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!
muriel says
I like to be able to view a week or month together & plenty of room for notes.
Jennifer M. says
I’m a stay at home mom of five under the age of 6. I really need a planner to help myself get better organized. I get somewhat organized but it never stays. It’s so hard to keep everything in order sometimes. I do the best I can. I homeschool too! So that it would also help as well. I love lists. Grocery lists, menu plans, etc. This would help to pull it altogether. I hope I win this!
Lynn says
I love a planner that has plenty of space to write things down.
Ann says
I would love one that give me extra space to write notes to myself.
Nancy says
A planner to help me see my day all in one. Right now i have three calendars I look at.
Margarita says
I need a planner with room for meal planning and special events!
Mallory says
Enough space to write! So many planners are so cramped. I also like places for various lists ( I admit, I have a list problem) and meal plans.
Deb says
I need a planner that has space for my daily to-do list!
Sarah @ helpmeetyourgoals.com says
The biggest thing I look for is the ability to customize, so this sounds awesome!
Elizabeth says
When buying a calendar I always look for once that has extra note space.
Chalyse Meiklejohn says
I look for simplicity in a calendar, but something I won’t be bored to look at every day.
Robin says
Am just starting to use a planner. Just need to write things down and not depend on what is in my head. Also, my daughter uses a planner. She is a school teacher. Might give to her if I win the planner. She has used one for many years.
Meg says
It has to have enough space to write everything I need to keep track of for myself and the kids!
Anastasia says
A good planner must give a micro view of your day to day life while helping you to plan and prepare for what comes ahead. it has to be easy to use and also add to your happiness by cheering you up even in your blue days!!
Tara Osborne says
I’ve been searching for the “right planner” how awesome to be able th design one to fit my family. Would be very grateful to win this 😉
Audrey says
I need a planner with lots of room for many activities and my to-do list.
Debby says
I really like enough space for two girl’s activities, my committments, and a place to meal plan
Tracy says
A planner for everything sounds wonderful….birthdays, To-Do Lists, appointments, OH My!
Hilarie says
I fell in love with vertical columns for each day – and one week on an open spread – just last year. These planners look great for that! Thanks for the chance to win….
Amy O says
I really like all the days of the month on a little grid, with Sunday as the first day of the week.
Jo says
Customizing a planner sounds so nice! I like to input dates for birthdays, times when my husband travels, but I do not like the days too long. I prefer extra side note section for things I need to purchase/prepare too. Sounds like a great product!
Laura says
I would love to have one planner for everything! I use google calendar with my husband, but still print the monthly pages, have a separate written to do list and a notebook to keep ideas etc.
LeAnn says
I’m a stay-at-home mom of 6 and NEED planners to stay organized and on top of my kids activities! I like to have a monthly calendar to glance at, but really use the weekly format to write in activities, appts etc. I also like extra room to add details: i.e. if I need to bring a dish to serve, carpool with someone. I don’t need/want the extra stuff like maps, time zone info, and birthstones for each month. I just want the extra space to write my notes or to-do list. LOVE that I can choose or design my own cover! 🙂
Salome says
In a planner, I look for a lot of space and an area to jot down a weekly to do list…. these planners look wonderful!
Sandee says
Wow, the most important thing for me is for it to be formated how I think, and it looks like this one will be.
Vivian says
The idea of having a personal planner I can customize for my family’s events, my duties as a PAC and District PAC member but my appt’s and husbands sounds like a dream come true. I really hope I win because I have never found an appointment book that is not even close to what I need to stay on track. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of these planners. Vivian
Monica says
Andrea, what is the actual website for this company. Maybe I’m missing it, but I can’t find what the link is to the company. Thanks!
Monica says
Since I am a photographer, I hardly ever find a planner that works with the things I need it to have. I love the idea of a customized planner.
I’m a list maker, so I need plenty of space for lists, as well as a place to put information on my clients.
Pick me! Pick me!
Christine says
I like spiral planners so they lay flat. I like lots of space for details and room for to-do lists as well as appointments. I think being able to personalize makes it fun!
Ramsey says
In a planner, I truly require certain things. I need to see my full week at a glance, and have enough space in each day to block out time for morning routine, work, and scheduled appointments/etc (such as grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc). I also need at least one little notes section, but prefer one at the end of each day so I can remind myself of tasks/reminders (PS4 release, birthdays, bills due that day).
On the days, though, while I like when the time is already on each one, often it doesn’t accommodate my super early morning and late night schedules so I have to squeeze things in (and I have rather bad OCD about these things), so being able to write the time in for myself is best. It makes it easier to block out time to schedule writing, painting, reading, etc for myself. I’m super forgetful, so being able to do this is super helpful.
Of course it has to look good, can’t be too big nor too thick, should preferably have enough space in the spine to stash at least one of my thinner pens, and be visually appealing. The idea of creating my own cover/back/overall style sounds lovely.
I also love when each month has it’s own block/plotter-style page with notes and enough room to write in small reminders.
I’ve been trying to organize myself more lately, and I’ve been using the google calander, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Great for little reminders right on my phone, but otherwise, it doesn’t actually help for my to-do lists (which are usually scratched onto scrap paper and lost in my car until too late).
Melissa Dehne says
In a planner, I look for space for notes, ways to make it my own and a week as well as a month at a glance.
Dianne@Baking4Six says
In a way, I look for a planner – that is “somewhat” customizable so I can make it work for ME… but the other thing that is really important to me is plenty of room to write things down since I need to plan for a family of 6. The more people in a family, the more activities, appointments etc.. and I really need space to get everyone’s schedule in one place. 🙂
amy says
Love how customizable these are! With our growing family I’m in need of a new planner and this looks like just the thing!
Erin Boh says
I would love one. How awesome
Michelle says
I love it when planners show one week per page because I am always planning my next week at the same time as the current week! I need to see both at the same time!
Becky says
I like extra pages in the back for ongoing lists.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet says
Oh, I did not need to see this. 🙂
My planner is my central data collection point. I keep appointments, timed tasks, workout history and other info in it, and I’d be seriously bereft if I lost it.
I really like the customization options on this planner.
Mel says
Ooh, what a great giveaway!
In a planner I look for a daily breakdown for time (similar to the columns you like) and lots of space for notes and to-do’s. And I also want something with a little color or flair so I smile when I think of how busy I am!
Monica says
I would like several planners…think homeschool mom, piano teacher, volunteer, wife and mother. If I could do it in one without it being too big, that would be fantastic. It may become my brain storage, so I could think on other things.
Yvette Bertumen says
I would love a planner that has a ‘financial’ section in the daily columns to help with budgeting.