28 February 2014

Free For All Friday No. 276

I know it's bad for my Filofax rings to fill them too full, but there are so many pages I want/ need in my binder! I like having everything I need in one binder, because if it's somewhere in a separate binder I'll never look at it.

My pages don't go completely all the way around the rings, but they do go around at the edges. I know it would be better for my binder to have fewer pages, but I already feel like I'm at the minimum I can have and still use my binder the way I need to. One answer would be larger rings, but I have to draw the line somewhere! I'm sure I would overstuff larger rings too.

Do you stuff your rings full? Or do you leave space on the rings?

And as always on Fridays, feel free to discuss anything Filofax-related!

27 February 2014

Filofax Tip No. 4

So today's tip.

If you use more than one diary insert, use extra 'today' markers as well.

I use two diary inserts, one for my general planning, and another dedicated to blog posts, with a today marker in each one it is easy to flip from one to another.

If I have an event coming up that I'm planning in my personal size organiser, I add in another today marker to make it quick to refer to event planning page.

Until the next tip happy organising.  Check out other tips here.

The battle of the A5s

I recently bought myself a Kindle Paperwhite which I am enjoying immensely. I ordered myself a couple of cases, one of which was the Malden eReader sleeve which is on sale at the moment. I've always admired the ochre Maldens, despite never owning one, so thought that this would be a cheap and useful way to enjoy one without getting another binder. The eReader sleeve is very similar to the iPad sleeve that Steve reviewed here. As it turns out, I returned the eReader sleeve as it was a bit on the large size for my Kindle, but the ochre leather was beautiful. 

I've been using the A5 Mulberry planner, but despite loving it I'd really been missing having a notepad at the back. I still haven't got round to selling the red Amazona and that does have a notepad pocket, so I suppose I've been a bit indecisive about which A5 to keep. For a while, I did consider keeping both, but I know what I'm like and hence we have the battle of the A5s! 

Here are the initial contenders. 

    
I had thought that they would be the only ones I would be choosing between, but I admit that the siren song of the ochre A5 Malden was hard to ignore. The little train of events went something like this:
  • Fall in love with the yummy ochre leather on the eReader sleeve
  • Tell myself repeatedly that I already have two perfectly decent A5s to choose from
  • Find myself looking at pictures of ochre Maldens in the Philofaxy Flickr pool (tell myself repeatedly to stop looking and fail)
  • Find out that ochre A5s have 25% off at WHSmith (sadly out of stock now)
  • Remember that I still have a £25 gift voucher for WHSmith!
And the final line up is...

I ordered two Maldens as the leather finish can be so different and returned one. I was very lucky to receive two that had perfect rings with no damage. At this point, I think that I'd already made my decision that the Malden would be the keeper. It took me quite a while to decide that my crimson Malden was 'the one', but I just didn't want to take as long with settling on the A5 for me. 

I could definitely see Indiana Jones having an ochre A5 on his desk when he's lecturing. 


26 February 2014

Van der Spek - Buying Guide

Guide to ordering a Van der Spek organiser

By Zeb Ahmed

Please note some of the links in this post only work if you are a member of the Van der Spek group on Facebook

1. Visit the VDS organiser page to see what models and sizes are available.

http://www.vdslederwaren.nl/product-cat/categories/organizer-covers/?lang=en

2. There are two main styles - TouchMe & Custom.

3. TouchMe is available in many sizes, but only in brown or black and is NOT customisable.

View photos, size specs and prices of the TouchMe collection:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.216017675254950&type=1

Note: You can ask for the A5 TouchMe to come with 35mm rings but it is NOT designed to accomodate this size, so inserts/dividers may get crunched.

View a comparison between the default 25mm rings, and the 35mm rings.



4. Custom is available in many sizes, you can choose the leather, colour, ring size, ring & popper colour (available in gold or silver) and stitching colour; any other customisations may be discussed on a case by case basis.

