• HOME
  • Planning
    • Planner Newbie
      • New to planning? Start here
    • Planning Tips & Inspiration
    • 52 Planning Systems in 52 Weeks
      • My weekly spreads
    • Planner Reviews
      • Horizontal Weekly
      • Horizontal 1 Page Weekly + Notes
      • Vertical Weekly
      • Hourly Planners
      • Categories Weekly
      • Daily Planners
      • Discbound Planners
      • Teacher Planners
      • Planner Roundups
      • Happy Planner (MAMBI)
      • Budget Planners
      • Undated Daily Planners
      • Undated Weekly
    • Planner Index
    • Planner Comparisons
    • Bullet Journal
      • Bullet Journal Reviews
      • Bullet Journal Spreads
      • Bullet Journal Tips
    • Planner pens
    • Highlighters
    • Planner Stickers
    • Digital Planning
    • Household Binder
    • Stationery Shopping
    • Rachael’s Favorites
    • Blogging & Online Business
  • Graphic Design
    • Photoshop Tutorials
    • Affinity Publisher
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Canva
    • Silhouette Studio
    • PicMonkey
  • SHOP
    • Shop at Etsy
    • Online Store
    • Graphic Design Resources
    • ECOURSES
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
        • 1200 Blog Post Ideas (Exclusive Download Content)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
        • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (Exclusive Download Content)
    • Feedback & Testimonials
    • Planner Supplies (my sister’s shop!)
    • Shop my favorite planner supplies on Amazon
  • Learn
    • ECOURSES
      • Free Graphic Design Video Tutorials Library
      • Printables in Affinity Publisher
      • How to Make Planner Stickers
      • How to Make Printables in Photoshop
      • Printables in Microsoft Word
      • Printables in Microsoft Excel
      • Digital planners and notebooks in Microsoft PowerPoint
      • How to Make Labels in Photoshop
      • Make Patterns in Photoshop
      • Party Printables
      • How to Write Product Descriptions
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
  • FREE
    • FREE Printables
    • Free Printables Library – Subscribers Login
  • Travel
    • Travel Planning
    • Europe
    • Australia & New Zealand
  • About
    • Browse All Posts
    • FAQ
      • What is a Printable? What happens when I purchase a printable from you?
      • Printing Tips
      • Printable Planner Stickers
      • Downloading Files
      • How to Open Zipped File Folders
      • What does EDITABLE mean?
      • Monogram Etiquette

All About Planners

Printable planners to organize your home, business and life!

September 22, 2020

Maggie Holmes discbound day to day weekly planner review (Including pen test)

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!

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!

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_26

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_05

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_07

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_41

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_03

Dividers & Tabs

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

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_10

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_22

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_17

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_18

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_40

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_24

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_23

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

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_11

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

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_21

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_19

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_13

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_14

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_16

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.

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_08

Maggie Holmes day to day planner discbound vertical weekly minimalist similar alternative to mambi happy planner floral_25

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.

maggie holmes discbound planner review undated dot grid pen testing highlighters fine tip gel ballpoint stamps ghosting bleed through

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.

maggie holmes discbound planner review undated dot grid pen testing highlighters fine tip gel ballpoint stamps ghosting bleed mambi alternative

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

maggie holmes discbound planner happy planner comparison compatible discbound favorite pros and cons review disc size and spacing mambi

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.

Access the free printables library and be notified when new blog posts are published

Success! Please check your inbox for an email from me with instructions to download (and access the rest of the free printables library!) Make sure you add me to your contacts so the emails don't end up in the your spam folder

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Don't forget to check your inbox to confirm! We'll never send you spam. You can unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

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

Browse all posts

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

maggie holmes day to day weekly planner review vertical minimalist discbound sunday week start clear discs monthly overview pen test mambi compatible

maggie holmes day to day weekly planner review vertical minimalist discbound sunday week start clear discs monthly overview pen test

You may also be interested in...

  • Time and ToDo Planner Review (Unique weekly layout)Time and ToDo Planner Review (Unique weekly layout)
  • Musboeken Feeling Plantastic Discbound Planner Review (Pros, Cons, Video Flipthrough & Pen Test)Musboeken Feeling Plantastic Discbound Planner Review (Pros, Cons, Video Flipthrough & Pen Test)
  • Dokibook Discagenda Planner Review – A5 Diva (Pros, Cons & Pen Test)Dokibook Discagenda Planner Review – A5 Diva (Pros, Cons & Pen Test)
  • Eleven Discs Dot Grid Notebook Review (Super Smooth Paper!)Eleven Discs Dot Grid Notebook Review (Super Smooth Paper!)
  • 10 Discbound notebooks for planning or bullet journaling10 Discbound notebooks for planning or bullet journaling
  • Converting a monthly calendar into a weekly spread using the TUL plannerConverting a monthly calendar into a weekly spread using the TUL planner

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Posted In: Planner Reviews, Undated Weekly, Vertical Weekly · Tagged: alternative too the happy planner, discbound planner, discbound planner alternative to mambi, discbound planner maggie holmes, discbound planner review, discbound weekly planner, maggie holmes day to day planner, maggie holmes discbound planner, maggie holmes planner, maggie holmes planner review, maggie holmes planner vertical, maggie holmes vertical discbound planner, undated discbound planner, undated discbound planner review, vertical discbound planner

Welcome

Welcome to All About Planners! I’m Rachael, a 20-something Aussie addicted to graphic design and all things planning. On the blog you’ll find more than 1,000 posts about all things planning including planner reviews, tips, favorite supplies and some of my past weekly spreads.

Subscribe and join 60,000+ others on the quest to find planner peace!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Search

Subscribe

free printables library sign up all about planners blog image graphic subscribe

Shop At Etsy

The photos and content on this site are the property of All About Planners. They are not allowed to be used without permission from All About Planners.

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Sprouted Planner Review (Dashboard Layout Weekly Planner)
  • Which discs are compatible with Plum Paper’s disc punched planners?
  • Hacking the Dabney Lee for Blue Sky Horizontal Weekly Planner
  • How I make my travel photobooks using Blurb (Detailed Tutorial and Review)
  • My 4th Plum Paper Planners Haul! (weekly and daily planners, financial planner, goals planner)

Disclaimer

All About Planners is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Popular Posts

  • Quick and easy weekly meal planning using sticky notes
  • 50 Tips for writing a better to do list that will make you more productive
  • 130+ functional ideas to use blank notes pages of your planner or an empty notebook
  • After trying 52 planners, these were my top 7 favorite weekly planners
  • How I use Excel to Organize a Home Renovation (budget, spending, program, paint colors, contacts, quotes)

Printables

  • Learn How to Make Printables
  • How to Make Planner Stickers
  • Resources & Tools I Recommend

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Privacy

Copyright © 2022 All About Planners · Theme by 17th Avenue