Pretty Good Actually: Bullet Journal

So, this is a pretty accurate picture of the inside of my brain at all times:

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the linked article from waitbutwhy.com also really gets me

Throughout my life, I have always preferred to have too much going on than not enough. I like to have my hands in lots of projects and I am often having ideas about what to do next. Hilariously, though, I am also a chronic procrastinator. To add insult to injury, I also have a work schedule that has inconsistent hours and my busy-ness ebbs and flows from week to week, so I don’t have a good, structured routine to my life. As you can guess, my brain is always pinging around, thinking of all the random things I need and/or want to get done, but when I have a chance to actually sit down and do stuff, I am so unfocused and overwhelmed that I just zone out and watch YouTube videos, then wonder why I never actually get anything done.

Yes, I am aware of Evernote. And Google Calendar. And the Notes app. There are tons of tools out there that work great for some people, but I guess I have come to terms with the fact that I am more analog, more kinesthetic- I am way more inclined to remember something that I have physically written down with a (really nice) pen in a (really nice) notebook than popping into an electronic calendar that has no top or bottom or sides or frame for my brain to hold on to it with. I’ve tried traditional planners on and off over the years, and while some have had features that were flexible enough for me, most left me feeling too restricted, or like I was wasting pages that didn’t apply to me.

A few months ago, some articles related to Bullet Journals were popping up in my feed on Facebook. At first I rolled my eyes. I mean, sure, I’ve been sucked into watching videos of people planning in their Erin Condren planners and thought this was straight crazy- who has all this time to plan their week WITH STICKERS and templates and pages they bought from etsy?? You would have to plan your planning! It was all to twee for this girl, plus I could see it becoming a great way to procrastinate actually doing the things I was planning. But there was something about the Bullet Journal that made me click on one of these posts, and it suddenly all made sense:

A Bullet Journal isn’t a planner; It’s a place to put my brain.

The creator of the Bullet Journal system (Ryder Carroll) kept things simple. You need a notebook (any notebook will do!) and a pen. Each section is basically a list. A list of days in the month. A list of tasks and a simple system to note if you completed them, or moved them to the next list. A list of books you want to read. A list of your favorite songs for the year. Random ideas you have. Whatever. It is completely flexible and adaptable to YOUR BRAIN and how it wants to deal with information, but it’s kept in one indexed notebook, not scattered around on hundreds of random post it notes, napkins, and apps.

bullet-pensHere’s my bullet journal. It is a soft cover Moleskin with a dot-grid pattern on the pages. See, I’m a sucker for a nice notebook, so the tactile experience of opening and writing in this type of book really makes me happy, but you can use any notebook you like. I also have a few pens that I like- a Sharpie fine point pen, Stablio pens in a bunch of colors, and this Japanese mildliner. This is about the extent of my craziness. Ok fine- I have a few rolls of washi tape, which I use to edge pages that I want to be able to access quickly.

 

First Thing’s First: Time Management

future log

future log

One of the first things you want to add is an index. After that, it’s up to you. I started mine with a Future Log, which honestly, I didn’t think I would use. Turns out, it’s a great place to stick stuff that you want to remember in the future, but don’t have a place for yet. For example, I needed to remember to renew my license plates in October, but when I started my journal in September, I didn’t have an October to write it in.

 

bullet-calendar

month view

Here’s October, over to the left. Now you may be thinking “Jess, um, are you really taking the time to draw a calendar when calendars already exist??” Yes, yes I am. I find it oddly soothing and settling somehow to look at a month, draw it, and then add all of my out-of-the-ordinary appointments, events, and anything else I want to see a “big picture” view of (like those blue E&N posts).

daily

daily view

Next, we have weekly pages. I know! I hear you! “This is so redundant!!” But that, my friend, is the beauty. I can see the whole year, the whole month, then a whole week, and actually have a grasp on it. Some people go on to daily pages after their weeks, but I haven’t had a reason to drill down that far (I do still keep my daily work appointments on an electronic calendar). The weekly pages are my favorites- I divide it into days of the week for noting tasks or appointments that are attached to a day and time, and then have a list of “to do’s” that can get done any time that week. Another thing I like about the Bullet Journal is that you never have to go backwards- if I don’t complete a task one week, I “migrate” it to the next week’s to do list. If I find I keep writing the same task again, I can either decided if it’s even worth doing, or if I just want to get it done so I don’t have to write it again. And yes, I also really enjoy the ritual of sitting down on Sunday night, planning out the next week. It helps me gain some focus, and prepares me for what’s coming down the road. It takes me about 15 minutes.

