The life of an entrepreneur is exciting, exhausting, flexible, and potentially freeing. When you’re setting your own schedules and creating your own work, you have to be a lot more diligent about what’s a priority. If you work from home, it can be easy to start blending the time you could be working with doing things around the house. On the other hand, it can be very difficult to stay focused while working from home. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s even harder to stay productive. Distractions are everywhere when you don’t have to go anywhere. When you’re completely in charge of your day-to-day, as most of us are working from home these days, there are some strategies that you can implement to ensure that you plan your day in the most productive manner, and finish what you want to finish as well. Let’s take a look at what it takes to plan your day and actually stick with it when you’re working from home. As human beings, our attention spans have been shrinking. A study published in Nature Communications highlights that our collective attention span is indeed narrowing, and that this effect occurs -- not only on social media -- but also across diverse domains including books, web searches, movie popularity, and more. This shows that we’re constantly trying to focus on topics for a certain period of time before jumping to the next topic, and the next topic, and the next topic all within the range of a few minutes. In a day and age where information is flooding our brains constantly from social media, television, music, to-do lists, and ever-shifting news headlines, it can be very difficult to stay focused while working. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s even harder to stay productive. Are you ever deep into the flow of a project and a text message goes off? You know the tone and want to see what it says. Or perhaps an email comes through, a notification from a client, a tap on the door for a child who is yours and lives in your house and needs you when you are trying to get work done in your home office. Maybe it’s that Netflix show that you have running in the background that has caught your attention when you pause to think about the next steps. The interruptions can be limitless if we let them, but there are ways to block out some of the noise and get to work. Let’s look at 7 strategies to stay focused while working. 7 strategies to stay focused while working from Home 1. Turn off the TV This seems like an obvious thing to do, but there are so many people who “need” background noise in the form of a television program. You don’t need the TV running to get your work done, or to just be, just like you don’t need your social media notifications pushing through on your laptop when you are in the middle of finishing a project that requires focused attention to be productive. Turn off your TV, and breathe through the discomfort of no TV while you get to work. 2. Work in hourly increments Or to be more precise, 52-minute increments of actual focused attention (no checking social media notifications or reading the news), followed by 17-minute breaks where you don’t do anything work-related, not even making that work phone call, watching YouTube videos, or responding to emails. Our brains naturally work in these sprints, where they’re focused, ready, and energized. And then they need to recharge and refresh by taking a walk, eating a snack, laying down and breathing for 17 minutes. 3. Just say no to multi-tasking Silence notifications on everything that isn’t pertinent to the task at hand. As an entrepreneur, it’s possible to have many different clients communicating with you on a variety of platforms at any given time. Add those communications in with habits of checking social media notifications, and text messages, and you’re creating a recipe for disruption. Have you ever felt pulled in 10 different directions at the same time, to the point that it felt like you couldn’t complete a coherent thought? You don’t want that. Multi-tasking isn’t serving anyone who wishes to be productive. It dilutes your attention and makes it hard to focus on anything with your full attention. 4. Shift your perspective: Want to versus have to When we create a to-do list or wake up each day, we might skim through our minds with all the things we have to do: respond to emails, finish projects, do the dishes, clean up workspace, create new goals, make a phone call. When we feel like we “have” to do something, this usually develops a bit of resistance. Instead, shift your language to, “I want to answer these emails, I’d love to make this phone call at 2 pm, and I can’t wait to get started on the dishes.” It might seem ridiculous if you don’t actually want to do those things, but that small change in language will shift your perspective into a positive one, which ultimately leads to higher productivity and overall happiness because you are choosing gratitude and joy over feeling forced into something. 5. Plan out the following day the night before This doesn’t need to be a time-consuming, extravagant ordeal. Take a couple of minutes to write down the things you want to accomplish the following day in your Ponderlily planner. You want a planner that you keep with you and that is always visible to help remind you to write things down. Start out with the thing that will move you forward the most. Most likely, answering emails isn’t where your success and creativity lie first thing. Instead, focus on the thing that gets you excited, the thing that requires fresh eyes, the thing that will move you towards your goals. Then add in the other optional things that would be nice to accomplish. Don’t forget to write down breaks! 6. Take intentional breaks Plan to work for that solid 52 minutes to an hour without disruption, and then schedule in your 17-minute breaks. What can you do during this time? Maybe you could try meditation. Or you work on a vision board that has to do with your life goals. During these intentional breaks, you could go for a walk, make some green juice, and allow yourself to quiet your mind so that you can come back with fresh eyes for the next 52-minute sprint. 7. Practice mindfulness Practicing mindfulness in all aspects of your life will help you focus while you’re working. When you’re washing the dishes, really be right there with washing the dishes. What is the temperature of the water? What sounds do the dishes make? When you’re working, notice your behavioral patterns. There are apps available where you can track social media usage, how often you open your apps, how long you stay on them. When you take the time to notice how often you potentially and mindlessly scroll the interwebs when you could be doing work, it’ll help you shift the behavior with lots of practice. It can be a challenge to focus on work when there are so many things constantly fighting for our attention. It takes effort, intention, and practice to begin to cut away those habitual and sometimes addictive ropes that bind us (like checking our phone notifications). Practice putting your phone in a different room while you work if you can. Practice being comfortable with ambient music or silence versus filling the room with more noise from the television. As you make changes towards a more focused, productive life, try to track the difference in progress by looking at where you started and watching where you end up. You might be surprised to see that you are less inclined to check your phone constantly, even when you aren’t working, as you pave new neural pathways in your brain.

