A new discbound planner? Yes please! If you’re looking for an alternative to the Happy Planner with a more minimalist layout, the Maggie Holmes is a good alternative.

Quick facts

• Size: 7.5″ wide x 9.5″ high (1 page size only available)
• Flexible plastic cover
• Different cover patterns to choose from (they come with different disc colors too)
• Disc binding (1.25″ diameter, 1 size only available)
• Dates at a glance page (the only dated pages in the planner)
• 2 page Monthly calendar (starts on Sunday)
• 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday) – vertical layout
• Tabs
• Undated
• Lasts 12 months
• Neutral inside pages
• Refill extension packs e.g. dot grid pages, a punch, stamps and other accessories available

Price: $60 AUD if you purchase via my sister’s planner supplies store.

Let’s take a closer look!

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The Cover

There are a few cover options to choose from. I went for this one not because I like the floral, but because I like the polka dots that are on the reverse side. Since it has disc binding you can just pull off the cover and put it back on the other way.

These are the only dated pages in the planner. If you buy this planner after these years have ended you can just rip them out and still use the rest of the planner.

The discs are solid (no hole or shape cut out in the middle). This version has clear discs but there’s other versions with different colored discs (pink and mint) and cover designs. There is a large focus on floral designs on the covers and divider pages throughout.

Approx 0.75″ thick. The pages fit snugly on the discs so you won’t be able to add too many more pages without taking some out to make room.

Dividers & Tabs

Each month has a different divider page. Most are floral / nature themed

Monthly Planning

Each month has a two sided monthly planning page. The font is small on the overview page so you could easily white out those titles if they’re not applicable to you, or cover them up with some stickers.

The categories are:

• Monthly goals
• Important dates
• Quote of the month
• Remember this
• Monthly highlights

I would change the monthly highlights to a section where I list out the steps required / main focus for each goal in that box.

Monthly Calendar

Starts Sunday (which is consistent with the weekly spread).

As this is undated you can start using it whenever you like.

Each day’s box is 1.5″ wide x 1.5″ high.

Weekly Planning

The week starts on Sunday but as this is an undated planner you could use date dot stickers or whiteout and switch the days around.

The boxes for each day are 1.5″ wide x 2″ high

The lined sidebar has about 6mm (approx. 0.25″) spacing.

I don’t like all the dead space at the top of the page and the weekly goal section being only 1 line is too small.

Extras pages

There is only 1 lined notes page at the front and another at the back. There are refill packs if you need more.

Pen Testing

Since I’m not keeping this planner (I don’t use vertical weekly playouts) but wanted to do a pen test, I got these dot grid pages (they’re a refill you can purchase separately). They also have discs you can buy standalone if you wanted to make a bullet journal notebook.

There was some bleed through for the marker pens (the Uni Pi’s) and the MAMBI stamps. The rest had minor ghosting. Ballpoint pens and fine tip pens had the least show through.

Pros of the Planner

• Disc binding
• Minimalist color scheme
• Multiple cover designs to choose from
• Sturdy tabs
• Monthly planning page
• Compatible notes pages and discs available if you want to mix and match

Cons of the Planner

• The cover material is thin
• Only 2 lined notes pages
• Comes in 1 page size only
• Comes in vertical weekly layout only
• Paper is prone to some ghosting

Would I use this planner?

This planner is nice but I wouldn’t use this specific version. There’s another one with a gold foil cover that has nicer divider pages. I love disc binding but not vertical layouts and the Maggie Holmes planner currently only comes in a vertical layout. If they come out with a horizontal weekly planner at some stage I’d try it.

If you like this planner, it’s available in my sister’s shop (Carefully Crafted).

Are the discs spacing and size compatible with Happy planner

Yes! Here is the Maggie Holmes (on the right) in one of my Happy Notes (classic page size).

The disc spacing and mushroom stem lengths are compatible

I did a detailed comparison between the Happy Planner and the Maggie Holmes planner here.

Maggie Holmes has a punch but it can’t do the entire page length at once so I’d never use it. Since it’s compatible with the Happy Planner, I would use the MAMBI punch instead.

More discbound planner reviews:

• Guide to Discbound Planners & Frequently Asked Questions
• TUL Student Planner Discbound Notebook
• Levenger Circa Discbound Planner

Planning Tips:

• 5 expensive pen brands that are worth the money (I have no regrets for splurging on them!)
• Making your own planner stickers: the tools and resources you need
• 12 Solutions for when you run out of space in your planner

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