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27 July 2012

Free for All Friday No. 193

Hard to believe, but this is our last FFAF in July! Where is the summer going?

Are you using your Filofax to plan a late vacation?

Or, if you were offered the chance to travel on the spur of the moment, what would you carry in your Filofax? What about your passport -- does it need to be renewed?
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95 comments:

  1. Butanben27 July, 2012 00:31

    Your passport must be valid for longer than six months to be allowed to fly. Some airlines will prevent you from flying even if your passport is in date, if it has six months or shorter to run on it. Crazy, I know. I only gleaned this fact from watching one of those travel programmes.....and a family were prevented from flying. Seemed like madness.... but there you go. Apparently it's to do with a safety margin in case there is an emergency, natural or man made, within the country to which you are travelling.So,Filofax diaries out and renew those passports early.... go on.... you know you'll look gorgeous in that straight faced photograph!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul B27 July, 2012 00:37

      It's also to do with visas for many countries. A lot of places still give 6 month visas and they want to prevent a situation where a traveller is legally in the country with a valid visa but with an expired passport, as it causes them an admin nightmare. A colleague of mine flew from London ro join us for a visit to a third country. Heathrow advised him that the third country wouldn't Llow him entry. He flew anyway and sure enough, the second country wouldn't allow him to depart for the third country as he was 2 days short of having 6 months validity on his passport.

      A good reminder for the Year Planner!

      Delete
    2. DEM27 July, 2012 12:09

      Oh my goodness! I had no idea about all of these passport travel restrictions! Thanks for the information!

      Delete
    3. Butanben27 July, 2012 20:19

      Very interesting addition Paul. Yes, it sure is one for the Year planner... get a passport a good six months before it runs out officially, to avoid being airport stranded!!

      Delete
  2. Paul B27 July, 2012 00:32

    Speaking of passports, I wish they would introduce a passport holder, maybe in a leather insert, for the filofax. The EU one doesn't quite fit in the zipped gusset pocket of the Portman Grand , nor does it quite fit in the zipped clear envelope. Luckily my Filofax is so stuffed, nothing moves once the flap is closed but it's not an ideal solution. The old slimlines (3CL) used to have an open, diagonal pocket on the left, so you could put your passport and boarding pass in there. Does anyone else have any genius ideas for securing their passport in their Filofax? Maybe I'll have to look on eBay for an old 3CL slimline.

    The most use my Filofax has had in planning holidays this year is using the year planner to deconflict our dates. But if we get to go to Italy, I'm
    Planning to use the travel journal from the FILES section, to record the trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ray Blake27 July, 2012 01:10

      The Holborn binder has five pockets that will take a passport.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 July, 2012 01:18

      My passport is expired, and I've been meaning to renew it for over a year now.......so if anyone was thinking of inviting me to sunnier climes (or for that matter, climes that are sunny at all) I'd be currently unable to take advantage

      Delete
    3. Lynne Dove27 July, 2012 01:50

      I recently travelled abroad and used a pocket baroque as a travel filo. My passport fitted comfortably into the notepad slot in the back cover, with currency in clear zipped envelopes.

      Delete
    4. Paul B27 July, 2012 09:08

      Ray, following your example of finding solutions to organiser problems, I am going to find a way to have something which is punched (and thus secure), and can be sealed, to put my passport in any personal filofax. I have two ideas already, but as I'm not that technically minded, they may not work, but we'll see :)

      I want something secure, that I can transfer to any personal filofax, so that is now my aim.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous27 July, 2012 01:24

    Do any of the gents out there regularly carry a man-bag or messenger bag of any kind? I've just read a very interesting blog post from Joseph David Quinton at

    http://josephdavidquinton.typepad.com/my-blog/2012/07/my-everyday-carry-bag.html

    and it's got me thinking.

    This is on-topic because of the Personal/A5 dilemma....the Personal fits in the hand very nicely (although having a hand permanent;y taken up by it can be a pain), but the A5 is just too much to carry around evenings and weekends. HOWEVER, with a messenger bag, this problem might be solved quite easily. I know The Ladies generally carry a bag anyway, so this *maybe) isn't so much of an issue, but as the man-bag has yet to catch on widely, I think it's worth discussing. Steve - I know you're a proponent of the man-bag, and I think you had a post here about your current bag choice, and your liking for camera bags re-tooled for this purpose. I'm not sure if a camera bag would suit my style, but the leather messenger bags JDQ espouses in his blog look really nice, if eye-wateringly expensive.

    If anyone *is* a man-bag proponent, details of your choice of go-to bag would be of great interest, together with details of what size FF you're carrying in it.

    Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Shanti (aka Shanananana)27 July, 2012 02:43

      Recently I started noticing men's bags, I was looking for Christmas present ideas (most men being notoriously difficult to buy for) and I noticed that every man in sight, in London, carried either a briefcase or more frequently a backpack, usually a small "daysack" about 2ft tall, in muted shades like navy, black, or charcoal, sometimes with tiny red or orange flashes.

