Let’s Plan Ahead – Diary Review & Giveaway
Now I’m a planner. I love lists and I love my paper diary that we lovingly call ‘the oracle’ in our house as it tells us all where we need to be and what we have on. My husband used to find it hiliarious to hide it and watch me flap around frantically trying to find it; now he knows better to joke about things like that.
You’re probably thinking “ok but it’s just a diary” but to a stationery addict like me that loves to use her diary to track work, organise outings and pretty much keep track of most of the things in her life. Well, my diary is a big thing. I’ve tried to go digital and just use my phone so many times but it’s just not the same and it just doesn’t work for me.
Now as if this all doesn’t make me sound completely bonkers already then let me be clear that I have very specific requirements when it comes to a diary. I like it to be around A5 size so it’s easy to carry around. I like to have a month overview to note down key dates. I like a week to view so I can keep track of where we are BUT I also like room to be able to keep track of my (rather extensive) to do like and make sure I know where everyone needs to be and not just me. The joys of being a parent right?! With all this in mind I am always on the look out for the diary and have been known to switch mid-year to try out a new one if something isn’t quite right with the old one.
Think I’m completely obsessed yet?? Yeah….well, you’re probably not wrong.
But keeping all this in mind, imagine my glee when the people from Busy B agreed to let me try out their 2018 Family Diary. It’s pink, stylish and promise plenty of room for doodles. Needless to say I immediately said yes!
I loved the colour straight away as it’s both bright and bold. A perfect A5 size but not too thick, I knew that I wouldn’t have any issues carrying this around. I immediately loved the little space for a pen and the little folder sections throughout to keep loose pieces of paper in – I seem to aquire them quite regularly.
The page is week to view with space for your reminders down the side of the page. Not only that but the main page is designed for your week and the second page designed for ‘theirs’ with 4 columns. This means that there is space for the details of 4 peoples movements so you can keep track of where everyone needs to be. Perfect for someone like me! However, if this isn’t of use to you, then you can just use the space for notes and reminders against each day. I’ve set mine up as our movements on the ‘their week’ page and my to do list and reminders on the main page.
Full features include: a details section (yours, your partners and your childrens), useful information, contacts, useful websites, a birthdays year to view summary, year to view dates (2018 & 2019), a 2018 year planner, to do list, main diary section, 2019 year planner, notes pages and don’t forget lists. In short, pretty much all your need from a 2018 diary! I particulary love the large notes section and the birthday summary, so handy if you’re like me and managed to lost your memory immediately after having children.
THE VERDICT
I really love this diary and have pretty much already populated what I know of 2018 in there already….what?? Surely I can’t be the only one who immediately does that?! I love the colour, the size, the layout of the pages and the little elastic thingy which binds it all together and keeps everything I ram in there inside. In fact, the only dissapointment is that it’s not January yet so I can’t start using it.
THE GIVEAWAY
Anyone else out there that loves a paper diary or perhaps wants to use one to try and get a little more organised? Well, luckily for you we have one to giveaway to a luck reader! Just enter using via Rafflecopter using the link below and follow the usual social media accounts.
This giveaway is open to UK residents only, is powered by Rafflecopter and will close on Sunday 1st October at midnight . The winner will then be chosen at random using the tool. Please note that entry information, including email address will be passed on to Busy B but will not be shared with any other third parties. For full terms and conditions for the giveaway, please visit the Tippytupps terms and conditions page.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with this item in return for my honest review. As always though, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I love diary’s especially startin a new year all fresh & keen to start the year
I always have a diary and love the layout of this one! Thanks for the review and giveaway x
I love a paper diary. I use them often to try and get a little more organised.
I have such an addiction to notepads and planners. It’s crazy! great post x
I always record things in my diary, I don’t trust my phone calendar to keep my appointments
This looks like a cute little planner! Love the color!
I do love diaries. I try them every year and end up not using them. I really need to work on that because otherwise I’m an organised person. I’ll be entering the giveaway
I have this diary, but in a different style. It’s absolutely AMAZING! A complete life saver and life changer. Literally don’t know where I’d be without it! I use the different sections to track my days I work and my blog, so handy! As you can tell, I love stationary and notebooks haha!
I have the mid year version of this 🙂
The planner is adorable! I’ve tried keeping one but I only last a month or two at most before forgetting about it.
I love planners, and this is a design I haven’t seen before! It’s so useful for those who aren’t in school anymore, because that’s what most of them are geared for.
I’m a huge planner as well, I love the set-up of this one, it’s very different from what I’m used to.
This is so cute!! I never stick with keeping a diary, but I wish I did!
I would love to try this. Where can I purchase this diary? I live in the Netherlands. Thank you
Hi. You can find a copy on the Busy B website. https://busyb.co.uk/products/diaries/family-diary-2018.html
I’ve been thinking about getting a new planner, there is one on sale at Michael’s that has been captivating my attention every time I walk by it as of late… I’m thinking this might be the push I need to pick it up and get to using it!
