31 May 2015

Reader Under The Spotlight - Beth

Today I would like to introduce you to Beth. 

I have always been drawn to the simple paper and pen, and I always tried to find new ways to bring it into my life. When I found Filofax, I was drawn to it like a moth and I couldn't keep my eyes of any of it. After spending months of decorating and organizing, I was able to find something that organized my life, but also gave me great enjoyment. After realizing how much I loved doing this, I started my blog Live. Love. Planners. to share my happiness with other people who enjoyed it as much as me. Ever since, I have been writing with a passion for one of my favorite things in life.

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

I bought my first "official" planner in May of 2014 (almost a year now!), and it is a Duck Egg Blue Patent Compact Organizer

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

I have used only the Filofax brand so far, but in the future I would like to purchase from Kikki K and I would also like to try making my own planner :)

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

Well, at the moment, I just have the one Filofax (my Duck Egg Patent Compact Organiser), but I love the way it looks and it will probably be my favorite for a while.

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

I just own the one Filofax, but I am always hoping to start a collection!

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

My Duck Egg Filofax.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

I use my Filofax for general everyday planning, for inspiration pages, expenses, blogging, and for contact lists.

7. How many sections do you have in your organiser and what is each section used for?

Because I am still using the one organiser, I use it for everything I listed above, each as its own section in my planner.

8. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?
My favorite thing about my planner is its versatility to fit my daily life.  Since my life is always changing, I love the fact my planner can change along with me.

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

If I could design my own Filofax it would have lots of little pockets all through out the planner (similar to a Malden) and would have a row of pen loops for the pens I color code with.

10. How do you carry your Filofax?

I carry my Filofax in my backpack (it matches the color of my planner!) or in small handbags.

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

I'm torn between the new Domino Patent in turquiose and the Original in fluro pink.  I'm hoping to get the Original for my birthday and I am going to save up for the Domino.

12. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?

Well, since I've only ever bought the Patent Compact, I've only spent $47.25 (35 pounds), but my family still laughs at me for spending that much on a planner!

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

Anything involving new and inventive ways to re-invent dashboards!

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

The fact that you can see the works of new and upcoming bloggers and also the oppurtunities for bloggers created from Philofaxy!

15. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

Is this a trick question? :D

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

The Smoke and Mirrors album by Imagine Dragons

17. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?

No I haven't, but I will definitely see to doing so in the future!

18. What was the last movie you watched?

The Hundred Foot Journey. I love the cooking in it!

19. What was the last book you read?

The Maze Runner. Very well thought out.

Thank you Beth.

As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, you don't have to be 'well known' or a long term user to be considered to appear in this 'spot'.

So please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com today. Thank you.

30 May 2015

Web Finds - 30 May 2015

So I hope you have had a good week, I'm back in France... for a short while!

