The Pretty Simple Planner has a lined writing space and checklist for each day – ideal if you want to keep work and personal in the one planner. Or in my case, I wanted to keep blog planning and trip planning all in the one place!
Before the Pen
After the Pen
I opted to start out simple using only a black pen.
I like that this planner has 2 distinct sections for each day. I opted to use the lined space for blog post planning and urgent / reminders and the right side for Europe trip planning.
And add a bit of interest by way of different pattern dividers
Related: Minimalist planning: simple decorating & divider ideas for your planner using pens
Chevrons are my favorite divider!
The pages looked too plain and boring, so I opted to add some color using highlighters.
Much better with a bit of color!
Supplies Used:
- Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5mm pen
- Stabilo Boss Original highlighters
- Faber Castel textliner 1546 superfluorescent highlighters
PROS OF THE PRETTY SIMPLE PLANNER
- Affordable price point: only $8USD from Amazon
- Good size – not too small and not to big – just right!
- Very light – weighs about the same as my Kindle (which is rare for a medium size planner)
- Holidays are printed on the monthly calendar and the weekly spread
- Lined & checklist planning space for each day which most horizontal planners don’t have
- Great line spacing – not too close together but not spaced too far apart either
CONS OF THE PRETTY SIMPLE PLANNER
- Glue / book bound so it doesn’t lay flat unless you really push down hard on the page or use a paperweight
- The cover is thin – I can see this getting damaged with regular use
- No tabs
- No monthly planning pages
- No notes pages or extras pages
- The paper is thin so you can see what’s been printed on the back before you even write in the planner
- The days of the week aren’t printed on the weekly spread – only the dates – minor thing but seems a bit odd and could be frustrating when you use it
- Rather than re-starting the numbering on the top row of the monthly calendar, it splits one of the boxes into 2 i.e. not useable space
- The monthly calendar and weekly spread do not start on the same day
Would I use this planner again?
This planner is ok. It’s functional but it’s rather plain. Pens and highlighters have bad ghosting on the pages… but for an $8 USD planner I can’t really complain. If you want something affordable that comes in a bigger page size than most planners these days (8 x 10″ as opposed to 7 x 9″), this planner would be a good option.
More weekly spreads:
- Review of the Planner Pad Weekly Planner
- Using Erin Condren Size Planner Stickers in MAMBI Classic Happy Planner
- Mi Goals Weekly Planner
Planning Tips:
- 5 expensive pen brands that are worth the money (I have no regrets for splurging on them!)
- How to use functional icon planner stickers
Color coding Tips:
- How to organize and color code your notes for school, college or university
- Color coded monthly meal planning using sticky notes
- 6 Ways to color code your planner to increase productivity
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