2019 Emily Ley Simplified Planner First Impression and Review

Hi Foxy Friends! It's almost the end of the year, when did that happen?! And you know what that means right? Trying to get organized, or at least pretend to get organized. The last 22+ years I've bought a Franklin Planner (see post here), but this year I decided to switch it up. Last week I did a full review on the Plum Planner. This week I'm reviewing the Emily Ley Simlified Planner. I put together a video for those that like to listen.

Last month Lindsay mentioned that she had bought an Emily Ley planner, I love me a good planner, so of course I headed over to check out all of her stuff. I decided that one of my planners was going to be this Emily Ley Planner. What pushed me over the top? It was binded and no spiral notebook. Making it way thinner than all of my other planners. Since I have two planners, one for life and one for blogging and always carry them around, anything that gets the weight of my purse down I'm all over.

Things I love about it:

The re-enforced corners, they know that the corners are going to take a beating over the course of the year, so they re-enforce it for us, that's nice of them.

Here is what the monthly view looks like.

It also has re-enforced tabs for each month, so the wear and tear of turning to the different months over and over won't make it rip eventually. That's key.

The small size, it's thinner and easier to throw into my purse.

The note section in the back.

The daily view, it's the perfect amount of space for what I need it for. Plus I like that there is a list column and a notes column. It's like they are reading my mind. I hear that there might be a black Friday sale, so wait for then if you want to try it out! I did not do that, but you best believe I will next year!

So any other planners out there that I should try for next year? I love trying new planners and can't wait to start using these ones!

Softest Striped Sweater Ever

Hi Foxy Friends! Today I'm sharing with The Blended Blog a Stripes and Plaid look. Okay just a stripes look because I decided a bit ago, that plaid was not for me. I mean I've tried it here, here and here, but I never grab them, so I got rid of them, I have a few scarves, but again, not cold enough here to wear them. So just stripes it is.

I recently got this sweater from Jessica, who has a small clothing business, called Sweetly Striped.  I'd like to note, she has no idea I am writing this, I have not been paid and have not gotten any free product, I just really like to support small businesses. 

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

Sweater / Jeans (on sale!) / Boots (similar)

She hosts a live each week, showcasing all of the new stuff she's gotten that week. Plus if you are a part of her FB group, then you get first dibs on the new stuff coming in. Trust me, I waited till the next day and my size sold out, darn it! Since she is a small business, she can only get so many of each size and usually doesn't restock. So definitely get on it when you see something you like! I got a striped long cardigan on Monday, not yet on the site! So join her site so you can get in on the stuff before it goes on the web. I mean how cute is this sweater?

This sweater is so darn comfortable, I want to wear it all the time. She has another one that is similar, but different colors, go check that one out and see if she still has your size! Looks like she only has it posted in her facebook group, and it hasn't made it's way to the website yet. So join her facebook group so you can get in on the product before it hits the website.

Now go link up your stripes and plaid fashion posts over on the Blended Blog, and take a look at these lovely ladies too.

Kellyann. Sarah. Andrea. Deena. Carrie

Lana.Vanessa.Whitney. Abbie.Shelly

How To Talk About Adoption - From An Adoptee

Linking up with Shay and  Erika for another random discussion. Last year they did a Workin' It them, and this year they are doing How We theme. I love it. This month they are chatting about talking to adoption to kids. Now I have no adopted any children...yet, but I do have some experience as I am ONE of the kids that has been adopted. I write a little about being adopted and my top asked questions here.

Meet my family.

Front row: Mr., Mini Fox, My Mom, Me

Second Row: Brother, Baby Fox, Sister, Dad

So today's topic is talking about adoption to kids, I thought I would share my experience as someone who is adopted. Obviously my parents couldn't hide that I was adopted...Hello I'm Korean, they are most definitely not. My brother and sister (if you have a question about that, I answered that question you might have here) are also adopted, my sister being 5 years older than me and my brother being 9 months younger than me. Yep my mom went from 1 to 3 kids in 6 months.

My parents were always open and honest with all of us being adopted. There was never a time when we didn't know. From babies they would talk about how we were adopted, even though we couldn't talk or fully understand they were constantly telling us how lucky they were to adopt us. All of my cousins knew too, it was something that we all talked about. We read Horton Hatches The Egg a lot. At the end, my mom would always say: see it doesn't matter that the bird laid the egg, Horton was the one who loved and cared for the egg. Even though I didn't carry you, I love you just as much even more than any mother/father could and am so thankful everyday to God for him sending us you. 

