Will I Ever Be Organised?

The one thing that really frustrates me about myself is my inability to stay organised when I am such a lover of stationary. For the past month at least, every store has had multiple discounts and offers on 'Back To School' it truly makes me miss the start of a new term. You'd get a new bag, new pens and pencils (that are all gone by week 2) highlighters, a calculator, even stuff you knew you weren't going to use but because of that fresh feeling you just HAD to purchase.

Well, I totally got that feeling a few days ago when I stumbled across my old (incomplete, of course) Bullet Journal from 2 years ago. It made me just want to re-organise myself for the millionth time and what I love about this system is there's no rules. You create the pages, you create the content and I forgot how much I enjoyed doing this when I had the motivation to do it so I am revamping my BuJo.

I'm being smart about this however, instead of outright going out and buying a new journal, I'm putting myself a trial by using my old book with a few pages still left. If I prove I can stick it out and be committed to Bullet Journalling for the next 4 months, I will have a fresh start-over for 2019 and purchase a brand new book. (Eek!)

A gal can't be completely well-behaved though, I may or may not have invested in new stationary just to excite me. Well, I say 'invested' I got it all from Poundland! I honestly couldn't believe the range they had and for a fraction of the price of other retailers. I know most people like the branded items because of the quality and the showing-off aspect of it. 'Oh I'm just pulling out my Parker pen and Sharpies' We've all been there. But that doesn't bother me for my own personal use but they do actually sell brands such as BIC, Papermate and Pritt and they're still £1! Here's what I got:

A pack of Poundland 10 Highlighters, 4 BIC Fine Liners, 10 Poundland Fine Liners, A Pritt Stick, 6 pack of Washi Tape, Pen holder, Stickers.

Let me just highlight something. I honestly recommend that you go to Poundland and have a little nosey for a Pritt stick and branded pens because retailers such as WHSmith and The Works, both I love by the way, are selling these for double the price and for the same product? Surely there's something wrong with that, right? As for the rest, I did put these to the test to prove that sometimes, you're just paying for the name. 

The only comparison with the BIC and Poundland Fine Liners are certain Poundland ones do bleed the tiniest bit, but that's nothing to turn your nose up at and they are definitely a dupe of the Stabilo Fine Liners. Just a little tip too if you are going to purchase them, they also do an 8 pack so don't be fooled and pick up the 10, 2 extra pens for free, why wouldn't you? The stickers, I simply got for my 5 year old self and the Washi tape, I was sooo excited for because 2 years ago when I last wanted some it was so rare to find!

So anyway, back to my Bullet Journal trial. Here's a sneak peek of (my lack of) artistic skills.

                             

                             

I actually find the mood tracker so cute, I grabbed inspiration off 

@AmandaRachLee for the theme and idea. I've also put my food I've had
this month and i'm keeping track of my fruit and water intake.

A monthly log. I base this solely around work so I know what breaks

are coming up and also my ongoing expenses.

Finally, my daily log. My working week is Fri-Thurs so I've

adapted it to suit me and also included my rota for that week.

Finding a layout that works for me is important and i'm swaying towards
this for the future.

It's completely basic for now and unfinished, I need to use my new pens to make it look pretty but this is kind of the jist of a Bullet Journal if you didn't know. I watched a thousand videos dedicated to other people's journals and the inspiration you can get is unreal. You can log as much or as little as you want to do with your lifestyle, and that's what makes them so great.

Would you consider starting one?

Katie x

Organisation Is Key.

Do you know my favourite thing about a new year beginning? The excuse to buy a diary. Now I don't know if it's just me but I must buy at least 10 notebooks throughout a calendar year and matching stationary in an attempt to look like I've got my shit together but in reality I soon lose interest and I just end up with a pile of half used bits of paper and pens coming out my ears. 

I always have the ideal scenario in my head aswell that when I'm out and about, on a train or bus that I'd be sat jotting down ideas whether it's for blogposts, planning appointments or shopping lists when the majority of the time I have my headphones in trying to conceal my inner Beyonce. 

But here's Take 235 of organising Katie Pook's life and this is how I'm going to do it.

