I’ve never used H&O before. The Bujo is intriguing… I love how they give free downloads so that you can try layouts to see if they will work for you! Thanks for this comprehensive review, Amanda 💛
I looooooved Hemlock & Oak for about two years, but there were two reasons I switched: 1. I didn't have any sort of outside cover, and my covers wore within a couple of months of use, because I was putting them into my work backpack and pulling them out every day. 2. The Daily--which I used extensively and LOVED for four months--wore on its cover but also it took up a lot of room in my bag, and it was hard to find room for a daily and a weekly in my bag. (I think I wanted it to be smaller, or to have an option of two volumes, or both.) So I am using Sterling Ink this year (also I'm a fountain pen lover), and I love it--even the ghosting--especially because I only have one book that has weekly pages and daily pages, so that's less for me to carry around. (I also use my Sterling Ink in a cover for protection). But for anyone who doesn't want to use Tomoe River (Sanzen) paper, this is a really good alternative. For anyone who is considering Hemlock & Oak, I'd say GET IT! But I'd also recommend that you Scotchgard the outside before using (if you're prone to staining your books) and maybe get a cover if you are not just using this planner at home. I think H&O is a really quality planner, but no linen cover hardbound book can withstand the wear from pulling something in and out of your bag/backpack on the regular.
Thank you for this honest and informative testimonial after using Hemlock & Oak. I do hope they read this for the great feedback! I think Moterm covers on Amazon fit Hemlock & Oak- at least the weekly book I have seen people on Instagram (Jen MacKintosh being one) use them. Just FYI for anyone else reading this. The daily is very chunky bc of that thick paper. I would have thought the covers held up because they feel so substantial and well made to me. But it is always good to hear from someone using it! I bet just keeping it on your desk at home it would have worn fine. Thank you again for taking the time to share all these details!
@@AmandasFavorites I think anytime I’ve made any sort of FYI-type comments on instagram, the Hemlock & Oak founders get frustrated, probably because they’re a new business. (Though I may be misreading tone on the internet, and I get nervous about leaving honest feedback online, especially when I actually like the product but just have one qualm.) BUT I actually loved my Hemlock & Oak when I was using it, till the cover just started to look worn. The Moterm covers (I think they’re half letter size) on Amazon do fit; I ordered one, but I returned it because it made the planner even chunkier to haul around. I think the Hemlock & Oak planner probably holds up really well if you are using it at home, but in retrospect, I guess given the size of especially the daily planner and linen covers, they’re just not made to be on-the-go, thrown-in-the-bag planners-which is totally okay!
Thanks for your honest comment! I am hopping from Sterling Ink just out of curiosity for H&O but I really enjoyed it this year and am curious how the H&O paper compares to Sterling Ink’s TRP. I’m just getting into fountain pens and I have loved it on the TRP. I like the goal planning prompts in the H&O so far, but I do want more notebook pages in the back for misc notes. I do worry about the cover so this is good to hear it can get scuffed easily, might be something to leave at home than carry around.
Between you and Hannah from Han Can Plan, you both are making the Hemlock and Oak very tempting to me. I am wondering when do they launch new colors/covers? That navy blue is so stunning but it looks sold out in the planner that I would want so I guess I am sticking with my EC Petite Folio for now.
I know their big launch is in the fall for 2025...I don't have any dates or information on that. I am not sure if they launch anything new before then or restock colors. I would email them or DM them on IG and ask:) Good questions! And Hannah can make you want any planner with her amazing handwriting and beautiful spreads! But Hemlock is really beautiful:)
You could also get a cover for the outside which would mostly cover up the color you don't like. And I think they have undated planners, which might seem a bit of a hassle, but the paper takes stamping REALLY well, and you could stamp the dates on each week.
Yes, white Tombow Mono is amazing, I’ve also picked up a tip if you rub it lightly after applying, the white out becomes part of the paper and is easier to write over.
I love the way their planner is set up, I purchased one when they went on sale last month as a creative journaling, art journal - I am in love! I really hope they start offering Standard TN or B6 size for easier portability. The light graph grid doesn’t interfere with anything
I’ve been wanting to try Hemlock & Oak for years, but I usually opt for an all-in-one option. Next year (yes, I’m already planning 2025 😅) I want to go for it. I’m hoping they read these comments, because I’d like to suggest that they release a goal planning booklet to use with the daily planner since those pages don’t come with it.
I think a goal planning booklet to be able to purchase with the daily or even on it's own is a great idea:) Thanks for watching and chiming in. And you should DM them or email them and share your great idea!
