Eliza

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February 16 2025

Granger Series: The Secret World of Maggie Grey, The First Family & A Wolf That Loves the Moon – Must-Read Books!

Eliza Books 0

When A Wolf Loves The Moon

Author: D. Granger

Genres: Magical Realism/Fiction/Suspense/Romantic Thriller/Fantasy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: In book three, students are going missing under Wilhelmina’s guidance of the school. Asha is threatened to be kicked out as the Sirens have left the Underground and took their contributions with them. Finally, after two books, Maggie consummates her relationship with Namir as he finally sacrifices his ties to his pact to be with her. Namir’s older brother, Seth appears to take his rightful place as Alpha or will Namir be the Alpha that he has always meant to be? Maggie finally demonstrates the power that has always been inside of her. Is she really Gaia?

Tropes: opposites attract, family dysfunction, good v evil and intercultural conflict

Themes: childhood trauma, mental health, family secrets, intergenerational conflict between sirens, werewolves, witches, vampires, etc., ostracization, love conquers all.

Character: Namir is my first book boyfriend! He demonstrates his alpha position with Maggie but also exhibited a loving, nurturing and caring nature. He was super serious about Maggie, and he imprinted on her so that no other man would even think to look at her. He was definitely possessive but not controlling. He was just a sexy character that loved his family and only wanted to live his life and do what was right. I knew that he would eventually fall for Maggie because she was really cool and down to earth. She was definitely the opposite of Namir. A Vampire!

Thoughts: Like the first two books, this was nothing short of amazing. I really loved when her grandfather reappeared back into the book after being gone since the second book. I actually thought he was killed off, LOL. Bellamy was ruthless in the second book. I loved how Maggie began to become one with who she really is and started to really take her abilities seriously in attempts to find out what she is capable of. There was a lot of self-discoveries in this book and I love how Granger developed more of her confidence and character. Usually Maggie is the calm, cool and collected one and sits back but she really shined during the funeral. I was like “you better do it Maggie.” My favorite scene was when Namir and Maggie appeared at the funeral of his brother. I was like “yaaaasssssssss.” I think that was one of the sexiest scenes that not only showed Namir and Maggie’s bond but that loving someone different than your own was possible. However, I would like to see Souxie and Asha develop more of their powers so we can see what they are capable of. I would also love to see if Asha develops a relationship with Solomon because I know she low keys wants him! This book, six stars!!

Drew Collins Book Two: The First Family

Author: D. Granger

Genres: Magical Realism/Fiction/Suspense/Romantic Thriller/Fantasy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: As Maggie is trying to find out what she is in relation to The First Family, she learns that she has a brother, Bellamy; another murder is committed on the ground of Drew Collins, and they are suspecting Maggie just like the first one.

Themes: childhood trauma, mental health, family secrets, intergenerational conflict between sirens, werewolves, witches, vampires, etc., ostracization, love conquers all.

Character: Bellamy Holmes! Whew, I loved his character in this book. I could visualize how he looks in this book and I was immediately swooned by him. He walked with so much confidence and people knew not to mess with him. I loved the way that he took Maggie under his guidance and protection. He was definitely overprotective of her, but I loved how he took his position as her older brother. Now when he took Celeste and fed on her, I was like omgggggggg. Why did I secretly love it?

Thoughts: I absolutely loved the book. The imagery was incredible, and I really appreciated how the author brought the story to life with such vivid detail, especially in the character development. I also adored how she chose Atlanta as the setting—it made the story feel even more personal since that’s where I live. The cultural references, like mentioning the Underground, were such a nice touch and made the reading experience feel all the more authentic. In short, I could not put this book down. It was definitely a page turner, and I am impatiently waiting for the third book.

Secret World of Maggie Grey

Author: D. Granger

Genres: Magical Realism/Fiction/Suspense/Romantic Thriller/Fantasy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: Maggie Grey gets accepted into a Mystical HBCU and really doesn’t understand who she is in relation to being placed there. All she knows is that her grandfather was Marvin Holmes and wants to know what she is and why she’s there. Will she find out?

Tropes: opposites attract, family dysfunction, good v evil and intercultural conflict.

Themes: childhood trauma, mental health, family secrets, intergenerational conflict between sirens, werewolves, witches, vampires, etc., ostracization, love conquers all.

Character: My favorite character was Hillary. I connected with her so much because of her hesitancy to always get involved in decisions that may or could have negative consequences. She was the reserved friend, which was really funny at times.

