Ultimate Lists: Blog Organizing

Truth: I am a list maker. Like, I make everything into lists. Groceries? A list. Craft supplies and building materials? List. Budget? Definitely a list. Pros and cons for absolutely any and everything I can think of? Gonna put those babies on a list. And not just any old list.. not a list in my phone, or Evernote, or on my computer. They have to be hand-written. I don't know why, but I only seem to function well with hand-drawn lists. I think it might have to do with the simple satisfaction of writing something down and then checking it off. Kind of like a "Ha! Take that, list!" Weird? Probably.


I've always carried around a little blogging notebook with me in my purse. In fact, I've probably referenced my "Little Book of Ideas" about fifteen hundred times over this blog's three year existence. I've always written down blog post ideas, shopping lists, lyrics to songs I want to remember, etc. (The funny part about my blog notebook: I only use an exact replica of the original I had. No other notebook has worked for me. I think it's another psychological thing. I should've stocked up at Barnes and Nobel years ago!) Well, it got a bit hard to control a month's worth of blog posts at a time in that little thing, so I upgraded to a blog-specific planner (The Editor, anyone remember those?) It was fine and well for a while but I never clicked with it. I ended up buying a janky Cambridge planner at Walmart I think. It was a 2012/2013 one and ran about $13. It was in May when I got it and I was so flustered that I couldn't use it until July haha I had always just written posts down permanently, in pen, directly on the planner. But I'm a fickle person and things happen right? I'd always end up scribbling them out, and another thing that makes me abandon lists: if they get ugly. Yep, no clue why. Anyway, Kaylah blogged about her method... it was the same as mine, except she used post-it notes. Um genius?! Why did I not think of that?! (Another fact about me: I looooveeeee Post-It notes. My computer and desk and corkboard are constantly covered with them, and then some.) I started doing that immediately and my feelings toward my blog planner and my blog in general definitely improved.

I know some of you are rolling your eyes at me right now thinking "Okay Kaelah, you're a bit of a drama queen. They're sticky notes.... not that big of a deal!" but I'm serious. It changed the way I blog. I started planning out entire months of blog posts at the beginning of each month before I jetted off for 2+ weeks in June. It seriously helped so much. I'm all for finding any way to be more efficient, productive and organized. So sticky notes on every conceivable surface may not seem organized and efficient to some, but it's a heaven send for me. My brain just understands that sort of thing. :P
I don't often carry my big Cambridge planner with me, but I've been drawn to a few purses lately that allow me that luxury. Just yesterday our little fam loaded up in the car with pens and paper galore and headed over to Panera just to have a brainstorming session. Mike and I used to have those several times a week before Toby came along, and now we just pencil him in! It's a great way for Toby to play some of his educational games (he loves puzzles!) and draw/write while we're out. He was calm as as a clam, too. I stuffed my neon (!!!) bag from LuLu*s full of all of my gear and we were off. We sat there for about an hour just dreaming up things we want to do and build and share with y'all here. Mike is in the backyard building some of them now!

While I don't always take my big planner with me, I always have sticky notes, my little book of ideas, and multiple pens in my purse. Seriously, being in the car is like the best creativity booster for me so I try to be prepared. A little bit of a tangent -- but is anyone else here a pen snob? I hate using anything that is not a Uniball Vision .7mm pen. I love to doodle and make my lists all decorative, etc, and they're the only pens that are consistently fluid. And the Post-It notes? They have to be the "Super Sticky" kind. I'm telling ya, it's all a mind thing. Gotta have my preference or none at all. (Psst... note the mistake in the photo below. I notated it with an "LOL")
When it comes to design/freelance work and having clients, I prefer to give each client a folder on my desktop that includes all of their graphics, paperwork, etc. But I always make sure to create a single "file" in my desk with everything written out from price of project, to payments, log in info, and specifics that I get back with each mock. I keep all of my "current' clients on a clipboard hanging in front of my desk, and I'm able to quickly check the status of everything. 
Maybe it seems silly to devote an entire post to my love for all things list-making, but I seriously don't think I'd be able to function without them. I'm still an unorganized mess in certain areas of my work/life, but I'm slowly but surely figuring out what things work for me. How about you? Are you a list person? If so, what are your weapons of choice? 

