2016 was a great year. We had some downs as everyone does, but overall the year was filled with joy–the highest peak of happiness being brought on by the arrival of our daughter in April. I have to say though, “mom brain” is very real, and I’ve felt more disorganized and behind than I ever have in my life. Today I put wash in, and I remembered to stain-treat my husband’s jeans, and wash one of his special shirts on the gentle cycle. BUT I FORGOT TO PUT IN THE LAUNDRY DETERGENT!
I guess no amount of organization can cure this type of crazy I have now, but all of the things on my to-do list need to have a physical spot. Having a list and calendar on my phone just doesn’t cut it anymore. I need to write things down, or I forget them. And then I need to cross them off, because that’s just super satisfying 😉
When Tracey from Momma’s Little Helper reached out to me to see if I wanted to review their mom-themed day planner, I was ecstatic. I’d been looking for a planner for a while (I’m super picky), and couldn’t wait to review these! She sent me these two planners for free to review, but these are my own opinions. AND, I liked them so much that we’re giving away TWO! One will come right from Momma’s Little Helper (just let her know which one you want), and for the other winner, I will send you the gorgeous Floral planner showcased below. I’ll randomly pick the winner on December 30th, and mail it ASAP so you get it the first week in January and can start your planning! (see the bottom of the post for more details!)
To start, these are just super pretty planners! They come in two themes, shown above (“Damask”, on the left, and “Floral” on the right). They publish twice annually a calendar version, and an academic version.
What makes these planners so different from others you might see, is their mom-centric themed info sections, like this leftovers guide above, mom tips, quotes for pick-me-ups, and “life hacks” (which are awesome).
The weeks are organized as you see in this picture above in the Floral pattern (the Damask weekly pattern is vertical, and includes a spot for meals and goals each day!), but there’s also a calendar version like the picture below, which is super helpful. I usually do my “big picture” stuff in the calendar section, and all my little daily notes in the week days!
I love that there’s also sections for the other stuff (you know, the stuff I’m ALWAYS forgetting about as a mom! Dry cleaning pickup, people’s birthdays that I can’t remember automatically anymore, passwords, etc…). As you page through the book from the beginning, there’s a section for addresses, classmate addresses (super helpful if your kiddos are in school and you want to keep those families separate!!), important passwords, emergency contact info, important phone numbers (which includes a spot for your favorite pizza place and hair salon!), family medical information, and meal ideas (whhaaaat?! I used to keep all of this in a separate notebook!). I love that ALL of this information is all in one spot in the front of this planner!
Below is an example of one of the quotes that the planners have scattered about. I love this one, and I feel like we all need to remember this lesson from Maurice Sendak!!!
And of course, one of my ultimate favorite things is the to do list (because mine, like yours I’m sure, is super long, and I love scribbling out all the things I did!!). But the reason I’m including this picture is because the inside covers of this planner are envelopes! Super helpful for sticking lists or other envelopes in!
Overall this is a great planner, and it has many different mom-focused features that my other planners I’ve had in the past didn’t have. If you’d like to win one, leave a comment below!! The contest is open to anyone 18 years or older in the US. I’ll randomly draw a name on 12/30, and contact the winners on New Year’s Eve.
If you’d like to learn more about the Momma’s Little Helper planners, find them here:
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I need this in my life. 😂
Love a good planner!! Thanks for entering!!!
Thanks for entering… sorry you didn’t win 🙁 Our planners can be ordered directly from our site, http://www.mommaslittlehelper.org but make sure you follow us on Facebook @mommasdayplanner or on Twitter @MLH_Mommas or on Instagram @mommaslittlehelper for lots of fun, parenting tips and GIVEAWAYS!!!
I’d love one! The mom brain is in full effect right now and I need to get organized!
Is it just me or is mom brain so much worse around the holidays?!? Yikes! Haha! Thanks for entering!!
Thanks for entering… sorry you didn’t win 🙁 Our planners can be ordered directly from our site, http://www.mommaslittlehelper.org but make sure you follow us on Facebook @mommasdayplanner or on Twitter @MLH_Mommas or on Instagram @mommaslittlehelper for lots of fun, parenting tips and GIVEAWAYS!!!
My daughter swears by her planner. She uses it every day and it helps her stay organized. I would love to try this one, it looks like it might work for me.
It’s super awesome!! I don’t know why, but writing stuff down just helps me so much!
Thanks for entering… sorry you didn’t win 🙁 Our planners can be ordered directly from our site, http://www.mommaslittlehelper.org but make sure you follow us on Facebook @mommasdayplanner or on Twitter @MLH_Mommas or on Instagram @mommaslittlehelper for lots of fun, parenting tips and GIVEAWAYS!!!
Oh this planner looks amazing, I haven’t got a 2017 planner yet so this would be great!
Kami @Faithfullymeblog recently posted…5 Must Have Holiday Apps
It’s so awesome!! Thanks for the nice comment Kami! Hope you had an awesome holiday!!!!!
Thanks for entering… sorry you didn’t win 🙁 Our planners can be ordered directly from our site, http://www.mommaslittlehelper.org but make sure you follow us on Facebook @mommasdayplanner or on Twitter @MLH_Mommas or on Instagram @mommaslittlehelper for lots of fun, parenting tips and GIVEAWAYS!!!
Love your blog! I need to be more organized next year with my LipSense business, I love this planner. Perfect for a busy working momma like myself.
Thanks so much for the sweet comment!!!