View photos, size specs and prices of the Customs

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.216020178588033&type=1

5. If you choose to get a TouchMe, please jump to point 8. If you choose to do a Custom, go to the next point.

6. If you choose to do a Custom, look through the available leather options and pick your outside colour (print or not) and inside colour.

Outside leather



Inside leather


Note: some of these leathers can be used inside or outside as well. See this picture set:



7. Determine ring size, stitching colour, ring and popper colour.

A5 rings in 25mm and 35mm sizes in silver or gold



8. Email Van der Spek on website@vdslederwaren.nl to kick off the ordering process.

9. Petra Van der Spek is lovely, and is happy to take photos of your chosen colour combinations to help you decide. Take advantage of this to help you make the right choice re: your Custom.

10. Once you make your final decision or if you choose to get a TouchMe, Petra will give you the quote, and if you agree she will send you a PayPal invoice.

11. On receipt of payment, your TouchMe will be sent immediately. If you do a Custom, it can take up to 3 weeks (depending on the back log of orders they are going through) before it will be shipped.

ALL shipped organisers are sent with tracking, so you can see where it is every step of the way.

[UPDATE: New web shop now on line at: http://www.vdsshop.com/ ]

Appendix:

Full price guide

http://philofaxy.com/files/vdsprices.pdf

Album of photos

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanderspekorganiserfans/photos/

Inserts

Are available, but do not automatically come with the organiser. If you want one, please ask in your email.

Custom Embossing

For example, getting initials embossed on the ouside of your planner. VDS can send photos of the styles available and placement options. Cost €25 additional.

Additional Pen Loop

An extra pen loop is possible on the left side of your planner. Cost € 18.50 additional.

You will find the latest version of this guide on Facebook, thank you Zeb for this excellent guide.

Binder stiffening

You may prefer a more "floppy" feeling binder. You can ask for the stiffening to be removed (at no extra cost.) This option is only available when ordering a Custom binder. Note that the mechanism that the rings attach to. When you first get your binder there might be some "squeaking." This will disappear after a week or so of use.

Tracking Orders

You go to this page: http://www.postnlpakketten.nl/klantenservice/tracktrace/

And then just follow the picture:
1. Tracking number CC..........
2. Checkmark
3. Search
4. Status of your shipment




Further Information.

Web Site: http://www.vdsshop.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VDSleathergoods
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanderspekorganiserfans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdsshop/

Van der Spek Luxury Leather Organisers

Today I would like to introduce to another brand of ring bound organisers, they came to my attention a few weeks ago. They are Van der Spek

Van der Spek in Holland have been producing leather goods for over 85 years and their range of products has expanded over the years to include organisers.

They make quite a wide range of sizes and ring spacing alternatives too, and I think you will agree with me that the prices are quite affordable too. For full details on prices and availability you will need to contact Petra at Van der Spek by email: info@vdslederwaren.nl

There is also an excellent buying guide here

Their organisers come in an almost exhaustive selection of leather finishes for the exterior and the interior as well. The exterior leather is available in croc finish, ostrich finishes, pebbled leather etc and a variety of colours too and on some models you can have a mix of colours with different exterior and interior colour customised for each customer.

Here is a small sample of their organisers and the finishes and colours available.











The components of A5 organisers ready for assembly this week.







They come in the following ring sizes:
  • 15mm Mini - not the same as Filofax Mini although it does have 5 rings
  • 16mm Junior - Similar paper size to Filofax Pocket and it uses the same ring spacing
  • 20mm Senior - A6 paper size and the same ring spacing as Mulberry Agendas
  • 25mm Standard - Filofax Personal size and the same ring spacing as Filofax personal size
  • 25mm Manager A5 - This same ring spacing as Filofax A5 size, and their terms the ring size as 'compact' 
  • 35mm Manager A5 - The same ring spacing  as Filofax A5 size but with huge rings! 
So I've been taking a interest in this brand myself and have tracked down the following reviews which might be worth looking at as well.
I hope to do a full blow Philofaxy review in the near future. In the mean time go and take a look at their website.