      I didn't, in the couple of days spent deliberately observing, notice ANY men carrying absolutely nothing except whatever was in their pockets until the evening, when people were going out to pubs & clubs, and my journey was usually between Finchley in north London, and various central locations like Bank, Liverpool St, Moorgate, and Waterloo. The backpack was a common sight, on men up to their late fifties/early sixties, and often worn with a smart suit and tie.

      The third option was a "record bag" in nylon, but those were usually restricted to under 35's, and were less common than briefcases, which were often battered/"vintage" looking things, sometimes with a long shoulder strap.

      I have no idea if that's helpful, but backpacks are ubiquitous here, to the extent anything else tends to stand out.

      Oh, and I did notice that TK Maxx often have nice quality men's messenger bags in leather, reduced to around £40, I couldn't find any on the website just now but in-store they usually have them near the sporting gear, hung up on the wall nearest the men's section.

      Delete
    2. Babs27 July, 2012 02:49

      David - have a look at scarananga. I have one of their bags and its great quality. They do lovely man bags too.

      I wish my husband would covert to a man bag, but he stubbornly sticks to a small, old, green rucksack of mine.

      While I'm posting this (on my iPhone) does anyone else find the blogger interface doesn't work well with iPhones? I can't go back and edit anything I've already written, for instance.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous27 July, 2012 02:57

      Hi Shanti, Babs

      Thanks for all the tips.....as a frequent London visitor I too have noticed the rise of the bag....which makes a lot of sense. Even a small amount of stuff in pockets can ruin the cut of clothes, and that's without Filos, iPads, Kindles etc. I suspect the rise of the iPad has done more to kick-start bag usage than anything else, since it's fundamentally unsuited for carrying in the hand.

      I currently have an old (*really* old) Eddie Bauer green backpac which I use when I'm on London trips, simply because it's convenient for carrying files *and* clothes, toiletries etc in a way that a briefcase doesn't cover (I have one of those as well) - but for evenings (and by extension for general use) I'd prefer something a bit more fashionable. I shall definitely check out the TK Maxx *and* Scarananga ranges. I'm quite attracted to Manhattan Portage also, but at their prices I think that will be staying an aspiration!

      I think a record bag might also be worth looking at (way cheaper than full-on leather messenger bags)- I can usually get away with stuff that's 'younger' than my now-advanced age!

      Thanks again

      Delete
    4. Steve Morton27 July, 2012 03:39

      Hi David
      Yes I use a Man Bag along with my fellow Frenchmen! In fact I use two of them, swapping depending on what I'm carrying with me.

      They are both Lowepro camera bags which are well made, inexpensive and you can buy them in incremental sizes so you can buy one just big enough for what ever you want to carry.

      The internal padded divisions are all moveable or removeable on large velcro tabs. The internal surfaces are soft and padded so your Filofax will not get scratched.

      I've done reviews of both bags on our sister blog here are the links

      http://bagsey.blogspot.fr/2011/04/new-day-bag.html

      This one takes the personal size very nicely. An A5 will just about go in but it's a bit of a squeeze.

      http://bagsey.blogspot.fr/2012/04/new-messenger-bag.html
      This is the one I bought recently so I can carry my iPad and an A5, or 2 A5's if need be... gets heavy with two though!

      I hate carrying anything in my trouser pockets so everything goes in to the bags.

      If I need to swap from one bag to the other, I have some things that are duplicated in both bags and I leave those in each one, but I can swap from one to the other in less than a minute.

      Hope that helps
      Regards
      Steve

      Delete
    5. Babs27 July, 2012 04:03

      Oops. Just noticed an iPhone typo. It should be scaramanga -

      www.scaramangashop.co.uk

      Delete
    6. Anonymous27 July, 2012 04:04

      Thanks Steve that's really helpful......I aspire to having empty pockets (trouser and jacket) so I think some kind of bag is the way to go. I'm not an iPad user as yet, although I suspect it's only a matter of time, as laptops are becoming obsolete at the hand of the iPad pretty quickly, it seems.

      Babs, I checked out Sacrananga and they *are* lovely, nut they seem only to sell online (or from their factory outlet in Scotland!), and in this case i think I really want to handle the bag before I buy, so sadly that might have to go on hold. Beautiful looking bags though.....

