I can't wait to see the comparison video! Thank you for all of the the time you put into your planner reviews, unboxings, and comparisons. Yours are my favorites to recommend to friends who are looking to choose new planners.
It takes less than 60 seconds to train the spine to lay flat. It's the first thing I do with a new Sterling Ink book. Just fold it back in a few different spots and it's good to go! And if you're someone like me that doesn't like having a 'thick side' and a 'thin side' (at the beginning or end of the book) you can also fold the spine back on itself to make the sides 'even' :) the cover and spine both hold up wonderfully to my abuse, including chucking it in my purse without a cover or anything to keep it closed, and then throwing other items on top of it. I swapped from an N1 Vertical for 2024 to her A5 Daily Planner for 2025 (and I'm still using the passport booklets also - monthly, vertical weekly, and notes - in a passport tn edc!) and it's such an interesting design. It has every single page numbered (even the dated pages) for easy indexing, the hourly timeline on a minimal daily page, the monthly overview page as well as 2-3 blank notes pages at the end of each month, and 35 additional notes pages at the end. I haven't used a true daily planner since college, so I'm really excited for this shift! I think it'll really match my current needs. I've always been someone that likes to try out different planner brands and I don't really subscribe to brand loyalty, but I have to admit Sterling Ink has really won me over with her excellent product lineup! I was pleasantly surprised when I did my pen testing this year (especially with all the Hobonichi and TRP drama) that my 2025 SI paper is even better than my 2024 SI books. A few pens and highlighters that were a little too ghosty or even bleedy last year looked great in this year's book! I'm also curious about the Aura Estelle daily, as it has a little one page horizontal weekly overview followed by 7 daily pages (then the next week, and so on). I'm looking forward to seeing videos of people using it as 2025 gets going. In general I think these new 'week on 1-2 pages followed by dailies of some kind' from Aura Estelle, Take A Note, Papertess Designs, the 'hybrid planner' (I can't remember the brand name, sorry), etc are all pretty neat and creative!
I love this planner...the first year I used it was the first time EVER that I had used the same planner for the whole year. I did get an undated one this year but I will go back to the dated one next year. I could recreate it in a journal myself but I don't want to spend the time doing that.
❤ Great summary of Common Planner. I’ve been using Hobonichi for the past few years and for 2024 went into a Common Planner. The things that I love the most is the separate journaling section being undated allows me to not use it or use more space per day when needed and the softness of the cover. I do have a plastic cover on mine if I’m carrying it a lot. I’ve also used a Hobo cover or a Galen Leather cover. This year I’ve routinely used a Weeks for day to day running lists and appointments. My SI has been more for daily journaling and Bible Study. I have used the front sections for Bible or other verses/quotes that speak to me and the journaling pages are dated as I used them. I’ve also added ephemera and things to pretty it up. This always makes me want to write more! I have used ballpoint, gel, and fountain pens on the paper in both and the Tomoe River paper has taken all well. I personally love the crinkle that I get after using it for awhile. Can’t wait to see your comparisons! 😊
@@StephanieDonnellyIt works as a great option. I started later in the year so I’ve mostly been experimenting with different setups. Because of that, I’m not completely sticking to the correct date but for 2025, I think the weekly schedule can be broken into sections as needed for Bible verses and stickers or drawings. If I only use it for Bible Study or reflection, I can use the journal section as daily pages but know that some days might not get written on, allowing me to use more than 1 page if needed. 😊
I also use the Hobonichi for memory keeping and as a weekly planner to carry in my purse. Last year, I switched to Sterling Ink, but I didn’t like it as much. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but the light colors in the Hobonichi, the back interviews, and the paper thickness definitely contributed to its appeal.
I have zero interest in these planners but LOVE your content!!! The paper is not for me but i totally understood your point about some people liking it for memory keeping. I can see myself liking it for memory keeping. Have a happy new year!
Yes W222 would definitely make the comparison video a full wrap up of these types of planners. I bought a W222 this year and really like it. And they bought up a huge supply of the original TRP from #9 machine so you can still get that option in some of their products. Love you Amanda and all you do for this community! ❤ Thank you!!
I would also love to see Wonderland 222 in this showdown. They’ve made some pretty big changes this year (relatively speaking) but it would be really interesting to see one and marker comparisons for all.
This will be my third year in a S.I. and I love the planners. The quirky things that drove me nuts about the Hobonichi Cousin are the exact things others love about it, and I really appreciate that both planners exist in this world 🎉 looking forward to the planner showdown!
