Well, that was quite a month wasn't it? It'll go down as one of the worst Januarys known to man, rivaling only January 2020 which doesn't feel like a good omen.

But hey, at least it snowed a ton in New York! I cannot stress enough how happy the snow in January made me. It was a bright spot amidst all the chaos and soothed my soul for a bit. 

January was a low-buy month for me and I succeeded. There were minimal unnecessary purchases and it felt really good to not get anything new. There were times when I desperately wanted to press 'place order' but I didn't, which made me really proud. It's the first time in a while I was very intentional with spending, even going as far as to keep track of every single place my money went during the month.

I'm planning on keeping that up as we head into February, and maybe try to add on another task to help improve my life. I'll do just about anything to try to calm my nervous system and new habits, holding myself accountable and being confident in myself is a good place to start. 

Even though January was a low-buy month, I still have a few favorites, most of which were purchased before January 1st. You'll notice a pattern in the items I've chosen, and that's that they help me stay sane and organized. 

I have been through so many planners over the last few years. I can't ever seem to find planner peace. I've had Lilly Pulitizer, Day Designers, Erin Condren, digital planners... I've used them all! I've loved most of them too; I always go back to Lilly and Day Designer but nothing ever seems to stick. I just like to change things up too much and I get bored easily! 

Ever since I was a little girl, I always changed my stationery products; I never kept a planner longer for six months and was always switching notebooks and backpacks. I just like options and I guess I never grew out of that habit. 

Last year, I thought I found heaven with The Everygirl x Day Designer collab from Target. It was compact, pretty, and seemed to be just what I needed since I also had a Louis Vuitton MM Agenda that I was using. 

For the past few years, I have used my Louis Vuitton MM Agenda and planner inserts as my personal planner. I fell in love with the idea of an LV agenda when I first stumbled upon the preloved market and have been addicted to perfecting it ever since. 

My Louis Vuitton agendas have evolved over the years. I toyed with the ideas of making them notebooks, of planning out my finances, freelance work, and blog ideas with them but ultimately, they were used for daily scheduling, running to-do lists, and jotting down notes. I took it with me back and forth to work and have spent years trying to find the perfect planner inserts for them. I finally settled on Cloth & Paper and have been loving it (Youtube video on that coming soon).

However, over the course of the pandemic, I've felt a little lost when it comes to using this agenda. It feels a little small for me; I want more space but also a less complex look and feel. I toyed with the idea of a bigger agenda, maybe even buying the Louis Vuttion Desk Agenda cover so I can still have that sleek designer look I love and appreciate. I made due though; I bought my 2021 inserts, rearranged the layout, and was going to make it work. 

That was, until, The Everygirl announced they had partnered with Day Designer for a line of planners at Target. I've used the Day Designer before; both the original and Target editions. I've loved them both but loved my LV more. The one company that could change my mind is The Everygirl. It's an online publication that I have loved and cherished for years, that really encompasses who I am and who I want to be as a woman. I knew I needed to support them and after seeing the designs of the planners, I was sold.

I purchased the smaller, hardbound, pink design and I love it so much. I love how girly and sophisticated it is. I love that it's hardbound and has a pink, silk bookmark to hold your place.

I also love the layout; I love all the goal-setting at the beginning of the planner and the different pages of how you can action those goals to help you succeed. It has a page for habit tracking, organized by daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly habits which I love; plus, a list for a year's worth of bucket list items. It's really laid out to help you be the best version of yourself. 

At the beginning of the month, it has pink pages with inspirational quotes and then has a little 'weekly tip' at the top of every new weekly layout. It's so sweet and the attention to detail is fantastic. 

The core of the planner has monthly pages and then the weekly, planner pages that are laid out into 'to do' lists and regular note-taking space. 

There are larger, spiral-bound versions of this planner and they also have a career planner and a 30 Day Challenge planner. I'm considering purchasing the career planner to see how it's laid out and if it's helpful but truly, how many planners can I have?

At the moment, I'm using a Lilly Pulitzer planner for work,  my Everygirl planner, and I haven't figured out what I'm doing with my LV planner yet...I've still been using it on and off with The Everygirl. I also have notebooks for my blog, for meal planning, and for freelance writing ideas. Then, in my Damier Ebene Louis Vuitton MM Agenda, I have inserts for meal planning (though I am running out and like the individual notebook idea), capsule wardrobe planning, and skincare routine planning. I have leftover inserts for finances that I haven't found a place for either.

It's a lot of planners and notebooks but I don't mind. Notebooks make me happy and I really adore using my Everygirl x Day Designer planner! 

