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I was lucky enough to get some goodies from the Erin Condren Focused Collection because the team at Erin Condren sent them to me (thanks, team!) I have used the traditional Erin Condren LifePlanner (and coiled notebooks) for several years and although I’m still working from home and have fewer social obligations these days, I feel like I’m missing some really important stuff because my work and my personal reminders are exploding within the pages of my LifePlanner.
About Erin Condren
If you’re not familiar with Erin Condren, I’ll try to give you some brief background on my love for the brand (which runs years deep) without derailing us from the topic at hand. Erin Condren is a lifestyle brand rooted in beautiful and premium organizational products that help you keep your life organized and focus on productivity. The brand has very high quality products and several of the items are personalized, which allows for you to truly make them your own. What I love most about Erin Condren is the paper weight in each of the stationery products and the ability to have a product that millions of others do, but mine is unique to me. You can get a $10 off coupon when you sign up to join the (free) EC Insider rewards program!
The Erin Condren Focused Collection
The Focused Collection was specifically created to help you achieve optimal organization and productivity with its clean lines and minimalist design. I am typically a big stickers, washi tape, colored pens-loving planner girl, but was very excited to try some of the Focused Collection because I need more simple and no-nonsense layouts for a couple of pieces of my life: work and keeping track of my health.
I received a variety of products from the Erin Condren Focused Collection and will tell you a little bit about each of the selection (with links) below.
Large Harbor Focused Planner
This planner is STUNNING! You can definitely tell this is an EC product, based on the incredible quality of the vegan leather cover, beautiful binding which allows the planner to lay flat, and the amazing paper (which is the biggest distinction from other planners).
The size of the planner is almost letter-sized, so there is ample room to document a busy schedule and tackle massive to-do lists. I know that I am going to love using mine for all of my meetings, reminders, and tasks for work; allowing me to keep them separate from my personal life in another planner.
The monthly view also helps me organize key dates in my professional life at a glance so nothing gets overlooked. My full-time role involves strategy and planning marketing campaigns and promotional offers, which is very reliant on getting dates right. I’m very much a pen and paper person when it comes to visualizing these kinds of initiatives as my electronic work calendar gets out of control quickly despite the fact that it’s color coded.
This large planner gives you the opportunity to provide detail on goals and tasks on a monthly basis, too, which I’m grateful for and can’t wait to use!
Pocket Planner
If you’re thinking that the large softbound planner might be too large for you to comfortably fit in your bag on the go and you prefer more of a pocket planner, the Erin Condren Focused Collection also offers that option.
The 12-month pocket planner is perfect for documenting birthdays, anniversaries, or simple notations. I’m going to use mine to keep track of my blood glucose levels so I have an easy way to bring my numbers to my doctor visits.
Additionally, you can easily track your monthly goals, to-dos, and tasks, as well as reference the monthly calendar at the beginning of each new month in this layout, as you can see below.
Productivity Focused Notebook
I am a very non-traditional note taker while I’m in work meetings and the Productivity Focused Notebook is going to be the perfect thing to keep my creative and task-oriented mind on track! My work notebooks with the typical lines don’t afford me the opportunity to keep track of my to-dos or questions that I need to ask neatly. Instead, I find myself having to star things and then go back to the notes to search for them, which is less than ideal.
The layout of the Erin Condren Productivity Focused Notebook will allow me to take notes in a non-linear fashion, keep tabs on to-dos or strategic priorities, as well as accomplish delegation and/or follow-ups at a glance.
Set of Six File Folders
As you can see from some of the photos, I’ve got PLENTY of color on my desk in the form of washi tapes for my personal LifePlanner, however, I like very neutral accessories to complement the colors and keep me organized. When I received the black and gray file folders in a set of six, I knew exactly how I’d use them.
I have definitely scaled back on the number of pages I’ve been printing when it comes to work items and documents but sometimes it just works better for me to have a physical copy of something that I can pull out and reference, without having to figure out where I’ve filed it on my computer or drive. I am using the Erin Condren Focused Collection Black & Gray File Folders (in a set of six) for some of these reference papers. They were previously sitting in a stack, unfiled, and it sort of defeated the purpose of me printing them so I’d be able to more easily find my reference files. Now, I’m back in business!
These file folders are the most premium feeling folders I have ever felt or used. The instant I pulled them out of the package, I was able to feel how nice these are! They will definitely be durable and last a long time. They aren’t plastic, but it is more of a coated heavyweight paper that will withstand some of the chaos of our work from home (or school from home) lives.
Writing Utensils
I’m a sucker for good writing utensils – you all know this! I’ve seen several Erin Condren social posts and the handwriting is impeccable. I was guessing that they achieved the beautiful handwriting by using the dual tip markers, so I was elated when I received the set of three black dual tip markers in my package from Erin Condren.
I also tend to make mistakes or have obligations or tasks that I know can change that I write in my planner anyway and then have to white out, so the Harbor Focused Mechanical Pencil is going to be PERFECT! It writes so smoothly and I am so happy that I received it because it allows me to write a little more precise and be my non-committal self sometimes (haha). These writing tools are SO gorgeous and I know that I’ll get tons of use out of them. Take a peek at how they write in all of the images above.
As you can see, I LOVE this collection and I am excited about how these items will transform my productivity, especially when it comes to work. Don’t forget to get yourself a little something while you’re also shopping for friends and family this year – Erin Condren has great gifts! Which of the items are you most excited to see and try? Let me know in the comments!
I absolutely adore everything Erin Condren makes. I went away from the Life Planner for a few years and found that I was just never as happy. She listens to suggestions and continues to make them better and better. I have not seen this collection, but I like the clean look of it all. Thanks for sharing.
Carrie, thank you so much for reading! I also tried to stray from my LifePlanner one year and things did not go so well for me. I love this collection and I hope that you’ve found a new “planner peace” that helps you stay organized.
I love the Erin Condren planners, they are so colorful and organized. I just wish they were a little cheaper. I have never personally had one but every year I debate about just taking the plunge.
Hi Julia, they are definitely not as budget-friendly as other options, but the quality of the paper, coil, and cover are really premium and totally worth it. That being said, they are going to have a deal coming up pretty soon – I’ll be posting about it on my social channels, so stay tuned. It will be the perfect time to get your first one if you’re looking for 2021!
I’ve been considering an EC planner this year to upgrade from happy. Thanks for these great reviews!