      Delete
    7. Paul Taylor27 July, 2012 07:11

      My everyday carry bag is a backpack, an original Oakley Icon in navy blue, bought new many (more than 10? memory fades with the passing of time!) years ago and still going strong. I have a hardshell sleeve for my laptop which also acts as a sort of divider in the middle of the bag's main compartment. The Icon goes with me almost anywhere significant, which is to say I don't take it to the supermarket or the corner shop but other than that it's with me. Laptop, paperwork, Filofax, yoga mat, teabags and squeezy honey, painkillers, spare glasses and contacts, shower gel, deodorant, toothbrush etc etc etc... it's like a mobile life support kit which I can rely on to have most things I might need wherever I am. It will also swallow enough clothing (casual) for a couple of nights away when necessary.

      That probably sounds as if it weighs a ton, but actually it's not too heavy most of the time. If I'm going to yoga class the laptop won't be in there, for example. Doing an overnight away it can be pretty full and weighty, but as I'm pretty full and weighty myself it all balances out OK. :)

      Regarding the 'empty pockets' thing, I would find it hard to subscribe to that. My preferred mufti involves cargo trousers with big thigh pockets. Although those are rarely full, I have a standard layout which involves keys, cardcase, mobile phone, plus various other impedimenta all of which live in the same pockets day in day out. I work from home most of the time and haven't worn a suit for work for some years - I think now I would find it difficult to go back to standard business attire!

      Delete
    8. Josh LaPorte27 July, 2012 09:56

      I've been carrying a Jack Spade messenger bag since January. It's handy, can fit my planner in, pencil case, tablet, extra pens, headache tablets, a small flashlight, my mobile phone. I find it quite convenient but don't particularly like carrying a bag. I much prefer to make good use of trouser and jacket pockets, even if it does ruin the line of my suit! I did switch to a larger planner a few months ago, which fits in the bag perfectly fine, but am going back to personal because the planner basically requires that I carry the bag at all times. I find that in personal I can drop my keys and mobile in trouser pockets, filofax in hand, and head out into the world. I find this ability to travel light well worth the small inconveniences of the smaller planner.
      But by all means buy and try a bag! It's so convenient to have, especially when heading out on a long business day and easier to carry than a brief case

      Delete
    9. Anita27 July, 2012 10:36

      I know I'm not a gent, but I'm loving my Cambridge satchel from www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk

      My A5 Malden happily fitted in the main section with a bit of room to spare & they do them in more manly colours than my purple one :)

      Delete
    10. Angel Jem27 July, 2012 13:17

      Ooh! Anita I love your purple satchel/malden combo... More pictures, please!
      I have a large ostrich bag that holds an A5 comfortably but for the summer I've moved into a red dotty Cath Kidston oilcloth..... Virtually bomb proof in a life that includes park trips, days out and beach holidays in Wales. I'm also using my crimson pocket malden as a purse at the moment. I need small and useful and the pocket size is just classy enough to feed my leather snob and big enough to be effective.

      Delete
    11. Unknown27 July, 2012 15:27

      Anita, may I ask what size Satchel you have please?

      Delete
    12. indigogarden27 July, 2012 15:32

      There is an EDC Forum with a section for EDC Bags. Hundreds of examples can be read there of the sort of bags that men prefer to use to carry their everyday items. Most of the men are Americans, but you'll get a gist of the various popular brands that many men like to use for their man bags and the features that they like them. A few even sport a filofax along with their flashlights, knives and multi-tools. http://edcforums.com/forums/edc-bags.86/

      Delete
    13. Unknown27 July, 2012 15:35

      Anita, may I ask what size Satchel you have please?

      Delete
    14. Anonymous29 July, 2012 16:28

      Hi David
      I've had a man bag since 2006 I wasn't aware they were called "Man Bags" until recently I've always referred to mine as a shoulder bag. The first one was an Antler Tote bag it's now decidedly showing signs of wear. Two years ago I bought a Tumi shoulder bag it's smaller and great for carrying Filofaxes and other essential items

      Delete
    15. Anonymous29 July, 2012 17:48

      Hi Anthony

      I'm really pleased with the John Rocha bag I bought on Friday from Debenhams in Cardiff. I've used it for a couple of days now, and it holds all my stuff beautifully. Strictly a weekend and evening bag - as someone else said elsewhere, I don't want to confuse it with my work stuff.

      I don't think it's going to tempt me back to A5 Filos though......my Personal does everything just fine.....

      Delete
    16. Anonymous02 August, 2012 17:48

      Hi David
      I bought a John Rocha messenger bag from Debenhams during their sale earlier this year. The only point that seems to me is that the main area of the gapes at the sides, other than that it's quite capacious.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous03 August, 2012 03:03

      I'm pretty happy with it thus far. It's actually large enough to work as a substitute work bag at a pinch, although that's not what I intend for it, so extra flexibility there. Meanwhile, the whole A5/Personal issue is now back on the agenda as a result!

      Delete
  4. Clareio27 July, 2012 03:32

    I have a 'places to visit' list in my fiofax and that's as close to planning as I've got, mostly as we can't afford anything this year. As soon as we have a bit of money we're planning a trip to Cyprus in April though so maybe then...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Paul B27 July, 2012 03:35

    Babs, I have the same problem posting from the iPhone. It usually doesnt even let me backspace either. And I have to be in the full website, not the mobile one, for the password thing to even work.

