On Organizing Inspiration

Hi there! I'm starting a brand new series of questions and reader requests here at A Beautiful Mess. I have an FAQ page, but some questions deserve a much more in-depth response! Today I'm jumping into the topic of organization. Each time I post about organization methods I get more and more questions, so here's a little more detail about how I keep track of it all... 

1. My Planning Notebook I carry a planning notebook pretty much everywhere. This book is a home for all my ideas for future blog posts. I recently shared some details behind my planning process. All of those ideas that were on my wall are now safely tucked away in this book on post-it notes. They're categorized by topic and as I use each idea I can pull it off the page and add it to the "done" page. 

2. Pinterest I love using my Pinterest boards as a way to keep track of inspiration and pretty things. It's highly addictive, but so much fun! I keep boards that are practical and some that are totally just-for-fun! 

3. Bloglovin' I use Bloglovin to keep track of all the blogs I follow. You can "like" posts as a way of archiving them. I do this when I don't have time to read a full article or when it's something I might consider featuring on my blog in the future! It's a great way to save your favorite blog content. 

4. A Sketchbook Last, but not least, I carry an old fashioned sketchbook with me everywhere I go. I also keep one beside my bed becauase late night ideas are sometimes the best! If you don't keep a sketchbook, I suggest going out to get one today!

I hope these answers have been helpful. I'll be back with more reader questions in the near future! XO. elsie 

Comments

[Nikki Fein]

Great tips. I'm new to pinterest and totally addicted. I go to bed at night thinking about re-decorating our house, cute outfits and recipes I want to try thanks to your blog and pinterest.

[Eva]

ohhh..that's so sweet..your blog is my favourite blog ever..i learned so many things..Congratz for all you do, you make so many pretty things and of course you're pretty .. the answers have been helpful. xoxox, Eva!

[Cassie M]

thanks for this post,im looking at taking my blog to the 'next level' and needed a way to get all my ideas on track.thank you!

[Michelle]

This is great! Pinterest is amazing for these kinds of things. I am obsessed with Post-its and organization in general and you've just given me a whole new way to enjoy both. Thanks!

Michelle
neonrattail.blogspot.com

[Amy Louise]

awww I'm like this at work with colourful post-its and little doodles. :)
OH One thing, what nail varnish do you use? I loooove that pale blue colour, and i saw you had the 2 nail varnish bottles in the last photo, but i cant see what it says on it :(

Thanks
x x x

[Rebecca]

Very inspiring :)

[noomiy]

love that post! :)

[Samantha Walk]

Thanks for the tips about organizing for blogs! I just started one and I am already so disorganized! This was really helpful....Thank you!

[Deanna]

Once again I've learned something really cool and useful by reading your blog! I'm just starting my own blog and it feels like I have tons of ideas that I don't want lost or forgotten about. Thank you for sharing your way of organizing! I'm definitely going to create a planning notebook.

http://lovinglifeasmommy.blogspot.com/

[Jackie]

This is such an awesome post! Good idea that your blog notebook is a binder so you can take out pages and move them around. It is so exciting to always get a glimpse into your planning world since you are such an incredibly creative person--but so super organized at the same time...perfect harmony to success.
XO
http://www.hourglass-fashion.blogspot.com

[Paula]

I really loved this post, organizing is the toughest part for me in my every day life. thanks a lot and have a great weekend :)

[Kelly]

You have such an amazing website!
All those ideas, inspiring thoughts, beautiful pictures... I like it a lot!

[Lois]

Hmm that's a bit wierd - I do all of those things myself! I also use Evernote to keep all my patterns, projects and to-do lists in one place. StumbleUpon is another good one for archiving sites, inspiration and projects.

I bought my first Moleskine notebook this week to jot down ideas when they appear in my brain as I'm always forgetting good ideas that I've had.

Love organisational posts!

[Jen]

Love the tips! I can personally vouch for the notebook and sketchbook-- it's great to be able to get ideas out of your head as soon as they appear! (Plus, helps keep idea overload at bay. ;))

[Merle Bootlace]

It's time for me to get a sketchbook..finally! :D

The Bootlace

http://schnuersenkelrolltreppentod.blogspot.com

[Charley Taylor]

Oh I love this! What a cool idea.

http://thecharleygirl.com

xxoo

[Sm!Le]

ooh it's a great idea to have a planning book - this explains why your blog is so cool.. when you can write down your ideas no matter the time or the place, you can make awesome posts.. Congrats for this post, too =)

http://elvche.blogspot.com/

[call me debbie]

Well this was very helpfull, I am kinda organised but in a strange way. I have many notebooks for ideas, but when i need one of them i can't not find it... Hmm maybe i am not so organised after all! :D Thanks for this Elsie!!

(Pls check my new blog guys: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com )

[Lyndall]

Keeping a notebook of ideas has helped me feel so much more focused! I haven't been using it as much lately, so now I'm feeling very inspired to start keeping more inspirations again~

[Lindsay]

Thanks for another inspiring post :) I LOVE pinterest + keeping a sketchbook/journal too. These are my favorite kind of posts.