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Update of six month old undyed Van Der Spek binder - This Bug's Life
  2. To Do to Done: 4 Ways to Mark Completed Tasks - Giftie Etcetera
  3. Download free 2016 diaries for your Filofax A4 or A5 - My Life All in One Place
  4. Southern California Planner Meet Up - July 5, 2015 - My Purpley Life
  5. Filofax for Everyday Use/Filofax for decorating - The Paradox of An Organised Scientist
  6. Writing Wednesday: Tracking ideas as they grow - Quo Vadis Blog
  7. Current Week on 2 Pages [printable] - Planner Fun
  8. Free printable: monthly dividers to the 17 folders system - From Chaos to Order
  9. Full on Planner Addict: Update - I'm British, So Filofax
  10. To Do List: Circles Instead of Squares - Giftie Etcetera
  11. Update! - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  12. Unboxing and review of the white Color Crush planner - Loveallplanners
  13. Phases of a PlannerHolic - PlannerHolics
  14. Folding Fun: Menu Planning in My Planner - Planner Fun
  15. Unique Pocket Finsbury - It's Bluetiger
  16. Gillio memes - Just Happy Me
  17. Meal Planning Pages - Renew Your Space
  18. Download free 2016 diaries for your Filofax Personal - My Life All in One Place
  19. Filofax Sleeve - The Crippled Crafter
  20. How I Decorate My Weekly Filofax Pages - Filoally 
  21. COMPARISON: Malden vs Holborn (personal size) - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  22. What is your Filofax personality? - From Chaos to Order
  23. Put It On Your List So You Can Forget About It - Time Management Ninja
  24. Stop Cookie Cutter Planning - Giftie Etcetera
  25. Planner Review: Filofax Patent Compact Organizer in Duck Egg - Live. Love. Planners.
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, 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... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. (10) Pocket to Personal Size Fauxdori: planner update - SingleMomWitCurlz
  2. Filofax Personal Saffiano Set Up - Joanny White
  3. Original Personal Filofax In Nude (Planner) - Love4Creativity
  4. Filofax personal willow Set up - Crazy Filo
  5. Updated Filofax Malden set up - Stacey Jenkins
  6. Simple Filofax Setup (A5 Calipso in Pink) - Monique Smith
  7. Filofax Setup / Deutsch / The Original Patent Nude - nicole_loves_filofax
  8. DIY Inserts for Personal Filofax. (Inspired) - Monique Smith
  9. Filofax Pocket Denim - SouthernCityMomma
  10. Filofax personal weekly and daily page update - From Chaos to Order
  11. Filofax Update - BillsGirl2008
  12. Filofax A5 Domino Review - Parker Dawn
  13. A look inside my Filofax ! How I organize it - RedWhiteandBlueHome
  14. Filofax Setup *Deutsch* - MissCupCake
  15. Lilac Filofax Original Planner Set Up/Walkthrough (Personal Size) - Lady of the Ark
  16. Planer-Update und Setup meines Filofax - Planner Rocket
  17. Filofax Lilac Original Setup (Personal Size) - Lady of the Ark
  18. My Filofax A5 Domino meal planner 'The Foodofax'! - Vegan Organizer 
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
My Week Posts
  1. My week #162 - Paper Lovestory
  2. My week #20 - She's Eclectic
  3. Weekly Post #95 - Miss Mia's Adventures
  4. Week of 5/25: Decorated Pages! - Live. Love. Planners. 
  5. Filofax Pretties: My Weeks 19, 21, 22 - So Joey Creates
  6. My week #21 - She's Eclectic
  7. Filofax Planner Pages April-May 2015 - Ink'd paper by mae
  8. Filofax weekly pages May - The Creative Canvass
  9. My Week #21 (2015) - Joannywhite
  10. Filofax Friday Week 23 and No Spend May Results! - 20 Something Living Life
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 23 May 2015
  2. Reader Under The Spotlight - Rebecca
  3. Free For All Tuesday No. 225
  4. Philofaxy Meet Up - Toronto - 18th July 2015
  5. Diary Inserts for you to download and print for 2016
  6. Free for All Friday No. 341 by Nan
Enjoy

28 May 2015

Free for All Friday No. 341 by Nan

I got my first Filofax when my parents gave me a gift certificate to a clothing store one Christmas. Instead of buying clothes, I bought a Filofax and some inserts. I could have gotten a few pieces of clothing for the cost of that one organizer, but I couldn't resist!

Have you ever been given a Filofax as a gift? Or cashed in a gift to get what you really wanted—a Filofax, of course!

Diary Inserts for you to download and print for 2016

It is that time of year again, Ray and I rolled up our sleeves and sat in front of our respective computers over 400km apart and churned our way through all the files to create the 2016 range of diary inserts. A huge thank you to Ray, as he did most of them this year.


If you have a Filofax organiser, you probably have diary pages – probably ones made by Filofax. If you’re happy with those pages, great. If you’d like to try something different, read on. If you’d like to experiment or adapt a diary that is just right for your very particular needs then you’ve come to the right place.

Ray Blake of the My Life All in One Place blog and I have collaborated in an ongoing project to produce a range of diary layouts that can be downloaded, printed, punched and used. You can find them all here and they are all free.

They are offered for download and use under a Creative Commons Licence. That means you can freely use and adapt them other than commercially. You can share these templates with other people, but you must not charge for them.

You need to decide whether you just want to download prepared layout sets for the full year, or whether you want to roll up your sleeves and adapt our templates to your own needs. Some of the things you can do when you have the source files are:
  • Make and print a diary for any year - past, present or future
  • Adjust the space given to different days or other template elements
  • Add your name or other details to each page
  • Make a diary for part of a year, or for any period you want
  • Change the language of month and day name
Follow the links below to the blog posts where the files are to be found. Often there will be several in one post, but the individual files will be clearly signposted and instructions are included in the posts.

