Organized Creative: The Vault Files

I’ve been reading Gaby’s blog, The Vault Files, for as long as I can remember. Her layouts are gorgeous, her posts are on point, and I want to buy everything she talks about ( … which is probably not a good thing!) She’s also amazingly sweet, which makes me like her blog all the more.  As a blogger, shop-owner, wife and mama, I knew I had to find out how she gets it all done!

1.     Take us through a busy day in the life of a successful blogger/wife/mama.

Well, I’m not sure that my roles as a blogger, wife, and mama are exactly a success (I do what I can!), but I can tell you that I’m constantly adjusting my daily routine according to the weather. Because two of my most important activities are Matthew’s (my son) playground time, and my running time, I’m constantly looking for the most convenient time for both (not too cold, not too dark, etc.). So, I feel that my routine is ever changing; not the activities in it, but the time at which each is done.

Right now, I try to wake up before Matthew does for some quiet time for myself (he stopped napping, so I have to take advantage of every window!). I get dressed, I check my e-mails and I make a first round of blog visits on my reader. After we have breakfast I work for an hour or two, and that involves blogging, getting some work related to my freelancing done, and managing my etsy shop. Then, if I’m running in the afternoon, I take Matthew to the playground at this time. If I’m not running that day then we go out to run some errands and come back home for lunch. After lunch I work for an hour or two, and then we hit the playground (or go for a run). Then we come home, and my husband arrives from work so he helps me with Matthew and his bath and dinner time. After we have dinner I stay up late working (this is my most productive time of the day), and just before closing my eyes I like to watch an episode of one of my favourite shows on my iPad while in bed (right now I’m watching Once Upon a Time, Revenge, 666 Park Avenue, and of course Jimmy and Conan). I’m usually asleep around 11.30.

2.     What’s your go-to day-to-day planner of choice?  Are you a pen-to-paper kind of girl or is it all technology for you?

I’m definitely a pen-to-paper kind of girl. I have tried Evernote, Go Tasks and many other tech apps for staying organized, but nothing works best for me than writing things down. I love making to-do lists and I feel like I can’t function without them, they give me structure. I enjoy writing down what I have to do and cross it once is done (isn’t that the best feeling?!)

3.     What one tech accessory can you not live without?

Surprisingly, I’m going to have to say my iPhone. And I say surprisingly because I just got it two months ago, and before that I’ve never had a fancy phone in my life! I have no idea how I lived without it! I stay connected with my friends and family, I can check my e-mail, Instagram, take photos… it’s all packed in one little device, love it!

4.     Is your organization more OCD or organized chaos?

Oh no chaos for me! I don’t do well in chaos. I like to be organized so I have different notebooks for the different things I manage: blogging, graphic design and styling services, my etsy shop, and personal things. I also like to have a planner to write down important dates.

5.     How do you get and/or stay inspired?

I feel that there are many ways to get and stay inspired. Blogging, reading magazines (fashion, decor, and running related), catalogues and books; going out for walks, window shopping, and looking at images on Pinterest.

6.     How do you organize and keep all of your inspiration?

All my inspiration is organized on my desktop and in Pinterest. I have a ton of folders floating on my desktop (organized by category), but I keep even more in my Pinterest boards, though I have to admit, I don’t find a lot of time to go through them as much as I’d like to! In addition, my reader has all the blogs I read and follow in one place, so without it I have no idea what I would do!

7.     Where do you get your best work done?

I just bought a desk and I feel that my tiny “office” space has given me a lot of structure. The biggest chunk of my work gets done late at night and on weekends. Though I use every single window I get during the day to make things happen. I’m very much a “do it while you can” kind of girl, I rarely leave things for later if I can tackle them right away.

8.     Any advice for fellow creative ladies trying to achieve the balance between work, blogging, and reaching their goals?

I think the best advice I could give to anyone is to prioritize. Getting to know one’s priorities is key in achieving and keeping balance.

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