BDJ has come a long way since they launched the first Belle De Jour Power Planner back in 2006. As the Starbucks planner mania swept Manila off its feet and made consumers obsessed with collecting stickers, BDJ started their own trend—an all-in-one lifestyle planner filled with fashion and beauty articles, organizing hacks, and best of all—discount and shopping coupons.
Through the years they’ve expanded their merchandize to include a monthly subscription box (which I was officially part of for 3 years), notebooks, journals, stickers, and other planners for different types of personalities.
After attending the launch event at EDSA Shangri-La Mall, I finally got my hands on their 2018 collection. With less than two months left in 2017, it’s time to start planning for the coming Year of the Dog. There’s something here for almost every personality—crafters, organizing divas, career gals, fashion and beauty junkies, dreamers, besties, and of course, travelers!
The frontrunner of the entire collection, the 2018 Belle De Jour Power Planner is available in three cover styles: leather (₱680), Smythe-sewn (₱598), and leather disc-bound (₱720). Every planner comes with stickers, a magnetic bookmark, and the “Perks of a Bella” coupon booklet. Other features: goals, mood meter, dream board, inspirational mantras, watercolor-designed pages, cashflow trackers, and many other pages to help women organize their year.My planner of choice, the 2018 Navi (₱598) is for globetrotters. They’ve kept the same features from past designs: travel planning pages, weekly horizontal pages, sections for lists and notes, featured travel destinations every month, and of course, the coupon booklet. Some improvements: The pages are more intricately designed with terrain backdrops and illustrations of animals native to the travel destination featured.First released in 2016, BDJ’s Quest Journal (₱560) is for those who enjoy sketching and journaling while traveling. It contains a blank notebook, grid notebook, vinyl zipped pouch, and card pockets. Notebooks refills are ₱100 each. For 2018, they launched four new cover colors: ocean, stone, plum, and sangria. Last season’s colors that are still available: taupe, pink, and teal.If the regular Quest Journal takes up too much space in your carry-on luggage, there’s a mini version (₱360) that comes in four colors: ocean, stone, plum, and sangria.The 2018 Everything Is Possible Planner (₱598) is for the go-getter. The pages are filled with inspirational quotes and mantras. The weekly planner pages feature a vertical design to make it easier to jot down to-do lists. There’s a vision board and several pages dedicated to fulfilling milestones. No coupon booklet, though.The 2018 Focus Journal (₱498) is the minimalist of the bunch. Each monthly divider highlights a power word to keep you inspired. The special pages, like monthly checkup and year-end workbook, will help you reflect and center your thoughts.Reminiscent of Muji notebooks, the 2018 Essentials Journal (₱240) features minimalist pages that you can design as you please. It’s perfect for bullet journalists.The compressed version of the BDJ Power Planner, the 2018 Petit Planner (₱320) features monthly calendars, weekly planner pages, and boxy layouts for your lists. There’s also a plastic pouch for your personal effects.The adult coloring book craze isn’t over yet. This Mandala Calendar Pad (₱250) features 53 undated calendar sheets that you can tear off when you’re done with that month. There’s a space for you to color your stresses away.Between You & Me (₱450) is a combination of a slumbook and scrapbook for besties. Buy it for a tween or teen who has a BFF they can’t live without.For the religious and artsy, Inspired Sketchbook Journal (₱350) features Bible verses, watercolor illustrations, and reflections.Archive Journals (₱250) is a set of three different notebooks. The Ideas Journal can be turned into a weekly or daily task list. The Goals Journal is best for notes, lists, and reminders. The Blank Journal is for whatever purpose you need.If the free sticker sheet that comes with the BDJ Power Planner isn’t enough for you, you may purchase more BDJ Sticker Sheets for ₱50/sheetAn alternative to the Grateful Jar, Dare To Be Grateful (₱299) is a deck of 53 inspirational cards. Each card features a quote, reflection, or mantra that will encourage you to have a more positive and grateful outlook in life.These clear stamp sets (₱168 per set or ₱200 with an acrylic block) are great for customizing your planners and journals. They’re quite messy to use at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. Ink pad not included.At ₱248 per pad, these Forget-Me-Not Notepads have easy tear-off sheets. Choose from three designs: Dare/Achieve for meetings and projects, Create/Inspire for notes and doodles, and Focus/Finish for to-do lists.
Which items would you splurge on?
BDJ’s 2018 collection is available online at ilovebdj.com and leading bookstores in the Philippines. You may customize selected planners and notebooks. There an online SALE until November 30, 2017. Photos courtesy of BDJ.