Now that I am older, we have always told Baby Fox and Mini Fox that I am adopted and so is Uncle M and Auntie N. We have told them that our birth parents couldn't take care of us and that they did the most selfless thing they could, and gave us to Nana and Ampa (Grandpa), so that they could love and care for us. That Nana and Ampa couldn't have kids of their own, and they wanted kids so badly so they adopted the three of us.

Also my parents were ALWAYS super open with us about questions we might have. Every once in a while, they would ask us, do you have any questions about adoption? Just in case we didn't want to bring up the subject. They would be super supportive if any of us wanted to find our birth parents, although in my sister and brothers case they know way more information than they do mine. That's their story to tell, not mine.

So that's how my parents told us we were adopted. I know this was sort of a prompted post, but any other topic of adoption you want me to discuss? I'm pretty much an open book and no question is stupid, seriously, if you thought it then I'm sure others have too. Ask away!

My Gratitude in 5 Pictures

Hi Foxy Friends! Today I'm linking up with The Blended Blog again for our Monday topic of the day discussion. Today is 5 pictures in gratitude...wow, 5 pictures huh? Okay let's gets started.

I'm grateful for this guy. Mr. is my rock and support system, my partner in crime and everything in between. He puts up with my incessant picture taking, my need to document everything, and goes along with the flow when I want to randomly stop to take pictures. He is the best fathers to our children, and my love for him grows everyday watching him with our children. Anyway...I'm not all about the sap life (yes I am, I just don't know how to convey it in words). So I'll just leave it at, I love this guy and all he does for the family and everything he does to keep me sane in this journey of parenthood.

Cousins...I love that we are close and that we are able to get our kids together as often as we can. Growing up I was always with my cousins and now that we are adults we have formed our own traditions with our families and I love it. Matching PJ's are really my favorite. This year, I found THE MOST PERFECT PJ's for this Cousin Crew.

Grateful for these kids. I know this is a weird picture, so let me explain. Baby Fox is probably only 15 pounds heavier than Mini Fox...we had to take Mini Fox to the doctors to get a wart removed and it hurt, and she cried a lot. I was carrying her, but had to set her down to get the keys, and Baby Fox, concerned gave her a hug and then asked if she wanted him to carry her. So he did, for about 50ft. He does this all the time, when she's hurt. She does the same for him. The love they have for each other, makes this Mama heart burst. I hope they are always this close and love each other this much.

New friends. I am so grateful that we decided to switch Baby Fox's school and with doing so have found a tribe of ladies who support each other, help pick up each others kids when we get stuck, laugh together, get advice from, drink wine with and do stuff like this Trunk Or Treat theme. Anyone willing to wear this in public is a friend of mine. So glad I get to spend the next at least 7 years with these ladies planning events!

Grateful for my blogging friends! Who know 4 years ago when I decided to do a clothing challenge that I would meet such wonderful that not only were blogging friend that have become in real life friends. It's pretty awesome when you read about someone for so long, and then you actually get to go shopping with that person, and you can walk into a store an know exactly what the person is going to pick out. It's so much fun, getting to know these ladies better, and I am so happy they are in my life, whether we keep on blogging or not, I know we will be there for each other...Next trip can't come soon enough!

I would like to add one more picture I'm grateful for. My aunt had her last round of Chemo, and Mr. and I were able to be at every single one of her infusions. Those words on the monitor were so sweet. I'm grateful for her team of doctors, for catching it early, for the medicine working and shrinking that little bugger, and for Mr. and my work being understanding taking so much time off work to be with her. This view was a view we looked at for many hours and I am so grateful I was able to take the time to be with her and my Uncle.

Chinese Lantern Festival Coming This Week!

Hi Foxy Friends! Don't forget to get your tickets to see the Chinese Lantern Festival. It starts this Thursday and runs until January 6th! I can't wait to share this experience with my family this week! Thank you for sending my family Hanart Culture Chinese Lantern Festival!

What is the Chinese Lantern Festival? This is how it's described:

The outdoor evening skies will become ablaze with the color and light with more than 1,000 beautifully handcrafted lanterns. The lanterns range in size from 12 – 23 feet tall, and combines art, tradition, and culture. This year’s theme, “The Wild,” features five different locations – America, Oceania, Asia, Antarctica and Africa, with lanterns representing wild animals from each region, including Cheetahs, panda bears, jellyfish, majestic cranes, lions, and even dinosaurs. The festival will also feature food, Kung Fu shows, animatronic dinosaur rides, demonstrations, and

shadow play for the kids. Enjoy Asian and American cuisine, while shopping the craft marketplace

where authentic Chinese jewelry, artifacts, dough figurines, as well as Chinese embroidery art,

sugar art, paper-cut and fabric art will be available for purchase.

