A few days ago, a friend of mine came over to visit us in our new house. We chatted and drank tea while our kids all played together. At one point she needed to write down a date, so she reached into her bag...and pulled out a Filofax!! She and I have had planner chats before (in fact I wrote about her before, here). When I saw her a couple of weeks ago, she was struggling with a lack of sufficient notes space in a weekly Paperblanks planner. So when she pulled her gorgeous new Filofax out of her bag, I was pleasantly shocked!
I said, "I love your new Filofax!" A little sheepishly, she said, "Oh, it was half off at John Lewis and I just couldn't resist it." I said, "That's an aqua Chameleon! It's discounted because they are discontinued." I showed her how you can tell it's one of the more upscale leather binders because the entire interior is leather, even by the rings. She asked how I know so much about Filofaxes and I said, "Because I'm one of the writers on Philofaxy!" She already knew that I write Plannerisms but hadn't heard of Philofaxy before.
So I ran and got her one of Steve's very nice Philofaxy cards, and pulled out some of my Filofaxes. For her weekly lists, I showed her my folded-page trick. I showed her the different types and sizes of binders, different diary layouts, accessories, and ideas. She asked where to get all these goodies so I told her about Filofax.co.uk. I said, "Welcome to your newest addiction!"
It was so fun to see someone at the beginning of her Filofax journey!
Have you had the joy of introducing someone to Philofaxy recently?
And as always on Friday, feel free to discuss anything Filofax-related...
I tried to introduce someone to Filofax. She was a new University Student so I bought her a Metropole and showed her how to use it and told her where she could get inserts ( I had already fitted it out for her) At that time it was possible to get inserts at David Jones in Adelaide. But that was a few years ago and although I have seen her a number of times since then, it is never mentioned and I rather suspect that it's in the back of a drawer somewhere and didn't want to cause embarrassment by asking.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope Laurie's friend is now reading Philofaxy!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are wondering what the 'Philofaxy card' is that Laurie mentions. I had some Moo cards printed from a photo of my Maldens you can see the front of the card here: MooCard
The reverse of the card just has my Name, email address and of course the website address for Philofaxy.
I love the quality of the cards, there's a link to them in the side bar of Philofaxy. I will be handing them out at future meet ups and if I ever see someone with a Filofax on my travels. Of course the holes are perfectly aligned to clip in to your Filofax!
Steve
People often ask me about my Filofax and say 'ooh I would love one of those' but I don't think anyone actually has. I do find many FF fans among my clients though. When Filofax Sweden had its 90 products for 90 kronor deal quite a few of my students went nuts and bought loads.
DeleteI have a question about the Holborn. I'm reading every review I can find, but still can't get a clear picture. What sizes have the zipped pocket on the right side? Also, are the full length pockets on the left and right of the same depth in all sizes? I read in a review they are full depth in de personal, but I think I read somewhere else (about the A5?) they were only half deep and couldn't hold a notebook. I would like to use a (I think a personal or compact) Filofax to hold a notebook slipped into a pocket on the outside, so I can open the diary and have some extra space to jot down things. Are there other models I should consider?
ReplyDeleteYour right about the pockets only going half way on the A5, I only have the A5 zip so can only comment on that, it doesn't bother me because I carry Field Notes which fit perfectly in the pockets, the front outside pocket will hold an A5 Flex notebook though!!
Deletego and have a look on my blog. the personal (unzipped) holborn has the zipped pocket on the right side. I don't know about any bigger but (i think) the pocket has no zipped pocket.
DeleteIt's difficult to get a clear picture as the zipped pocket is inside a vertical pocket!
I think the Holborn design - in unzipped A5 - is somewhat flawed. I was disappointed to find that both the outer pockets only go half-way. As someone reviewed "they would make good hand warmers!". It means a notebook can be slotted in but only by cutting off half the cover!
DeleteIt is possible to use either of the inner pockets for a notebook. However, this isn't ideal either. Even a Flex 64 page notebook clashes with the 25mm binder rings when trying to close the Holborn.
