My Moleskine Planner Hack

There was a time when I had an unhealthy obsession with notebooks. Hardbound, softbound, spiraled, stitched… it didn’t matter! I would hoard several just because. I just loved how I felt whenever I wrote on them and the resulting creativity and momentary ‘blackouts’ (i.e. getting lost in my thoughts) that went with writing. But of course, I’d like to think that I’ve outgrown that obsession (yeah right! 🙂 ). What I haven’t outgrown, though, is the need for a notebook planner. I’ve attempted to go paperless several times. I’ve tried using palm pilots, digital calendars and now, calendar apps but to no avail. I’d always go back to writing on a notebook planner. Needless to say, my love for notebooks runs deep.

READ:  Moleskine hack and free printables for a more organized 2015

Ten years ago, I started using Moleskine notebooks. They may be pricey (overpriced, some say) but they’re the only luxury I afford myself. Okay, them and bags. Haha. Seriously, Moleskine is in a league of its own. And I think a Moleskine notebook is worth every penny.

So here I am at the beginning of a new year with a new Moleskine with fresh, crisp pages to write on. But as not all notebooks are created equal, even Moleskines need a hack or two. So here are some tips.

moleskine hack a dose of simple

I keep my Moleskine along with other writing implements in one place for quick organization and easy access. This year, it is this this zippered file holder which I bought from Saizen for 88 bucks (about 2 dollars).

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetIt looks small but it can definitely fit a lot!

Processed with VSCOcamContents from left (clockwise):  neon colored tape, stick-on notes, pencil case (with 2 pens) washi tape,  small notepad, Moleskine planner and stickers to colorcode activities.
Processed with VSCOcamSince the planner I bought had no boxed monthly pages, I printed out my own and attached the pages onto the notebook using Washi tape.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetI’ve color-coded my priorities with neon-colored marker tapes bought from The Japan Store for 66 bucks.

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetMoleskine comes with 3 sheets of cute little stickers.  But I also bought small round stickers to color-code my activities.

Processed with VSCOcamFinally, one of my best buys yet,  these stick-on notes from SM Hypermart! Bought them for 25 pesos a pack.

I can’t wait to start filling out my notebook. How about you? Do you have Moleskine hacks as well?  Do share!

UPDATE:  Click here to download the calendar template I made. You can edit all the dates and the highlighted events at the lower portion of the calendar. Enjoy!

Food for Thought:

Order is the shape upon which beauty depends.

-Pearl S. Buck

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Making a Backsplash

A kitchen’s backsplash can make a whole world of difference, methinks. Not only is it practical, it also ‘prettifies’ the room, especially when done with taste and sophistication.

backsplash a dose of simple

I love this  kitchen designed by interior designer Katie Ridders.

katie ridder rooms book kitchen green moroccan mosaic tile counter to ceiling backsplash cococozyThe counter to ceiling backsplash made from aqua mosaic tiles gives an otherwise plain room some character.

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The patchwork styled backsplash of this kitchen is truly one-of-a-kind. And it would have looked so cluttered, too,  if not for the blue shelving and cabinetry that pulled everything together.

portuguese ceramic backsplashHere, beautiful white and blue Portuguese tiles or Azulejos adorn the wall– a perfect little kitchen vignette if you ask me.

pastelgreen backsplashIf colors are too overpowering, one can also opt for muted pastel tiles. Just make sure you have coordinated plates and glasses to make everything look perfect!

Red-rival-Colorful-kitchen-backsplash-tilesI love the combination of the blue and yellow Moroccan tiles set against the red cabinets and shelves in this kitchen.
terracotta backsplashFinally,  I appreciate the simplicity of this backsplash made of handmade terracotta tiles. In a country home, it is perfect. I just don’t know how the homeowner has managed to keep the unpolished tiles look so clean.

As always, please click on the photos to get to the source.