Each layout now has a 'preview' image, so you can see what the file looks like before you download the files.

Before downloading the PDF files and printing them please read the note at the foot of this post about PDF readers scaling the print output.

Inserts for 2016

A4/A5 Format
  1. Day per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  2. Day per page minimalist journal (narrow) .doc .pdf Source Files Preview
  3. Day per page minimalist journal (wide) .doc .pdf Source Files Preview
  4. Day on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  5. Day on two pages (Daily Dashboard .docx .pdf Source Files - Word Excel Preview
  6. Two days per page (Lined) .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  7. Two days per page (Unlined) .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  8. Week per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  9. Week per page with Tasks .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  10. Week on two pages Enhanced TM   .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  11. Week on two pages Enhanced TM (5 line version)  .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  12. Week on two pages Enhanced TM  with Journal  .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  13. Week on two pages Enhanced TM (5 line version) with Journal .docx .pdf Source Files  Preview
  14. Week on two pages (cotton cream layout) .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  15. Week on two pages Journal .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  16. Week on two pages Journal Lined .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  17. Week on two pages Vertical .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  18. Month per page .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  19. Month per page (Horizontal Format) .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  20. Month per page with notes: .docx .pdf Source Files  Preview
  21. Month on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  22. Month on two pages with notes .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  23. Year planner A4 .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  24. Year planner A4/A5 Z fold .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  25. Year Calendar .docx .pdf Preview
A6 Inserts for 2016
  1. Day per page  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  2. Day on two pages - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  3. Two days per page (Lined)  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  4. Two days per page  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  5. Week per page  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  6. Week view - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  7. Week view (vertical layout)  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  8. Week plus Tasks - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  9. Enhanced Time Management Week View - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  10. Month per page - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  11. Month on two pages  - WordPDF, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  12. 2016 Year planner  - Word 2016 PDF 2016, Source (Word Excel), Preview
  13. 2016/17 Year Calendar  - WordPDFPreview
All of these A6 files are in A4 format and all should be printed on to A6 size paper as detailed in the previous post. There is one exception to this and that is the Year Planner, this should be printed on to A5 paper at 70% scale and then Z folded to fit in to A6.

Personal on Personal Paper
  1. Day per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview 
  2. Day on two pages .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  3. Week per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  4. Week per page plus notes and tasks .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  5. Week on two pages .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  6. Week on two pages Vertical .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  7. Month per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  8. Month per page with notes: .docx .pdf Source Files  Preview
  9. Month on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  10. Month on two pages with Notes .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  11. Year Calendar .docx .pdf Preview
Personal on A4 Paper
  1. Day per page .docx .pdf Source Files Preview 
  2. Day per page minimalist .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  3. Day on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  4. Two days per page (Lined) .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  5. Two days per page (Unlined) .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  6. Week on one page .doc .pdf Source Files Preview
  7. Week on two pages Enhanced TM .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  8. Week on two pages Vertical layout .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview 
  9. Week on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  10. Week on two pages landscape layout .docx .pdf Source Files Preview 
  11. Month per page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  12. Month on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  13. Year planner .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
Personal on Letter Paper (North Americans Only!)
  1. Day per page .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  2. Day per page minimalist .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  3. Day on two pages .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  4. Two days per page .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  5. Two days per page (lined) .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  6. Week on two pages - TM  .docx or .pdf Source Files  Preview
  7. Week on two pages - CC  .docx or .pdf  Preview
  8. Week on two pages - Vertical layout -  .docx or .pdf  Preview
  9. Week on two pages - Landscape layout .docx or .pdf  Preview
Pocket on A4 Paper
  1. Day per page minimalist .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  2. Day on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  3. Two days per page (Lined) .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  4. Two days per page (Unlined) .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  5. Week on two pages enhanced TM .docx .pdf  Source Files  Preview
  6. Week on two pages CC Inspired Layout .docx .pdf Source Files Preview
  7. Month on one page .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
  8. Month on two pages .docx .pdf  Source Files Preview
Mini on A4 Paper

Note: Printing Word or PDF files

When printing either the Word or the PDF files, it is essential that you set the paper size correct in the application and in any printer dialogue boxes on your PC/Mac. If you are printing on A4 paper, then you need to set the paper size to A4 not Letter or any other size.