Buying an visually pleasing Diary. The obvious first step but as someone who loves colours and pretty things, these bog standard doctors appointment style books just does not cut it. It does not give me the motivation to plan at all however on the other hand I'm too coward to spend too much just incase I don't stick to my word and add to my unwanted collection. I was delighted when I found this cute diary in Poundland with a pink and teal palm tree design. What's great about this is the plastic overlay too because this weather defintiely isn't paper friendly and in the past my notebooks have gotten water damage when the heavens open and who wants soggy notes? Eurgh.

Being aware of significant dates. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Working Hours. Keeping an actual record of these instead of guessing or relying on Facebook will allow me to not only plan for these days but also give the illusion I'm well prepared without worrying last minute and having to send a Moon Pig card or rushing to get to work. It is so easy to lose track of days working in a seasonal job so it will just give me a bit of a reality check. I've written in upcoming breaks to also mentally prepare myself what level of work I'll be doing. 

Having things to look forward to. Scheduling in compulsary days like above will leave space for freetime and although I love having my downtime, nothing compares to the feeling when you know an event is coming up that you're excited for. Currently other than my birthday, I have no plans for 2018 but I think it's vital especially in the type of career I am in, to take a break, go on holiday, go to a festival. This is a major motivational tool to have something to work towards, counting down the days. As much as you don't want to wish your life away, sometimes that excitement can get you through the toughest times. And of course, a more exciting life means more exciting content to post about!

Discover Inspiration. As corny as it sounds, in terms of blogging there is inspiration all around us and my goal is to know how to utilise that in my favour. Whether it's a guest who has made an impact in my day, a product I've come across, a distinctive smell perhaps? I need to open my mind a little more as I love blogging but can get caught in a rut pretty fast. I need to stop feeling so anxious about expressing my passion.

I want this year to count. I want to make an impact. I want to make myself proud and being organised is just the first hurdle.

Love, Katie x

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You Got Me Wrapped Up

Cor, it's got a little bit chilly outside lately hasn't it? Anyone would think it's bloody Winter! As much as I couldn't think of anything worse than being cold, it's also my favourite time of year in terms of fashion - jumpers, tights, boots, and of course big cosy coats to brave the temperature in. It makes Autumn/Winter somewhat bearable when you are comfy but also looking good whilst you're at it. 

Here are my 3 staple coats to help me survive this season!

First up is actually my most recent purchase. I got this Red Fitted Quilted Puffer Jacket from Lasula and it's very much on trend, proving very popular for socialites like Olivia Buckland and Megan Mckenna, adding a pop of colour to what can be quite a bland time of year. I have had so much wear from this already and the black faux fur collar is like a constant hug around your neck. My only negative is it is definitely fitted and I wish I'd gone a size up for extra room as I can't layer as much as I want but saying that the warmth this coat brings, you don't really need it.

 

Next up, is this gorgeous Black Check Longline Jacket that I purchased the beginning of the year from New Look and for me, is the most sophisticated thing I own. It dresses up any outfit I decide to wear and I can't get enough of pairing it with my thigh high grey boots that I dig out every winter! Granted, it doesn't do me any favours when the heavens open and drown me but for an dry day and an evening out, it's perfect. I get so many compliments.

Last but not least is my trusty, extreme weather coat that was such a bargain buy from Primark a good 2 years ago and it's still going strong. The Parka coat, a staple in everyone's wardrobe for those miserable, rainy days that never seem to go away. The length is perfect covering 3/4 of my body from the cold and wet, protecting my clothes and the huge fluffy hood that makes me feel like Macklemore (remember him?!) is perfect for keeping my head and ears warm and dry, although the fur takes forever to dry again! 

 

Great Britain; I am ready for your baltic, horrific weather, come at me!

Update: A Week Away From the Blog

Hello, hello. So lately I really haven't been in the right frame of mind to post anything which is a shame because everyone knows how much I love to blog but I can tell you now the posts last week would have been depressing to say the least, let's just say I've had a crappy few weeks without getting into it. But I'm trying this new thing; positivity, controlling my paranoia and putting things in perspective. 

Clean Slate:

Everyone is bound to have down days but I have to be thankful for the people around me and also putting my head down and focusing on work has helped alot and the customers/patients I've met really inspire me, some of them you wouldn't even think were seriously ill with their chirpy attitude and smile on their face, except for the fact they're in their pjs! They make every moment count and that's what I aim to do. I'm 21 for goodness sake I still have the rest of my life ahead of me, onwards and upwards I can do whatever I want, I can deal with whatever life throws at me. This is my clean slate.