Thoughts: I absolutely loved the book. If you’re from Atlanta, you develop a nostalgic connection to the places she mentions within the book that helps the reader to really connect to the setting. I really loved the talking cat, Quan. Y’all, I was cracking up laughing the whole time. He brought so much sarcastic humor to the book that I didn’t know I needed. I could not get enough of him. I kept saying to myself, why is this dude so funny? Especially when he would talk about Isis and Asha. I have never loved a mystical fantasy so much. This is definitely a must read. Don’t sleep on Granger. She made the book Twilight look like “what’s Twilight?”

February 16 2025

January TBR: Must-Read Books to Kickstart Your Year!

Eliza Books 0

Drew Collins Book Two: The First Family

Author: D. Granger

Genres: Magical Realism/Fiction/Suspense/Romantic Thriller/Fantasy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes: opposites attract, family dysfunction, good v evil and intercultural conflict.

Themes: childhood trauma, mental health, family secrets, intergenerational conflict between sirens, werewolves, witches, vampires, etc., ostracization, love conquers all.

Character: My favorite character was Hillary. I connected with her so much because of her hesitancy to always get involved in decisions that may or could have cause negative consequences. She was the reserved friend, which was really funny at times.

Three Inch Teeth

Author: CJ Box

Genres: Fiction/Suspense/Mystery/Crime/Thriller

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: There is a bear on the loose and it is killing anyone that it identified as a threat, or is it? Dallas Cates gets out of prison and has a vendetta against anyone who wronged him in his life. He comes for Joe Pickett, but does he succeed in his quest for revenge?

Tropes: classic revenge, and dangerous predators in which one must respect all wildlife.

Themes: respect for wildlife, revenge and justice, human wildlife conflict, and survival and resilience.

Character: Nate Romanowski was definitely my favorite character. He’s so unhinged, which makes him so fascinating to read about. There’s something about his strength and loyalty that’s hard to resist—he’s the kind of friend who would do anything to protect his loved ones, no matter how extreme the measures, even if it means being ruthlessly brutal. I really love that about him; it adds so much depth to his character.

Thoughts: I love the Joe Pickett series. It reminds me of a book version of Walker, Texas Ranger. Joe is serious about protecting wildlife and following the rules as the game warden. He is persistent in his efforts to catch the person behind these killings and restore order. I really love how this book maintains captivating scenes that you are able to imagine by the use of such descriptive language. Every killing was detailed, and I could literally imagine the crime scenes. CJ Box always does a great job of capturing your attention from the very first page to the end.

Curvy Girl Summer

Author: Danielle Allen

Genres: Romance/Fiction

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: Aaliyah’s birthday is in eight weeks, and she needs a date. However, she is looking for love and date in the wrong places-online! She is trying so hard not to live up to her family’s expectations in relation to her weight, children and marriage. After the first horrible date, the bartender, Ahmad, decides to become her guiding light in her journey to find a mate.

Tropes: opposites attract, fat phobia, beauty standards, friends to lovers

Themes: societal beauty standards, size matters, negative male ego, confidence in oneself

Character: Ahmad definitely is my favorite character of them all. I love the humor he brought out of Aaliyah, and he saw her for who she was and not her size. He definitely was attracted to Aaliyah, but it took him a while to realize it through his grief and traumatic past. Ahmad is strong, sexy, intellectual, funny, caring and had a softer side that is often lacking by men in real life. I get so mushy just thinking about him. He was definitely my second book boyfriend.

Thoughts: I love the way that Danielle Allen relates this book to real life issues such as body positivity, grief and trauma that may keep one from healing and developing the confidence in themselves to be in a healthy relationship. Ahmad and Aaliyah’s relationship was amazing, and I loved how they really started off as friends. The author allowed them to build their relationship on a friendly foundation, which led to them learning a lot about each other. However, I did want to knock Aaliyah out when she assumed that Ahmad “lied” to her about being married but he wasn’t even talking to her when she heard him say that to another customer. LOL… But I understood where she was coming from. This was my first romance book of the year, and I absolutely fell in love.

