Hellluuu lovely!
Am I excited to share this new finding or what? 😀
It *seems* to be *almost* perfect. << Ya, using the words very carefully here ’cause I know planner perfection doesn’t exist so…. let’s see how it’ll unfold.
I’ll tell you WHY this planner is getting pretty close to perfection in a minute.
First, a warning. This post is LONG and FULL OF PICS!
And I know you my dear #planneraddict ….
Planner Porn is always a good thing to enjoy at any given time, ya?
So let’s do it!
Here goes the step-by-step of my thinking process as I unboxed this beauty.
First off, the “box”:
Yup, got it from Macy’s online and the box was inexistent. It came carelessly tossed inside a bag.
Here she is saying ‘hi’ to us:
Luckily no damage. That I could see at least.
I’m not used to getting planners in a plastic bag like this. I felt I just got a fake Louis Vuitton or something 😀
Here in all her beauty without the plastic ickiness:
Ya need details of each corner of the binder?
You got it!
The cute button
The bottom side
{I was obviously looking for the “f” by default 😀 }
The pretty signature:
The rings!
You want to know about the rings?
not.ligned.up >:-/
BUT….. no biggie, I could easily flip the pages back and forth without getting caught in it.
Now, here comes what was first an issue turned into a potential perfection
The overall binder and pages sizes.
The binders comes with its own yummy creamy calendar in it and when I first saw it {at the actual store} I was thrilled ’cause I thought it was an over “widthy” personal size:
Because I gotta say I LOVE personal binders, they are perfect for purses {obviously} and have so many pretty designs, but oh my gawd how I hate their narrow pages!
The proportions of the A5s are ideal for me. {the relationship between width + lengh that is} Which makes pocket ones so comfy to write as well.
But personals? Oh, the pain! I can barely stand how in a few words I get to the end of the paper and need to start a new line already.
Anywho. As I was saying…
When I first glanced at it, I totally eye-balled it wrong thinking it was same size as Personal pages but wider.
At home, binder in hands I eagerly tucked in a personal page in it and THIS happened…….
NOT EVEN THE HOLES WERE RIGHT! >:-(
oohhhh the pain! How could I had been so off thinking it’d fit a personal size?
A few minutes of whining around about my non-sense eye-balling evaluation when it occurred to me….
OF COURSE! A5 pages will fit perfectly!
*big slap in the forehead*
And all happily I went grabbing a sheet of A5 to test out.
Which came out to this:
Yup, exactly what you are thinking…..
- The creamy page on top – PatNash sheet
- The salmon page in the back – A5 sheet
ARGH!
f.r.u.s.t.r.a.t.i.o.n!
I could not believe it.
{breathe, breathe, Raine. Sure thing has been more than a year you don’t splurge on a new binder and you want this to work but take a moment to breathe.}
Yes, talking myself out of the frustration just like that 😀
So…. I thought. If the binder when closed doesn’t show the A5 pages sticking out I can just pull out all of the creamy pages and load it with my own A5 pages. I didn’t like those creamy ones anyway.
And so I held my breath and closed the binder:
ARGH!!!
“For crying out loud, is that binder NOT going to work with ANY of the standard size pages?”
I thought to myself.
“Was the maker of it such a pest to actually create sheets in a size that only they use it?”
I thought to myself.
Then….. the l a s t trick up my sleeve that I could think of…..
HALF letter size pages
The result?
You guessed. Didn’t work either. >:-/
Turned out the maker DID create a custom sized page for her binder.
Look at all the pages together:
Pages are as follows:
- Top creamy one – PatNash
- Middle white one – half letter
- Bottom salmon one – A5
I was about to throw the towel.
I started thinking of putting that baby up on Ebay or returning it – whichever was less complicated.
When FINALLY a big bright light bulb lit up!
Of course, if I was willing to replace all PatNash creamy inserts with A5 why not do that same thing with the half letter size?
After all they did NOT stick outside the planner when closed!
And TWO HUGE PLUSES came out of that….
1- Printing for it is a piece of cake!
Ya see, peeps outside US that use International Metric system are SO lucky that A4 is their “standard” sheet of day-to-day use. Printing any A4 PDF file in booklet format instantly creates an A5 booklet.
In other words, you tuck into your printer whichever A4 paper you have laying around and you end up with sheets ready to fill up your A5 binders, Filofax or not.
