As much as I like to go digital and have less things to carry, I love using a physical diary. In the past 2 years, I’ve used diaries from Kikki K and Muji. Last year, I absolutely loved using my Muji diary due to its lightweight, sleek and minimalist design, and was intending to get another one for 2018. That is, until I learned that Fran Meneses was releasing her own illustrated diary this year!
Fran is an illustrator based in the UK and I randomly found her Youtube channel last year. I love her bubbly personality and style of drawing, so was happy to pick up her diary and support her work. It was also a great excuse to pick up a few other bits and pieces from her etsy shop!
A Look Inside the Diary
The inside of the diary is filled with Fran’s whimsical illustrations. The first few pages are personal details in case it gets lost, 2018-2019 yearly calendars and 12 blank monthly calendars. The main body of the diary is set out in a blank weekly format with a space to put weekly notes or to do’s, and has cute illustrations on the bottom corners of each page. Near the back, there a few pages for notes, and some fun stuff like movie vouchers, travel packing list, important dates, new years resolutions and writing prompts! At the very back of the diary, there’s an expandable pocket to put various bits and pieces in.
The diary comes with its own set of illustrated stickers including a set of 2018 monthly stickers. It also has a handy elastic, which wraps around the diary to keep everything closed. All in all, I’ve really enjoyed using this diary so far and am loving Fran’s touch throughout the diary. The only cons that I can mention are the blank monthly and weekly pages, as I hate spending that initial time pre-filling everything out (however, I am aware this was done intentionally, so that the diary can be used at anytime of the year) and the plastic stickers (paper options would be great!). Other than that, it is a really well-made, cute diary and would make the perfect present for a fellow diary lover!
So that’s my diary situation for 2018! Do you like to use a diary, and if so, what are you using?
Marie xo