Earlier this month, I've finally received a letter from my chosen university that I had been accepted into their post-graduate program. I was overjoyed and the same time a bit relieved since it's the only university I've applied to. I know, I should have had a back-up university, but it was the only one that offered a fellowship at a community college.

I love using the Pentel Energel pens since they write smooth and does not smudge easily. I was using this brand in my Filofax a few years back (along with others as I experimented with what pens would work). I stopped using them since I wanted the ability to erase any mistakes I make when writing in my Filofax, so I opted for the Frixion Pens. Although I can erase pretty much everything I write in my Filofax, I still cross things out when it's cancelled.

It's been a month since I last posted to this blog. If I'm supposed to be a lifestyle blogger, then I should be posting daily, but life kind of got in the way and there is no excuse for that. Yet, I'm still going to offer up the excuse that I've been busy writing and editing my admissions essay for post-graduate studies, which I am glad to say that I've been accepted. I start my first trimester this coming autumn.

So, on with the post.

For the last year, I've been crushing on the Midori Traveller's Notebook. I do a lot of art on the side and this notebook would be a good way for me to carry and do art. I normally carry a Filofax Original A5 organiser and doing art in that is not a good idea. Sure, I doodle in my weekly pages and slightly decorate it with washi tapes and such, but the sketching, the list challenges, I'd like to keep that separate. My Filofax is made to organise my life and I wanted a Midori to facilitate my creative side.

So, I've looked around the web for the notebook and decided that Amazon might be the place I should buy it, since I've already got a few items in my cart. After inspecting the reviews and most of all, photos of the product, I was highly disappointed where it's made. It's a Japanese product, yet it's made in Thailand and quite expensive. I always advocated for locally made products, so I decided to search the web for a DIY Midori Traveller's Notebook post.

After a day of searching, I found Julie Strietelmeier's post on The Gadegetter. Her instructions were simple and she's even totalled up how much she's spent on materials.

It took me about three months to finally decide to make the notebook for myself. Yes, for a person who's into time management and absolutely despises procrastination, I've procrastinated on this. I've even procrastinated in visiting Tandy Leather.

Making this notebook is very simply and it only took me around fifteen to thirty minutes. Here are the materials I've used and they're all US and UK made materials.

Black Leather Trim - $3.99 (I had a 50% off coupon to Michael's)
2 mm Elastic Cord - $1.49
Travel Charms - $2.99

Total with tax: $9.14

The first step in making the notebook was to measure it out. I didn't think I needed to measure since the trim I've purchased was already pre-cut. Thankfully, I've already got all the leather sewing materials and didn't need to purchase them.

I cut a 26 inch length and a 10.5 inch length of elastic cord. I love the cord I bought since it's variegated and rather colourful. It goes well with the black leather trim. The longer piece, I've thread it through the bottom two holes on the right side of the leather fabric, then up the top two holes and back through the same top two holes. It was a bit difficult to thread it through since the hole I made wasn't quite big and the leather trim was a bit flimsy.


With the two elastic cords threaded through to the inside of the leather fabric, I tied two knots to hold it in place. Next, I made another hole in the middle of the right side of the fabric, threaded the shorter piece of elastic cord with the charms already looped through it and knotted the cord.

Right, so I've not blogged for over a month. I've been quite busy lately with going through my digital photos, reading applications from high school students for college scholarships, and preparing to apply to post graduate school.

I've been on Pinterest for quite some time now. I pin everything from sewing projects, scrapbooking, fashion, home solutions, recipes, etc. Since I'm on a kick on eating healthy, I happened to come upon a pin which featured a Five Ingredient Blender Muffins. There's no flour or cane sugar involved. I thought, why not try it. If it doesn't work, then no harm done.

Technically, the recipe called for six ingredients, possibly more depending on what type of muffin you want to make. I'll link the recipe at the bottom of this post.

It was the perfect time to make the muffins. I had one very ripe banana and one last egg in my refrigerator. I took out my trusty Vitamix blender and combined the ingredients together.

My batter didn't look quite near the batter Happy Healthy Mama made. It was very watery. I assumed it was from the oil from the Almond Butter.  I made a few different recipes with the muffin base -- chocolate chip, white chocolate and cranberry, cinnamon raisin, and coconut and placed them in mini muffin tins.

Surprisingly enough, they turned out pretty good even though I've slightly burned the sides. I had my oven at 400°F. My tip would be watch your temperature. Not every oven runs the same temp. Overall, it's something I would probably make again. As promised, here's the link to the recipe. Five Ingredient Blender Muffins.