In US? Well, printing Letter size in booklet format just gets us…. half Letter size pages 😀
Taller and skinnier than A5 {you can see that in the pic above with all 3 papers}
Now, with this miraculously-odd-shaped-planner I can actually be THAT cool and print my pages easy peasy just like the rest of the world!
Letter size > booklet format > Half Letter size > FITS the planner!
No oversized binder to make it all bulky {which is what you get when you try to use only half letter size in A5 binders}
With this new approach I eagerly went to {easily} print some booklets:
And the weekly view:
SO neat, ya? 😀
{Those planner pages can be found on my Shop by clicking right here.}
By the way…. are you still with me? Did I bore you to death with my paper size analysis?
I sure hope not, ’cause talking about bulky binders, here comes the second HUGE PLUS:
2- It is roomy to write like an A5 but SMALLER and LIGHTER than an A5
In other words, it fits my purse!
Look at them together:
oh my gawd, I AM in planner heaven!
TWO issues tackled just like that : convenience to print + portable enough yet plenty of room to write.
Phew!
Final verdict :: h.e.a.v.e.n.
And what was that last picture for, you ask?
Oh, I just did my nails and I wanted to show it off. #dealwithit
😀
Now, I want to hear from YOU.
Where are you at with your planner adventures? What is your latest discovering and why are you loving it?
Super-excited to hear all about it in the comments below 🙂
Many Smooches,
I am a happy camper with any planner that fits in my purse and has color , line days and extra pages for notes.
Yay Jacqueline! That sounds easy to accomplish 🙂
I just bought one of these planners from Macy’s ( in a georgeous tooled leather) and love it!I was as looking for refills when I came across your page. Are refills not available to buy for this size? I can’t find any. Why would they create a planner and no refills. Wah!
Go to Patricia Nash web site. You can get refills there. I did! Love my planner
Wondering if anyone has tried to switch out the rings from a average size planner so the pages that can be found anywhere would fit?
There is a mail in order form in the agenda, I have the tooled leather one as well. I dont want to pay $12.00+9.25% tax for refills so im thankful for blog.
I have tried every planner out there. One of my favorites was the Filofax, but those awkward binders just take up too much room and do tend to get heavy because you can cram so much stuff in them. Two years ago I started using the Moleskine Daily Planner, 12M, Large, Scarlet Red, Hard Cover. While it really isn’t a binder, I have found it works best for me. 2017 will be my third one. My husband also had those ring binder types and would always stop using it mid-year. I gave him a Moleskine last year, and he loves it. He even asked for a 2017 version.
Is there a link for this Gorgeous planner? Thanks.
Hi sweetie, apparently from two weeks ago I bought it, they already sold out :-/
A similar one {structurally} is this here. From Patricia Nash as well.
>>> https://tinyurl.com/zg8ok3c
So I went to Macy’s today cuz I was super excited to see what they had. I didn’t want to wait for online order if I could just go buy her and take her home. They had about 4 variations but of course not the one you have. Love that one. But Macy’s has them for 25% off right now. Here’s my questions for your opinion. 1- Did you find it too heavy. Seems pretty heavy to carry in your purse. 2- the ring size seems small and doesn’t seem like you can put much in there. What are your thoughts? I really love the look of the planners but might need a nudge to invest in a Patricia Nash even with 25% off. HELP. Thanks.
https://patricianashdesigns.com/women/chieti-agenda
Love this planner, and I really prefer creamy pages only! Looked online at Macy’s-they do have one Patricia Nash planner, but not this one. Looks like the Patricia Nash website is no more…..? Help!
Hi Sandy, yes, apparently they sold out. :-/
I clicked on the link of that specific planner from “my order” on macys site and got redirected to a page saying the item is no longer available.
But I’d say keep checking back. A few months ago a bedding set I wanted went out of stock as well and a few weeks later it was back.
So I think there’s HOPE! 😀
I laughed my butt off reading this post. Been there.
😉
I didn’t pay close attention to dimensions when I ordered a cover for my 9 yo daughter. All the anticipation of waiting for it came crashing down when we got the box. I bought a full size cover and not the smaller size as I thought. Well, thankfully she is happy with a plain Avery half page binder I had on hand. I plan to use the full size planner binder as a journal for me. I do love this one that you bought, there is a serious lack of color and design in planners that can be bought (at a reasonable price).
