Living organized has always been one of my ways since I was young. It was cultured from those initial cute diaries where you keep track of little unimportant things, of course back then, comparing to the things you have to deal with right now is pretty much unimportant, lol. That includes keep addresses of your close friends, their birthdays and little minor things.

Then as I grew older, entering Primary School, Secondary School, students are provided with daily journal, a handbook is what schools would call them. So teachers actually encouraged students to use them to keep track of homework, dates of tests and exams. Of course, exams they have to give a separate paper for the parents because the schools know that by giving the information just to the students will not help because they will always come up with excuses like:

1. I didn't know I got exam today.
2. The teacher didn't inform us regarding the exams.

and many more. Basically to avoid situations like this, an additional information was provided to the parents. Heh. But again, living in Singapore as a student is never an easy journey. I've been through the phase where almost everything is book based. At least I can see the improvements in the learning experience amongst my brothers but of course that doesn't eliminate the "easy" part of being a student.

These handbooks that I've mentioned weren't always used by ALL students, because each student is unique and special in their very own ways. Some use it throughout the entire year, some use it only for the first month, some don't even know they actually have a handbook. I have friends of all sorts of character, its funny knowing about this but again, different people organize their life differently. It doesn't mean that you keep things organized means you're gonna remember things that needs to be done.

These handbooks provided by the schools aren't always pretty. They're always filled with sections where they have the National Anthem, School song, school rules and regulations, school terms and school holidays.. (you know those stuff) and finally the daily planner. As mentioned that different students used it differently, those students who ACTUALLY used the handbooks also designing and filled it up differently. While some just write their homeworks, tests and important school related information, there are some who actually draw and design/doodle in their handbooks.

As for me, I used it both ways. On days when I have free time and enough space to doodle in the daily slots, I'll definite draw and design something, once in a while, I would pop some quotes of the day. It was fun, to think about it.  Upon leaving secondary school, I didn't go to pre-university, also known as JC here, instead I went to Polytechnic where I get a Diploma. Unlike schools, being in tertiary school, they don't provide handbooks like schools used to. Initially, I did try it out for a month or so in my freshmen year. I felt as though something was missing despite having all my books, tutorials and lecture materials. Something is definitely missing. A part of me is missing, and that was when I remembered that I didn't have a daily planner where I can take down my meetings with team members, meetings with lecturers, project datelines, dates for tests and quizzes, exams, exam halls, etc. I kept that habit all the way till I go to college, through internship, and now soon will be out to the working world. College life is pretty much similar to my Polytechnic days, well except for the hectic and stress of the workload.

I'll be showing my 2014 Journal because my previous daily planner is probably chucked somewhere. In 2014, I am still in my college days, in my final semester from January to May and in my final Sem, I was doing my internship where I learn so much and gained so much experience. So this is the planner that I was using for 2014. I got this somewhere around October/November 2013 from The Paper Stone (TPS).


The first encounter of TPS was actually after my exams, and was having lunch in Jurong Point (Boon Lay) at Long John Silvers and I saw this cute designed shop which triggered me into checking out their shop. I have been getting exercise books, pens, stickers from there when I finally thought of getting my planners from them in the following year, which back then will be 2014. They were still new, so there weren't much designs back then.. but this seems pretty cute and pink.

Every planner has to have a pen. This pen is actually a stylus pen which apparently I kinda broke the stylus due to the itchy hands. However, the pen is really smooth so I decided to keep it with my planner. And it has Swarovski beads inside. Totally pretty and elegant, although I feel the planner is kinda too cute for me now. Feels like I'm getting older, huh. Lol. I added a little ribbon keychain along at the top of the planner, just to add details into it because I love ribbons very very much.


I DIY-ed these because I needed a pocket to keep papers and receipts, I also included the plastic pocket to place my favorite photo with the favorite boy and of course my polaroid with my bestfriend.. I made two of this, one is with me while the other is with her. That's the one thing which I kinda don't like about this planner. It doesn't come with a plastic insert where I can put in any lose papers or maybe photo in this case inside my journal. This kinda lead me to getting a Filofax or Kikki K for my 2015 journal.. but I'm still considering which one of the two that I should get. Ps. Will get into that later.

