Kat's life in Cali

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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  ...