If you’ve been reading NOH since last March, it will come as no surprise to you that I think prinz apfel calendars are some of the coolest time planners I have ever seen. They are wildly unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Unless maybe you’re an artist yourself, and your calendars look like this at the end of the year. I personally am not much of a doodler — so my calendars would never end up being this cool! The furthest my doodles have ever gone is a square or circle in the margins. Gosh I’m lame.

The new 2012 Prinz Apfel calendar is hot off the presses and the illustrations are cooler than ever. I think they might even be more bold and colorful than last year’s edition, which I seriously had qualms about writing in because it’s nearly a work of art. But having so many fun images in your calendar to look at every day makes you look forward to glancing at your to do list instead of shying away from it!

I also really like that they have switched to a spiral-bound version this year. While the regular book binding was nice and practical for carrying in your purse, I love to have my planner on my desk and the spiral just allows it to lay down flat or be folded in half, which is so much more suitable for me.

The sizing of the Prinz Apfel calendars is just perfect. The smaller version fits comfortably in your purse so you can carry everywhere you go, while the larger one is big enough to keep track of the busiest of people — or even a fairly long daily to-do list. Plus with it’s unconventional look, it’s a lot more fun to use than a drab piece of lined paper.

They have also brought back their super cool wall calendars which let you glimpse an overview of the month ahead while staring at wonderfully fun artwork. It’s sure to brighten even the drabbest, most boring rooms! I am just in love with October’s image — great colors and the foxes are too cute. Or maybe it’s just because I’m partial to my birth month. 😉

The Prinz Apfel family consists of 3 super talented artists who are just wonderful to get to know. They have so much enthusiasm about the work they are doing and put months and months of time into creating each and every one of the images which goes into by hand. These calendars truly are a labor of love, and it shows in all the little details they create along the way.

This year they are also offering a limited edition gift box for €19.90 which includes the pocket calendar, a notebook and an exclusive Prinz Apfel greeting card. It’s so stinkin’ cute! And for the larger A5 version, the gift set price is €22.90. But there are only 50 of them available so if you want one, you have to act fast. I have a feeling they will sell out quickly!!

I’m so thrilled to be working the everyone at Prinz Apfel again this year, to be one of the first to announce their latest calendars which literally just hit the market. You could win one of the very first copies of their full-size planner this week! Just come back to visit NOH between October 6th and 10th to enter! The Refueling Power Moms giveaway will have two winners, one in the US and one in Europe, with over $700 in prizes up for grabs!