DescriptionStay on top of even your busiest of days! Ponderlily's stylish and functional daily notepad (which can also serve as what we call, 'by the keyboard' desk planner) is a stunning A5 daily desk planner with dedicated spaces to encourage positive reflection on your priorities, intentions, and highlights; plus, plenty of room to organise the nitty-gritty details such as your appointments, notes, and ideas. The separate sections for your personal and work to-do lists encourage a bit of much-needed self-care too. In compact A5 size, your notes can stay close at hand.HighlightsPonderlily Today Notepad features:Printed on strong, eco-friendly recyclable paperPrinted with vegetable-based inksA5 size60 sheets – enough for 12 working weeksShipping & DeliveryUK shipping 1-3 working daysInternational tracked shipping 2-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

Whatever your work role; be it professional, academic, creative, active or domestic, it’s important that you stay motivated to do your best at it and continue on in the vein you most enjoy. Work can often seem grey compared to the rest of life, but injecting a little color to proceedings can inspire and galvanize you to achieve new feats and get through even the most hectic of workloads. But why is color important? Ponderlily explains. There are various psychological studies available mapping out the emotions that colors can spark in individuals. Of course, we’re all different, and this, as with anything, is never one-size-fits-all, but it’s a good indicator and worth trying out in your workspace to see if it works for you. Green brings broad thinking Environmental Psychologist Sally Augustin recommends green as a shade to promote broad and free thinking. This stems from a positive association between green and the concept of nature, re-birth and growth as humans mostly relate green to the great outdoors. Bringing green into your working environment can be as minimal or as prevalent as you like, and can include everything from small plants to green walls, mood boards or candles scented with fragrances you associate with the best of nature. We know that having indoor plants lowers carbon dioxide levels and is conducive to good health, so you can achieve that alongside gaining some head space by introducing some green plants, even if they’re small. Red promotes attention to detail A study by the University of British Columbia found that our ongoing association of red with sales signs, warnings and error corrections means that it promotes a careful eye for detail amongst those surrounded by it. Juliet Zhu, one of the study’s authors, explains: “he avoidance motivation, or heightened state, that red activates makes us vigilant and thus helps us perform tasks where careful attention is required to produce a right or wrong answer”. If you work in a technical role or with something that requires lots of care and attention, red is therefore the ideal color for you. Consider a red accent wall, red desk accessories and using red pens. Yellow helps nurture decision making If you’re fickle or find it difficult to draw a line under decision making, yellow may be the best color for your workspace. Colour Therapy Consultants Colour Affect say that “the right yellow will lift our spirits and our self-esteem; it is the colour of confidence and optimism”. What’s more, it works great as a highlight colour that really brightens any environment, so you can add splashes of it to your working area without overwhelming yourself. Buy some yellow stationery, frame some inspirational quotes in yellow and change your desktop to the yellow hue you like best. You’ll be making well informed and educated good decisions in no time! A splash of color can brighten your mood and your room, so never underestimate color’s capabilities. You wouldn’t want the weather to be dark all the time, so why should the environment you need to thrive in be?

