31 October 2012

Seven Years Ago Today


Today is our 7th birthday.... the birth of Philofaxy which came in to the world at 12:35 on 31 October 2005. Mother and baby are doing fine!

I wasn't around back then, in fact I'm not sure many people would have noticed this new blog back then... but a few comments did appear on that very first post:
It was then closely followed by a second post on the same day:
Time might have moved on in the Philofaxy world but as you can see the discussions haven't changed too much... what size, which make etc etc!! Constantly seeking perfection.

We managed to get the original Philofaxer back to do a guest post to celebrate our 5th birthday, and you might like to take a read of that post too.
Our success is down to you the readers, without any readers we would writing to ourselves.... So thank you for your continued support and appreciation.

Raise your glasses to Philofaxy.... long may it continue.....

Printing Your Own Diary Inserts - Hints and Tips

Since Ray and I created our own diary inserts it has been great to see the number of people that have downloaded them and who are using them is increasing each month. People mention them in blogs, we see them in pictures on blogs, we get links back to the pages as well, which is all great.

But occasionally we do get some messages from frustrated downloaders who for what ever reason just can't get the inserts to print out correctly. It is not easy via an email or message to be able to know exactly what the issue is, with millions of combinations of printers and PC set ups it would be impossible to say what the issue was instantly. But I hope to give you some of the main issues you might encounter. 
  • The files we provide will work on a Windows PC or a Mac or a Linux PC for the pdf files Or any type of machine that can read and print a PDF file.
  • The Word files we provide will work on a Windows PC or a Mac. In fact, Ray uses a Windows PC and I use a Mac and we have never encountered any issues when we have been sending the files back and forth between us, or rather accessing them in our shared Dropbox folder.
  • The diary insert Word files will not work in Pages on the Mac, there are far too many formatting codes and mail merge codes for Pages to make sense of. The static files which are ordinary templates in the files area should work ok, but no guarantees. I use Office 2011 for Mac to create all the templates these days.
  • To print any of the pages you need a printer that can handle a variety of paper sizes with a manual feed tray if you are printing on to personal size paper.  This post will help you set up your pc/printer to be able to print the files on personal size paper
  • If you are printing A5 pages on A4 paper, this post will help you with the set up of your PC/Printer
  • If your printer does not have a 'Duplex' printing facility. You will need to print first one side and then the other. The easiest way is to print all 'Odd pages' first, then put the paper stack back in the feed tray and then print all 'Even pages'  You might need to experiment to make sure there are no issues with the page order, some printers print from the last page to the first page, others the other way around.
  • If you are printing the PDF files do not scale the pages otherwise they will be smaller than Filofax page sizes. The notes on printing here will assist you in checking and altering this setting.
  • All of our designs are created to use European A4 size paper or Filofax Personal size paper. This isn't a common size in the USA/Canada, but it is available from Amazon.com and we would recommend using the right size paper rather than trying to alter the designs to use US size paper.  A4 is 297 mm x 210 mm (11.69 inches x 8.27 inches) A5 is 210 mm x 148 mm. You can of course cut down 11 x 8.5 inch paper to A5 size. 
  • Our designs use a light grey for most of the lines, we personally found this more pleasing on the eye and matches the the sort of design detail that Filofax and other diary makers use on their designs. However, the printed page will depend on your own printer in terms of how light or dark these lines come out. If the end result isn't to your liking you might be able to vary the density of the colour from within your printer settings, but we can't give you details on how to do this.... please consult the manual or the help files that came with your printer.  Alternatively you can go in to the source files and change the format of the lines and re-merge the files.
  • Our designs are all created for a week starting on a Monday, we can't change this to Sunday, Saturday or any other day of the week without a major redesign of the files.
  • Our Personal on A4 pages are printed at 2 pages per side because to get the right page to print on the front and rear of the page is complicated enough without the added complication of the the moving of the pages as you progress through the file. Also it doesn't save that many sheets of paper going from from 4 pages per sheet to 6 pages per sheet.

    Additionally not all printers will let you have margins as small as 6 mm which is what is required to be able to print 3 personal pages side by side on A4 paper.
I hope these notes help more of you use our diary inserts.

30 October 2012

Web Finds - 30 October 2012

Here are the latest Filofax blog posts:
  1. Moving my Filofaxes to higher ground.... - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  2. Win a filofax! - Anita Lim
  3. Dodo Acad-Pad Weeks Six to Nine - Lady Tamlynn
  4. Fixing My Planner Fail - Jagged Little Thoughts
  5. My Filofax Set Up! - Blunt Fringe Girl 
  6. Filofax Personal AMAZONA! - Monica Luis
  7. Will I Ever Go A5? - The Storage Studio
  8. My first Filofax - Topaz - Monica Luis
  9. Louth girl sees Filofax design come to life - Louth Leader 
  10. my filofax week #28- Paper Lovestory 
  11. Filofax stormageddon list - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  12. New desk arrived :) - Filofax Love
  13. New designs for Filofax? - Cloudberry Musings
  14. Filofax prepping for 2013 Part. 1 - Behind my Purpley Life
  15. Filofax prepping for 2013 Part. 2 - Behind my Purpley Life
  16. Rebooting my Filofax - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  17. Little Red Filofax - Filomaniac
  18. Filofax College - Week 5 - Getting out that Planner Fail  - Imysworld
  19. Filofax vs. bound notebooks- what I'm going to do next! Part 1 - The Life of The Perpetual Student
  20. Filofax vs. bound notebooks- what I'm going to do next! Part 2 - The Life of The Perpetual Student
  21. The Search for Planner Perfection - Decision Inspired
  22. ostie… and pondering - Wandrrlust
  23. Comfy at last! - Filofax Fantasies 
  24. Review | Filofax - Joy to The World
  25. behind the scenes: temperley london for filofax - fash-ling
  26. bare skin - Daisybutter 
  27. A week of arranging - Just an Essex girl
  28. These were the months that were: September and October 2012 - My so called organised life
  29. my finsbury set-up and thoughts - and then she read
  30. New Filofax Diary Pages - jagged little thoughts
  31. temperley for filofax style challenge - fash-ling
And here are the latest videos