Fall

Author: Tracy Clark

Genres: Fiction/Suspense/Mystery/Crime/Thriller

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: In the second book of the Detective Harriet Foster series, Tracy Clark plunges readers into a dark mystery as Harriet and her team hunt a serial killer targeting Chicago’s aldermen. When two aldermen are found dead—

one by suicide, the other brutally stabbed, both with thirty dimes on their bodies—Harriet is on the case. With few clues and a killer on the loose, she must uncover the victims’ hidden secrets and figure out who’s seeking revenge before more lives are lost.

Tropes: classic revenge, corruption in politics, new partnership, symbolic clues, serial killer targeting authority figures

Themes: double standards, judging the cover of the book, strong female, sexism, prejudice in the legal system.

Character: Detective Li was my favorite character in this book. She was always there for Detective Foster even when she didn’t want anyone to be. Her positive demeanor always was refreshing in the book and brought such a positive energy and light to the story and to her partner.

Thoughts: One of the things that I loved about this book was a strong female presence. A strong black female presence in the legal system, which is rarely seen. Some men do not like women that are in authority and Detective Foster endured much scrutiny by the men, but guess what? We do not care! On the other hand, I detest how the legal system likes to victim blame and lose empathy for women especially when they are being honest and are really the victim. Even though all evidence supported that Marin was the “killer” no one wanted to believe her, not even the other women. This book definitely had a five-star ending.

Truth or Dare

Author: Danielle Allen

Genres: Romance/Fiction

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: All nine friends get together for the weekend for Chloe’s and her boyfriend’s wedding. For old time’s sake, someone suggest they play truth or dare to engage in past memories of them playing when they were in college.

When it’s Simone’s turn, she twerks on her best friend Kingston. Will their relationship change or stay the same?

Tropes: follow your heart, friends to lovers, matchmaking

Themes: love comes unexpectedly, friends stick closer, honesty, be open to love, sacrifice

Character: My favorite character was Kington. I know that most of my favorite characters have been men, but I just cannot get over how amazing these authors are creating these male characters. Kingston knew what he wanted and although he had been best friends with Simone since college, he knew that there was always something between them. I love how his character was strong, direct, and sensually in tuned with Simone. But he’s wrong for coming around with those grey shorts on. He knew what he was doing. If you know, you know… LOL.

Thoughts: All I kept thinking about while reading this book is how amazing Danielle Allen is. I love her writing style and how she created such dreamy male characters. She really made these men come to life and demonstrate to the reader that black men can be just as loving and nurturing. In the same way, I love the positive relationships between all nine friends. They had their disagreements, but they were able to understand work out the issues, which show just how strong their bonds were. However, I will say that even though Simone and Kingston knew each other since college, they moved way too fast for my liking. LOL. I was literally like slow down y’all…. Overall, this was rated five starts and was devoured in one day.

Love From Scratch

Author: Nina High

Genres: Romance/Fiction

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: Love has always been on the backburner for Amaya as she made her restaurant, Savor, the baby of her life. However, she is afraid that without enough business, her restaurant will have to close until a Martin brother sees her TikTok video. Will he save her business? Will she find love?

Tropes: sacrifice, love comes when you least expect it, live life to the fullest.

Themes: faith over fear, trust and have faith, money issues, entrepreneurship, confidence.

Character: Derrin was my favorite character in the book. I loved the positive energy he brought to the book. He knew how to be a good friend and assistant to Amaya and always supporting her in opening her heart to the unexpected and even love. He never let Amaya degrade herself and confirmed for her everything her sister had been attempting to convey about her life, which his way was way more receptive than her sisters. No to mention, Derrin was always super funny.

Thoughts: I am just going to leave you with this quote to describe how much I loved this book. “He pulls me close and wraps his arms tighter around my waist. His proximity to me makes me shiver. His beard brushes against my cheek, and his lips brushed against my neck causing me to gasp. I pull away feeling too many things…..he clears his throat and runs his hands down his face, trying to regain his composure. Absolutely your turn, he says with a grin that’s equal parts.” This book was most definitely a five star.

My First ARC Book Review: Listen to Your Sister

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Neena Viel, in Listen to Your Sister, demonstrates remarkable talent with her literary writing in this book, weaving poetic prose and vivid descriptions that captivate readers from the very beginning in how descriptive she is with the unfortunate lives of Calla and her brothers. Moreover, she also excelled at capturing electrifying moments of horror, which often left me breathless with anxiety-inducing moments. These pivotal scenes are gripping and immersive, making the reader feel the dread and suspense at the heart of the story.