    David, I think bags for men have become much more acceptable recently. I noticed last week in London that more people carry them than ever. My wife bought me a beautifully soft leather satchel, that takes the smallest Mac Air and a filofax, but looks amazing. It was a special birthday present and probably cost the earth but I use it a lot. Except for work - I don't want to pollute my bag, by being used as a work bag. Strange, maybe, but I want it associated with free time and relaxation.

    If you look at any of the proliferation of cheap luggage shops on Tottenham Court Road, they have some decent leather and faux leather satchel-type bags. I actually like the messenger bags but as Shanti says, most of them are aimed at the student market, with faux faded retro designs centred around music labels. If thats not your style, I'm sure you'll find a resonably proced leather one in the luggage shops. When I'm home again in 10 days, I'll post a photo of mine, in brown leather.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous27 July, 2012 04:01

    hi Paul

    I'd really like to see a photo of your bag, thank you. I know they are much more fashionable now than ever before, but I'be been a fan for a while, and have just not found the 'right' bag.

    Unfortunately West Wales is a long way from London, but I *am* a regular visitor, so next time I'm there I'll check out Tottenham Court Road....handy for the flagship Paperchase as well!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alison Reeves27 July, 2012 05:18

    David - Filofax currently have messenger bags and courier bags on sale on their site - http://www.filofax.co.uk/store/specials.asp?OID=221 - not leather but fairly 'manly' in the right colours!

    I also noticed that they have the Pennybridge A5 organiser in which you can store your iPad - it looks really interesting. Although I would have preferred a leather option. It's an interesting idea as I can access all my diary and contacts on my iPad, so the (20MM) rings would just need to hold the rest of the stuff. If anyone spots a review of this, please let me know!

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    1. Anonymous27 July, 2012 05:24

      hi Alison!

      They do look nice, don't they.....I wonder if there will be some at Conduit St. I'll pop in next time I'm in London, Monday week.

      I've not joined the iPad brigade yet, but when my laptop becomes obsolete I will, as it's *so* heavy to carry around for 2-3 days at a time....

      Do you have any London dates coming up? I'm there 6th-7th and then 14th-16th August.......mini-meet-up anyone?

      Delete
    2. Steve Morton27 July, 2012 05:38

      There's a leather Malden version coming out soon!

      http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-ifilofax-products.html

      Steve

      Delete
    3. Alison Reeves27 July, 2012 08:04

      David - I don't have much in London in the foreseeable future - you'll be the first to know if I get any dates!

      Steve - very interesting thanks - food for thought as it incorporates a true slimline A5 binder!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous27 July, 2012 12:30

      Well.....thanks to all who have posted on this.....I didn't think it would attract as much interest.

      Self employment comes with few advantages, but those it *does* come with are really good ones, and one is being able to take oneself off from work on a whim, on a Friday, when it's sunny out, and when one has already done five hours' work by 11 a.m. (yes really)......so I drove up over the heads of the valleys here in South Wales and down the Rhondda valley on the A470 into Cardiff, had a nice lunch at Jamie's Italian, and then went grazing the bag stores. While I was in Debenhams, a *lovely* brown smooth leather shoulder bag by John Rocha threw itself into my hands and asked me to take it home...so I thought I probably ought to (and pay for it first of course). £85, less the Debenhams 20% discount so got it for £68, pretty much a snip. Large enough for all my stuff, including an A5 Filo if I choose to (and that's one of the main impediments to choosing to out of the way now). Watch this space.....

      For the inquisitive, you can see a photo here:-

      http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_083010592573_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Men~Bags

      Afterwards thoughts turned to maybe upgrading my A5 Finsbury, so I popped into Paperchase and The Pen Shop, who are the two suppliers in Cardiff, and i dare say that if either of them had had a sale on they might have got one, as I was now in 'buying mode'. However, neither did, and £120 for the Classic or £105 for the Malden seemed more than I could reasonably part with having just bought the bag, so I legged it home (well drove) back over the heads of the valleys, along the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons, again in bright sunshine. Lovely. And I got home to receive Gail's messages and link, so there might yet be a new A5 (Kendal) in it....

      Not a bad days' work. Unfortunately, the rigours of self employment now dictate that have to do another couple of hours' work this evening, but it was worth it......