Tattoo:

Last week I also got a tattoo! 10 points to Katie for being brave but it was for a very good cause. Basically, a family friend of ours had just been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and went through emergency surgery that saved her life. She's a young girl, a mum, a fiancée she should have her whole life ahead of her too. So in aid of that her fiancé is a tattooist and set up a fundraising charity day to raise awareness and money for the disease and thank Derriford Hospital who saved her. This is also my first arm and visible tattoo {my other 2 are on my back} so this marks the occasion too!

The Blog Tag:

The one thing I was most frustrated about my lack of motivation was I recently become apart of the Facebook group "The Blog Tag" and it's the best idea since sliced bread if you go through heavy writers block! The Blog Tag was set up to prompt people different ideas for posts with a new theme each week and then the posts are shared so everyone can read eachothers interpretation. I honestly cannot wait to get started on this, everyone's posts so far are brilliant and maybe this means i can start blogging alot more which is definitely what I want so keep an eye out!

Bullet Journal

Everyone is suddenly obsessing over this craze of organisation myself included and I'm the worst at not knowing what's going on in my life so this is the perfect way to set out and plan my world. I definitely will do a separate post on my own Bullet Journal when it's less empty and basic but if you feel like you definitely need organising, I highly recommend this system! Just YouTube and Google blogposts on them and you will get a ton of inspiration on how start one.

And I think I'm all caught up now. Again I'm sorry for the absence it won't happen again.

Lots of love

Katie x

Time For Some Fitspiration

I honestly applaud people who can genuinely just get up on the 1st of January and have the motivation to lose weight and detox their body from Christmas. For me, it's not that easy. I mean c'mon, how can you suddenly start eating healthy when there's still a dozen leftovers like selection boxes and Quality Street tins laying about waiting to be eaten?? But it's coming to the end of January and there is no yummy indulgent distractions left so now really is the perfect time to feel better about myself.

I must admit it is pretty difficult for me to eat normally as I work evenings so I have to eat my meals before 4pm and I work weekends until 8pm but I'm determined to work out something that will actually help me. It's not as such losing weight, I'm a size 10/12 but I haven't exercised properly for a long time since I stopped dancing so it's more about toning up and feeling confident. Also, I feel sluggish, have zero energy alot of the time and my digestive system has really been giving me grief lately. So it's time for a change and a detox so i feel healthier as well as look better.

I picked up a few glossy mags and went onto Womens Fitness website to give me an idea of where to start and these are a few tips I've picked up to help get me going that may be useful to you too;

- You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate your body's cells. This will prevent bloating and even improve your skin health. Also if you drink water before or after a meal it speeds up your metabolism.

- Take a probiotic supplement to help your digestive system. Of course this is completely optional but I think my body is telling me I need some kind of TLC.

- So apparently lemon and ginger are natural weight loss aids that also speed up your metabolism, take care of your stomach and claims to be the ultimate weight loss booster.

- I've got my hands on Charlotte Crosby's 3 Minute Belly Blitz. Hopefully this will be the exercise motivation I need as gyms terrify me!!

- If you are feeling peckish, snack on some pistachio nuts, apparently they are full of protein and healthy fats that prevent you from that sudden urge to binge eat!

- Reading every single "LOOK AT ME NOW" article there is a running trend of poached eggs, porridge, salmon, chicken and green veg in their daily intake. These are definitely the staple buys I will be purchasing.

- If all else fails; get a tan! Just because the weather is rubbish doesn't mean you can't glow. It actually makes you look slimmer but also feel that extra bit confident instead of being that miserable milk bottle in the corner.

I'm starting off small, and not expecting incredible results but I think by actually blogging about this will give me the motivation to succeed and maybe even write down what I eat daily. I found when I did Weight Watchers actually writing down my meals helped me keep track and by writing it publically obviously I don't want to put down that I ate a whole chocolate cake so it gives me the mindset to be good and eat sensibly.

Just a small catch though, I probably won't start this full-on until I'm back from Dublin after my birthday so if you do see me on Twitter or Instagram eating that chocolate cake, please don't yell at me!!

Lots of love

Katie x