What kind of planner are you currently using?
xoxo
B

Shop the full collection of planners: 

For the past year or so, I've been using a Louis Vuitton MM Agenda as my planner and I don't really know how I used anything else. I love the chic style that comes with carrying Vuitton but also love the personalization and freedom I have to create my perfect planner.

I've tried so many inserts over the past year from different websites and random Etsy shops; I've taken recommendations from planner Facebook groups, Youtube, and just from my own browsing. There are definitely some popular inserts that I've loved, some I've hated and some hidden gems.

I wanted to take you through the inserts that have worked for me in case you are looking for new inserts for your own personal planner.

July means one thing in my book and that's buying planners to use starting in August. This year, I had no qualms about what planner I was picking.

It was time to go back to my roots.

That's right, from the title of this blog you know what's coming.

Lilly Pulitzer planners are back in my life.

It's been a solid 4 years since I had one and I just knew the time was right. I've loved my Henri Bendel planners for the past few years, and I attempted a Kate Spade one last year (my work bag was stolen in October and my KS planner was in it, so I didn't fully use it)

My reasons for going back to Lilly are simple.

I needed some color back in my life.



While the Henri Bendel planners are sophiscated and chic and have gorgeous fashion illustrated designs, I've been in a Lilly Pulitzer mood and I had to satisfy that feeling with a planner.

I wasn't too keen on the Kate Spade planners this year, Henri doesn't release theirs until the Fall and I was just ready to see what Lilly had to offer.

I did change things up a bit and got a medium agenda instead of a large. Not being in school and having my Louis Vuitton MM Agenda at home, I don't use the 'on the go' planner as much as I have in the past. I knew that if I didn't like the medium planner I could just return it and go back to my classic Large.

That wasn't the case and I really love the medium size. *Granted I haven't used it much yet but so far, it seems like it'll be fine.





The layout is pretty much the same as before so nothing has changed there. The designs were very Lilly like and I was alternating between the one I picked up, Light Pascha Pink Aquadesiac and Nauti Navy Flamiagno. I decided that if I was going to get a Lilly planner, I was going full Lilly!







We'll see what happens when Henri Bendel releases their planners -- I've been loving HB lately and I have such a weakness for the covers. However, I really like the fact that I Lilly has a lot of space in each day; HB has very little space and then a page for notes. I think it'll be good to change things up and see how I like it.

Also, Lilly comes with stickers. Does it get much better than that?

What are you planning with for the 2018-2019 year?

*PS: Isn't it WILD that we're halfway through the year?
xoxo
B

It's not a secret how much I love planners or how much I love Louis Vuitton. I've talked about my love of both frequently on here, and I even did a post about my Louis Vuitton PM Agenda and how I used it how as a blog planner.

I've since moved on from that and switched up a lot of my planners, and I have a much more cohesive, streamlined planning strategy.

However, in December, I got the urge for a new agenda, specifically the Louis Vuitton MM Agenda. I wanted something bigger, something chic and fancy so I looked all over the Internet for a preloved one in good condition.

I thought I was done with planners for this year, but low and behold, here we are.

I thought I was content with my Kate Spade planner for the year but now, I can't stop thinking about the Henri Bendel planners.

I had a Henri Bendel planner last year and it worked really well for me. I love the design of the planners and the hand-drawn Bendel girls, it makes me feel so chic and sophisticated. However, I wanted to stay true to my roots and try Kate Spade planners again, because my 1st round with them, I wasn't pleased.

I've been dedicated to my Kate Spade planner since August and I've really been loving it, but now I've seen something shiny and new and I can't help but wonder... maybe I buy a Henri Bendel planner as well.



To see if I need two main planners, I'm trying to use my 2017 Henri Bendel planner as a 'home' planner and so far, so good.

The only qualm I have about the Kate Spade planner is that it is rather heavy, just like my Lilly Pulitizers of the past, which is why I chose to get a Henri Bendel one. The HB planners are lightweight and aren't spiral bound, so they sit better in my work tote.



If I was to get a new Henri Bendel planner, I'd use Kate Spade as my 'home' planner and Henri Bendel as my to-go planner.

UGH I JUST WANT ALL THE PLANNERS AND NOTEBOOKS!

Below are the Henri Bendel planners for the season (and something new to the line-- a refillable notebook cover which I'm HIGHLY considering!)

So, we've had a few Royally Planned posts this year already, including my Day Designer and the Brit + Co Planner. I kept saying that I was going to reveal my "real" planner and here we are.

