After numerous reader requests for a review of the Whistle and Birch planner I now understand what all the fuss is about!

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of the planner in exchange for this review. I was going to purchase the planner anyway. As always, all opinions are my own!

Quick facts

• Size: 7.75″ wide x 9″ high (inside pages are approx 7″ wide x 9″ high)
• Coil binding
• Glossy cardstock cover (personalisation optional) with clear frosted cover
• This belongs to page in case your planner is lost
• Dates at a glance
• Neutral & colorful inside pages
• 2 page monthly planning spread
• 2 Page monthly calendar (starts on Monday)
• 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday) – various layouts to choose from
• Lined notes page for each month
• Double sided cardstock pocket folder
• 2 clear storage sleeves
• Lined notes / list pages
• Monthly dividers & tabs
• Australian made
• 12 Month duration

Let’s take a closer look!

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The planner arrived gift wrapped 🙂

The Cover

The cover feels like thin glossy cardstock. There are various cover designs to choose from.

I chose the flamingo’s! <3

Cover personalisation is free 🙂

There’s also a frosted cover to protect it from damage.

Approx 1.7cm thick. The cover extends beyond the tabs to protect them from wear and tear.

Annual Overview

The week start day (Monday) is kept consistent between the annual overview, monthly calendar and weekly spread.

There are no holidays pre-printed on the monthly or weekly calendar so you can live anywhere in the world and use this planner.

Monthly Planning

Each month has a lined notes page and monthly overview with space for birthdays, projects, habits etc. i..e you get 3 pages for planning each month.

I do find it a bit odd that 1 monthly planning page is in color but the other is in grey.

The colors are really nice… the pink & blue are my fav <3

Monthly Calendar

The monthly calendar starts on a Monday which is consistent with all of the weekly layout options.

The date numbering restarts on the top row and does not split boxes into 2 🙂

The Weekly Layouts

Stephanie from Whistle and Birch put together a custom planner for me with all the various layouts to show you guys (and since I couldn’t pick one!)

Vertical

3 boxes for each day, plus a daily checklist and huge lined sidebar.

• Ideal if you like to ‘cluster’ things when you plan
• If you’re keeping track of work & personal
• School / work / personal
• Projects / personal / work
• Personal / husband / home / kids
• Etc.!

Teacher Planner (Vertical)

While this is labelled as a teacher planner you could still use it if you aren’t a teacher.

There’s also the option to customise the number of boxes per day (if you need more than 3).

Vertical Hourly

Schedule from 7am to 7pm. There are 2 lines for each hour so you could also plan half-hourly if you prefer.

Vertical Family

If you need more structure than the other vertical layout on offer, this one is very structured. A mix of lined writing space, checklist, health, meal planning, expenses and water intake if you’re tired of writing the same things out each week (or using tons of stickers) this may be the layout for you.

If some of the headings don’t suit you (e.g. I don’t track expenses by day) you can always use correction tape and use the sections for something else.

Student (Horizontal Days + Notes & Lists)

This is my favorite layout! Lined writing space for each day and a huge lined notes + checklist space on the other page

I typically need more space for Saturday and Sunday so I’m intending to convert some of the notes space on the second page into Saturday and Sunday.

Horizontal lined

Saturday and Sunday each have the same amount of planning space as a weekday.

Monthly Dividers

Each month has a divider in a different color with a different quote as well as giant, sturdy tabs with the month printed on the front and back of the tab.

Notes Pages

The lined notes have 2 columns so you can use for lists. The columns are close together that you could also still use like normal notes pages too.

Pocket Folder

The pocket folder feels a bit flimsy – cardstock paper. However it’s protected by the cover and other pages in the planner so should hold up ok.

2 clear plastic sleeves

Perfect for storing bills, planner stickers etc.!

Pen Testing

I tried various ballpoint, gel, fine tip and marker tip pens. There was some ghosting on the back side of the page – especially the marker pens.

Highlighters and the MAMBI stamps also had heavy ghosting.

The paper is bright white and feels smooth to write on.

Pros of the Planner

• Frosted cover to protect front and back
• Multiple cover designs to choose from
• Free cover personalisation
• Functional weekly layouts
• Plenty of weekly layouts to choose from
• Monthly calendar and weekly spreads start on Monday (consistent)
• The monthly calendars restart numbering on the top row
• 3 monthly planning pages
• Sturdy tabs (and printed double sided)
• Pocket folder
• 2 clear plastic pockets
• Coil has room if you like to add stickers to your weekly spreads
• Bright white paper

Cons of the Planner

• Color printing is only on the divider pages (so half the monthly planning is in color and the other page is in grey)
• The pocket folder feels like thin cardstock
• Pens had ghosting on the back side of the page

Would I use this planner?

Yes. I really like this planner. Simple and functional weekly spreads that maximise the page, a pop of colour, big sturdy tabs (printed double sided), 3 planning pages for each month and plenty of list / notes pages.

If you like the Whistle and Birch planner it’s available on Etsy.

More planner reviews:

• Ultimate Comparison: Erin Condren Life Planner versus Plum Paper Planners – Which planner is better? 
• Life Organized Weekly Planner by Paper House (similar to the Erin Condren Life Planner)
• Erin Condren Horizontal Life Planner versus Horizontal Happy Planner: which planner is better? 

Planning Tips:

• 10 Things people often forget to check before buying a planner
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