But this journal is perfect to store all the things that I need to do daily, even monthly overview. This is definitely a huge help with my organization of the things that I need to do which includes both my school report as well as my internship projects. Keeping track of all the meetings that I have in hand, with HRs, Professor, Supervisor.. This planner has Yearly view, which I'm gonna skip, Monthly View and Daily view.


I usually Design my daily view with washi tapes and patterned papers, sometimes stickers as well. The daily view is projected to this week's page. But of course this week's page is plain because its just Monday, and besides I have so much to do today, except that I'm not moving forward to any of those things. Sigh. I have included a ribbon paper clip on the current's week page.. I made the ribbon paper clip last Friday before going out with my bestfriends for dinner because I was dead bored. The heart paper clip is also to indicate that I have an important meeting this week, so that I will not miss it.


I have been wanting ribbon paper clips, but apparently I think only Kate Spade has them so I guess I'll just have to get Kate Spade's.. I'll have to check Kate Spade's stores in Singapore and if they don't have it in stores then I guess I have to get them online..


I still keep the habit of jotting down quotes whenever I feel like in my daily view, especially on days that are difficult and pretty much depressing..

This year apart from my internship, I went through a number of new changes in life, which is kinda good because I'm basically exposing myself to opportunities and learning experiences, getting myself out of my shell. Along with the ribbon paper clip, heart paper clip, I have that butterfly paper clip which also indicates an important week that I have to go through.


They even have the notes sections where I keep track of things like I may need to refer, an easy reference from my journal, such as my internship project description because I need to refer it a few times for the forms that are to be filled and submitted as well as reports. Not forgetting notes which are useful for me right now before stepping into the working world. And also my very own inspiration page where I keep a handout of quotes that makes me happy, motivations most of it. The notes sections basically holds all the most random things, like Wishlist, Life Experiences Checklist, etc.


So that's my 2014 planner and now that its September, it's time when 2015 planners are out! Speaking of which, I actually do think about getting a Filofax or Kikki K in specific for my 2015 journal, but this year's Kikki K's time planner doesn't come in pink. I feel that its really useful for me to have those planners because I will be entering the working world and I would want something more professional for me to carry around in my handbag, but of course still in pink. In addition, these planners allow total customizations where there are refills, unlike the ones I've been using yearly. I actually thought of DIY-ing the plastic inserts for this planner, probably after this week. Such a busy week this week. "One step at a time." Tried looking in most places (mostly in the East) for a Filofax original Fluro Pink A5 but to no avail, they don't have it. So I decided to hold the thought of using it for 2015.. but will definitely get it.. probably when I see it around, or maybe even get it from UK itself, see how it goes and use it for 2016... so as of now... I went ahead again with TPS's journal. There's one journal in particular that I've ALWAYS love!! I got the same design for their notebooks as well, which I've been thinking of using it when I start working.. but since I got the same design but in Journal form, I guess the notebook can wait and I'll use other designs first.

This is some sort of a haul which I did on my birthday because I thought of designing my Journal now that I have the time, because soon I won't be available anymore as I might be stepping into the working world.. :/ I got a bunch of stickers, two of which is the planner dates and months, and the other two are just basic stickers which are to be used in the journal. And I also got a One Hole Puncher which is to be used for some DIY projects for the planners both 2014 and 2015!


So initially the planner look as the one above, plain pink with gold dots, pretty much ordinary, just like the ones in stores.. So I decided to pimp it up a little...


The lighting is so bad that it didn't do any justice to the gold polka dots. Ahh so pretty. Initially I wanted to go with gold fonts for 2015, but I think it looks prettier with white.

I went ahead with the dates and months, and finally, well at least for now will be the Public Holiday dates because that's the holidays we get as working adults. Lol!


I made those fluorescent pink dots with the one hold puncher which I got previously, to indicate in the monthly view of all the public holidays that we have in Singapore for the 2015 year. I also included cute hearts and stars for birthdays of my bestfriends, so its easier for me to plan for dinners and celebrations! But it's not like I need a reminder for their birthdays.

I can't wait to fill up my 2015 planner!! :D

Along with that, I recently purchase a whole of materials which are to be used for my planners and organization of the things in my planner. More on that in my next post, stay tune!!

Have a great day and keep organized!! xx