One of my resolutions for 2012 is to get more organised. No more replying to emails three weeks late. No more frozen pizzas for tea because we haven’t been food shopping in a month. No more ‘bonus’ payments from my business bank account because I forgot about my massive phone bill and bought new shoes instead. Ahem.
Over the last six months I’ve learnt that running your own business requires SERIOUS levels of organisation, and so have vowed to get on top of my entire life. Of course, I’ll need some functional yet fashionable items to help me do that. What do you mean, any old diary will do? Pfftt…
Osprey handbag
My lovely mum has been integral in the get-Jen-organised-for-2012 movement. For Christmas she bought me this beautiful Osprey handbag – it’s a soft, chocolate brown leather with a padlock detail and over-the-shoulder straps. Inside is even better, though – this beauty has plenty of compartments for all the various technological gadgets that rule my life, and my MacBook slips in perfectly. Which means no more lugging my briefcase on the train with me, inevitably leaving it in the overhead compartment and running back onto the train like a mad woman screaming ‘WAIT!!’.
Leather Filofax
Despite owning an iPhone with a calendar, reminder system and thousands of organisational apps available to download, I still love writing things in a diary. There’s something about writing plans in pen that cements them in my mind. My mum stepped in again to make sure I was set up for 2012 and beyond (the inserts are refillable) with this stunning leather Filofax. I love the business card compartments and felt very grown-up writing my name on the front page.
Personalised planner, c/o personal-planner.co.uk
The lovely people at personal-planner.co.uk sent me a personalised planner to try out for 2012. I absolutely love it – there are so many ways to customise your planner, from the front cover to the calendar pages to the greeting at the beginning. I love the workout tracker on each page… something to aim for!
So that’s how I’ll be keeping myself in check next year. Any tips for me? How do you stay organised?
WOW!I’m impressed at your commitment and what a lovely mum! I use a regular diary with the statue of Liberty on the front and answer emails as soon as they reach me otherwise I forget!! Have a very happy New Year! Sharon xx
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Love this post! Yes being freelance is quite tough at times. Just remember that important things include having some rest time. Love the bag xx
What a lovely post. I love your bag and organiser. I find I have to write EVERYTHING down otherwise I forget it! Bought myself a pretty fabric covered notebook which I am vowing to carry around with me so I don’t forget!xxx
Beautiful bag Jen and oh my I love the personal planner!
I’m fully addicted to my filofax, and yours is a beauty! xx
I’m exactly the same with writing things down – it’s just not the same having it on a phone/laptop calendar! The planner actually looks amazing, having a nosy on their site now – might have to get myself one…especially for the workout bit, as it’d help my resolution to get fit!
xx
(P.S this is my first comment on your blog, so hello! 🙂 )
Ah, there’s nothing like starting a new diary! That personal planner looks amazing, even though I’ve got another 6 months with my diary I might have to make a sneaky purchase.
I’m generally ok at organisation, but writing things down in a diary makes me feel so grown up, I’ve even been known to go back and write down events that have already happened!
xx
I LOVE everything in this post. Especially the Filofax – I think you truly become an adult once you have a filofax and it’s something I really want. I remember my mum always had one when I was young and I used to be fascinated when at the beginning of each year she’d buy a new set of inserts! Love it xx
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Oh I love all things like this. It makes my brain feel happy to see things all nicely organised and writing in a new diary is a lot like getting a new exercise book at school – or is that just me? 🙂
Of course it is absolutely essential to have the correct stylish kit to get organised. It works in the same way as how you can’t possibly start a new exercise regime without buying a dedicated new ‘work-out’ wardrobe. Or maybe that’s just me.
I love a good filofax, I feel organised just carrying mine around, especially with a smart pen in it.
I use an academic diary, so always feel a bit cheated at this time of year! I’m a big fan of the slimline calendar, and have, without fail, an Edward Monkton one in the office at work, and a Hello Kitty one in the kitchen at home. My usual is work stuff in the diary, personal stuff on the kitchen calendar, and holiday dates on the work calendar. Each August I vow to integrate everything into the diary, but never manage. Maybe next year…
The bag and personal planner look super useful! XO
COMMITMENT! I really need to start getting organised. I don’t a repeat of last year’s shenanigans, but I always seem to start the year organised and slowly fall into a pit of mess, double bookings and forgotten things to do! This is a very clever idea “Jen’s Mum” =D
Dinx @ Lovely in Random xoxo
My parents treated me to a filofax too for Christmas and it’s a beauty!
Sophie
x
You are very organised and ready to go.
I love the personalised planner, and your pen in the filo is lush.
xx
I definitely agree with the writing notes down in pen, I always keep my academic diary in my bag and literally list everything I must do on a daily basis. It keeps me going if I have targets; ooh that could be a tip.. Set little targets every day, targets are good 🙂
xxx
Oh wow – you are definitely going to be the most stylish organised person this year!
I purchased another moleskine diary this year, because the page layout is exactly how I like it and I’m a bit anal about these things!
That planner looks really useful, you’ve just made me think about how unorganised I truely am, I should try to get organised. I love your leather bag too.x
hey. i am so getting organised for 2012… and spending a lot more time on PINTREST. it is a great website where others “pin” there favorite website links and share it with others, i have found some really interesting and yummy (–hehe, chocolate chip cookie dough brownies anyone?!) ideas on there. just though i would share to you jen, and followers what an addictive website it is!!! xx
I love that bag and the filofax is a beauty too, definitely great inspiration for getting organised in the new year! x
I love that personlised planner! If I didn’t already have my trusty Moleskin it would be a must have!
Wow. I’m in love with that Filofax! Puts my little Cath Kidston dairy to shame. x
Good thing I. Not the only one who loves a Filofax. Some people think I was born in the wrong decade..
-kim
love it that new year means new planners! especially love the one with crocodile-like skin.
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Very nice handbag and blog . i like your blog. so thank you for sharing us .
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Filofax’s FTW! All you ever need 🙂
e x
Loveeee the handbag and filofax.
Love all things organised!!
What an awesome post!
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