24 January 2014

Free For All Friday No. 271

I was away last weekend for my company's annual conference. As we would be taking extra things like laptops and handouts, I wanted to keep my own belongings to a minimum in one bag. My crimson Malden was added to my packing pile, but I later removed it as I wasn't expecting much free time. However, I realised from past experience that I'd miss it and added it in at the last minute.

It occurred to me that not only do I find my Filo useful, but there's also something quite comforting and familiar about it. Somehow having a binder and a book nearby feels like a little slice of home when I'm away. Do you find this when you are travelling or staying elsewhere?


And as it's Friday again, please feel free to discuss anything about Filofax or other makes of ring bound organisers.

31 comments:

  1. I take my Filofax in my bag to anywhere I go. The only time it stays at home is if I'm out for the evening with a useless small purse or occasionally on holiday if I know that the environment isn't conducive to good leather care!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My Filofax goes everywhere with me........

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi - found this blog about a week ago when I decided I needed to change my filofax & I love it! I have an Apex personal at the moment but it doesn't suit me at all, the cover, the closing mechanism etc just aren't me. Even the colour (grey) is wrong! I'm currently tossing between the Finsbury (in raspberry) or the Malden (in purple) and was wondering if anyone had any advice etc? I'm in Ireland and can't seem to find the Malden in a personal size anywhere to see it in person! Thanks - oh & this blog has now become one of my "check all the time" ones :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Busin - Welcome! Maldens are very popular and sell out quickly in most places and online. I think the purple colour is being discontinued as well so it'll be difficult for you to see a new one. If you are serious about it, google it for images or this blog too. I love my Malden and I prefer the leather to my Finsbury. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. I have Finsbury personal in rapsberry and I love it! You can't go wrong either way thought

      Delete
    3. Thanks all. I managed to find a Finsbury in person & decided that I think it's the Malden for me so going to order it online.
      Cruz - if you want one, I'll be selling one shortly!!

      Delete
  4. My Filo goes everywhere with me apart from nights out - my smaller handbag just won't fit it! I do agree, when I am away, especially if I have to travel alone, the first things I unpack are my books, Filofax and my socks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I definitely agree. I especially find this to be true on train trips, when I have hours of leisure time on the way to my destination. I used to travel a lot with my Filofax, and the times when I have left it at home I have missed my beloved travel companion!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anita, my Slimline is always with me, in my jacket, or my briefcase.

    If the briefcase is with me, a laptop, a tablet for 'waiting for someone' reading, the charger, extra grid paper for the Filo, pens.
    And - of course - a phone, which is more of a portable browser, scanner, camera, newspaper, occasional emailer, and SMS machine these days.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yup, never leave without it. My families whole life is in there. Last year I took a big trip and was giving my 3 teenage boys the run down if anything happened to us. They were all taking in the seriousness and were quiet, then my 16 asked if I was leaving my binder home. Nope, if we die you tell them to find the brown book, nothing else matters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol Cassandra! But yes that's definitely the case!

      Delete
  8. It goes everywhere in my purse...much to the amusement of my family and friends... My roommate, on the other hand, knows. She has reminded me more than once..."Do you have your little book?" before we go out the door.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am never without mine. Even on our honeymoon to Costa Rica where it stayed locked in the room safe most of the trip (leather and the rainforest don't really mix) but at least I knew it was there in case I needed anything! Plus, it always makes airports easier as I can just tuck in passports, tickets, etc. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Newbie question.....does Filofax introduce new models and or new colors on a regular basis?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cherri, yes they come out with new colors and models every year, usually announced in the spring and the new models are rolled out throughout the year. They also discontinue models and colors every year, which often drives people to panic-buy the styles they want before they are discontinued!

