day weekend. I am quite impressed with the shipping but most of all... EXCITED! Here it is ---

        

 

Since this particular planner doesn't come with the weekly 2015 Time Planner Diary, I ordered this separately and also added the Life Is Sweet Vision Board Kit to my purchase.

Let's take a look inside ...

Mint color leather exterior with pink and white polka dot pattern cotton lining

In the front it has:  

•  a four card holder
•  a secretarial (flap) pocket
•  an inner zip case 
•  a large slot pocket

 Includes:

- 18 month perpetual calendar
- To Do list
- "My Day" notepad
- Meeting notes
- 4 blank tabs with note pages
- lined notebook
- 3 sticker sheets

This is a 6 ring binder (silver) with an elastic pen loop and a gold stud snap closure.

2015 Time Planner Diary refill and "Life Is Sweet" Vision Board Kit

Here is my planner with some journal cards from

Becky Higgins PROJECT LIFE

Planner Haul | Daiso Japan

OMG everything you see here is $1.50 each!

I've gone to Daiso before to buy mugs, kitchen items, candies... etc. ya know, just stuff and who doesn't know this place for their super affordable prices? Never have I ventured into the Stationary section so last week I went to the Daiso in Cupertino just to look around and maybe get a few things for my planner... uhh ya right... FAIL! I left the store with a bag full of #kawaii ---

 

 



Page flags, folder clips, sticky memos, adhesive memo sets, message cards, letter sets

 

 

 Pens, more folder clips, scissors, pencil case, paper craft puncher



Washi tape, sticky note set, wooden clothespins

Here's how I got started with my planner:
Planner Decor and Basics for Beginners

Early January I purchased a spiral bound Mead planner at Target (spiral Sugar-Paper planners were all SOLD OUT) but haven't started decorating it till the 3rd week or so. I wanted to keep this one  simple since I will be bringing this  with me  to work and at appointments, pretty much my get-up-and-go planner. I am currently waiting for my order  of the  kikki-K Texture Leather Personal Planner in Mint, this will be my main planner and will remain at home. I will put up a blog post as soon as I receive my new Swedish designed planner! I'm so excited! 

 

Happy decorating!

On-A-Budget Christmas Gift Ideas and Stocking Stuffers

November is practically over and most of us have already gotten majority of our shopping done. Now a days it takes weeks or even months of planning ahead, taking note of who wants what, what gifts are appropriate for who and at what age, gifts based on need or necessity, buying items that friends and family are obsessed with like movies, games, beauty products, accessories...etc. Some people have gifts ready by October because you have within 90 days (for most stores) to return or exchange an item - remember to keep your receipt and always ask for a gift receipt as well.

For those last minute online shopper, here are some things to keep in mind: 

• ETA - when will the item arrive
• Coupon Codes - there is always Groupon and Living Social but Instagram is also one of the best sources for various discount codes. If you follow certain companies or products then for sure they are posting all kinds of #blackfriday or #cybermonday discount codes. 

 Gerard Cosmetics, Jordana, Bare Minerals  

 

ItsJudyTime Eye shadow palette 2 for $ 13.95

Bright festive color bags are great to use when you're short on time for wrapping.

Photo Details:

Aldo Adeanna gloves - reg. $15.00, SALE $7.50

BH Cosmetics ItsJudyTime eye shadow palette 2 for $13.95

Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick 3 pack for $30 via Instagram @mannymua733

Jordana Easyliner for lips $2.19 ea.

Bare Minerals Lipspectacular 6pc set for $26.00 (values $50+)

There are still those last minute gifts out there that you can get at your local grocer or nearby mall (depending if you get there as soon as it opens). Sometimes it could be hard to think of something for a friend or family member, but you can never go wrong with tea paraphernalia and coffee mugs. Nearly everyone loves tea or coffee!! Here are some of my suggestions for those beverage lovers out there --- 

cute HIS and HERS coffee mugs

Teavana Perfect Tea Maker and Canister

Photo Details:

HIS and HERS coffee mugs from Walmart $4.95 ea.

Teavana Perfect Tea Maker $25.00

Teavana Canister $10.95

Beach/Coastal Theme Mini Cupcake Platter

Running out of party ideas on dessert presentation? Need something not too time consuming, cute, fresh and inexpensive? If you're hosting a beach or coastal theme party and need to give your dessert bar some love... here's how I put this little set up together ---

my own creation for my sister's bridal shower

 

  

What you'll need:

• brown sugar (for sand), the amount depends on the quantity of cupcakes and platter size
• cupcakes (homemade, catered or store bought) topped with Aqua colored icing or any color of your choice
• seashell mold
• white chocolate chips or candy melts 
• food coloring
• small seashells for added decoration
• shallow plastic party platter/tray

What to do:

Follow the instructions on how to make white chocolate candy or refer to other recipes online how to achieve this, just add in a swirl of food coloring before pouring into the mold and allowing to harden. Stick to the color of your motif. This is the only step that will need a little bit of time :)

In a party platter, pour the brown sugar in and spread thoroughly, pack down if you wish. This represents our sand element.*Note: add white sugar if desired to give a more lighter sandy look.

Arrange the mini cupcakes, white chocolate candy shells and real seashells on top of the brown sugar, avoid overcrowding. Set on serving table covered with linen or any material that presents a classic beachy feel.

Other tips:

You may also include a few starfishes, conk shells, tea light candles (consider battery operated ones if there are children around to avoid fire hazard) and such as added decor to your tablescape! A lantern can also give that authentic coastal touch to the overall presentation.

 

Have fun and enjoy the rest of the Summer!