Food for Thought:

The kitchen really is the castle itself. This is where we spend our happiest moments and where we find the joy of being a family.

-Mario Batali

Parenting in the Digital Age

Parents have it tough these days. The Internet seems to have melded seamlessly into our lives. And parents of this generation are faced with the many challenges of raising digital natives–kids who were born into the Digital Age and who are expertly handling digital gadgets as if these were toys. Jeng Plata happens to be the mother of a digital native. How does she cope with all the  LOLs and the YOLOs? Wait… what do these even mean? 

Parenting Challenges in 2014
by Marilyn Plata

The entire context of my daughter’s reality is far different from my own childhood reality.

In her reality, new words are invented, technology changes fast, and new discoveries are happening all at once. As I scramble to stay abreast of the latest internet terms:  “lol”, “yolo”, “jgh”, there’s meme generator, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites my daughter is so keen in using.  There are so much behavioral shifts and  I have to be fast enough to see where all of them are coming from. For instance, there are moments of silence on the dining table just because all of us are on our smart phones checking or updating our status. Sometimes, just when everybody is in the mood to say something funny, a good old laugh will be replied by “LOLs Nanay!”  Honestly, there are moments when I feel I am not fast enough.

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My daughter is an on-line student. And she likes it.  She is coping with all her other activities such as training for swimming.  But she can also take on-line exams while five other tabs are open on her computer, not to mention the chat tabs. And yet she does it so well…I am so amazed! She is headstrong and heart-strong in keeping her goals. She brings home medals and recently, she even perfected an exam! She has the confidence in dealing with new people and she can carry a conversation or two with people she just met.

Then it dawned on me. Yes, I may not be comfortable in this “new world”.  I may not embrace her world. But I just know one thing… a parent-child relationship is a day-to-day discovery. I am learning and will continue to learn. But I appreciate the fact that my daughter is, too. We both learn to be patient with each other while we help each other bloom. And although everyday is different,  one truth is constant:  all is done in love.

*****

jengprofileMarilyn C. Plata is an entrepreneur who hates comfort zones. She cannot be too redundant;  from being a print journalist/tv segment producer to becoming a pre-school teacher and a restauranteur, she is now plunged to her latest challenge as a brand strategist. It’s all about putting all the pieces together. One should be hungry like crazy to leave the familiar. But after all the adventures, at the end of the day, resting is when she crawls into bed with her husband and daughter to cuddle. She does not hate comfort zones after all. 

The Weekend List: 3-Day Detox Cleanse by Dr. Oz

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I’ve been looking for a detox cleanse plan to jumpstart the year. But I couldn’t find one that looks doable or practical. I wanted to try Gwyneth Paltrow’s Master Cleanse which some friends have done successfully. But it looks way too extreme and I might not be able to go beyond Day 1. (Read:  I might actually be dead by Day 1.)  Good thing I stumbled upon this Detox Cleanse by TV MD Dr. Oz. It’s a 3-day detox plan that aims to naturally flush out toxins from the body. The plan is pretty simple and straightforward.

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According to Dr. Mark Hyman, Medical Director of the UltraWellness Center, everyone can benefit from this detox plan but most especially those who have experienced the following:

  • Constipation
  • Persistent headaches, muscle aches and muscle fatigue
  • Eating a lot of swordfish, tuna, shark etc.
  • Several mercury fillings and dental amalgams
  • Food allergies
  • Stubborn weight loss
  • Hormonal imbalances and consistent use of hormone replacement treatments such as birth control or creams like progesterone.
  • Consistent use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  • Skin abnormalities such as acne, rosacea or eczema
  • A lifetime of consuming the SAD Diet

Even if you don’t experience any of those mentioned above, it’s still good to go through the cleanse to help ‘reboot’ your system and start on a clean slate.

 Print out a copy of the 3-Day Detox Cleanse. You can also go to Dr. Oz’s website here.

Here’s to a detoxyfying weekend, everyone!