Reader Under The Spotlight - Kristy

I am Kristy, a married, stay-at-home mom of two, living near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I actively blog about paper planners and organizing, play on Facebook, and try out all those crazy nail colors that I could never get away with in my past life as a Catholic school teacher and attorney focusing on juvenile law. I also refuse to dye my gray streaked hair, even though I am only in my thirties.

On occasion, I mentor younger juvenile lawyers or substitute teach. I am in the middle of writing my second novel, but have not even bothered to edit and submit my first one for publishing yet. It's on my task list, so I am confident that it will get done. Some would call me "overconfident." That makes me chuckle knowingly.

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

I have never bought a Filofax. I've only ever seen one in person twice - once at a lawyer training and once at a local paper shop. They were bought black and beat up, including the one at the retail place. Sure, I lust over them. My drafts of my novels feature them. There is no better way to know a character than by meeting his or her day planner, right? But I am spoiled by Franklin Covey's 4 1/2 x 6 3/4 wider-than-Filo-personal pages. I am a planner monogamist.

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

I currently use a Franklin Covey Boston. It's compact-sized, but Franklin compacts are the same hole set-up at Filofax personals and just an 1/2 inch wider.

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

The Boston is a week old and easily my favorite.

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?

I also own a Franklin Covey 365 Flourish and I like it pretty well, but it is vinyl, not leather. If I were traveling to Disney World, I would use that binder instead. I have a bunch of Plan Ahead/Day One cheap binders, just because I love the refills and, since they are undated, plan to use them in the future.

5. What is the oldest Filofax in your collection?

My oldest planner is a Franklin Covey Classic (measures close to A5, but different holes) in a synthetic brown leatherish material. It's too big and bulky.

6. What do you use your Filofax for?

I use my planner for everything. Seriously. I do grocery lists, doodle, plan my novels, organize volunteer events, outline blog ideas, keep track of sales and freelance jobs, track my diet and exercise, keep my household organized, schedule events, track my tasks, monitor my budget, keep receipts, list my medical history, track prescriptions, keep notes of court cases, plan holidays, and write down anything else that would otherwise go in my brain.

Some people think I am smart. I am. I write everything down. That is smart.

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

Writing things down somehow magically seals them in my brain. Paper planners do that for me in a way that electronics never could. I am very computer savvy and use my smart phone regularly, but computers and smart phones have a completely different purpose than my planner.

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

Two pens loops with some elastic, stretchy material in them, and with the loops places higher on the planner layout instead of right in the middle. (Hey, this is my dream, right? I might as well ask for everything that I want.) I like one loop for a darker colored Frixion (not black) for writing and one for pink or red Frixions (for highlighting and journaling).

Big rings, an inch to an inch and a half.

Sturdy snap closure.

Gray or blue, but never bright.

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

I never buy a purse that is too small for my planner. Never ever.

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

I have to say Malden because of rumors that it fits Franklin Covey paper. But, truly, the overhang would drive my insane.

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

I spent about $50 on my Boston.

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

Can I have two?

First, I like to circle things that get recopied. For example, if I am going grocery shopping on Tuesday, I circle it. Once I shop, I scratch it out and schedule it for the next week, since the circle reminds me to schedule it next week.

Second, I have a Project index for all my projects that I am currently working on in my planner. The index helps me find the right project at a glance.

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

I love web finds. I visit twice a week, like clockwork, to read them all. I read the other stuff, too, but I NEVER miss web finds.

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

How could someone dislike Philofaxy? It's been my favorite website for years.

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

This is embarrassing. Disclaimer: I am a Cajun girl from south Louisiana. I can't help myself.

{mumbles} garthbrooks {mumbles}

See? Absolutely embarrassing. Why couldn't my last one be The Cure? I love The Cure. I would not be ashamed of The Cure.

16.  Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver? 

How can one choose? I polled my Facebook friends and they say Darcy is the only real choice, but I disagree. Can I add that this sort of question is one reason I love Philofaxy? The British flavor of the site is quite a charm for this American girl.

Kristy - my blog: http://giftieetcetera.blogspot.com

Thank you Kristy. And if you would like to appear in this feature it is open to any of our readers, please contact philofaxy at gmail dot com