It's always a good time to start planning for the year ahead. Use these tips to plan for success in your personal and professional life in the new year. Whether you want to get organised, find a better work life balance, or just head into the year with thoughtful intention and purpose, we have plenty of prompts in this blog post.

by Josephine Brooks, Mentor & Host of the Make It Happen Podcast As we head into a new year, AND a new decade, lots of us will be starting to think about what we want to achieve over the next 12 months. It might be that you want to take your creative side-business full time and wave your 9-5 goodbye. Perhaps it’s a career change or you want to create a habit of spending more time with your family and less time working. Whatever your dreams for 2020, anything is possible, but it’s important to remember that it’s the small steps that add up to big changes. It’s those weekly habits and showing up every day that will help you chip away at your big-picture ambitions. One way to make it easier on yourself, to show up each day and take action, is to plan your weeks in advance. Not only does this help you feel more prepared and in control it also helps you make the best use of your energy in the week. We don’t just have a limited amount of time each day, we also have a limited amount of energy. You don’t want to be wasting precious time and energy each morning, deciding what you need to do that day, you just want to be able to get on with it. The good news is you can batch all of the decision making into one short burst each week - when you plan out your week. “You need to focus your decision-making energy. You need to routinize yourself. You can’t be going through the day distracted by trivia.

Best Lilly Pilly Varieties - The lilly pilly is one of the most popular plants in Australia today, particularly for hedging and topiary.

Find the best gifts for someone going travelling with our present suggestions for every budget. Find unique and practical travel gift ideas.

DescriptionDiscover the elegance of organization with the Ponderlily® 2024 Daily Planner in Pewter Grey. This planner embodies the renowned Ponderlily® planning system, providing designated spaces for setting intentions, nurturing gratitude, and fostering supportive daily habits. Each page dedicated to a day allows for deep reflection and meticulous organization, promoting a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness and purposeful action.Crafted with the environment in mind, the planner features a luxurious cover made of high-quality vegan leather, offering the sophisticated look and durability of traditional leather while being completely animal-friendly. Its pewter grey hue adds a touch of refined elegance, making it an ideal choice for those who value ethical, sustainable fashion.Take command of your schedule, track your aspirations, and engage with our thoughtfully designed prompts for a balanced approach to self-care. Perfect for busy professionals, dedicated students, and anyone seeking a more intentional and organized life, this planner is a wonderful tool for staying on track with goals, both personal and professional. Its sleek design and thoughtful layout make it an ideal gift for loved ones or a special treat for oneself, particularly for those who value the combination of function, style, and ethical considerations in their daily routine.HighlightsPonderlily Daily Planner features:Vegan leather coverIncludes sticker set for visual planning Dated January - December 2024friendly soy-based ink and recyclable paperA5-sized planner (6” wide x 8.5” tall x 0.9" thick)Space for intentions, to-do list, gratitude, and notesReminders to rechargeGatefold page for inspirationPocket in the back cover for keepsakesSee the finer detailsShippingFirst-class, UK shipping 1-3 working daysExpress international shipping 3-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

