Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Another pen post- Staedtler Triplus Fineliner
My all time favorite pen for coloring and for planning are the Staedtler Triplus Fineliners. In a 0.3mm tip, these pens come in great colors, are easy in your hands and slide quite smooth. The ink is bold and it doesn't bleed on the PPP planner pages or smudge easily. For around $15-20, you can get a 10 pack of basic colors. There are varying color packs with a large pack of around 20 for more or a set of neon pens. I'd rate these pens a 10/10 for my favorite.
Review of Plum Paper Planner Nov. 2016-Dec. 2017
After the dust from the wedding had settled, I decided to return to my normal planner life and purchased a new Plum Paper Planner for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017. Like I've mentioned before, I love how customizable PPP is and they outdid themselves with their new website revamp. Not only do you not purchase on Etsy anymore, but designing your planner is easier than ever.
PPP installed an ability to fully customize and see the customization on the site before purchasing. Now you pick your cover, see what a monogram or date looks like on it, pick how you want your name on it if you do and exactly what fonts you want everything in. I loved the new design station on plumpaper.com. I chose 14 months for my planner. The easiest way to figure out the months is to count how many actual months you want in the planner. For instance, all 12 months of 2017 plus November and December 2016 = 14 months.
I got the 7x9 planner, but PPP also now offers an 8.5x11 planner, notebooks, address books, etc.
Turn around right now is fabulous. I purchased the planner on Oct. 11, it shipped Oct. 19 and I received it Oct. 25. Here are some of my unboxing photos and I'll explain how everything went.
The planner came snugly fit in a cardboard box with the PPP logo on the top. It was wrapped in bubble wrap as it has in the past and in a plastic sleeve. It was definitely safe and sound during transport.
Since my last PPP, the company did change the plastic cover layer over the designed cover. It feels much more durable than the last one which had a tendency to curl. PPP is also offering interchangeable covers now, but your first one comes permanent. I'll have to try out the interchangeable covers if I get bored of this one.
For my cover, I went with one of the wood designs with no year or monogram and with my name along the bottom with a plum background. It fit my style perfectly which was a bit simple, but fun.
Opening up the planner, the paper feels a bit more high class with a higher gloss than previous years. I like the feel of the paper and have been using my Staedler Triplus Fineliner 0.3mm pens on it. So far, no runs through the back and no smudges. Smudges are my least favorite thing ever.
The front pages have 2016 and 2017 years in a glance along with pages for special dates, ideas, plans and goals.
Another big change PPP has done lately is the monthly tab pages. Now instead of a blank page behind your month tab, it has a fun three goals for the month, birthdays, events, and things to remember. One of the first things I did when I got the planner was begin plugging in birthdays on these pages and filled out my goals for November.
This year I went with a new layout to fit my changing work schedule- the horizontal. I previously had the hourly, but that was because I went to a lot of meetings and other things at my old job. Now that I'm at a desk while I'm at work, I have a bit more flexibility in my schedule. I also want to track other things such as my horse's training schedule, if my husband or I were going to the barn, the miles on our leased car, etc. I wanted to have a bit more fun with the weekly layout since I heavily use the monthly pages too.
At the end of each month, I added monthly cleaning pages. I wanted to keep track of our apartment cleaning since my husband and I both let things go sometimes. This way I was able to list everything we need to do, how many times a month we needed to and keep track of it all. Then we can also tell what we have been slacking on!
The end of the planner is pretty standard for PPP. Although I could have added some fun sections like a Blog section, I chose not to with this planner. I wanted it to be simple and compact. I have some grid pages for various things, the 2018 year at a glance, U.S. holidays, and I added two sticker pages. I love my stickers and I liked the styling on the PPP ones.
At the very back is of course the folder to keep stickers and other things handy. PPP has done a good job of upgrading the design of the folder and it seems like it will hold up well. Time will tell.
Overall, I adore the Plum Paper Planner. As you all know, it's my only planner. I'm drawn to it because the styling isn't just black, but it's not in your face either. It's practical for a working woman or a mom or both. PPP has a LOT of layouts and options to choose from. And price wise you can't beat it. Monthly planners start at $32. Mine came out to $52 total with shipping, added months, and cleaning pages.
