FAVORITE THINGS FRIDAY | INK & PAPER!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY MONTH! And since it's such a special month, I have decided to share with you a few of my favorite things each Friday!

Whenever I see these types of posts on blogs, instagram, or in magazines, I always find that the prices of these fantastic things are usually high. Or at least most of the items are a little pricey.

My goal with these fun posts is to give you some very cost effective, fun, and inspirational ways to find some new favorite things.

I am a very frugal person and love when I find a great product that doesn't break the bank and brings me simple joys in life.

All of these items you see are under $50 and most of them are under $20!

LET'S START WITH INK & PAPER!

I am slightly obsessed with ink and paper. I love technology but there is just something about writing or receiving a handwritten letter, or writing my plans, dreams, and goals down in my paper calendar that just does something for my soul.

I have always been a school supply lover! And I am guessing that I am not the only one out there because the Target $1 section seems to not only be my idea of dessert. I run into so many people I know once every two weeks in that section of Target! HA!

One of my very favorite things to do is sit down to write letters, practice calligraphy, or get my paper calendar organized.

Staring back when my daughter was born, it became a goal of mine to learn a new skill every year. I've learned photography, graphic design, how to crochet, videography, etc. One year I taught myself with the help of youtube, books, & Pinterest, how to use a brush pen and how to write with a calligraphy pen.

It was so hard at first because I have such horrendous handwriting. But after many many hours and hand cramps later I finally began to be happy with the look of my work.

One of my very favorite things to give as gifts are hand "painted" postcards to friends on holidays or birthdays. I will find out a friend's favorite scripture and then find an ink (of a color they love) at a local craft store (if I don't have it already) and then sit down at night to create unique and thoughtful gifts.

And I mostly use the calligraphy inks (India ink) for my hand lettering but I also use watercolor paints.

Now it should be noted that I am not a talented painter or artist on paper. My mom and brother were born with that gene, not me. I've always watched what they have done and wished so bad that I had that natural born skill.

If you are reading this and you are thinking, "yeah, well... I'm not artistically inclined." Honestly, neither am I! I got my start by finding artists I liked and then learning from them how they do what they do. Eventually tenacity and hard work led to "my work" looking like my own. Don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself grace and keep pushing forward in anything you set out to accomplish.

Also I love my paper calendar! I had wanted one for the longest time but didn't want to spend $50+ dollars on one. So after much research and shopping around I found a product line of planners at Michaels that I LOVE! I bought an 18 month planner and use it everyday.

I also bought a three ring binder from Target (here it is) and put categories (dividers) in it. Basically, it keeps my life together. My categories are: To Do, Meal Planning, Calendar, and Study.

Since my life consists of helping several other companies with their graphic design and social media posts (along with my own), I needed a calendar section that doesn't invade my personal one. My system of keeping all the posts and deadlines together is by creating calendars on print-a-calendar.com and having one calendar per company. I then punch holes in everything and stick them in their categories! My business to do list, companies calendars, meals I would love to try, my shopping list from Walmart grocery pick up, and all my hand typed notes from my previous speaking events inhabit this 3 ring binder. I obviously have all of this on my computer as well but I'm old school and I like paper copies.