As a self-proclaimed planner dork, I have been on a search for The Perfect Planner for ages. For several years, I used (and loved) the UnCalendar...while not at all fancy, it is extremely functional and got me through nursing school with my sanity somewhat intact.
Well, now that I'm older and wiser (ha), I decided I want something beautiful AND functional...and that is where the Erin Condren Life Planner comes in. I think I was looking online for reviews on the MomAgenda and came across a ton (and I mean a TON) of videos and blog posts about the Erin Condren planner. I fell in love in the way that only a girl who has an obsession for paper products and girlie things can understand.
So, without further ado...here are some pics of my planner. YES, they are spendy. The planner starts at $50 and then the cute accessories add up. I don't even want to tell you how much I spent, because then you would all think I'm crazy, and right now you think I am a totally normal person ;-).
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| This is the cover in Mod Morocco with green and yellow. |
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| Laminated tabs and planner "headband." |
Each cover is super-duper laminated for durability, plus it has laminated tabs which keep your different sections nice and organized. The little "headband" is available for a few extra dollars and helps keep your planner closed when you toss it in your bag. You can also see that the coil is serious...like totally dead-to-rights serious. No monkey business going on here! This planner is designed to be hauled around and I fully expect it to survive the next 17 months beautifully.
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| The Mega Coil |
Speaking of which, the planner comes in a 12-month version or an 18-month version. The 12-month versions can be ordered to cover any span of dates...so if you order in April, for instance, you can get an April-April calendar if that's what floats your boat. The 18-month, however, are from July to the end of the following year. I ordered my planner in July and received it August 7th...so I basically wasted a month, but adding on 6 months is only $5 extra, so it's a screaming good deal.
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| Close-up of the monthly view page...the little flower means my house cleaner is coming that day! |
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| Here's the monthly view...I love washi tape! You can also see I've used the birthday stickers that come with the planner. |
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| Here is a weekly view...you have a place to keep notes on the left, space for "morning, day, night" and then space at the bottom for meal planning, exercise, etc...I tend to use that space for things I know are happening that day, but I just don't have a specific time or the details yet. I am also fiddling around with writing my daily "TODO" list in the "morning" section, all my appointments and such in the "day" section, then a little recap/journal of the day in the "night" section. |
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| Notes section and cute squiggly lines. I love all the bright colors. |
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| There is also a space for notes in the monthly view. Great for things that don't have a specific date yet or I haven't committed to yet (like the CCRN class...do I go?) |
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| My birthday....my favorite national holiday :-) |
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| The holidays are denoted with cute little graphics. Love all the little details! |
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| Toward the back of the planner are some lined pages for notes. I think I will use these a lot. |
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| And then we have blank pages for doodling and whatnot. Is anyone else crazy about chevrons? Love! |
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| The planner comes standard with loads of "birthday" stickers, plus others for things like mani/pedi, doctor, dentist, party, etc... You also have the option to make your own custom stickers! I added more birthday stickers in red (I heart color coding), plus stickers for things like PTO, wax appointments, and anniversaries. I am currently keeping a list of other custom stickers I want and will get them with my next order. |
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| The "Keep It Together" folder in the back is double-sided for keeping all those random things tidy. These are my custom stickers :-) I want MORE!!! |
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| I am in looooove with this handy zippered pouch. This is where I keep tiny things that would ordinarily get lost...labels, small stickers, business cards, post-its. |
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| I admit, I splurged on this item...customized notepads! Kind of a lot of dough, but really....can you put a price on adorable-ness? I think not. |
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| And lastly, a few extra freebies that Erin throws in with your planner...these are little labels to be used for gifts and whatnot. Love love love. What's not to love? |
OK, folks...that's the Erin Condren Life Planner in a nutshell...if you want to drool over it even more, you can visit her site at
www.erincondren.com. There is also a fancy pants gold edition that looks SO PRETTY, but I really like the green and yellow design of my planner, so I'm totally happy with it.
Since these are custom planners made by hand, note that they do take a little bit. I think I waited 2-2.5 weeks for mine...not bad, but it seemed like an eternity, because I am pretty much a "want it now" kind of girl. Totally worth the wait! Just keep it in mind if ordering toward the end of your current planner, or if you are getting it for a gift. So far I have purchased two others as gifts...and will probably buy others (or give gift cards, since it's so much fun to design your own planner).
Anyway...hope you like it as much as I do...get one NOW!