DescriptionDiscover the elegance of organization with the Ponderlily® 2024 Daily Planner in Pewter Grey. This planner embodies the renowned Ponderlily® planning system, providing designated spaces for setting intentions, nurturing gratitude, and fostering supportive daily habits. Each page dedicated to a day allows for deep reflection and meticulous organization, promoting a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness and purposeful action.Crafted with the environment in mind, the planner features a luxurious cover made of high-quality vegan leather, offering the sophisticated look and durability of traditional leather while being completely animal-friendly. Its pewter grey hue adds a touch of refined elegance, making it an ideal choice for those who value ethical, sustainable fashion.Take command of your schedule, track your aspirations, and engage with our thoughtfully designed prompts for a balanced approach to self-care. Perfect for busy professionals, dedicated students, and anyone seeking a more intentional and organized life, this planner is a wonderful tool for staying on track with goals, both personal and professional. Its sleek design and thoughtful layout make it an ideal gift for loved ones or a special treat for oneself, particularly for those who value the combination of function, style, and ethical considerations in their daily routine.HighlightsPonderlily Daily Planner features:Vegan leather coverIncludes sticker set for visual planning Dated January - December 2024friendly soy-based ink and recyclable paperA5-sized planner (6” wide x 8.5” tall x 0.9" thick)Space for intentions, to-do list, gratitude, and notesReminders to rechargeGatefold page for inspirationPocket in the back cover for keepsakesSee the finer detailsShippingFirst-class, UK shipping 1-3 working daysExpress international shipping 3-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

Traveling for work can be stressful if you don’t prepare properly! You may find yourself constantly forgetting that phone charger or having to go to the convenience store once you land because you forgot your favourite shampoo (because whether you’re presenting or networking, having a good hair day helps)! Here at Team Ponderlily, we travel a lot and have become pros at packing and prepping for the time away from home. Read below for some of our favorite tips! Pack like a pro Having a digital copy of your go-to packing items can save you so much time and stress in the long run, especially when a last-minute travel date is booked by your boss. Consider creating two different versions of your list on your phone. One for warmer weather and another for colder times of the year. Sure, a lot of the packing list will be the same, but having items listed out will help you make sure things are not left behind. As you get more experienced and become an expert at hopping on the plane and getting to that big meeting, you may find your list will change over time. Make sure to keep things updated and add stuff when you think of it as well! Don’t forget to check out our online library of printables too! These easy to use resources include a few things that will be helpful for your travels (like our packing printable) and everyday life. Some of the best clothing items to pack for work trips are black pieces. They don’t show wrinkles easily and you can wear the same item a few times if needed. However, there is always the hot steam shower trick if you do end up needing to unwrinkle your clothes! Another packing tip I have used over the years is to leave a little wiggle room in my suitcase. Nine times out of ten I don’t have my clothes folded as neatly and tightly as I do when I first pack, so I always leave a little extra space for the trip home. Also, wiggle room for all the conference swag, guys! When it comes to what exactly to pack, here is an example to help you out! Let’s say you’re packing for a 3-day conference, which by the way, we have a printable for in our FREE library (you're welcome!). Here's what we do: Pack 3 outfits for conference days, keeping weather in mind. If it's cold and rainy, I add a coat that will work for all 3 days and that will travel with me so it doesn't take up so much room in the suitcase. If the weather will be nice, I'll still take a wrap that I can take on the plane with me in case it gets cold at the conference venue. I also pack 2 complimentary outfits to go out in that can easily turn into 4 outfits, if paired correctly. Also, if working out is a stress reliever for you doing the work week, pack some workout clothes. Don’t forget the tennis shoes! Sometimes fitting in a quick treadmill run in the mornings can really get me in the right mindset to take on the day. Use time on the plane for personal items As tempted as you will be to work on the plane, use this time to yourself! You will have work waiting for you once you get to your destination. Bring along that book you have always wanted to read or download that new album from your favorite artist. If you have an extended flight, it is okay to mix some work into your in-air experience, but devote some time to yourself too. Plan a sweet surprise for a loved one If you have little kiddos like me, or have a loved one waiting at home while you are away, think of a sweet surprise you can plan for them before you travel they can enjoy while you're away. Maybe hide a note in their sock drawer or put a small trinket in their backpack for them to find once you have boarded the plane. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, just something thoughtful to let them know that you miss them. A simple Post-It note with the words,

There’s an art to gifting. Sometimes, it’s a last-minute necessity (“Surely it can’t be their birthday already?!”). Other times, it’s a small gesture of love, appreciation or sympathy. But the best kind of gifting is when we know the recipient inside-out and buy them the perfect present to use, admire and cherish.