I'm not Amanda, but I used the H&O for two years, off and on. The grid is bigger than Hobonichi, I think. My handwriting didn't have to be nearly as small in it.
Well if you loved the cousin other than the paper- then you might just LOVE the Hemlock with it's thick 80# paper! I hope you do love it and that it serves you well all year:)
Oh, also, I forgot to add that one of the things I loved about the Hemlock & Oak was that it took stamping and stamp ink REALLY well--all but the juiciest stamps. The paper is so thick and so great.
These are beautiful, but the shipping costs make them out of my reach: $47 for the planner and then $50 for shipping. I just can't. They are so beautiful, though.
There is not a giveaway on this video. I am sorry! I've actually used both the daily and weekly to test them more. But even when I am not using a planner... I keep it after the review for the year. Some make it into my Top 5 videos at the end of the year so I need them for that. I also need them to answer questions and do comparisons throughout the year. Thanks for being here & watching:)
I really dislike the Notes and the Personal values. An insert is better - imo. I'd buy for the planner part but I don't need the mess of their inserts. It makes it feel like it's not mine or that I have to follow their plan/values.
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I’ve never used H&O before. The Bujo is intriguing… I love how they give free downloads so that you can try layouts to see if they will work for you! Thanks for this comprehensive review, Amanda 💛
I should have mentioned the free printables! Yes- that is a great things they offer.
Those planners would be great for family memory keeping or as a homeschool/study schedule. So beautiful.
Oh, great ideas! I agree with you on both accounts. thanks for watching and taking time to chime in:)
Love Hemlock and Oak. They have ended my planner hopping. It was my one and only planner for 2023 and it is again for 2024.
I love hearing this! What an amazing testimonial for Hemlock & Oak. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience;)
This is my goal for 2025. I’ve only watched a few videos and already seems just right for me in this season of life…back to basics, but beautiful ❤
I looooooved Hemlock & Oak for about two years, but there were two reasons I switched: 1. I didn't have any sort of outside cover, and my covers wore within a couple of months of use, because I was putting them into my work backpack and pulling them out every day. 2. The Daily--which I used extensively and LOVED for four months--wore on its cover but also it took up a lot of room in my bag, and it was hard to find room for a daily and a weekly in my bag. (I think I wanted it to be smaller, or to have an option of two volumes, or both.) So I am using Sterling Ink this year (also I'm a fountain pen lover), and I love it--even the ghosting--especially because I only have one book that has weekly pages and daily pages, so that's less for me to carry around. (I also use my Sterling Ink in a cover for protection). But for anyone who doesn't want to use Tomoe River (Sanzen) paper, this is a really good alternative.
For anyone who is considering Hemlock & Oak, I'd say GET IT! But I'd also recommend that you Scotchgard the outside before using (if you're prone to staining your books) and maybe get a cover if you are not just using this planner at home. I think H&O is a really quality planner, but no linen cover hardbound book can withstand the wear from pulling something in and out of your bag/backpack on the regular.
Thank you for this honest and informative testimonial after using Hemlock & Oak. I do hope they read this for the great feedback! I think Moterm covers on Amazon fit Hemlock & Oak- at least the weekly book I have seen people on Instagram (Jen MacKintosh being one) use them. Just FYI for anyone else reading this. The daily is very chunky bc of that thick paper. I would have thought the covers held up because they feel so substantial and well made to me. But it is always good to hear from someone using it! I bet just keeping it on your desk at home it would have worn fine. Thank you again for taking the time to share all these details!
@@AmandasFavorites I think anytime I’ve made any sort of FYI-type comments on instagram, the Hemlock & Oak founders get frustrated, probably because they’re a new business. (Though I may be misreading tone on the internet, and I get nervous about leaving honest feedback online, especially when I actually like the product but just have one qualm.) BUT I actually loved my Hemlock & Oak when I was using it, till the cover just started to look worn. The Moterm covers (I think they’re half letter size) on Amazon do fit; I ordered one, but I returned it because it made the planner even chunkier to haul around. I think the Hemlock & Oak planner probably holds up really well if you are using it at home, but in retrospect, I guess given the size of especially the daily planner and linen covers, they’re just not made to be on-the-go, thrown-in-the-bag planners-which is totally okay!
Thanks for your honest comment! I am hopping from Sterling Ink just out of curiosity for H&O but I really enjoyed it this year and am curious how the H&O paper compares to Sterling Ink’s TRP. I’m just getting into fountain pens and I have loved it on the TRP. I like the goal planning prompts in the H&O so far, but I do want more notebook pages in the back for misc notes. I do worry about the cover so this is good to hear it can get scuffed easily, might be something to leave at home than carry around.
