Much Ado About You VS The Erin Condren Life Planner

Tuesday, September 27, 2011


Please don't think I'm crazy. There is a good chance that you will after reading this. My slight OCD is definitely going to shine through on this post. Just hang with me for a second. It won't be as painful as you think.

So, if you've been following for a while, you may remember a post a few weeks back about a wonderful paper planner that I found. Many of you even bought it. It is really that cool. If you need a refresher as to what I'm talking about or if you weren't around then, click here.

I really do like that planner. I promise. But the same time that I was introduced to the Erin Condren planner, I was also introduced to the Much Ado About You planner. I ordered both.

I know...I told you I have a problem....at least I'm well aware of it.

I got both of them in the mail around the same time, and the Erin Condren planner was so pretty! So it won me over at first, but I knew there was something about the Much Ado About You Planner that I LOVED.

Eventually, I realized that the layout of the Erin Condren planner was just not working for me. (There is a chance that it was making me more crazy than I naturally am.) Even though I love it! I really do! (And if you ordered one, I know you'll love yours. I'm just crazy, remember?!)

I had to try the Much Ado planner. So I transfered over all my info, and I was in LOVE. So here's why:

First of all, the overall weight of the Much Ado planner is much lighter than the Erin Condren planner. It's easier to carry around (which makes me happy since I carry mine everywhere).


And of course you can personalize it! 




The monthly layout is a full 2 page layout as opposed to the Life Planner's 1 page layout. 


There is more space to write in the daily spaces plus there's a notes section at the bottom of each day. The days have space for hourly planning from 7:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. 


Sorry about my bad pics. But I wanted you to see mine. This format has helped me map out my crazy days so much more efficiently. It makes it easier for me to see how much time I have available and when at a single glance. 



There is also a built-in folder in the back for holding your essentials (like your Scentsy catalog). 


and you can add on a personalized notebook (lined or unlined) and a pen/pencil holder






Oh, and don't overlook the pen/pencil holder. It's one of my favorite parts! 

Other things I really love about the Much Ado planner: 
  • The tabs are thicker and much sturdier than the tabs on the Life Planner. The tabs on my Life Planner were already starting to show signs of wear. The tabs on the Much Ado planner are protected by the length of the cover and are thicker to begin with. 
  • There is ample space in the back for notes. 
  • The layout of every week is exactly the same. (The Life Planner can vary week to week depending on how the month falls. So Monday may be the first day one week and Sunday may be the first day the next....it confused me.) 


And I must not forget to tell you that the Much Ado About You planner comes in three sizes. (I personally LOVE the medium size.) 




And just look at all these styles to choose from, and the prices are incredibly reasonable.


It really is love. I have finally found the one.

Much Ado About You also carries:

  • Desk/Wall Calendars
  • Journals and Idea Books
  • Appointment Books
  • Teacher Lesson Planners
  • Student Academic Planners
  • Address Books 
I love it all. You'll have to go check it out for yourself. Head over to http://maay-products.blogspot.com/ and have a look around. You won't be disappointed. 

Anything I LOVE has to come with a Giveaway, and since I love planning so much, this time I'm giving away two! Our first winner entered two Sundays ago here

Congratulations to GeruvyMe! You just won your own personalized Much Ado About You planner!

To be our second winner, simply post below how you would use your new Much Ado About You planner, and you just may win! (You also have to be a follower to win, so make sure to hit that blue "Join This Site" button on the left.) I'll announce a winner on Sunday, October 2nd during the Sunday 7. 

Good luck! 

.....day 46 of a year of writing.....


24 comments:

  1. Ok this is very interesting because I LOVE the double monthly calendar feature. Ive found that I only use the monthly calendar in my EC planner which means there isn't as much room and why am I carrying around this ginormous planner if I only use one page each month?? I need to look more into this or possibly win your giveaway! ;-)

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  2. Okay, this one really does look perfect! Love it! I will use it for everything scentsy, as well as scheduling church and kids events and activities. I love the note space for each day. Daily menus, here i come! Hope I win!

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  3. I've been looking for a new planner for awhile now and I've seen the Life Planner all over the blogosphere but I haven't been able to make up my mind. The Much Ado planners look awesome and I would be able to use it to keep track of all our appointments, playdates, and other fun stuff.

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  4. i love this! i would use it for everything... homeschool planning, scentsy parties to-dos and downline trainings, service projects, date nights (hubby and kiddos) and goal planning! :)
    Thanks sweets.
    XO.

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  5. I love this too! I was just telling ny hubby I needed a good planner for Christmas. I would use this for everything you could think of. Paytons school/snack schedule, date nights, doctor apt, going to the gym,goal planning! I could go on and on.. are Tuesday women's group! Ashlea

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  6. I used to think I needed an EC planner, but now I know that I need this one! I would use it for Scentsy, family activities and I also do a lot of volunteer work for a local ministry that keeps me very busy, so it would be great for that! I would love to win this, a planner is on my Christmas list. :)
    Thanks for doing the giveaway!

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  7. I've been pining after an Erin Condren planner for a while now...but you, girl, have just changed my mind. Every reason you stated is a better option! I would definitely use that little space at the bottom for blog planning. That'd be perfect. And I'd use that notebook for all the crazy things that pop into my head that I need to write down! :) Thank you so much for sharing this little bundle of planning goodness!

    Much love,
    Ashley

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  8. Thanks so much for posting about this, Allison. I've been saving for a Life Planner but with shipping to Canada, it will be over $100. I just can't justify that kind of spending. Right now I've made my own calendar that is stylized like I like - but it's not portable. (It's in a binder.) So I'm constantly missing appointments because I'm not taking my calendar with me. It's kind of frustrating actually but I can't find anything that's portable that I like. I'm excited about this planner because the calendar is similiar enough to the one I've made...meaning, I'd get a lot of use from this planner! I'm so picky about my planners!

