Setting up my Kikki.k Planner for 2017

I received my medium Kikki.k Planner (personal planner size) last year and whilst I loved using it, I felt like I didn't use it consistently enough just because the layout wasn't customised to my needs. This year I've done tons of research and have already started setting up my planner for use throughout the year. 

This is what my dashboard looks like - I don't like to have too much going on in terms of decoration and have stuck to a colour scheme so things look neat. Most of my dashboard items are from this kit from Kikki.k which I purchased in the January sales and is still 50% off! It comes with some really cute and useful stickers as well as quote cards, a ruler/bookmark and 2 rolls of cute washi tape. 

As you can see in the photo above my planner is split into 7 different sections. I currently have no use for the Shops & Restaurants section...(let me know if you have any ideas)

but here is a breakdown of what I do use:

Monthly View

Here I like to jot down any holidays or important events, birthdays or due dates. There isn't that much room for writing so this is just for major things that are happening during the month so I can see them at a glance. 

At the beginning of this section I also used the little folder I received in the dashboard kit to house my Goals for 2017. 

Weekly View

I use the Weekly View to plan my day in more detail - writing down any appointments or work shifts and occasionally some tasks that I need to get done. If there's a whole load of tasks I need to get done in a day, I'll write these down in my planning section as otherwise I find the weekly view gets too messy and cluttered.

Planning

After seeing Lily Pebbles video about Bullet Journalling I was super intrigued and wanted to give it a go. I didn't want to invest in a separate journal though as I'd already paid for this planner soooo I decided to try and incorporate the method into my planner. I ordered some inserts from Vie en Paper's Etsy shop that are dotted just like the original bullet journal.  

In the Planning section, using the dotted inserts I like to draw up a monthly goals tracker to keep tabs on how often I am exercising, reading, blogging, budgeting and keeping on top of my emails. I also like to use the dotted inserts to create daily to do lists that won't fit under my daily page view. 

If you're interested in learning more about bullet journalling check out bulletjournal.com. There are also tons of videos online!

Uni

One thing I wanted to customise in my planner was having a section dedicated to University. I searched Etsy for ages trying to find inserts that suited my needs but after having no luck decided to create these ones myself! And I love them!

Behind this semester layout I've also got some more dotted inserts that I'm planning to write to do lists for each course I am taking as well as a break down of tasks that need to be done for each of my assessments. The best thing about the dotted inserts is the flexibility you have in customising them to suit your needs. 

Budget Review

In the last section, I have started using the inserts that came with the planner (did not touch them at all last year!). This year, I've going to try and keeps tabs on what I am spending my money on. I did this consistently when I was travelling in Europe and it's really useful to see how much you're actually spending on things (mostly food and coffee for me hahah ohhh and alcohol) during a week. On a separate page I've also kept tabs on how much I'm earning a week so I can get a rough idea on how much I'm spending compared to earning. 

Hope you found this post interesting/useful and inspired you to get organised for 2017! xx

January Beauty Box | #LFBEAUTYBOX

What's inside this months box?

Trifle Cosmetics Liquid Glow - I looooveee this highlighter and the fact that I've been introduced to another brand. I think it would suit many skin tones as well as it suits my darker complexion and isn't too light as it has a rosy hue.

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara - also a brand I've never heard of. Haven't actually got around to using it yet but am excited to try it as it promises to give length and volume to your lashes and, well....who doesn't want fairy lashes???

The Vintage Cosmetics Company Rose Gold Tweezers - I've been needing new tweezers and I NEED anything that is rose gold so you could say this is a match made in heaven haha. They have a really nice slanted tip allowing you to precisely pluck your brows. Also, did I mention they are super cute and rose gold?

Nuxe Nuxellence Éclat - my favourite lip balm is the Nuxe Rêve de Miel but I haven't actually tried anything else from Nuxe. Super excited to try this as it contains Hyaluronic Acid which I've heard loads about. This also retails at $80AUD for 50ml so to receive a 15ml sample is pretty impressive!

Pixi Brow Tamer - I've heard sooooo much about Pixi but again never tried anything from the brand so I was so happy to receive a full size of this - it is amazing!!