Free For All Tuesday No. 91

My first thoughts today are with our friends and readers in North East USA who at the time that this post goes live will be in the middle of the big storm. I'm sure you will all join me in hoping that everyone and their friends and families will be safe and unharmed.

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

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

29 October 2012

Reader Under The Spotlight - Laura

This week I would like to introduce you to Laura, who blogs over at jagged little thoughts

Hi, I’m Laura and I have just turned 24 years old. I studied textiles at college and enjoy drawing, painting and writing songs in my spare time; I play guitar as well.

When I was little I was so messy, but once I became a teenager I tidied and organised my room every few days. My mum used to hate me rearranging the furniture in my room every few weeks!

I have always been into organisation, believing everything should have a place and that I should know where that place is!

I have always loved stationery; my favourite shop when I was younger was WH Smiths. I used to collect notebooks (I still have so many)…  I now use them for jotting down pieces of writing and song lyrics.
 

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

I bought my first Filofax when I was about 16, it was a black Pocket Identity. I liked the idea of having a diary I could carry around with me, and I thought I was all grown up and professional! I don’t think I used it for very long though as I didn’t really have much to write in it!

2. What other brands have you used or considered using?
I really like the Paperchase organisers, but I think I would get bored very quickly of the bright colours and designs. Although I love design and pattern, and lovely colours, sometimes plain and simple is the way to go. I make a lot of my own inserts and dividers now, so that everything is tailored exactly how I like it.

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


My favourite would have to be my recently received Personal Domino in Grape. I love the colour (I bought it after my raspberry Finsbury started decaying *sad face*). The colour is really lovely, it’s simple, and it seems to hold so much, with enough room to turn the pages. Also my Frixion pen fits smoothly into the pen loop, unlike the Finsbury where I kept pulling the lid off trying to get it out of the loop.

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?


I currently own 4 Filofax; 2 Pocket Dominos (one in chocolate and one in lavender), a Personal Domino in grape and a Personal Chameleon in Aqua, which Filofax sent me as a replacement for the Finsbury. I don’t think I’ll ever get on with it though, it’s just not purple!

5. What do you use your Filofax for?


I only use one Filofax at a time. I was using the lavender Domino (Pocket) but it was far too small for me.  It was light and easy to carry, but too small. I upgraded to a Personal, and this holds literally everything in my brain! Diary, meal plans, emergency recipes, coupons, special dates, birthday and Christmas lists, ideas for new songs, settings for my guitar amp, notes, tracking my spending…. I could go on!

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


I like the fact that I can move the pages around, and that I can make my own inserts and choose the diary layout that works the best for the way I live.

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


Well… it would have to be purple!  But it would be nice to have some more designs like the Songbird and Swift that are a little bit quirky. Maybe a ‘Design Your Own’ where you can choose a texture, e.g. Chameleon, Osterley, Domino… and then pick the colour. Also I would have a photo slot in the front, because I like photos!

8. How do you carry your Filofax?


It comes with me to work every day in my handbag. Since I got a Domino to replace my Finsbury, the Domino is much lighter (even though there’s more stuff in it!), but because I drive to work, I leave my Domino in my car in the driver’s side cubby hole. I don’t really need it in the office; I tend to remember things on my lunch break, so it’s really handy if I have a brain wave! At weekends the meal planner page goes food shopping with me, but my Filo usually stays on the coffee table at home within easy reach.

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


I really love the look of the Personal Purple Malden but three things put me off… The way the leather looks like it crumples over time where you fold open the front cover, the price, and the fact that it is like gold dust to try and get hold of! Apart from that, nothing else really appeals to me.

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


I’ve never spent more than £30 on a Filofax because I change my mind so often and don’t have much expendable income. The Pocket Dominos were both on sale at WHSmith, and my Finsbury and Domino were both from eBay.

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


The community spirit! And also it gives me something to sit down and concentrate on, and read through the web finds every Tuesday after work and every Saturday afternoon with a  cup of tea.

12. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?


Internet Explorer is worn out from opening so many tabs on Tuesdays and Saturdays! [Firefox?]

13. What was the last music album CD you bought or downloaded?


The Civil Wars album, Barton Hollow. Excellent band, got their CD for my birthday and it’s excellent cooking music!

Thank you Laura for agreeing to go under our spotlight. If you would like to be a future Reader Under The Spotlight, please contact us at: philofaxy [at] gmail [dot] com 

28 October 2012

Cuban Personal Zip - Training

I've had the Cuban Personal Zip for nearly a year now and you will find my original review back here.

It has huge 30mm rings so it can carry a ton of stuff and given that I'm using my Compact Malden Zip as my carry around Filofax these days I'm not having an issue with the Zip.