However, the novel stumbles with its reliance on excessive retrospective moments. While some backstory is necessary, there were too many instances where the narrative veered off course to delve into the lives of every character, often in ways that felt irrelevant

to the central plot. This overabundance of detail disrupts the pacing, climax in the plot, making the book feel unnecessarily long and, at times, arduous to read. At times, I was wondering, “Why is this here?” “What am I reading?” “How is this relevant?”

The blending of horror and fantasy elements adds intrigue, but it also creates confusion about the story’s identity. Is it primarily horror? Is it a dark fantasy tale? This ambiguity becomes especially pronounced after Chapter 21, where the narrative seems to lose its direction. For example, Calla’s brothers became afraid of her as it appeared she was being possessed by some dark force. Then, they were being chased by the “women” that had been following them. Subsequently, the next morning, Jamie was sitting with his sister as she made French toast! Wait! What just happened here…. So, did the sister possess witch-like abilities? The lack of clarity left me needing immediate answers to ensure I could continue reading.

By the time I reached Chapter 23, I found myself struggling to understand the story’s trajectory. The plot became muddled, and the motivations of the characters grew increasingly opaque. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t push past the lack of cohesion in the latter part of the book.

Overall, Listen to Your Sister shines in its moments of literary brilliance and chilling horror, but the uneven pacing, extraneous details, and unclear genre focus detract from its potential. Readers who enjoy atmospheric prose and layered storytelling might still find value here, but patience is required to navigate its more perplexing sections.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

November 23 2024

How Journaling Cards Can Transform Your Writing: Free Downloads Available!

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Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection, creativity, and personal growth. Among the many journaling aids available, journaling cards have emerged as a favorite for many enthusiasts. These versatile cards are not only a great way to spark creativity, but they can also help you stay focused and organized in your journaling practice. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of using journaling cards and how they can enhance your writing experience.

What Are Journaling Cards?

Journaling cards are typically small cards or pieces of paper that feature prompts, quotes, or questions designed to inspire thought and reflection. They can vary in size and design, often featuring colorful graphics or motivational messages. The beauty of journaling cards lies in their portability and ease of use—simply pick a card, read the prompt, and let your thoughts flow onto the page.

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Benefits of Using Journaling Cards

1. Inspiration on Demand: One of the main advantages of journaling cards is their ability to inspire you when you’re feeling stuck. Whether you’re experiencing writer’s block or just don’t know where to begin, a prompt can help kickstart your thoughts and get the creative juices flowing.

2. Focused Reflection: Journaling cards often contain specific themes or questions that guide your writing. This can lead to deeper self-reflection as you explore different aspects of your life, thoughts, and feelings. For instance, a card might prompt you to reflect on your goals, explore a recent experience, or consider your emotions about a particular situation.

3. Variety of Topics: With journaling cards, you can explore a wide range of topics without the pressure of coming up with ideas on your own. From gratitude and mindfulness to creativity and personal growth, there are journaling cards available for every interest and need.

4. Encourages Consistency: For those looking to build a regular journaling habit, using cards can make the process more enjoyable and less intimidating. Picking a card each day can create a routine, helping you to develop the habit of writing regularly.

5. Shareable and Collaborative: Journaling cards can be shared with friends, family, or your journaling group. They provide a great way to start discussions and share insights, making journaling a more communal and interactive experience.

Free Journaling Card Downloads on Patreon

To help you get started with journaling cards, I invite you to sign up for my Patreon, where you can access free downloads of journaling cards featuring a variety of prompt categories tailored to meet your needs. Whether you’re seeking prompts for gratitude journaling, creative writing, goal setting, or self-reflection, my collection has something for everyone.

By becoming a Patreon member, you’ll not only gain access to these valuable resources but also join a supportive community of fellow journaling enthusiasts. You can share your experiences, discover new techniques, and find motivation to enhance your journaling practice.

In short, incorporating journaling cards into your writing routine can transform your journaling experience, making it more engaging, reflective, and productive. With their ability to inspire, focus, and encourage consistency, these cards are an excellent addition to any journaling toolkit. Don’t forget to visit my Patreon for free journaling card downloads that will help you explore a myriad of topics and ignite your creativity. Happy journaling!

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November 23 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Planner Monkey Co.

Eliza Planners 0

I know it’s been a while since my last planner post, but I’m back and excited to share my thoughts on Planner Monkey Co. This stationery and planner company is relatively new to me, and I discovered it through a friend on Instagram! At the time, I was specifically looking for an undated planner so that I wouldn’t feel pressured to plan or journal every day. If you’re seeking that flexibility, this might be the perfect planner for you.

