Enthusiastically, Dawn

Finally, I know you will appreciate continuing this slow roll into the New Year with my latest planner review. My second review for my 2023 Planner Series is the Dream Planner by Horacio Printing. If you love minimalist style monthly and weekly spreads, a focus on faith, and balancing priorities well, I think Horacio could be a great fit for you.

Let’s have a closer look.

First, I confess I have been a Horacio Printing fan since the early days. I’ve been watching as Polly has built her current business creating and curating beautiful products and a streamlined vision for herself. I absolutely love this planner and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to be sure and include it in this series. So, yes I have used the product(s) before, participated in a Planner event hosted by Horacio Printing, and even received their seasonal subscription a few years back. Rest assured quality products come from this team and business. I just want to get that out there right up front because I do love this company and just about everything they offer.

The product I chose for review was the 2024 PREMIUM BLACK LEATHER DREAM PLANNER. My two previous experiences were with the spiral-bound planners they offer. So right out of the gate, this is a pretty attractive and professional-looking book. Black leather look, with gold foil on the cover. There is a secretarial pocket in both front and back covers. On the binding, it does say Dream Planner in gold foil as well. If you want to have a thorough look I would head over to the website as they have a full detailed look at each of the pages in proper lighting. Meanwhile, I will link a short video below.

The planner includes 4 sheets of stickers in Black, white, and gold foil. They compliment the planner nicely. I especially love the “You Are Loved” stickers. They are nice to use for envelopes or letters for a thoughtful touch as well as in the planner. There are two ribbons. The planner comes packaged beautifully in a linen bag and a sturdy elegant gift box.

With the purchase of the Dream Planner, one gets access to some great digital downloads and training tools to walk you through the planner set-up (The Dream Planning Essentials Course 2.0).

The focus is on personal growth and goal-setting in the following areas: Spiritual, Physical, Financial, Professional, Dwelling and Personal. There are additional areas beyond these that are unique to an individual and room is given to add these more specific domains. If you are a student, writer, or painter- whatever- whatever is a specific area important to you, is encouraged to be added. The exercises are all directed toward a Refocus Cloud- which has you create a kind of mind map helping to identify obligations, distractions, and passions with the intention of getting back to what really matters to you.

The two favorite areas in this planner for me are the Generosity Planning and Heart Check. Truly, I love that the planning to give intentionally is a focus, and one practiced by Horacio Printing in their own mission to give to an organization that helps fight sex trafficking. You can see more about that here: A21 Fundraising through Horacio Printing Page.

I think it is important for each of us to find that place of giving to the causes that are both inspired by God in us and also those that we are connected with through an inner calling. I don’t believe in compulsive giving, or the herd mentality that gives just because all their friends give to the same causes. This has become more important to me over the years. This place in my planner that reminds me of what matters to me and where I want to be generous is such a precious gift. Where is God leading me to grow in generosity is a priority. Battling my tendency towards consumerism, and the desire for that one more thing. I love that there is a page right within I can turn to look at and see my “why”.” I may not always get it right, but certainly having a place in my plans for it is a powerful step in the right direction.

To this end, the questions in the Generosity Planning are: Who am I encouraging and praying for this season? Who/What am I making more time for this season? And what am I budgeting for this season? The Heart-Check follows with the question: What do I need to let go of? Who do I need to forgive? And, what fears are holding me back. In the first season, there is a page to address fears which one can refer to each season. These two pages are interspersed through the planner for each of the four seasons. At the end of each month is a page for Praise Reports. And one Notes page which allows for the transition into the next month. Halfway through (June/July) there is a Personal Recheck and all the areas are presented again, for reassessment as you embark on the second half of the year.

This planner is a perfect size, though I would keep it at my desk as I opt for a smaller out-and-about daily planner these days. However, the clean, crisp weekly and monthly views are perfection in my opinion. The white paper receives my Lamy fine-tip fountain pen and Sharpie S-Note Hilighter Markers without bleeding through. The weekly spreads include a Bible verse and a monthly calendar with the week boxed out (see image). There is beautiful margin in this planner and I love that. It is not so full of stuff that you feel stifled or overly directed. There is space to breathe and create.

My planner rating for this planner is a 10! I would love an accompanying A6 size daily/monthly to make my (planner) life complete! I almost forgot to mention the beautiful gold pens that come with each planner. They write well and I do enjoy using them!

If you like the Passion Planner Medium-sized (as I have in the past), I believe this is a comparable and superior product. The main reason for this is the more minimalistic and clean spread. The cover is also more sturdy. Obviously, for me, the faith piece is a better fit as well. I am not a fan of the quotes in the Passion Planner so this is better suited to my preferences. Just a few of my personal thoughts and observations in the comparison. I have enjoyed the Passion Planner in the past, but finally have an alternative that ticks a few more of my boxes.

Let me know if you have any questions about this planner. I recommend checking out the website for more information and options if you want to see a closer look at the spiral-bound and horizontal options. There are also Bible Devotionals and other products offered. I have loved the cards and other items I have purchased in the past from Horacio Printing. The website is HERE>Horacio Printing Website.

I also want to apologize for being a bit behind with the Planner Reviews Series. I have had some unplanned (ironic, right?) setbacks that have pushed me back a bit in writing time. Thank you for being here! See you for the next review of The HOPEFUEL Planner! I know you are gonna love this one!