For more detailed information click here. But here are the quick details you need to know.

When:

Open Thursdays – Sundays from November 15, 2018 to January 6, 2019 – Including Holidays 5:30pm-10:00pm

Where:

Fairplex at Pomona -

1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Cost: 

Tickets $13-$21

Follow along on their social media to see pictures and more.

Insta: @ChineseLanternFest

Facebook: Facebook.com/ChineseLanternFestival

Twitter: @LanternFests

Go get your tickets now, it's going to be so much fun!

Hug Your Loved Ones A Little Tighter

Happy Friday Foxy Friends! Usually this is where I updated you on what's been going on and what I've found around the web that interests me...but today...I couldn't not mention this. Back where I grew up was a mass shooting this week. It's shocking, it's considered one of the safest cities in the United States...

The place that the shooting was at? A place I hung out at as a high school student and college student. It was where we went to go line dancing. It wasn't a huge place but it was fun and had free cookies, and it was where we all hung out. Crazy to think, we were talking about going there last weekend, when I was home with my friends.

It does make my heart happy that the people in the Conejo Valley are rallying and coming together. Looks at the line to donate blood. There was a need and the people came. The place that is holding the blood drive, the place my sister went to high school. It's all so crazy.

Please pray for the victims and families during this incredibly awful time right now. Where to go from that? I don't normally post about current event things, but I couldn't ignore my home town, a place where many of my family still lives, they are all safe and accounted for. Hug your little ones a little tighter and even when they are annoying the heck out of you, remember it's the small things added up that makes up the bigger picture. Okay I'm starting to ramble.

Now it seems strange to go on...so I won't, I'll end it here and catch you all up later.

Many blessings to you and yours.

2019 Plum Planner First Impression And Review

Hi Foxy Friends! If you have been here a while, you might know I'm obsessed with paper planners. I've been using a Franklin Covey, before planner were even a huge thing. Okay maybe not, but I've been using the Franklin for about 22 years...that's a LOT of years! This year though...I've decided to step outside of that box of mine and spread my wings and try something else. I almost feel like I am cheating on Franklin...strange I know. But it wasn't working for me any more. So I set out to find something new.

I Googled Best Paper Planners, and came across the Plum Planner. I liked the look, the price was even better and I could customize it! Yes please! I made a video, so for those that have 9 minutes and 39 seconds, watch away. For those that like to look at pictures...see below.

Alright let's get to it.

This is what it looks like. There were so many designs to choose from, but I choose Pineapples, cause they're cute.

It also lets you pick if you want a horizontal layout or a vertical layout. So many choices to pick from, they are bound to have something that you like.

I picked this one the Horizontal Layout -> Notes and Days

You could even customize those green rectangles if you knew how you wanted to use the columns. since this was my first time, I didn't know, but I could have added "Things To Do" Or "Shopping List". The blank square at the top was customizable too, you could have different things in there, quotes, Verse, Weekly Priority...etc.

I really liked the month layout too. The Franklin had lines in the squares and I don't like them telling me how big or little I can write, I want to be free.

The next part is really cool. So for all of the above it comes out to $33. Not bad right? But you can then add sections onto the back of your planner. I chose, Brain Storming (in hind sight not a good one to pick, but we'll roll with it). Cost: $4.50 extra per section (1 section is 10 pages)

Lists, cause who doesn't like a good list (I added two of these sections, one section is 10 pages), the cost to add one section was $1.25, 2 sections is $2.

And graphs, cause I am an engineer and like graph paper. I have no idea how I will use it, but I will! This was $2 for 12 pages.

So far I'm really liking it. The pages are thick, so I don't feel like I am going to rip it, and the sections added on the back are cool. There are proably 40+ things you can pick from, social media planning, budgeting, gratitude...pretty much anything you could think of is back there to help you out. And the extra cost isn't too bad either. You can add up to 80 pages. 

I'm so excited to try out my new planner next year! I've already started filling it out. If you want to know how I organize and color code my planner take a look at this post.

I got two planners, this one is for family life, the other one I am so excited about and it has a feature that I've NEVER had in a planner before, so stay tuned for that next week!

Have you bought your planner yet? Do you even use a planner?