*Before we get started, let me say that I now use my Day Designer as a work planner AT WORK and it has been working out amazing. It's a perfect layout for the work week and I've been so much more organized since using it at the beginning of the month. My Brit + Co personalized planner is my "to do list" that lives at home.

When the season started out, I decided that I wanted a Kate Spade planner. I was going to say goodbye to Lilly Pulitzer for the first time in a while, and decided that since I loved my Henri Bendel planner this year, I knew I was able to let go of the whimisical colors that Lilly gives me.

I knew my love of Kate Spade was stronger than ever so I was going to attempt their planners again. If you remember, I tried a KS planner right after I graduated but I was not ready to let go of Lilly.

This year was different. I ordered this planner first but I had misjudged the size and it was far too big to bring back and forth to work with me. Then I saw this one, and decided that is what I wanted to spend the year with.


The cover is bright and beautiful, while the pages are simple and plain but still have enough space to write, plan, and create lists. Kate Spade even included adorable gold foil stickers at the front of the planner.






I have especially been enjoying the double sided pocket on the first page because I put extra stickers and post its there for safe keeping.





I have been actually using this planner for the past few weeks and I love it. I have zero regrets because even though its not as bright and colorful as my past Lilly planners, it's a little easier to use than the Henri Bendel. There is more space to organize, and I've been having fun using different stickers to decorate.

I've already filled up the entire September month with my plans, because I'm excited for fall and I think this planner will make it with me the entire year... until next August.

I think this is a great planner for college because there is so much space to write -- I also really like the notes section in the bach of each month, in addition to the notes section in the front of the planner.  There is just a lot of space for lists, or other notes.

PS: I've also been eyeing up this Henri Bendel + Megan Hess planner (you know how I feel about Megan Hess). If I do get this, it will be my "at home desk planner"; it wouldn't replace the Brit + Co, it would just be more of a planner instead of a list maker.

I love planners, I can't help it!

What planner did you choose for this year?
xoxo
B

It's that time of the year again when all of the companies are releasing their planners... it's my favorite time of year and basically my true Christmas in July experience.

When the time came to start thinking about what kind of planner I wanted this year I had a decent idea (which will be coming soon) but then I started seeing all of these other fabulous, gorgeous planners and I wanted them all.

I was in Target a few weeks ago and came across the Day Designer endcap and fell in love. Every year for the past few years I was intrigued by the Day Designer for Target, ever since I first tried a real Day Designer, the Day Designer for Target, the BlueSky Planner for Target. I never picked one up because I couldn't let go  of my Lilly Pulitzer planner. 

I did let go this year when I scored my Henri Bendel planner so I'm branching out, even though the Lilly planners this year are so gorgeous and this pineapple one is truly calling my name.

However, I had already bought my planner for the year when I saw the Day Designer but I couldn't resist. It was $7.99 and too cute for words. It's a simple, no fuss planner but makes me feel super chic at the same time.

*I can't find Day Designer on Target's website but if you go into your local store it'll be there! BlueSky also released an adorable line of planners that are online and I almost bought another one last week. 

*After some research I see that it's now Day Designer for Blue Sky and you can find all of the adorable ones here. This is the one I have and it's called the Spotted Dot planner.

I was so excited to start using this baby and was so thrilled that it started the last week in June.

For now, I'm using the Day Designer as my full time, on the go planner until my "real" planner and the original planner I bought for this year starts in August.

Day Designer for Target has a lot of different sizes, designs, and layouts but the one I have is a smaller size, smaller than the medium agenda for Lilly Pultizer and a lot lighter in weight. It has a nice soft touch cover to protect the actual paper cover, and the design I got was zebra/leopard spots (unsure what it exactly is) and I love it!

The gold spiral coil is strong yet not too tough and doesn't make the pages too tough to turn. The monthly tabs are also coated so they don't get ruined in your bag.

The Day Designer layout is a normal planner layout with a calendar view before each month and daily boxes spilt down the middle, lines on one side and a to-do list on the other. I like that it's spilt because sometimes there are things I need to write down that aren't to-dos. This way, everything is seperate and organized.





At the top of each page are "This Week's Top Three"  and this is helpful in determining what definitely needs to be done this week. This is probably one of my favorite features of the planner.



The back of the book has pages for notes, the front has a goal section, a morning and evening routine section, and a checkpoint interval with birthdays, anniversaries, schedules, etc. This isn't something I really used in my last day designer but I think I'll definitely use them this year, as I'm more intune with goals, etc.




As much as I love this planner I will be switching to the planner I planned to use originally. This will become my at-home planner.