The zipped pocket is concealed inside the right outer pocket. So again that's only half deep and fiddly to use.
Many like the Holborn but I think it would have been much better with 20mm rings and the Flex pocket layout.
Sadly, it didn't work for me.
I made a video featuring the Holborn personal that gives a good view of all the pockets.
DeleteHi TIm. I have found exactly the same problem with the Holborn zipped A5 - the two inside pockets do not take an A5 page (it hangs over the zipper) I would have imagined thats exactly what people would want to use these pockets for - storing A5 pages that need to be filed or organised. it bugs me all the time :)
DeleteHi Ling,
DeleteI have a Compact Holborn and it doesn't have the "jotting pad" pocket you'd find, say, into a Personal Metropol (just to cite one model that has this). I can also say that a Filofax notebook, size Personal, don't really fit into the pockets, even if they're spacious enought so that I think they could hold a smaller one if slim. Or you could try to do something like Ray's Swing pad ( http://mylifeallinoneplace.blogspot.de/2012/01/filofax-swing-pad-you-can-make-at-home.html ), to anchor the notepad to one pocket- now that would be cool.
I had a Holborn pocket and did not like it. I was excited about the pockets and was able to slot the Daytimer spiral jotter size D2PP planner in it (it's D2PP in monthly books). The leather was wonderfully soft and pliable but the downside is that the elasticated pen loop was not very sturdy. The leather is too pliable that it's hard to slide a pen into the loop. Plus the loop seems to be sewn in with only a single seam so not as well done as in, say, the pocket Kendal or Hamilton. Some of the threads were already unraveling from the in-out of the pen after a couple of days of testing.
DeleteToo bad; I really liked the layout.
The Personal size your interesting video Ray, looks a lot more useful than the A5 Holborn.
DeleteAs a left-hander, the absence of a notepad on the right side (that I couldn't reach because of the binder rings) was a big appeal of the Holborn. Naively, I assumed the pocket layout would be the same as the Flex launched around the same time. It looked the same in the photos.
Tim, I'm clearing out some old TMI inserts (I've got quite a few) and wondered if you'd be interested....could you possibly email me? davidpopely (at) googlemail (dot) com. Many thanks!
DeleteI've introduced my mum to the Filofax by giving her a compact Aston in Orchid, she's not online as yet but she will be buying a laptop soon so who knows maybe I will get her reading Philofaxy - she's now texting lol so there is hope!!!
ReplyDeleteSo guys, I went to a part last night and some schnapps leaked on m Chameleon. How do I get the smell out? (it's the alcohol bit not the peach bit that annoys me)
ReplyDeleteWas it a good party?
DeleteI would start with a some warm water with a few drops of your favourite perfume in it. Soak a cotton wool pad in it and squeeze it out until it's just damp and then use this to wipe down the surfaces of the organiser, using a few cotton wool pads until you think it's cleaned off. Then leave in open air to dry off naturally. And hope the smell has gone!
It was a good party :) A Level results were duly celebrated
DeleteAnd thanks, will do :) have been spraying it with body spray (it is skin, after all), and that smell has taken over a little so it's better for now, but I'll use some of my special-occasions Chanel scent :)
Anyone know why Filofax Italy needs your tax code in order to make an order?? Just been on the site and was a bit flummoxed by that but made up a 4-digit number and it seemed happy with that.
ReplyDeleteGet the code wrong and the Mafia will be looking for you....
DeleteThe Mafia won't, but the government (this one above all) will!
Delete(Just joking, or, at least, I hope I'm just joking.)
Anyway, I think they're need it because it's a required element in invoices for online trading under some of the new legislation against tax fraud. (Which is stupid, because it's practically a multipurpose code- mainly tax+NHS - issued to residents in the nation, but online commerce typically extends outside the boundaries... they could have added a box for non-residents, I don't think Italian citizens who never had a residence in the country have one!)