Lists on Lists on Lists

planning a trip!

planning a trip!

Here’s the fun part: rapid logging. These are pages just in and around your journal (again, thanks to the index, you can just put them wherever!) where you can keep lists. I have lists of blog post ideas, things I want to get done in my office, vacation planning, and ideas for holiday gifting. Eventually, I might also include some goal tracking, or maybe shows I want to catch up on. See? This way I don’t have to actively remember, or keep emails flagged, or worry that my notes app might disappear into the ether.

bullet-habits

habits- do I even lift??

Another type of tracking I’ve been playing with is habit tracking- you list the things you want to keep an eye on, and then fill in square on the date you completed it. This has made me realize that while I tell myself I lift 2-3 times a week, I actually lift like once usually. Honesty is hard sometimes, guys.

If you do some poking around online on Bullet Journaling, you will quickly find that yes! People are crazy here too! A lot of Pinterest-worthy Bullet Journals have beautiful calligraphy, layouts that look like a graphic designer created them, stickers, drawings, and pages of shit that I don’t need. The beauty of a Bullet Journal, right at it’s core, is that it can, and should be, incredibly simple. It is a place to put your brain, so when you find yourself with an hour of free time and loading up YouTube, you can say “wait, is there something I can check off my list?”. I’m still a newie bullet-er, but so far, it has really helped me get my shit together. And really, isn’t that what we’re all chasing after in this crazy life??

How do you plan your life? What should I plan next??

High vs Low: Melted Lipsticks

A few years ago, Too Faced launched their revolutionary Melted Liquefied Long Wear Lipstick, and we all wept for the futures of our bank accounts. At $21 a tube, it’s a bit of a splurge. A worthwhile splurge, as the formula is great and the colors are beautiful, but when I found a dupe at Target recently for $6.99, I couldn’t help but feel a little Mr. Burns-y…

mr burns

Maybelline is kicking all kinds of ass lately, and their new Lip Studio Color Jolt Intense Lip Paint is worth making room in your makeup drawer for. Here are some side-by-side comparisons:

Too Faced | Maybelline

Too Faced | Maybelline

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Fight Me Fuchsia | Melted Fuchsia

Fight Me Fuchsia | Melted Fuchsia

Look at that!! They are THE SAME. The packaging is nearly identical, though the Maybelline is about half the size (12ml vs 6.4ml). The upside to that? You can get three colors of tiny tubes for the same amount of money as the big! Both have really outstanding pigment, huge color payoff, easy application via a flocked tip, and a creamy, smooth formula. I like the Too Faced color a little better (I like my pinks to be hot hot hot and on the blue side), but they are dang close. I would consider them long-wear, as they both stain the lips a bit, but neither dry down or “set”- they stay creamy and feel moisturizing, and both fade nicely. Honestly, I had both on my lips for that picture above, and couldn’t really tell a difference in formula… the Maybelline may have been a touch thicker? Both have a light sweet, fruity smell that fades quickly.

Neither survived eating pizza, but they didn’t transfer all over my face either.

Too Faced has a much larger color selection, so I’d say it’s worth the splurge if you find a shade that’s really special. But if you’re just looking to add some fun bolds to your summer makeup wardrobe, hit up that Maybelline display!

I bought these with my own money, and no one asked me to tell you what I think about it, but I did anyway! What products do you reach for over their high-end counterparts? Or, is there anything you want us to test-drive? Let us know in the comments!

Pretty Good, Actually: 6 of Jess’s Drugstore Faves


Pretty Good, Actually is a regular feature where we tell you about stuff that we think you might be surprised to find out is pretty good, actually. 

