Have you found your 2020 Diary? I have. Well, actually, I’ve found three. After years of bullet journaling, I thought it was time to try a few pre-made diaries. To say there’s a luxury of choice is an understatement. Of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of diaries and planners available, I stuck with brands I already knew and loved.
Even then, there are so many choices. You can find a 2020 Diary somewhere that has something you need – finance trackers, to-do lists, priorities, gratitude… You name it. There will be a diary with these in it.
So, without further ado, I present to you my review of the 2020 Diary from Appointed, Collins Debden and kikki.K. Note: I selected different sizes and styles just so we could talk about each one.
Appointed 2020 Year Task Planner (RRP SGD$51.70)
This brand has been on my radar for sooooooooo long. I love their minimal style and luxurious design. This was one that I had to have. I selected the 2020 Year Task Planner in Chambray Blue because of its larger size (5″ x 7″). Also because, each week has a facing page with generous space in which to scribe your Priorities, Tasks and Notes.
Things I love
The minimal design, month tabs along the side and tactile cover with chambray blue book cloth cover, all thoughtful additions to this particular diary. Add to that, a small monthly goals and important dates section at the start of each month (not too much to be intimidating). Then there’s the mini month calendar at the bottom left of each weekly page which serves as a reference. At the front of the diary, there’s a page with an inch ruler printed along one side and common conversions table. This follows their 2020 and 2021 calendar designed in signature Appointed style. Other than that, you get what you get and that is enough.
What to think about
This bigger in size and could be bulky to carry around. I can see it easily getting damaged in the process. Funny that this is actually why I picked it. The ring bind doesn’t do much for me. I find these get in my way, however, a friend mentioned that they love ring binds and it would be a selling point for them. To each their own I say. I might learn to like ring binds yet. You may get a tiny bit of show-through when writing with a fountain pen.
Verdict
From the feel of its luxe paper to the minimal design, I love this diary. I can’t wait to start 2020 with it! It will be the planner that sits on my desk and never leaves. However, the focus on each week will be great because I can see my priorities and to-dos at a glance.
Get this diary at www.appntd.com but watch out for the shipping charges if you are ordering from overseas.
Collins Debden 2020 Calendar Year Diary (RRP SGD$28.90)
This was actually the first diary I purchased. I was wandering through Changi Airport and came across the Metropolitan Glasgow B6 Week to View 2020 Diary at the bookstore. It was so petit, pretty and printed on the smoothest, silky paper. I picked it up, bought it and decided then and there that I would write a review.
A couple of weeks later, I was sent their Serendipity 2020 Diary as a gift from Collins Debden. (Thank you so much!) The main difference between the Glasgow and the Serendipity is that the former has an elastic strap on the cover, two ribbon page markers and a pocket on the inside back cover.
Things I love
The dotted right-hand page (because of my bullet journalling background) works well for me, allowing me a bit of artistic license. I also like that all the calendar months appear at the front together. Did I mention the silky paper (oh my goodness, I have a thing for good paper)? I also love the monthly goal tracker at the end of each month. This diary is sized to slip into my handbag easily and the hardcover would protect it from damage.
Collins Debden diaries contain a huge amount of information – global international holidays, time zones map, notes, calorie counter, healthy sleeping tips, apparel sizes and more. Much of this, I wouldn’t use but I suppose it’s handy to have. They also have spread to write down your favourite websites, travel wishlist, expense tracker and notes.
Things to think about
The week to view does not have much space to write in but B6 is quite a small size. You’ll have to use your imagination on the right page in order to fill it with things you want to remember or do. I don’t think this is a big deal because I’m familiar with the bullet journal method and really love dotted notebooks and journals. There can be faint show-through on the paper when using really juicy pens, fountain pens and highlighters.
Verdict
Such a cute little book, I love the B6 size because it is so portable. This diary packs in a lot of information within its tiny size while still including each day of the week at a glance. The calendex at the front is something I find useful for planning the year out and the global nature of this particular diary makes it easy reference while you’re on the go. There are two ribbon page markers and a pocket on the inside back cover.
Get this diary at collinsdebden.com or (in Singapore) at selected Kinokuniya, NBC and Times outlets.
kikki.K 2020 A5 Bonded Leather Weekly Diary (RRP SGD$34.99)
kikki.K is where I always go for my family calendar and planner inspiration. Their range is so inspirational. There is something there for almost everyone – from kids to adults! I selected this because of its design and function. “Wake up and go after your dreams” is inscribed bottom left, on the first page of December 2019. These little quotes continue throughout the year. Of all the diaries I’ve seen, this is the only one that starts in December 2019. It also has two ribbon page markers and a pocket in the back cover (this opens at the top though and I fear my things will fall out).
Things I love
The design of each spread is lovely. Each day is separated into AM and PM and there’s one line for birthdays (not that I know someone with a birthday every day of the year). They also include an unlined notes section at the beginning of each week. I love the feel of the leather bonded cover with twenty de-bossed on the cover. The month to view at the beginning of each month is well thought out for maximum space and has a generous notes section on the right.
There are also a couple of pages each to record notes, websites, movies, books, restaurants and bars, expenses and addresses. They list international public holidays in the back as well.
Things to think about
kikki.K has it’s marketing perfected. I love what they do! However, this dairy has chunky grey arrows that appear from time to time sending you to their website for a special treat or offer. While I like a good deal, I really don’t like this taking up prime space in my diary. Their blatant advertising is insulting because I am already such a huge fan.
I also feel that they could have done more with the little sticker sheet. The one provided is black and white and very basic in design. The paper isn’t smooth and silky, it’s slightly scratchy and thick but this also means there isn’t much show-through with any pen you use.
Get this diary at the kikki.K website or at their various outlets
I hope you’ve found this review helpful. If you have a diary you love and want to share, please be sure and tell me in the comments below. Likewise, if you’ve used one of these diaries and have something to say, let me know! In the meantime, you’ll probably find me with a cup of tea trying to decide which one to use in 2020. I love them all!
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