Erin Condren Life Planner Review

Well, it's here! And just to get this out of the way - I love it!

This is the first time I've ordered an Erin Condren Planner. I had been using MomAgenda for the past few years, and loved it. Last year, that planner stopped working for me. I'm not sure why (maybe because I was mesmerized by the love for Erin Condren online, and secretly wanted a Life Planner!), but I stopped using it. I felt disorganized, and knew that when the Erin Condren Planners were launched this year, I wanted in.

I ordered the Viva España Planner - Watercolor, and had the EC team use only the classic font on the front for our family name. I also ordered a set of the colorful pens. 

I've only been using the Life Planner for 2 days, but here are my thoughts so far...

1) Erin and her team have thought of everything! There is so much detail in every part of this planner. I'm not surprised (now) that it takes almost 2 weeks to get this in the mail. They have a lot of work to do!
2) I'm surprised how big it is. The size itself wasn't a surprise, but more the weight. This thing is hefty!
3) I really like the layout. I think the morning/day/night breakdown for each day is wonderful, and the 2 page spread for each month is very helpful. I also love, love, LOVE the birthday/anniversary reminder at the front. Very helpful.
4) I already feel more organized!
5) Now that I've seen all the creative color combinations and front/back picture combinations on Pinterest, I'm a little sad I didn't make mine more interesting.
6) I wish there were more lined pages. I'm a chronic list-re-writer. So 18 lined pages to last me the next 18 months? That will be hard.
7) I wish there was a folder in the front, too. I think it is personal preference, but I like to store all my "must-remembers" in the front. I need to see them every time I open the planner.
8) I'm not crazy about the pens. There, I said it. I should have known that no matter how cute they were, I wouldn't like writing with a ball-point pen. I'm sure I will use them at some point, but for now, I'm using my Pilot G2s, which are my favorite.
9) This may be pushing it (I do realize I've only used it for 2 days) - but what if the cover itself was larger? Only 1" taller and 1" wider? That way, the tabs would be enclosed in the cover, and have less chance of getting damaged. Maybe?
10) This was well worth the $50 I spent on it! If you are an organization nerd like me, you'll love this. If you love to breakdown your to-do list by week, this is totally for you!

I saw somewhere (Pinterest, probably) the idea of using Washi Tape in your EC Planners. This is totally unnecessary, as you can write in the same information. I personally think that the Washi Tape adds a little more fun, and prevents me from drawing lines all the way across the page (to indicate how long I'm on vacation, exactly).

Here are some iPhone pictures of how I'm using my Washi Tape (I bought mine at Target). So far I've used it in both the monthly planner section and on the lined pages... to separate my lists, of course.

I'm linking up with Meredith for the Erin Condren Life Planner Link Up. You should stop by to see what all these other ladies did with their planners, and to see more pictures of the interior. Meredith did a great job photographing the monthly pages (and the Instagram stickers, which I wish I ordered!)