Further Information.

Web Site: https://www.vdsshop.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VDSleathergoods
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanderspekorganiserfans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdsshop/

25 February 2014

Web Finds - 25 February 2014

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. A Black Hamilton - This Bugs Life
  2. Printable Blog Planner - Student Spy Glass
  3. Setup della filofax POCKET_ 2014 - Lucy Wonderland
  4. Decorating & Fashioning My Filofax - The Decorated Filo
  5. Why Paper? - This Bugs Life
  6. New Kate Spade + RAK! - Pretty Filo
  7. A5 Filofax Planner (2014 Planner Update) - Organized Jen
  8. Planner Pen Holder Hack - Giftie Etcetera
  9. The Filofax Experiment | My Day WITHOUT my Filofax - Always Angella Blog
  10. Treating work as an appointment in my personal planner - This Bugs Life
  11. 10 Things Using a Paper Planner Can Do For You - The Contemplative Belle 
  12. Quo Vadis Exatime 17 (personal size Filofax compatible) 2014 week + notes diary insert - Plannerisms
  13. A New Dashboard For My Back To School - Roses in December
  14. How-To Guide - Filofax
  15. Organization in January - Well Planned Life
  16. Pocket Malden Repurposed - The Contemplative Belle
  17. Six Ways A Planner Can Save You Money - Renew Your Space
  18. Using DIYFish Life Mapping Inserts v2(b) - Break of Light
  19. 6 Basic Habits of a Good Paper Planner (Filofax User) - The Contemplative Belle
  20. Filofax Tip Number 2 - Philofaxy - Roses in December
  21. Favourite Filofax Hack #5: lightweight A5 fountain pen friendly notepaper. - Filohacks
  22. That overwhelming feeling you get... - Askatla
  23. I made a 2014 Set up Video (Finally!) - The University Project
  24. Attaching Planner Pages To Each Other - Giftie Etcetera
  25. "My Week" Links from Around the Web 2/24/14 - The Contemplative Belle
  26. Cotton cream diary pages - Review - Ink Stickers Notebooks
  27. What's New in 2014? - The Storage Studio
  28. Quick Tip- Home Projects - Incarnations of Organization
  29. Filofax almost-spring freebie. - Carrie L Sunday
  30. Calendar cuties | March 2014 - I love it all
  • Your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Duplex Filofax Clone - Philofaxy 
  2. My 2014 Monthly Calendar Set Up in my Filofax - My Purpley Life
  3. Filofax Decoration 2014 w.9 - adamsfilo
  4. Walk through of my medium gold epoca Gillio Compagna - One Fantastic Find
  5. A Tour of My Frankin Covey Compact Planner - Sharon Korkes
  6. My killer new Filofax cover collab with Filofaxin - Nadine
  7. Decorating my Filofax Week 9 while doing 20 Facts Tag (chit-chat) - Mits t
  8. How I use my DIYFish LMI v2(b) - Dawn F.
  9. D.I.Y. Filofax Dividers - FiloFascination
  10. Box Opening A5 Gillio - Lalaboobaby
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
If you are on the West Coast of the USA, there's a meet up being planned, take a look at the post about it

And news from Filofax USA... here is where to sign up for their newsletter


Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No. 160

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

Even if it's not Tuesday you can still post your questions here, just pick the most recent FFAT or FFAF.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

24 February 2014

Dallas Philofaxy Meet-up

Since our first Dallas meetup was plagued with bad weather, we immediately decided to plan another meetup for the spring!

The second Dallas Philofaxy meetup will take place on April 27th, at Paradise Pen in the Galleria.

So here is a tentative plan...

When: Sunday, April 27th,

Where: The Galleria. 