For the value, you can't beat it. I haven't found another planner with this level of customization for this price range.
Plum Paper Planner in no way contributed to this review. I purchased the planner with my own money.
PPP installed an ability to fully customize and see the customization on the site before purchasing. Now you pick your cover, see what a monogram or date looks like on it, pick how you want your name on it if you do and exactly what fonts you want everything in. I loved the new design station on plumpaper.com. I chose 14 months for my planner. The easiest way to figure out the months is to count how many actual months you want in the planner. For instance, all 12 months of 2017 plus November and December 2016 = 14 months.
I got the 7x9 planner, but PPP also now offers an 8.5x11 planner, notebooks, address books, etc.
Turn around right now is fabulous. I purchased the planner on Oct. 11, it shipped Oct. 19 and I received it Oct. 25. Here are some of my unboxing photos and I'll explain how everything went.
The planner came snugly fit in a cardboard box with the PPP logo on the top. It was wrapped in bubble wrap as it has in the past and in a plastic sleeve. It was definitely safe and sound during transport.
Since my last PPP, the company did change the plastic cover layer over the designed cover. It feels much more durable than the last one which had a tendency to curl. PPP is also offering interchangeable covers now, but your first one comes permanent. I'll have to try out the interchangeable covers if I get bored of this one.
For my cover, I went with one of the wood designs with no year or monogram and with my name along the bottom with a plum background. It fit my style perfectly which was a bit simple, but fun.
Opening up the planner, the paper feels a bit more high class with a higher gloss than previous years. I like the feel of the paper and have been using my Staedler Triplus Fineliner 0.3mm pens on it. So far, no runs through the back and no smudges. Smudges are my least favorite thing ever.
The front pages have 2016 and 2017 years in a glance along with pages for special dates, ideas, plans and goals.
Another big change PPP has done lately is the monthly tab pages. Now instead of a blank page behind your month tab, it has a fun three goals for the month, birthdays, events, and things to remember. One of the first things I did when I got the planner was begin plugging in birthdays on these pages and filled out my goals for November.
This year I went with a new layout to fit my changing work schedule- the horizontal. I previously had the hourly, but that was because I went to a lot of meetings and other things at my old job. Now that I'm at a desk while I'm at work, I have a bit more flexibility in my schedule. I also want to track other things such as my horse's training schedule, if my husband or I were going to the barn, the miles on our leased car, etc. I wanted to have a bit more fun with the weekly layout since I heavily use the monthly pages too.
At the end of each month, I added monthly cleaning pages. I wanted to keep track of our apartment cleaning since my husband and I both let things go sometimes. This way I was able to list everything we need to do, how many times a month we needed to and keep track of it all. Then we can also tell what we have been slacking on!
The end of the planner is pretty standard for PPP. Although I could have added some fun sections like a Blog section, I chose not to with this planner. I wanted it to be simple and compact. I have some grid pages for various things, the 2018 year at a glance, U.S. holidays, and I added two sticker pages. I love my stickers and I liked the styling on the PPP ones.
At the very back is of course the folder to keep stickers and other things handy. PPP has done a good job of upgrading the design of the folder and it seems like it will hold up well. Time will tell.
Overall, I adore the Plum Paper Planner. As you all know, it's my only planner. I'm drawn to it because the styling isn't just black, but it's not in your face either. It's practical for a working woman or a mom or both. PPP has a LOT of layouts and options to choose from. And price wise you can't beat it. Monthly planners start at $32. Mine came out to $52 total with shipping, added months, and cleaning pages.
For the value, you can't beat it. I haven't found another planner with this level of customization for this price range.
Plum Paper Planner in no way contributed to this review. I purchased the planner with my own money.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Plum Paper Planner review
I ordered my PPP on Nov. 11, shipped the 20th and received Dec. 4 on the east coast.
The PPPs now ship 100% in boxes. They are in a plastic slip along with bubble wrap. I had custom colored my cover (as in my previous post.)
The PPPs have a heavy card stock cover covered by a translucent frosted sheet.