Planner Monkey Co. offers a wide range of planners in various types and sizes, from A5 to pocket dimensions. Additionally, the planners are available in several colors, including grey, pink, beige, and black, which is a nice touch for those who prefer colorful covers. One standout feature is the use of 52gsm Tomoe River Paper, which is highly regarded in the journaling community for its quality.

Standard TN

A5 Undated

After exploring their options, I chose the undated monthly planner in a standard traveler and A5 size. I really appreciate the freedom this layout provides, as it includes only 12 undated monthly layouts, allowing you to customize your planning experience. The subsequent pages are blank, enabling complete creative control over your layout.

However, I must note that this particular planner is currently out of stock. There is an alternative option called “Freely Noted,” which offers a similar layout but without the monthly calendars at the front.

One drawback I noticed with the planner is that the binding isn’t wide enough for it to lay completely flat. The curved binding doesn’t allow the planner to open fully, which can be a bit frustrating. That said, the pricing remains competitive with similar products like those from Sterling Ink. The newer version of the Freely Planned Undated is available for preorder at $43. Overall, despite the binding issue, I think Planner Monkey Co. has some great offerings worth considering!

Overall, Planner Monkey Co. presents an appealing option for anyone in search of an undated planner that offers flexibility and quality. With a variety of sizes, colors, and the premium Tomoe River paper, it caters to different preferences and styles. While the binding may not be ideal for everyone, the overall design and affordability make it a strong contender in the stationery market. Whether you opt for the undated monthly planner or the “Freely Noted” alternative, you’re sure to find a layout that inspires your creativity and enhances your planning experience. If you’re interested, be sure to check their offerings and see which planner suits your needs best!

Standard TN Undated

A5 Undated

Check out my planner review on Youtube…

November 3 2024

Exploring Planners: Papertess Designs

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As we get ready for 2025, we’re still on the lookout for the “perfect planner.” When in reality, we know that doesn’t exist. However, I came across this amazing planner company, Papertess Designs, browsing on late night Instagram, of course. Papertess Designs offers a wide variety of planners and notebooks ranging from but not limited to B5, A5, A5 Slim, B6, A6, Pocket, Weekly.

I decided on the Chapter ’25-The Yearly Notebook-Edition 2025 and the Weekly Notebook-2025 Edition so let’s take a look at my top two key features:

First, let’s take a look at the Weekly Notebook 2025 Edition. One of the key features of this planner that I really enjoy is the multi-section design weekly layout. Although this is a dated planner, this feature allows for easy organization based on your specific needs, whether it’s tasks, appointments, or notes. It makes it easier to prioritize and visualize your week at a glance. A second key feature is its lay flat design, which enhances its usability making it easier to draw, write, and take notes without it closing. We all know that this can be hard to achieve with some planners, but Papertess Designs masters this capability beautifully.

Details:
+ Size: 186 mm x 95 mm x 15 mm
+ Line Spacing: 4,5 mm
+ Grid Spacing: 4,0 mm x 3,9 mm
+ Paper: 52 gsm SANZEN Tomoe River Paper – white
+ Cover: Soft Cover / Cover Color Options: Sand, Black, Sage
+ Monday Start
+ Specials: Rosegold stamped Cover
+ Pages: 380
+ Opens completely flat
+ Rounded corners
+ About 224 extra notes pages in the back of the planner

Layout:
+ Yearly Overview: 2 pages
+ Yearly Overview Tracker: 2 pages
+ vertical monthly Tracker: 6 pages (4 months per pages)
+ 12x months on 2 pages (January – December)
+ 53 x week on 2 pages (January – December)

Now moving on to the A6 Chapter ’25-The Yearly Notebook-Edition 2025. One of the key features that caught my attention when purchasing was the one page weekly layout designed for you to see all tasks or prioritizations on one page. This feature makes this planner incredibly functional and flexible, allowing you to organize your time effectively. The following 7 pages are undated. This feature allows you to be creative, using it for sketching, brainstorming or journaling. The second key feature that I found astonishing is its compact design by including undated pages after the weekly layout, making it easy to utilize without sacrificing its functionality. No more flipping from the front to the back trying to find pages that are hard to find.