Paradise Pen Company is hosting us again, and it'll prove to be a wonderful event! Corner Bakery is next to the store and we can meet in it's sitting area while we meet, mingle and show off our Filofax organizers. At 2:30 pm, we'll head into the store and start our amazing Meet Up.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, please send your RSVP to bluebonnetreads at gmail dot com BY SUNDAY APRIL 13th. Full details will only be emailed to those who have RSVPed and will be issued after Thursday, April 17th. Send in your RSVP for fun, friendship, and Filofax Personal Organizers today!




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A Date For Your Diary - 2 March 2014

We are going to run another conference round-table voice chat using Skype.

I'm sure we are gradually getting to know each other's voices, but I will make a point of going 'around the table' to get everyone to introduce themselves this time.

So...When, Where, What, Who and How?

New York

London

Paris



When? - Sunday 2 March  from 8am San Francisco 10am Chicago, 11am New York, 4pm London time, 5pm Paris time etc.  This session will also last 2-3 hours

See the clocks at the top of this post to see roughly what time you should be on line. Or the World Clock

Where? - an on-line chat using Skype.

What do I need? - just a micro-phone and some head phones(in ear phones work fine) and a free Skype account. Using headphones or earphone reduces 'echo' on the call.

Who - All of you... connect up with Philofaxy and we will attempt to get as many of us linked in to the audio conference as possible. Come and listen if you don't want to chat.  What do we talk about? Filofax stuff... but anything else as well. It's like long lost friends meeting up for coffee and a catch up.. but don't worry if you have never joined in before... you are an old friend too!

If you have any questions you want to ask then please let us know in the group or before we start.

How -
  1. Connect to Philofaxy by firstly searching for Philofaxy in Skype, I will then add you as a contact.
  2. Then  'Send Contact Request',  I will then add you in to the chat room. 
  3. Then if you request it, I can add you to the audio conference as well. But if you just want to chat via keyboard that's fine. That way it's slightly less hectic for me! 
Come and join in the fun, even if you only pop in to say hello...

As with previous round-tables there will also be a parallel text chat room going at the same time as the voice conference, so you can listen to the voice chat and type if you wish.

If you need any assistance setting up Skype, please pop a comment in this post and I will try and help you get one line. Skype is free for computer to computer calls....

Here is my post on how to improve your Skype audio with headphones or a headset.

Hope to be chatting with you on Sunday 2 March 2014.

23 February 2014

Reader Under The Spotlight - Amanda

Hello! I am Amanda from She's Eclectic and I am a huge Philofaxy fan.  I live in Birmingham, England, with my husband and three children and am currently at stay at home mum.  I love to take photos and read crime novels so my ideal job would be as a private detective but as I don’t live in a 1950’s black and white movie I’m not sure how many people would need my services!  Instead I channel my love of photography (and Filofaxes) into Instagram.

1. When did you buy your first Filofax and what was it?

January last year I brought a pink A5 size Apex in the sales and it was love at first sight.  I know some people hate the Apex range but I wanted a colourful planner and at that time the Original line hadn’t been released. I actually started using ring based planners while I was still in school (I am not going to admit how long ago that was!) but then I moved back into book style diaries.  

2. What other brands have you used or considered using?

I am a big fan of Dodo pads. I used their standard desk diaries for a few years until I brought my Filofax that is when I brought their filo compatible one instead and got the best of both worlds.

3. Out of the organisers you own which is your current favourite (Style and Size)?

I have trouble choosing between my two personal size filos because I love them both for different reasons. My yellow Original is such a warm and happy colour it puts a smile on my face each time I use it but my ochre Malden feels more luxurious and classy.

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?

Six. That's quite good isn't it? In my defence I was trying to find the perfect size for me so I have an A5, two personals, two pockets and one compact.

5. What is the oldest Filofax in your collection?

My Apex just turned one.

6. What do you use your Filofax for?

I used to just use it as a diary but over the last year I have found myself adding more and more sections. I have lots of lists in it, books I want to read, posts I want to write, TV shows I am watching online, plans for the summer etc, things that inspire me, pictures and artwork I like.  I keep everything in there really.  

7. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?

The freedom the rings give me, I can add things in and take them out as I need to.  I never need to worry about running out of space because I can just go through the pages and remove anything that I have completed or don’t need anymore.  I also like the way they look, the style and design.  I wouldn’t say I use mine as a fashion accessory but I do like that they look stylish.

8. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?

Oooh the possibilities!  It would be personal size and made of soft but textured leather. It would have 30mm rings and a full width pocket at the back like you get in some pocket size filos for money or notes.  It would have a zipped section on the opposite side of the pen loop (which would be elasticated) to keep change in and some card slots too.  I think I would like it to be the same teal colour as the Finchley model or maybe a rose or pale yellow.  

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

I keep mine in a dust bag to protect it in my handbag.

10. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?

I love the teal Calipso and the bright blue but I won’t be buying either because they are compact and at the moment that ring size is too small for me.  I hope when the new designs come out this year there will be some nice green or blue colours in personal size to choose from.

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax? Which model?

I paid £60 for my Malden, I brought it from a lovely lady who had added it to her collection but never used it.  I was over the moon when I snagged it because the ochre colour had been sold out on the Filofax UK website for ages and they were really hard to find at the time.

12. What's your favourite Filofax tip or hack?

I think this one is great for adding a zipped section to your binder.  I have been thinking of doing it for my Original as I don’t like the plastic zipper that came on the insert I brought.

13. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?

The community. Everyone involved in Philofaxy, be it the team or the readers, all share the same passion. I don't think my family understand my planning and planner obsession (they don't judge me but I don't think they get it) and I'm sure some of my friends think I'm nuts but here we are all interested in a lot of the same things.

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

Nothing!

15. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?

Teenage Dirtbags, the compilation album of rock songs. I have been bouncing round the house, singing (and I use the term loosely) along all afternoon.

16.  Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver? 

Mark Darcy, every time!

Thank you Amanda for agreeing to go under our 'spotlight' this week. If you would like to appear in this feature please contact steve at philofaxy dot com 

