24 April 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 64

Once again we find ourselves on a Tuesday with those burning questions you all want to ask... so fire away...

81 comments:

  1. Does anybody know if the Daytimer Binders compare in quality to Filofax?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both Day Timer (www.daytimer.co.uk) and Time Manager (www.timemanager.com) binders are generally regarded as being of a similar (i.e. excellent) quality to pre-1991 UK-manufactured Filofaxes.

      Delete
    2. Hi JasJan,

      I have a DayTimer Garden Path Desk sized binder. Thrilled with the quality of it. Soft leather and lay flat immediately. Had to invest in a hole punch as the ring spacing does not match A5 Filofax. However, they sell this binder in their compact size - same as filofax personal size and same ring spacing.

      Delete
    3. Hi Lynee Dove, I was looking at the portable Garden Path binder, it looks very soft and reasonably priced. I may give it ago especially with 25mm rings!

      Delete
    4. I just got a new A5 binder and had planned to get a Day Timer. But, when I got to the store to pick it up, I was really disappointed with the inserts compared to the Day Runner binders. The Day Timer I wanted came with a diary insert (academic year starting July) and a black flyleaf that wasn't the same size as the paper. The Day Runner came with a today marker, tabs, note paper, to-do paper, address sheets and tabs, an undated calendar, a transparent flyleaf, and a zipper pouch. There was no price difference so I went with the Day Runner.

      Delete
  2. The other week I read on philofaxy's post all the inserts people wish there was for a Filofax. There was one in particular (sorry I can't remember the name) about there being a phone holder. I had exactly the same frustration! So after thinking about it for a while I came up with a plan! The zipped folder insert u can buy makes a perfect phone holder! and if anyone has an iPhone u can still use it without taking it out the folder! obviously not to ring anyone but I can text and check my mails. To me it's a simple but genius plan to others it may be lame but it's nice knowing my phone is safe in my Filofax and something less for me to carry - even better :D does anyone else have any ideas that they have put in place and are finding they are working with their lifestyle demands?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashleigh, what an amazing idea?! It never occured to me that the touchscreen would still work behind plastic. I just tested it with both my iPod Touch and my Samsung smartphone. Both respond well behind the plastic. If you put the phone on speaker you could even make a call while the phone is inside the plastic pouch.
      Thanks for the inspiration!!!

      Delete
    2. It was me! Thank you - that is a brilliant idea.

      Delete
    3. Jotje thank you for your reply I'm pleased it is working for you too :) and thanks for the speaker tip never thought of that!

      Ahh the merry lemon yes you certainly got me thinking but thanks to your post I have found a solution so thank you for planting the seed :D

      Delete
  3. I am an educator. Does anyone use their Filofax for teaching and planning? If so, I would love to know your setup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joey,
      I use my Holborn Zip A5 for teaching and planning and so do a couple of other teachers (some of them are active on the Filofax forum (http://filomaniac.plusboard.de/)) as well.
      Have a look at Maus's blog (in German, though): http://filo-manie.blogspot.de/ -my setup is similar, though not as detailed in the planning part (I use a W2P by Filofax and just write down a couple of keywords for each lesson, I do the "real" planning at home). I will hopefully get to write a blog entry about my setup as well :)

      Delete
    2. Anke - thanks for the link to the forums. I wish there was a philofaxy forum to keep us all going on filofax chat during the week (sorry, Steve) so I'll check it out.

      Delete
    3. Babs, this Facebook Group has been fairly active recently as a sort of Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7595192695/

      There's also the Filofax College Group on FB as well. Do we really need to have to check yet another site each day?

      Delete
    4. Thanks Steve. I'm on my phone at the moment but will have a look when I'm back on my laptop or computer.

      I just feel it would be nice to have an instant discussion forum. Somewhere to keep all the discussions, pictures, questions, etc, all in one place. But I agree it can become website overload!!

      I'm a bit of a forum fiend though. I do like the banter and immediacy of them.