However, sometimes I would just like a little more capacity compared to the Compact Malden has. OK may be something like a Holborn Zip might be a better compromise for me. But I have the Cuban Zip in the cupboard.

The thing that has always annoyed me about using the Cuban Zip has been its inability to lay flat in normal daily use. So I thought I had to do something about this. Could I get it to lay flat for long enough in normal use.

So the first thing I did was to give the leather some care cream treatment and some wax cleaner on the inside and out, not that it was dirty, but to just 'feed' the leather, I paid particular attention to the spine where the leather is going to hinge when opening and closing.

I also thought that I had to train this binder gently, like you do an athlete, you can't be a couch potato for 20 years and then expect to run a 4 minute mile after you have just been to the sports gear shop for some new running shorts... <scary image> !

So to start with the binder when open would sit at about 100 degrees in it's relaxed state, not the flat 180 degrees we all aim for.  Pick up my full A5 Malden and it flops to 270 degrees with no effort! The Personal Malden about 200 degrees ok with a few lumps and bumps... So there was some work to do on the Cuban.

I continued to flex the binder to the 180 degree opening and a little beyond that gradually. But I also took care to apply some more leather care balm to the spine to ensure there was no cracking of the leather.

This continued over a few days until I could get it all the way back to 360 degrees [gulp] After it had been flexed to this point it then would lay flat.

Take a look at the video to see the end result....


The key lesson is to only do this sort of thing after you have applied plenty of leather care balm to the spine to ensure that the leather doesn't crack as you flex the organiser. Also don't try to rush it, gradually flex the leather over a few days, reapplying the leather care balm each day.

And naturally I will not be held responsible for any damage you might cause to your own Filofax organiser training it.....

27 October 2012

Web Finds - 27 October 2012

And again
  1. Planning my life with a burnout - Deligted
  2. The organised(ish) PhD researcher - Mixosaurus
  3. Getting buy with a little help from our Filo-friends - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  4. Meet the family - Just an Essex Girl
  5. Expenses envelopes for the Filofax Pocket - My Life All in One Place
  6. 22-28 october ottobre - Mamma StressFilofaxATA
  7. uh-oh… - Wandrrlust
  8. De-cluttering and letting go - Cloudberry Musings 
  9. Evolution - Skybluepinkish
  10. Seriously? After all we've been through? - The Crazy Life of J
  11. Think Pink! - Filomaniac
  12. It's cute..really cute..buuut - Circus Life with Disturbed Mamacita
  13. My Top 5 Time Management Quotes - Homemaker Daily
  14. Guest Post from Vanjilla: "Personal Piccadilly vs. Personal Malden Filofax" - The Storage Studio
  15. Uses for Vertical Monthly Inserts: Blogging Schedule - Printed Portal
  16. Filofax - It's a way of life - A Mothers Ramblings
  17. The point of effective planning...  - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  18. Question of the month #1; What diary will you be using in 2013? - My Filo World
  19. Malden, my sweet friend! - Circus Life with Disturbed Mamacita
  20. Filofax Collection of the Week - Kate - TPS - Imysworld
  21. my filofax diet: slimming into the deco - Paper Lovestory
  22. Decisions, Decisions!!! - Filo Obsessed
  23. My new Filofax DIY birthday ruler hack thingy wotsit - All Things Stationery
  24. Filofax Upgrade: Hello Coleto! - The Crazy Life of J
  25. Filofax Madness - Spy 1988 
  26. Planner fail with my Filofax inserts... - The Life of The Perpetual Student 
  27. Comparing apples and oranges - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  28. Meet-Up-Premiere in München - Filo-Manie
  29. My very first Filofax - vintage 1980s - Cloudberry Musings
And here are the latest videos










Enjoy

26 October 2012

Free For All Friday No. 206

This weekend sees European countries going back a hour at the end of 'Summer Time' or Day Light Saving Time. As usual it leads to a lot of confusion... well for me anyway, because the US doesn't change for another week. Why we can't all change at the same time I don't know.

To try to make sure I don't forget these important dates I've got them recorded in my Filofax for this year and next year. I have lost count of the number of clocks I have to change twice a year!

So apart from clock changing this weekend have you got any major events planned for this weekend in your Filofax.

But as it is a Friday please feel free to discuss anything Filofax related.

25 October 2012

Ring Bound Organisers Other Brands....

There are several reasons why people might want to move away from using a Filofax organiser, but still want to use a ring bound organiser. I'm not going to go in to these reasons, they are personal decision people might take and I'm cool about that.

However, just because you have decided to no longer use a Filofax personal organiser that does not mean you are no longer welcome here at Philofaxy, far from it. Whilst we tend to focus on Filofax branded organisers, we are interested in all ring bound paper planner solutions.

This is in the same way that Laurie's Plannerisms blog deals with all 'bound' paper planners, although that isn't a hard and fast rule, because you will occasionally see ring bound paper planners over there too. So between us we look at covering all paper planners one way or another, and also bring you news from other blogs that cover paper planners in any form.

So getting to the point of this post.... what other brands of ring bound organisers are there? So firstly thank you to everyone who contributed to compiling the list below. I wouldn't be so brave to call it a definitive list, but hopefully we will cover as many of the well known brands as possible.

Please note that I have carried out no checks on page sizes or hole spacing for any of these listed, if you want to use Filofax inserts in any of these, please check with the supplier before you purchase them.
If you know of others, please add them in to the comments including the main manufacturers website and I will up date the list from time to time. 