How I organize myself is that I have my 'on the go' planner that I bring back and forth with me to work. Then I have my at home planner that is used less but still useful because I write my to-do lists and daily tasks that I need to take care of at home. Sometimes the things in both planners overlap but that's the point of having a planner with me when I'm at work, so I can write my thoughts down when I'm out.

Anyways... this planner is perfect for pretty much everyone and anyone. It's a good college planner, a good grad school planner, a good work planner, a good everyday planner -- I have nothing negative to say about it.

It's inexpensive, chic, simple, lightweight, and a wonderful alternative if you're not into designer planners that start around $35.

I can't wait to show you my other planner which will be coming soon!

What planner are you planning on using this year? Do you still use a paper planner?
xoxo
B

This week's wrap-up is a bit late because Thursday I was at work late, and Friday I was at events in Long Island all day for work.

Right now, it's raining outside and I have candles lit and my string lights on. I woke up this morning in a fit of rage (don't ask me why), went to the gym, made myself a nice breakfast of waffles and eggs and feel so much better. Honestly, I never feel better after the gym but my goodness, I felt awesome afterward.

Tomorrow is Father's Day, something that is super hard for me, but I'll be going to New Jersey to celebrate with my grandpa and also my uncle's birthday. It'll be a good day, I'm looking forward to some family time.

It's the season for new agendas and I bought TWO new ones (I don't need two but I was in Target yesterday and saw the new Day Designers and needed it) so expect a post on them very soon.

I'm also looking to spruce up my bedroom a bit. It's been almost a year that we've been living in this apartment and I just feel like my room needs something new. Stay tuned for that!



On that note, here are my favorite links of the week:

• A very interesting article about working from home
• This article makes me want a Ringly
• Estee Lauder is getting rid of the Estee Edit but investing more into Victoria Beckham
• Jobs that bookworms would love... can I have all these jobs?
• One of my favorite websites celebrated a birthday this week and I loved this article showcasing it
• I need this new skincare product
• A wonderful profile on a young, woman beauty brand creator!

It's that time of year... back to school season. I loved going back to school -- I never dreaded it, I always couldn't wait. I loved shopping for my uniform, loved going to Staples to pick out new notebooks and pens, and I LOVED picking out a new backpack.

I still have that passion for work bags, stationery, and new planners ... and a fall wardrobe. I still feel as if the year starts over in September, not January.

That being said, I still have a deep love for all things back to school. Whether you're

Here are some of my most beloved/lusted after back to school products!

If you follow me on Instagram you know which planner I already chose.

If you've been reading this blog for the past 4 years, you know which planner I chose.

This year, I thought I'd switch things up, which didn't work for me last year or the year before. When I saw that Ban.do released their new and improved planners, which had a spiral binding, I knew that I would go with these this year.

Ban.do is known for their cute, quirky, and fun products and their planners are no different. I knew the moment I saw that these planners were released, that they would be mine.



Well, I pre-ordered this gorgeous pink rose planner in the medium size when they were released at the end of April, but didn't receive mine until mid-June.

That's fine... I was more than happy to have my planner in my possession finally. It was super cute, and I loved that it had a spiral binding. I ordered and used a ban.do planner last year but it was regular book binding and I found myself being frustrated with it, therefore around November, I ordered a Lilly one.

I was perfectly content with my cute planner, photoed here, until Lilly released their planners.

Well, I fell in love.

I needed this planner. I needed more Lilly in my life.

So I ordered the Lilly and gave the ban.do one to my sister, who was happy to have a free planner.

There are many similarities between the two planners; they're the same size, have the same calendar features, and are insanely cute. They have cute details along every single page, quirky quotes at the start of each calendar month, and they both come with stickers.






The gripe I do have is that the ban.do planner is not lined, for each week. It's just a blank box to be filled in. Lilly has lines and I much prefer that.

They both have fun pages, such as holidays and fun dates to remember. They also both include notes pages while Lilly has a place for addresses (I don't really use that) and has extra design pages with their 5x5 designs on it.









Also, the Lilly planner (in Large) is slightly bigger than the ban.do planner, which could definitely be a deal breaker. If you prefer something fun, but don't want something too big, I recommend the ban.do. Lilly has a smaller size but to me, it's way too small.

All in all, I really am partial to Lilly. I like the design better, I like the layout better (even if they are similar) and I feel like it's not as outrageous as ban.do.







It's all opinion here, and I just always prefer Lilly planners. It's what I'm partial to and what I'll probably always buy.

I should probably stop trying to stray from what I know & love because like a bad ex, I keep going back.

What agenda did you choose this year?



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