22 February 2014

Web Finds - 22 February 2014

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. My pretty new Filofax - Dimple to Dimple
  2. My Teaching Binder: Guest Post by Hope - This Bugs Life
  3. Filofax Comparison: Malden vs Original - OATTblog
  4. Cute Filofax Dashboards - Mrs Brimbles
  5. Filofax flex pocket: review - Lucy-Wonderland
  6. Digital vs Analog Time Management - Strange & Charmed
  7. Josh’s Cross Mini Meltdown – a very happy ending thanks to Filofax UK - This Bugs Life
  8. Free Planner Weekly and Daily Planner Inserts for Compact FC / Personal FF - Sparkle Frogs
  9. Coffee, Blogs and Philofaxy - Filofaxuations
  10. My Franklin Quest collection - This Bugs Life
  11. Organised Mum Pick and Mix Filofax compatible inserts and 2014 diary - Plannerisms
  12. Can’t Find the Right Planner Pages? Here’s a Simple Solution! - Homemakers Daily
  13. Raika planners - This Bugs Life
  14. My travel passport organiser - Seedweed Kisses
  15. Free For All Friday No. 24: How Much Does Your Planner Weigh? - Plannerisms
  16. Sloth-o-Fax - Organizing the Sloth (Part Two) - The Sewing Sloth
  17. Filofax M2 cherry Cross - This Bugs Life
  18. My Filofax is getting the brunt of my creativity at the moment... - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  19. Weekend Trip Packing List #filofaxfriday Planning with Printed Portal
  20. Using some #video #vlog planner #filofax inserts I sketched out.... - Rhomany's Art Journal
  21. Binders with full length back/wallet pocket - This Bugs Life
  22. Free video / vlog planner insert for your Filofax - My Life All in One Place
  23. Filofax Pens and More - Aquatique
  24. On its way to me – Blue/Purple Minobossi - This Bugs Life
  25. Blog Posts: A Simple Planner Hack To Track Them - Giftie Etcetera
  26. My Filofax collection. - Life of Kitty
  27. Not sure how it happened but I appear to have started using my... - Rhomany's Art Journal
  28. Van Der Spek Touch Me binders - This Bugs Life
  29. Reward For Found Planner - Giftie Etcetera
  30. What is a Hobonichi Planner? And how does it compare to a Filofax? - Zoe At Home
  31. countdown to spring download | freebie friday - Love it all
  32. Grace Scurrs are like buses - This Bugs Life
  33. Filofax Friday - En Vogue Pogue
  34. Weight loss & dieting in my new Saffiano! / Saffiano Unboxing - Mrs Brimbles
  35. My Filofax Week - This Bugs Life
  36. A Video!! + a printable update + other goodies - Lime Tree Fruits
  37. Filofax Friday + Free 2014 planner inserts! - Avo's Life
  38. In Praise of Philofaxy - This Bugs Life
  39. Tips to Stay Out of the Dreaded Procrastination Zone and More! - Day Timer Blog
  • Your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list in any of the categories (Blog, Video, My Week)
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Favorite Filofax Goodies - Palestblue
  2. Filofax Comparison: Malden vs Original - OATTblog
  3. DIY Fish LMI V02.1 (A5) - OATTblog
  4. Filofax Tips: How to Treat Leather Filofax-2 - My Summer Touch
  5. Filofax Crimson Malden overview - Debbie Hockedy
  6. Planner Set Up 2014 - Raine Boyd
  7. Filofax personal purple Malden, an overview of the pockets and features - Debbie Hockedy
  8. Quick walk through of current Filofax - Stamping Songbird
  9. Why Filofax?- My Story - Jessica Bella
  10. What's in my Malden Filofax (and the watercolor pencils I'm using) - Tracy Reinhardt
  11. A5 Filofax Planner (2014 Planner Update) - OrganizedlikeJen
  12. Filofax Domino Personal - A Quick Overview - Whackocreations
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
If you are on the West Coast of the USA, there's a meet up being planned, take a look at the post about it

Enjoy

21 February 2014

Bay Area Meet Up -

This is an announcement for a meet up in California in March. But places must be booked by the end of this month.

Please contact Val to reserve a place

Meet-Up: Saturday, March 15th, 10am
Location: Scrapbook Territory, 1717A Fourth St., Berkeley, California 94710
Reservation: $10
Contact To Reserve Space: Call (510) 559-9929 to make payment for Philofaxy Meet-Up on March 15th
Deadline: Friday, February 28th

Directions: http://scrapbookterritoryco.fatcow.com/directions-2/
Come early if you can. Parking can be limited on a busy Saturday.

Nearby shops you don't want to miss:
  • Castle in the Air
  • Miki's Paper
  • PaperSource
  • Papyrus
  • Books Inc.
  • Builders Booksource
  • Blick Art Materials
You can go here for more details on these and other stores:
http://www.fourthstreetshop.com/categories.html

Depending on how many of us there are, we can break up into mini-groups and "tour" the shops, but Scrapbook Territory will be our hub.






Free For All Friday No. 275

I can't remember how it came up in a conversation the other day, but some one said to me, "You collect Filofaxes, don't you?" At the time I just agreed, but I suppose I've given it a little more thought since then. Actually, I think that I consider myself an enthusiast, rather than a collector, as I'm normally working on reducing the number of binders I own instead of increasing them. Sure, I may change my mind and get a new one (never paid full price yet), but another one will be rehomed as part of the process.

Do you consider yourself an enthusiast/user, a collector or maybe a bit of both?

And as it's Friday again, please feel free to discuss anything Filofax or other ring bound planner related.

20 February 2014

Filofax Tip No.3

So today's tip.