If you don't set the paper size correctly then the files will be resized according to the paper size you have selected, despite having A4 paper loaded in the printer.

Printing PDF Files

When you print your PDF file, it prints out smaller on paper than the Word or other file it was created from.

When you print from Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will see this dialogue:



You will see that 'Print Scaling' setting is by default set to 'Shrink to Printable Area? That's the one that's shrinking your PDF when you print it.

Change the setting to 'None':


Now, when you print the PDF it will print at the right size.

Using the source files

Tutorial for MS Office for Mac 2011


Tutorial for MS Office for Windows 2010


Tutorial for MS Office for Windows 2003



Creative Commons License

This work by Philofaxy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. Please download, adapt, use, share, but do not charge or use commercially

27 May 2015

Philofaxy Meet Up - Toronto - 18th July 2015


We are finishing the North America Philofaxy Tour in Canada in Toronto.

Toronto - Saturday 18th July 2015

So this is a 'calling notice' for people who would like to attend the Philofaxy Meet Up in Toronto

Please read all of the post before you apply for a place on the meet up.

When and Where

Saturday 18th July. Location is still TBD (To Be Determined).

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback.

We would like to see who is interested in joining us so that we can get a good head count, so please let us know if you would like to attend.

Thank you, to Alan and Brenda for helping to organise this event.

How to book a place on the meet up

To get a place on the meet up you need to email: steve[at]philofaxy[dot]com and mark your email 'July 2015 Toronto Meetup', but please do not send it before Saturday 30 May 2015. Please only request a place if you are 99% certain that you will be able to attend on the 15th.

As places are allocated you will receive an email back again confirming your place on the meet up.

Please do not book travel tickets etc until you have a confirmed place. I will attempt to confirm places within 2-3 hours of receiving your email.

Additional Information

We will be in  Washington Four weeks before and Denver three weeks before, Los Angeles two weeks, Chicago earlier in the week.  We will be taking in a couple of Canadian cities as tourists before returning home to France.

Thank you... any questions?

24 May 2015

Reader Under The Spotlight - Rebecca

Today I would like to introduce you to Rebecca

Hello! My name is Rebecca and I'm from a little island in the south-east of England that no one seems to know exists. I live with my fiancee and three bunnies, and I am in the process of finishing my final year of my law degree. I first discovered Filofaxes by accident, when I stumbled onto Mrs Brimbles Youtube channel.

Here is a link to my blog: http://missjigglypuff.blogspot.co.uk/

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

The first organiser I bought was a personal Ochre Malden last summer, which I am now having to sell due to going vegan last September.

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

I am hopefully getting a personal Macaroon planner for my birthday this year - I love the colours!

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

My raspberry compact saffiano.

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

I have 4: an a5 Paperchase organiser, my compact Saffiano, a compact patent in lavender, and a personal Pak (I inherited it from my mum)

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

That would have to be the personal Pak. Mum thinks its from the later half of the 90's, and I use it for storing extra inserts.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

I use my a5 for everything I need to keep in one place but that I don't need with me out - bunny vet information, car information etc. My compact Saffiano is my everyday planner, the Pak is for storage and the patent is just to keep my shelves pretty.

7. How many sections do you have in your organiser and what is each section used for?

In my everyday planner I have 4 sections: a lists section (wish list, manga's I already own etc), diary (WO2P), information for my trip in June, and just spare note paper.

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

I love the feeling when I get it out in public and people ask about it, and then tell me I've inspired them to get their own.

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

I would create rings which are somewhere between compact and personal - I carry loads of stuff, but I wish everything didn't always pop out when I'm changing my dashboard.

10. How do you carry your Filofax?

In whatever bag I'm using - the benefit of non-leather planners is they don't cost as much so I don't feel like I need to baby them.

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

I love the dark blue cover story with the flamingos, but I doubt I'll buy it. I buy mine second hand and I have a personal Ranger on its way to me as we speak so I don't think I can justify another.

12. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?

I spent about £45 on my Malden, on ebay.

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

Do whatever you want - have as many sections as you want, and don't feel obliged to have lots of paper clips if you're not sure what to do with them.

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

The extraordinary wealth of information - I was directed here when I needed to know whether the Ranger is leather.

15. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

I was going to say the George Clooney/Brad Pitt question, but I can't find that so nothing.

