The Newbie Life Planner & Journal

Hello, this year I try to have a life planner and a journal. I see lots of bloggers and Youtubers are talking about journal and there are actually a lot of brands with different price range and attractive bargains. Since I'm just a newbie I thought to pass all those and just jumped into the planner and journal bandwagon.

Basically what I used are just planner and journal given by customer and also business supplier. Then, I purchased some extra bits and bops such as stamps, stack-able ink pads, colored ball pens, colored pencils and highlighter. If possible, try to add on some stickers, post it notes will be great!

What do I do with my life planner? 
I only put in my daily to do list so that more tasks can be done within a day, also I add on my medical check up, facial appointments and date which I plan to have sauna. You can have a life planner by using a stack of blank paper and books. It is very easy to DIY and have fun with it. If you prefer to have a life planner that is ready to be used, just ordered it online, there are so many choices out there with pretty covers, accessories, ring combs etc! So much to choose... 

What do I think about life planner?
I think it is such a great idea to have a life planner. Although it is a digital world, having something written on and ticked if it is done make me feel accomplished. I find it is another way to reduce my stress level too. I have started my life planner this year and it has been almost a month, I think the outcome is quite positive. I tend to get it check every night after shower. If some things couldn't be done, I will postpone it to some other days and make sure it be done the next time.

How about Journal?
I think I enjoy the whole journal thing but not on daily kind of personal journal. Most of the time I find myself using my current journal as a prayer's journal where I jotted down inspired quotes/ notes from the bible or any Christians article that really touches my heart. Besides, I also list down the things I want to pray. In my point of view, journal helps to express my emotions and also make me feel relieve as I wrote down the prayers. Well, well.... it is just something very personal and I do it almost 5 to 6 days in a week.

Journal is very different with life planner, some people choose to have either one, whereas some prefer to have both. For me, I prefer both because it feels weird to write down everything in the planner regardless MUST DO or HOW I FEEL TODAY.

Suggestions
If you are a newbie like me, I suggest not to buy any expensive planner or journal straight away. Try it on small note pad, DIY stacks of paper first because it will be such a waste if you decided to quit in the middle. I still find that doing daily life planning to do list and journal need perseverance. It something you need to do constantly and daily without feel burden or bored
Once you think you are ready and can't live without a life planner and a journal, you are then allow to order your very own personal life planner and journal. Oh well, if you feel you're ready for it, you may order or buy it anytime now.

Will I buy A Life Planner & Journal?
 Yes, I think I will order a life planner next year or probably around Oct-Nov. I want something that is very practical without too much fancy things. However, I don't think I'm ready to buy a journal because it is just a book and *ahem* a stacks of paper will be just nice too. Getting into the life planner bandwagon is really good as I got to have a checklist of things to do and able to write down things I've planned for.

Does the Currency Exchange Rate Affected Your Beauty Purchase?

(picture from Pinterest: use for illustration only)

Hello shopaholic... I admit I am, and this whole economy trend doesn't seems to be helpful at all especially for those country with weaker currency. Please take note this post is just meant for discussion purposes and I'm not an economist.

I've noticed since our MYR has dropped drastically it has certainly leaving a huge impact for all those who love to shop whether is beauty/ household/ foods and etc. It has really burden our wallet and soon without a proper control it will definitely brake our wallet and even our bank savings.

So, today I'm going to share about my thoughts of how the exchange rate has affected my beauty purchase. Those days when our exchange rate is between 1USD = MYR3.1-3.3 we are still able to shop online, browsing cosmetics that has newly launched or being raved by beauty gurus all over the social media and immediately we can make up our mind to buy or not to buy. Correct?

For me it is a yes, I can decide what I want and then go trough reviews and place my order few days later on.  But now, things have changed. Why?

For example, 1USD= MYR 4.23 (based on today's rate), the difference is huge and it is a lot! It is no longer a state where you can buy whatever you want without think twice. I've noticed the exchange rate has significantly affected the consumer purchasing power whether is online or directly in the store. The questions marks always pop up in my mind each time I wanted to make a purchase and as a consumer I will always look for the best deal before I make any purchase by hitting the BUY button. Pinch money!!!

Let's be frank, eg: if your income is less than 5K and you have a family that rely on you, do you think you would want to spend money on those unnecessary things? For me, other than buying my skincare, I don't think I've bought any makeup items for the past few months. All I would willing to spend is on food and my basic necessities. The thought of getting extra backup and try out more new beauty items such as makeup and skincare have seriously been removed from my mind unless there is a really good sales. The exchange rate also drive me nuts because there are so many newly launch items that I wanted to try out so badly.

Solutions? Is there any solution? At this point I don't see any because it does take times for our economy to boost back to its original. My suggestion is, try to save as much as possible and only purchase those you think is worth to keep if you have this " Oh man, I must own it " issue. We can't help much because our economy is indeed in its worst situation. And please try to be as rational as possible.

