Artsy Agenda

Plan With Me: March Week 1 Setup (Dusty Lavender + Sage)

Lina VasquezBy Lina Vasquez
Tutorials & Techniques

Okay okay okay it's Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting here with my coffee, Mr. Darcy is asleep on my washi tape collection (again), and I am SO ready to set up next week. March is here, spring is coming, and I have the perfect color scheme for this week.

This is my favorite ritual. Every weekend — usually Saturday morning but Sunday works too — I sit down with my supplies and set up the week ahead. It takes about 35-45 minutes, and when I'm done, I feel like I can actually HANDLE whatever Monday throws at me. That's the magic. That moment of "I've got this" before the week even starts.

March Week 1: Dusty Lavender + Sage + Cream

My color scheme this week is inspired by the first hints of spring — soft, hopeful, organized. Here's what I'm working with:
  • Dusty lavender (Tombow 623) — for headers and accents
  • Sage green (Tombow 243) — for secondary elements and highlights
  • Warm cream (Zebra Mildliner Mild Beige) — for subtle backgrounds
  • Soft charcoal (any fine liner) — for writing and structure

I found this gorgeous washi tape at Michael's last week — it's a dusty lavender stripe pattern that ties everything together perfectly. And yes, I used the 40% off coupon. Always.

Full Setup Process (Step by Step)

Step 1: Grid Foundation (5 minutes)

I use a Leuchtturm1917 A5 dotted notebook, so the dots do half the work. I draw my weekly grid with a light pencil first — 6 boxes across (Monday through Saturday, plus a narrow one for Sunday), each about 12 dots wide. Sunday gets a narrower column because I try to keep it light.

Step 2: Header (5 minutes)

Across the top, I write "Week of March 2" in brush lettering using the Tombow 623 (dusty lavender). Below it, in smaller print with my fine liner: "March Week 1 — Fresh Start." I add a thin washi tape border underneath — just one strip, don't overdo it.

Step 3: Daily Columns (10 minutes)

Each day gets a mini header with the day abbreviation (M, T, W, etc.) in the sage green Tombow. I draw subtle time blocks: morning (top), afternoon (middle), evening (bottom). This keeps me from overcommitting — if I have more than 3 major tasks per day, something's getting moved.

Step 4: Habit Tracker Sidebar (8 minutes)

On the left side, I create a narrow column with five habits I'm tracking this month: water, movement, reading, sleep by 11pm, and "me time." Small checkboxes for each day. I use the cream Mildliner to highlight the column background — subtle but distinct.

Step 5: Weekly Focus Box (5 minutes)

Bottom right corner gets a box titled "This Week's Win" — I leave it empty to fill in as the week goes on. Next to it, a "Next Week" box for anything that gets bumped.

Step 6: Finishing Touches (5 minutes)

Small plant stickers in two corners (Pipsticks, $4). A lavender washi tape accent on the left sidebar. Final check: does this layout actually HELP me, or is it just pretty? Both? Perfect.

Time Check: 38 Minutes

That's it. Under 40 minutes from blank page to ready-for-Monday. I used to take over an hour, but I've streamlined my process. The key is knowing your layout before you start — I sketch it in pencil first so I'm not making decisions with permanent ink.

Why This Layout Works

I've tried probably 20+ weekly layouts, and this is the one I keep coming back to. Here's why:
  • Time blocks prevent overcommitment. When you only have three sections per day, you have to prioritize. It's built-in realism.
  • The "Win" box forces celebration. Most weeks, I forget to acknowledge what went RIGHT. This box makes me stop and notice.
  • Side habit tracker keeps it visible. When habits are on the same spread as my tasks, I actually check them off.
  • The color scheme makes me happy. Sounds silly, but opening a planner that sparks joy makes me WANT to use it.

Full Supply List

My picks (what I used):
  • Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dotted Notebook — $20 (worth every penny, paper quality is chef's kiss)
  • Tombow Dual Brush Pen 623 (Dusty Lavender) — $3
  • Tombow Dual Brush Pen 243 (Sage Green) — $3
  • Zebra Mildliner Mild Beige — $5 for a 5-pack
  • Sakura Pigma Micron 03 (black fine liner) — $3
  • Washi tape (lavender stripe) from Michael's — $4
  • Pipsticks plant sticker sheet — $4

Budget alternatives (seriously, these work great):
  • Any dotted notebook from Amazon ($5-8) — the dots matter more than the brand
  • Crayola Super Tips ($10 for 50) — includes lavender and sage-ish colors
  • Any highlighter for the background wash — even a pale yellow works
  • Any fine-tipped pen you already own
  • Skip the stickers — draw tiny leaf doodles instead (free, and kind of meditative)
  • Washi tape alternatives: washi tape from Dollar Tree ($1) or cut strips of colored paper

Total with my picks: about $42
Total with budget alternatives: about $15

Customization Ideas

Not feeling the lavender? Here are other March color schemes that work:
  • Rainy day: Slate gray + soft blue + white (very Pacific Northwest)
  • Early bloom: Soft pink + mint + cream (cherry blossom vibes)
  • Spring cleaning: All black and white, minimal (for a reset week)
  • Bright spring: Yellow + coral + lime (if you're ready for COLOR)

How Long Does YOUR Setup Take?

I want to know — are you a 15-minute minimalist who just needs the basics? Or are you a 2-hour maximalist with washi tape borders on every page? Both are valid. Some weeks I'm the former, some weeks the latter.

Drop a comment with:
  • Your average setup time
  • Your March color scheme
  • One thing you're trying differently this week

And if you post your spread, tag me @artsyagenda — I genuinely love seeing what you create. Your planner, your rules. But I still want to see it. ✨

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend supplies I actually use in my own planner.