Do you worry about carrying your Filofax organiser in your bag/purse? Could it get damaged by other things in your bag, such as keys or loose change etc?

Why not carry it in a dust bag. There is a great simple to make travel pouch on Thomas's site here. Or look out for dust bags, some examples posted below.

Until the next tip happy organising.  Check out other tips here.

Charger not required

I finally treated myself to a shiny Apple MacBook Pro last year after wanting a Mac for quite some time, and I love using it in conjunction with my Filofaxes. However, the charger has recently developed some kind of fault and stopped working. At that point, I grumbled at myself as there was only 50% left of battery power, but luckily we discovered that my husband has one from a previous machine until I manage to get to a store. With all the storms and flooding, some people have been without power and I suppose it's made me think about how reliant we are on regular access to electricity.

I love how my binders don't need charging, and are always ready as long as I have a writing implement and some paper!


19 February 2014

Filofax Cavendish Personal

I recently bought this Cavendish personal size organiser from one of our readers. Whilst I saw plenty of photographs of it that she kindly sent me before agreeing to buy it, I didn't really take much notice of the internal design of it. I was obviously looking for faults with the rings or damage to the leather, which thankfully there were none.

However, when I opened the parcel last week and took this organiser out of the box and started to look at it, I suddenly started to appreciate why this particular model is so popular with people that are fortunate to own one.

To me there are so many good things with the way it's been designed and made.


The exterior is quite understated in some ways. The leather is soft to the touch and the clasp of the older type designs. I am not sure when this particular model stopped being sold, the box had hints of 2005 on it, gosh 9 years ago!


Opening up the organiser and you will see the immediate attraction for most people, 30mm rings and on this example they snapped perfectly shut.

On the left inside front cover there is a large pen loop, which takes my Cross fountain pen comfortably. And eight... card slots.. I've put Philofaxy cards in them just so they all show up! There's also a full height pocket to tuck things in to behind the card slots.



The inside back cover on the right has another full height tuck in pocket and also a slim secretarial pocket in front of that. With a smaller pen loop as well. This one will take a 0.5 Frixion pen with out too much of a problem.


On the back cover there is a zip pocket, it's quite tall but not very deep, but you are less likely to lose things in the depths of a deeper pocket I guess. This would be fine for tickets and may be for collected business cards. The zip is covered by some thin leather flaps which is a neat touch.


So in use, as you can see it takes all of my usual pages without any problems at all. Capacity to spare in fact. It feels special in a way, luxurious but without feeling fragile. Plenty of secure pockets for things like my passport and prescriptions etc. Card storage well beyond what I will need! I just like the simplicity of the design, no zips on the inside to create unwanted 'lumps' to write against.

The organiser doesn't sit perfectly flat when empty as you can see. But I guess over time it might loosen up a bit, it's certainly ok with pages in it and fine when you are holding it in your hand which is the norm for a personal size for me.


Although this has got 30 mm rings it doesn't feel that bulky. Clearly if you loaded the rings fully up with paper then the weight would increase.


The Cavendish is shown here between the Gillo Amica and the Launer, the Amica has 26mm rings, The Launer the same as the Cavendish with 30mm rings. The other two though are very square at the spine where as the Cavendish is quite rounded, I wonder if that is why it doesn't feel quite as bulky.


This one is certainly in my top ten of Filofax designs and I'm proud to be the owner of one.

