Pineapples!

Hello Friend!

Welcome back to my humble blog abode!  My consistency with posting and filming has been lacking to say the very least.  I have been watching several YouTube gals over the past 3 months, and I have just come to the "over inspired" point in my creative journey.  I am at peace with this stage, but I also know that it is now time for me to focus my creative energy on my own creations as opposed to being totally enamored with the wonderful works of others.  I am definitely grateful to those who have inspired me over the past several months, particularly Alexis aka Miss Trenchcoat, Lisa Marie of Paper & Glam, and Miss Vicky Bee.  They, along with others, will definitely serve as encouragement for me from here on out.  

One thing that I know about myself is that I appreciate signs and symbols.  I believe that everything has meaning, and I do believe that things happen for a reason.  Both big and little events that happen day in and day out serve as a guide for me to navigate this life that was given to me by God.  With this premise, here are some reasons why I bought the following items based on how each will serve my creative aspirations in the future:

Shown above is a zippered pouch with a gold pineapple design  from Old Navy.  I found this in the checkout aisle.  It was $9 after  a promotional 30% discount.  I decided to buy the pouch because pineapples, which are now all the rage, remind me of my Dad's side of the family.  My great grandparents moved to Hawaii from the Philippines, and we have always had my Grandparents' house to visit on Kauai when my siblings and I were growing up.  My Grandparents have since passed on, but our family still owns the home.  We are planning to go to Kauai in September for a Hula Competition, so I felt that this little pouch would remind me of my family and our upcoming trip while I use it in the mean time to store my creative supplies.  I will eventually take it on our flight back home and either keep stationery in it, or use it for toiletries.  This "multi-use" concept brings me to another thing that I am big on: multi-use items!  When I buy something, especially more expensive things, I literally see its future play out in my life or my family's life.  I also like to take something and flip its use.  For example, we use a two toned wooden server (meant for wines, plates, etc.), and we have it in our entryway for shoes, bags, keys, etc.  When we move into our forever home which will hopefully be within the next 2 years, we may still use it as an entryway piece or convert it back to its original purpose as a server in the kitchen area.  My goal in this case was sustainability and functionality, and so far it has been working well for us. 

Also shown in the picture above is a new planner layout that I am working on.  After much contemplation, I have decided to "DIY" my planner for next year.  I have not quite figured out if I am going to use a binder system or use one of my sketchbooks.  I basically took printer paper, folded it in half, and used my planner stamps from Hero Arts, the Sweet Stamp Shop, and Fiskars.  There are so many lovely options out there to choose from, and I definitely supported a lot of inspiring female entrepreneurs in the "Planner World" over the past year.  However, for 2016, I am focusing on using what I have to create a more organized and self-designed life for my family and me.  

Above is a closer picture of my pineapple pouch with a better view of the new Target Dollar Spot Memo Mousepad that I was able to find last week.  Aren't the colors gorgeous?  

Here is the other side of the pouch.  Yes, I was able to fit quite a bit of stuff into this handy little thing!  By the way, it does have a generous strap on the end of the zipper.  I used the strap to hook it onto our umbrella stroller while we were shopping, and I just loved looking at the pop of color.  It is definitely large enough to use as a diapering kit for your child!

Keeping in the theme of color symbolism and color theory in general, I just love this Memo Mousepad from the Target Dollar Spot (I will refer to the Target Dollar Spot as TDS from now on!).  I love how the colors give the paper separated sections to jot things down in categorical form.  I plan to use each section in the following ways based on the meaning of its color:

Brown/Tan: 

According to The Empower Yourself With Color Psychology Website, brown "is a serious, down-to-earth color signifying stability, structure and support.  Relating to the protection and support of the family unit, with a keen sense of duty and responsibility, brown takes its obligations seriously. It encourages a strong need for security and a sense of belonging, with family and friends being of utmost importance.".  So, I plan to use the top section to keep track of daily Bible verses and Home / House Hunting projects.  

Coral:

I came across this interpretation of the color coral just a few moments ago, and I thought that it went well with what I hope to use this memo pad for.  From the website Sensational Color, the color Coral is the same soft orange that sweeps across the sky in the early morning.  This time of the day always reminds me of my first born son because he was born at this time.  Because of this, the coral section will be for any notes I need to take for him whether it's about his new adventures in preschool this coming September, his current health status, or the quirky things his 4 year old mind comes up with.  

Pink: 

Also from the Sensational Color website (since I really liked their pictures of the different colored roses), I decided to use the pink section to take notes about my husband and the things going on with his work and practice schedules.  The color pink is a color of gratitude, love, happiness, and admiration.  All things I think of when I think of him.

Mint:

And last but not least, the mint section.  The University of Symbolism website states that the color green (a variation of green being mint) is a color of nature and the environment.  It also is the color of the fourth chakra, or the heart chakra.  This reminds me of my second son whom I successfully breastfeed.  He is my little (and big) reminder that all good things come naturally and from the heart.  So this section will be for my little one's milestones, eating habits, and funny moments.  

What do I usually do with all the information I jot down about my family?  I am currently using my Erin Condren Life Planner as a Memory Book for my family (instead of a typical planner).  So I will take the notes I took on this memo pad and transfer them into my Memory Book.  When I get down to the last page, I will laminate it so that I can continue to use it for this purpose or for something else (groceries list, workouts, etc!).

Above is a picture of two things that I bought in the Target stationery aisle.  I caught sight of the Target brand "Things to Do" list the other day, and even though I knew that there were comparable things in the TDS (this was $1.99 for 50 sheets), I appreciated the small dimensions of this particular set as well as the light blue color.  The washi tape shown is made by Scotch, and when I saw it, I knew that the color scheme (and what each color stood for) would match my Memo Mousepad.  I can use it as one strip or cut the colors apart to create thinner washi for my planner and/or Memory Book.  

Oh the new tiny TDS Note Pads!  I was not too drawn to the coordinating list pads or the journals, but boy did I have a soft spot for these little beauties!  I am planning to use my several planner stamps to create lists, check lists, etc. on them, and eventually when I am down to my last sheet, I will likely create a master check list with my planner stamps and laminate them.  I think that I appreciate this new TDS line because of the vibrant yet subdued colors.  It also has an overall retro feel, especially the geometric designs like the sticky notes in the middle.  The multi barrel star pen, also from the TDS, is a lot of fun.  I have grown to look forward to this time of year because now I have a little one whom I get to go school supply shopping with in August!  The primary colors of the pen remind me of this big milestone for my oldest, and the stars remind me of my youngest since he was born at night.  

And lastly, from the TDS, I was able to find the fabric AND paper tape!  I have not tried any of them yet, but lately I have been doing more traditional scrapbooking with 12x12 collages and journalling cards, so I feel as though the fabric tape will add nice pizzazz to my layouts.  The paper tape is a fun triangle pattern, so I will use it as strips or cut them into triangles and decorate my planner, Memory Book, and layouts.  

And here is one last look at the gold pineapple pouch in its empty state.  I was able to fit everything above into this lovely thing, and there was still room to spare.  I absolutely love the versatility of this product.

All in all, the things I purchased really are just things.  But things were created by people so that more people could continue to create.  I feel as though we are all blessed with seeds of creativity and that it is our calling to bring these seeds to fruition throughout our lives.  

Happy Creating Everyone!

Until Next Write,

Teresa

IG: @untilnextwrite