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

Bippity Boppity Boo from the new Cinderella movie.

17. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?

I would love to one day, they look like such fun.

18. What was the last movie you watched?

Almost definitely a Scooby-Doo movie, but I cannot remember which one.

19. What was the last book you read?

Murder She Wrote: Murder on Parade - love me some JB Fletcher!

Thank you Rebecca.

As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, you don't have to be 'well known' or a long term user to be considered to appear in this 'spot'.

So please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com today. Thank you.

23 May 2015

Web Finds - 23 May 2015

So I hope you have had a good week, another week of travels for me... London Meet Up today.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. A Proper Planner Attitude - Giftie Etcetera
  2. {Original Love}: Adventures with the Filofax Original Organizers - The Fabulous Planner
  3. Finding comfort in old technology - Dull Men's Club
  4. Taking Notes In Your Planner - Planner Fun
  5. Planner Lists - Well Planned Life
  6. New Item: Super Cute Cat Dividers for Pocket & Personal size! - Filofax Love
  7. Review of the compact Holborn Filofax - Paper Pens Ink
  8. Where Details Fit in a Planner - Giftie Etcetera
  9. Two RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) that are with me every day - This Bug's Life
  10. Back in business! - Just Happy Me
  11. Off the Planner Rails - It's Bluetiger 
  12. My View on Using Multiple Planners - Live. Love. Planners
  13. Inbox - in the planner??? - From Chaos to Order
  14. Handmade planner from kikosattic - Love All Planners
  15. My work planner (update) - House of Lotte
  16. What to do with the Filofax - or other - inserts when having multiple sets? - The Fabulous Planner
  17. HEXAplanner it’s back! - My Last Eureka
  18. How I Use: DIYFish Weekly Chart - The Filofax Lifestyle
  19. Fatal crush with my MidorI Traveler's Notebooks!! - My Summertouch
  20. Planner Use: It’s Okay to Break the Rules - Homemakers Daily
  21. 14 things you should know when dating a planner-girl. - Just Happy Me
  22. The big tab problem - solved! - From Chaos to Order
  23. Portable Brain Dump List - Planner Fun
  24. 4 Tips on Doing What You Don’t Want to Do - Time Management Ninja
  25. A Trick for Scheduling Long Periods of Unspecified Time - Giftie Etcetera
  26. An Interview with Sachiko from Filofax Love - Live. Love. Planners
  27. Filofax Friday – Planner Peace - Renew Your Space
  28. Planners | From Project Life Pockets to Planner Storage - Happiness is Scrappy
  29. House of Lotte @ work: 1 week on 2 pages with times - House of Lotte
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, 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... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. My Filofax Domino Patent Setup - PlannerAddictBritt
  2. The 17 dividers system in A5 Filofax - part1 - From Chaos to Order
  3. The 17 dividers system in A5 Filofax - part 2 - From Chaos to Order
  4. Filofax A5 Metropol review - Vegan Organiser
  5. Bullet Journal Meets Filofax - YunieQueen
  6. Starter Kit Filofax | was braucht man wirklich | Filofaxing - Simply Jessy 
  7. DIY Change Filofax into organizer for writing and travel - Thomas Aushauser
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
My Week Posts
  1. My week #161 - Paper Lovestory
  2. Weekly Post #92 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  3. My week #19 - She's Eclectic
  4. My Week #20 (2015) - Joanny White
  5. Filofax Friday Week 21 - 20 Something Living Life
  6. This Weeks Decorated Pages // Week 21 - Hey Charlie
  7. Weekly Post #93 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  8. This Week's Pages - An English Country Garden - Mrs Brimbles
  9. Week of 5/18: Decorated Pages! Live. Love. Planners
  10. Weekly Post #94 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  11. Filofax Friday Week 22! - 20 Something Living Life
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 16 May 2015
  2. Reader Under The Spotlight - Kristy
  3. How do we label ourselves..
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 224
  5. Philofaxy Meet Up - Chicago - 15th July 2015
  6. Philofaxy London Meet Up - 16 May 2015
  7. Free For All Friday no 340 by Laurie
Enjoy

22 May 2015

Free For All Friday no 340 by Laurie

Aside from the diary pages, what are the most important pages in your Filofax?

