July Goals - Mid Year Review

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Can't believe June is coming to an end. I feel like the month just began and here we are at the end already. I kind of feel that way about the whole bloody year. Seriously, how can it be July?? I'm having a hard time believing that I've actually accomplished several big goals this year already.

2018 Reading Challenge Courtesy of @AnneBogel

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June's Reading List

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As I mentioned in my May Reading List, reading is my favorite.  Yes, hear it in a 7 year's old voice almost at the point of a whine.  As an only child, it was my primary form of amusement.  Finding good books to read always makes me smile.  This month's reads seemed to have a theme of what matters to the soul, what is integrity, and how do we define loyalty.  I certainly didn't think I was embarking on a soul-searching selection of books this month, but alas, I guess I have.

Fun Facts About Me - Bella Inspired Grace

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I'm part of a Bloggers group #BloggersUnite and found a another interesting blogger, Paul. His blog is https://brutalhonestyblogger.wordpress.com . His most recent post is all about him and his thoughts on the type of blogger he is. So I thought I'd tell everyone a little about me.



1. I love fonts, especially handwritten ones.

2. I have never felt creative but I keep trying every day.

3. I love being barefoot.

4. I randomly find half used journals from my youth.

5. I really don't understand Instagram.

6. I'm not a big picture taker.

7. Reading is my obsession.

8. I really like learning code like html, css.

9. Secretly, I am a HUGE dork.

10. Doing anything on the water makes me happy.

11. I hate sand. Like really hate it and will not sit on a towel on the beach.

12. I can be very Type - A and OCD.

13. I built my website on 5 different platforms before choosing Blogger.

14. I love bullet journaling but don't feel like I'm good at it and I certainly don't use it as it was created.

15. In the past 2 years, I have completed 2 life dreams: having a baby girl and owning my dream home.

What are some fun facts about you?

Fun Facts About Me - Bella Inspired Grace

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Best Places for Cheap #Bujo Supplies

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As you might be able to tell, I really love all things journaling.  I love pens, washi tape, glue sticks, glitter glue, markers, brush pens, notebooks of every kind, paint....you get the idea.  I am also very cheap; not to mention, if I bought every journaling supply I wanted, I would be broke.  I don't know why these supplies are so expensive but they are!  It's annoying, but I've found some workarounds.


The Wish App or Wish.com has been the best find I've found so far.  Now, granted you have to be patient.  The stuff I've received has shipped direct from China which means it takes 6 plus weeks to get to you.  That being said, Frixon erasable pens are $1 a piece!

A pack of 10 fineliners for $4!!!

Black Fine Line pens (6) for $5!!!

These I've all purchased myself and DO NOT get a commission if you purchase.  They all work fantastically.  Although the white writing on the outside of the black pens is starting to rub off within 2 months, but who cares?  The pen still works!!



Dollar Tree has great stuff and EVERYTHING is a buck!  They have washi tape, pens, glue sticks, markers, colored pencils, crayons, every type of school supply you could want.  The washi is cute too!  Just look at the picture below!

They even have PRINTABLES!  I didn't know that Dollar Tree had a loyalty program, but they do which is where I found the printables and TONS of other ideas for stuff!

They even have recipes!  Think I'll make these egg cups tonight!

Clearly, I love the Dollar Store!  💗💗💗❣

Of course, I have to mention Dollar General if I'm going to mention Dollar Tree.  The selection can be a bit limited, but for basics it's awesome!

$5 for a portable art set - sign me up!

They even have art pastels for $3!  I haven't purchased these yet because I didn't want to invest in pastels and end up hating them.  For $3, I'll try it!

  Last, but not least, there's Amazon which of course has everything!  However, it isn't always the cheapest.  That being said, the huge value add is you don't have to leave the house and go to the store and search through a bunch of crap you don't need or want.  You type in the search bar and voila - there it is!  Here are a couple of my recent favorite finds for under $5:

Have I mentioned the Frixon Erasable Pens?  Oh Wait I Have, but I LOVE THEM!!

So, there are my top picks for cheap journaling/bujo supplies!

What are your favorites?

Best Places for Cheap #Bujo Supplies

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How to Simply Grow Your Journaling Practice

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Follow my blog with Bloglovin

As I've mentioned previously, in my post The Power of Journaling, I have been pouring my heart out to the pages of any notebook, diary, or journal I could find. It wasn't until the past several years that I became a more dedicated journaler with a daily (well almost) habit of writing.

Let's Start Feeling Creative Now

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Creativity is not just art in the museum or the picture sense of the word.  I assert this yet still struggle with this even though I know it to be true.  Why do I feel this way?  Because I can't draw, sing, make beautiful things to be displayed in galleries.  However, I keep working on believing that I am still and have always been creative.

Level 10 Life Explained: A 3 Year Journey of Discovery

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Level 10 Life

 I first heard of the Level 10 life from Boho Berry who heard from it from Hal Elrod. I've always enjoyed goal setting, self-motivation, dreaming, planning, and creativity. This seemed to combine all of those things! Needless to say, I was very excited to do it myself. So, what exactly is this Level 10 Life thing?

Sunshine Blogger Award - WOW!

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Well, this was certainly a surprise! I've only been blogging a month and I was nominated for something. Jeepers Creepers! Amazing!

The Struggle is Real - Getting Through Post Partum Depression and Forgiving Oneself

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I have been very blessed in life.  Is my life perfect?  No, not by a long shot.  Have I suffered from depression for the vast majority of my life?  Yes.  Had I thought that I had gained control of it by 35?

  Yes, I did. 

I was finally functioning like a "normal" person.  I was married, we were happy, and we were starting to try and make a family.

Social Media Automation Series - Part 7: Metricool and Sumall

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Metricool and Sumall are different compared to the other platforms I've reviewed. They are more tailored to analytics but each in its own unique way. Sumall is more automation with emailed analytics while Metricool analyzes both your website and social media but also allows you to schedule tweets.

Social Media Automation Series - Part 6: Commun.it

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Commun.it is an interesting tool.  It claims to help drive traffic, help you with analytics, and help schedule posts.  It does do those things kind of.  With the free plan,  you only get 3 days of analytics which isn't super helpful.  You can curate content with it, but I didn't find the algorithm to be that accurate.  Tweets were automatically published that had me asking...umm..I tweeted that why?

Social Media Automation Series - Part 5: Social Pilot

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I must admit - Social Pilot is one of my favorite scheduling tools.  You can view posts in a monthly calendar in the free version.  You can post 10 things per day in the free plan and schedule up to 30 total posts.  You can connect 3 social profiles including Pinterest!  Unfortunately, you can't curate content, but they do have a fantastic chrome extension so can schedule on the fly.