UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.
Congrats to: Jenny (jpage84@…) and Lyss (lyss.rose@…)
Over the last 3 years, I’ve talked A LOT about planners here on my blog. I LOVE paper planners and calendars!
Although there are a few things Dave and I do digitally via Apple’s iCalendar, we both definitely prefer paper planners so we can see many days and weeks at one time, quickly scratch a couple notes down on a specific day, and vigorously cross off our finished items each day.
For the past 3 years, I’ve used the same planner — and I loved how the inside of the planner was set up. Vertical columns for each day of the week, a full week at a glance, and plenty of blank space at the bottom of each day to jot my notes, make my to-do list, etc.
It was the best planner (for my needs) I had ever found — however, last year the company changed management, their customer service plummeted, and their 2013 planners were not available until well into 2013 (crazy I know). Luckily, I had an extra one from the year before (and the dates aren’t written in so I could make the 2012 version work for 2013) and a friend gave me one as a gift — so I am actually set for planners for a few months yet.
But since I like to be prepared (and since I know the “normal” time to shop for a planner is right about now) I decided to start looking for other planners that had the same set-up as mine. I kept coming up short with many of the different companies and brands I looked into.
And then, a few weeks ago, The Personal Planner company (here is their Facebook page) contacted me about reviewing their planners and doing a giveaway on my blog. They told me I would be able to customize my planner for my personal needs — but I’ll be honest, I was not super optimistic I would be able to implement all my “planner essentials”.
However, after spending 3 or 4 minutes quickly looking through some of the customizable options, I felt fairly confident I could make a planner EXACTLY how I wanted and needed. Plus, I got a little creative and designed my own cover and back (more on this below).
After about 15 minutes (seriously, it didn’t take long at all) I had a planner that looked and functioned almost exactly like my previous planner, and it had several extra bonuses the old planner didn’t have — like extra pages in the back, customizable tabs at the bottoms of each page, and really fun colors and designs to pick from.
I was sold and immediately told the folks at Personal Planner that I would love to promote their planners on my blog!
Here are just a FEW of the customizable options:
- Size / style of the planner
- Color, design, font style of the inside pages
- Front and back cover (you can even create and upload your own custom design like I did)
- Page layout and page design
- Owner information page
- 3 tabbed sections on the bottom of every page (there are so many different options to choose from)
- Various choices for extra pages in the back of the planner
- Optional addition of your our own personal dates (birthdays, anniversaries, school days off, vacations, etc)
- Optional addition of your own addresses so you can have a complete address book included in your planner
- and so much more!
The process is super quick and easy. With just a few clicks here and there, you can totally change the look and design of your planner.
Here’s a TINY sampling of the various sizes, styles, colors, and designs:
One of the things that most attracted me to the Personal Planner is that although there are TONS of awesome pre-designed covers you can choose from (and then customize as desired), you can also upload your own pictures or your own complete design for the front and the back cover.
So you literally can personalize this planner to look exactly like you want. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been able to do this with any other planner company I’ve worked with — and I’ve tried my fair share of planners over the years 🙂
When I set out to create my planner, I wanted something really unique, and since we have a new baby coming in March, I didn’t want to use a picture that would then be out-dated in just a couple months. So I opted for a quote instead — and I just LOVE how the design turned out 🙂
Here are digital pictures of the actual front and back designs.
Simple, but definitely not something I’ll mind looking at for the next year or so 🙂
The Giveaway:
Today, 2 lucky readers will win a Personal Planner. Winners can completely design their own planner.
How to Enter:
{required} Leave a comment on this post. What do you look for in a planner?
If you are reading this in your email or feed reader, please visit the actual blog post to enter. Email entries, Facebook comments, and Twitter messages will NOT be counted.
Prizes:
(2) Personal Planners as described above.
This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm on Thursday, 11/21/2013 and is open to ANYONE, 18 years or older. I will use And the Winner Is to select the winning comments at random. Winners will be notified by email and noted at the top of this post. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize or I will choose a new winner. Please see my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you have. Good luck!
sarah quinlan says
i look for one that isnt too “much” in terms of having pages in it that i dont need… i love pages for my lists and big spaces in the calendar to write all that i need to. i love the looks of this one though!
Jodi says
I have always used a monthly calendar. Now having kids in school I am finding that I don’t have enough room to write out all their assignments, activities along with other appointments and such. I might just have to switch over to your format!! I love all that space to write!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Liz G. says
The one thing I look for most in a planner is that it has large enough spots for each day so that I have enough room to write everything down. We are a family of 5, one child in preschool, one in elementary, and one in middle, and my husband is a nurse in the Army… we all have busy schedules and thus I have a lot I need to write down, tiny squares just wont do!
Kristina says
I look for a place for grocery lists, to do’s, journaling, $$$ & wife/mom duties.
Cori says
I would love this planner!!!! I look for a planners that allow for a space to write down weekly goals (that I set on Sundays). I love the idea of putting a quote on the cover that reflects my life….and I love to use different color pens that represent each if our family members when writing down appointments! Oh…and space to doodle! 🙂
Sondra says
I look for planners that have the calendar, budget, to do lists, and holidays all in one. I struggle when everything is in different places.