At this point I will say let's just be positive, we still have plenty of cosmetics to use:

1. we are not spider lady with so many eyes that need that much of eyeshadow

2. we are not centipedes (not sure if they have nails)  so many legs that need too much of shoes

3. we only have lips that need just a few lipstick

4. we only have a pair of ears that doesn't need that much of jewelries 

5. we only have one face that need just a few face powder/ foundations/highligher/blusher

Please not to think so because at some point and certain stage.... all shopaholic holds a list with tons of items like a never ending list....... because lady, since when there is a full stop on our shopping list?! True? After all, everyone has their right to spend money just be careful on what you spend on and not to go overboard.

Overall, for me I will just accept the fact and stay away from the purchase bandwagon until the launch of holiday items. Then, I shall decide what will be listed in my shopping list. Always have a clear mind to only purchase things that you need and worth to be kept as part of your lovely makeup collections. A lot of the items are not a necessities but simply a splurge to fulfill the thirst of our bad habit. I have to say and agree exchange rate has affected my purchasing power and I'm working on it and I do discovered a lot of my oldies but goodies makeup products.

Just bear in mind : Moderation is the key.

Family Matters: How to have A Good Relationship with Mother-In-Laws?

Hello, it feels a bit awkward to start this post, but I thought it is something interesting to talk and share.
Well, I just married not long ago, probably 3months, and I've been always thinking about this "mother-in-law & daughter-in-law issues". Just for your information, I'm currently staying in a house consists of 9 people.

As for today, I will stay on the topic as shown in the title. I don't think I have any bad issues with my mother-in-laws like what you see in dramas, but there are certain times that I feel uncomfortable with her. Somehow, I'm glad to say that I've make things work out pretty well.

(image: google)

Looking at this picture, whenever I have problems, sort of "heart problem" about my mother-in-law this picture pop ups. I will never, ever let my husband become the little man, poor guy!

(image: google)

And also, don't ever make you man become the middle man or something like this.... pity him!

So, let's move on to the keyword and examples: 

1. Communication. I always believe communication is very important. Communicate well will avoid lots of problems such as misinterpreting some words, misunderstanding among each other
2. Be understanding. View things from all perspective IF you can. Understand what to do and what not to. eg, if she dislike you go out late, avoid it, but if you have to, tell her why, let her know, I'm sure this new era mother-in-law is very open minded. Or she is way too old to take care your child, we, as a daughter-in-law have to understand an old lady workload is very limited.
3. Toleration. Whether you like it or not, just tolerate but in a way you can deal with. Let's say if you know she likes you to make breakfast in the morning, try your best to make. But always bear in mind, if you find it is too troublesome and burden yourself, speak out, share it, who knows she will like to lend her helping hands? Or perhaps, you are the only one who do all the cleaning and washing all the plates and you are so fed up with the house members, tell them, they will understand and help. Just in case, there are someone who refuse and pretend to not help, just deal with it, tolerate with it. 
4. Patient. I learn to be very patient with everything going on, sometimes I like it , sometimes I don't. But you know what, a good relationships with family members, especially the new ones need time to nurture the love and bond between each other. Only with a very patient heart, people will know that you are a good and nice person and accept you with a open heart.
5. Respect. Even though, she is not the one who give birth to you, but without her you might not have your current husband. Respect her as the elder member of the family. A good relationship between daughter and mother-in-law consists of respect instead of obey. You respect her and know that she can guide you to be a good wife, a good person. I respect my mother-in-law because without her, I will not have a good husband which she has taught and raised with all her time and love. Respect her not because she has the authority/ or she is the queen in the house. Respect her because she deserves it, after all she has been working so hard all her time for the family.
6. Love. Have you ever heard that love can melt the hardest heart? I know, some mother-in-law can be very barbarian and very hard to deal with. Sometimes, you might even think or ask, don't they love you as their daughter or part of the family members. Let me tell you, time will tell everything and reflect everything. As long as you show her your true colors, your love towards her son and the family, the frozen heart can be thawed. 
7. Mother & Son Time. Since we all stay under 1 roof, there are times where your man need his mom and his mom needs him. I allow this happen every single day. When it comes to business, we are still young and new, so, my husband will seek for his mom's idea & suggestions. And also, time for my husband to care about his mom's health and a bit of chit chatting time. Or maybe sometimes the mother need son to help her out on something. We must know and understand, we married to her son NOT to grab her son away from her.  Instead, this little action will let her love you more and she will be very happy for your understanding.

 Short notes for the daughter-in-law & mother-in-law :

(images: etsy.com)

Lastly, I hope my sharing and tips help. Whenever you are angry with your mother-in-law, think about how hard she raised your husband, think about her good instead of the tiny mistakes/bad. What will happen to your husband, stand between his wife and mother? How hard it will be for him? Be a good and understanding wife will make him happy and love you more, seriously, he will be really grateful. A good relationship between family members will also bring harmony to the entire family.