It was in 2004 when I first learned about the Starbucks Planner, and as sucker as I am with planners (all the people in the world can gift me a planner and I'd be so happy to receive it), I have longed to own one. Problem is, I just don't have the financial capability to actually buy even just cups of their drinks. Heck, the last Starbucks drink I had was May 2011!

Anyway, every year, I would try my best to join every contest/giveaway online giving away the Starbucks Planner, because I really wanted to own one. Sadly, I have joined nearly 10 contests this year but I didn't win. Fret not, my coffee-holic friend Ethel was so kind enough to give me one of the planners she was able to collect (yep. plannerS). I was supposed to get this from her last 30 December 2011, but I wasn't able to meet up with her, so it was just last Monday that I was able to meet her and get the planner.

Unboxing the 2012 Starbucks Planner:


Ethel asked me if I wanted the Cherry or the Bamboo. I chose the Cherry (the Bamboo she gave to her fiance), because at first I thought it represented the colors. When I opened it, I realized maybe it was the wood material used as cover. Well, given that, I'd still choose Cherry - maybe because cherry isn't grown in the Philippines.

This is my first Starbucks Planner, so I don't have any to compare it with, but I recalling the 2005 planner, I think this one was smaller and less bulky. I do love the wood covering as it helps protecting the pages. I also love the bag that comes with it - giving more protection (for the wood cover this time). Lastly, I love the curved edges. My past planners and notebooks now looks "awful" as the pages tend to fold especially on the lower right side. Since this one's curved, I think the folding will be minimized.


Most planners (especially the big ones) always have the monthly calendar - and I appreciated this space, as I am back doing the Project 365 (well, Project 366 this year) - and this monthly calendar will surely help me list down the 366 pictures. Yes, I know I can always consult the camera and the folders here in my net book, but believe me, during travel days when I am out of the house for days, and I needed to do multiple posts, having this will be handy. Space is actually big enough - not only can I write the picture titles, I can also use this for planned events for easy checking.


Personally, I am a big fan of big space planners, which is why I always go for the executive diary. I feel I always have so many things to write - like what should I blog about, or my rants and raves... but I think I can adjust to this little space. I will just concentrate on the simple joys that day brought me (hey, I miss doing that here on my blog), and if the space will not be enough - like when I travel and I visited a lot of tourist spots - I can use the Notes page opposite the weekly page.

Also, I plan to use the Notes page to indicate my goals for the coming week. That way, when 2012 is about to end, I can just flip the pages and be reminded of the goals I set for myself.

I love doing a "My Year in Retrospect" thingy, so using this planner, I will also list down the food trips, events, and travels I attended and did, so recalling 2012 will be easier for me. This planner actually has the full space for December 2011, and since I wasn't able to use that space, I will just use the first pages for the lists.

The way the planner is laid out may not be my choice for planners, but I think I am going to like this. My life isn't really that eventful, and there will be days when I had to leave it blank. Since the spaces weren't that big, gaps (if there will be) will not be big as well.

Considering its size and weight, I can certainly take this with me anytime, anywhere.

Now... if there is a big minus point for this planner - it didn't have the personal information page. I actually wrote my name, address, and cell phone number on the very first page; kinda like what I do to my textbooks when I was still studying.