      Delete
    5. Angel Jem27 July, 2012 13:19

      The benefits of flexible time management, eh? And will you be finished in time for the Olympic opening ceremony?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous27 July, 2012 13:24

      I shall be finished in time for the evening broadcast from the Cambridge Folk Festival on Sky Arts....no hype and not a despotic dictator with a dodgy human rights record in sight :)

      Delete
    7. Raine27 July, 2012 15:13

      David, I know it was all about the bag but oh, I loved how you described you self-employed Friday! Wonderful!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous27 July, 2012 16:44

      Thank you....I'm a huge proponent of self employment, for all of these reasons and more moral/philosophical ones as well. If the sun's shining, why work? Here n Wales it rains *about* 340 days a year....that should provide ample opportunity for catching up!

      Delete
    9. Joseph David Quinton27 July, 2012 17:11

      Wonderful,David...I am so happy you found a man's bag that you like! And, judging from the link, it is a great looking bag! Cheers!

      Delete
    10. Anonymous09 August, 2012 11:27

      Your advocacy of the man-bag was largely responsible.....thank you! Since I now have the A5 Kendal which matches it perfectly, I'm fully equipped. Just getting round to looking at your Filofax walk-through on your blog......

      Delete
  8. Unknown27 July, 2012 05:27

    Sooooo.....ladies, what style of bag do you use to carry your Filofax and other bits around in? My bag is so wrong for my Filofax, it's a large slouchy style and my poor Holborn lies buried at the bottom of it with everything lying on top. Whenever I need my purse or phone I have to go and "dig" around till I find it. Can anyone reccomend a good stlye ladies bag...it needs to be a good size (not huge) because I have a fair bit of stuff to get in there.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous27 July, 2012 05:30

      How about following up Alison's link (above) and looking at the Filofax bags themselves? They all look quite nice to me, and I'd expect them to have 'organiser' interiors....

      Delete
    2. Alison Reeves27 July, 2012 08:08

      Gail - I'm a great fan of the Cath Kidston bags. They are fun, come in a wide range of styles and colours, and the oilskin ones wear really well - I have a three now (in different sizes) and the one I've had for a few years and it still looks like new. They seem to have structure without being overly formal (depends on what you like). They can be pricey, but last a long time. You can get some discounted at the St Neots factory shop or outlet stores like Bicester Village (not sure where you live). You can also try your luck on ebay - although they hold their price well!

      Delete
    3. Amanda27 July, 2012 08:13

      I have the same question. Now I've taken up with A5 size I need a bag that doesn't use it as a 'floor'. I've seen a number of messenger style bags I like but nothing that really excites me. If anyone can point to a style that would suit it would be lovely.

      Delete
    4. KateB TPS27 July, 2012 08:17

      Hi Gail! If you don't really need a new bag, just something to organise the contents of your bag better, how about a handbag organiser? I got mine from Primark, it was about £2 and it works perfectly! It goes inside your handbag, which is good because if you need to swop handbags you can do it quickly by taking this out and just putting it in your other bag! It has 2 big inside sections, 1 of which I use for my filofax, 3 big slots for phone, ipod and purse, pen slots and compartments on the side for water bottles/umbrella etc! It looks like this: https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTu1Z8R_kzYzdNM2J7APtuddGnHnhBihelPXCyvVN5u2qWTsKZZ0w

      Delete
    5. Babs27 July, 2012 10:12

      Bag? Singular? LOL! I have loads of bags. The aforementioned Scaramanga satchel is my "academic" bag which carries laptop, notepad, pencil case, filofax, etc.

      For day-to-day use I go for large tote bags, which are big enough for baby-related stuff as well as filofax, purse and associated other bits.

      I've never got on with handbag organisers, though.

      Delete
    6. Unknown27 July, 2012 10:44

      Filofax bags are pretty expensive, prefer to spend that kind of money on the organiser. lol I was hoping to buy Imy's beautiful Adelphi but it's a little small for my needs.
      Alison I have a CK style bag, it is awesome but just a little big now, maybe I need to look at more of her range, I adore her stuff.
      Student...I got one of those Primark bag organisers, awesome aren't they, but they don't work in Slouchy bags, they just tip over....turned mine into an awesome Pen/book organiser...must blog about that. lol

      Delete
    7. Sandra27 July, 2012 10:56

      I only snagged a few Filofax Finchley totes when they were 70% off at Filofax USA. Otherwise, too expensive. Lovely leather and size.

      The interior has a large zipped pocket, card slots, and elasticized pockets. Lovely.

      I have bags that are purposed by activity and kids. It's a lot of bags, but it works for me. :)

      Delete
    8. Angel Jem27 July, 2012 13:22

      I like firm bags that stand up for themselves. Cath Kidston oilcloth day bags have a good level of firmness but don't fit A5. I love Radley bags but getting one of any size costs!!!! I tend to shop TKMaxx and get proper leather as cheap as I can!!

