Philofaxy: November 2022

30 November 2022

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 30 November 2022

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy.
For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. Also this video too Webfinds
Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.

Enjoy

29 November 2022

Free For All Tuesday - No. 617

So what questions or discussion points have you got for us today?

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced user of organisers, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, opinions etc.

We are here to answer your questions.

Make today the one day you post a comment or a question.

It is Tuesday after all so fire away with any questions and comments.

28 November 2022

A Date For Your Diary - Sunday 4 December 2022

Given the success and the number of people that took part in the recent 'Virtual Meet Ups' we are going to run another one.

Santa hats optional!

When? - Sunday 4 December 2022 at the following time:

Los Angeles 8:00 am,
Denver 9:00 am
Dallas 10:00 am,
New York 11:00am,
Moncton 12:00 noon,
London 4:00 pm
Paris 5:00 pm etc.

Do not worry if you aren't available at the start of the session each one lasts 1-2 hours, so pop up when you are available and say hello.

Where? - an on-line chat using Skype. with voice and video (if you wish)

Join the chat here: https://join.skype.com/A85fEyS7HPUP

What do I need? - just a micro-phone and some head phones(in ear phones work fine) and a free Skype account. Using headphones or earphone reduces 'echo' on the call. Video is optional, but a most of us will be on video as well.

Who - All of you... Join the chat here: https://join.skype.com/A85fEyS7HPUP Come and listen if you don't want to chat. What do we talk about? Filofax stuff... but anything else as well. It's like long lost friends meeting up for coffee and a catch up.. but don't worry if you have never joined in before... you are an old friend too!

If you have any questions you want to ask then please let us know in the group or before we start.

Come and join in the fun, even if you only pop in to say hello... but don't be afraid to join in the discussion.

If you need any assistance setting up Skype, please pop a comment in this post and I will try and help you get one line. Skype is free for computer to computer calls....

Here is my post on how to improve your Skype audio with headphones or a headset.

Hope to be chatting with you on Sunday 4 December 2022.

26 November 2022

Silent Sunday

Wine personal Holborn

Web Finds Saturday 26 November 2022

So now it is time to enjoy a few blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself comfortable for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:

Here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

Black Friday - 2022! - The Fabulous Planner - News
Cultivating Gratitude in Times of Trial - FranklinPlanner Talk
Creating Filofax inserts by recycling packaging helps me stay organised on my US travels. - US Travel Tips
Episode #182: GTD Live – pt 18 - Getting Things Done
Can a Paper Planner Make You More Productive? - Freedom
Wobbled, but didn’t fall down - Pam Alison Knits
The Franklin Five: December 2022 - FranklinPlanner Talk
planner hopping - does this sound familiar? - StickersSwissMade
Link Love: Black Friday Edition - The Well-Appointed Desk
Web Finds – 23 November 2022 - Travellers Notebook Times
Your blog post could appear here. Please let us know if you have a blog that features ring bound organisers.

Please leave a comment on any of the blogs you enjoyed reading and mention that you saw their post mentioned on Philofaxy. Thank you
We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips.
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

25 November 2022

Free For All Friday - No. 733 by Steve

We are in the last week of November, which means we are in to the last month of the year within the next week.

Does this mean you are in to 'must get it finished' month? '

When I was in paid employment, I used to hate December. Everyone was trying to get a months work of projects done in three weeks!

These days I don't think of the end of the year as a point in time when things have to be finished by.

How are your plans going towards the end of the year?

Of course it's Friday, so please feel free to discuss anything Filofax related. Have a good weekend.

24 November 2022

Filofax Models - Royal Residences

What Filofax models have been named after Royal residences/palaces?

Balmoral - The summer residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Windsor (Castle) - The official residence of the sovereign King Charles III
Buckingham (Palace) - The official working residence of the sovereign King Charles III
Kensington (Palace) - Home to the young royal family.
(St James's Palace and) York (House) - York House is used as offices for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Some of the Filofax names have been used twice, Alan Marshal did a full post explaining which ones covering all of the models. You can read it here.

23 November 2022

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 23 November 2022

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy.
For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. Also this video too Webfinds
Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.

Enjoy

22 November 2022

Free For All Tuesday - No. 616

21 November 2022

Filofax New Releases

If you are on the Filofax mailing list you will have seen their recent announcements about the Filofax Norfolk and the Compact Zip Malden.

The Norfolk is a new model in Pocket, Personal and A5 sizes, with 25mm, 30mm and 35mm ring sizes respectively.

Each one is available in four colours: Almond, Sage, Lavender, Taupe (Brown, Green, Purple, Light Grey!) The leather has a small amount of padding under the surface.

Each size has a full width back pocket. The credit card slots are in the inside back cover, with a zip pocket in the front inside cover. With full height slip pockets in both front and back inside covers. The Pocket and Personal size have a single elasticated pen loop attached to the back cover, the A5 has duel pen loops on the front and back covers.

The rings are sadly riveted in. But not surprising I guess given the prices in UK:

Pocket - £80
Personal - £95
A5 - £130

These prices are comparable to say Moterm. However Filofax do include a full set of inserts with 'A Week on Two Pages Diary insert' printed on 80gsm paper.

With Filofax products like these being made in China now, it's not surprising that prices are similar.

The Compact Zip Malden is a re-release of an earlier version with a few differences

The Compact Zip Malden was originally released in about 2012/3 in Ochre, Navy and Purple. It was fitted with 15mm rings and lots of pockets and an external pocket as well.

The 2023/3 version of the Compact Malden Zip has a removable 15mm rings, removable in the sense that they are mounted on a board that slips in to an inside pocket. There is also a removable 'wristlet'. It comes in either Pink or Black.