Mine are the pages I put between my month pages. I use the month on two pages with notes printables from Philofaxy. The back sides of the pages are lined, so I can splice pages between the months. This is where I put everything from finances tracking to planning holidays, travel and birthday parties. Packing lists, guest lists, bills due and more go with the month in which they will occur. These pages are so important for helping me plan ahead. I know where to find them, and when the time comes they're right where I need them.

What are the most important pages in your Filofax?

And as always on Fridays, feel free to ask and/ or discuss anything ring-binder related!

21 May 2015

Philofaxy London Meet Up - 16 May 2015

I am over in UK for a couple weeks prior to going to North America. The first half of our stay was in Gloucestershire for a couple Alison's book talks at book shops. Then on Friday we travelled down to East Sussex/Kent for another week.

This last Saturday we held a Philofaxy meet up in London.

A group of 10 of us met at Vapianos which is close to Oxford Circus. It was great to see some new faces as well as some familiar faces. Putting faces to names and comment names is always very pleasant. There's never enough time to have a long chat with everyone though... another time I hope.

We continue to go to this particular restaurant because of the simplicity of the ordering system there, the location which is good for most people to get to, oh and the food is great value for money too.



It was great to spend time discussing little else but organisers of all makes and types. Sharing and showing each other things too. Christa brought along a huge selection of inserts and dividers she wanted to give away, so I had a look through all of those and 'stocked up' on a few of the essentials!

The Van der Spek leather samples proved very popular once again, seeing and touching and comparing under natural light certainly helped with the choice for future orders for a few people I'm sure.




Steve, Max and Claudia in deep discussion! (photo by Paula)



We did the usual line up of organisers, a tradition at these events worldwide...


And we then lined ourselves up for some photos.



We packed up our things and went to battle with the crowds in Oxford Street calling in on Muji and Tiger. Some of us started to disappear home whilst others continued on to Selfridges. I shared my journey back to Kent with Paula.

I would like to thank everyone who came along on the day: Claudia, Max, Tracey, Paula, Jene, Karen,  Louise, Saz and Christa.

So until later in the year I'm sure there will be another UK meet up.

20 May 2015

Philofaxy Meet Up - Chicago - 15th July 2015


We are continuing the North America Philofaxy Tour with Chicago.

Chicago - Wednesday 15th July 2015

So this is a 'calling notice' for people who would like to attend the Philofaxy Meet Up in Chicago

Please read all of the post before you apply for a place on the meet up.

When and Where

The evening of Wednesday 15th July. Location is still TBD (To Be Determined).

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback.

We would like to see who is interested in joining us so that we can get a good head count, so please let us know if you would like to attend.

Thank you, to Sandra for helping to organise this event.

How to book a place on the meet up

To get a place on the meet up you need to email: steve[at]philofaxy[dot]com and mark your email 'July 2015 Chicago Meetup', but please do not send it before Sunday 24 May 2015. Please only request a place if you are 99% certain that you will be able to attend on the 15th.

As places are allocated you will receive an email back again confirming your place on the meet up.

Please do not book travel tickets etc until you have a confirmed place. I will attempt to confirm places within 2-3 hours of receiving your email.

Additional Information

We will be in  Washington three weeks before and Denver two weeks before, Los Angeles a week before then we will be travelling to Toronto for our final North American Meet Up.

Thank you... any questions?

18 May 2015

How do we label ourselves..


So something a little different today, I've been a little short on time in the last 48 hours, bad planning... well may be.

So the last few days I've met quite a few people for the first time or seeing old friends again. Naturally they all ask 'What are you doing these days with all your free time?'

I love to see the look on their faces when I cooly say... 'I spend my time writing for a blog just about Filofax and other brands of organisers, talking and helping readers and keeping in touch with two small organiser companies in Belgium (Gillio) and the Netherlands (Van der Spek) etc etc...'

I'm getting good at the explanation now... well practiced I suppose, but it will make you smile to see the look on their faces, it completely floors them...

However, I sometimes run in to a problem trying to explain why anyone would want to own more than one organiser... let alone a collection of them (puts up hand... guilty as charged!)

So are we obsessive? or just enthusiastic collectors?


17 May 2015

Reader Under The Spotlight - Kristy

Today I would like to introduce you to Kristy

My name is Kristy Beer (yes... like the drink) and I live in hot, sunny, humid Townsville, a city in North Queensland,  Australia.  I am a single mother of a little boy Harrison,  who is nearly 2. 