      Delete
    9. Anonymous27 July, 2012 13:52

      I'm loving Fossil bags right now, but they are expensive I got mine half price online from Fossil UK in the sale and it still cost over £90. What I like about mine which is on my blog is it can be made smaller by folding over if I haven't much in my bag but if I carry my ipad etc it open up to give more space. It's a great size not too big so everything gets lost and most of them come with plenty of pockets for phone etc, I went for leather buy you can get oilskin type ones too in a range of colours. I've had Radley in the past but don't think i'll ever buy a bag from anywhere else now.

      Delete
    10. indigogarden27 July, 2012 15:42

      I will have to second the Fossil bag. I carry one in black leather which is an over body style with two "phone" pockets in the front, a zippered pocket on the front and back and then a zippered pocket and two open pockets on the inside. My personal filofax and other items fit into it perfectly, but I don't know if an A5 would fit. Everything that I carry has a "place" in the bag. I love the quality of leather fossil bags, they hold up to daily use for years, but they are a bit pricey.

      Delete
    11. MTMTE27 July, 2012 17:52

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    12. MTMTE27 July, 2012 17:56

      (Sorry for the delete - the 'a href' links weren't allowed)

      Ever since I travelled overseas in 2009 with a Maxpedition bag (www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/JUMBO-VERSIPACK-4p6.htm) I haven't turned back from this versatile brand. I use a larger style for my travels to and from uni with my A5 FF, textbooks and lunch. Sure it's not flashy, but when it comes to bags I need practicality...and though I did yearn for those gorgeous Scaramanga leather bags mentioned earlier, the pockets on these babies can’t be beat (for instance, I slip a 1L Nalgene & a small umbrella in its side pockets). Besides, I personally love the look of these bags.

      Delete
    13. Clareio28 July, 2012 18:11

      I have a Nica bag (reviewed on my blog somewhere) with three compartments, a zip up one for my Filofax and purse, with a large magnetic popper close on each, one with bus pass, headphone and keys and the other with makeup and tissues in... Keeps my Filofax free from any mess and zipped up away from the rain!!

      Delete
  9. Unknown27 July, 2012 06:16

    I have a couple of Filofaxs I was going to sell, but I wondered if anyone would be interested in a Swap instead? I've listed them on my latest blog if anyone is interested!

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    Replies
    1. Paul B27 July, 2012 08:09

      What's the link, Gail? Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Unknown27 July, 2012 10:45

      http://gailwheatley.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/a5-kendal-for-sale.html

      Delete
    3. Anonymous27 July, 2012 12:17

      Hi Gail, I've just left a comment on your blog......

      Delete
  10. Babs27 July, 2012 11:14

    Talking of iFilofax products (sort of, up there ^^^ ) I do wish they'd bring out iPhone cases. I have my beautiful Aqua personal and Imperial Purple A5 Finchleys and I'd love to have a matching iPhone cover for each. Blending the traditional with the tecchy!

    Can it be added to the Philofaxy / Filofax wish list please!!

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    Replies
    1. Steve Morton27 July, 2012 11:19

      Err they have:

      http://www.filofax.co.uk/store/businessdetails.asp?catId=6&productId=551

      Delete
    2. Babs28 July, 2012 02:46

      Thanks Steve. I totally missed them when I was searching on Thursday!

      Hmm. Does this mean I need to buy a purple Malden so that I can coordinate my filo and iPhone now?!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous27 July, 2012 12:39

    My poor Filo is definitely getting packed to the gills with wedding and honeymoon planning details- who knew there were so many!

    Fortunately, my passport is brand new, so it will be good to go in September!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DEM27 July, 2012 13:19

      Packed to the gills! That sounds lovely! Instantly that makes me want to see pictures and details. I just love stuffed Filos...evidence that it is used and loved!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 July, 2012 15:03

      Yeah, I definitely love a fat filo! You can see some pics on my blog, although I'll definitely have to put some more up- he keeps growing!

      Delete
    3. Paul B28 July, 2012 02:51

      Dem, I love the way you skipped right past the wedding details, and went straight for the FIlofax pictures request :)

      Delete
  12. Elisi_6827 July, 2012 12:52

    I am currently using a personal size. Just ordered a Malden in personal. I found an A5 Domino with the Family inserts at a huge deal though. I want to use the A5 for Nursing school. Any tips on the best way to do this? I had intended to use an older FC classic that I have owned for several years but discovered the binding is coming apart. Plus I need a good excuse to buy the Domino!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nurse?27 July, 2012 13:35

      I have been using a classic size FC for the first 2 years of nursing school and it stays jammed full. I recently bought an A5 Chameleon Filofax but after considering the weight (nursing school loads you down with huge books on its own)I think that one will stay on my desk and I purchased a personal sized Domino in deep pink to be a planner/wallet. I think I can downsize to the personal quite well, I currently use a 2 page per day calender from FC, but I plan to use the 2 page per week one in the Domino and just keep a to do list in the front, since that is mostly what I use my current calender for now. I break down all my course work and put it on the calender at the beginning of the semester, then I make a reading plan after each exam to cover all the materiel up to the next exam. I do keep a section to record grades and check off assignments but that is about all the nursing school related uses I have at the moment. The main reason I went with the personal size is the compatibility with the other planner brands here in the US, while the A5 requires me to order or re-punch everything for it :)If I could pick up inserts locally for the A5 I probably would have continued with that size. As it is I will either take lecture notes in it or use it as a household binder.