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - also a brand I'd never heard of that I am keen to try. Kind of wish there was something a bit different instead though as I received the Phillip Kingsley Elazticizer last month (which is THE BEST hair product ever).

Apart from the last item, which I'll still use anyways, this months box was super amazing as usual. I also love the 'New Year, New Adventures' theme of this month and can't wait for the adventure that is receiving a box every month!!!!!

Dear 2016...and some goals for 2017

The beginning of 2016 was great. I'd just finished high school the year before and had an amazing four month break - it was filled with relaxation, recuperation, travelling and friends and was just generally a great time. By the end of that hugeeeee break, I was ready to start something new and head of to uni (albeit very nervous, but good nervous). I was just in general in a really good place, feeling super positive and really going by the mantra that everything happens for a reason.

First semester was great - I made new friends, did well at uni and it was exciting doing something new. I was also planning a three week holiday to Europe with three other friends and those were some of the best times.

When I got back, however, I was filled with a sense of loneliness and just generally felt down. Obviously there were good times but for the majority of the semester this is how I felt. I would dread waking up to uni or to work and I feel like I pushed away my friends as well. My grades were also affected by these feelings (thankfully, I JUST passed everything). I think my body was also affected by my negative attitude because I started to feel ill all the time.

Even today, I'm meant to be writing a post on Empties/Products I've loved over 2016 butttt I'm just not feeling it. Sooo I thought I'd say a goodbye to all that stuff from 2016 so I can take 2017 head on.

Things I want to focus on in 2017:

• Finding that positivity
• Saying yes to more things
• Replying to people on social media more - both for blog stuff and personal stuff
• Drink more water (always on my list haha)
• Read more! Setting my goal for at least one a month
• Blog more and interact more with other bloggers

I feel like I can sometimes feel really pressured and unlikely to do things when I've set resolutions or goals. This is why I'm writing a list of things I want to focus on and I'm going to stick it in my planner and keep track of whether I've done this things each month.

Here's to a better 2017! xx

Period-proof undies? THINX | Product Review

I was introduced to Thinx by Arden Rose in her video alllllll about periods. I was instantly dying to try these as I know how bad pads and tampons can be for the environment and I'm all about finding more eco-friendly ways to deal with my period. They arrived in the mail today and guess what? it's that time of the month ladies sooooo I'm gonna test them out and review them in this post (Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually excited I'm on my period).

Firstly..what are they?

Thinx are underwear specifically designed to be worn when you're on your period. They have a special lining in the crotch that is extremely absorbent, but not padded or diaper-like in any way. They're also moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, and leak resistant, so you can wear them on their own.

How freaking cute is this packaging!!!

I bought 4 pairs - the hiphugger, sport, cheeky and thong - all in XS. Each pair is different in terms of absorbency, which is measured in terms of tampons worth.

Hiphugger

Heavy days - holds up to 2 tampons worth

This one is great for heavier days - I didn't feel wet at all and I felt oh so in control of my period. Love!

Sport

Medium days - holds up to 1 1/2 tampons worth

Cheeky

Light days - holds up to 1 tampons worth

You would not know that these are period undies at all - which goes for all of them, but I would say this is my fav style out of the four I got. 

Thong

Lightest days - holds up to 1/2 tampons worth

I tend to spot on the last day of my period which means that I often feel like I'm wasting the pads and/or liners I use. I love this pair because it allows me too wear things I normally couldn't wear when I'm on my period. Would also be super useful to wear with a tampon or Diva cup if you need to wear a thong and your flow is a bit heavier. 

In terms of price, they range from $24 to $32USD per pair and they're totally reusable (all you have to do is rinse after wear, pop in the machine, and reuse). So yes, whilst they aren't the cheapest undies, that makes them a cost-efficient no-brainer in my books and I would 100% recommend.

The company is pretty rad and is doing some awesome things for women - so that's major bonus points from me!

For every pair of Thinx purchased, seven washable and reusable pads are sent to a woman in Africa so she can be better-equipped to manage her period and pursue her life goals. Not only that, but Thinx are made by women in a family-run factory in Sri Lanka that prides itself on helping its employees achieve educational and economic success.

Where can you get yours?

Using this link you can get $10 off your Thinx order. 

If you try a pair let me know what you think! Also let me know if you have an other eco-friendly alternatives :)