      Delete
    5. Joey, I am a teacher and have a Filofax specifically for teaching etc. there's some photos on my blog (www.vintagegiraffe.blogspot.com) but I'm aiming to do another more detailed blog about it soon

      Delete
  4. My Vintage Pink Personal Malden just arrived. :-D

    Half price on ebay if anyone wants to grab one as they seem to be discontinued.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My A5 arrived from Filofax UK today, too. BUT it has a huge scratch, so I just contacted them and hope they will come up with a solution asap! :)

      Delete
    2. Thanks, so do I! It's really irritating to have that beautiful folder and not be able to use it :(

      Delete
    3. @industrious housewife, would you mind sharing a link to the Ebay seller? I can't find it :/

      Delete
    4. Of course, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Malden-Filofax-Leather-Personal-Organiser-Vintage-Pink-New-Boxed-2012-Inserts-/160768397749?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item256e8b11b5#ht_694wt_956

      Delete
    5. Oh, Ebay UK, that's why I couldn't find! ;) Thanks for the link!

      Delete
  5. I have been trying to find out, if you order a filofax binder from the UK site, and have it shipped to Canada, do you have to pay duties? I really want the Olympic binder and I need to know if I would have to pay duties. Customs told me it was up to the company, and I can't find anything out from the site. Thought I would ask here before I emailed filofax.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ask our friends at City Organiser... their shipping rates are more realistic too. They will give you a prompt answer I'm sure.

      Delete
    2. I will email them now. Thanks for the reply Steve.

      Delete
  6. Cancer signs are winning the latest Philofaxy poll! Mwah ha ha...water signs will rule the world.

    Thinking about an A5 Chameleon in aqua--anyone care to enable me or to talk me out of it? Go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @ Sandra I just ordered the A5 Aqua Chameleon last night. I noticed it had come back in stock on Friday and I spent all weekend trying to justify the expense to myself. But, I reasoned, it is half price and if I don't buy one now, it will be discontinued and I'll never have the chance. I've owned a few personal sized Chameleons in the past and I've always loved them.

      I got the dispatch email from Filofax at 9:08am so hopefully I should have it in my hands tomorrow. I'm so excited :-)!

      Delete
    2. I ordered one last week, but I have to say it hasn't "grabbed" me yet. It's not nearly as beautiful in colour as my Aqua personal Finsbury. I haven't discounted it yet, but it may well be up for sale shortly.

      I'd say it's more green than aqua, and there's also a lot of black in it too.

      Delete
    3. I got one at half price - it's not an 'in your face' kind of aqua like the Finsbury (which is gorgeous), but is more of an under-stated beauty. I love mine :o)

      Delete
    4. @Sandra, that is exactly what I am using for work right now, and I LOVE it! It is not hard at all (I thought it would be), lays flat when you open the first time, the two lovely pen loops fit each a 4 color bic - so I have 8 colors :D - and plus it is gorgeous! I say GO FOR IT! :)

      Delete
    5. I love any binger that has 2 pen loops big enough for the BIC 4 colours - they are the way forward - love having 8 colours to hand at all times :o)

      Delete
    6. Thank you for your comments! I ordered one yesterday as its color, more of a slate blue, really has me for some reason. Love the loops and ability to cart more colors with me!

      Will post about it at filofanatic.blogspot.com when I am able. :)

      Delete
  7. I'm cancer too...I wander what that says about us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Interestingly Virgos are coming last! Too busy being organised to talk about it? :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a Virgo, just voted! Was too busy tweaking my setup to notice there was a poll (:

      Delete
    2. That's exactly what I was thinking. How on earth are virgos just 3%? :D

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  9. On a separate note - I'm having Slimline envy. I moved into a personal Ochre Malden and am loving all that space to write in - you could really cram a brick in there, I love it. What makes it great though is also it's downside for me, since it can get too big and heavy for me to carry around everywhere so I thought a Slimline would work better for on the go.