24 October 2012

Filofax A5 Holborn Zip - Review

Who doesn't like receiving parcels in the post, especially when they look like this one......


The 'Mr Philofaxy' did make our young French post lady smile when she asked me to sign for the parcel, she gave me a cheeky grin as she handed over the parcel !!!



Inside was an A5 Holborn Zip in brown that I had bought from Erin in her recent grand sale.


I'm now starting to see what attracts people to this model. The leather is similar to the leather used in the Malden, just as soft and supple, but because of the design of the interior, the cover isn't as floppy, it gives the whole organiser a lot more structure. The outside on the zip model has a slip pocket, which is quite deep and is great for holding notes or leaflets.

The zip model almost lays perfectly flat straight out of the box as well.


In the left hand side interior you have 5 credit card/business card slots, a large slot pocket at the bottom, A full height slot pocket behind this section, and a leather elasticated pen loop.


The back cover has a similar full height slot pocket as well as a zipped pocket, the zip sits protected behind a fold in the leather which I think is a nice design touch. There is also another elasticated leather pen loop in the rear cover.

Now, you must be wondering what I'm going to use this new addition for.... with my cupboard already containing other A5's.... yes ok!  I'm in fact going to move the contents of my 'work' Property Finding A5 Finsbury in to this organiser. The zip format will work better, I will be able to tuck loose papers inside easier without the worry of them getting lost between properties.

23 October 2012

Web Finds - 23 October 2012

Here are the latest Filofax Blog Posts
  1. How to organize your time when working from home - Christina's Adventures
  2. Print your own dot grid pages for the A4 and A5 Filofax - My Life All in One Place
  3. custom undated filofax monthly plan inserts - Paper Lovestory
  4. Press Review 1 : Clairefontaine paper - Honey and Filofaxes
  5. eBay Errors! - Within Dreams We Live
  6. My Right Hand Man - Seventh House On The Left 
  7. Filofax A5 Chameleon in Red - Hazel's Blog
  8. Filofax A5 Chameleon in Red – moved in - Hazel's Blog
  9. Productivity Tools - David Seah 
  10. Temperley for Filofax - Live. Love. Learn. Write 
  11. Creating Lists With My Filofax - Glossette
  12. Re-homing my Franklin Covey family - Cloudberry Musings
  13. filofax week #27 - Paper Lovestory
  14. Linktipp (11): Die Filofax Story - Filomaniac
  15. Filofax Meet-up in München - Herbst 2012 - Chaotic Perfectionist
  16. When is it Time to Stop? - LJ's Blog of Stuff
  17. Arguments against the Filofax #1: Efficiency and maintenance - Productive Living
  18. All Stars Guest Post: Paperlovestory - My Filofax - Vanjilla
  19. My Filofax Week #3 - Hello Emma
  20. Journaling - Thoughts & Exploration
  21. Filofax College - Week 4 - Tracking your Spending - Imysworld 
  22. osterley filofax set up: part III! - Paper Lovestory 
  23. Filofax spotted! - The Wonderful World of Alice
  24. Week 41 and 42 in my Filofax - The Wonderful World of Alice
  25. Das erste deutsche Filofax Meet up in München - Filomaniac 
  26. 2013 Setup Options - Diary Layout - LJ's Blog of Stuff
  27. Slimming down my Regency Compact - My Filo World
  28. Planning my life with a burnout - Deligted
  29. My Filofax Week #4 - Glossette
  30. Testing a New Diary Layout - Filofax - jagged little thoughts
  31. New Inserts: How Am I Getting On? - jagged little thoughts
  32. Not another Filofax; meet my Succes Standard - My Filo World
  33. Filofax Week #42 - Behind my Purpley Life 
  34. Using Washi Tape in My Filofax - Whimsicality 
  35. Uses for Vertical Monthly Inserts: Work Schedule - Planning with Printed Portal
  36. Uses for Vertical Monthly Inserts: Deals and Voucher Tracker - Planning with Printed Portal
And the latest videos





Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No. 90

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

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

22 October 2012

Reader Under The Spotlight - Julie

This week I would like to introduce you to Julie

Hi, I’m Julie, I’m 32 and I live in Northamptonshire with my husband and work as a sub-editor for newspapers across Bedfordshire.
I don’t blog very much but I am on Twitter and you can follow me @juleslea

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

I was 18, at college and bought a WHSmith branded organiser. It had a tartan pattern and I remember it being very purple! My first purchase from the Filofax range was a personal Ranger.

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

I’ve tried using a diary in the past but there’s just something about the Filofax that I love. I tried to use a diary at the start of this year and by the second week of January I was back with my Filofax!

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

My personal red Finsbury. I love it! I even have the Trifold folder to match!

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own? 

Seven. Some I haven’t used for ages but won’t part with in case I want to revisit them in the future.

5. What do you use your Filofax for? 

Everything! It’s not an exaggeration to say it organises my life. I have a personal diary in there as well as a work one. I don’t like going out without it. Birthdays, addresses, maps, website lists, reading lists – they’re all in there. I love being able to have everything I need in one place.

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

This is an easy question – the fact that you can personalise it to what you want and can easily change it around to suit what you need.
 
7. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature? 

I’d go for the Malden leather in a bright colour with the Adelphi-style pockets at the front.

