As some of you might know, I'm a real fan of the Maldens. However, I think I've changed my thinking now from 'this is what I've purchased, so I have to stick to it' to a slightly more flexible way of thinking which means I'm allowing myself to sample ones I may not have considered before.
So, how about if you could have a Filofax which isn't just limited to one finish?? I don't often visit the Filofax website, but having a recent nose I came across this: Filofax Classic Mashup and I think it's a great way to update the Classic. And discuss...
And as always, please feel free to discuss anything Filofax or ring bound planner related, and I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Anita, I haven't been looking much myself lately so was pleasantly surprised to find a Classic Mash-Up. It's an interesting model.
ReplyDeleteInteresting - I wrote about a mix of materials in my blog "New designs for Filofax"! Other planner brands have used this approach - I recently re-homed my F/Covey Mia, a two tone binder. I would love a FF in a suede and leather combo.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love the idea behind it, it just isn't executed as well as it should be...I guess this is one you would have to see in real life before making a decision to purchase it.
ReplyDeleteOK, I need some help for a third party today. My lovely daughter (who uses no paper diary at all) is really struggling with her university work, and I'm meeting her next week to see if I can cheer her up and help out. I want to introduce her to paper planning, and that almost certainly means Filofax.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I need recommendations for a basic Personal *cheap* (-est, not -ish!). In this case, 'girly' is definitely good!
As an alternative is anyone getting rid of something along this line?
If anyone cares to share about how they plan their *own* uni work, or send me links to previous posts, I'll be doing a bit of task-specific research over the weekend :)
Thanks for your help - as always, I know this is a community I can rely on to 'step up'!
David, once I got over the shock that your offspring doesn't use a Filofax (!), I thought a visit to The Perpetual Student's blog would be a great start. She's done lots of posts on how she actually uses her FF to plan her studies, keep track of grades, etc.and as her name suggests, she's been doing it a while. I bought my 11 year old nephew a used Filofax college for starting secondary school and he loves it. I know it's at the opposite end of the scale but I figured it's never too early to learn good habits. Hope you find a binder suitably priced and stylish. I think I'd struggle to track studies in anything smaller than a personal but I'm sure there are people who manage to do it in a pocket. It's a pity you just missed the sale on Filofax uk website.
DeleteThere's a personal songbird in green on adspot for 20 euro. Does that count as girlie enough.
DeleteMy 14 year old loves the A5 red domino ( sold for £22 whsmith online sale still going)
DeleteAce cards ans gifts are selling a personal faux filofax for £ 3.99 www.24ace.co.uk with some nice inserts, My 17 year old loves the personal line burst olypmic 2012 in pink
Hi David, there has been a lot of mention of Filofax in TKMaxx and its sister store Homesense lately. I found only a couple in my local TKMaxx but going by peoples finds Homesense would be your best option. Are you near Cardiff? There is a Homesense in Cardiff.
DeleteIt may be worth a look?
Sadly for me the closest Homesense is roughly an hour's drive away but my bank account would be very happy about this.
I've only had my first Filofax for a year now and I started off with the Apex Personal in pink with teal accent - I LOVE IT. I think it would be girly enough for any gal and it's very affordable!
DeleteHighly Recommend!
Personally, I favor the Domino among the cheaper models.
DeleteI'm currently using a Personal with 2ppd inserts to keep track of all my grad school coursework. I have a page with all my courses for the semester, and then I have a page for each course with the assignments, professor information, and grades. I also have pages with other notes, like the citation method I have to use, my degree plan, and some notes for classes. It's working well for me.
David, my daughter's at uni and is using an ARC A5 notebook. Choose a leather binder, add some dividers for a couple of quid, and you're looking at £17 in total. My daughter prefers it in lectures because it can be folded back on itself.
DeleteDavid, my daughter uses a snake domino for her university work. She has had it for a year now, uses it every single day and it looks as good as new. They are still available on one of the European websites - not sure if it is the German, Dutch or French one. It's cheap but limited edition and very unusual.
DeleteI have a purple songbird I was going to put on adspot or ebay. My 13 year was more of a aqua finsbury type but only after I Made her use my black metropol for a year to make sure she would look after it! Let me know if you are interested.
DeleteAnthannon, I fear it's actually too late - I'm off to London 0500 Tuesday, and I need it in my hand when I go - or to buy one when I'm there, which is why I'm probably off to Paperchase.......thanks anyway!
DeleteGood luck. with Christmas on the horizon Im sure you will pick up a bargain.
