My self-hosted blog is up and running!

Hey! To anyone just finding this page, you can now find me at gracefulpages.com. My blog is now too legit. I'm busy brainstorming to add more content and look forward to sharing more of my planner obsession and wellness stuff with you! See you there. Shirley ❤

Checking in + Changes on the horizon!

Hey. I'm still here. About to hit you with the obligatory "sorry-I-haven't-posted-consistently,so-hear-me-out" post. When I started blogging (I say that like it was so long ago, hah), I approached it like did every other hobby - dive.right.in. Do all the things. To make sure I wouldn't run out of content too quickly, I made a list …

Mistakes I Made When I Joined the Planner Community

Ten months into my planner obsession,  I think I've gained enough experience to give some advice. I've spent more time and money than I should have, but it has taught me a lot about  what I really need to have planner peace. Oops #1: Thinking I needed a planner to coordinate with every season. 'Oh …

Three Self-Care Swaps you Should Try

Sundays are my self-care days. If I don't have at least an afternoon devoted to grooming or health, it throws off my entire week. I use the morning and afternoon to wash my hair, give some special attention to my skin, and maybe even do a manicure. It's so easy (and unhealthy) to work until you crash, …

I took the leap! Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera

I love capturing moments and turning the mundane into memories.  I'm no photographer, but sometimes the stars align and I take a picture that's frame-worthy. I bought my Nikon D3100 in 2012 when I wanted to be all crunchy-soulful-mother earth and take pictures of nature.  Yeah...that didn't last long. After shooting with it for a short time, the …

Put Your Planner to Work!

When it comes to my work, planning is about as functional as it gets. My planner hasn't seen a sticker or an inch of washi since August and it's gonna stay that way. If you've read my very first post, you'll know why I decided to use a Happy Planner for work. Check out my busted hard-working HP. …

Self Care Sunday: Bentonite Clay and Apple Cider Vinegar Mask

Every now and then, my skin decides to have a party and bring lots of unwanted friends. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I started using Derma-E products about one month ago. My skin was clear, but I wanted something to handle my acne scarring. I made the not-so-wise decision of  going cold turkey on …

Treat yo’self! Three planner items that are worth the splurge.

Even though I'm pretty frugal, there are a few items that have totally been worth the splurge. Everyone's budget is different, so for the purpose of this post, I consider anything over $50 a big-ticket item. Upright storage with drawers. The washi, pens, stamps, and stickers piled up mighty fast,  so I bought this rolling cart from Michael's.  It retails …

I almost forgot it was winter.

The weather in the midwest is unpredictable. It was sunny and 60 degrees here on Monday. Only two days later, the city is blanketed in snow.  While it can be a headache, I will say that it makes ordinary things look picturesque. Spot the doggy footprints in the snow. I'm used to it and some days I even …

Planning Made Functional: Tips and Tricks

You have a planner. Great! So what do you make of all these boxes, lines, and accessories? If you're into keeping your planner a little cute and whole lot of functional, here is my tried-and-true system to staying organized each month. I keep my work and personal tasks separate because it keeps my stress level down. …