18 February 2014

Web Finds - 18 February 2014

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Pockets, pockets, pockets - Paper Pens Ink
  2. Making Time - The Nest Not Exactly Empty
  3. Filofax Chameleon A5 Black :: Hello Kitty Inspired - Coloursnme
  4. Gillio Medium Compagna in Grey - My Life Re-organised
  5. Before and after of DIYFish LMI V2.0, week 6 - Wit's End
  6. Filofax Has Been Quiet… Bit The Courteeners Have Not! - Kel & Filofax
  7. My Current Organisation/ Planner Setup! - OATTblog
  8. A Daily Plan In A Weekly Planner - Giftie Etcetera
  9. Pocket Holborn...? - Paper Pens Ink
  10. Gillio Compagna "Lezard",in medium size :o)) - Chrissie's Universe
  11. Top 3 Posts This Week... - Filofancy 
  12. My Collection - The Nest Not Exactly Empty
  13. Filofax: Dashboards - So Joey
  14. Shortest filofax change ever? - Paper Pens Ink
  15. Charleston A4 Folder with Rings - Filo Manie
  16. Filofax Ascot...going vintage ;o)) - Chrissie's Universe
  17. Filofax Personalization & Embellishment for the Nondecorator - The Contemplative Belle
  18. Purple Malden - One year on. Indigo Blue
  19. filofax. - Carrie L Sunday
  20. Mon Gillio a5 a mica noir - Le Blog de Nati Zou
  21. 2014 System Revamp: Starbucks Binder* - Well Planned Life
  22. Josh’s Mini Cross Meltdown! - This Bugs Life
  23. Filofax Malden Setup and Updates - Aquatique
  24. Why I love....my Filofax! - Around and upside down
  25. The Calendar - Monthly, Weekly, Daily and How They Work Together.... - Sparkle Frogs
  26. What is bonded leather? - This Bugs Life
  27. Undated Planner Pages - Giftie Etcetera
  28. Favourite Filofax Hacks #6: Hide Private Information Using Teeline Shorthand - Filohacks
  29. A Bargain Organiser - Roses in December
  30. When eBay sellers steal your photographs - This Bugs Life
  31. What I love about different types of planners - Plannerisms
  32. "My Week" Links from Around the Web 2/18/2014 - The Contemplative Belle
  • Your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list in any of the categories (Blog, Video, My Week)
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Favorite Pens I Use With My Planner/ Filofax - My Purpley Life
  2. My New Patent Purple A5 Filofax & Two Super Easy Divider Filo Hacks! JustagirlTV
  3. Dark brown Gillio Mia Carra in medium-an overview of my set up - Debbie Hockedy
  4. New/Updated Filofax Set-Up - Jessica Bella
  5. My Current Filofax Collection - OATTblog
  6. Filofax deco week #8 and leather bound journal - Palestblue
  7. Decorating my Filofax Week 8 - Mits t
  8. Filofax Decoration 2014 w.8 - adamsfilo
  9. How I use my Filofax Diary - Adamsfilo
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No. 159

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

Even if it's not Tuesday you can still post your questions here, just pick the most recent FFAT or FFAF.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

17 February 2014

Filofax Leather A5 Flex note book cover.

I got a leather Slim Flex last year and sort of hankered after the A5 version for a while after that. I spotted some A5's in the sales in January, so I ordered one straight away. There was a slight delay in receiving it because I had to get it delivered to my son's office address in UK, but I wasn't disappointed when it finally arrived here in France


The leather is very similar to the Slim Flex, soft with a slight pebbled surface.


As you can see it has a different pocket arrangement to the Slim model, but is also has a side opening expanding pocket which can take an iPhone or similar smart phone. I've not really used the other card pockets in the A5 yet, but they would take quite a few business cards or even a Field Notes note book



I happen to have a Moleskine notebook which I've added to it. I use the Flex for when I go to my French classes once a week with a notebook for my French vocabulary and the other one for general notes it works well. Also all the hand outs are on A4 paper, folded in half they tuck in to one of the pockets easily and it is also nice and compact too.


The leather Flex is also available in other colours as well now, see the Filofax site for details. I noticed that there is now blue, red and orange as well as black

Chrissie recently bought the natural leather cover which also looks very nice. Take a look at her review here.

I'm really pleased with these two, very adaptable, and I've been discovering other notebooks that will fit them as well, so I don't have the expense of having to order from Filofax and paying the shipping each time.

I didn't think I would be able to adapt to using a notebook, but dedicating a book to a particular task does seem to work for me.