I know right, Kirsten? And good thing your daughter is such a sweetie and easy going. 🙂
Lol! Love your beautiful planner. So glad it is working for you ?
thank you love 🙂
Love your new planner. I was going through some boxes the other day and found a Day Timer that I wanted to use with your planner and can’t figure out what size. I may just have to experiment like you did. Thank you for the inspiration!
yes! Play around with the pages and see how it looks like. You can always just grab one of those sewer measuring tapes for that. {I always have so many of those laying around and I don’t even know why. I don’t sew! 😀 }
=) your story made me smile,. If you want something to work it usually works out in the end. Lovely cover *envy* I just have ordered 2 pocket filofax that I use as wallet, 2? yess couldn’t decide if I want white or red, quick fix = order both *ooops* But to change planner once or twice is fun too. I don’t buy a lot of shoes or handbags, I buy filofax. Going to pick them up 23dec = my own christmasgift to me self, my soul and my heart. Well filofax makes me smile, the heart tick smoother and calm my soul =D
hahaha, love it Morgonoga! Who needs shoes and bags when we have planners? 😀
isn’t it fun? we have all have one or more weaknesses, mine is filofaxes, glad to be around “kindered spirits”
Have a great weekend everyone =D
Oh how fun! You made it work, and it is better than you dreamed! Good for you not giving up! I love the sight of your green Chameleon. It looks very happy and springy/summery. I’ve never seen a Chameleon in real life. I use a personal aqua Malden, and it is so me, but if they ever make a brighter aqua (like the shade of Aqua Finsbury) that is more blue-green, it will be my dream filo!
aawww Chameleons are so darling. 🙂 too bad its discontinued.
I SO want to get a Malden. Just hadn’t find my color yet, teehee
So I went to Macy’s today cuz I was super excited to see what they had. I didn’t want to wait for online order if I could just go buy her and take her home. They had about 4 variations but of course not the one you have. Love that one. But Macy’s has them for 25% off right now. Here’s my questions for your opinion. 1- Did you find it too heavy. Seems pretty heavy to carry in your purse. 2- the ring size seems small and doesn’t seem like you can put much in there. What are your thoughts? I really love the look of the planners but might need a nudge to invest in a Patricia Nash even with 25% off. HELP. Thanks
Hi, Stacey. It all goes to personal preferences of course, but for me its perfect for my purse, and the rings are smaller compared to the A5s but I like it like that. Way less bulky.
Get it, try it and if you don’t like it, return it or re-sell it. Simple as that. 😉
Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts. I missed the 25% off but I’ll keep an eye out for another sale. Please keep us posted on how you’re loving it and using it. You Rock.
Omg that planner is so cute, and so are your nails. I am so excited to begging using my new planner (by you) in 2016. Since I’m new to the paper planner world I am going to have it spiral bound until I can agree with myself on which planner binder I want to purchase. I just can’t buy them all :-0 Thanks for everything
Love Amber!
Hey Amber!!!! so excited you got my planner packet! YAY!
I’ve to tell ya. Spiral bound ones are delicious as well! 😀
This planner is so beautiful, I’m in love. <3;)
I have 2 planners, a Chronoplan A5 in gray ostrich skin and a red Sandringham (Malden – Dupe) in personal size.
It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I am totally in love as well 😀
How’s your Sandringham working for you? Do you love it?
Hi Raine! Thanks for the post with your gorgeous planner :). I have bought a Patricia Nash planner & can not find a hole punch that lines up it. Which one did you use to put your own sheets in?
Thanks!!!
Hi sweetie, the Filofax A5 whole punch works perfectly 🙂
So, would the A4 paper size work for this agenda then? Rather than having to print off on A5 paper? Did I read that right?
Thank you,
Jennifer
Hi love, no, the Letter size would work. Meaning printing as booklets so you use them as half-letter size. Does it make sense?
I admire your ingenuity, but honestly, the effort requited to create refills that the company should have available for sale is ridiculous. It shouldn’t be this difficult. This is a very disappointing product by Patricia Nash.
I cannot tell you how excited! I am to have found your site. I purchased this planner about 8 months ago and have almost made myself sick trying to figure out what size paper would fit. I love the planner and wanted to use it right away but I need a little more color in my life on the pages. Thank you SO much for posting this. You have a new fan!!
