Kat's life in Cali

Hello All, September seems like the month most of the planner people start discussing or deciding what planner to use for the coming year. (Academic year and also Japanese Planner releases) For next year I am tempted to try Jibun Techo. Yet, before I commit to the bounded book planner, which I never be able to stick with a bounded planner for more then 3 months, I want to try the layout first to see if it really fits my need. I just recently acquired this beautiful Fuchsia color classic croc pocket size planner and spent a weekend to have it set up just like (as close as I can) Jibun Techo. Here are the steps I took! I downloaded the guide on how to use Jibun Techo on their official website and blog post from JetPen to get my planner setup.   It shows detail list of "Lists" or "Fields" included in the Jibun Techo.  Based on the guide, I followed and jazzed up the lists that fits my life style.  Some of the things just don't apply to peo

A6 is the new Personal! I jumped on the A6 trend in the mid of July as I am itchy to try something new! For the month of August, I was in Gillio A6 Black and Red Compagna that I got from Gillio Market Place.  I have to say it is NOT loved in the first sight.  I love the configuration of the planner, but for some reason, I am just not that into it. Click HERE to see all the spec. on Gillio Website  During the Labor Day weekend, I went to SJC and met my planner friend who is nice enough to let me borrow her un-widen A6 VDS planner to try it out again.  I have to say I LOVE IT!  The size feels right in my hand and the sturdy leather wins my heart! Specifications:  Brandy Italian Leather Outside  Mattone Leather Inside 20 mm ring Custom pockets You can order one with VDS standard configuration or custom made HERE After I have both, Gillio A6 Compagna and VDS A6 on my hand, I realized that I really like the compactness of the VDS.  VDS is un-wid

This is the first time in my life finishing up a traveler's notebook insert.  I have been in and out of TN several times and never stay long enough to finish up a booklet.  Now I have my TN set up the way I love and willing to commit.  It is easier to talk through via YouTube video to show my setup, journal flip and journaling favorites.  Things I have been using for the past 3 months in my journal.  This will be good for beginners as most of the items are basic and easy to get.  You can watch the video HERE or below People I mentioned Instagram Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/yu_techo/ Little Raven's Ink Patron https://www.patreon.com/LittleRavenInk Things I mentioned Pentel Aquash Water Brushes https://amzn.to/2NceEoC Prima Marketing Watercolor Classics https://amzn.to/2CdcHUG Pilot G2 0.38 Pen https://amzn.to/2NE8BpS Prismacolor Marker https://amzn.to/2wCk1Up Winsor Newton Watercolor Set https://amzn.to/2N7Qc7L

So I started some sort of art journalling in the month of July for the One Book July challenge.  I kinda want to continue that path but with more focus on "journalling".  I started reading "Journalling School" by Ray Blake to guide me through how to record my life in the form of journal. For the month of August, my goal is to start journalling and also keep up with my fitness.  I team up my B6 journal with Gillio A6 compagna as the planner and fitness log. DIY a tri-fold leather cover to house MD B6 slim note book with my version of pen loop.   PPCO # 102 and #083 inserts for my fitness log. I am still in the process of setting up my A6 Compagna.  Once it is done, I will do a video for both. xoxo

July is a crazy month.... Travelling 3 times in the month (business trips) Stalking Gillio's Website as they have HUGE sales going on  Following World Cup  Participating One Book July and Rock your handwriting Not much of update in my blog but I did uploaded 3 videos if you are interested! Gillio Wallet and Gillio Haul   Mini Mia Cara Setup One Book July Wrap Up, Flip Through and Hello August Overall I failed One book July and find that I am truly a ring planner gal.  From this process I find that I love my ring planners and I love doing drawings and journals in bound book.  I have tried many times but am officially giving up on combing planning and journaling in the same book.  Head over to my videos if you are interested to see flip through and my thoughts about it in detail.    For the month of the August, I will be using my new member, Gillio A6 Compagna in Black and Red combo.  I will be busy setting it up and will share with my setup and thought

Cannot believe we are half way through the year already!  2018 is a very eventful year for me.  A lot of new and exciting things happened in my life. So July is around the corner and this will be the third year I participate in the #onebookjuly challenge hosted by Carie Harling, Miss Vickybee and RhomanysRealm.  The rule is to use one book and one pen throughout the month without any changes or switching. Each year I try different sizes and planning systems in this month to not only participate the challenge in the planning community but also to find out what works and do not works for me.  I tried Fieldnote size traveler's notebook in 2016, Personal size rings planners in 2017 and will be using Standard size traveler's notebook in 2018. I am using my Pan Am Edition Traveler's notebook and there are four inserts in it. Fourruof Mustard Yellow Fabric Insert  Recollection Calendar Insert - using as bullet journal style Recollection Plastic Fol

I was watching one of my favorite Chinese Stationary Youtuber, Bushime , talking about Tombow Dual Brush Pen.  The video inspired me to practice my brush lettering and I followed the basic stroke videos from  Pieces Calligraphy I am going to make a practice book in my traveler's notebook to practice and while participating #Onebookjuly, I will also join #RockYourHandwriting  Online Resources:  Pieces Calligraphy offers great beginner tips, videos, and practice sheets for free  The Postman's Knock also offers different way to write, downloads and paid online classes Tools I got this Tombow Lettering Set Markers as a starter kit to practice brush lettering I practice on Leuchttrum1917 Notebook and plan to print the line paper out of regular print paper and cut into TN size to be used and carry around with me.   Are you on or planning to join any challenges? 