DeleteInteresting concept but not a good mix. The dots clash with the other panels and the colours are a mess. I think they'd do a lot better if they looked backwards and took inspiration from the quality and styles of the 80s and 90s. They obviously hit a sweet spot with the Malden. It isn't my cup of tea but it's clearly very popular, so it shows they can still pull something out of the bag when they out their minds to it. Unfortunately, the more they listen to the nonsense trotted out by Slam PR (that we like to make notes and we love fashion), the less likely they are to repeat their successes. That said, I'm sure lots of people would pay for a custom binder option, where you could choose the leather, the finish, the colour, possibly even the pockets and slots. I don't think they have time on their side, with sales down 50% and a venture capital stakeholder wanting to offload it.
ReplyDeleteI just assumed that the different panels & colours are meant to clash? Not one that I'd personally buy, but I'm pleased that they're trying different things.
DeleteI agree with David as I'd happily take my Ascot anywhere for business & I love its classy looks & design.
I personally don't find the mashup shown appealing, but I like the idea of a mix of smooth leather and suede, or silky fabric and velvet.
DeleteLet me just say though, Filofax's prices seem to be getting higher and higher! Unfortunately lately their quality has not matched their high prices.
Agreed Laurie - I'm off to Paperchase to shop for a binder for my daughter....never thought I'd say *that*......
DeleteThe only downside to peaperchase is they don't do A5....
DeleteIt's a Personal I think I'm looking for - I can't see her using an A5, despite the space.......
DeleteRe-the Classic Mashup. I think it's hideous.
ReplyDeleteSo too, was the 'improved' Filofax featured in webfinds, which now has an edging of glittery gold nail varnish. I guess the owner of that Filo really does love fashion and likes to make notes ....
This FrankenFilo is not for me!
There's a very important point here, for those of us who are in business - the accessories you carry tell a story about you, long before you have had a chance to tell your own. I wouldn't go to a business meeting with a pastel-coloured FF any more than I would wear trainers or ripped jeans. The right tool for the job is what's needed, and that means leather, muted, good lines, professional-looking.
DeleteEloquently put, David.
DeleteFor work I use a personal Hampshire in brown. It is understated and business-like and I would not consider changing at all. I have used this for the last 12 years.
I craft in my spare time and to keep track of materials and capture ideas for future projects, I use a personal Domino in purple. It's about as frivolous as I would want to go! I like that it looks different to my work Filo and am quite happy using it for my craft projects, but I would not dream of taking it to work with me and using it there!
I'm in the unusual position today of looking for a binder for my lovely daughter (see above comments), so I'm cruising the Paperchase site in a way I'm not accustomed to!
DeleteMy go-to binder (since I sold my ochre Malden) is a vintage Hampstead, which is likewise understated, professional-looking, and I won't be swapping it out or upgrading it until it falls apart, which is likely to be never!
Although it does depend on what the profession is, surely?
DeleteI produce hand dyed textiles (full time job for nearly seven years) and have been considering how I could cover a Filofax with handwoven fabric, or incorporate my business into the product on the outside in some other way - a zip pull, a pocket on the outside held with woven bands perhaps (it's already on the inside).
I'm not a girly girl, pink is my least favourite colour in the whole world, closely followed by purple but I know with complete certainty that adding some high quality hand made "textile" to my Filofax in some subtle but skilled way would be an advert for what I do, and an opening for conversations with customers and suppliers.
Very true......and a very good point.
DeleteI take your point Natalie. We both work in different circles so what is 'business-like' to us both will differ. I don't use a zip around Filo, but can see how a uniquely designed zip pull would be a nice touch of individuality.
DeleteHere's a question for you ... have you thought of approaching FF as an official supplier for fabric? (Songbird type thing)
I can quite see how a pink sparkly FF is not appropriate in a more formal business environment though, as you say. Even Richard Branson wears proper shoes!
DeleteI wonder if the mash up would have pleased more of you if it was a little more conventional in the mixture of the panels. May be different colour panels but all the same finish, say a mixture of the panels used on the Classic already. Or may be introduce a black and white chequered pattern so it looks like a Finishing Flag in motor racing.
DeleteBlack and white pattern would be cool! I live a hour from the indy race track ..home of the indy 500 =)
DeleteYuck!
