I was at the EC Irvine store last week. It’s clear that Erin Condren is no longer influencing the designs in this company. The gals at the store confirmed she’s no longer part of the company (maybe old news, but I hadn’t heard anything definite until now). The thing that keeps me using their planners is the #80 paper quality. As for all the other “stuff”, I’ve bought enough through the years. The best box ever was the mid centuries circles with the umbrella and a few other amazing items! I like the sticky notes and cover in this box.
Erin officially parted ways with the company last year I think, but when she took her leave of absence in 2020, I don’t think she was involved in the designs then either. So it has really been four years without her.
@@gracewithouttears3687 I love the paper and the planners. I'm not in love with the covers anymore. They used to be so feminine and pretty and I couldn't decide which cover to get. Now I only get the asterisk covers because that's all I like. My photos never work for those cover options now, but they used to. Haven't figured that out! To each his own, I know many others love their covers now and that's great. Nothing compares, though, to the planners themselves so I'll continue to buy. (Said a Rose Gold status customer. LOL) My absolute favorite covers were the lace covers and I have three or four in different colors. If they were to bring them back, I'd probably buy 10 more. LOL
I like some things out of the old surprise boxes but not much. I just want more a5 budget, productivity notebooks, checklist, etc that matches the current theme. I love frankenplanning so i always buy extra budget books and etc so i have more colors to match each month. I can really do without all the box stuff.
Hi Sarah, Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed the old seasonal surprise boxes, but I find these new ones underwhelming. I dont really understand why they are practically the same each time. Obviously, their research must show that this is something that sells, but I personally can not use the same, identical items season after season, like the sticky notes and journals etc. I would be interested to know your thoughts on this.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and I understand what you’re saying. I do feel like the value is lower than it once was, but maybe they were not making money and had to pair down. I think the interchangeable covers are always a good move and a nice lifestyle item is something I always appreciate. But I don’t get excited about things that appear in every box which has been the case with these journals. Are used to enjoy the seasonal sticker sheets and notecards from the earliest boxes, and that mid century circles umbrella was a Homerun!
@@PlanSarahPlanmy theory on the repeated items is this: they began the year with 3 options for the surprise bundles. They quickly realized they couldn’t move those products fast so they had to pivot quickly, but some items were already in production. It’s likely the journal bundle moved the fastest in the fall so they decided to simplify and keep that as a standard. Were you able to select which size cover? I know at one point they tried to give that option, but not sure if they added it back. Apparently dashboards weren’t a good substitute for an actual cover. It’s very difficult to cater the boxes to all different types of planner users. Maybe if they did go back to 3 options, it be one for the traditional 7x9 planner user. One for a ring planner user. And another for an A5 planner user. Win, win, win. It would seriously be as easy as having the same item designed for each size.
I was at the EC Irvine store last week. It’s clear that Erin Condren is no longer influencing the designs in this company. The gals at the store confirmed she’s no longer part of the company (maybe old news, but I hadn’t heard anything definite until now). The thing that keeps me using their planners is the #80 paper quality. As for all the other “stuff”, I’ve bought enough through the years. The best box ever was the mid centuries circles with the umbrella and a few other amazing items! I like the sticky notes and cover in this box.
That's interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Erin officially parted ways with the company last year I think, but when she took her leave of absence in 2020, I don’t think she was involved in the designs then either. So it has really been four years without her.
@@PlanSarahPlan ever since 2020 it has never been the same. They should rebrand. I hope she made a ton of money selling her company.
@@gracewithouttears3687 she has moved on and seems very happy with life.
@@gracewithouttears3687 I love the paper and the planners. I'm not in love with the covers anymore. They used to be so feminine and pretty and I couldn't decide which cover to get. Now I only get the asterisk covers because that's all I like. My photos never work for those cover options now, but they used to. Haven't figured that out! To each his own, I know many others love their covers now and that's great. Nothing compares, though, to the planners themselves so I'll continue to buy. (Said a Rose Gold status customer. LOL) My absolute favorite covers were the lace covers and I have three or four in different colors. If they were to bring them back, I'd probably buy 10 more. LOL
I'm not going to get this one. Nothing about it makes it worth the cost.
I understand that, Elaine. Let’s see what they come up with for the Fall…
Colors are lemon, peony, mermaid, and jubilee
Yes! I could see that after zooming in, but during filming there was no way, haha!
I have been so underwhelmed with these boxes. I miss the surprise boxes 😢
Yeah, I’m hearing that quite a bit.
I like some things out of the old surprise boxes but not much. I just want more a5 budget, productivity notebooks, checklist, etc that matches the current theme. I love frankenplanning so i always buy extra budget books and etc so i have more colors to match each month. I can really do without all the box stuff.
I totally get that. You want what will complement your system instead of unrelated products. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Holley!
I wasn’t a fan of the cover design, it just isn’t me so I passed on the box. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching even though this wasn’t your style this time!
Hi Sarah, Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed the old seasonal surprise boxes, but I find these new ones underwhelming. I dont really understand why they are practically the same each time. Obviously, their research must show that this is something that sells, but I personally can not use the same, identical items season after season, like the sticky notes and journals etc. I would be interested to know your thoughts on this.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and I understand what you’re saying. I do feel like the value is lower than it once was, but maybe they were not making money and had to pair down. I think the interchangeable covers are always a good move and a nice lifestyle item is something I always appreciate. But I don’t get excited about things that appear in every box which has been the case with these journals. Are used to enjoy the seasonal sticker sheets and notecards from the earliest boxes, and that mid century circles umbrella was a Homerun!
@@PlanSarahPlanmy theory on the repeated items is this: they began the year with 3 options for the surprise bundles. They quickly realized they couldn’t move those products fast so they had to pivot quickly, but some items were already in production. It’s likely the journal bundle moved the fastest in the fall so they decided to simplify and keep that as a standard. Were you able to select which size cover? I know at one point they tried to give that option, but not sure if they added it back. Apparently dashboards weren’t a good substitute for an actual cover. It’s very difficult to cater the boxes to all different types of planner users. Maybe if they did go back to 3 options, it be one for the traditional 7x9 planner user. One for a ring planner user. And another for an A5 planner user. Win, win, win. It would seriously be as easy as having the same item designed for each size.
@@PlanSarahPlan it sure was. I still love mine.
@@CreatingSelfCarePlans yes that makes sense.
I’ve been curious about the mesh bags on the website for awhile. Thanks for your thorough review.
You’re very welcome, and thank you for watching!
Great unboxing of all the items and I agree they are over priced. Have a bless week!
Thank you so much for watching, Donna, and that’s why I love warehouse sales, haha!
Very nice colors!
I agree, Chris!