Amazing and love that they are recognizing the sustainability and packaging are amazing
I agree! We need this from every company:)
Between you and Hannah from Han Can Plan, you both are making the Hemlock and Oak very tempting to me. I am wondering when do they launch new colors/covers? That navy blue is so stunning but it looks sold out in the planner that I would want so I guess I am sticking with my EC Petite Folio for now.
I know their big launch is in the fall for 2025...I don't have any dates or information on that. I am not sure if they launch anything new before then or restock colors. I would email them or DM them on IG and ask:) Good questions! And Hannah can make you want any planner with her amazing handwriting and beautiful spreads! But Hemlock is really beautiful:)
You could also get a cover for the outside which would mostly cover up the color you don't like. And I think they have undated planners, which might seem a bit of a hassle, but the paper takes stamping REALLY well, and you could stamp the dates on each week.
Thank you Amanda! Well done as always! This one is so tempting-the weekly is now on my 2025 “to consider” list😊
Thank you Wendy! I have tested out that weekly a lot! I LOVE their paper & love the feel of the bound book. It is just such a well made planner;)
Smooth paper but fountain pens write beautifully on it! I also love Tamoe River paper, but this paper is amazing and unique!
I agree about both paper types:)
Yes, white Tombow Mono is amazing, I’ve also picked up a tip if you rub it lightly after applying, the white out becomes part of the paper and is easier to write over.
Thanks for sharing!!
I love the way their planner is set up, I purchased one when they went on sale last month as a creative journaling, art journal - I am in love! I really hope they start offering Standard TN or B6 size for easier portability. The light graph grid doesn’t interfere with anything
Thanks for sharing your testimonial and how you are using it;)
I’ve been wanting to try Hemlock & Oak for years, but I usually opt for an all-in-one option. Next year (yes, I’m already planning 2025 😅) I want to go for it. I’m hoping they read these comments, because I’d like to suggest that they release a goal planning booklet to use with the daily planner since those pages don’t come with it.
I think a goal planning booklet to be able to purchase with the daily or even on it's own is a great idea:) Thanks for watching and chiming in. And you should DM them or email them and share your great idea!
Amanda, How does the grid size of the H&O compare to the Hobonichi Cousin?
I'm not Amanda, but I used the H&O for two years, off and on. The grid is bigger than Hobonichi, I think. My handwriting didn't have to be nearly as small in it.
Hemlock has a 4.2mm frid. Hobonichi Cousin has a 3.7 mm. Hobonichi Techo A6 English has 4.0 and Hobonichi Weeks has 3.55mm. Hope that helps!
Thank you, this was great. I'm already thinking about the minimal for 2025. Does the minimal have the 10-ish extra pages in the back ??
If I counted right it's more like 24 pages in the back of the minimal:) I should have shown that! Thanks for asking;)
I just bought one of these a couple of days ago. Did not make it two months in the Hobonichi Cousin without ordering another planner. **Headsmack**
Well if you loved the cousin other than the paper- then you might just LOVE the Hemlock with it's thick 80# paper! I hope you do love it and that it serves you well all year:)
Ugh! I feel the same! I'm just not loving the Hobonichi, and now want to replace it with something else.
@@KimGeesaman when I think about all the time I spent researching it! I was sure it was the perfect one. I have a problem.
Oh, also, I forgot to add that one of the things I loved about the Hemlock & Oak was that it took stamping and stamp ink REALLY well--all but the juiciest stamps. The paper is so thick and so great.
That is great to know! I've heard that before so thank you for confirming that. That paper is AMAZING!
These are beautiful, but the shipping costs make them out of my reach: $47 for the planner and then $50 for shipping. I just can't.
They are so beautiful, though.
You must be overseas..? I am so sorry:( that must be very frustrating!
@AmandasFavorites So frustrating, Amanda. I'm in the UK and shipping is horribly expensive.
Are you giving the daily away
There is not a giveaway on this video. I am sorry! I've actually used both the daily and weekly to test them more. But even when I am not using a planner... I keep it after the review for the year. Some make it into my Top 5 videos at the end of the year so I need them for that. I also need them to answer questions and do comparisons throughout the year. Thanks for being here & watching:)
Are you in the US or Canada
I am in the US;)
Just checking I’m trying your Patreon for a little while
I really dislike the Notes and the Personal values. An insert is better - imo. I'd buy for the planner part but I don't need the mess of their inserts. It makes it feel like it's not mine or that I have to follow their plan/values.
Thank you for sharing your feelings. The Minimal weekly does have less of that. But I do understand how you are feeling.