Details:
+ Size: A6 – 148 mm x 105 mm x 18 mm
+ Grid Size: 4,0 mm x 4,0 mm
+ Paper: 52 gsm SANZEN Tomoe River Paper – white
+ Cover: Soft Cover / Cover Color Options: Sand, Sage, Black
+ Monday Start
+ Specials: Rosegold stamped cover + spine
+ Pages: 520
+ Opens completely flat
+ Rounded corners
+ All pages are numbered
+ About 24 extra notes pages in the back of the planner

Layout:
+ Yearly Overview: 2 pages
+ Yearly Overview Tracker: 2 pages
+ Quarterly Pages: 4 pages (3 vertical months per pages)
+ Quarterly Pages: 8 pages (3 horizontal months per pages + notes pages)

The planning section is divided and bundled by months:
+ 1 x Month on 2 pages
+ 1 x Blank grid spread: 2 pages
+ 4 x Week on 1 page + 7 blank grid pages (some months have 5 x week on 1 page + 7 grid pages)

In short, the A6 Chapter ’25-The Yearly Notebook-Edition 2025 and Weekly Notebook 2025 Edition by Papertess Designs stands out with its thoughtfully designed layouts and practical features that cater to diverse planning needs. The combination of functional sections and a lay-flat design makes it a pleasure to use for anyone looking to enhance their organization skills. Whether you’re managing tasks, jotting down ideas, or tracking appointments, these planners provide a flexible approach to weekly and daily planning. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this planner! Please share your comments below and let me know how you integrate planning tools into your daily routine.

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October 25 2024

Coffee Monster: A Brown Ink Delight

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As you may know, I’m a big fan of fountain pen inks. Today, I want to take a moment to highlight the fantastic collaboration between Helen from The Coffee Monsterz Co (TCMC) and Robert Oster. They really nailed it with this ink!

If you’re unfamiliar with Robert Oster inks, be sure to check out my blog post, “Unleashing Creativity: Exploring Vibrant Fountain Pen Inks.”

I have a particular weakness for brown inks. I love how versatile they are and how well they pair with various stationery thanks to their neutral tones. I’ve tried several, including Diamine Raw Sienna, Diamine Ancient Copper, Diamine Dusted Truffle, and Sailor Ink Studio 373, each with its own unique sheen and shading. However, Coffee Monster has truly captured my heart.

What I love about this ink is the soft, yet authentic coffee bean color, showcasing a stunning array of brown hues. The shading is also fantastic, transitioning from dark to light and creating a lovely ombre effect—perfect for an enjoyable writing experience.

To fully appreciate its range, I created a larger swatch than usual, using Rhodia paper and 160gsm. The results were stunning: a beautiful brown sheen appeared once it dried, and the shading was particularly striking on the Rhodia paper. I find it essential to swatch on different types of paper, as the absorption can really affect how the colors present themselves.

Would I recommend this color? Absolutely! Unfortunately, it was part of her birthday sale and is currently sold out. However, if you can snag a sample from a pen company or a friend, it’s definitely worth it!

The collaboration between Helen from TCMC and Robert Oster has produced a truly remarkable brown ink that’s a must-try for any fountain pen enthusiast. I hope this exploration inspires you to add it to your collection when it’s available again. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this ink or your favorite brown inks—feel free to share in the comments! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on my latest blog posts and ink adventures!

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October 23 2024

Aura Estelle Planner Review: A Deep Dive into Productivity

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Here we are again, exploring another fantastic planner! For the next few weeks, we’ll continue our journey through the world of planners and shops that enhance the planner and journaling experience. This week, we’re diving into the wonderful features of the Aura Estelle Planners. Just a heads up: the 2025 TRP planners have launched and are being shipped, so be sure to check out the new planners in collaboration with Annie Plans.

Now, let’s focus on the planner I personally own. A couple of months ago, I purchased the Weeks Catchall Planner in an undated format, eager to test it out before the new year. After all, who wants to wait until January to start using a new planner? This planner is comparable in size to the Hobonichi Weeks, which gives you a good mental picture. One standout feature of all Aura Estelle Planners is the white 52gsm Tomoe River Paper, known for its smooth writing experience. The planner features a sleek black laminated cover adorned with gold foil lettering, and the grid size of 3.4mm is perfect for smaller handwriting—allowing you to write two lines per grid.

How Am I Using This Planner?

