Lifestyle

How to Make the Most of the Day Designer

image via

Before I started writing for StyleBlueprint Birmingham I was interviewed by the publication for its FACES of Birmingham feature. There’s one question that’s asked of every woman profiled for this feature: What are 3 things you can’t live without?

My answer? Beyonce, Essie nail polish and my Day Designer.

The Day Designer is a planner by Whitney English and it’s the answer to another question I’m often asked — How do you do it all? If you’ve ever wondered how I teach full-time, write part-time, run See Jane Write, exercise most days of the week and still find time to hang out with family and friends you should know that the Day Designer is my secret weapon.

The Day Designer’s January 2019 Flagship Daily Planners go on sale today. If you’re someone who still loves writing down to-do lists and planning your months, weeks, and days on paper then the Day Designer is for you.

Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your Day Designer.

(more…)

The Best of August

I’m not gonna lie — August has kicked my butt.

Just yesterday I showed a colleague of mine the August calendar in my Day Designer* and her jaw dropped. There was not a single empty space!

I spent the first weekend of August attending WordCamp Birmingham where I learned a very important lesson about content creation that you read about here.

The 2018-2019 school year started so I had to get back to juggling my freelance writing with my full-time teaching job.

I’ve been working on making the See Jane Write blog better, too, and even launched a new feature — Media Maven.

On just the second day of school, I was out way past my bedtime. But I have no regrets. I was up late attending a live recording of the NPR podcast Code Switch, featuring Birmingham poet Ashley M. Jones. I had a chance to chat with her about the experience.

The month wasn’t all work and no play. I watched TV and movies, listened to music, and read books. (Find out what I’m currently into here.) I had dinner with friends, date nights with hubs and got a massage, because, as I explained in a blog post this month, I am making teacher self-care a priority this year.

As I look to September I can tell it’s going to be just as busy and to be honest, I’m excited. I’m not sure how this is possible, but the hectic month of August left me exhausted yet exhilarated so I’m staring at September saying “Let’s do this!”

What were your August highlights?  

 

*Affiliate link

Currently

Tank and the Bangas

If you want to be a successful writer you must learn to find inspiration anywhere. I often get inspired by shows and movies I watch, music I listen to, as well as the things I read. That’s why I occasionally share on the blog what I’m into in hopes that you can find inspiration in these things, too.

Here’s what I’m currently listening to, watching, reading, and obsessing over.

(more…)

Currently

My friend and teaching colleague Kwoya Maples always says there’s no such thing as writer’s block. You just have to be willing to write things that aren’t all that great. In other words, we have to remember that writing is a practice. This is exactly why I love blogging. And if you’re struggling to find something to blog about, just think of all the things you’re into right now. I am certain you’ll find inspiration from one of them. Or better yet, you could write a post sharing what you’re into and why — which is exactly what I’m in the mood to do right now.

Here’s what I’m currently listening to, watching, reading, and obsessing over.

(more…)

Content Creation Tips I Learned from the GlamTwinz at the 2018 Natural Hair & Health Expo

Saturday I attended the 7th annual Visions Natural Hair and Health Expo in Birmingham where natural hair and beauty vloggers The GlamTwinz were special guests.

I attend the expo regularly as it always proves to be a great time and an opportunity to try out new hair care products and learn new hair care tips. But because the event draws influencers like The GlamTwinz I also often learn how to be a better content creator, too.

Here are three tips I picked up from the talk that GlamTwinz Kendra and Kelsey Murrell gave during the expo.

(more…)