This week’s Happy Planner layout continues my Wizarding World of Harry Potter streak! I decided to dedicate the next few weeks to Harry Potter-themed spreads so I can finally use all the Harry Potter washi tapes my friend Kaye gave me, and also make the most out of my sticker book.
And wow… what started as “I’ll just talk about the washi tapes” will now turn into a full-on Japan haul story time. Hahaha! (I just had a train of thoughts)
Japan Haul Sharing (because why not)
I originally wanted to take a nice photo of the Harry Potter washi tapes… but then I remembered I’ve already opened two of them. So… they are not as aesthetic anymore. Haha! Good thing I had a photo of the Japan haul Kaye gave me a few months ago, and then I realized I had more hauls from other friends and family. Seriously, everyone has been going to Japan lately!
Japan Haul 1 – from Kaye (Early 2025 trip)
This included her favorite scissors (which I now also love!), a set of pink pens (so cute!!), and a washi cutter. She actually gave me the same scissors about two years ago which I kept in my journaling-to-go bag, but I’ve now replaced it with a smaller capless one from her newer haul.
To be honest… I haven’t opened everything yet. Hahaha! I just admire them from time to time. But now that I’ve mentioned it, I might finally add that washi cutter to my journaling bag!
Japan Haul 2 – from Kaye (December trip)
This is where the Harry Potter washi tapes came from! I’ve used 2 out of 5 so far and will be using all of them in the next few weeks for my Harry Potter themed spreads.
Also included:
A fountain pen with pink ink (my second one!)
Paintable stamps + color pens
A Hello Kitty stamp
A journaling clip with light
So far, I’ve used the clip (but yes, I put it back in the packaging after each use haha), the scissors (now in my journaling bag), and of course, the washi tapes.
Japan Haul – from Chummy
Snacks + plush charms! We got this the day before our flight so I just threw everything into the luggage. Only realized later that the KitKat was Sake flavored. Hahaha! Good thing we didn’t get flagged at the airport. And yes… it hits hard.
The plush charm is definitely going into my journaling bag! I told Chummy just yesterday that I've been wanting to put them there but cannot because they might get dirty, and she just said to just put it and that that's what they're supposed to be.
Japan Haul – from Cherisse
My favorite Bourbon Alfort chocolate cookies (I LOVE this so much!!!). They don’t sell it here, but I did find a similar imported version at Lulu, still very pricey though. Also got one of those capsule toys (gachapon!) and it had a cat bookmarkinside. So cute!
Japan Haul – from Tanya
More snacks (good cookies and really fancy packaging!), a lippie, and a highlighter + ruler set (her current fave highlighters she said).
Okay… that was a very long intro just because of washi tapes. Hahaha!
Also, the Harry Potter sticker book I’m using came from the box set I got from Happy Planner. I actually made an unboxing video for it months ago, and guess what? The sticker book is the only thing I’ve used so far. Haha! Maybe I’ll finally use the undated planner next year!
Check out the unboxing short here:
This Week’s Layout – Hufflepuff 💛
For this week’s spread, we are now featuring Hufflepuff!
I also added a yellow Bearly Art Macaron Mix washi tape to complement the layout. For the stickers, I used:
“I’d rather be at Hogwarts” (right?!)
A big Hufflepuff sticker
“Patience, Dedication, Loyalty”
To-do boxes and sparkle accents
And yeeeah… I’ll say it again, the stickers are not the most exciting to use in a planner format. Haha! But we’re committed to the theme now.
If you missed it, you can check out my Gryffindor spread from last week too!
Life Lately
Okay, now for the fun part, life updates!
First of all… surprise!!! I thought this would be announced in April but it already went live a few days ago…
I am now part of the Kendra’s Card Challenge Design Team!!!
YAAAAAYYYY!!!
I actually joined their challenges last year but life happened (as it does), so I wasn’t able to continue. But now I’m back, and officially part of the DT!
If you haven’t heard of it, Kendra’s Card Challenge is a monthly challenge where you create 15 cards using just 6 sheets of 6x6 paper. Yes… FIFTEEN! It’s such a fun challenge because even with a sketch, you really get to stretch your creativity. And the community? Super warm and supportive! Just people all over the world who genuinely love cardmaking.
So excited for this journey, and I hope you join us for KCC #22 next month! Also, I hope you will join our Facebook group, Kendra's Card Challenges.