75 comments:

  1. Girl, I am totally with you on this one! It feels good to know there is someone out there as obsessed with list making as I am. I am *so* the same way, in that I have to physically write it down. Handwriting is almost a lost art nowadays with all this technology, and it feels so good to just write.. Love, love, love your handwriting.

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  2. Kaelah! Thank you for making this post! It's so inspiring! I can't wait to get back home and work on my budget and other lists! Love from Canada xoxo

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  3. If I could handwrite lists as lovely as you do, I wouldn't stop! Sadly my handwriting still resembles a 12 year old boys!

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  4. I LOVE how organized you are. This is so fantastic.
    I understand the thing about writing everything down by hand, I do the same. :)

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  5. totally a list person and this post it idea is revolutionary!

    why have i not thought of this?
    buying some this weekend. done. :)

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  6. brainstorming sessions as a fam/group is the sweetest idea ive ever heard. Gonna add that to my list of things to look for in a guy: ''is willing to have brainstorm, sessions somewhere natural and romantic with me'' I'm half joking, but only half.... hehe

    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca/

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  7. Kaelah -- we are the same. I have notebooks with lists all over the place. I love writing them down and I love my planner. But like you, things change. I really LOVE that post it idea!!

    One problem I have, though. Is I'm such a scatterbrain that I'll lose my lists, lol. For blog posts for Kintage I've started using a google calendar to schedule them. It works so well and while I'm 99% of the time a "write it down on paper" girl, I love having it there but being able to drag and drop. It just keeps THAT organized. I also put on there when someone else is featuring Kintage.

    But then I still write lists and schedule time to WRITE those posts in my physical planner + notebooks.

    As for designing, I used to take notes in my main notebook that I write everything in. I just recently got a notebook that's used only for client notes. Then, I do the same thing on my desktop and keep all the digital files in their individual folders.

    Love this post! I've been wanting to write one too, but I didn't think anyone else was crazy like me who cared about this stuff. ;)

    P.S. I totally abandon ugly lists too. I've been known to abandon entire planners because it just got too messy. I give up for a few weeks then I end up going back to it knowing I won't be seeing the "ugly" pages haha

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  8. Yes! I am definitely a list maker as well -- for our budget,groceries,whatever. My weapons of choice are: a little journal for blog ideas (that I haven't written in for about 3 months...oops),Papermate Inkjoy pens and Sharpie. I use Uniball pens sometimes. I also have quite a collection of these babies: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/728658/FORAY-Marker-Style-Porous-Point-Pens/. Thanks for sharing,Kaelah!

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  9. I'm definitely a list person too! I use whiteboards mostly for my day-to-day and have a blog book of ideas as well. You can see my crazy whiteboard system here: http://eef-etc.com/whiteboard-love/

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  10. I used to write everything out, but since plans often change I moved everything to my computer and iPhone. I use a plugin for Wordpress called Editorial Calendar to organize upcoming blog post - essentially exactly what you do with post-its. And for design projects I use Google Calender to schedule clients and Weave to keep track of what I am on each project. Also good for tracking time and expenses :)

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  11. I seriously love sticky notes too!! I make my lists on them and then rewrite the list on a new sticky when a few of them are crossed off. So easy! I don't think you're crazy or weird at all!

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  12. Soooo I kind of love this. I am crazy and do the same thing. I won an Erin Condren planner but I have no idea how I will use that! It's so pretttttyyy.

    xx
    Liz
    i couldn't help but wonder...

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  13. I'm a list person wanna-be...but really I'm more of a jot person {you know, jotting down a note/word/line as a reminder}. We have a chalkboard 1/2 wall in our living room & painted the inside of our front door with chalkboard paint, just for that purpose {& I don't know how I lived without it!}
    http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

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  14. This is such a great post!

    I am a total list maker and, like you, they have to be handwritten so I can cross those babies off!

    You have really beautiful handwriting, by the way!

    Becky
    xx
    http://www.beckybedbug.com

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  15. I'm definitely a list person! And I LOVED this post! I am totally going to have to try the post it notes!

    xoxo Sarah
    theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

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  16. I'm a list person but I have really messy lists in my sketchbook. Which I guess defeats the purpose of being organized. Thanks for the post-it idea! I can't believe I don't carry post-it notes with me. It seems like such an obvious thing to do.

    As for pens, I tend to use my micron artists pens just because they are so fluid and nice to write with. Though I think I will look into uniball to save my micron inks.