8. How do you carry your Filofax? 

It’s normally in my handbag. I have it on my desk at work and by my side at home.

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

I do like the look of the plum Osterley. I’m hoping I’ve been good this year and Father Christmas will bring it for me. If not, I might ask for money for my birthday and buy it. Would be the best gift ever!

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

I have a personal Malden in Vintage Pink but bought that in the sale when it was about £53. I think that’s the most so far… until I get an Osterley!

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

I think by nature all humans are inquisitive and I love reading how people use their Filofax and make it their own. It’s so good to have a site where people can share ideas on a common theme.
I love the Web Finds midweek and on a Saturday morning. I try to read them all!

12. And what do you not like about Philofaxy? 

There isn’t anything I don’t like. I genuinely think it’s a great site.

13. What was the last music album CD you bought or downloaded? 

Rita Ora’s album, Ora. Also downloaded Now 82 on the same day! [They still do them!!??]

Thank you Julie for agreeing to be our Reader Under The Spotlight. If you would like to to be a future 'Reader Under The Spotlight' please get in touch with us at philofaxy [at] gmail [dot] com

21 October 2012

Embracing (Filofax) change - part 2

With a general move to downsizing and reducing the clutter in my life, I really enjoyed reading Steve's review of the Malden compact zipped and purchased one. My plan was to use it as my sole filo and wallet combined, but I sold it as I realised that the combination of the smaller rings and zip meant it all felt a bit constricted to me.




As mentioned in part one of this post, I managed to win two beautiful slimlines on eBay and I thought I'd share some more photos of them with you.

The first contender is the scarlet Adelphi.
I know that some people aren't a fan of the slimline Adelphi due to the front poppered pocket adding extra bulk, but I quite like that as it's easy to use it as a wallet. As soon as I took it out of the packaging I loved it. The colour is a stunning vivid scarlet, the leather is quite soft and I like the diamond pattern as it adds texture and interest. I don't think the photos do it justice really.






And then we have the elegant ruby Deco.
To be honest, I assumed that I would prefer this one but I just didn't bond with it like I did with the Adelphi. It's strange as the Deco is stunning with its mini crocodile print leather and cream suede interior, and the ruby colour is a lovely deep red.






When I initially wrote this, I was asking for help in choosing between these two slimlines but the Deco has already been sold! In the end, I went with my gut feeling as I couldn't wait to use the Adelphi and kept picking it up. In comparison, I occasionally took the Deco out of its box, admired and sniffed it (!) and then put it back in the cupboard. I know that from the comments the overwhelming majority chose the Deco, but somehow the darker red leather felt more serious, a bit too posh and just not me. I did adore my purple Malden, but I was beginning to find the colour a bit on the dark side for every day use, so maybe I was ready for a cheery scarlet filo instead.  

So, the Adelphi is now my main filo, with my A5 as back up for more space and projects. I will write some posts about my slimline set up once I've settled in a little more.

20 October 2012

Web Finds - 20 October 2012

And here we are again...
  1. Personal Vintage Rose Finchley - Planet Millie
  2. Midori Traveler's Notebook Odor Update! Getting rid of smells - Imysworld [Useful tip]
  3. reference sheets - Paper Lovestory
  4. Review: Compact Osterley Orange - Filo-Manie
  5. Ready for more? - Lime Tree
  6. The Dodo-Pad for My Filofax - Jess's Blog
  7. My Filofax Personal Holborn Wine Setup - Behind my Purpley Life
  8. Uses for Pocket Filos - Jagged little thoughts
  9. So many books so little time... - Nothings Original Anymore
  10. Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Filofax - The Storage Studio
  11. filofax - "even artichokes have hearts" 
  12. Die Metropol-Familie - Filomaniac
  13. osterley filofax set up: part II! - Paper Lovestory
  14. Toss the To Do List & Make a Done List Instead - Homemakers Daily
  15. Chameleon has Arrived - Jagged Little Thoughts
  16. Custom Inserts - Jagged Little Thoughts
  17. Diane Keaton - Jolie.de
  18. Time for a small rethink - Paper Pens Ink
  19. My Pennybridge - Just an Essex Girl
  20. A small update - My Once Upon The Moon
  21. All Stars Guest Post: Vanjilla – Baroscapade! - Lime Tree
  22. 2013 Diary Experiment - The Storage Studio
  23. Vintage Green Richmond - Cloudberry Musings
  24. Filofax Collection of the Week - Imysworld
  25. My mini move - Rapunzel's World
  26. the best and worst stationery companies - Paper Lovestory
  27. Falsche Schlange? - Filomaniac 
  28. Sigmund Freud: On under-planning... - The Crazy Suburban Mom 
  29. Purple Malden: Dents and Complaints - The Life of the Perpetual Student 
  30. Ooh - something new? - LJ's Blog of Stuff
  31. DIY bargains to fit in my Filofax (1) - All Filo
  32. 2013 Setup Options - Binder Options - LJ's Blog of Stuff
And this weeks videos







Enjoy

19 October 2012

Free for All Friday No. 205

At various times, organizer manufacturers like Filofax, Day Runner, and Franklin Covey have attempted to unite the paper world with the electronic one. That has included things like a binder or portfolio that can accommodate a Palm Pilot or iPad and a paper organizer side-by-side. Or something as simple as leaves designed for listing favorite websites.

Do you keep your calendar on paper but your contacts list on your cellphone? How do you combine (or separate) your paper-based and digital information?

