My name is Nicole and I live in an extremely rainy city in Norway. As of right now I'm on sick leave from education and work to take care of my poor health, as I'm suffering from M.E./CFS which makes work and education impossible. But my biggest dream is to some time in the future go to law school and become a lawyer.
I spend my days caring for my 4 months old pug puppy Mushu, blogging about everything and anything (including Filofaxes) on http://nicolecla.com, reading, cooking, traveling, shopping, and obsessing over Filofaxes and designer handbags.
I've pretty much been born a Filofax addict as both my parents have been loyal to their filofaxes since they got them in the early 80's. I grew up with both my parents “Filofaxing” and never leaving the house without their organizer. I've been loving planners my whole life, and I've been buying planners for every new school year since I started school, even when I didn't need them. When I was 16/17 I started using Filofaxes, and I've never felt an urge to even look at another brand since. I am an extremely organized, punctual and reliable person, and my Filofax helps me keep it that way.
1. When did you buy your first Filofax and what was it?
I got my first Filofax some time in my childhood, I believe I was about 6 or 7 years old. It was one of my mothers old ones which she didn't use anymore. I got it because I was constantly nagging about wanting one. I have no idea where that went sadly or what model it was. Wish I had it today!
The first one I purchased myself was an A5 Malden in vintage pink. I bought it in the late summer of 2011. Such a great Filofax!
2. What other brands have you used or considered using?
I've had a 18 months planner from Barnes & Noble, and a “personlig almenakk” from a Swedish site, a planner you can customize yourself online. None of them offered the features I love in a Filofax, which is what made me buy my A5 Malden. Never going to use planners like that again, that's for sure!
3. Out of the organisers you own which is your current favourite (Style and Size)?
I just got a Personal Purple Malden, and I'm so in love with it. I love the maldens,which is why I have an A5 too, but the Personal doubles up as a wallet for me, which makes it pure bliss.
4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?
As of right now I own 3. A5 Malden in vintage pink, Personal Malden in Purple, and a Personal Adelphi in black :D But I'm sure that the collection will keep growing.
5. What is the oldest Filofax in your collection?
Sadly I don't have any vintage Filofaxes. I wish I had! So my oldest one is my A5 Malden which I bought in 2011.
6. What do you use your Filofax for?
Everything! I use my diary for to-do's, appointments, and to write down what happened on that day, and also to keep track of my online purchases. Other than that I have a note section which I jot down anything in, I have a list section which keeps my wish list, packing lists and etc., I have an info sections which keeps maps, charts, tickets, flight times and addresses. I also have a section dedicated to my health as I'm "always" at the doctors or at the hospital. In addition to that, it's also my wallet, so it keeps my cards.
7. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?
The freedom! No doubt about that. I can move things around, or change the whole set up entirely if I wish to. I can make more sections, or less. So many possibilities :D
8. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?
I would first of all resolve the ring problems. No more faulty Filofaxes! (Sadly I've had my fair share of ring problems with my Adelphi). The leather would be as smooth as on the malden, but made in a wide range of colors. Everything from the classic blacks, browns and greys to really fun colors like purple, pink, turquoise, yellows and etc. Perhaps even two-toned?
Inside it would have a zipped pocket, and at least 6 card slots. It would also have two pen loops.
9. How do you carry your Filofax?
My filofax comes with me everywhere, so it depends. If I'm leaving the house for more than an hour it goes in my Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM. If I'm just going to the grocery store, or don't need all of my other things, I just pop my iPhone in the open pocket in the back (it's a Malden), and carry it in my hands.
10. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?
I actually just got the one that I like the most last week, and it's right by my side as I am answering these questions. It's a personal Malden in purple <3
11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax? Which model?
The most I've spent on a Filofax has to be what I payed for my new Malden. I ordered it off of the UK-site. Since I live in Norway I had to pay tax for it in addition to full price for the binder.
My other binders would originally be more expensive, but I got the other ones on sale, and I didn't have to pay tax for them as I ordered them off the norwegian filofax site.
12. What's your favorite Filofax tip or hack?
Put your diary inserts in the middle of the binder, instead of in the front. I've seen many people put it all the way in the front, and I did that before too. If you put it in one of your middle sections writing in your diary gets so much easier as you don't have the rings in the way as much.
13. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?
I love the web finds the most I think. When I see that the post has been published I hurry to make myself a nice cup of tea or coffee and just take the time to sit down and enjoy pretty much every post and video on the list.
I also really like readers under the spotlight. It's just so much fun to read all the answers to these questions, and get to “know” the people who enjoy Filofax and Philofaxy as much as I do!
14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?
How is it possible to not like something about Philofaxy? I love it all!
15. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?
The last one I bought was P!NK – Just give me a reason. I heard it on the radio, and just HAD to have it. Been listening to it on repeat ever since!
16. Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver?
Well, I have to say that my «taste» in men is Mark Darcy. I've always been rooting for Mark in the films :)
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Thank you Nicole for agreeing to appear on Philofaxy. And if any one else would like appear in this feature then please contact philofaxy at gmail dot com
Dear Nicole, It's really nice to meeting you here. I enjoyed reading your introduction. Love your fluid writing and expressful style in English. I admit that I had to google your health condition in order to understand what it was and wish you all the energy you need to overcome these grave life limiting symptoms. I never had the full scala on symptoms but know parts of them myself from previous years as my immune system was constantly low and I ended up quickly exhausted and always picking up the newest cold that came along. Fortunately that has changed significantly after I got a root extraction on a dead tooth and also changed my nutrition, first to 100% raw food - which helped the body to get rid of toxins, while my energy increased impressively and also did my immune systeme improve. I'm currently on 60%raw/40% cooked food (as I have a challenging work schedule that lacks the time of constantly preparing my own food). So I know the difference and highly recommend you to do some research on detoxification with raw food. All the very best wishes to you :-) Sylke
ReplyDeleteDearest Nicole,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post!! I am glad you are brave enough to post about your ME. I had ME 15 years ago, following glandular fever and was very unwell with it. You can recover from it, and actually come out of it a better person.It is so self limiting, that baby steps are the secret.... but it truly makes you appreciate the smallest of achievments and the importance of self care.Invaluable to me was the 50% rule. Basically, be realistic and think of your symptoms and what you REALISTICALLY can accomplish today. Then plan to only do 50% of it. Allow for rest and compensate. ME only repairs when you can let go of being driven, and can allow for recovery and replenishing.I still get occassional symptoms over 15 years later.... but the minute I have that unwell feeling I STOP!!!My learning was that I am a human being, not a human doing!!! Take care and feel free to mailly me any time....I am on Facebook. xx
Being new to this community, I love these spotlights! Such a great, diverse, creative group. Nicole, my cousin suffered for quite awhile with M.E./CFS, I've seen first hand how little things can just wipe you out. I'm glad you have your planners (and purses)to bring some fun when your struggling with your health. I look forward to perusing your blog! Wishing you good health :) Ashley
ReplyDeleteI seem to be late for commenting but here goes,
ReplyDeleteCFS often comes with auto- immune diseases (I´m just echoing what my joint- doc told me here), mine was triggered by severe physical & chronic pain. Has all your auto- immune diseases been mapped out? Are you certain you don´t have issues with your thyroid? Thyroid levels can be checked out by a simple blood test and results come in a day.
What most doctors fail to mention is that there usually is other, sometimes very serious auto- immune diseases behind CFS, and the CFS is a manifestation of those- sometimes very cleverly disguised- conditions.
Strange you should say that Weird Rock Star. I was diagnosed at the same time with IgA Mgus. A benign immune system dysfunction. Non symptomatic, but still a dysfunction.
ReplyDeleteButanben, not surprised at all. Also, auto- immune diseases often are linked with each other. It´s a very sick and twisted swamp, so to speak. No matter how you look at it, your own body should not attack itself- no matter what. But... that doesn´t apply to all of us, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you. I have fibromyalgia. I find my filofax very helpful to plan and pace my days and week. It is so helpful to see at a glance what must be done and what can be rescheduled when I'm not feeling well. I also use it to schedule my very slowly progressive exercise routine. When progress seems to happen at such a snails pace it helps to look by in my filofax and see that yes, I can actually do more than I could 6 months ago. Hope you are well soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteNicole I am happy to find you here but am sad about your illness. I like all that you answered to the questions. Do take good care.
ReplyDeleteTom