      Delete
    2. Paul B27 July, 2012 14:13

      Nurse, I would have thought the opposite was true? A5 lends itself perfectly to using other paper wheras personal is more of a faff to punch. I bought an A5 spiral bound from paper chase for
      My phd lectures, and the pages were already perforated. When I got home, I punched them and added them to my A5. Any A4 handouts I needed, I used the plastic punch

      Delete
    3. Nurse?27 July, 2012 17:09

      Paul, I do like the A5 for writing since I can take my paper cutter and chop a stack of US standard 8.5x11 inch paper in half, punch it and use it, but the Filofax A5 ring spacing doesn't match any US calender or diary pages like FC and I don't really want to re-punch (makes the paper weak) or print my own at this point. The personal size has ring spacing that matches inserts from Day Timer, Day Runner, Mead and Franklin Covey (FC is a bit wide though) so I can buy the refills and such at my local Office Depot. I have a completely adjustable 6 hole punch so if I need something I can punch for either size binder. I like the idea of the A5 spiral notebook, where did you get it?

      Delete
    4. Nurse?27 July, 2012 20:30

      Ah sorry, I found paper chase :) I would love to go shopping there. I can't believe all the lovely stationary shops you have on that side of the pond.

      Delete
    5. Paul B28 July, 2012 02:55

      Sorry, my post got cut off in mid-sentence. The curse of the iPhone. More importantly, I didn't realise you were in the US. That problem with paper size has been causing a problem since I first worked with US Forces back in the 80s. So your point about copatibility with other Personal sizes makes perfect sense. And yes, we do seem to have a lot of nice stationary stores in UK. Is it any wonder, when you look at the UK community on here ?? ;)

      Delete
    6. Clareio30 July, 2012 09:06

      Paperchase is my favourite place, to the point that I now avoid it at all costs to stop myself buying EVERYTHING. I may need a trip on saturday though! pay day tomorrow after all...

      Delete
  13. Jarfm.com27 July, 2012 13:03

    Re iPhone commenting - yes it's a right pain!!! However I have found out how you can edit it once you have realised you need to change something a line or two back!

    You need to click done on the iPhone then anywhere on the page background (on this site the cream coloured bit) then if you carefully click back in the text box area where you want to type or edit it will work - it does mean having to do that more than once sometimes but it is possible!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jarfm.com27 July, 2012 13:12

    If someone offered me to chance right now to travel somewhere I would jump at the chance! I have 2 years and a bit left on my passport so that won't be a problem! Also have a valid EHIC card if going to Europe!

    I would have to print out some journey pages to put in my Filofax - have decided my Journey Filofax is the one most suited to travelling (maybe that's why it's called Journey?) as it is personal sized and has the zipped purse section which is large enough for travelling. Will easily fit in my passport too!

    I would be able to pack my stuff into a rucksack and hand luggage back fairly easily too. Learnt about travelling light last year when I went to Sweden for the Scout Jamboree! I don't like feeling like you're falling apart before you get there because your bags are so heavy! (Despite usually taking so much stuff with me normally...)

    Now all I need is someone to invite me somewhere away from the UK (and definitely away from Essex) for a week or perhaps 2? :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous27 July, 2012 14:47

    I'm in the process of investigating iPad options for the future.....my laptop is already way too much of an inconvenience to be lugged around London day after day.

    I had a chat with a typically helpful Apple Person this afternoon, and here are some interesting stats:-

    Weight of iPad 2 680g, or 730g with 3G
    Weight of fully loaded Personal Malden 542g
    weight of fully loaded A5 Finsbury 866g

    Not sure how best to interpret this data yet, but it's interesting to have, if you have my OCD sort of mind......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joseph David Quinton27 July, 2012 17:20

      LOL....good to know!

      Delete
    2. Alison Reeves27 July, 2012 19:15

      David - my OH and I have both got an iPad. They don't replace a laptop, it all depends on what you plan to do whilst away from home. If you just want to have your diary, contacts, access to Evernote etc then it will work. Would be happy to discuss if required via skype or phone. I'm out all day Monday and Tuesday in Leeds, but happy to talk after that.

      Delete
    3. Paul B28 July, 2012 02:57

      I'd like to add my own statistic here David: weight of my A5 Cuban Zip, fully loaded for work - 2.1 Kilos. It was why I downsized to Personal. I wish I'd taken a photo of it before I broke the papers apart. It was a sight to behold. Even with the personal, I'm using the Portland Grand as I need the bigger rings. My aim is to slim down to a standard 7/8 Filofax.I have a beautiful vintage one just waiting for the diet to happen.

