It never fails. Back to school time always puts me in the mood to get organized. All it takes is a fresh new calendar or planner and a some new Sharpie Products, and I'm set (I'm OBSESSED with Sharpies, and really don't like to write with anything else).
A little about me...
I work full-time as a Creative and Brand Manager in the soccer industry and run this blog and my freelance graphic design and photography company on the side. On top of that I am a wife and a mom to a 13 month old. Needless to say I'm a tad busy. :)
For the most part I have my full-time gig and freelance business organization in check, but up until a week ago I was running my blog a bit...ummm...haphazardly. I was posting on the fly without much pre-planning, and always hoping I could come up with at least three posts a week. It could get a little stressful.
It sounds silly, but all of that changed last week when I went to Staples and bought some new ultra fine tip Sharpies (and some fun metallic gold Sharpies as well, because why not).
I also printed a free printable blog planner and calendar, which I'm now using to plan my daily blog posts in advance (yay!) and organize all of our many activities for the month.
Seeing all of my ideas and planned posts listed out on my new blog planning sheet makes it so much easier for me to manage my blog. I'm much more efficient and feel less stressed seeing what lies ahead. I check off my to do items (ie: take photos, write post, resize social media images, etc.) as I do them. This makes posting much less daunting and it runs like clockwork. Who knew! Why didn't I do this sooner?? :D
Here's a peek at my kitchen table "office" in action (I plan on always sitting down the last week of the month to plan my next month's worth of blog posts):
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBThpmfQS_PteU5jCSuLLXkgBKZbSHvCMWowKP4fYcW_atBLhj-dJYuNWlbl77d5h8zyjBuzyXbQHdJMIK4mEMPTik6O9sU-VurzG3mzYeKztzt2SCcNkEw6wSAWzf7dJDxcCheXS7M0/s1600/sharpie-calendars9.jpg)
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See a quick and easy tutorial on how to make your own washi tape using a Sharpie below. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0Bpj7iQbW42dp67ga4U1LamdKsJifk38lmCrJlq9F_hvzOGWuMBuYNS4AC1y6vuKu0wjeDNsK4fMOutbr1rwLd36YSplsD5wDNQffarWek2tYiUrFuAXhTymItfssvn8YFXRtRskVHI/s1600/sharpie-calendars10.jpg)
And here is our new, much more organized kitchen command center:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c_fNzuBr9s7F3vi69C8vdnlPOpjQ0E5-cIBMoYBAvsYoRDC6OB6MgvaguoqEw9ie-BagCB6_WLtu0OfgrU6f_VPO5yU6haoYMS2_gQ_J92NdSBYuHjN7zmV-YcoUDkOy3lgj5ZUXlOo/s280/sharpie-calendars.jpg)
Is it time for some major organizing in your life?
Sharpie products are the perfect tool for DIY projects, organization, classroom preparing, or gift giving during this back to school season.
***BONUS: Starting tomorrow, August 10th, all Sharpie Fine and Ultra Fine markers (and highlighters) at Staples will be on sale (while supplies last). ***
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PS. I used the metallic gold Sharpie that I bought on a fun and easy little DIY project.
Besides my Sharpies, washi tape is one of my favorite office supplies. I took my gold Sharpie and some masking tape and made my own custom washi tape in less than one minute. Just draw any design onto the tape and let it dry. Simple as that. You can use this tape to hang notes and reminders in your command center.
Happy organizing!
xoxo
Ahhh I love Sharpies, especially in a rainbow of colors, so naturally I love this post. What a great idea to draw on masking tape too. I bet it's a lot cheaper than washi tape :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and for stopping by, Michelle!! I love Sharpies! I love washi too, but don't always have exactly what I want on hand. :)
DeleteLove this idea of making your own wash tape. My girls would love that. Great post. I'm trying to organize my blog right this second actually!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Gretchen!! It was so dang easy and I love being able to make it exactly like you want. And I am never going to skip blog organizing ever again, haha. xoxoxoxoxox
DeleteCan you tell us where to find the free printable blog planner and calendar?
ReplyDeletejust found them on your site :)
DeleteHi Elyse!! Yes the blog planner was found here: http://emilyley.com/blog/2012/09/free-printables-blogging-simplified/
Deleteand the calendar was one I designed, but sounds like you found it in my top nav. bar. :)
I absolutely love the DIY washi tape!! I am so going to have to try that. I love washi tape too! I use it for countless things! Thank you for sharing such wonderful organization tips. oxox, Amanda
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I figure DIY washi tape will save me lots of $$ over time. :D xxoxoxo
DeleteLove this!!! P.S. your handwriting is gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessi! No one ever says that about my handwriting. :)
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