Am I remembering correctly, or doesn't Italy's site charge a LOT of money for postage--at least compared to other sites that sell internationally?
DeleteI think tey wanted about 35 € to ship it to the USA, and France only charges me 9€. Seems as if France wants the business more than Italy does. ;~)
FF Italy charge RIDICULOUS shipping costs! Do they SERIOUSLY think I'm going to pay twice the cost of my order for postage?
DeleteFF France, on the other hand, were absolutely wonderful. (And, since I speak French, but not Italian, it was a heck of a lot easier ordering from them!)
I have some bus timetables that I'd like to put into my new Portobello Filofax that I've just bought on Adspot. Unfortunately they are too long. Not sure what to do with them. I thought about scaling them down on my printer/photocopier or doing a Blue Peter on them. So before I destroy them completely, I would be grateful for any ideas please.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone - im still kinda new to this blog but been here long enough to understand the system as it free fridays i wanna ask a question please - what is the average age of philofaxy readers- im 17 years old and sometimes i feel left out - am i too young or somehting? are their any teenagers on here that use filofax or do the people on here know any teen- please anser- thanks
ReplyDeleteHi! Nah. You're not too young. I'm in my early twenties, my brother has just turned 20 and I know at least five teenagers (14, 15, 18, 19 and 19) who uses filofaxes. ^_^ And many of my friends do as well... but most of them are 20 and older.
DeleteI'm curious, for those of you in your teens and early 20's, which Filofax binder(s) do you use? I wonder if the ones you choose are the same or different from what those of us over 30 choose.
DeleteHello there! You are not too young at all! I just turned 20 this July and I loooovee my amazing Filofax. If you have a tumblr, email address, facebook and ever want to chat send me a message :)
Delete@Laurie, I chose the personal size warm orange Metropol. It was the one I most liked out of the inexpensive range of Filofax-es I saw. Once it was in my hands I had not one regret. I'd purchase the same one all over again!
DeleteLaurie, can I cheat and include 25 as being "early twenties?" If so, I'm still in love with my crimson Malden, but I think that binder spans all age groups!
Delete@Alondra Karwowski - is it the amber colored one? Been thinking about buying that one and the kingfisher Metropol. :D Would love your thoughts (pros/cons etc.) on it.
Delete@Yu, yes it's the amber colored Metropol. I was actually debating between the same two before I a purchased my binder. Honestly, I love everything about it. The blog post that helped me finally decided on the Warm Orange Filo was this one :http://bellefantaisie.net/?p=2269. She give a much better review than the one I will ever have. (Also, I'm very new to the Filofax world so I may not know too much)Good luck :)
DeleteLaurie, I'm in my early 20s and my first Filofax was a pocket Domino. Since then I've gotten the Finchley and now I'm using the Holborn. :) Probably would have stuck with the Domino if I'd gotten the personal size...but Philofaxy can be quite, ah, persuasive regarding leather Filofaxes. ;)
DeleteThanks everyone, this answered my question! Filofax seems to think people in their teens and 20's want their "fashion" binders. But you have proven that your age group chooses, in general, the same binders as those of us who are over 30: Metropol and Domino for the non-leathers; Finchley, Malden and Holborn for leathers!
DeleteI'm 18 :) I use a Pocket Chameleon but I really want an Ochre Malden :)
DeleteAnd Laurie, if there existed fashion binders with zippy pockets and so on, then I might be tempted - like the Temperley Ikat, if it came in Pocket, would be so up my street.
Hi Laurie!
DeleteIf they could make more binders like the first two Temperley designs that could actually be AFFORDABLE, then I would buy them.
I must be one of the few who don't like the non-leather binders (Metropol being an exception) and even stopped my parents from buying non-leather filofaxes for me when they saw how much I love the brand. I've blogged briefly about some filofaxes I own.