Great question! I realized I wasn’t being as productive as I wanted to be with the numerous tasks I needed to complete to promote myself on social media. So, I decided to use this planner as my task organizer, or as I like to call it, my “To-Do Planner.” It has been incredibly helpful for organizing my tasks and prioritizing what I schedule in my main catchall planner each week. I utilize the left side of the planner to highlight my top priorities for the day, and for the remaining pages, I create vertical columns for the rest of the week. Each day, I jot down tasks across various areas—Patreon, my website, home responsibilities, and morning journaling. By listing out everything I aim to accomplish for the week, I can easily track my progress. At the end of each day, or the next morning, I note what I completed and migrate any unfinished tasks to the next day, ensuring that I attempt or finish all tasks. Overall, this planner has significantly boosted my productivity, helping me hit my goals weekly. Writing everything down has made me more committed to completing my tasks because we all know the struggle of procrastination!

What Not to Do: Don’t beat yourself up for unproductive days. Racing against life is counterproductive! This planner is merely a tool to help you organize and prioritize what’s important, enabling you to be more productive than before.

What to Do: Have fun with this planner! Set SMART goals and balance small tasks with larger ones. Trying to tackle massive tasks in one day can lead to burnout.

What Kind of Cover Fits This Planner?

You might be wondering! Three covers I know will fit this planner are the Hobonichi Weeks Cover, Moterm Weeks Cover, as well as the Galen Leather Slim Cover. Recently, I’ve been loving my Galen Leather Smoky cover, especially for its generous pen loop, which accommodates my larger fountain pens beautifully.

Aura Estelle also provides a guide on how to use the planner effectively. Check it out!

Layout Overview:

– Yearly calendar on 2 pages

– Yearly columns on 6 pages

– 12 monthly spreads at the beginning of each month (not grouped together)

– Each week includes 1 weekly overview page and 3 free grid pages

– 30 free grid pages at the back for extra notes

– Size: approximately 7.4 x 3.7 x 0.3” / 94 x 188 x 8mm

– Grid Size: Monthly/Yearly 3.4 x 3.4 mm, Weekly 3.55 mm

– 12 months, 52 weeks

– Total pages: 274

– Price: $34.95

In conclusion, the Aura Estelle Weeks Catchall Planner is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable task planner that enhances productivity and organization. Its thoughtfully designed layout, paired with high-quality Tomoe River Paper, allows for smooth writing and effective task management. By prioritizing daily tasks and tracking progress, users can stay committed to their goals and overcome procrastination. If you’re looking to streamline your planning process in 2025, this planner could be the perfect fit for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what do you think about the Aura Estelle planners, and what’s in your planner lineup for 2025?

October 17 2024

Top Features of Sterling Ink Planners You’ll Love

Eliza Planners 4

Planner season is an exhilarating ride! When mid-year hits, the excitement to dive into a new planner takes us to uncharted realms. Let’s be real: the thrill of new planner season and shopping for planners is hard to resist—I’m definitely guilty of it. From July to November, we become planner enthusiasts, often overspending on all the goodies we think we need.

I got a head start this year because I knew that by November, finding my desired planners would be a challenge, with stock running low and shipping delays. Remember that Hobonichi website outage? Exactly! Thankfully, I managed to snag a few (okay, maybe more than a few) planners for my 2025 lineup, and each will get its moment in the spotlight. First up is Sterling Ink

For those unfamiliar, Sterling Ink offers a wide array of planners suitable for everyone’s needs. Their selection includes various sizes, from A5 to pocket-sized planners and notebooks, even five-year diaries. Plus, they come in a range of colors to match your aesthetic.

For next year, I chose the N1 (Standard TN) Vertical Full Year 2025 Common Planner. I wanted to minimize unused space and streamline my planning process. This layout is perfect for blending planning and journaling. I opted for the undated version to give myself the flexibility to use it at my own pace without the daily pressure. My favorite feature is the slim vertical weekly section, which suits my handwriting beautifully. Plus, it includes 272 extra pages for those who need additional space.

However, there’s one downside I noticed after purchasing: the extra pages meant for journaling could have been distributed evenly behind each week. Personally, I prefer not to flip back and forth since combining journaling and planning doesn’t work well for me.

Sterling Ink offers this planner with the following details:

Size: N1 (110mm x 210mm x 12mm)
Paper: Tomoe River paper 52 gsm white (New Sanzen).
Softcover.
Cover Gold Stamped with “Common∙Planner”.
Spine: No writing
Cover color: Onyx (black), Caramel (brown)
Lay flat sewn binding
Grid size: 3.6mm x 3.9mm (0.14″ x 0.15″)
Gilded edge and White edge options available.
272 pages

Undated Common Planner Layout

4 x blank page spread (vision board, word of the year, index)
4 x Quarterly tracking pages (2 page per quarter and Undated)
14 x Month on 2 page spread. (Undated)
53 x Week on 2 page spread (Vertical layout)
121 x blank grid pages with PAGE NUMBERS.

Orders over $35 USD:

United States: Free domestic shipping.
Canada: $6 USD flat rate shipping.
International: $8 USD flat rate shipping.
All shipping methods will include a tracking number.

In short, the thrill of planner season never fails to inspire creativity and organization. With so many options available, finding the perfect planner can truly elevate your planning experience. I’m excited to share my journey with the Sterling Ink planner and hope it resonates with you as well!

Have you started planning for the new year yet? What planners are you considering for 2025? I’d love to hear about your favorites and any tips you have for navigating planner season! Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Happy planning!

October 9 2024

Let’s Talk Sticker Storage: Which System is Right for You

Eliza Stationery 26

If you’re new to journaling, planning, or crafting, you might think, “I have nowhere to store my supplies.” But the truth is, you do! There are plenty of resources in your everyday environment that you might overlook while searching for something new—and often pricey. We tend to mimic the storage styles of others just because they look good, which can put a strain on our budgets.

Here are my four favorite methods for organizing stickers and stationery:

4×6 Cinched Sticker Album: The smallest option in my collection, this album was a gift from Cocoa Daisy during my time on their creative team. It’s perfect for on-the-go storage, allowing you to fit a wide variety of stickers. With around 40 sheets of release paper, it works great for smaller stickers. This method stands out for its incredible portability, making it easy to take your creativity wherever you go! I found one comparable on Amazon that retails for $6.99.

4×6 Photo Albums: These albums are ideal for storing smaller items. They’re lightweight and easy to transport, so you won’t have to lug around a heavy sticker book when you’re on the go. Plus, they’re durable and come in a variety of colors. I like to organize my stickers by category—like scripts, food, fitness, and more—which makes it quick and easy to find what I need. You can purchase these from Amazon for $7.99 usually in a pack of 2 and it’s worth it.

Next, we have personalized sticker albums for those that want something a little bit cuter. Two of my favorite shops are According to Ali and Theoretikal Design.

According to Ali offers a bonded sticker album with a snap closure similar to an A5 size notebook. This allows for larger sticker sheets with more room to store stickers. I’m usually able to get about 10-15 sticker sheets in one sleeve. Ali has regular and mini sized albums ranging from $10-19.49.

Theoretikal Design offers 6×8 emo/grunge type of sticker albums that are absolutely gorgeous. The structure of the album is very similar to that of the Happy Planner Classic. Theoretikal Design uses discs, which allows for expansion as you continue adding sheets. I’m sure you are able to use these interchangeably with the Happy Planner discs. However, after seeing Theoretikal Design’s creations, “what is the Happy Planner?” In addition, Theoretikal Design offers a wide variety of designs and colorways, and additional inserts in case you become a sticker addict like me. Sticker album and accessories range from $4.50-13.50.

5/8in 3 ring binders: This is what I use to organize my entire sticker collection by brand. I’m able to fit 100 sheet protectors in each binder giving me a mass amount of space to store my stickers and any other stationery. I would say you’re able to fit about 10-15 sheets in one protector, but that may not be the best idea as it makes the page too heavy. You’re able to buy mini sheet protectors from Amazon for just $14.99 for 100 sheets or $17.99 for 200 sheets. I think this beats Staples’ 25 sheets for $6.79 any day.

13”x12.6” 120-page photo album: This system of organizing supersedes all my other storage systems for four reasons: 1. It holds a massive amount of space, allowing me to organize by style, color and genre. 2. The use of one storage space. 3. Discrete and easily stored on the shelf. Who’s going to know that it contains stickers? 4. Durable. Overall, I rate this system a 10. As you know, the bigger the album, the more it costs. The current retail price on Amazon is $69.99.

In short, finding the right way to organize your stickers and stationery can make all the difference in keeping your creative space tidy and inspiring. I hope my favorite methods give you some fresh ideas to try out! I’d love to hear about your own organization tips—feel free to leave a comment below!

Eliza

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