    Do the personal inserts fit the Slimline, including tabs? I noticed the Slimline address index and was wondering how come that came in a Slimline size.

    Thanks in advance for any reply.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (okay now, what did I do with my comment ?!)

      I have a red Metropol Slimline, so I can confirm that yes, the Personal inserts fit the slimline.

      But beware : the elasticated pen loop (attached to the left cover), once full with a pen, will come in the way of the tabs you have. Or the tabs come in the way of the pen, either way... that's a downside.

      But remember that the slimline rings are very small (11mm if I recall correctly), so if you put too many tabs (as they are much thicker that usual paper), and if you want to put a maximum amount of pages in your slimline, you'll have difficulty turning pages.

      It didn't bother me much, though : I filled my Slimline with the slimline week-on-one-page insert, with a ruler for the current week, some colored note-paper on the front to jot down notes, ideas, whatever, and between the two sections, I had a few sheets with the lists I most refer to when I'm out and about (my wishlist, gift ideas for others, restaurants to try, my errands list, and so on), without any particular order. Therefore, I didn't care about using tabs.

      The slimline model is really practical, all the versatility from the Personal format without the bulk in your bag; and it allows you to switch easily the content from a personal (when you want to carry your whole life with you) to a slimline (when you're out and about and worried about space and weight).

      Oh, and I like the Slimline *a lot* because it doesn't have a closing "mechanism" : you open it much quicker that a regular personal. It looks... sleeker, too.

      If you want, as I recently bought a Journey and a Pennybridge (I was waiting for the perfect Filofax/wallet combo), I could send you the slimline I have ? I've only been using it since Christmas, it's in good condition, and I don't think I'll use it again. There's no email in your profile, but if you are interested, please send me an email to 702723 at gmail.com

      (I really should write the review I had in mind weeks ago, because there's not much information about "rarer" filofax like slimline or journey or the like... I will get to it, it's on my todo list !)

      Delete
    2. It got trapped as SPAM! Or the second one did... or was it the third! I will let you tidy up which to leave on here.

      Steve

      Delete
    3. Oops, sorry, that's fixed - thank you for your help !

      Delete
    4. Thanks for everyone's reply.

      @ Frederique: That would be so great if I could test out a Slimline. Been eyeing a few but was unsure of the size. You may have convinced me, especially with your offer. I'll shoot you an email. Thanks!

      Delete
    5. How this happens? I am in the same boat. I just got a beautiful personal Domino snake that I am still experimenting with and yet can't stop thinking how would it be to have a slimline amazona! LOL Even thou I know the almond ones are totally gone. Too bad, I just can't settle with one...

      Delete
    6. @Lime Tree: filofax.de still sells the Almond Slimline ....

      Delete
    7. @Lime Tree - I also have one that I'm not using. I was going to put it on Ebay, but I might put it here on Philofaxy first. :)

      Delete
    8. @Yu that is very exciting! Would you mind emailing me your asking price? Limetreefruits [at] gmail [dot] com. I SO don't need another FF but that sounds too juicy to ignore! :D
      @jotje I will still keep my hopes up for a .de sale!

      Delete
    9. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  10. Thinking about buying my first ever Filofax on payday next week. After lots of reading, debating, pro/con listing, I think I've settled on an A5 Cuban Zip. I do a lot of journaling on top of day-to-day planning and want to stay on top of project management as well so I think the A5 format will suit me the most.
    It's so expensive though :(

    Someone talk me out of it please?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're in the wrong place! ;-)

      A5 sounds perfect for you. If you like it invest in a hole punch as it means you can easily print your own inserts on a4 or a5 paper.

      Delete
    2. You're in the wrong place ;-)

      Sounds like it would be ideal for you. Let us know how it works out!

      Delete
    3. No-one here will ever talk you out of buying a Filofax - chronic enablers the lot of us :o) However, if you aren't 100% sure about the price tag you could go for a cheaper model to check they work for you first. Then you could buy the Cuban Zip at a later date... Although not leather the Dominoes are pretty damn good :o)

      Delete
    4. Thank you both for your answers!