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  17. It pleases me to see others as nuts about paper and pens as I am! I love it!

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  18. your notebook is so YOU. i love all the postits, photos, and little drawings in it. and your handwriting is just great. i love seeing how other people organize. i have a moleskin i draw outfits, list outfits, write grocery lists, and just keep ideas in. i also have a calendar (online) where i plan out posts and also a bunch of crazy person spreadsheets!

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  19. I was sitting at my desk at work the other day (Monday) writing out my lists of things that I needed to get done this week and thinking to myself that I had to be the only person in the world who still hand wrote lists! Thank you so much for posting this and making me feel like I'm not alone.

    I'm totally with you on the organizing and sticky note thing. I have a HUGE purse that always has my planner, notebook and pens (PaperMate Flair felt tip markers, I swear by them).

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  20. I try to be a list maker and I can make lists with the best of them I just never go back to my list to check things off unless it is a grocery list. My main problem is poor hand writing I tend to trash the lists I make because they are hard to read or just plain sloppy. I swear if I had your penmanship I would never type I would hand write everything!

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  21. I love making list, I love organizers, and I'm a pen snob; Zebra Jimnie Gel Retractable Medium 0.7. I recently bought my organizer for 2013. I can't wait to start using it.

    The Girl Collected

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  22. Absolutely adore this post.

    I have a MAJOR obsession with notebooks!
    I need a new notebook everytime I get a new thought for something I'd like to do, haha.

    This was wonderful; thank you for sharing!
    I understand what you mean with some of the things(:

    OH! And can I just say I'm redic. jealous of your gorgeous handwriting?! My goodness Kaelah.

    -XO Abbigayle Rashae
    -trueblueabbi.blogspot.com

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  23. I do love a good list. Yours are sooooo attractive! I like drawing and making mine pretty, then I'm more likely to look at them and do the things it tells me!

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  24. I'm definitely a list person, but lately have tended toward digital. I work in a computer lab, so...it makes sense. Google's tools tend to work best for me because everything is interconnected and I love Google calendar a lot since I found out you could put lists there too.

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  25. This looks like my desk and planner at work. There is something about post it notes, planners and colored sharpie pens that make my day

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  26. I'm a total list maker and wish I was this organized when it came to notebooks and blog planning! I'm the same way -- I have to write it down, if not than it's just not the same, you know? :)

    xoxo
    Nat

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  27. I am so with you on this! I live for lists!! I tried using my iPhone's Notes and Calendar apps but it just wasn't working. I also have to have things written down. I am in LOVE with the Moleskine Academic Planners/Diary. On the left side of the page is a weekly planner and on the other side is just a lined page, where I can make lists that are important for that week or doodle. This has been the best thing I've ever used! (:

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  28. This is adorable but I feel like do not have the attention span to make this highly organized layout. I WISH I could, in fact I tried, but it was just a one day only thing. Great job!!

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  29. totally a list maker!! and they have to be on paper! if my family gets me notebooks for christmas and nothing else i couldn't be happier! ^^

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  30. I am such a list person as well but I like then all neat and when I start to cross things I make a new list I am crazy and have way to many list lol.

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  31. I am definitely a list person. I have my day planner and a journal I keep lists in with me at all times. I'm also a huge sticky note person! I used to have sticky notes up on the wall above my laptop but before my husband and I got our place together he looked at me and said "You're not putting sticky notes on the walls anymore." So I had to move them into my notebook. =]

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  32. Oh no this post hurts me so much haha! Ever since Kaylah's post, I've been using sticky notes like crazy and I've been searching EVERYWHERE for a planner like that and I can't find one anywhere (one with a whole month visible) and I absolutely hate it haha. I've been obsessed ever since with that method but well, for now I do it online, with Google Agenda and a little notebook in my purse.

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  33. I would be a total list person too if I had the handwriting that you do! TOO CUTE :-)

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  34. I am constantly writing and rewriting lists at home and at work. I need to have everything written down and it feels like an accomplishment to cross something off!

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  35. Love this post! I am a listmaker too, but sometimes I misplace them. I am inspired to find the right notebook and to make it work... with post its.


    Marie @
    Lemondrop ViNtAge

    I am having a fabulous giveaway right here.