Thanks for pointing out all the differences between Hobo & SI. I’ve never used either, so this is great info to take into consideration. You’re the best, Amanda & Pierce! ☺☺
Sterling Ink sells an undated Common Planner, so you can make it a Sunday start. And there is a B5 size this year, just waiting for it to also be offered as undated.
First to comment🎉 I hope you had a very merry Christmas! I’m setting up my H & O B5 for 2025 thanks to your review, but still love watching these comparisons! Agree about the Avery tabs. I honestly don’t know how they make any money because I’ve been using the same set of large and small for probably 3 years. They just don’t ever seem to loose their stick or get bent/mangled! Happy New Year and happy planning. 💜
Aw, yay for planner set up! I can't wait to jump into my H&O b5 too! I agree with you on the Avery tabs...I am glad they still make them...lol! Happy New Year! xxx
Great video! Looking forward to the TRP comparison video, too. The six rows when needed on the monthly - YYYYAAAAYYYY!!!!! And I appreciate who the other months are handled when the sixth row isn't needed.
I also purchased the A5 Mulberry I LOVE THE COMMON PLANNER I ditched all my other systems to be in 1 system for everything except Travelers notebook which is my everyday carry which because I don’t leave the house daily isn’t always used most of the month I also have it set up as a undated system❤ the majority of people using the vast majority of SI users are always going to place it in a leather or plastic cover same as hobonichi users and depending on the type of cover your using a thicker paper cover may not fit as well in a cover or covers you already own so then you end up buying more covers i own all my dream covers at this moment in life and the thought of buying more makes me exhausted LOL 😂 but they are thicker compared to the original covers and the Planner will lay flat within seconds some people flex the planner for a few seconds to break up the pages mine are in tucked into covers so they lay flat immediately I enjoyed your review of the planner and I look forward to seeing what you replaced it with ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I am so glad you are enjoying your system! I do have to laugh with you about those covers....I understand the thinner cover works best because of that. Thanks for sharing how well SI works for you and why you love it!
I'm using the N2 this year after using Hobonichi weeks for the 2 years prior. I like the clean pages, even though the Hobonichi quotes didn't bother me as much. I love the quarterly pages and trackers at the front even when i wasn't always successful using them. I switched to the B6 slim horizontal for 2025 to combine planning and journaling. For me, totally worth the switch for the N2. The original common planner, just like the Hobonichi cousin, never worked for me personally.
It's really pretty, and i've been considering a Common Planner. I use a Hobonichi Cousin for journaling / memory keeping, and oddly enough, i kind of like the color changes and the Japanese writing. (Odd because i like everything black and white for planning) But I may eventually try the compact vertical for my everyday planning. Your overview makes me want to try it now.
OOooo, AMANDA, that comparison video...LEAD ON. LOL. I hope you had a Happy Christmas ;-) with all your family. As you know, I have the 2025 A5 CP horizontal, I have started using it as I know I'll never fill up all those blank pages. For the past 2 years I've used undated CPs for memory keeping and journaling. Her older undated covers were a bit thicker, closer to the Hobonichi, but do not work so well with that binding if you really fill it with extras. Also, unfortunately I cannot use my favorite ink on this 2025 as it is very inky (wet) and still does bleed through. It's the ink not the paper though as I discovered other inks are fine. Thank you for the video - did my walk while I watched and got some exercise in while watching something engaging - thank you! I am interested in learning about the other planners too so will be sure to watch it! Happy New Year!
Hey Cie:) First of all I loved actually meeting you on the Patreon Zoom call a while back:) I love hearing your thoughts on the 2025 CP, and I love knowing you were walking while watching! Gold star for you;) Happy New Year! xxx
Another great video - I am trying to limit the planners that I use (max 3). I am very torn with a common planner vs. the Hobonichi. However, I still like the feel of the Hobonichi planner the best. (I did buy the Sterling five year planner.) I have committed to the Hemlock & Oak daily, and also purchased the weekly vertical for memory keeping. I will stay with that and re-evaluate when Hobonichi comes out in next April. The differences in paper is night and day but are both wonderful to write in. To many choices! Happy New Year.
It is a tough decision - both are amazing planners! And I agree the paper difference in H&O and TRP is night and day...but we love both planners anyway!