Unique Features: There is at least one variety of Serviceberry (Amelanchier) native to every continental U.S. state and every Canadian Provence (where they are commonly called Saskatoons), so it is quite adaptable. The Autumn Brilliance is a natural hybrid and is grown as a single trunk or multi stemmed/trunked tree. It was selected for commercial […]

Shift to thinking more positively with these 5 intentional positive mindset hacks. Read our list of five helpful, practical ways you can combat the defeatist mindset, and reset your thought patterns!

DescriptionStay on top of even your busiest of days! Ponderlily's stylish and functional daily notepad (which can also serve as what we call, 'by the keyboard' desk planner) is a stunning A5 daily desk planner with dedicated spaces to encourage positive reflection on your priorities, intentions, and highlights; plus, plenty of room to organise the nitty-gritty details such as your appointments, notes, and ideas. The separate sections for your personal and work to-do lists encourage a bit of much-needed self-care too. In compact A5 size, your notes can stay close at hand.HighlightsPonderlily Today Notepad features:Printed on strong, eco-friendly recyclable paperPrinted with vegetable-based inksA5 size60 sheets – enough for 12 working weeksShipping & DeliveryUK shipping 1-3 working daysInternational tracked shipping 2-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

We all have those days when we have competing deadlines, we have all the coworkers who don’t have said deadlines stop by for a chat, and we all have a major after lunch slump...and yet, we still need to get down to business and get a report done by the close of business day...the day just seems to escape you and it’s almost 5. Here are a few of our best tips to stay productive at work in the midst of all the distractions. Set an intention for your day before you turn your computer on By setting an intention before any distractions, you're set with your best foot forward for whatever the day may bring your way, you can be in the right frame of mind to respond accordingly. The best way to be productive is to have the mentality that you are productive and walk into the work day with that mindset. We have heard it said again and again but if we can get control of our thoughts/mentality than we our emotions and actions will follow so this is the best place to start! Check out our Daily Rhythms & Routines printable in our library today. When your daily rhythm contains the space for you to get things done, accomplishing goals becomes a way of life. Positive habits, such as established household rhythms, work to save energy and brain power for the times you need it. Write your tasks down and set a timer to complete them I I love the Pomodoro technique where you work for short periods of time before taking a break. It’s almost like a game: I work with ‘all I got’ for a solid 25-min stretch and give myself a 5-min break to quickly catch up with my work BFF. It’s realistic and more productive than sitting at your desk staring at your computer screen for an hour trying to get motivation. It might be helpful to outline what you aim to get done during the 25 minute work time so that you don’t start your timer and spend the entirety deciding what you need to do. I tend to write down my tasks on paper to think through my day and also to have the satisfying feeling of the ‘swoosh’ across my to-do list when I complete something! Take a break after said timer goes off Actually, research shows it makes people more productive). Even breaks that are just a few minutes long can help you recharge and come up with new ideas. If it helps you can plan out what you’re going to do during your next break, like grab a snack or check social media, so you’re not tempted to try and squeeze it into your ‘work time.’ One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to be more productive is refusing to stop working which can lead to burnout and laziness in the long run so be sure to take breaks when you need them! Work with your door closed, if possible So you can get big ticket items crossed off your to-do list - this also helps manage interruptions and the temptation to join in on the groups talking outside. Working in an open office space and no door? No problem. Headphones with your favourite music may help you concentrate. Streamline communications I call a colleague instead of sending an email whenever possible and only have meetings when absolutely necessary - because meetings, SO many meetings! And the less time you have at your desk the less you seem to be able to get done. There are so many ways to communicate in today’s world, do what makes you feel the most efficient and ‘on top of things’ during your work day. Here at Ponderlily we understand how hard it can be to stay on time and keep up with working, running a business, or just plain life in general. It’s truly our pride and joy to help busy women get control of their crazy schedules and feel empowered to be more productive both at work and in the day-to-day. These are just a few of our favorite ways, but we want to hear from you! What’s your favorite productivity tip that pulls you through the long days?