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  36. I love this post almost as much as I love making lists! I recently left a list for friends of mine whom I was helping prep for a show, and as I left I wondered if I was being too pushy by imposing my lists on others, but you know what, they loved it! S fun to read about another post it/list making/organized maven, thank you for sharing it!

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  37. I'm SUCH A list person as well! and I have OCD. I carry around a piule of books most days; personal journal, planner, blog notebook, idea notebook, Wreck This Journal...I just need a better way of keeping THESE organized. Not having my own room or desk space is totallllly killing me :/
    The post it idea, though, that's something I may have to borrow from you!

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

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  38. I wish I was half as organized as you. I think I learned a thing or two from this post! Thank you lady! .. and as others have said your handwriting is lovely. :)

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  39. I am definitely a list maker but don't spend as much time making them look as nice as yours. I like them organized but don't mind if they aren't as pretty. To me it seems a little counter-productive. ;) I am also like you in that I HATE when I make a mistake in pen but also don't like writing in pencil. Bah!

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  40. Love sticky notes too! I have a corkboard full of them!

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  41. I'm a list maker as well. I keep sticky notes on hand so I can make myself a to-do list everyday. And I makes notes for everything else as well -groceries, things I want, things I want to write, blog ideas, shop ideas, it goes on and on xD

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  42. I absolutely love organization & color-coding... so this is right up my alley! I got a new planner that started on Aug. 1 so I can't wait to fill it with colorful post-its! I usually use colored pens, but this will help TONS when I need to rearrange things. In the past I've been so desperate to have the perfect, color-coordinated planner that I went out to buy a new one and re-wrote everything. I know, I'm RIDICULOUS.

    Lately I've been using my computer to keep my personal appointments and to-dos, and I think I'll continue that. It's nice to be able to have it on my computer, iPhone, and be able to check it remotely from any other computer with Internet access. But I still love using pen & paper for blogging and work projects :)

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  43. This is why I love blogs. I just got totally inspired by this post.

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  44. I have been completely inspired by this post to get myself more organised! I am also a list lover (there's an Australian book called The Listmaker that I read over and over as a child) to the point where it is a running joke in my family.

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  45. I am totally a list person, I have lists all over my house, with everything imaginable on it. It's a wonderful, organized problem we listers have. :) You have such awesome handwriting though, you make your lists look so beautiful! Way to go for being super organized!

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  46. Ohhh... I really love that sticky note idea! I've always been a list girl and it HAS to be hand written. Same with the list getting ugly... if it does, I toss it and rewrite the entire thing. Such a weird habit to have, don't you think!
    xo Heather
    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  47. I LOVE making lists! We could be like twins! :) It's nice to meet you, now following, and maybe sometime you could come check out my blog link-up for today!

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  48. It's a mind thing definitely, I love uniball signo 1.0 orstaedtler M pens nothing else! And if i make one mistake on the page I rip it out and start again! Listing is addictive and it needs to be perfect or I start again until it is!!

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  49. I'm definitely a list person! In college my purse would be full of fold papers with homework, project dates and meetings (and of course doodles.) I tried a small organizer but would always sort to scrap paper. I really need a big organizer like that so I can get really organized and schedule in more post that aren't weekly. Quick question do you cut down the sticky notes to fit the date boxes?

    xo Amber P.
    http://theowlsden.blogspot.com

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  50. For me, planners WITH post-its and colour coding pens are the best way to keep all things organized, plus the different colours are cheerful and inspiring, and what job doesn't need that, right? I love using Stabilo point 88s to write things down, I have them in so many shades, it's just crazy... I'm a bit of an organizational freak too LOL xx

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  51. I loved this post because it is sooo normal to me. I am a calendar person. If it isn't on the calendar, it isn't happening. I use my iPod calendar. I have a Blackberry, but hate the calendar. I also like to make lists. I love that the iPod has notes so I can make tons and tons of lists on there.

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  52. I am definitely a list person and I think your post it note idea is the most fantastic thing ever. EVER. Like, close to how awesome sharks are. Definitely need to do this! xx

    Rose Eva
    SilhouettedBlog

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  53. Thank you so much for posting this! I absolutely LOVE to see how other bloggers organize their blogging schedules. I don't have my system a hundred percent yet but I'm going to do a similar post when i'm a little more organized. I loved this so much I re-tweeted it, so i hope you get lots more views <3

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  54. Uniball pens! I can't doodle without them. And I have to use Black Only!