Thank you for posting this excellent video. I have a Hobonichi 'day-free'. I have been using Tomoe River paper for a couple years now -- not consistently, each and every day, but I've purchased the papers and experimented with them using fountain pens. I don't use the variety of pens and colors that you do. I can see from watching your videos that the ghosting on this paper is an issue. Perhaps I'll consider an alternative. Yes, I watched your 2025 planner stack video. Yes, I know Hemlock & Oak is out there. At this point I am not sure what to think.
I’m excited to see your comparisons. I’m surprised you didn’t go for the B5 size. It’s about the same size as a 7 x 9 planner, which would work well for larger handwriting.
I got the A5 so that it would be the same as the Cousin and all the TRP planners that I am going to do a comparison on;) Sometimes I think I can fit all I need in an A5...but I think I generally do like the bigger 7x9 (B5) size for my personal planning;)
Thanks for another great video. I purchased my 1st SI A5 fuller vertical this year and have started playing with it. I totally agree with you about the cover compared to the Hobonichi cousin; I wish it wasn't so floppy (as I didn't want to purchase a cover). I can't seem to find the perfect pen for the SI, so hoping you will cover this in the upcoming TRP video? Of note, my backup planner if the SI doesn't work is the medium passion planner, which I also ordered on sale. Of note, the 2025 planner I received seemed to have different paper! I have used the PP for 6+ years and immediately could tell the difference, although still 120 gsm. Was told that these variations can sometimes occur due to changes in sourcing or manufacturing processes (Hmmm). Disappointed that this wasn't communicated, b/c if I knew this I might have ordered the new B5 Hemlock and Oak Vertical planner. Maybe you can share your H&O experience in a few months?
Hey Stacy:) My favorite pens so far on TRP are writech .5 & pentel energel .5- In my Hobonichi those were my faves other than the Uniball jetstream pen that comes with the Hobonichi order. I haven't used the Common Planner enough yet to tell if those will be my faves in there. I will try to remember to update y'all on the pens in my Quarterly planning update videos. I will definitely update on the H&O in my quarterly planning updates this year too:) Okay..the Passion Planner 2025 paper- yikes! I just got my 2025 in and haven't even written in it yet because I usually just have it on my shelves till I need to pull it out for something. So I am going to have to try that out. That is too bad if the paper doesn't feel as good- because PP paper is awesome!
I used the N1 CP all last year. Loved the size and the quality for sure. Love this new purple cover. However…there were some things I ended up growing to not like. I would have liked dated daily pages and would have liked the pages grouped with their month and weeks. I also found the goal plan pages too small for me to use and took them out. I am using the Plans that just came out this year and so far it has been awesome as I have moved into it.
Honestly, I wish I could like Tomoe River Paper because Sterling Ink could be such a great solution to all of the planning problems I ever have had. The covers are pretty, and they would have the space I need. Unfortunately, the ghosting is a hard pass for me.
I understand. I know the paper is the make it or break it for many. Have you looked at Hemlock & Oak. Same layout with 80# paper but daily and weekly don't fit in one book.
I switched from Hobo to Sterling Ink for 2025. Very very glad! I’ve used Hobo for 5 yrs. I’ve gone through 2/yr in the Cousin Avec Techo Hobo which gives you 2 books/year, and then this year of 2024 I used the Cousin with the whole year in 1 book. The precise reasons why Catherine made her Sterling Ink is why I love it so much. If she hadn’t created this, I would’ve stuck with Hobo forever and just continue to give them a pass on the quotes at the bottom and the other somewhat irritating extra blocks of color etc. BUT 2 things are making me so very happy with Sterling Ink. I got an A5 Common Planner in Horizontal. I would never have that option with Hobo unless I got a Weeks version. I LOVE having my weekly all on one side and a full page to write notes on the other! And then the 2nd is the streamlining that Catherine did. It looks so much cleaner. For my daily pages, more than half of them are art. I paint w acrylics and watercolor, I use Tombow and Prismacolor. I teach Artful Journaling classes weekly and my book is one of the examples for my students. I am ecstatic to have FULL clean pages to create art. Also my SI stayed flat right away because I simply manipulated it a bit. No problem at all! Thanks for your review!
thank you for sharing about how you got it to lay flat;) And SI is definitely for you with your art! And great point about no Horizontal option in Hobo except for weeks!
I don't have any videos just about project planning. But I can recommend to look at the Laurel Denise Project planner. It is in my latest Laurel Denise review. Not sure if it would work for your projects...but it's worth a look:) Another idea is to customize a Golden coil or plum paper planner...you might be able to make enough choices in the customization to get what you need;) Good luck!