18 October 2012

Embracing (Filofax) change - part 1

I am sad to announce that my beautiful purple Malden developed some ring issues and has been returned. I noticed with some disbelief that the tiny gaps on the two lower rings had got bigger, and the bottom one was starting to move out of alignment. I have been offered a refund as the variations in the Malden leather mean that I'd only want to get a replacement in person and it's not from a local supplier unfortunately. I am such a Malden fan-girl that I initially felt a bit at a loss of what to do now, and started to regret selling my crimson one.

Farewell, my lovely

However, after a bit more thought I decided that the Filofax gods are actually helping me embrace a change I was considering anyway! After seeing Imy and Tracy's compacts at the London meet up, I did realise just how chunky my Malden had become and I'm generally trying to declutter and downsize in my life. As I'd been removing more and more, it seemed silly to have such large rings with so little in it. I popped onto eBay (as you do) and to my surprise found a new scarlet slimline Adelphi for a bargain buy it now price. And then I won a new ruby slimline Deco for another great price, which means I now am in a bit of quandary... which one to keep?? So many slimlines are either in black or brown, so I was very surprised to be able to snap up two in these colours so close together.



Family shot
Both slimlines were listed as new, but the Adelphi (in my opinion) show some signs of use so I have started using it as my main Filofax, with my A5 Domino Snake as back up. I have decided to split this into two parts as otherwise it would be quite a long post with all the photos, so part two to come!

17 October 2012

Filofax Cross M2 - Review

Although I've posted about the M2 size before, I've never had one in my hands to be able to see what this size/format is like.

Recently some of these M2 organisers have been appearing on Ebay, some I must say at higher prices than I was prepared to pay. But with thanks to Tracy, she spotted one going for £15 plus postage, but they would only post to UK, so Tracy kindly offered to purchase it on my behalf and bring it along to the meet up in London.


So here it is the Filofax Cross M2 in a very light shade of blue, may be not a very manly colour I will agree, but it is the same colour as a lot of shirts I wear, so I find it an acceptable colour.

The organiser is in quite good condition, the leather has some tiny cracks in the surface on the clasp, but you need to use a magnifier to see them. The stitching is all in tact. The only thing I found odd about it was the smell of the interior, slightly musty as if it had been stored for some time.

After cleaning the leather the smell was still there so I soaked some kitchen paper towel in some liquid fabric refreshener (Febreze). then I put that in the long back pocket and left it over night. It hasn't totally gone but it is a lot better than it was at first.

The M2 organisers are no longer sold by Filofax, but they still sell inserts for this size. The paper size is 64 x 103 mm similar to Mini which is 105 x 67 mm, the main difference is that the M2 is in landscape format rather than the usual portrait format.  With a page width of 103 mm the M2 is slightly wider than Filofax Personal size (95mm) so there is plenty of width to write in.

As you can see it only has three rings, but they are the conventional 19mm (¾") apart, so existing Filofax punches all work just fine.


Rather than buy inserts for the M2 I set about creating some of my own, to start with I've just done some ToDo lists and some lined paper. Ideal for shopping lists and the like.


The Cross does have the full length back pocket and three card slots in the front inside cover. There is also a full height pocket behind the card slots for stamps and may be other less frequently used cards. In the back inside cover there is a zipped coin pocket which has an elasticated gusset at one end, which is quite a neat design feature.  Below this pocket there is a horizontal leather pen loop, which takes my Filofax Mini pen quite nicely.


It is another addition to my growing collection!!

I've created some templates for the M2:


16 October 2012

Web Finds - 16 October 2012

Here are this weeks posts.
  1. The Filofax expenses envelope revisited - My Life All in One Place
  2. So What Did I Decide?: A Franklin Covey Haul - The Crazy Life of J
  3. Filofax Family Lifestyles Forms - Circus Life with Disturbed Mamacita 
  4. filofax week #26 - Paper Lovestory
  5. Filofax Diary Dilemma - The Storage Studio
  6. How to keep my orche Malden scratch free - All Filo  
  7. Treatment with shea butter lotion smooth away scratch marks on my Malden!! - All Filo
  8. Filofax Pocket: Hole Punching & Living with a Smaller Format! - Cat's Corner
  9. Flexing my organisational skills - Just an Essex girl.
  10. My favourite places in Bath - Lily, actually
  11. Planner In Overdrive - Well Planned Life
  12. Why am I looking at another organiser?? - Paper Pens Ink
  13. Day Timer Portable Fold-Out Monthly Divider - Cloudberry Musing
  14. Filofax enabling on a budget.... - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  15. Got Me a Filofax - The Occasional Sarah
  16. Climbing Back on the Low Carb Wagon - Anthannon
  17. Filey smiley - Fegrig
  18. Week 3 - Filofax College, Downsizing - by Paperlovestory - Imysworld
  19. guest post by Angel, all the way from Spain! - Paper Lovestory
  20. My Filofax Week #3 - Glossette
  21. My new set-up, part two - Honey & Filofaxes
  22. Cover Story - Winner announced! - Filofax UK
  23. The New Me Part 2 !!! - Filo Obsessed
  24. Journalling School - jetzt als Download - Filomaniac
  25. I won a Domino on eBay :) - Jagged Little Thoughts
  26. A step in the right (set-up) direction - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  27. Filofax Regency, How I am using it.... - Imysworld
  28. All Stars Guest Post: Lime Tree - Filofax Swap 4!  - Vanjilla
  29. A4 Filofax and Looper review - Planner Addict
  30. Personal Black Amazona FOR SALE! - Imysworld