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  55. I wish I were a list person! I feel like list people are far more prepared to be busy. I am really good at keeping my schedule straight in my head up to a point, and then I get stressed and forget EVERYTHING. If only I could make myself write things down ahead of time!

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  56. Hm, my problem is that I need to find a way to consolidate my millions of lists and idea notebooks. I have a mini journal for my purse, lists in notes on my phone, lists I jot down on lined sticky notes at work, e-mails to myself with links, even google docs spreadsheets, etc. I think I need to just stick to one medium.

    Your organization looks so pretty! I do like the sticky note organization idea too.

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  57. I love writing lists...it really is so satisfying ticking them off, with coloured pens and smiley faces. Its not the same putting it in your phone. Love the postit notes idea - such a good way to plan ahead and get organised!
    Lianne x
    rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

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  58. I love Uniball pens!! They're 50% off at Staples right now... just in case you wanted to stock up :).

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  59. Oh girl, I'm a list maker too. I am constantly buying those decrorative lists from like Target and Michaels because they're cute and something about a cute list makes me more likely to do it! Also, I write things out mostly in black pen. When I'm in class I religiously use highlighters too. People look at me all funny, but a girl's gotta stay organized, right?!

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  60. i live by lists - i wouldn't survive without them!
    i'm starting a new planner in september,
    and your post has given me so much inspiration about how i'm going to use it!
    thank you for sharing (:
    xo, cheyenne

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  61. whoa, I feel like we are the same person with our blog planner! AND THANK YOU for the post-it idea! I used pen, then I switched to pencil so I could erase BUT I really hate pencil, so post-its are perfect! I am a total list freak too!

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  62. I love this post! After a long time of trying (and failing) to use various calendar/planners on my iPhone, I bought a very cute paper planner from Target and it has done wonders for my productivity. You're right--there's something about the actual act of writing that really helps!

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  63. I should seriously start doing this!

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  64. Yay!! Another list maker! I think every blogger should love making lists. Thanks for that «listporn»!

    leslistesdolive.blogspot.ca

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  65. image down :(

    looking forward to reading this later x

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  66. this is a great post! :)

    i get abit overwhelmed with lists too and now i have too many sticky notes! I'm working out a system and got a notebook just for my blog now tho.

    I'm the same about lists getting too messy - so its about rewriting or organising lists - to maintain best productivity.

    I hate it when i find a list i wrote ages or years ago and i havent fulfilled everything yet

    Barnicles x

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  67. this is a lovely idea. I found it via According to Amber (http://amberrosethomas.blogspot.com) and I'm going to give it a shot. Wish me luck!
    -Di

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  68. girl, you ned to make a font out of that handwriting.

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  69. LOVE LOVE LOVE this! So inspiring! Off to uni in a months time (very unexpectedly!) and I'm already organising my planner, imagining the amazing stationery, pens, memo boards, etc that I'll be using, can't wait!

    I really like the way you organise yourself, and I know, amongst many others, what you totally mean! It helps so much having clearly written out lists, I feel like the physical act of writing really helps to solidify the point or help ideas flow.


    Fab :) x

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  70. I love list making too. i am usually doing it on excel files or on sticky notes

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  71. I agree with you 100% about the Post-its and ink pens. If I don't have a Sharpie or I will go nuts. The Post-its are so awesome that I have them all over the place, computer, laptop, file folders, notebook, calendars, you name it, they are there. So don't think it's weird to be so organized with post-its or having a great pen to write with. Hey, there are a lot of people out there like us... :)

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  72. Hi from your newest follower! I must say I am completely smitten with your site!!! I am a blogger as well and I am so excited to have found this post in particular - I am forever trying to find what works for me and this method just might! Also - i totally understand the pen thing, I am not only picky about pens but I will not use a pen unless it has it's cap! weird I know. anyways thanks and can't wait to read more!

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  73. This would totally be me. Making a post about lists, oh that's right I have done that. In fact I try to each and every time I post. Need to get back to that. Anyways, just the visual presentation of your blog and this post is heaven. Pleasing to the eye. Following you. Thanks for this post!! ~Christina
    www.creativetizzy.blogspot.com

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  74. Me & Post Notes belong together. I use them at work, home, the back of my phone and I'm pretty sure in my sleep...I need a book to contain them all! Love this idea :) Thanks!

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB