Planner Review: Belle De Jour Planner

When it comes to prioritizing some tasks and assignments, I always make sure to make a list of what needs to be done. I just don't want to rely on my phone because I might lost it or it might be stolen for some reasons but I'm not as clumsy and forgetful as you think I am. So, I cling to my planner wherein I make a list of my future plans, what needs to be accomplished in a day and even my expenses.

Before the year started, I made an intensive research on what planner to use. I've been seeing lots of planner in bookstores but not a single thing caught my attention until I discovered Belle De Jour. I've heard stories about the planner of some bloggers but I never had the chance to buy one. So I made a pact to myself that by 2014, I need to buy one and so, it was a huge success.

I wanted to have the customized one with my name on it but I wasn't able to make it for their cut-off last year and I was very impatient to wait for another 20 days for it to be customized so I decided to just buy and settle for the common one. The planner costs Php 580.00, quite expensive though but impulsive as I can be at times, I decided to splurge on it.

So here are my thoughts for the Belle De Jour Planner

• I love the cover (it doesn't easily get dirty since the background is black
• It's spiral (pages won't torn easily)
• They have inspiring quotes and messages in every page
• Coupons and discounts to some participating stores
• Colorful and attractive pages 
• Love the mini pocket at the back of it

I love the entirety of the planner but here are few things that I quite don't like:
     - I can't use all the coupons and discounts because it's only limited plus most of the participating stores are in Manila. I can't seem to use all of it especially if you live in provincial areas like Cebu, plus there's a specific branch as to where you can avail the discount.
      - My health plan page is not really that useful to me (maybe for some)
      - There's only 1 page for the vacation planner, they should have added another one especially for jet-  setters like me who loves to travel.
      - And they should add another extra pages, like blank pages for us to jot down anything and everything under the sun.

For jet-setter like me, this is very helpful!

Keeps me up-to-date with my bills

I guess there's no excuse why I can't save

The stickers that comes with it. 

Motherhood and pregnancy

Time flies so fast, can you actually believe that the year 2014 just started but January is about to end? The first month was very tough, welcoming the year of the wooden horse was a not good sign for me but somehow here I am trying to survive and still looking forward with high hopes and a positive attitude. Anyways, I haven't really updated my blog and I've been in a long hiatus for quite sometime. As much as I want to motivate myself to update my blog every once in a while but juggling between work and being a mom requires hard work, time and patience that blogging has been left out since then but I make it to the point to go back to my comfort zone and update it once in a while.

I don't have much plan for 2014 but I hope GOD has a better plan for me this year. #crossing-my-fingers!
So, I guess one of the biggest highlights in my life this year is my 2nd pregnancy. I am on my 5th month and I am quite excited for the gender of my baby but scared at the same time and I do pray that everything will be okay. I just hope it's a baby girl this time.

I am not an expert to motherhood and pregnancy but based on my experience, here are my tips for the first time mothers out there.

1. Be prepared
       - I guess preparation is the key to welcome motherhood easily. It will take some time to adjust with the entire pregnancy and labor until giving birth to growing up but with my experience during my first born child, I prepared myself to the last minute and the end result almost turned out as a disaster. So, better be prepared emotionally, physically and most of all financially.

2. Adjustment and Changes
       - I admit, it was hard at first and still getting harder day by day but take it as a big challenge instead of looking at it as an additional problem. It takes time to really accept everything, but just take one step at a time, you'll get there for sure!

3. Prioritize
       - Now's the time to start organizing everything and learn to prioritize what's important and what's not. Social life? Luxurious lifestyle? It's the time to set that one aside unless you're born with a silver spoon.

4. Rewarding Experience
       - After all the pain and suffering, in the end, it's a very rewarding experience. Pregnancy is a gift from GOD and embrace that gift wholeheartedly (not everyone is given a chance).

5. Stay positive
        - Who says that having kids loses your own happiness? I believe everyone is entitled for their own happiness. You may have kids and it's a tedious and toughest job in the world but don't forget to reward yourself once in a while or have a quality ME time, besides, you absolutely deserve that treat and pampering. And whatever happens, always have that positive outlook in life, remember, everything happens for a reason.

"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with FEARS you didn't know existed." - Linda Wooten 

So here's to the baby bumps!

A Blessed Monday

Sweet Monday everyone! Here's a spiritual thoughts to ponder on as you start your Monday morning.

And here's a message for myself today...

Have a blessed Monday loves!!

Twenty thirteen

While everyone's busy blogging about the start of their 2014, a late bloomer as I am, I'm still about to say goodbye to 2013. Looking back, it was one heck of a roller coaster ride, hardships, struggles, success, blessings and memories that I'll never forget. It has always been my tradition to look back and have a year end post no matter what, at least there's something to leave behind and a chance to look back on those cherished memories that will always be a part of me.

And here are the reasons why my 2013 rocks!

First, one thing I learned when I started 2013 is that people come and go, and indeed there is nothing constant in this world but change. Nothing will happen if you're not willing to step out from your own comfort zone, and one will remain stagnant if we all live with our fears and if things are not really meant to be, we should learn to let go.

Opportunity knocks once, so make the most out of it while it is still there. When one door closes, don't worry, the windows are still open. Had handful of online tasks and landed few online jobs, had few rejections but I learn to stand up and had the courage and determination to still give it a try, besides there's no harm in trying. Decided to go back to work, applied for a job but one thing I learned, we can never please anyone.

Try and try and try until you get what you want, who knows in the end, it'll be worth the risk. GOD has a better plan for you. (always). Everything happens for a reason, you may not get what you want but GOD will surely give you what you deserve and what you need.

Happiness is a choice, make your decisions wisely because regrets always happen after, not before.

You will meet different people in all walks of life. Others are there to support you all the way, and others were just plain acquaintances that never seem to care at all. I will never forget the people that made me special and somehow made me who I am now.

And I thank the LORD GOD for everything. For all the blessings, old and new friends, memories to cherish, lessons learned and for the precious time He has endowed to me. All these are impossible if not for HIM.

And as another year is about to start, I whisper a sincere prayer, hoping that by 2014, every day will be unique, one will be filled with positive vibes, good memories and be filled with happiness, hope, courage, be more stronger, wiser and bolder. 

So, bring it on 2014 because I'm definitely ready!