First impressions: the cover is very sturdy. The paper is smooth and a bit sleeker than with the Erin Condren. It also seems more like a book to me with no plastic envelope in the back screwing up the shape of the planner.
This is the first page. You have your usual this planner belongs to and then an at a glance calendar.
My planner runs from January 2015 to the end of March 2016 or 15 months.
Each month has it's own tab. The colors in the PPP are more muted and to me, more mature, than the ECLP. I'm much more of a fan of the more understated design and color rather than a planner filled with quotes, designs and vibrant colors. You then have your notes page and monthly view.
On the side are spots for birthdays, events and notes. Each block is unlined and gray. Holidays are noted.
I ordered the hourly format. PPP has the hourly format, just lines, just lined paper, morning afternoon and evening and a new horizontal format to choose from.
At the end of the planner is a section of notes pages. I added extra pages.
Also at the end is a contacts page, holidays and keep it folder. Everything in the PPP is customizable and you can add tons of options. There is also a future at a glance calendar.
(Sorry for the horizontal photos! I will fix them later.)
Thoughts: I love the custom options of the PPP. It feels more tailored to me than the EC. The pages also just feel nicer to me and more heavy duty.
Exciting news! Plum Paper gave me a discount code for you guys! Use BABE10 at checkout on Etsy to get 10% off!
*In no way has Plum Paper Design sponsored this post. I purchased my planner myself and they simply added the discount code available for readers.
*In no way has Plum Paper Design sponsored this post. I purchased my planner myself and they simply added the discount code available for readers.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Erin Condren Life Planner
First I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Kaitlyn. I'm a full-time journalist covering two towns. I am also in the midst of planning a 2016 wedding and balancing a lot of things in my life.
I found Erin Condren Life Planners after a friend of mine ordered and shared her referral link to me. (The referral links for EC allow the new person to get $10 off their first order and for the referral giver $10 of gift card credit for ErinCondren.com.)
I ordered my classic LP on Oct. 8 and received it across the country on Oct. 23. (EC ships from California and I live in Connecticut.) I ordered a pretty standard planner, the 12 month plus the remaining months of the year for $5 so I had October, November and December 2014 in my planner along with all of 2015. I chose the cornflower and white paisley cover, a standard cover for EC, and simply put my name. No extra customization.
I was so excited when it finally came! The ECLPs come in a nice, sturdy box with tons of little extras including personalized gift tags/labels, a $10 off your next order coupon, and a $15 off $50 coupon. The planner also comes with a moveable plastic see through ruler, Keep it Together folder, some stickers and a recloseable plastic bag a lot like a heavy duty Ziplock in the back.
The covers this year for the ECLP are interchangeable so you don't have to be stuck with only one cover. I actually have my free cover on the way from the deal EC was running back in October and early November. It has since ended.
The planner is organized by a month page beginning each month and then weekly pages. At the back of the planner is a number of lined notes pages, some blank but designed and pretty pages, the sticker pages, the folder and the envelope. Each weekly page is laid out in a Morning-Afternoon-Evening fashion with some space for notes on the bottom and side.
Some thoughts: I'm not quite sure what to use my monthly pages for. The ECLPs have a huge following on Pinterest and Facebook with multiple groups dedicated to decorating, hacking and using their planners. Some of them have thought up some creative ways to use the monthly pages versus weekly pages, but I haven't gotten the hang of them yet. I tend to put more general things like birthdays and such on the monthly, but they always also end up in my weekly pages.
The ruler: I don't like it. I tried to use it, but it just added unnecessary bulk to my planner. It got me annoyed quickly. I also broke one of the little tabs just trying to put it back in the first time after I took it off the front of the planner. Needless to say, it frustrates me and I use a paperclip with a ribbon on it to keep my place in my planner.
The interchangeable covers: Another thing I'm not quite a fan of yet. Like the ruler, the tabs sometimes break or don't want to stay in the coil. I find myself constantly pushing especially the back cover's tabs back in on the top and bottom of the planner. Not that the cover comes completely off, but just that I'm constantly adjusting it.