I have always been the typical stationery and notepad geek for as long as I can remember. As a child I had tons of diaries,  journals, notebooks,  pens, pencils... on Saturdays I learned artistic roller ​skating, which always left a one hour gap in between the free skating session, and my lesson - during which I used to sneak over to the shopping center and spend my pocket money at the newsagent, buying yet another notebook or journal! 

I have had several serious medical issues over my adult years which lead me to seek a diary to ensure I not only kept all appointments with doctors and specialists, but to note down days of anything that I may need to tell them for reference.

For years I would purchase a Debden A5 diary and cart it with me everywhere, and they normally fell apart by the November/December mark​. Then one day my hairdresser pulled out a Filofax from her handbag to schedule my next appointment. It was a multicolor striped canvass personal,  well worn and very stuffed. I knew as soon as I saw it I had to have one... and the rest is history!

​I have answered the questions below as instructed and included a photo of myself - a rare one that I actually don't mind. :-)​

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

My first organiser was a personal Botanic in Pink -  after seeing my friend's personal canvas that was multi-coloured stripes (I still do not know the name of that one and am STILL searching for one myself, somebody must have one hidden somewhere), I decided to go the canvas - which worked well as it was the only style I could afford at the time!

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

None, but I am OBSESSED with the idea of one day owning a Gillio Medium Compagna - I LOVE the look of the leather, the way they patina with age and love, and the long back pocket - brilliant. That to me is a real "grown up" planner, and I will own one one day. :-) I intend to use it until it literally falls to pieces.

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

Maldens are my all time favourite. I LOVE the feel, the floppiness, the fact that they can be stuffed outside the rings, their pockets, the way they look "well loved" from the moment you receive them, even when they are brand new.

I love "workhorse" planners, those you can tell are carted everywhere, contain entire lives of the people that own them, and the Malden's just scream that to me.  I have both a black pocket (my all time favourite) and a personal purple which is my current everything planner.  I wish I could downsize down to the pocket but at the moment with all the *stuff* going on in my life, I have to carry a personal. Now to find a black personal Malden - ohhhh, dream DREAM come true!

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

I own three Maldens - a black pocket, purple pocket and purple personal. I don't use more than one planner at a time (I managed to confuse myself so everything has to go into one) so the purple will be sold soon to another loving home.

I also have a personal raspberry Finsbury which was my everyday planner for about 3 years non-stop, before I discovered Philofaxy and the world of Filofaxes, from decorating to washi, tabs and personalised dashboards, and everything in between.

I still have that one and it's well loved. I toy with the idea of moving back into her for a while but the love I have for my Maldens is just too great. I also have a pocket Navy Finsbury which I purchased second hand but was not told about the poor condition of the rings (they are rusted and gross) so I am not sure what I am going to do with that one yet....

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

My raspberry Finsbury. She's served me well, I can't let her go.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

Carrying my entire life. I am very forgetful and easily stressed - I need my planner to keep track of EVERYTHING from appointments, play dates, bills due, accounts to be paid, doctors appointments, everything. The main section is my Week to Opening Piaric inserts, which have all things I need to remember and when.  I have a section for my personal goals and dreams (including a bucket list and a yearly letter to myself reminding me to be strong no matter what life throws at me).

I have a section for my son to keep track of his milestones, books to buy him, what I need to remind myself as a parent is important, and any notes that I may need to remember should he fall sick and I need to take him to the doctors, and lists for birthdays (presents, party planning requirements, etc).

I have passwords ('cause I never remember those either), accounts in a section, I have a lists section that lists - well, everything, from things I need to buy for the house, things I need to sell on eBay, things I need for my next trip away, things to buy my son, things that I need (ok, want), etc. I have a section for contacts in case I lose my phone, as the only phone number I can ever remember is my own.

I have a medical section for notes about how I am feeling and what symptoms I had for my endocrinology appointments, and I also use this section for notes about dietary requirements and if my doctor tells me things I should remember such as changes to medication and when to have blood tests.  I also have a section for my therapy appointments so I can note down important things to discuss should something have happened.

I have a section for business cards for places I use weekly/monthly/yearly, and a notepad in the back pocket for my grocery lists so I don't leave it on the kitchen bench like I used to before I utilized my planners!

