So I have been using a tiny generic planner for the last two years now. And even with the cramped space, I find that I still have quite a lot of gaping blank spaces all over the planner. Most entries are just the usual events like birthdays and holidays, and then book and movie releases, and then the occasional coffee date or two with friends. I live an utterly boring life, I know. So there’s really no sensible reason to upgrade to another kind of planner.
BUT. Starbucks Philippines released their 2017 planners and I fell in love with the Siren planner, uneventful life be damned. I mean, just look at this beauty. ?
And yeah, I painted my nails to match the cover. ?
Now, I have learned my lesson about expensive planners. I wasted two damn expensive planners a coupla years ago (Starbucks and Everything Is Possible) and I don’t want to make the same mistake this time. Those 18 stickers didn’t exactly come cheap after all, even if I loved the coffee. So I decided to use this lovely planner instead of a plain notebook to start my Bullet Journal for 2017. I have been toying around with the idea of starting a #BuJo for ages, but never really got around to actually making one. This time is as good as any to start planning and actually executing. And I figured I ought to have more stuff to write in it if it functions as a hybrid planner/journal, right? This is where the ‘note’ bullet should come in handy.
To start off, I got a metallic green pen to compliment the black ink of the included erasable pen. You know, to add some flair and flourish every now and then. And I, uhm, borrowed the metallic color pencils from my daughter’s art stash for the same reason too. ๐
I used the metallic pen to number the blank pages opposite the weekly logs. A kinda tedious task, especially since the ink takes forever to dry so I had to blow on them before going on to the next one. The first fewย numbers still bled into the opposite page though. At least the color’s pretty so theyย didn’t look too out-of-place or messy.
There is only one blank page in front so I utilized the inside cover as well to make the Future Log. Made a table divided into twelve more or less equally sized boxes for each month. If you can read my minuscule handwriting, you’ll notice that I mostly have just book and movie releases. Oh, and I put in the coupon freebies I intend to use as well since I tend to forget about them and end up not using them, so sayang naman. This way I have a visual reminder so I can plan the coffee dates. Given that I put in SB cards/load in a coupla Christmas wish lists around here, I should have enough to use in the next coupla months.
Now, being a BuJo newbie, I decided to stick to the default BuJo Keys. Just added a coupla more [for now] to suit my needs. The Index is at the next page, but I didn’t bother taking a photo since it was still empty. Like I said, boring life galore. ๐
The planner already has monthly spreads complete with a column for things to do on the side, which was just about perfect for the Monthly Log. I admit though, that the column for the things to do is quite narrow, but that’ll have to do. It’s not like I have that much to put in anyway.
Here’s a sample of a checklist I made for my daughter’s upcoming field trip (and a chocomint candy cane to make it sweet). On the left side is the corresponding event with the relevant details. I will later on have to add the Bus number, when the teacher finally gives out seat assignments.
So, that’s pretty much it. The main thing here is to really utilize the planner, which I hope to do all year long. *fingers crossed*
My gerrrdddd, you are so organized, Nat! Good luck with that! I think you are the first person I’ve ever encountered that’s willing to use this Starbucks planner kasi yung mga kaibigan ko, they collect year after year and they’re ~not~ using them. In my mind, what’s the point!?!?!? hehe. I miss you!!! <3
PS. White theme, really??? :O
Oh, and here I thought I was the only one not using it. ? and believe me, I am the opposite of organized that’s why I desperately need a way to make sense of all that’s going on in my life starting with this. ? Miss you too!
Your SB planner looks lovely Nathalie! I wish somebody gives me this planner for Christmas because I am not willing to spend 2,000+ pesos for it haha! I guess I’ll make another DIY planner for 2017 ๐
Thank you Milet! ๐ Truth be told, medyo masakit nga talaga sa loob yung cost ng stickers for this planner. Haha. But I love coffee anyway and it’s only a once-a-year treat… and I had some help from friends as well. ๐
Wow this year’s Starbucks’ planner is really nice. My problem with planners is that I feel enthusiastic to us them during the first quarter of the year, but after a while the interest to be organized dies a little and I’m left with so many empty pages na for the rest of the year hahaha. How do you keep this momentum? ๐ I use a small day planner lang but to track my expenses ๐
The Pinoy term would be ningas-kugon, and yes, I am guilty of that as well. ๐ Honestly, it was a struggle to keep updating even my little planner to the end. There are entries during the later part of the year mostly because there are books and movies I’m interested in. Oh, and a coupla dates and trips too, just for the sake of having something to write. ๐ That’s why I wanted to try bullet journaling for the next year.
Already printed the habit tracker HAHA! Love et. ๐
Glad you loved it! <3
OMG I’m glad I’m not the only who uses SB as BuJo! I’ve been doing this since last year and the number one tip is to always get the big planners because IDK, I always run out of space for notes HAHA I hope you make more printables, they’re super cool!
Thank you Twila! As a matter of fact, I am looking into making a series of free printables for download in the coming weeks. ๐ Prior to claiming my SB planner, I had no idea I’d be using it as a BuJo so I got the smaller one for portability. And now that I am using it as one, I must admit that I am already running out of space on some days. Haha.
I initially regretted claiming my Starbucks planner now that I want to explore more on BuJo. Eventually, I realized I can just make use of the SB planner as one. Glad to know I’m not the only one! ๐
Apir! ๐ I used to think I was the only one who uses the SB planner to BuJo, but I have since seen several others who are doing the same thing. Glad to meet you Pau! ๐