      LJ - the thing is I saw the Cuban Zip was on its way out and to be completely honest it's the one I like most aesthetically, and by far so I figured if I'm buying one, might as well make it the one I really want. Knowing me, if the thing isn't pretty, I won't feel like using it at all (it's happened to me before). I'll just buy the thing, I can see it's no use fighting it :D

      Delete
    5. Scoot, it's nowhere to be found on eBay :(

      Delete
    6. I have an A5 Cuban with a snap.......his name is Tennyson. You will live the Cuban....it is luxuriously soft!

      Delete
    7. Thank you so much Joey! I had the opportunity to hold one in my hands and indeed it's super soft and feels great. I can't wait to own it now! Haven't decided on a name yet, which is unusual for me as everything down to my iPod is named. What colour's yours? I'll buy mine in chili red :)

      Delete
    8. Good choice - the chilli Cubans are gorgeous :o)

      Delete
  11. Hi all,
    Last year I remember seeing a very vibrant turquoise/teal green Filofax on the UK site. I can't see anything in that colour on the site now. Does anyone know what model this might've been?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Green Piccadilly? It's a very vibrant green.

      Delete
    2. Could it be Finchley in Teal?

      Delete
    3. Thanks guys - I've looked those up and they don't match my memory - maybe I imagined it! Anyone know if Deco every came in a bright turquoise color?

      Delete
    4. Hm, I'm getting really curious now which one you saw!!! :)
      No, Deco was only available in Ebony, Ivory and then later in Ruby and Amethyst...

      Delete
    5. I seem to remember the Osterley being available in a kin of blue - green colour when it first came out. Would that be the binder you're thinking of?

      Delete
    6. Urgh, I'm beginning to doubt my sanity! :) Not the Osterley or Bloomsbury. It was so bright it was almost garish, but not quite.

      Delete
    7. Thanks for the suggestions, by the way!

      Delete
  12. It was probably an aqua Finsbury. I've got a pocket sized one and it's gorgeous. Keep an eye on eBay, they turn up every now and again.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi LucyLastic - just googled that one. It wasn't that, but thanks for the suggestion. This one was more greenish than blueish and I think it had a sort of crocodile-skin finish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. should had read this first, so not Bloomsbury for sure :)

      Delete
  14. Is there a marketing strategy for Filofax to bring out a binder and then soon after discontinue it? I am new to Filofas and just purchased my first Red Finchely Personal planner, I did want the Imperial Purple but seems to be gone at most US sites. From what I have read it seems that this style just came on the market in 2010 and is now discontinued. I do not understand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately yes, most colored styles and even some entire lines of binders are made for one year only, and some even less. Binders are discontinued regularly and replaced by other styles and/ or colors. For example, the Finchley line has been discontinued and replaced by the Aston.

      Delete
  15. People, I need some help :)

    Chino in black or Urban in slate? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Urban in slate. I recall reading a post that the black Chino collected lots of lint. Also the outside zip pocket on the Urban is awesome.

      Delete
    2. Definately the Urban. I have 3( a personal and 2 pockets) and I love them. They are very sturdy and full of useful pockets with plenty of space ringwise as well. I use mine as travel Filos as they can withstand a lot of bashing about in my bag.

      Delete
  16. Thank you both, Urban it is then! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pensandleather.com also still has several Amazons and Classics in Slimline. Happy shopping! (:

    ReplyDelete
  18. does anyone have any links to buy top tab dividers/stickers? I keep seeing these great videos with them and I'm so jealous I can't find any!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another option is ordinary paper gems. I have a different coloured paper gem for each section. Also works great. :)

      Delete
  19. @Ashleigh - try Paperchase. Here's something they sell that might work for you: http://www.paperchase.co.uk/invt/00490815/

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks Ray these are the ones I saw and wanted!

    ReplyDelete