      Delete
    4. Paul B28 July, 2012 02:58

      Or as they'd probably say in the States......."loaded for Bear".

      Delete
    5. Steve Morton28 July, 2012 04:28

      There are some Filofax weights listed in a post from last year

      http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2011/08/filofax-organiser-weigh-in.html

      The Google Doc is still live and open for further updates/additions

      Steve

      Delete
  16. Anonymous28 July, 2012 03:16

    I've not heard that expression before, it's funny how you can hear something new and pretty much intuitively know what's being referred to....very appropriate!

    That still makes the Personal Filo the easiest access, most compatible across all 'platforms' (home, work, mall, school etc), most reliable (won't corrupt/delete/duplicate data try telling that to a Google calendar use who's syncing recurring tasks!) system of organisation there is.

    And they call technology 'progress'........

    You certainly reminded me what it was like when I chose to lug a fully loaded A5 (it was heaver then than it is now it's not really in use) *and* a laptop around London for two days. have the horor of it etched on my mind :)

    Does anyone else have any Filo weight stats they'd like to share?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous28 July, 2012 03:19

    I also think my decision not to use specialist forms, and to run the whole system in plain and lined (plus to-do at the moment, because have some I need to use up) has contributed to the 'diet'. Of course it also means I can stick to cotton cream throughout, which I like.

    Does anyone else have any FF 'diet' tips? Mine would be *not* to use a day-on-two-pages diary - I tried that and I can tell you - it's heavy!

    Paul, your Portland Grand sounds great, what size are the rings on that?......I'm on standard 25mm in the Malden (Steve will correct me if I've got that wrong!.......)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve Morton28 July, 2012 04:29

      David
      Personal Malden 23mm, A5 Malden 30mm, A5 Finsbury 30mm

      Steve

      Delete
    2. Paul B28 July, 2012 13:10

      David, I have just uploaded 4 photos to Flickr so you can see the Portland Grand rings. Let me know if you want additional ones, happy to help. The leather is beautiful, it is the softest filofax I have ever owned and its over 20 years old. Yet despite being soft, it hasn't ripped, torn, faded or anything. I called Filofax and asked if they had any organisers with bigger rings, and they told me that this was the largest ring size they produced (5/4"). I bought it in London, either late 80s or early 90s, can't remember. It has been a stalwart. I am planning, though, to try to slim down my go-everywhere holdings, with the aim of fitting into a standard 7/8 binder. I'm looking forward to doing a couple of guest posts once my studies allow. Hope the photos help to inform. When I'm home again in 10 days, I'll do a comparison with a 7/8 binder, which may give you a better idea.

      Delete
    3. Paul B28 July, 2012 13:16

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/burjmax/7662898678/in/photostream

      Delete
    4. Anonymous29 July, 2012 10:51

      Hi Paul, that's a really handsome binder.....I don't think they're available in the UK now....maybe elsewhere in the world. I'll look forward vry much to your guest posts, as from the photos you have posted the interior looks as good as the exterior!

      Delete
  18. Paul B28 July, 2012 11:35

    David, I'm not sure what they are in new money but in real money, they are 5/4 inch on an inch and a quarter. Big. And even the spine is big. I can't look at doing a guest post until I Greg my PhD thesis submitted but I'll take a photo tonight and post the link. Anothe surprising decision was the one to discontinue the oversized rings. I know the compact has really taken off but that is just one slice iod market segment in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul B28 July, 2012 11:39

      I can only blame the iPhone's inability to edit the post. I'm not usually this illiterate.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous29 July, 2012 10:45

      hi Paul, that's 30mm according to Steve....that's the top ring size available.....I agree that among all the compacts, some people still want a big ring size for all their stuff.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous28 July, 2012 18:22

    I'm not sure whether this question has been answered previously. Does anyone use a labelling machine to add titles to the tabs on their Filofaxes if so what machine has been the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve Morton29 July, 2012 09:56

      I have a DymoLetra Tag, details at the end of this post:
      http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-set-up-for-2012.html

      I've used it quite a bit since we moved to France, not only for labelling dividers but also for labelling things like the fuse box in English leaving the original French there as well!

      Delete
  20. Paul B29 July, 2012 09:52

    Anthony, I use a Brother, it was the cheapest in the store and it does fine. It was less than £20.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous29 July, 2012 10:53

      I've got a ymo label maker and it's brilliant.....

      Delete
  21. Anonymous29 July, 2012 13:37

    Many thanks for all your replies Previously I've printed tiny labels by computer cut them to size and glued to the tabs. I'll certainly make a start with buying a labelling machine.

    ReplyDelete