One of the greatest things about our Undated Planners is that you can start using them mid-way through the year, and keep on writing until it’s full! Why wait until a new year to embrace a fresh start? Undated planners can be a creative outlet because you can customise it to suit your lifestyle and needs. Let’s dive in and look a little deeper at the undated planner spreads, shall we? Inspiration Board Time to get inspired! Use this space in whatever way feels good to you. Use it as a mood board, a mind map, a place to write personal positive affirmations and your dreams. What inspires you and what will motivate you for the year? Feel free to get creative and dream big. Explore & Experience Section What would you like to explore and experience this year? What will make your spectacular? Here, we encourage you to keep a wanderlist of places to visit, people to meet, causes you would like to support, or moments to celebrate in 2019 or 2020. It could be small or huge — the contents of this list will be unique to you! I get that we don't often think about to ponder about what we want to explore and experience in our year but rather plan out our days with #allthethings. We really want to encourage you give yourself permission to do that here! Monthly Roadmap This where you’ll need to write in the month you’re starting your planner. Bring focus back to your goals on a monthly basis by breaking them down - this gives you the ability for continual reflection and a focus on different aspects of your life: be it career, wellness, home life, etc. As you set your intentions for next month, make sure to go over your Inspiration board to get really clear on your dreams to make them happen. Monthly Spread This is a simple calendar view on two pages to give you ample space to write. I use a blue or green colour pen to write in the days of the month. I write key business and personal dates I need to be aware of during the month in the monthly spread of my planner. Use the Focus section to set priorities of the month. Remember to revisit the monthly spread of my planner every week to make sure I’m not forgetting important dates. Weekly Spread This is an undated planner that runs for 12 months with monthly and each month has five weekly spreads. You get to write out the days of the week here. So you get to start on Monday or Sunday. Naturally, some months you'll days which will be left blank (e.g.: February) so you can either leave them blank or block them with washi tape, draw, etc. You'll need to write the month, days of the week, and date in this section. Our customers use different colours to set up the months and dates. In a nutshell, there’s no wrong way to use our planner. It’s been designed to be flexible enough to be in a way that suits your lifestyle, so feel free to jump right in and make it yours. To see the first edition of our undated Ponderlily planners in action watch the video below and read more about it in our FAQ page here. We’d love to know how you're using the Ponderlily planner! Tag @weareponderlily in your planner photo on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be featured in our account. If you'd like to drop us a line instead, email [email protected]. It's always nice to hear from you!

Sunshine Ligustrum offers year-round golden foliage that flourishes in full sun. It doesn’t bloom at all, which is good news for allergy sufferers!

DescriptionGive your thoughts space to breathe and your pen, a place to rest. Get a stylish and functional Ponderlily pen holder to go along with your Ponderlily planner and pen.  HighlightsPonderlily Pen Holder features:Solid brass pen holder clip with vegan leather loopModern, sleek, and elegant designEngraved Ponderlily flower markPackaged in eco-friendly craft box (ready to be gifted)DeliveryUK shipping 1-3 working daysFast, international tracked shipping 3-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

