Planners Gonna Plan

Posted on July 26th, 2015

I’m not ashamed to admit when I make a mistake in life.  Approximately twelve months ago, I made one when I bought this Kate Spade planner.   I had been using Lilly Pulitzer planners for years, but starting out my consulting career I was looking for something less… pink and printed.  I love Kate Spade, and thought the white and gold color combo would be a good way to tone it down while still fitting with my personality and general aesthetic.  Fairly quickly, though, the gold spots started to rub off, and other dirty marks marred the surface (presumably from just being tossed around in my tote?).  I discovered I didn’t like the binding as much, either, but that’s obviously a point of personal preference.  I went from being someone who couldn’t leave the house without my planner to finding myself behind on keeping it updated… I didn’t like the look or the function, and I just didn’t use it as much.

So 2014-2015 was a lost year in my planner life.  But!  I’m hoping to reclaim my planning grove this year.  In my selection, I stuck with what I know.  There’s a reason Lilly sells about 50,000 of these every year– they’re cute, they’re durable, and they’re very affordable.  And what I know and love is navy, so the Wild Confetti was my selection.  Not the most professional option on the market… but it’s a Nordstrom product, so I’m just supporting the business!  (This is what I say to myself each and every time I swipe my Nordstrom card at the cash wrap.  I’m such a loyal employee)

If Lilly is not your jam, or you’re hoping to try something new, there are plenty of other killer options on the market:

This option from Paper Source is actually kind of giving my buyer’s remorse.  It’s navy, it’s monogrammed, it’s simple, it has cute stickers but seems to assume you get a whole lot of haircuts.  Just saying.  You do pay a bit more for the personalization, but it’s still reasonable for something you will use every single day.

I stumbled across this photo of this cheerful “Happy Everything” agenda detached from its source link on the internet, but some frantic Googling led me to the right place: Coton Colors.  The interior looks really cute, with a special section for collecting Happy Notes on each week’s page.

I love Anna Bond’s work across Rifle Paper, and this agenda is no exception.  The black background is sophisticated, but the floral print is elegant, too.

Speaking of black, I did not personally have luck with the Kate Spade agenda last year, but I think the biggest part of that was the issue of the gold foil not holding up.  If you need a slightly more sophisticated option for a planner, I still think this striped option will do the trick.

If you go with this ban.do agenda, you’ll have essentially the same basic product as the Lilly agenda, but one million other girls won’t have this print. Be a trendsetter.

How can you not love Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner?  Supporting female entrepreneurs is extra satisfying, and with Emily Ley you know you’re getting an incredible product, too!  The one problem: these planners are tough to find!

I have never been able to justify the increased cost given my satisfaction with options at a lower price point but so many people swear by Erin Condren.  They have a whole support network to make sure people maximize their planners.  Serious business!

And finally, speaking of serious business, if you actually need a serious, professional option, break out the Moleskine.  Comes in a range of colors, from purple (I’m serious, but I have a personality) to black (I’m an investment banker and I work 90 hours a week)

Note: I only use Staples Optiflow pens in my planner.  Consistency is key.  They’re so smooth!  Although if you fly with them, they will leak ink all over your hands and clothes and don’t say I didn’t warn you.