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Friday, June 13, 2014

Five on Friday: Let's Talk Planners!

With the release of Erin's Condren 2014-15 Life Planner yesterday, I already started thinking about what my next planner should be...for 2015 (it's never too early, right)?   Should I stick with "old faithful" and order my fourth Life Planner or branch out and give something new a shot? 

If you know me, you know I love to research all of my options...to death!  I wanted to share five planners with you today that are worth considering.

ONE - Life Planner by Erin Condren, $50-$75+


The 2014-15 Life Planners are available to order now.  So many options (almost too many options) to customize and add-on.  You can start with a $50 planner and easily end up spending double that.  This year you can choose from the classic version, gold foil, platinum foil, or even sorority planner.  These are happy and easy to use.  Filled with fun surprises and amazing packaging.  Complaints I've heard about these planners are the bulk.  Too large to throw in your purse (at least comfortably).  Depending on the cover you choose, these aren't very sleek or professional.  I often feel like a little school girl with mine and would not take to a professional meeting....it is filled with bright stickers people!


TWO - May Book by May Designs, $22.00


This planner is simple and easy.  You can order anytime and there are so many options of covers.  Slim, sleek, light and simple.  This is a great option if you don't want or need all of the bells and whistles.  No extra pockets, pages or fluff.  Just pages with monthly and weekly entries.  This can easily be thrown in your purse and stay with you year-round.  Caution if you are hard on your planners.  My Maybooks start to wear after months of use.  Not sure how it would look after a whole year!


THREE - Simplified Planner by Emily Ley (2015 price not released - past years around $54)


Her shop is currently closed, but will reopen next week, although you can not order a 2015 Planner until September 3.  Available in three colors this year (NavyPolka/Kelly Green pattern, the signature "Happy Stripe" and Pink Key pattern).  I have not seen this guy in person, but I've heard great things.  Complaints I've heard about this planner include thin pages where some pens and markers will bleed through, the large size and that you can not customize the cover. 


FOUR - Day Designer by Whitney English, $60.00


This planner was specifically created for entrepreneurs, but that doesn't mean it's limited to that.  I can see how it would be applicable to bloggers, business owners, moms, business women...everyone!  It's more than just a planner, but also a journal and strategic planner with lots of spaces to plan, write goals, etc. The planner itself is beautiful with a gold foil stripe, although there are no customization options.  It seems a little pricey for something that can't be customized and I've heard it's very large.  This is a great review of the planner full of helpful images.

I love how sleek and professional it looks.  This one is very appealing to me!


Image above via.  Click here for an excellent comparison post of the Day Designer and Simplified Planner...which one did she pick?

FIVE - Plum Paper Designs, $31.00




I just learned of this planner yesterday when I did a quick Facebook poll of what planners my friends liked.  At first glance, these look just like a Life Planner and even offer customized front covers (for a lot less $)!  Since I haven't seen this one in person, I can't talk about the quality, but these look great.  I love the fact that you can choose your weekly spread option!  They also make student and teacher planners. 

Now the big question...

WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE?

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Thank you to the hostesses of this weekly link-up: A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and [the good life blog].

23 comments:

  1. I wish I was a planner kind of gal but I am just not. I LIVE BY my microsoft outlook and IPHONE. TO each their own :). HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!

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    1. As long as you have something that works for you! Plus no planner = no money!

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  2. Thanks for doing the research! I've done Erin Condren in the past, but I might look at something new for 2015! I like the looks of the Day Designer planner as well!

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    1. I wish we could go to one "planner" store and try all of this in person. I want to touch it and hold it before ordering...maybe that's a new business idea for us!

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  3. I need tabs in a planner! My only I guess complaint about the simplified planner is that I wish it also had a weekly page so I could see everything I've got going on at the start of a week. I can't imagine how much bigger that would make it though, definitely hefty. I like the Day Designer look too. I'll check that one out!

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    1. Yes! I agree that tabs and a weekly layout page are a must. Very good point!

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  4. I have a Plum Paper Planner and it's held up really well! I'm a busy grad student and that thing goes everywhere with me! I got it because the EC ones just seemed too expensive for me this year. My only complaint is that I miss the zip up pouch added to the EC planner. Other than that (and missing the oodles of stickers), I LOVE it!
    I got mine in December and it still looks brand new!

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    1. Good to know! My only concern with Plum Paper was the quality. I'm sure they are giving EC a run for her money this year!

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  5. I have the EC planner now and for the most part love it, but it's so bulky! That's one of the biggest down falls. Going to purchase the Simplified Planner for next year, then I can compare better :) I also just came across the Plum Paper planners and they look great too

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    1. I am curious to see how the Simplified Planner and the EC planner compare in terms of bulk. The big questions of the world...

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  6. Just ordered my 4th EC planner. I said I was going to order the Day Designer this year but I'd really miss the customization. And I agree, I love and need the tabs. I just did some YouTube research comparing the two and the Day Designer seems so much bulkier than EC and that's just not practical (to me) to carry around.

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    1. I agree that tabs are a must! I need to jump on YouTube and do more research like you. I've decided there needs to be one store where you can go and compare all of these planners in person!

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    2. I just received my new EC life planner but also ordered the Plum Paper planner for my oldest daughter. It should be here soon and I can do a side by side comparison.

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  7. I'm going to stick with Erin Condren. When I order my 2015 planner, it will be my 5th year using Erin Condren. I love the new changes they made to this years planner.

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    1. I agree that the new additions this year have me excited for another EC Planner. If I didn't get one this year I sure would miss the whole packaging and unveiling experience!

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  8. After 2 years with EC I moved to the day designer last year, it's not much bigger than the EC and I love that I have an entire page for each day! I think I'll be ordering another of those unless I go with the Kate Spade Wellesley planner - I really like that it has a zipper!

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    1. Good to know about your Day Designer! I'll have to check out the Kate Spade too. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  9. I am thinking I might switch to the Plum Paper! I was introduced to them a couple weeks ago and the thing I keep coming back to is the fact that I can list all of our family members across the weekly layout. Since I work full-time (and don't write down work meetings in the planner), I hardly use the Morning, Day, Night columns. But to have a Darcy, Jason, Madi, Exercise, Meal, To Do, etc. sections will help me to utilize it much better I think! But I am still torn!!!!!

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    1. Plum Paper seems to be the best in terms of customization. Decisions, decisions! I owe you an email btw...you are too sweet!!! :)

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  10. I'm currently torn between the Erin Condren and the Emily Ley (I've never used either). Pro's for the EC are that it has the weekly layout (where the EL does not), fun/colorful appeal, and customization. Pro's for the EL are the "classy" look to it instead of the school girl look of the EC, more room to write daily, less colorful/fun, but clean and simple. So it really comes down to which I would want more--to be able to write more daily or do I want to be able to view my entire week in one layout. I seriously love them both and don't know which to choose!

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    1. Hi Katie! Thanks for stopping by. Have you checked out Emily Ley's Weekly Planner yet? It's similar to her other Simplified Planner, but with a weekly view rather than a daily view. I think this one is only available in the Navy cover, but it might solve your dilemma! It's cheaper too! Since this is her first run of this one they are limited in quantities so I would order sooner rather than later if you want this one. http://www.emilyley.com/collections/simplified-planners/products/2015-simplified-planner-weekly-edition-navy-dot

      Let me know what you decide! I just ordered myself a black and white Day Designer and am waiting for it to arrive!

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  12. Thank you, I will check that out! Now I'm even more confused because those Plum Paper planners are adorable and have (in my opinion) a prettier selection of covers than the Erin Condren. So many tough choices here!

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