There are a limited number of places still available for the next Philofaxy London Meet Up, read the post here if you are interested in attending.  
 And this weeks videos:

















Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No 89

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

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

15 October 2012

Reader Under the Spotlight - Keji

Today I would like to introduce you to Keji

Hi Filofax aficionados :-D.  I’m Keji, 28 years old and live in South East London.  I work full times as an events co-ordinator for a very well known supermarket chain (ching ching ;-D) and volunteer part time with a great organisation called Victim Support.  If you’re already thinking that’s a pretty full life, I’m also studying for my MA, have just started and events company with a very good friend and I have an incredibly busy social life – exactly why I need an organiser, whew!!! Although I’m a relatively recent convert to Filofax and ringed agendas I’ve always been an addict for stationary and all things tech.

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


I’ve had many incarnations of the ‘Funfax’ organiser when I was much younger, but the first real Filofax I ever bought was a personal aqua Chameleon, just June of this year.  I got the Chameleon purely by chance whilst I was searching desperately for an A5 aqua Finsbury.  It was so cheap on eBay (just over £14 BNIB with inserts) that I just went for it.  When it came I was totally smitten and couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t tried a ringed agenda earlier.  A few days later I found an A5 aqua Finsbury on the Philofaxy Adspot and purchased that too and now my addiction to all things Filofax has just increased rapidly, lol.

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

As I mentioned previously, before Filofax I had never used a ringed agenda and truthfully there hasn’t been any other brand that has really piqued my interest.  Yes, I’m still overwhelming in love with Filofax despite some of their recent questionable brand decisions and quality control issues.  I have however, always used some sort of paper agenda since secondary school.  These were usually bound and purchased either from WH Smiths or Paperchase.

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


It’s a toss-up between my personal compact grey Osterley (another bargain from eBay) and my A5 purple Malden.  Both of them are just so beautiful to look at, smell and touch.  I know they are completely different in size, style and texture but I’m a Gemini so it just means that both satisfy all my cravings simultaneously.

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?

At the moment I have 4 Filofaxes. 2 are A5’s, 1 is a compact personal and 1 is a standard personal.  This list doesn’t include the other 1 I have winding its way down to me which is the personal red Amazona.

5. What do you use your Filofax for?

I have defiantly acquired way too many Filofaxes lately but they all have specific purposes.  My compact Osterley is currently my everyday agenda.  It was an experiment to see whether I could work with a slimmer dairy but no, I can’t, lol.  I like my Filofaxes fat and full with everything I need in them and I had to make too many cuts with the compact.  Once I receive the personal red Amazona this will become my everyday agenda and the compact Osterley will be relegated to a travel Filofax as I have a case of the Wanderlust and I think its slimline size will be perfect  for this.

My personal aqua Chameleon is now an archive binder.

My A5 aqua Finsbury is split between housing the stuff for my MA program and my new business venture.

Finally my A5 purple Malden is a stay-at-home “Me” binder, an idea that I got from Angela of PaperLoveStory.com but in which I have expanded to have 14 sections (eek!!).

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

First of all Filofaxes are just really beautiful to look at and touch.  The important thing about having an agenda is that you use it, and having something that looks pleasing and make it a joy to use is half the battle.  In terms of practicality, I really love how customisable and personal you can make your Filofax.  There’s just no end to how you can set it up so that it works for you.  I also really love that you can carry pretty much keep everything you need in one place.  This “Life in one place” and customisation is what really bought me over to the ringed agenda and Filofax.

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

I’m really into bright and strong colours so more Filofaxes that feature this would be fantastic – I’m really craving the orange Osterley that I’ve seen advertised on City Organiser (yum :-D).  I also like that Filofax is thinking about how agendas and technology can converge such as with the new Filofax and iPad Malden and Pennybridge Zips.  It would be great if there were Filofaxs with smart phone pocket (the phone pocket on the Temperley designed Filofax was the only thing I liked about that collaboration).  Finally more inserts in cotton cream would be a dream.  Why I can’t get month on 2 pages in this is beyond my comprehension.
 
8. How do you carry your Filofax?


My everyday Filofax is always with me, whether in my bag when I’m out and about; on my desk at work or on my bedside table at home.  Often I carry my agenda in my hand as I move from room to room, just in case!!!  The others are either placed on my desk when in use and on my bookshelf when not.

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

Oh, you shouldn’t ask a shopaholic this!!!  It’s like asking a mother to pick her favourite child.  I can’t do it, lol.  I am, however,  looking at maybe, possibly getting an A5 Cuban zip if I ever come across one for a good price on eBay.  Also a personal purple and crimson Malden in the future just to have it in my collection and because I love those colours so much.

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

£70 on my A5 purple Malden.  Another fantastic deal I got during a visit to the wonderful City Organiser whilst at the Philofaxy meet up last month.

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

Ohhh it’s time for me to fangirl!!!  I literally love everything about Philofaxy.  I mean everything.  From the great community of people who are always so nice and helpful; to the informative and inspiring articles; to the great templates (Filofax take note) to the enabling Adspot that I check every single day even though I am in no need for another Filofax :-D.

12. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

What???  Sorry, this question does not compute.  Next question please ;-D.