Anne Bailey says
I would love to have a planner that I can see weekly or monthly what has been planned and what i need to do to get ready for the planned event. right now I just have a small notebook from the dollar store and have notes, lists, recipes off Pinterest, phone numbers etc., Thanks for the opportunity.. Anne
Brandy Wright says
I look for multipurpose use. I usually end up printing my own monthly calendar/budget/planner. I want to be able to put my bill information and family schedule information in one place.
Chrystal says
I am still looking to find what I like in a planner as I have 3 kids and their activities to keep track of and never really used one before (started to use them but get frustrated it didn’t meet my needs) and I like the idea of creating one to meet my needs and personalize it just for me.
Heather says
Made and ordered mine today. Cannot wait to get it!
Lisa says
I need a place to keep track of everyone’s schedule.
Davina Sanchez says
Awesome planner! This would be a wonderful gift for my daughter!
Lisa says
I love to have something to hold onto and write in; I am always sitting at the computer- by writing in a journal it gives me a break away.
Kayla says
I would love to try this planner!!! I need somewhere to keep track of school things, appointments, kids stuff, meal planning, and finances!!! 🙂
Juliet L. says
Wow, these look great! What a fun giveaway,
Michele S says
I love the customizable options. Ive tried lots of digital/tech planning options but always come back to paper and pencil!
Colleen says
Super giveaway! I love planners, and will definitely have to check these out.
I always look for room to add notes, in each day and at the end of the book. This year I’ve chosen a month-at-a-time format, so I can get a visual of more time. We’ll see if I need to go back to a weely view, or I might have to do both! I need it compact enough for my purse also.
Thanks for the ideas 🙂
Amber says
I’m still trying to figure out what I want in a planner. I’m on my third one this year (although #2 was chewed up by my puppy, so that one doesn’t count, right?). I like having a weekly view and a monthly view and lots of room to write. But, I want it to be purse sized. I’m not too picky, am I? 😉
PW says
this planner seems to meet all of my needs, can be customized, allows notes, lists and allowing weekly view, whics is extremely important for my needs. I could really use this to move into 2014. thanks for the offer
Sara says
I love large spaces to write in.
Robyn says
Ok, I also want a planner where I can customize-and one reason I have given up looking for one because most are pre-planned for you.
So, I don’t usually win these things, but this would be so cool to win!! I am such an administrator and love stationery and all that stuff. Honestly, I get so excited about this stuff.
So, pick me-please!!
Wendy F. says
I’ll like for a planner to have the ability to get to today’s date easily. I’ll like to be able to have enough space to coordinate activities for the kids, work, etc. Maybe a section of sheets that I can write notes on and neatly take them out. And I want it to be inspirational. Haven’t used a paper planner in a while, but I’ll like to go back to it for next year.
Carmen says
I need plenty of room to take notes on things to do for the whole week – not necessarily a specific day.
Jenn says
I really need a great planner to help me keep track of my boys’ educational plans.
kathy w says
I always look for a two options. The first is I can look at a glance and see what I am doing on
a certain day and then I look for a place that I can write additional notes pertaining to it.
Love this giveaway!
Brandi DiFatta says
I would love love love one of these awesome planners!!!!
AJ says
I’m searching for something to work with the schedule of a family of 5!
Nessa says
I love the Monday start on the week and section to put my meals.
Teri says
I look for a weekly view with lots of blank space for notes plus blank pages in the back I can fill in with meal plans.
Lillian says
I would love to win one. I have to keep my life organized with everything I have going on. Between working part-time, going to school full-time, my two children and my husband, I am a little busy. Hope I win….
Lisa says
I love the look of this planner! Hope I win one.
Anna Cooper says
I love being able to see a week at a time as well as a month at a time. I really like it when I have a month on 2 pages and followed by weekly views and then the next month. I also need lots of room to write down to do lists between my work, 2 kids, and housework I have a never ending list.
This looks like exactly what I need.
kristi harmon says
I must have a weekly view as well as an entire month view, and no time slots — just a few lines to put what that day has in store for me. And it’s got to fit in my purse
Sherri says
Room to write the to do lists every day.
Symone says
This is an awesome idea! I don’t care how much technology there is nothing beats pen to paper!
Katie says
I like to have the monthly and weekly views when choosing a calendar. Seems simple, but it’s sometimes difficult to find.
Jamie says
I love paper planners with the month layout and also week layout and extra room for my to do lists.
Maria says
I want almost the exact same weekly layout as you. All week on two pages for all my appointments and plenty of room for to-dos. Great minds must truly think alike. 🙂
Linda (Phila burbs) says
i adore planners. i like to be able to look at what i have going on for a month and then be able to have somewhere to put down special things i need to know about the items on the date. i couldn’t do life without a planner – seriously!
Tara Denham says
I would like to give this a try. I need to keep track of several family members, finances, full time job, part time business, activities and home remodeling. I haven’t found a planner yet that has worked for me.