The Morning-Afternoon-Evening layout: I'm not sure it's for me. Although I have found a way to use it. (Before noon is morning, Noon to 5 p.m. is afternoon and the rest is evening.) I think possibly the hourly layout of the Plum Paper Planner may be more for me since I have to schedule a lot of interviews throughout the day.
Notes pages: I like them. I found a couple of creative ways to use each one like goals, things to remember and inspire myself, a Christmas list, etc. I even have some work pages and some set up for poems that I want to write or things that just pop into my head.
Overall: I am enjoying the ECLP. I find myself consistently writing things in. I also enjoy decorating with fun stickers, washi and other things I have found at craft stores. I'm just not 100% sure it's fitting my lifestyle with the weekly layout or the bulkiness of the overall planner once you consider the ruler, pages, folder and envelope. It ends up being close to an inch thick, possibly more. However the ECLP design is bright with lots of vibrant colors and it has a lot of good, inspiration quotes scattered through the planner to keep you going.
To order an EC: you can use my referral link if you would like: Kaitlyn's Link.
*In no way has this entry been sponsored by Erin Condren. I purchased the ECLP myself.
I found Erin Condren Life Planners after a friend of mine ordered and shared her referral link to me. (The referral links for EC allow the new person to get $10 off their first order and for the referral giver $10 of gift card credit for ErinCondren.com.)
I ordered my classic LP on Oct. 8 and received it across the country on Oct. 23. (EC ships from California and I live in Connecticut.) I ordered a pretty standard planner, the 12 month plus the remaining months of the year for $5 so I had October, November and December 2014 in my planner along with all of 2015. I chose the cornflower and white paisley cover, a standard cover for EC, and simply put my name. No extra customization.
The covers this year for the ECLP are interchangeable so you don't have to be stuck with only one cover. I actually have my free cover on the way from the deal EC was running back in October and early November. It has since ended.
The planner is organized by a month page beginning each month and then weekly pages. At the back of the planner is a number of lined notes pages, some blank but designed and pretty pages, the sticker pages, the folder and the envelope. Each weekly page is laid out in a Morning-Afternoon-Evening fashion with some space for notes on the bottom and side.
Some thoughts: I'm not quite sure what to use my monthly pages for. The ECLPs have a huge following on Pinterest and Facebook with multiple groups dedicated to decorating, hacking and using their planners. Some of them have thought up some creative ways to use the monthly pages versus weekly pages, but I haven't gotten the hang of them yet. I tend to put more general things like birthdays and such on the monthly, but they always also end up in my weekly pages.
The ruler: I don't like it. I tried to use it, but it just added unnecessary bulk to my planner. It got me annoyed quickly. I also broke one of the little tabs just trying to put it back in the first time after I took it off the front of the planner. Needless to say, it frustrates me and I use a paperclip with a ribbon on it to keep my place in my planner.
The interchangeable covers: Another thing I'm not quite a fan of yet. Like the ruler, the tabs sometimes break or don't want to stay in the coil. I find myself constantly pushing especially the back cover's tabs back in on the top and bottom of the planner. Not that the cover comes completely off, but just that I'm constantly adjusting it.
The Morning-Afternoon-Evening layout: I'm not sure it's for me. Although I have found a way to use it. (Before noon is morning, Noon to 5 p.m. is afternoon and the rest is evening.) I think possibly the hourly layout of the Plum Paper Planner may be more for me since I have to schedule a lot of interviews throughout the day.
Notes pages: I like them. I found a couple of creative ways to use each one like goals, things to remember and inspire myself, a Christmas list, etc. I even have some work pages and some set up for poems that I want to write or things that just pop into my head.
Overall: I am enjoying the ECLP. I find myself consistently writing things in. I also enjoy decorating with fun stickers, washi and other things I have found at craft stores. I'm just not 100% sure it's fitting my lifestyle with the weekly layout or the bulkiness of the overall planner once you consider the ruler, pages, folder and envelope. It ends up being close to an inch thick, possibly more. However the ECLP design is bright with lots of vibrant colors and it has a lot of good, inspiration quotes scattered through the planner to keep you going.
To order an EC: you can use my referral link if you would like: Kaitlyn's Link.
*In no way has this entry been sponsored by Erin Condren. I purchased the ECLP myself.
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