I got a SI instead of a Hobo but will admit that I don’t love the cover and the lay flat issue is a bit annoying to me. I’m hoping the layout will win me over. 🤞
I hear you on both those issues;) Not sure how I would feel using it full time for a planner. As just a journal I don't think it will bother me too much.
I can't wait to see the comparison video! Thank you for all of the the time you put into your planner reviews, unboxings, and comparisons. Yours are my favorites to recommend to friends who are looking to choose new planners.
Aw, that makes me very happy to hear! Thanks for recommending my channel and for the kind words. xxx
It takes less than 60 seconds to train the spine to lay flat. It's the first thing I do with a new Sterling Ink book. Just fold it back in a few different spots and it's good to go! And if you're someone like me that doesn't like having a 'thick side' and a 'thin side' (at the beginning or end of the book) you can also fold the spine back on itself to make the sides 'even' :) the cover and spine both hold up wonderfully to my abuse, including chucking it in my purse without a cover or anything to keep it closed, and then throwing other items on top of it.
I swapped from an N1 Vertical for 2024 to her A5 Daily Planner for 2025 (and I'm still using the passport booklets also - monthly, vertical weekly, and notes - in a passport tn edc!) and it's such an interesting design. It has every single page numbered (even the dated pages) for easy indexing, the hourly timeline on a minimal daily page, the monthly overview page as well as 2-3 blank notes pages at the end of each month, and 35 additional notes pages at the end. I haven't used a true daily planner since college, so I'm really excited for this shift! I think it'll really match my current needs.
I've always been someone that likes to try out different planner brands and I don't really subscribe to brand loyalty, but I have to admit Sterling Ink has really won me over with her excellent product lineup! I was pleasantly surprised when I did my pen testing this year (especially with all the Hobonichi and TRP drama) that my 2025 SI paper is even better than my 2024 SI books. A few pens and highlighters that were a little too ghosty or even bleedy last year looked great in this year's book!
I'm also curious about the Aura Estelle daily, as it has a little one page horizontal weekly overview followed by 7 daily pages (then the next week, and so on). I'm looking forward to seeing videos of people using it as 2025 gets going. In general I think these new 'week on 1-2 pages followed by dailies of some kind' from Aura Estelle, Take A Note, Papertess Designs, the 'hybrid planner' (I can't remember the brand name, sorry), etc are all pretty neat and creative!
Thanks for sharing your experience & tips, that's so helpful:) And this is a great testimonial to SI after use! xxx
I love this planner...the first year I used it was the first time EVER that I had used the same planner for the whole year. I did get an undated one this year but I will go back to the dated one next year. I could recreate it in a journal myself but I don't want to spend the time doing that.
I love your channel and content. I have been dreaming of a comparison video for these planners. You have THEE best planner channel on UA-cam. 😊
awwwwww:) Thank you so much! xxx
❤ Great summary of Common Planner. I’ve been using Hobonichi for the past few years and for 2024 went into a Common Planner. The things that I love the most is the separate journaling section being undated allows me to not use it or use more space per day when needed and the softness of the cover. I do have a plastic cover on mine if I’m carrying it a lot. I’ve also used a Hobo cover or a Galen Leather cover.
This year I’ve routinely used a Weeks for day to day running lists and appointments. My SI has been more for daily journaling and Bible Study. I have used the front sections for Bible or other verses/quotes that speak to me and the journaling pages are dated as I used them. I’ve also added ephemera and things to pretty it up. This always makes me want to write more!
I have used ballpoint, gel, and fountain pens on the paper in both and the Tomoe River paper has taken all well. I personally love the crinkle that I get after using it for awhile. Can’t wait to see your comparisons! 😊
I love hearing all your thoughts after using the CP this year!
Thanks for the Bible study idea! I have my first SI and was kind of regretting it but now I may have a use for it after all.
@@StephanieDonnellyIt works as a great option. I started later in the year so I’ve mostly been experimenting with different setups. Because of that, I’m not completely sticking to the correct date but for 2025, I think the weekly schedule can be broken into sections as needed for Bible verses and stickers or drawings. If I only use it for Bible Study or reflection, I can use the journal section as daily pages but know that some days might not get written on, allowing me to use more than 1 page if needed. 😊
I also use the Hobonichi for memory keeping and as a weekly planner to carry in my purse. Last year, I switched to Sterling Ink, but I didn’t like it as much. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but the light colors in the Hobonichi, the back interviews, and the paper thickness definitely contributed to its appeal.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on both:)
I have zero interest in these planners but LOVE your content!!! The paper is not for me but i totally understood your point about some people liking it for memory keeping. I can see myself liking it for memory keeping. Have a happy new year!
Aw, thank you! I’m glad you like the videos! Happy New Year! 😊
I love the Avery tabs, they work so well! Happy holidays, Amanda!!
Happy holidays to you too! I love the Avery tabs too - they are a life saver in a planner!
I can't wait for the comparison video! Could you add Wonderland 222 to it, to make this roundup complete?
Yes! Wonderland 222 is actually my favorite of these types of planners.
Yes W222 would definitely make the comparison video a full wrap up of these types of planners. I bought a W222 this year and really like it. And they bought up a huge supply of the original TRP from #9 machine so you can still get that option in some of their products. Love you Amanda and all you do for this community! ❤ Thank you!!
I have had a wonderland for 2 years and shared it only on IG...never got a review up here. Maybe in 2025;) It's great too!
I would also love to see Wonderland 222 in this showdown. They’ve made some pretty big changes this year (relatively speaking) but it would be really interesting to see one and marker comparisons for all.
I can't wait to see the TRP planner "showdown" !
Oh, good!
This will be my third year in a S.I. and I love the planners. The quirky things that drove me nuts about the Hobonichi Cousin are the exact things others love about it, and I really appreciate that both planners exist in this world 🎉 looking forward to the planner showdown!
I agree...I love that all the planner exist! So many great choices;)
Thanks for pointing out all the differences between Hobo & SI. I’ve never used either, so this is great info to take into consideration. You’re the best, Amanda & Pierce! ☺☺
Thank you Kim:) I hope you have a very Happy New Year with your family. xxx
Thank you. This video was so helpful. Looking forward to trying out my Sterling Ink planner this year 😊
yay! She really has made so many great layouts:)
I would definitely love it if there was a Sunday start to months- I just can’t do Monday start.
Love all the blank daily pages.
Thank you🙂
Sterling Ink sells an undated Common Planner, so you can make it a Sunday start. And there is a B5 size this year, just waiting for it to also be offered as undated.
Good thought on using the undated for that;)
First to comment🎉 I hope you had a very merry Christmas! I’m setting up my H & O B5 for 2025 thanks to your review, but still love watching these comparisons! Agree about the Avery tabs. I honestly don’t know how they make any money because I’ve been using the same set of large and small for probably 3 years. They just don’t ever seem to loose their stick or get bent/mangled! Happy New Year and happy planning. 💜
Aw, yay for planner set up! I can't wait to jump into my H&O b5 too! I agree with you on the Avery tabs...I am glad they still make them...lol! Happy New Year! xxx
Great video! Looking forward to the TRP comparison video, too. The six rows when needed on the monthly - YYYYAAAAYYYY!!!!! And I appreciate who the other months are handled when the sixth row isn't needed.
Oh, I agree! It's such a great solution.
Thanks for this and another year of very helpful videos. And so looking forward to the big TRP planner showdown/comparison. 🎉 Happy holidays!
Aw, thank you so much! Happy New Year to you! xxx
I also purchased the A5 Mulberry I LOVE THE COMMON PLANNER I ditched all my other systems to be in 1 system for everything except Travelers notebook which is my everyday carry which because I don’t leave the house daily isn’t always used most of the month I also have it set up as a undated system❤ the majority of people using the vast majority of SI users are always going to place it in a leather or plastic cover same as hobonichi users and depending on the type of cover your using a thicker paper cover may not fit as well in a cover or covers you already own so then you end up buying more covers i own all my dream covers at this moment in life and the thought of buying more makes me exhausted LOL 😂 but they are thicker compared to the original covers and the Planner will lay flat within seconds some people flex the planner for a few seconds to break up the pages mine are in tucked into covers so they lay flat immediately I enjoyed your review of the planner and I look forward to seeing what you replaced it with ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I am so glad you are enjoying your system! I do have to laugh with you about those covers....I understand the thinner cover works best because of that. Thanks for sharing how well SI works for you and why you love it!