I have spare bank cards and my own business cards in the front, stamps in the zipper and personal cards from friends for days I need a smile in the back behind the notepad. I have scripts for medication in the front pocket so I never forget them when I go to fill them (instead of what I used to do prior to owning a filofax - get to the chemist and say every curse word under the sun when I remembered the script was still attached to a clip on the fridge at home).

I have a open top pocket full of photos of my son, so I always have him with me even if he's not there.

Finally, on my plastic Today Ruler, I stick a post-it note on it with my daily "To Dos" from washing to picking up a package, things that don't need to be noted in the diary itself, just things I need to be reminded of that day.

At the end of the day the post-it is thrown away, a new one replaced, and anything not done that day is carried over to the next. I leave it open on the bench and I can see everything in a glance. My Malden contains my life, she's with my everywhere I go.

7. How many sections do you have in your organiser and what is each section used for?
  1. Personal - life goals, bucket lists, etc.
  2. My son - goals as a parent to him (note to myself that is), books to buy him, milestones listed, notes for birthday (presents to buy, etc)
  3. Month to opening - so I can see everything in a glance - bills due and birthdays mostly.
  4. Week to opening - all appointments and bills due go in here. Also in notes section at top of page, I list bills paid and receipt numbers.
  5. Accounts and Passwords
  6. Contacts - cause if I lost my phone I'd be stuffed.
  7. Lists - lists for anything and everything.
  8. Medical - Specialist notes and journal of anything that happens between appointments to tell them next time, notes taken during appointments
  9. (sub tab in medical) Therapy - journal of events that I need to remember to discuss.
  10. Business cards - for places I use weekly/monthly/yearly for both work and personal reasons.
8. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?

Total and utter customisation - it's your filofax, you make it how you want it for your use. No rules - you do what you want!

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

Side cards on the left ala Holborn personal, pocket at rear aka Malden, and full back width pocket on the personal sizes like the Gillio Compagna, all in the shell of a Malden in Vintage Pink or Black - PLANNER HEAVEN!

10. How do you carry your Filofax?

TERRIBLY!! It is thrown into whatever bag I am carrying at the time, from my normal handbag to the baby bag - but I do admit that in the baby bag it does have it's own "section" away from baby related things like drink bottles - learnt that lesson the hard way.

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

Malden.  I'm soooo biased. I already own one but I must say if I could get my hands on a Black personal - ohhhhh

12. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?

My personal Malden actually - $160 as I was having trouble finding one I liked but then this one popped up on the Filofaxes for Sale and it was in Australia (sooooooo difficult to find the planner you want that the buyer is willing to ship overseas, but I do understand why sellers hesitate) and it was the "texture" I was looking for. Maldens are all so different, and I knew what I wanted - so when it popped up I didn't hesitate! The way she works for me though, she's paid for herself over and over again!

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

The post-it note on the Today ruler was a good one, but I would have to say using laminated perspex for several things like page lifters (to stop the back pages from curling around the rings when closed) and using them to stick post-it's on for on the go and also adding additional pen loops so you can carry not only post-its without adding bulk but TWO pens! And if those pens are multi-barrell pens - well, no pencil case in the handbag carrying for me!!

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

The range of discussion, the ideas, and the interesting way of finding out how people bond over something like planners - bet when planners where invented, they did not imagine the cult following they have today!

15. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

Um...???? Not sure. I am yet to try to print out my own inserts.  I bet I fail at that - so I would then say printing the inserts!

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

Please don't laugh - but "Frozen". I would say it was for my son but...that would be a lie.

17. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?

I would love to but being in North Queensland, Australia - makes it VERY hard.  Then again, it's one that should go on the bucket list *reaches for her trusty Malden*

18. What was the last movie you watched?

I wouldn't have a clue!! I watch TV Shows from DVD - but a guess would be Devil Wears Prada? I love that movie - can watch it over and over again!

19. What was the last book you read?

Tully by Paulina Simmons - again.  I have been reading that book every year since I was in Grade 10 which was back in 1997.  I love it.  I even named my dog "Tully" after it.  I never tire of it.

Thank you Kristy for your wonderfully detailed responses. 

As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, you don't have to be 'well known' or a long term user to be considered to appear in this 'spot'. 

 So please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com today. 

Thank you.