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  9. OH and my comment above was my official "entry" for the giveaway but I didn't say what I would use it for which would be LIFE. My planner goes with me everywhere - which is exactly why I might like this one better. The 10 lb planner is getting heavy! And I'm a follower! :-)

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  10. I'm so glad that you posted about this planner! I was really swaying towards the EC planner, but I think I would love this one so much more! I, too, have a small (okay large) fettish with planners and I have yet to find one I like. I have always been scared to shop for one online as I want to see with my hands, not just my eyes!

    I have 3 kiddos who play soccer, so keeping all of their schedules together in a nice planner, with everything else we have going on would be AMAZING!

    I have read your blog and you have inspired me in so many ways! I am trying to start incorporating a lot of your tips on organization, planning, etc. into my life and my Scentsy business. The Sunday Seven is great and I hope to start diving into that soon!

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  11. I would be lost without my MAAY planner. This is my second year using it!! I love all the little added details that are in the planner. The notes section in the back is one of the most helpful things for me. I take a lot of notes! Emmy continues to evolve this great planner into something even better. She listened to feedback and put it into action to achieve one of the best planners out there! If you haven't purchased one yet you need to run, not walk your little fingers over to your mouse and click to Emmy's site!! You won't be disappointed!!

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  12. Wow.. I just found your blog and I'm so excited to go back and really dive in. I just became a follower.. I don't think you're crazy. I feel the same way. I have been comparing these two planners for months and it is SO NICE to see someone checking out both of them physically. It helps a lot. I just ordered a Frankie diary and after receiving it, I feel like it's just not what I'm looking for.

    Thanks so much for this post. I think I'll definitely move in MAAY's direction.. And plus she's pretty awesome. :)

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  13. I have always said that I was a "digital planner". It had worked for me but I am now seeing the need to write EVERYTHING down and I don't always have my computer with me! I think I might need to start switching my mind over to an actual "carry around with me" planner and this one would definately do the trick!

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  14. I need a planner so much! I have had some in the past, but not this nice. Sadly as an organized guru as I am, like you. I currently don't have one. I use my phone, cuz I have not found one I like. I do love, love your new one. I need this to help me keep track of many things:
    1. My 93 yr old grandma's Dr appt.'s
    2. All my church volunteer commitments.
    3. My independent contract work.
    4. All my kids stuff- teenagers are busy. :)
    5. All our family stuff- including birthdays etc.
    6. Lastly, my new adventure I am looking at starting.
    I am busy, I NEED this! What a blessing it would be to have one, especially if my phone, died, I'd be lost, but not if I had that planner. :)

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  15. Yea, yea, yea!!!! Allison, I am SO happy you love this planner so much! I knew you would! Wahoo! Ok, but I would totally LOVE to win your 2nd giveaway as I am I. Need of ordering mine soon. The year is quickly coming to an end! I would use this next planner in a more organized fashion and fully take advantage of the awesome planner. I need to organize my life of Scentsy, kids, practices, and everything else in between!

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  16. Wow...I LOVE this planner!! Oh how I love to get organized. With a full time job, 2 small kiddos, Scentsy, new puppy, and trying to keep my household sane, this planner with DEFINITELY help ease my mind of the million things I need to keep track of. Thanks so much for all these amazing giveaways and your fabulous blog!!

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  17. I thought I was already a follower but ok, I am now! I would use this amazing helpmate to keep track of work, Scentsy and other activities...most importantly Scentsy (which is exploding right now!) - This would be a major blessing right now! I enjoy your blog Allison...insightful and challenging with every read :)

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  18. ok. this is the 4th try.. I am so challenged!
    I have learned that with 2 ADD-ers in the house it it absolutely necessary to write everything down. I have also learned through all my planner experiments that I NEED one planner for everything. I would say this is even more so now because I've had to add all the typical man chores on top of my usual chores and business activities. This planner would bless me in ways that I am not sure you could imagine. This could simplify my life so much and it could help me keep everything in check and on track for the goals I've set for this year. I could have our family mission right there along with my business constantly reminding me why Failure is not an option and that I MUST accomplish my daily goals to give my babies the life they need and deserve. I love you Ally and thank you for introducing me to Scentsy and for being there through these rough times. Things are looking up and our future is bright. God Bless

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  19. I would use a Much Ado planner to keep all of our meal plans and babysitting nights straight :)

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  20. I have had several planners over rhe years and sadly have become so overwhelmed I eventually stopped using them. Something about the way you put things so simply, like the Sunday 7 makes me think I could follow thru with this kind of planner. As I get older the number of post it notes increases and I find them in the bottom of my purse with items not attended to as usual. I love the idea of the 2 page layout where I can have everything at a glance which would help me follow thru with my Sunday 7! I would love to win this.

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  21. I'm a mother, work full time, am a part time college student and sell Scentsy! I don't know if I'm coming or going half of the time, so this planner would help me pull my crazy self together. It would give me the organization I need to become better at every job I'm so blessed to be a part of.

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  22. This planner is awesome! I would use it for Scentsy and lots of mommy planning. I have two boys, 2 and 4! :)

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  23. Thank you for sharing! I'm a single mom of 2 kids, work full time, sell Scentsy and I'm planning to go back to school this spring! On top of all of that I have ADD and I NEED this planner - 'nuf said :)

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  24. I have been looking for something easy to navigate, durable, and reasonably priced. I was in a car accident that has really rattled my brain. My short term memory is iffy. Sounds like this is perfect for me!

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