Review ~ The Master Plan...

I am a bit of a stationery addict!  Over the years I've amassed dozens of diaries, planners and organisers in the hope I would find 'The One'.  It never happened.  I would use one, trying it for a while but something was missing and I couldn't pinpoint what it was.

 

I tried a day to a page diary but wasn't really busy enough to fill it.  Next was a week to an opening.  A little better.  But since becoming a part time worker with a little one attending kindy, taking on a P&F Secretary role and blogger with a Facebook page I needed something that I could group those roles and see them at a glance. 

 

And then I found it.  The One...a horizontal planner.  The Master Plan.  I.love.it.

 

 

 

The horizontal planner lets me see in columns what is coming up for the week for each role.  This year with the addition of an extra column I was able to add a Projects line, which is fantastic and allows me to write down specific projects I'm working on. 

 

Use it to keep track of after school activities, play dates and appointments.  Being A5 size it's portable, pop it in your handbag or keep it at home as part of your Family Command Station.

 

I love that this year the pages are white which means if I have to use white out it doesn't stand out (I know, OCD much).  I'm also this year using my washi supplies and cards to brighten up my week ahead.  

 

The Plan is a 15 month calendar commencing in September & while I start using mine at the beginning of the year, I use the extra pages to write notes etc. There's also a removable notebook included. 

 

 

 

 

The menu planning section is a favourite because as you know we love to menu plan, 5 years and counting and saves us so much money and time.  Being able to see at a glance what's for dinner prompts me to get the meat for that night out of the freezer ready to go.

 

Even if you have already bought this years diary, it's never too late to change to the perfect planner.  When you make the switch you'll be buying it every year, trust me!  This is my second year and I haven't looked back.  The hardest part is choosing the colour.  I love the Mint, my signature colour for the year.

 

 



Thanks to the lovely ladies at Sweet Creations for sending me The Master Plan in mint to review & keep.  As always the opinions are my own. 

 

Annabel from Milestone Press has also kindly given me a copy of The Master Plan for one of you to win and love.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

  

Giveaway details

The Giveaway will run here on the Because Everything Counts blog page.

It will run from Tuesday 28 January and end Tuesday 4 February 2014.

Entry is open to Australian residents only.  One entry per person.  This is a game of skill and the winner will be chosen based on the answer given.

 

Comments require approval by me before publishing.  This reduces spam comments.  All genuine responses are published. 

 

If you have any issues with Rafflecopter please don't hesitate to message me via my Facebook page

How to Enter

Please leave your answer below and include your full name & email address. Good luck xx

 

 

 





 

My vintage 40th

This post is twelve months in the making!  Last January I turned 40. It's taken this long to a) get the photos off my phone and b) to admit that I have indeed turned 40 (but that's another story).

 

I decided early on I wanted a vintage look to the party.  I spent many hours visiting you-know-where for ideas.

 

The theme start with the invitation which was simple and I think gave a glimpse of what was to come.

 

Next was the cake.  I had an idea of what it was to look like but it was a combination of two cakes.  I put together a mock up and sent it to a gorgeous cake decorator, describing colours etc to her and she did an outstanding job of creating my vision.

 

 

 

I had a wishing well and the group of birdcages that made up the wishing well looked fabulous as you walked in.

 

 

I knew a lolly/dessert buffet was to be on offer and it was to all be old fashioned lollies and cakes.

 

 

Flowers were everywhere in vases and vessels sourced from our recycling shop.  Cleaned up and wrapped in lace they fitted in perfectly.

Adding a personal touch were photos of me as a child with my family. 
 

 

 

 

I'm so happy with how it all looked.  I made the most of what I had, the small budget and a room I couldn't do much to.  So many people stopped by and commented and some even asking if it was a wedding reception.  Love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas traditions

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse....

 

I love those words, because they mark a family tradition that is 20 years old.  Every year on Christmas Eve I would read The Night Before Christmas to my boy, who is almost 21.  Now I read the exact same copy to my girl, nearly 5.

 

Traditions that are super special and something we look forward to.  Ones I hope my children continue in years to come.

 

This one remembers those who have passed, we have an angel on the tree for everyone of our special people who are no longer with us.

 

 

 

Each year we buy a new decoration for the tree, this is last year's from Bali.  Where I can, I add the year and where I got the decoration from.

 



 

 

A few more traditions, leaving out the Santa Key, a snack and drink for Santa and his Reindeer and watching Santa's message to Matilda via the Portable North Pole.

 

 



and my final tradition is wrapping the presents on Christmas Eve.  I've done this for years and I love it.  A nice snack, some good TV and I'm set. 

 

Ok, I'm off to finish this job right now.

 

Thanks again to Larissa from LMR Photography for photographing my tree. 

 

 

A handmade Christmas

We love a handmade Christmas.  I enjoy the feeling of giving and especially knowing I've made the gift.  I also love surrounding myself with handmade goodies for our home.

 

 

This year we made Christmas bark, rocky road and rosemary salt as gifts. 

 

 

 

For Miss Matilda's teachers I made ring bowls and personalised tree decorations.

 

A few clay decorations

 

 

A thumbprint Reindeer

 

 

 

I decided to make a wreath rather than buy one, using more of my clay decorations

 

 

 

and Santa hats

 

 

Christmas around our home

I love Christmas. I love decorating, baking, gift giving and of course spending time with friends and family.   Here's a little decorating around our home.  No room goes undecorated including the bathroom.   This year I decided to gather all of my glittery decorations and I love how the light makes them sparkle at night. 

Miss Matilda's room, and this year she had a great time decorating her tree.  Our Christmas book basket is getting a little full.

 

and our tree

 

 
Thanks so much to Larissa from LMR Photography for photographing our tree and buffet so beautifully.

Our "Elf" on the shelf ~ Twinkle

Our 'Elf" Twinkle has found her way from the North Pole and joins us nice and close to the big day.  Last Christmas she made her appearance a lot earlier but I just didn't have the time nor energy to plan and do anything with her sooner.

 

Yes, she's not the official Elf on the Shelf.  She is a 'Barbie' style doll who is a friend of Tinkerbell, she came complete with the boots and I just made a little Elf hat.  Last year I gave a few people a good laugh because she's not the official Elf, but that's ok. Matilda loved her and every morning would seek her out to see what Twinkle had been up to.  I think she's pretty cute.

 

Now to check out Pinterest and find some ideas of what to do with her over the next few days.

 

If you have an Elf Pinterest board please feel free to leave a link.

 

 

 

Winners Winners...

To say I'm excited about this weekends Confetti Fair is an understatement.  I have been stalking the vendors all week and can't wait to meet them and check out their stalls.

 

The fair is perfect timing too as I am in the throes of organising Miss Matilda's next birthday.

 

And without further adieu the winners of the two double passes to the Perth Confetti Fair are;

 

Sallyann Silver & Laura

 

Congratulations ladies, thanks for providing your email addresses.  I'll send you the tickets tonight.