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!
Amanda says
I actually only recently came to the epiphany that the digital world of calendars was not working for me… I was forgetting to do too much stuff. I went on a planner research dig (literally, that late in the year you have to dig to find planners) and have noticed a few things that I need, a larger place for birthdays and such (I can’t write that small) and a place for weekly reminders. If I don’t win I will probably look into this site for something more useable for me.
Joy Brown says
I love planners, it is very difficult to find one that covers everything I need. I need to get on the web and get it ordered.
Jody Long says
I look for lots of space in each block of day, in case it’s a busy day I know I’ve got room to fit everything!
Natalie says
I like my planners to have all the things I want like weekly view and plenty of space to write, inspirational quotes, creative design and images – so the idea of customizing is really appealing to me! Would love to give it a try… Thanks!
Carrie says
I definitely look for customization! I have a busy schedule, but it doesn’t always fit into the 7-5 hours that most planners have. Or… I have multiple things going on at the same time. I love the fact that this one is so customizable!
Sarah says
I definitely need to be able to see a week at a time, as well as a month at a time. I love ones that have the month, the weeks of that month, then the next month, etc. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Laurie says
I look for a compact size that will lay flat with plenty of room each day to write down activities, appointments, etc.
Lety says
Thank you for the giveaway, Andrea 🙂 I’d love to have a planner with a couple of pages for notes separating each month. Currently I have my planner and a notebook to keep notes. It’d be nice to need only the planner.
Chrissy says
This is awesome. Even if I don’t win the giveaway I will definitely be looking into this company to customize my personal planner. I’m like you, most of the generic planners just don’t suit my needs. I’ve followed your advice and make master lists for the week and then break down those lists into smaller chunks per day. Even with all the great technology out there I love a paper planner where I can see dates and calendars and be able to have a space to take notes, see appointments, etc. Thank you for sharing this great resource!
Lee says
as much as I love my electronic calendars, I love paper!
In a paper planner I like a weekly view but also a monthly view so I can see what is ahead of me at a glance.
I always intend to plan meals, daily “thankful for” notes, wardrobe planning and more… but I’m very sporadic at including all these things.
I’m hopeful the right paper planner will inspire me to keep a paper calendar up to date with my electronic one all year long!
Jenny W says
I like my planner to fit in my bag, have lots of space for my changing needs week to week, and a weekly layout. Ive never used a vertical layout before but it looks very useable. Oh and a place for meals.
Mary Ellen says
I need a planner with lots of extra space to take general notes each week.
Mary says
I just looked at there website. I hope I win because I really like their planners but I am looking at getting the notebooks as Christmas gifts. Thanks for the blog.
Alison says
I like planners that have large enough blocks to fit small writing in. Don’t necessarily like the “hourly” ones, but the days and months.
Teri says
I look for something that fits in my purse and also has a lot of writing space.
Jill says
Would love a new planner – this one looks awesome 🙂
Bonnie says
I have used various planners over the years. Some years they had to be larger than others, but now I am content with a smaller one because I am not as involved with as many things as I was when my boys were younger and at home. I have always referred to my planner as ‘my brain’ because I keep so much information in it besides activities. Even though I do not have quite as many activities to keep track of, since I am getting older things are harder for me to remember.
Christine says
I like planners that are simple and don’t show every hour of the day, because that’s not how I plan things.
Sharon H says
I would like a combination planner/journal because I keep mine from year to year.
Stephanie says
I actually created my own planner for 2013 because the brand I usually used changed their style as well. I need space for all my lists; to do, to buy, to make, to try….and I love being able to out my menu and grocery list in it so that everything is in one place. It also has to fit in my purse 🙂 I call my yearly planner “my brain”.
Misty says
I love this! I am a very busy mommy of 4 and 1 on the way! So I LOVE paper planner so I can quickly jot down doctors apps after I make them or refer to my daughter’s gymnastic schedule or an important meeting for work. I also need one that is big enough to actually make those notes in but small enough to throw in my purse and not worry about it taking up to much room.
Charlene Uchtman says
I like a paper planner because I don’t like jumping back and forth between screens. the more visual it is the better. As much as reading my planner I want to have a feel for the day by just looking at it!.
Rosalie says
I like to be able to take my planner with me where ever I go. I like to see a day by day plan and month by month. On the calendar I like to see lines for writing ALL my appointments since I am a therapist. This method helps to keep personal and business together!!
Monique says
I want a planner that I can carry with me at all times. I want to have daily tasks area/checklist for both my home and for my new accounting business I am starting. I like that you can create what you want.
Thank you for sharing.
Debbie says
I’m always looking for a planner where I can see a week at a glacé, but also has lots of room wot write notes and to do lists. 🙂
Kim says
Be able to make my own. Customize. Carry with me everywhere.
Janet B says
I would love to have a planner that I can make to my own personal needs!
Kathryn says
I homeschool so I need flexibility in a planner!
Bonnie says
I would love to have a planner that I can carry with me!
Tammy says
I live by my planners with my work schedules and my personal life. I keep all of my planners for years afterwards for reference on medical appointments, family gatherings, special moments, etc… I am particular about the planners that I use, they have to be nice looking, functional for me and my way of tracking things. I also love to carry it with me for quick reference so I don’t like bulky large planners.
Molly says
There’s enough room to put appointments, birthdays and anniversaries and that is full color too.
Melinda says
I was just at the store this week looking for a new planner for 2014. They don’t have the same one that I used all year long this year. Grrrr. I would love to be able to customize my planner every year since my needs change year to year. What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this Andrea!
Rosemary says
Space…is the thing I look for so I can make notes or even a small list. With three little girls and a husband our house is always on the go and a lot of things to remember and write down!
Lindsay says
Planners have to be functional and my needs are always changing. Now that I’m a mom on the go I love to have a planner that will fit in the diaper bag!
Cynthia says
Week at a glance and room for to do lists!
Carrie says
I have used a planner from Blue Sky for the last 5-6 years. I love them and love them even more as this Fall I noticed my 2013 planner had some Oct/Nov pages mixed up. I emailed the company and they promptly sent me a calendar for 2014 for FREE! I am sure they would have just replaced the 2013 one but it made more sense to request one for the coming year.
These calendar’s are only $9.99 at Target. My friend found one at Walmart this Fall for $6.99
They are available in different sizes, formats and different colors. My 2012 one had a clear cover that could have pictures inserted in it If you do not win this giveaway you may want to consider a Blue Sky planner.
Melinda says
I love paper planners, but like you, I have trouble finding the perfect one. I am looking for one with enough room to write in on each date and then have the planner be small enough to fit in my (rather large) purse.
Nicole says
I like weekly/monthly calendars but I’ve never found one that I love. I mostly use the calendar on my iphone (synced to google calendar) and carry around a notebook.
Doreen T. says
I look for flexibility and plenty of room to write in a planner.
Jill says
I like having the monthly view but there never is enough space