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of high-end makeup. I know- I’m a card carrying Sephora VIB AND Ulta Platinum Rewards…. card carrier? Anyway, I love makeup, and sometimes I feel you really do get what you pay for as far as quality goes. But, you know, it doesn’t take much arm twisting on my part to try new makeup, and if it’s something I can pick up in the same errand as cat food and half n half, even better. Lately, the drugstore lines have really upped their games, and these are some products I am consistently reaching for OVER their high-end fancy pants counterparts:

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1. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation

I don’t go for full coverage with my foundation on most days- usually I use a BB cream, then dust a light veil of powder on to set things and even out my skin tone. I have been incredibly faithful to Kat Von D’s foundation powder for a good 2 years now, and still love it, but as I was coming to the end of my last compact I felt really grumpy about spending $35 on powder. I was roaming Target (as you do) and decided to give this Maybelline powder a whirl- at $5.99, I didn’t have high hopes, but also didn’t feel like it was going to sting too badly if it didn’t work out. YOU GUYS: this is a total dupe! I might even like it better than my trusty KvD. It’s a little less milled/creamy in texture, but it really holds up all day, blends great, doesn’t look “powdery” but keeps my face from being oily, and a little goes a long way. Total win!

2. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadow

Some days, you want to not look dead, but you also don’t want to make a big deal about putting on makeup. Or you’re kind of hungover. And you were supposed to leave the house 5 minutes ago. I get it! This is a product that works in these situations- similar to the MAC Paint Pots, this is an easy to apply eye shadow cream (you can just pat it on with your finger- less risk of poking out an eye with a pointy brush) and it sets into a smudge-proof, crease-proof, kind of subtle but kind of special something. This also works great as a base for more elaborate looks, but lets not over complicate a good thing right now! Also this is right around $6 a pop. BOOM. I especially enjoy the shade Bad To The Bronze. Wait… is that a Buffy reference???

3. Cover Girl The Super Sizer by LashBlast Waterproof Mascara

While we’re hanging out around our eyeballs, let’s talk mascara. Now, I’m pretty picky about my mascara, but also fair-weather when it comes to loyalty. I have wicked bad allergies, and my eyes tend to be watery, so I almost always have to go with a waterproof formula. I am also susceptible to raccooning under my eyes as the day wears on, so I like a mascara that doesn’t flake or transfer easily, especially if I mindlessly rub my eye (allergies are THE WORST). Recently I picked this guy up on a whim before a beach vacation, and was so impressed by it’s performance in the pool that it has quickly wandered into my daily routine.

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner

I talk about eyeliner more in depth in another post, but a good liquid liner is a staple in my makeup wardrobe. This one is not my all time favorite, but it’s an excellent choice for around $8. The formula is easy to apply- the slightly flexible felt tip makes for a pretty easy application, even if you’re still half asleep. It has decent staying power and doesn’t transfer too badly once it dries down. I like this one on Monday mornings when I have to be to work extra early and deal with people right off the bat.

5. Cover Girl Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Balm

For as much as I love a bold lip, they can sometimes be a little more than you’re willing to deal with on a trip to the grocery store. (But not always! Rock that bold lip anywhere, friend!!) I have been a fan of Fresh Sugar’s tinted lip balms for years, but holy bananas, they are PRICEY. Cover Girl was nice enough to launch this stand-in last winter, right at the height of my feeling-pathetic-about-my-dry-winter-lips phase. I was pleasantly surprised! These go on really smoothly, have just enough tint to make them look like something is happening, and continue to feel good on your lips for a few hours. Because I’m super classy, I can also vouch that they do a great job refreshing partially worn off lipstick that you are too lazy to reapply. This guy is always in my purse, ready to go.

6. Nyx Micro Brow Pencil

Nyx can be hit or miss for me, but THIS PRODUCT IS THE JAM!!! I cannot express how much I love this little dude. In a world where everyone is selling you $20+ eyebrow pencils, this guy comes in at just under $10 (and Nyx is often BOGO50 at Ulta), and it is THE BEST. The formula is a little on the stiff side, which is perfect for a soft, sketchy application, which you can buff out with the spoolie brush on the other end. The color is spot on for me (I’m in Espresso), it doesn’t come off until you want it to, and it doesn’t go on so heavy that you can feel it when you express emotions. I use this pretty much every day and have yet to break into my backup pencil that I bought months ago fearing that I was about to run out.

So there you have it! I didn’t realize how much Maybelline was killing it until I put this together. Huh. What are your favorite bargain products?? Comment below!

xo