The pressures of modern life seem to mount amongst society daily, and many of us are in a position where our responsibilities, concerns and duties weigh heavier and take up more of our time than ever. That’s not to say that you necessarily dislike your life or those activities and people within it, but it can be difficult to find yourself in periods of busyness. You shouldn’t lose perspective or your sense of ‘you’, ever, no matter what is going on around you – because if you do, eventually you’ll hit a mental, physical and spiritual breaking point. With ongoing responsibilities and activities in your life, finding time for self-care and to nurture your own wellness can seem impossible. Thankfully, it isn’t. With a little careful planning and mindful intentions, you can factor in some critical time for yourself. Looking after yourself allows you to nourish your relationships with others better and isn’t just a selfish decision: it’s common sense! The notion of self-care for many is a big one, but it needn’t be. Doing whatever you enjoy or whatever calms you is self-care; be that reading a book, sitting and taking ten minutes to breathe over a cup of coffee, going swimming, or sitting on the sofa and chatting on the phone to a friend. It doesn’t need to be attending a lengthy yoga retreat, seeking professional advice or heading to a spa – although of course if you have the time and appetite to do these things, go for it! The Ponderlily journal allows you to schedule in time for yourself, and that can be anything from a fifteen-minute ‘between-errands’ time slot to a full day or longer. Even if your carefully laid plans don’t pan out as you had hoped and envisioned (and it happens to everyone, often!), the tools within the journal let you remain mindful and express gratitude and acknowledgement of your situation without losing sight of your goals, your own wellbeing and your happiness. If you hit a breaking point and feel that you can no longer cope in a period of “I just CAN’T do this anymore!”, there’s no shame to be felt for this. If you need to, seek the help and advice of others. Take stock of where you are and what’s going on, and if you can, assess how you can influence either the situation as a whole or how you can deal with it and support yourself better. This can be written out in your Ponderlily journal and makes for a great exercise in accountability if shared with someone else. Circumstances change and recognising this will allow you to focus forward on more positive times ahead. When you just can’t adult; don’t. Take some time for yourself to refocus, refresh and relax. Grant yourself permission to enhance your attitude and abilities moving forward.

DescriptionWhy wait until a new year to embrace a fresh start? The undated Ponderlily planner empowers you to take control of your time, chart your goals and prompts you to schedule self-care—starting today. As with each item in Ponderlily’s planner collection, the undated planner is crafted from eco-conscious materials, designed with elegance in mind, and inspired by a well-rounded life. It offers everything you need, from work to weekend, and everything in between.Highlightsflexible planning at its finest, with Sunday OR Monday startsa pocket in the back for your important papersa little place for business cardsperforated pages for notesblank space, to let your imagination flowShippingUK shipping 1-3 working daysInternational tracked shipping 2-5 working daysClick here to learn more.

Lillypilly 'Resilience' is a fast-growing shrub useful as a hedge or screen. This variety is resistant to psyllid attack. Oxley Nursery has these for sale.

So the hot weather has past and left us with some scorched plants...It's time to clean up and prune any burnt new growth off your lilly pillys ( or any plants in the garden that copped it). It is important to start with a good pair of garden shears. I have a quality pair of Wiltshires from Serenity Nursery. Keep them sharp with a sharpening file and clean them after each use with bleach or disinfectant, this will help prevent spread of disease.  This is my lilly pilly standard. It barely resembles a topiary as woody growth towers towards the sky and it has lost it's shape due to a little neglet. Lilly pillys are extremely vigorous growers and if planted in the ground can reach up to 10m tall, so it is important to prune them regularly...guilty! I always like to start by pruning some of the woodier branches with the hand secateurs. It is easier to get a cleaner more controlled cut with them. These branches can be cut in towards to middle of the topiary allot harder than the finer new growth, to prolong the time in between pruning and prevent the shrub getting too tall and woody in general. It is always easiest to prune the finer new growth with the shears. I round the top first and then continue around the bottom. Here I have prune under the right side quite significantly to show how visually important it is to the form of the entire topiary. Prune right up to the main trunk to help create the sphear form. Work around the topiary taking little bits off at a time. Stand back from time to time to assess the form from a distance and from all angles. One thing I learnt from my sculpture classes in art school was to leave the project and come back to it with fresh eyes, this may help you see the form better and see what areas need more pruning. The finished product. I could probably spend another hour or so perfecting the shape..but this is a big enough improvement. Once I'm done pruning I give the shrub a treat...a good drink of liquid sea kelp to de-stress it after all of the hot weather we have had. Enjoy your garden... Krystal

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One such plant is dappled willow (hakuro nishiki willow). But How To Prune Dappled Willow? The plant has grey-green leaves along with shades of white and

Find First Editions® Parkland Pillar Birch (Betula platyphylla 'Jefpark') in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (MN) at Gertens (Asian White Birch)

Find Amber Jubilee Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam') in Bloomingdale Carpentersville Chicago Elgin Bartlet Illinois IL at Platt Hill Nursery (Eastern Ninebark)

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