Plan your work and work your plan

My name is Cherise, and I'm a planner junkie!

(Cue the audience saying, "Hi Cherise!)

Seriously, though, I love planners. And I love planning! Nothing make me happier; nothing keeps me motivated more than knowing exactly what I have to do each day and then checking off that list! 

The problem that I have is balancing size (I don't want to carry around a reference book but those pocket calendars are only big enough for random notes.) with space and functionality. I believe I have bought a different name calendar (sometimes more than one or two in the same year) for several years, trying to find, just the right one!

So my genius husband suggested I make my own. Merge all the things I like in the various calendars that I've used over the years into one deluxe edition just for me!

So that is exactly what I did! Here's pictures of the 2016 version. What do you think? For a video of the calendar, click here.

a customized fabric cover

logo page with space for your information

yearly to do list

monthly calendar with a section for days off/holidays and a page for monthly goals and projects

Weekly calendar with a 'to do' section and a '6 Most Important Things' list per day (Notice each day is 5am to 9:30p!)

Notes section in grid form for every type of note taker

Next's year's calendar at a glance for the future planner

Now, here's the kicker. It's not perfect yet. But it can be customized to make it such. You can decide to have only a monthly calendar and notes. Some people just need the weekly calendar. Or you could be like me and need it all!

Like what you see? Go to our website www.distinctlyours.com for free printables as well as (very soon!)the option to purchase a bound calendar just like this (or just the way you like it!).

Until then,
Cherise, the Mompreneur

It's time to focus....

I wake up in the morning and realize I hurt. My body is starting to make noises I don't recognize. Certain muscles hurt that I never knew existed. I'm getting old.... or maybe I'm just out of shape. (Does this sound familiar? If not, no laughing!) Either way, I need to get back into shape, get healthy again. This is what I USED to look like:

Courtesy of R Jones Photography

and this:

Now this is where the trust comes in. I'm about to post my 'before' picture for exercise purposes. I'm doing this because I need to see my progress. Please, no comments on how big or small I am. I'm not comfortable in my skin; I need to get healthy again, i's dotted and t's crossed.

Soooooo, the goal is NOT to lose weight. It's actually to gain, in muscle. I'll be doing the Insanity workout by Shaun T of the Beachbody family. (To friend me on TeamBeachBody.com, click here.) That's what got me toned before. It's also what kept my weight down during my last pregnancy. I will also be lifting weights at the gym several times a week. That will be how I gain the muscle.

me at 8 1/2 months preggo

I will continue to use the My Fitness Pal app to track my eating and exercise. (For more information on that app and how to friend me, click here.)

Want to join in? Post below or message me daily on your progress!!!!

Until next time!

Cherise, the Mompreneur

My Apple is Butter than yours!!

Hey one and all!! Found this complete and utter awesome sauce cookie recipe! Every time i make these cookies they getting finished in max 2 days!! Crazy I know! So i'm going to impart my knowledge upon the world!! enjoy and feel free to leave comments and questions below!

Apple Butter Snicker Doodle Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (sub- 1 tsp baking powder and 2 tsp apple cider vinegar)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1/3 cup, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup favorite Apple Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon, divided

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a mixer until fluffy. Mix in eggs, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and apple butter.
3. Beat just until mixed. Add in flour mixture and until just blended together. Chill your dough at LEAST 4 hours.
4. This dough MUST be cold before baking because all the butter and apple butter, the cookies will spread quite a bit if you skip the chilling!! (ft. please please, please CHILL THIS DOUGH!! Overnight if need be!!!)
5. Preheat oven 350F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or a silpat baking mat. (ft. wax paper works just as well I found out)
6. Place 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl.
7. Scoop balls of cookie dough. I used a tablespoon cookie scoop and roll them in the cinnamon sugar.
8. Place on cookie sheet. Highly recommend only scooping 2 cookie sheets at a time, re-chilling the dough for while the 2 cookie sheets bake.
9. Bake cookie for 11-12 minutes for sightly underdone, 13-14 minutes for fully done. The family loved the "underdone". Super soft and fluffy. Cooking the full 13-14 minutes while still fluffy, not as soft.
10. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets.

Please remember to comment and leave your experience with the recipe!

Enjoy and Happy Eating!

Essie Mae xo