Some of you may know I love Holborn, Baroque, Malden, Luxe, Kendal, Siena and Chameleon. But I also use a Cuban and my old Guildford (love it to bits! <3 ). I bought a Classic Botanic while in London and will blog about it soon. ^_^
I use a Personal Malden in grey, and a Mini Finchley in black. Even if I were female, I still wouldn't want a Temperley Filofax. Why, you ask? Because I want a FILOFAX. I want a well-made, ring-bound organiser, at a good price, that's practical and easy to use, and will last a long time. These 'fashion Filos' might be cute or quirky, but they certainly aren't functional!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteToday I've been forcefully reminded that paper is probably the only uncrashable technology these days. Not that it helped much, since my job is rather intimately involved with technology, but at least I know now what I need if another day like today happens! I've kept looking at the calendar and checking it isn't the 13th...
ReplyDeleteI've got two separate internet connections into my home, where I work. They both chose today to stop working. My partner and I both have iPhones, with lovely 3G connectivity and the ability to turn into a personal hotspot. Unfortunately the 3G signal around here is not great, so we also have a Vodafone Clearcall signal booster... which works by connecting to Vodafone over a broadband internet connection. So no iPhone connectivity. Landlines not working properly either. I've also got a separate 3G dongle from a different provider, but that too doesn't work too well at home. So I've spent the whole day mostly incommunicado until about an hour ago.
I did, however, have one small incident - or should I say 'Inkcident' - involving paper earlier this evening, while trying to refill a fountain pen with Sailor Sei-Boku nanoparticle blue-black pigment ink. Sadly the refill attempt turned into a cleanup attempt, from which I fear the trousers I was wearing at the time may not recover... suffice it to say that the leg beneath is still stained blue - it's tenacious stuff!
Still... at least I can console myself (as the trousers go through the washing machine) by fondling and sniffing my latest filofax acquisition - a black crocodile-effect leather A5 Ascot binder in near mint condition. Mmmmmmm... And I can punch some more pages for it with my new KW-trio adjustable punch from Hummelmann in Holland...
Oh Paul - I couldn't help chuckling - what an awful day! Sometimes you just have to give up to the inevitable!
DeleteI did briefly talk to a colleague a little while ago... as I put it to him, after a day like today it's either joke about it or go postal!
DeleteThis is totally off topic, I know....but PG Tips is giving away five Kindles at http://competition.pgtips.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteCool, thanx for the tip
DeleteI don't know if this should be in the Web Finds post, but anyway... this is an irritated rant in response to the "PR Interview" webfind (#7).
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe that PR-woman said that we all "like to write notes and are very interested in fashion / stylish accessories" like that's THE thing that makes us want to use filofaxes! Grr! Maybe we should all email her about Philofaxy or something?! >.< Plenty of young people (teenagers to middle-aged ppl, which makes me think that the age gap and "lapsed users" don't really exist in the way they think) blogging, commenting and doing videos. They seriously need to complete their market surveys/studies with surveys that target actual Filofax users.
And, for the record, I'm not interested in fashion. At. All.
/end rant from the irritated gamer girl
Well it's now clear where FF's problems lie - they have a PR agency with zero knowledge of their client's market, zero knowledge of the real world (viz, outside 'Planet PR-speak' and zero interest in engaging with either.
DeleteI'm seriously tempted to write an open letter to Ms Bloomer, and to get as many people here as possible to subscribe to it.
I'm not interested in fashion either - I'm interested in what works. In any case do her client-fashionistas *really* just 'want to write notes', or would they prefer to apply their seriously-fashionable writing implements to paper which doesn't feel like toilet paper and bleed through at the slightest application of proper ink?
Seriously - this woman is so out of touch she makes me laugh. And cry. And want to go round and apply a length of two-by-four to the side of her expensively-made-up head in the hope that she might wake up on planet earth.
There again, what's the point? I'm officially giving up as of now. The lunatics have formally taken over the asylum.
If anyone wants a bunch of A5 FF refills, email me. Serious offer.
I would sign that letter!