I'm using the N2 this year after using Hobonichi weeks for the 2 years prior. I like the clean pages, even though the Hobonichi quotes didn't bother me as much. I love the quarterly pages and trackers at the front even when i wasn't always successful using them. I switched to the B6 slim horizontal for 2025 to combine planning and journaling.
For me, totally worth the switch for the N2.
The original common planner, just like the Hobonichi cousin, never worked for me personally.
Oh, good! I am glad you are already happy and excited for 2025 in your B6 Slim.
Would love you to add the papertess designs a5 yearly notebook and also the take a note
I have reviewed Take a Now...I have a video up here on UA-cam. And I would love to review Paper Tess sometime:)
It's really pretty, and i've been considering a Common Planner. I use a Hobonichi Cousin for journaling / memory keeping, and oddly enough, i kind of like the color changes and the Japanese writing. (Odd because i like everything black and white for planning) But I may eventually try the compact vertical for my everyday planning. Your overview makes me want to try it now.
I can't wait to hear what you think after you try it. I like the Hobonichi colors too (at least the happy ones:)
Nothing to do with the planner, but your outlook was super encouraging. Thank you!
I’m so glad it brightened your day! 😊
OOooo, AMANDA, that comparison video...LEAD ON. LOL. I hope you had a Happy Christmas ;-) with all your family. As you know, I have the 2025 A5 CP horizontal, I have started using it as I know I'll never fill up all those blank pages. For the past 2 years I've used undated CPs for memory keeping and journaling. Her older undated covers were a bit thicker, closer to the Hobonichi, but do not work so well with that binding if you really fill it with extras. Also, unfortunately I cannot use my favorite ink on this 2025 as it is very inky (wet) and still does bleed through. It's the ink not the paper though as I discovered other inks are fine. Thank you for the video - did my walk while I watched and got some exercise in while watching something engaging - thank you! I am interested in learning about the other planners too so will be sure to watch it! Happy New Year!
Hey Cie:) First of all I loved actually meeting you on the Patreon Zoom call a while back:) I love hearing your thoughts on the 2025 CP, and I love knowing you were walking while watching! Gold star for you;) Happy New Year! xxx
Another great video - I am trying to limit the planners that I use (max 3). I am very torn with a common planner vs. the Hobonichi. However, I still like the feel of the Hobonichi planner the best. (I did buy the Sterling five year planner.)
I have committed to the Hemlock & Oak daily, and also purchased the weekly vertical for memory keeping. I will stay with that and re-evaluate when Hobonichi comes out in next April. The differences in paper is night and day but are both wonderful to write in. To many choices! Happy New Year.
It is a tough decision - both are amazing planners! And I agree the paper difference in H&O and TRP is night and day...but we love both planners anyway!
Oh I cant wait to see the comparison video!
Yay! I love when y'all are excited for a video!
Thank you for posting this excellent video. I have a Hobonichi 'day-free'. I have been using Tomoe River paper for a couple years now -- not consistently, each and every day, but I've purchased the papers and experimented with them using fountain pens. I don't use the variety of pens and colors that you do. I can see from watching your videos that the ghosting on this paper is an issue. Perhaps I'll consider an alternative. Yes, I watched your 2025 planner stack video. Yes, I know Hemlock & Oak is out there. At this point I am not sure what to think.
The paper is definitely something that makes the decision hard;) Good luck!
The paper would drive me crazy.
You are not alone in that feeling:)
I’m excited to see your comparisons. I’m surprised you didn’t go for the B5 size. It’s about the same size as a 7 x 9 planner, which would work well for larger handwriting.
I got the A5 so that it would be the same as the Cousin and all the TRP planners that I am going to do a comparison on;) Sometimes I think I can fit all I need in an A5...but I think I generally do like the bigger 7x9 (B5) size for my personal planning;)
I’ve been eyeing it and I’m thinking it’s perfect
Oh, yay!
Thanks for another great video. I purchased my 1st SI A5 fuller vertical this year and have started playing with it. I totally agree with you about the cover compared to the Hobonichi cousin; I wish it wasn't so floppy (as I didn't want to purchase a cover). I can't seem to find the perfect pen for the SI, so hoping you will cover this in the upcoming TRP video? Of note, my backup planner if the SI doesn't work is the medium passion planner, which I also ordered on sale. Of note, the 2025 planner I received seemed to have different paper! I have used the PP for 6+ years and immediately could tell the difference, although still 120 gsm. Was told that these variations can sometimes occur due to changes in sourcing or manufacturing processes (Hmmm). Disappointed that this wasn't communicated, b/c if I knew this I might have ordered the new B5 Hemlock and Oak Vertical planner. Maybe you can share your H&O experience in a few months?