P.S.-for those looking for the planner, I purchased mine from Nordstrom online. Evine Live (shopping channel) also sells this line. Hope this helps.
Thanks again Raine!
Renee
Hi Renee! YAY for making it work, right? 😀 It is so delish this binder, there had to be a way! teehee <3
So, Raine, we are gaga about planners, right, albeit proudly so…I know where my addiction comes from and how I justify buying a new one every time I enter a new season or need a shift of some kind in my life. For years I even made a pact with friends that I’d give away old ones if I bought new ones before the year was out. This year I made it all the way to May before buying a new one and it was the carmel leather Patricia Nash to your floral leather cover (from Macy’s too)! But I haven’t taken it out of the plastic and tissue paper in which it was wrapped because I don’t want to fall in love with the format and then be left out in the cold when it comes time to refill. Do you feel me? So I’m super grateful you went into as much detail as you did and provided two solutions. My remaining hesitation however, is that I don’t have a six-ring hole puncher. Not even Staples’ copy & print center has one. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to head to office late of a Sunday night to print the letter pages in landscape orientation as you suggested. Staples, my former pay to print solution to life in the desert where ink cartridges dry out before you get even minimal use out of them, stopped the email to print and pick up at copy center service. The nerve! So, said all that to say, thank you & where can I get the hole puncher for this agenda we all love.
PS To the person who missed the 25% discount at Macy’s: Me too. The PN website had black tooled leather at $51 though in mid-May 2016.
Karen! So sorry for the late reply, seeing all those comments now.
A regular A5 whole punch will work perfectly 🙂
Hi,
I am new to the whole planner world and I just bought this planner and was looking to find refills. So I guess my question is should I just buy the half letter refills? Or what size should I buy if I don’t print my own refills and were to just try and find some in store or online?
Hey love, yes, the half letter size is what worked for me. Those ones you can get at any Staples or office supply store in USA. 🙂
Hi! I am fairly new to the whole planner world and my question was about the refills. Since I do not make my own refills what size would I buy when looking in the store or online? Would I just look for half letter sized refills?
Sorry for the late reply, love. Didn’t realize there were new comments here. I answer your Q above 🙂
ooo…this might work for me! I have a pocket and personal for home. I wanted a companion A5 for work, but the binder can be a square bother sometimes. This looks like the in-between I might be able to use! Especially when it works half-letter pages.
Thanks to you I have a new planner to feed my addition. Today I found a Nash at T.J. Maxx for $22.00. 2016 Chieti Enlighten Garden print design.
Update – Nash pages are exactly 5in x 8in. I know because the 5×8 notecards I found in my storage box make the perfect dividers! Punch, insert, done!
That is a gorgeous binder – i like Patricia Nash agendas and bags but with our dollar (Australian) being so pitiful the exchange rate plus postage makes these more expensive than a filofax for me! Excellent unboxing post and great tips on insert orinting to fit
Thank you SO much for this. I found you via a google search after pulling out my hair over the same issue. I have a punch on the way that I’m sure will work, and I plan to just trim A5 paper to 5″ wide.
ANOTHER TIP – I noticed today my Moleskine volant fits perfectly and the moleskine large tear out sheets are the exact same size as Patricia Nash paper! I keep a volant in the back of my agenda for journaling and this is fantastic in a pinch to tear out a sheet for the agenda.
So I have a Pat Nash planner and the frustration of the custom size pages and lack of availability of appropriate refills has made me crazy. I like your solution….but what kind of hole punch do you use to get the holes right?
Izzie, the A5 would work just fine :))
Hey there! I have a side note question – what hole punch do you use to get the correct 6 ring binder holes for this PN Chianti planner??
I’ve figured out your tutorial to print new inserts in booklet format to get half letter (OMG THANK YOU! allowed me to customize this years planner). But I had a hell of a time punch all those hole individually and getting the alignment all wrong on some >.< I couldn't find what punch to use that would do it for me!!
I just got one of these planners and ran into the same thing. When I click your link to print the sheets it doesn’t take me to them. How can I get the half sheets you spoke of in this? Thanks
Hi Jenni, which link you are talking about? The one inside the box where it says “Those planner pages can be found on my Shop” it is linking correctly it goes to my shop and you can choose any printable you want.
Now if you were trying to get half sheets, just print booklet letter size