DeleteYes, out of touch is what they are. I mean - look at me! I'm a 3D-generalist and concept artist for cryin' out loud! I know "everything" when it comes to computers, gadgets and most programs because I have to, and because I love technology. I shouldn't even want to use a filofax if I followed their warped way of thinking. I should be a happy little Linux/Windows girl (no way in hell am I ever going to like Apple's products beyond the design) who uses her smartphone and tablet or ultrabook for everything. Yet I own so many Filofaxes I'm afraid to count them. *sigh*
Any other takers for such a letter? I'm starting a list.....
DeleteHere's the gist of my recent rant email to Steve about Filofax's fashion focus: They are producing poor-quality binders (rings not closing properly, leather binders showing major signs of wear after just a few months of use, etc.), I think in the hopes that people will change their binders so often they'll have changed to something else before too much wear accumulates.
DeleteFilofax is losing their long-term customers who look for high quality and functionality, who are increasingly looking elsewhere for these qualities. Meanwhile the Filofax company is banking on the fickle fashion market. When the fashion people move on to something else, their previous core users will be gone too. So where will that leave the company?
....so are you on the list for a letter to FF?
DeleteDavid, I would be happy to join in, but I'll warn you not to get your hopes up. I've dealt directly with some of the Letts company people (including one very high-up person) and they are not interested in hearing it, for some reason.
Delete... would probably burst their little happy fantasy bubble in La La land if they did! But if no one protests, then they will never listen.
DeleteDont worry Laurie, I have no hopes at all of FF *or* Slam PR listening - I'd like to feel I've made my point before I leave the fold.
DeleteDavid there is certainly something to be said in that. Count me in!
DeleteCount me in David, I might be able to contribute to the wording of such a letter having also dealt with some of the people in the PR Agency.
DeleteUnfortunately in my 'outstanding' career.... to no where, I suffered with a few people that came along, thought they knew better, ignored advice but then continued to destroy the organisation, only for it to come crashing down around our ears several months after said person had 'moved on' to better their career elsewhere and continue with the trail of destruction until someone realised the mess they had left behind... but by then it was too late and too costly to put right.
Steve
In due course I'll draft something and circulate it by email to all who say they want to participate. I'll then send to Filofax and copy to Slam with our names, locations and email addresses. Then we'll hear nothing. but at least we'll have made our collective point.
DeleteIf you'd like to go on the list for this, let me know. Just a short line will do, for now.
hi Steve. If you want to contribute the initial wording, that's fine with me....I don't think I want to be too much into 'tact and diplomacy' though, as a) I don't think either party is actually listening, or going to listen, and b) I want to have said explicitly what I think are the problems here. but by all means, go ahead! I wasn't proposing to mention Philofaxy by name, as I anticipate thy won't be very happy to hear what I personally have to say to them!
DeleteHi David
DeleteNo I certainly don't want to water down your message in anyway, may be add to it to add extra weight of our disquiet with the way they are taking the brand.
Steve
If you'd like to produce something in draft, maybe we can all have a look at it......:)
DeleteHi David,
DeleteCount me in!
Hello,
Deletecount me in. That interview was seriously disturbing...
and me - as I am about to become a stockist for them ...
DeleteCount me in :)
Deletedefinately count me in...
Deletecrofter! Hi! Good to see you here, haven't seen you for awhile.
ReplyDeleteHmm I am due to meet a ff rep in a couple of weeks - should I bring that interview up I wonder?
ReplyDeleteUp to you, but I wouldn't expect them to listen....
DeleteAs a stockist, I'd expect them to want their customers to be happy. I think FF are confused about who exactly their customers are. My suspicion is that they've listened to Slam (who IMO know nothing at all about anything) to the detriment of their relationship with their true customer base. Maybe that's the way to bring it up....mention the interview an say you're concerned that that appears to be the case.....
For my husband's birthday this year, I bought him his first Filofax -- a Compact Chameleon in black! He says he hasn't written much in it, though.
ReplyDelete