ReplyDeleteGood lord that thing is hideous! What has happened to thier designers?!!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm quite new to FF but seem to have developed a habit quite quickly! In addition to my Personal Finsbury, I recently picked up an A5 Malden in Vintage Pink (an absolute steal for only £24.99 in TK Maxx!). I intend to use this from the summer onwards when I start my teacher training but I can't seem to find many academic refills. I'll need day per page so I was just wondering if this exists - is it something FF bring out nearer the time? Thanks :-)
I think this is a clever idea by Filofax,and a bit of frivolity,also a good way of using up any off cut left overs I suppose. Good housekeeping,but it's just not to my personal taste, too clshing and '60s hippy in style. I think David put it very well.... professional, durable and functional.... old fashioned good quality in both binders and inserts is what is required, with a range of colours and styles in all sizes. Enough said. David, I have got some tips and hints for uni Filofax organisation that I sent to a few others in the Philofaxy group a while back. Your daughter may be able to cherry pick a few ideas for when she sets up her new Filo. Only too happy to help.Will mail you in the next couple of days. xx
ReplyDeleteExcuse typo.... meant to read clashing... as in 60's hippy style!!
ReplyDeletehmmm To me it looks like a quilt lol but I sew alot and maybe I just have that in my mind.. I wouldnt buy it though. Since I bought my first Holburn personal I have purchased a Holborn pocket and a Pink Domino A5 ,, I have been watching the FF usa site all week. They are having Cyber Monday all week and not that I needed any more but each day is a sale! I purchased the Holborn slim in brown last Monday. I thought I would use it as my checkbook. Today their sale is half off the Petal pockets are marked down to 11$ . Even if I dont use it it would be a good gift! OH and anything over 10$ shipping is free! I can not past a good deal up..or maybe I have that Filo bug... hehe
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share my Filofax find with people who will actually CARE - I found a beautiful leather Tejus Pocket Purse at the thrift store last night for - are you ready - $1.25 (US)!
ReplyDeleteIt's in GREAT condition and has dividers and blank writing paper. I'm excited to think up a user for my new little friend! $1.25 ! I'm still AMAZED!
*use - not user! oops! too excited to type.
DeleteOh I care!! lol I love bargains!!! Great job for the find!
Delete
DeleteAwesome find! For a buck-twenty five, how could one pass that up??!!
Other than the Filofax Size Guide here on Philofaxy is there a compiled list 'vintage' Filofaxes with their sizes, year of introduction or years in circulation, with pictures, pros/cons and suggestions of where to most likely find them for sale (besides ebay). I was looking around this site under the 'vintage' label and others posts but was wondering if there was a compilation somewhere. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the things I've asked Filofax UK if they have such a list could we make it public... waiting to hear back on that request
DeleteThat's very cool, thanks Steve!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that I'm not a fan of the mashup. Vera Bradley did some bags with this same idea, using various Fabric pieces from their main collection, and I didn't care for them either. I think, to me, it looks too cluttered and non-uniform. If you like that style, then it's a good option. But I prefer clean lines and symmetry, (probably something to do with my need for right angles and consistency) so it's not something I'd ever purchase.
ReplyDeleteHID. EE. US. @.@
ReplyDeleteAm i the only person who loves the Mash-up?
ReplyDeleteHowever i would like pictures of the individual binders and the ability to pick which one you buy, or stock it in the stores and not just online. Also i think they should have made the back the same pattern - the 4 squares i mean.
I like the different textures and patterns - i don't like the price however - if it was half the price i would totally buy one, and even then i would have to save!
I love the mash up! I have a feeling there may be some on eBay after Christmas
ReplyDeleteWell the mash up is not my cuppa tea, but I'm sure some will love it. I work with a lot of creative types, and I wouldn't be bothered if one of these came out at a business meeting. I've seen more garish things, particularly with the way some have personalized their computers.
ReplyDeleteToday, I bought a Finsbury Personal Slimline, which doesn't appear to be listed on either the UK or US Filofax websites. I was planning to buy the fake-leather Metropol, but (1) it was out of stock and (2) the Finsbury was only $10 more than the Metropol. I looked at the Cuban, but despite the same ring size, it was somewhat thicker and therefore bulkier inside my jacket pocket. I also could not justify the extra $40. So far, my biggest complaints about the Finsbury are (1) the ring mechanism is a bit stiff and hard to open, and (2) the pen loop sometimes catches when I'm trying to slip it into my jacket pocket.
I discovered something today: Inside jacket pockets on men's suits are sometimes different widths. In the jacket I was wearing today, I could easily slip the Finsbury or Cuban into the left inside pocket, but it was tough to get either into the right pocket, particularly the Cuban. The staff at Laywine's and I got into a good discussion about this; apparently it is normal.