Ever wonder how the Laurel Denise team really uses their planners—or what they'd take to a desert island? In our latest OMG Planners YouTube episode, Lolly, Nancy, Mabby, and Jenn answered your juiciest questions, dished on their stationery obsessions, and shared planning tips. Spoiler: we got off topic. 

Let’s dive into the highlights and team confessions that made this episode pure planner gold.

A Stationery Love Story

Our love for planning started young. The team spilled their early stationery obsessions—from Lisa Frank stickers to eraser collections so large they required gallon-sized bags.

• Lolly: Fell in love with graph paper and the joy of writing in tiny squares.

• Jenn: Lisa Frank Queen since birth. Stickers, folders, binders...she had them all.

• Nancy: Raised on school store supplies, where she discovered erasable pens (but like, the old Bic ones...ew) and built a truly impressive eraser collection. 

• Mabby: On a mission to find the elusive color-in stickers that ruled her childhood. Oh and one time she hit a classmate with a hammer-shaped pencil. It was a moment.

Takeaway: We were all destined to be planner girls.

If We Were Stranded with Just Two Planner Tools…

What would the team bring to a deserted island? Unsurprisingly, planning gear made the cut.

• Mabby: Erasable pen and dot grid notebook (shade required).

• Lolly: Washi tape (for hut building, obviously) and an accessories pouch.

• Nancy: Spiral notebook + mechanical pencil with infinite lead.

• Jenn: 4 Column planner and pencil for planning her escape.

Pro tip: Choose tools that flex and adapt to your needs—dot notebooks, sticky notes, and favorite pens are MVPs.

Skills We’re Dying to Learn

From patience to crochet to guitar solos, the team shared skills they’re trying to master.

• Mabby: Wants to knit like her mom.

• Lolly: Dreams of playing guitar and singing at the same time.

• Nancy: Has one song down on the concertina and wants more.

• Jenn: Tried crocheting with her daughter but got distracted by Sour Patch Kids.

If you’re not failing, you’re not learning. Add that to your planner.

How We Use Our Favorite Laurel Denise PIPs

Planner Insert Packs (PIPs) are beloved for a reason. Here’s how we actually use them:

• Jenn: Uses the Swirling Thoughts PIP as a reusable weekly schedule with permanent marker and dry erase combo.

• Nancy: Turning the 3 Column PIP into a Kanban board.

• Mabby: Planner hopping back to her vertical layout so she can bring back her favorite Weekly Task Tracker on the lined bookmark PIP. 

Dry erase + permanent marker = magic. Bonus: tiny duck stickers for weekly workouts.

Our Go-To Comfort Foods (Because Balance)

No planner convo is complete without snacks. We shared our ultimate comfort meals:

• Lolly: Fries in a bowl + bacon-loaded salad (no sauce).

• Nancy: Olive Garden nostalgia with all the pasta and a warm cookie to finish.

• Mabby: Her mom’s famous poppy seed chicken casserole.

• Jenn: Homemade lasagna from her husband + sourdough discard brownies. No crumbs left.

Food = fuel for big planner energy.

The *Totally True* Origin Story of Dr. Inkwell

Our fictional pen-testing mad scientist has a backstory. Obviously.

• Born in Massachusetts to a Navy general and a bug scientist.

• Raised in Beirut sand dunes. Befriended insects. Bonded with fountain pens.

• Had a villainous brother who may or may not have stolen his pen.

"Instead of friends, he had bugs and pens." Iconic.

What This Q&A Says About How You Can Plan

Planning doesn’t have to look one way. The team proved that:

• You can be playful and productive.

• Use inserts that match your life (and your current phase). Switch em out when you're done. 

• Your planner can be a place for ideas, joy, and even silly origin stories.

Real life belongs in your planner. That’s the point.

FAQs

Q: What’s a PIP?
A: A Pop-In Panel. Plastic modular inserts to customize your planner.

Q: Can I use permanent marker on my PIPs?
A: Yes! Use dry erase on top and wipe to clean. Jenn-approved.

Q: Where can I watch this episode?
A: Right here on YouTube.

Q: Is Dr. Inkwell real?
A: You tell us.

What Now?

✅ Watch the full Q&A on YouTube.
✅ Shop Planner Insert Packs that work for your life.
✅ Tell us your favorite comfort food or planner tool in our Facebook group!

May your questions be quirky and your origin stories be legendary.