Britt | http://alternativelyspeaking.ca
I always use a diary and would be lost without it. Helps me plan my busy life.
always a handy thing to have
i have lists everywhere so this would make my life easier!
I love a nice diary for keeping track of everything
with so many hospital and doctors appointments I could use a decent diary
I could certainly do with organising some of next year before it begins lol!!
Would be INVALUABLE for my daily plans thanks
Love a new diary and this one is gorgeous! Would be so handy to keep track of everyone!
I would love to win a 2018 diary
Great practical prize. Helps us in our aim to be organised.
I always have a diary, it helps me to keep organised.
I don’t know where I would be without a diary ,You can look at a glance what appointments you have in the coming week.Keep tab when family are on hols.And dentist appointments are made so far in advance a diary is a great way to jog your memory.I also love the ribbon so you can go straight to today’s day. Great useful giveaway.
This looks very useful,I love a paper diary.I only have a basic phone so I don’t have a diary facility on it.
oooo could do with something like this to keep me organised !
2018 WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE REALISE IT
great giveaway very handy
Would love this for my daughter-in-law who loves to keep the family organised
This looks fab. I’m terrible at staying organised, this would totally help!
couldnt live without a diary thanks for the fab giveaway x
I would be completely lost without my diary. Thanks for the chance to win one for 2018.
I love Busy B diaries and planners. They are the best.
do not have a diary but will use it if i win
Lovely giveaway thank-you
Great little giveaway thank you very useful
I was just thinking I need to get Diary ready !!
I’m pretty ol’Skool when it comes to writing everything down…smartphones and tech all has it’s place but they still have a tendency to give up on you at the most inappropriate moments and of course ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’. x
I love! planning and this looks like a lovely system
Great prize
Very handy diary, it looks perfect for keeping track of a busy family, thanks for this.
Great prize to help me be organised.
I love planners helps me to keep organised.
Would be super useful to arrange family bits and pieces 🙂
My daughter would love this with all the grandchildren’s various appointments & club nights to remember
This would be really useful for our family, there’s always someone doing something
could do with this x
I love a paper diary, I think it’s much easier to use than an electronic diary.
lovely prize thank you
I was going to say that this would make a lovely gift but I need it myself.
I try to keep a journal but my niece finds it and colours and draws. I don’t want to discourage her crafting.
What a brilliant prize – i would just love this
Great prize, I always use a diary
great giveaway – always need a diary
This is a great giveaway, I would love a planner like this
I love new, pretty and useful stationary and this ticks all the boxes. I’ve just started a new job and between my work and the kids’ school there’s a lot to remember. Anything that helps me to keep us all organised will be a HUGE help.
Great for busy mummy like me
I like this family diary reviewed in your blog. I find its much better to keep a track of everything when its written down – a visual reminder helps your poor overloaded brain to keep track of all the family’s busy lifestyles, and just the fact of writing things down helps the memory too!
I feel lost without a diary! What a lovely giveaway!
I have always had a diary since I was a child!
brilliant prize fingers crossed
A family diary would be perfect as we home educate the children so lots to note down
i cant live without a diary! they end ups so loved and tatty by the end of the year but thay just gives it character
i cant live without a diary! they end ups so loved and tatty by the end of the year but thay just gives it character and love
im in need of a new diary and these look fab
I need to be super organised next year so would love to win.!you can’t beat a paper diary and as a new member of the PTA at school I need one more than ever and this one is just super cute! Good luck all
Maybe its time for me to get more organised
This is just what I need
I love planning and lists, so this would be ideal for me. Thanks for the lovely prize and competition.
great giveaway I’m a planner and list maker and lov to be organised so this would be fab for me 😀
Brilliant! Just what I need to keep the Family and I organised!
Super useful giveaway!
I love diaries! I am constantly trying to be more organised
Nice prize
i really love this planner *-*
i love diarys
I use diaries, they keep my busy life organised
I love a diary, I carry one where ever I go
With 3 boys and another baby boy due in Jan I need a diary….lol I think that’s the key to a big family….being organized.
Thanks
xx
I love a paper diary, I always have one, I cannot cope without it lol. Thank you
I love diary I once had one in my phone but deleted it and bought a diary as I love pen and paper
i love having a paper diary for appointments etc.. thanks for the chance 🙂
This would come in very handy. I’m such a scatter brain with the memory of a goldfish. I have to write everything down.
Perfect for being organised with all my family’s appointments and reminders
One of my favourite things about the new year is starting a new diary.
I’m a paper kind of gal!
The last couple of years I’ve had good intentions of keeping a diary but this year I really HAVE to, my 9 year old twins and 4 year old do all sorts of activities and I can’t keep up! If my memory was any worse I swear I could organise my own surprise party!! Winning this beauty would definitely be an incentive to keep organised for 2018.
I love notepads x