      Delete
  11. Thanks Laurie'! I am new to Filofax, altho I have 2 personal size...one red Domino and one raspberry safiano. Always on the lookout for great colors!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry Steve!! I commented on a post yesterday,thanking my Philofaxy friends for all their little and indeed big kindnesses and wanted to say what a wonderful community Philofaxy is..... and how much I adore my hobby. However, I feel shame faced, as I thought it was Friday and a FFAF day!!! Senior moment there I'm afraid, as Terry Wogan used to say,as my post had nothing to do with the thread in hand!! DOH!!! I blame my recent wisdom tooth surgery and the painkillers..... think they have dumbed and numbed my brain too!!!!! Anyway.... folks, you are all marvellous and I just feel so blessed to have found Philofaxy as a site as well as feeling such a joyous sense of community. I certainly hope you win a Shorty Award too, I've voted... YAY!! That would be a marvellous recognition of all your hard work Steve, and the hard work of all the admins here. Please feel free to move my post from yesterday to today's FFAF slot instead !! And again many apologies that it was not posted on an FFAF thread, as I had intended. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anita, I too never leave the house without my Filo. Experience has taught me this How many times have you been asked about a certain date or information and wished you had your Filo with you.
    It's most reassuring to know it's there. I love the photo, hope there was something refreshing in the glass

    ReplyDelete
  14. What happened to all of the nice leather filos? I have been out of the loop for awhile, enjoying my Finchley. But, I am trading my Finchley for a Compact Regency and I was looking for another similar personal sized binder. I've been looking on FilofaxUSA the last few days and it seems that Malden is the only affordable option anymore... What happened to the Deco, Aston, Osterly, Amazona, Finchley, and those like them? Am I missing a hidden treasure? Or am I just not trendy enough? I am bummed because most aren't available on eBay either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is the question of the year! They've all been discontinued, sadly. And some went on deep discount and were grabbed up in a frenzy. Also seems they introduce fewer and fewer new models each year, half of which aren't leather. But stay tuned, Steve will share news about the spring line as soon as he has it. Your best bet is to find some of those models used for sale here on Adspot or check out eBay of some of the Facebook groups for selling/trading Filofaxes.

      Delete
    2. The FilofaxUSA site is horrible. There's nothing on it and hasn't been for at least a year! It's really disappointing.

      Delete
    3. I forgot about AdSpot! I will have to check there. Hoping for some new spring colors. Everything available seems so bright and trendy.

      Delete
  15. (Question re-posted from Tuesday): I'm considering purchasing my first Filofax, and I'm loving the clean, streamlined look of the Original with the exception of one issues -- the elastic strap on the inside front cover. I have no need of a cell phone strap or a pen loop, and I think it looks a bit cheap, so I was wondering how possible it would be to remove the elastic. From all the pictures I can tell, it looks as though it is just stitched on to the top of the full-length slip pocket piece (if that description makes sense), so I'm hoping that a bit of work with small sewing scissors or a seam ripper would allow for its removal. Can anyone else venture an opinion towards this? (I do realize there may be small holes from the stitching left behind, so I'll have to consider that.)

    ReplyDelete
  16. OK, I know its been a while. The mini will no longer be sold in US on the Filofax website. I am sad. I guess I saw it coming. Anyway everyone have a Fantastic Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes I'm going to Cabo in March and I don't really need my planner (sleep, swim, eat, beach, repeat lol) but I will be taking a mini, pocket or compact just because. I need to have one with me though I will be leaving my personal at home in trying to pack lighter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Always take it with me. If it's not in my purse, it's in the car.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Does anyone want a 2014 Personal WO2P refill? It came with the Filofax I bought on clearance. I'll post free within the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I may leave my filofax at home when going out for a meal or to see a movie, but I would not even consider being without it at a work conference! The very thought puts me into a panic.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have to have mine with me at all times! I agree, it is comforting for some reason. It's also nice because it gives you something to do if you get held up unexpectedly. I ended up having to wait for an appointment today for about 20 minutes when I thought I would be able to go right in. I just pulled out my book and starting listing to-do's, reviewing my schedule, and flipping through the pages to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. So I killed the time in a useful way.

    ReplyDelete
  22. When I go on holiday, I take a slimline Filofax that belonged to my grandfather. It probably dates from anytime from the 1930s to 60s. I put my packing list, a calculator, a few essential contact details, some pages for notes (to be transferred later to another binder) and, if I'm on a surf trip without them, some photos of my family.
    All this links me to my family and family history. I can also check on where I went and how much it cost back to the 90s.

    ReplyDelete