So cute! I’m a mom of 2, ages 1 and 3 and the owner of @my_littlest_1 and planners like this make juggling work/mom life so much easier!
Yes! Planners are amazing!!! And once you find a good one you feel so organized!! …at least I do! Hehe
Girl they are cute 🙂 I see you hustling! Can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for you ❤
You are so sweet! Thanks so much, you too!!!! Hopefully 2017 is a great year for us all!
Since I’ve had my daughter, I got to experience the “mom brain” they’ve all been talking about. And just a few weeks ago, I forgot to pay my daughter’s daycare tuition but I’m really thankful that their director is very understanding and didn’t charge us a fee since we were always on top of paying tuition (except that time) lol. So as you can see, I definitely need this in my life!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Belle recently posted…Sequined Tank Top + Jogger Pants – A New Year’s Eve Outfit Inspiration
I am super picky about my planner too. So much so, I keep two (one is a full desk calendar) and a Life Binder. It helps with bill payment (which reminds me I might not have water after Jan 2nd), school info (what day to send Cheetos for class snack – no wait, healthy crap ONLY – it’s in the newsletter!!), and all the other stuff life throws at me to take care of: Getting the dogs anal glands cleaned, cat’s claws manicured so he can’t rip up the couch, daughter’s eight million dental appointments for teeth that are going to fall out anyway, and making sure I’m at home to meet my hair dresser. I’m so flippin busy she comes to my house so I can drink and yell at my kid.
#InNeedInIndiana
Omg I LOVE your comment you’re hysterical!!! And it also reminds me that our dogs need their glands cleaned too! (WHO EVER SIGNED US UP FOR THAT?!? Haha). Love love love your comment, thanks for making me laugh!!!!!
My goal for 2017 is to get more organized and a planner like this is just what I need!
Thanks so much for entering!! <3
Cute!!! I love planners! And I for one have definitely done laundry without putting any detergent in. 😉
Thèse are so beautiful! I feel like it would be easier to organize with one of these in my life:)
I don’t know why I can’t get past physically writing stuff down! It just makes me feel better and more organized! Lol 🙂 thanks for entering!!!
These look amazing!!!!
They are!!! 😀 thanks for entering!!
I so need this. I’ve been looking for a planner because I’m super forgetful. I’ve been using a little journal, but I need something more organized.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Planners can make it or break it right!!?? Thanks for entering!!!!
Like you I am very picky about my planner. This one seems like it might fit the bill…or bills….
My children are both grown so no mom brain here…that is unless it it lasts for 20 some years…hope not. I also HAVE to write everything down or I will forget it and yes marking it off is very satisfying when things get done. Both of these planners are pretty to boot. Would be proud to pull it out when a blog idea or VA service idea hits me. Thanks for the opportunity to win one, but if I don’t win I will definitely be checking out her site to get one.
Her stuff is definitely awesome!! I love it for my blog ideas! I’ll think of them at the most random time and always need a spot to write it down!!
Love these planners ❤️
They are so pretty right?! Thanks for entering!
I was the crazy, note taking, planner girl in school my friends all teased, until they needed to know what they missed in class or when a deadline was. Somewhere along the way I stopped planning. I’ve been getting back in to that planner life and this looks perfect!
YES! That was me too! I stopped after I got my first smartphone (after about a year) because I finally felt like ok, everything is in the phone, I should be good now… lol but then I always forget the phone can alllllllways crash!!!
That was me too!!!!
Oh I love these planners! So cute. I hope I win one! ❤
They are so adorable huh?! Thanks for entering!!!!!
The laundry detergent LOL – totally can relate to that! I have always been a fan of writing my lists, I search for the perfect planner and typically I am left dissapointed, these look awsome and I love the quotes! Fingers & toes are crossed …
Haha my other one is that I’ll have it all in there, and never hit the start button!! All this and I “only” have one kid to “blame” this on!! Hahaha! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and entering!!!
Congrats!! You were one of the winners! Send me an email and I’ll make sure you get it ASAP!!
Meredith recently posted…Reflecting on 2016 and Planning for 2017 (+ a giveaway!) Giveaway closed–Congrats Ashley and Roberta!!!
I would love to win one! 🙂
Thanks for entering!!!!
Love these planners!!!! This is how my life and my children’s lives stay on track. I have to write things down. It keeps me focused and organized. I would love to have one. Thank you for your great work!! Being a mom is awesome! I have older children but I still use or could use this beautiful organizer.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! I agree- writing it down is the best way to stay organized! Maybe I’m old-school, but the phone hasn’t really been cutting it for me lately!! Haha!
I get a fair amount of teasing around my house because I don’t use electronic calendars and planners! Like you, I have to write things down or it’s like it never passed through my brain. This planner appeals to that part of me that craves order and organization. Very cool!
Kristine Hall recently posted…Of Bulletins and Booze: A Newsman’s Story of Recovery ~ ~ Promo Tour & Giveaway!
These planners are too cute! Love the extras in them! Great picks 🙂
That’d be amazing! I swear, the mom brain is seriously too real!
Yes it is!! Thanks so much for entering!!!
Amazing Planners!
sorry for the multiple posts… I keep getting an error message!
Thank you to everyone who entered! Our planners can be ordered directly from our site, http://www.mommaslittlehelper.org but make sure you follow us on Facebook @mommasdayplanner or on Twitter @MLH_Mommas or on Instagram @mommaslittlehelper for lots of fun, parenting tips and GIVEAWAYS!!!