Hey Stacy:) My favorite pens so far on TRP are writech .5 & pentel energel .5- In my Hobonichi those were my faves other than the Uniball jetstream pen that comes with the Hobonichi order. I haven't used the Common Planner enough yet to tell if those will be my faves in there. I will try to remember to update y'all on the pens in my Quarterly planning update videos. I will definitely update on the H&O in my quarterly planning updates this year too:) Okay..the Passion Planner 2025 paper- yikes! I just got my 2025 in and haven't even written in it yet because I usually just have it on my shelves till I need to pull it out for something. So I am going to have to try that out. That is too bad if the paper doesn't feel as good- because PP paper is awesome!
I used the N1 CP all last year. Loved the size and the quality for sure. Love this new purple cover. However…there were some things I ended up growing to not like. I would have liked dated daily pages and would have liked the pages grouped with their month and weeks. I also found the goal plan pages too small for me to use and took them out. I am using the Plans that just came out this year and so far it has been awesome as I have moved into it.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It helps to hear what works and what doesn’t for people. And I am so happy to hear you are trying the Plans out!
Honestly, I wish I could like Tomoe River Paper because Sterling Ink could be such a great solution to all of the planning problems I ever have had. The covers are pretty, and they would have the space I need. Unfortunately, the ghosting is a hard pass for me.
I understand. I know the paper is the make it or break it for many. Have you looked at Hemlock & Oak. Same layout with 80# paper but daily and weekly don't fit in one book.
Yep, had the H & O before. Liked but not loved. Using a TN currently and happy with it. May try Sprouted Daily next.
I switched from Hobo to Sterling Ink for 2025. Very very glad! I’ve used Hobo for 5 yrs. I’ve gone through 2/yr in the Cousin Avec Techo Hobo which gives you 2 books/year, and then this year of 2024 I used the Cousin with the whole year in 1 book. The precise reasons why Catherine made her Sterling Ink is why I love it so much. If she hadn’t created this, I would’ve stuck with Hobo forever and just continue to give them a pass on the quotes at the bottom and the other somewhat irritating extra blocks of color etc. BUT 2 things are making me so very happy with Sterling Ink. I got an A5 Common Planner in Horizontal. I would never have that option with Hobo unless I got a Weeks version. I LOVE having my weekly all on one side and a full page to write notes on the other! And then the 2nd is the streamlining that Catherine did. It looks so much cleaner. For my daily pages, more than half of them are art. I paint w acrylics and watercolor, I use Tombow and Prismacolor. I teach Artful Journaling classes weekly and my book is one of the examples for my students. I am ecstatic to have FULL clean pages to create art. Also my SI stayed flat right away because I simply manipulated it a bit. No problem at all! Thanks for your review!
thank you for sharing about how you got it to lay flat;) And SI is definitely for you with your art! And great point about no Horizontal option in Hobo except for weeks!
Being able to see through the paper would make me crazy
You are not alone in that feeling! Lol:)
Do you have any videos on project planning? I need to mange 3 work projecfs
I don't have any videos just about project planning. But I can recommend to look at the Laurel Denise Project planner. It is in my latest Laurel Denise review. Not sure if it would work for your projects...but it's worth a look:) Another idea is to customize a Golden coil or plum paper planner...you might be able to make enough choices in the customization to get what you need;) Good luck!
I got a SI instead of a Hobo but will admit that I don’t love the cover and the lay flat issue is a bit annoying to me. I’m hoping the layout will win me over. 🤞
Don't be afraid to train the spine. Catherine has a video on her channel that's informative and helpful 😊
@ Oh thank you for that!
I hear you on both those issues;) Not sure how I would feel using it full time for a planner. As just a journal I don't think it will bother me too much.
You all really should see the Papertess Manager’s book! It is like these but ULTRA HYBRID!
I have seen it, and I would love to review it sometime:) Thanks!
Yes!!!!!....
Wonderland 222 is another great tomoe river planner! Very similar to hobonichi cousin and the common planner
Yes! That one is great too! I've don't share on Instagram with it, but haven't done a UA-cam review yet;)
I’m using 22 different planners this year and 20 of them are TRP planners. I found TRP planners from your channel
Oh, wow!!!! I am so happy to hear you love TRP planners!