Reading Update 📚
Books this month:
MTD – 9
I’m really proud of this because I’ve been reading every single day this March. It’s been such a read-full month and I’m hoping I can keep the streak going!
Riyadh Trip + A Little Scare
We went to Riyadh last week for a few days for our Spain Schengen visa appointment with BLS, and honestly, kudos to them! The staff were incredibly helpful and patient. One of the ladies even assisted us when we brought the wrong form and needed to add another bank statement. She also helped us navigate Tawakkalna for additional documents. Super grateful for that!
They also have printing, photocopying, and photo ID services on-site, which made everything so convenient.
Of course… we went to Jollibee more than once. Hehehe. Since it was still Ramadan, we either did takeaway or waited until sundown to eat outside.
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| Their pistachio kunafa sundae |
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Ramadan vibes at the food court. Most places closed, but Chowking and Jollibee said “we got you”… just halfway. Had to stoop down just to see the menu. |
We stayed in a really nice Airbnb (with a pool table and bathtub!), but funny enough, I forgot to take photos. The only photo I have is of the bathtub while I was filling it.
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| Doesn't seem like it I guess, but that's the sky, my view over the tub. |
Now here’s the scary part…
One night, I heard loud booming sounds while I was in the bathroom and immediately thought it was the water heater about to explode, I got scared I will die of hot water and have a closed casket (yes, my brain went that far! hahahuhu). Turns out, it wasn’t that at all.
We started receiving alerts on our phones… the sounds were actually intercepted drones. There were about five loud booms that night along with multiple SMS alerts.
It was scary and anxiety-inducing. I even asked my husband to close the curtains just in case the glass windows shattered. But later that night, after the all-clear notification… we still went out to the mall to eat. Everything outside felt so normal! We had Filipino, well me, and Ton Japanese food at Fiestahan Asian & Pinoy Cuisine restaurant.
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| Complimentary sabaw - of course, Pinoy! |
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| Bopis |
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| Lumping Gulay - ate only 1 and brought the 3 back home |
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| Ton's newest fave, Shrimp Dynamite No photos - Ton's tempura and our leche flan. Anywho, that experience made me even more grateful for Al Ahsa, where we live. It’s quiet, simple, and honestly, feels very safe. We still have our grab bags ready just in case, but overall, we’re okay. |
Lucky’s Adventures
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| Lucky pretending to sleep because he thought we were going back to the vet haha |
Of course, Lucky joined us on this trip, his second Riyadh adventure!
He was such a good boy during the drive. No accidents, no fuss, just slept the whole time. At some point he moved under the seat and we didn’t see him again until we arrived. Haha!
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| Exploring before finally settling under my chair |
At the Airbnb, he was a bit uneasy at first, walking around, meowing, adjusting. But after a while, he settled in. We’d come back from going out and find him just lounging comfortably on the bed. Such a baby.
Random Life Bits 
International Day of Happiness (March 20) – for me: happiness = lots of art materials! (and okay… lots of money too 😂 for more craft supplies!)
From Bee Happy Arts
From Bee Happy Bought candies for my future craft table candy corner (excited to set this up!)
Donated clothes
Currently watching Doubt on Netflix (we’re on Episode 6!)
Enjoyed homemade brownie à la mode last night, so good!
Projects This Week 🎨
Traci Reed Designs – The Daily Stampede TN + Pocket Moments mini album (finally used my instax photos!). This is not yet published so for now, I'll post a page each.
Bee Happy Weeklies – got carried away and made three mixed media Easter canvases.
And speaking of Bee Happy Weeklies, I also won a Bee Happy 12-in-1 Paper Trimmer (perfect timing because my sister wants one!)
And here's my latest Bee Happy Haul from the Weeklies voucher I won a few weeklies back!
Kendra’s Card Challenge – 15 cards DONE + 1 for IG hop! (again, not yet published so here's my card bin for now! hehe)
Polkadoodles – pinwheel reveal card (sharing digi for now!)
Printable Cuttable Creatables – Easter temporary tattoos (my husband’s sample is hilarious because… hair)
And that wraps up this week’s planner spread and life update!
Between Harry Potter themes, Japan goodies, creative projects, little travels, and everyday moments, life has been a mix of cozy, chaotic, and a little magical, just how I like it.
Now excuse me while I plan my next Hogwarts house spread… because apparently, we are fully committed to this wizarding streak. Hahaha!