I am a personal size ring planner person.  This statement does not come easy.  Ever since I stumbled into the planner community, it has been a journey to find the RIGHT planner and RIGHT Size for me.  I have tried almost every size possible from pocket, A6, B6, personal, A5, and more....of course also add in the mix of ring planner or bound book style planner. Planner community is so big and full of resources on Facebook and Youtube.  On one hand I enjoyed it but on the other hand I was overwhelmed.  There were one point I gave up on using planners completely as I was overly frustrated on different sizes and different planning styles I was experimenting.   There were tons of late nights spending on watching different Youtube videos on how others use and set up their planners in different sizes. I still remember it was March 2017 when I was chatting with one girl at the SF Plannercon.  She told me her magic of staying in one size planner is to only have one size planner.  This i

I love my traveler's notebooks and the ability to make it simple or function with different type of inserts.  Most of the time I like to keep it simple and as is.  Yet, I just cannot resist the different type of pocket inserts that can transform my simple one piece leather traveler's notebook into a very functional planners.  Here are the different type of pocket inserts I own and love. Traveler's CompanyFourruof Fabric Insert Traveler's Company Pan AM Edition  Leather zipper case by 1.61 from Baum Kuchen  Hunkeedori Customized Insert on Etsy Paper Folder from Fauxdori_and_journal_addict on IG Traveler's Company 008 Plastic Insert There are a lot of other great pocket inserts out there that I do not own but will be interested to try someday.... Felt Insert Plastic Multi-Pocket Insert   Traveler's Company 020 Craft Insert  The Superior Labor X Baum Kuchen Insert  What is your favorite traveler's notebook pocket inserts?

Left to Right: Standard Olive Edition, Pan Am Edition Blue, Altered Brown Standard and Narita Airport Edition Passport Traveler's Notebook is what got me into the planner community and drawings.  I use it mainly for journaling, and I love the idea that I can go bold with tones of different type of inserts and add ons or stay simple with just the cover and a book itself. I first got the Brown Standard Traveler's Notebook back in 2014 on Amazon .  I immediately fall in love due to the velvety leather.  It shows scratches and marks easily which also show the history and character about the planner.   With the B6 slim fever going on since last year, I decided to altered my brown to accommodate the MD B6 Slim Notebook to try out the size. Later on, I acquired Pam An Blue edition, Olive Green edition and Narita Airport Edition in Passport black.  This year, Traveler's factory announced to add the Blue into their standard product line. Jetpen

Here it comes to part 2 of my planner collection, Gillio Firenze.  Gillio offers a wide range of planner selections and fine leather goods.  It not only limited to planners but also wallets, purses and writing instrument.  All are listed on their website with availability and models.  I love Gillio leather items as their product designs are very functional and the luscious Epoca leather they use.   From back to the front: Real Ostrich Iris Medium Compagna , Rust Medium Compagna , Dark Brown Slim Compagna , Black and Orange Lady's Wallet 6 CC , and Gold Keychain   Compagna is the personal size planner and one of the layouts Gillio offers.  It offers single color Epoca Leather, Bi-Color, Real Ostrich and Ostrich X (Less Quill) with different price point.  All Gillio orders comes with the option of Gold or Silver rings, a ball point pen and packaged in dust bag and Gillio Box.  (The layout is very similar to V an Der Spek Touch Me Collection ) Other than

I love fine leather goods.  VDS does a great job when it comes to deliver the impossible from craftsmanship and making customized planners.  Needless to say the customer service is impeccable. There are  a lot of planners comes and goes in my collection.  These are what I own now..... Black Touch Me Standard Undyed Standard - My current everyday carry.  You can read more about it in my previous blog post ( HERE ) Janet Leather Olive Green Custom - Highly customized and acquired from the VDS Sale group  Janet Leather Brown Manager  Black Croco 3 pens holder  If you are interested in getting a custom made planner, go checkout VDS Facebook Fan Page.  I get a lot of inspiration from people posting their custom layouts and thought process behind those custom designs.  There are a few that I love and keep going back to look at... Natalie Zahnen Designed.  Photo captured from VDS Organizer Fans  Maria Spinola Designed.  Photo captured from VDS Organizer

Hello~I am back to Blogger! Last year I tried with Worldpress blog and didn't work out for me.  So I am back to the Blogger.  As this is my first return post, I want to share with you what I have been using.  I typically switch my planner and change the way I plan every quarter or longer.  This is my current setup since beginning of this year and going strong. VDS Undyed Standard Custom Planner     Facebook    Online Shop Undyed Leather with matching stitching  25mm silver ring Custom layout on the left side + Secretarial flap on the right side A lot of people sun tan the undyed planner.  I kinda wana go through a more nature way and see how it turn out after months of use.  I have been in this planner for 2 full months now.  The color changed a bit but not much.  I can definitely see dirt built on it though.   Inside of my Planner I have four main sections:  Monthly:  I have been enjoying using Peanuts Planner Co free monthly printable to plan my f