Happy Planner Color Block Weekly Layout (Pros, Cons & Pen Testing)
If you’ve seen a Happy Planner before (which I’m assuming most people have by now) you can probably just scroll down this post and look at the pretty pictures. Much like every other Happy Planner, the color block layout has a 2 page monthly calendar, monthly planning page, and colorful dividers.
The only difference is the color scheme and pictures on the dividers, as well as the 2 page weekly spread that’s a cross between what I call a categories layout (multiple boxes for each day) and vertical layout for the weekends.
Quick facts
- Size: 7″ x 9.25″ (page size, the cover is a bit bigger to protect the tabs)
- Laminated cover (different designs on the front and back)
- Discbound
- Dates at a glance page
- 2 page Monthly calendar (starts on Sunday)
- 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday)
- Tabs
- 18 month duration
- Colorful inside pages
Let’s take a closer look!
To enlarge the screen of the video, click the square icon in the bottom right hand corner of the video (it will say ‘full screen’ when you hover your mouse over the icon).
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more planner videos!
OTHER HAPPY PLANNER REVIEWS:
- Happy Notes
- Happy Planner Recipe Organizer Review
- Happy Planner Budget Edition
- Vertical Happy Planner
- Mini Happy Planner
- Happy Planner Horizontal
The Cover
The usual laminated cardstock cover that all the MAMBI planners have:
I’m not a fan of MAMBI’s latest covers. The front and back sides are completely different and they’re using photos or graphics rather than just patterns. Some may like but for me it’s a turnoff.
Approx 1″ thick (note that it’s an 18 month planner).
Monthly Planning
The color scheme of the monthly planning pages is continued through to the monthly calendar and weekly spreads for that month.
The monthly planning page looks good but practically speaking, you can’t fit much. The monthly goals section is far too small!
I’m really hating the direction Happy Planner is going in with the photo divider pages with text and random stuff. None of it’s themed or matches the actual planning pages – all the dividers look tacky.
Monthly Calendar
Starts Sunday (not consistent with the weekly spread)
Weekly Planning
A few different color combinations throughout the planner…
I’m normally not a fan of pastel or anything yellow but I actually really like these colors!
Extras pages
There’s only 1 notes page at the back of the planner. Since it’s an 18 month planner it’s already quite bulky. If you want to add more notes pages, checklist or half sheets you’ll need to take some months out or upgrade to bigger discs… or just use a Happy Notes in conjunction with your planner.
Tabs
The usual large sturdy laminated cardstock tabs that all Happy Planners have.
Pen Testing
Since I’ve alreayd done a pen test on a previous Happy Planner I have and the paper is the same for all Happy Planners, here are the results for that pen test:
The Happy Planner has one of the thickest (best) papers I’ve come across. There is really only ghosting (and a little bit of bleed through) for the marker pens.
Pros of the Planner
- Discbound! (read why I <3 discbound in this post)
- Lots of color
- Affordable
- Monthly overview page
- Paper is thick with minimal ghosting and bleed through
CONS OF THE PLANNER
- Not a fan of the divider designs
- Color / foil is printed on the front of the tab only
- Laminate cover may get bent over time
Would I use this planner?
Maybe. I don’t mind the layout but I’m not sure about the vertical layout for Saturdy and Sunday. I tend to avoid unlined vertical weekly spreads as my writing ends up crooked and need multiple lines for each task due to the narrow columns.
This planner would probably be best suited to a student.
if you like this planner, my sister stocks it in her planner supplies shop, Carefully Crafted.
My favorite Happy Planner’s to date are the Happy Notes and the horizontal weekly.
More planner reviews:
Planning Tips:
- How to get rid of a white border when printing printable (borderless, no bleed, no scaling step by step video tutorial)
- Which is Cheaper: DIY Printable Planners or Pre-Printed & Assembled Planners?
- Planning 101: Need versus want versus wish list planner supplies
Found this post helpful? Pin it!
I would love to see how you used this planner. I have almost the exact same one(same color blocked).
Nope not a fan of this one Rachael, completely agree about the tacky photos. Will stick to my Plum Paper vertical which I absolutely ADORE & ticks all the boxes for me. Thanks for the review!