13. What was the last music album CD you bought or downloaded?

I haven’t bought any new music for a few years now.  I tend to re-listen to my favourite tracks and albums that I’ve had for ages.  If I do want to listen to any new music I’ll listen to them on sites like as YouTube or Spotify.

Thank you Keji for going under the spotlight

14 October 2012

A5 revisited

After my little flirtation with the A5 size, I genuinely thought that I was done with a bigger size binder. I really didn't think any more about it until someone mentioned that the Domino Snakes are still available in the Filofax Germany sale. With my business head on, I had a nose and snapped up a bronze A5 to sell at a later date. Hmm, and then I realised that I was getting excited about it being delivered and tore into the box a bit too quickly for something that is just meant to be 'stock'! However, I restrained myself and carefully packed it away into a padded envelope.

I'm in the process of a fairly extensive sort through of my belongings, which means that my in-tray is constantly full and it all feels quite chaotic. I don't like it and I feel I'm going a bit crazy as sorted papers keep getting accidentally mixed back in with unprocessed stuff, aargh! And then a light bulb came on to use the A5 Snake for paperwork where I've finished the thinking and it's just ready to be actioned. My lovely husband just grinned at me as I chattered away, basically justifying the use of a second filofax! With my minimalist tendencies, I had been dead set on only owning one filo, but if a second one truly helps me get more organised then I don't mind so much.


I previously briefly owned a personal size Domino Snake in the paler, more natural colour but I think the bronze is so much more glamorous in a nicely understated way! I haven't had it long, but I think that the black interior and elastic closure will wear better than the paler versions on the other Dominoes. I met the lovely Jess and her A5 at the recent London meet up and I was amazed at how much it can fit in!








Here's what I'm planning on using it for:
  • Paperwork ready to be actioned
  • Jan-Dec dividers as my tickler file 
  • Holding reading material
  • Storing project support material 
  • Generally for paperwork that would be too bulky to store in my personal Malden
  • Using my plastic wallet to help me process papers.   
I've never owned a Domino before, but I've always admired the simplicity of their design and feel that the Snake cover adds a bit of extra class as well. I'm curious, are there many other Domino Snake owners out there? (I know of some of you, but I wonder how popular the model was/is as it's been discontinued from Filofax UK for some time)

13 October 2012

Web Finds - 13 October 2012

It is a very special persons very significant birthday today..... Happy $)th Birthday Laurie, I hope you have a great day today..... I wonder if you are getting a new planner for your birthday??!!

There are a limited number of places still available for the next Philofaxy London Meet Up, read the post here if you are interested in attending. 

Meanwhile.... here are some great posts for you all to read.
  1. A change in my organisational system! - Lily, Actually
  2. Journalling School - download your free book - My Life All in One Place
  3. Filofax copy :) ha ha ha - Mamma StressfilofaxATA
  4. The Dodo wasn't extinct after all! - Nothing's Original 
  5. Planner Setup: Compact Osterley - Wandrrlust
  6. Filofax Shootout: A5 Finsbury vs. A5 Malden - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  7. Stationary Haul #3 - Behind my Purpley Life
  8. More Malden Magic - Filomaniac  
  9. Filofax tendencies - The Yarn Yard
  10. The ultimate piece of office furniture - Take Note  
  11. Can you stand a slimline Filofax to look like this? - All Filo
  12. filofax issues...again - Paper Lovestory
  13. Anatomy of my Filofax: Multi-Pens - The Storage Studio
  14. 10 Reasons I Use a Planner - Homemakers Daily
  15. Filofax Pens - Pentorium
  16. Filofax in Romania - Rufele in Public
  17. My filofaxes – where are they now? (part 3) - Paper Pens Ink 
  18. First Custom Filofax Design - Jagged Little Thoughts
  19. Raspberry Finsbury goes to Hospital - Jagged Little Thoughts
  20. Download and print dot grid paper for your Filofax...- My Life All in One Place
  21. Dreikampf X47 vs. Filofax vs. Succes - Zoom Lab
  22. My new Metropol Amber - The absolutely fabulous Ingvill Susann
  23. My Lovely Holborn - Behind my Purpley Life
  24. How can I have such an extensive to do list and forget to shower?  - The Crazy Suburban Mom 
  25. A dying breed?? - The Perpetual Student
  26. osterley filofax set up part 1! - Paper Lovestory
  27. Filofax Hacks - Lochen ohne Locher - Chaotic Perfectionist
  28. Teachers' planner now available to download - My Life All in One Place
  29. Teachers Planner Files To Download - JarFM
  30. Can't part with my Finsbury! Jagged Little Thoughts
  31. Filofax Notepaper - Circus Life with Disturbed Mamacita
  32. Filofax Week 42 - It's Just Hazel 
  33. Dissertation Filofax - In Hope Of An Organised Life
  34. i’m a filo-enabler, yes i am - and then she read
  35. Tough decision - Filomaniac
  36. A few new things: Paperchase, Rimmel, Revlon... - Sailboat 
  37. Ssssshhhhhh. Filofax and yarn. - The Yarn Yard
  38. My new set-up, part one - Honey & Filofaxes
  39. Regency, oh how I miss you - Imysworld 
  40. Herbstimpressionen - Filo-Manie 
  41. New Filofax: Sexy Snake - Femme Musings
  42. Filofaxes I Don't Understand - Vanjilla
  • Your blog post could appear here next week if we missed you this time around. Email us the details and we will include it if we can. 
  • 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...
And this weeks Filofax Video's





Enjoy