A few weeks ago Blitsy had a sale on mambi's Happy Planner and accessories. I had seen these in stores, but didn't necessarily want to buy one... However, my current planner-less life was not going well. J always insists on using digital calendars and planners, but I need paper. I like see to the month laid out before me. I had weighed the pros and cons of many different planners, but most were filled with boxes I wouldn't use or were just too expensive. I took a chance and ordered The Happy Planner.

Turns out, I love the set up! First of all, it has a spiral type binding. I love being able to lay it flat on it's own or pull back the pages. Definitely helps! Secondly, I love how the planner includes a monthly goal setting page. I love pulling together my important events, dates, and goals onto one page. I decided to keep these pages unadorned to focus on the events. This is my August page. For the goals section, I didn't include all my monthly goals, but focused on the bigger or month-long ones (i.e. new movie month).

Third, I like the size and layout of the monthly spreads. There is enough space to jot down bigger events or plans. Plus, there is a column on the left for notes. I'm still deciding what to do with those left hand columns. I saw someone use them as a space for inspirational sayings and other person use it as a "currently" list. Maybe I'll settle on one of those two ideas.

Fourth, check out these weekly spreads! I love how the days are divided into Morning, Afternoon, and Evening chunks. With an afternoon napping toddler, this divide fits my day perfectly! I've taken to adding our dinner plans right under the Evening bar. I also appreciate that Saturday and Sunday are kept together at the end of the week. I can't wrap my brain around the idea of Sunday as the first day of the week. On the left hand side, there is a column title "notes." I've chosen to use the column as my weekly to-dos. No appointments or activities, but documenting the few things I really want to focus on or complete.

So that's my new planner. I've already bought some sticker accesories (as seen in the above pages), but I'm sure I'll think of other little extras to add as the weeks go by.  And best of all, this planner is an 18-month planner. I am set until December 2016!!!!