The Compact Zip Malden is released at the UK price of £113 compared to £83 back in 2012! In 2012 there was a pocket zip Malden as well. No sign of that (yet) being re-released. Never say never!!

You can read my review of the Compact Zip Malden from 2015 here.

The internal pocket layout on the 2022 version looks very similar from the photos on the Filofax website. It also has the external slip pocket as well.

With the ring mechanism removed the Compact Malden Zip can be used as a purse/wallet. The outer pocket will take most smart phones comfortably as well.

I would say that these are two welcome additions to the Filofax range.

The Norfolk range and the Compact Malden Zip are available from Filofax UK and other sites around the world.

Filofax videos:

Filofax Norfolk Unboxing - StephenieSays - a full review by our friend Stephenie in Germany. Take a look.

19 November 2022

Silent Sunday

Web Finds - Saturday 19 November 2022

Here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

Getting Things Done | Grateful Bytes 04 - Cuteek
Planner Refresh Series | 04 Calendars - LAURA JANE CREATIVE
Episode #181: GTD Live – pt 17 - Getting Things Done
Ruling Your Tech - FranklinPlanner Talk
The Ultimate Guide To Staying Consistent with Your Planner! - Wendaful Planning
Planner Refresh Series | 05 Home + Money Section - LAURA JANE CREATIVE
Link Love: In A Friend-zy! - The Well-Appointed Desk
Web Finds – 16 November 2022 - Travellers Notebook Times
Your blog post could appear here. Please let us know if you have a blog that features ring bound organisers.

Please leave a comment on any of the blogs you enjoyed reading and mention that you saw their post mentioned on Philofaxy. Thank you
We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips.
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

18 November 2022

Free for All Friday No. 732 by Nan

Plain or fancy?

Do enjoy using organizer pages that feature graphics, art, inspirational quotes, and so on? Or do you find these features distracting and limiting?

I'm definitely in the second camp! I don't like it when my own writing space is taken away by pictures and superfluous formatting. I'm currently searching for a sparer, more flexible format for 2023. What about you?

As always on Friday, please feel free to discuss anything organizer related!

17 November 2022

Conditioning and caring for leather.

I was searching through some old posts on a Facebook Group recently. A little nostalgic may be, but in the last 10-12 years one question comes up with surprising regularity.

'What do people use to condition their leather organisers?'

I personally always recommend using products that are specifically 'leather care' products, I prefer ones that contain beeswax. I have a couple of branded products that I occasionally use, but not excessively. There is no need in my experience to treat the leather more than say once every 3 or 4 years, assuming your organiser isn't handled too heavily.

One product that came up repeatedly in the conversations was the use of Nivea hand cream. This seemed very prevalent around about 2013. But I would add a note of caution here about using it. There are at least two different formulas for Nivea. Initially it seems to work well on leather, but in a few instances people reported issues with a sticky residue and mould growing on the surface of the leather.

This of course could be due to applying excessive amounts of the hand cream, or not removing it sufficiently after a short 'soaking in period'

Janet has done some research on the product: Nivea Creme.

Filofax give the following advice:

Leather is a natural material and there may sometimes be textural or shading variations within the surface. These are natural characteristics and representative of the leather’s unique, individual beauty and proof of its genuine origin. It is recommended, however, that you avoid exposing your leather organiser to harsh elements such as moisture, bright light or direct heat.

In the event that your organiser becomes soiled or dirty the following care guidelines may be helpful:

Light scratches to waxy leather can be removed by rubbing softly with a clean finger
Smooth, porous leather can be treated with good quality, neutral coloured leather cream (subject to manufacturer’s instructions)
Textured or coated leathers can be wiped clean using a lightly damp cloth
Suede is treated with a dirt resistant finish and a dry brush or cloth should be used to remove dirt or stains
Fabrics can generally be cleaned by using a damp cloth
Smudges on badges, metal edges or poppers can be gently buffed with
a soft dry cloth

Expanding on the advice above. For fabrics I have found foam cleaners recommended for cleaning carpets without using water are very good for removing dirt and grime from fabric covers.

Here are some products that come recommended for leather care:

Wheelers Natural Beeswax Leather Balm - I've been using this myself for the last 18 months or so. That is my bottle of it pictured above, as you can see you don't use a lot of it in that amount of time, so a bottle will last some considerable time.

Collonil Leather Gel for waterproofing leather as recommended by Mulberry

Saphir Universal Creme - highly recommended by Janet Carr for caring for leather hand bags and organisers.

There is an excellent page on Leather and Leather Care here.

What ever you prefer to use, because our opinions will just be one of the many you will find on the internet! TEST any products first in a small hidden area of the leather to ensure there isn't going to be any major altering of the colour of the leather or darkening of the leather.

If you have a leather sample of the same leather as your organiser (Van der Spek, Gillio etc) then test any products on the leather sample first. Photograph the sample before and after treatment so you can see the difference. Leave the sample for a day or two before deciding to treat your actual organiser.

Looked after and with care leather organisers will last a very long time in normal every day use. Check them once every six months even when stored. Check the metal work for any sign of rust and treat it early before it gets too advanced.

May your organisers live a long and productive life!

16 November 2022

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 16 November 2022

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy.
For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. Also this video too Webfinds
Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.

Enjoy

15 November 2022

Free For All Tuesday - No. 615

14 November 2022

Tell Us .... 2

I'm sure we all have a particular Filofax or other brand of organiser that you wished you had bought at the time you first saw it.... but didn't. And then before you remembered they had stopped selling them.

Yes it happens to all of us.. me included.

The one that got away... which is yours?

Please tell us in the comments below.

12 November 2022

Silent Sunday

Vintage pink A5 Malden with a dashboard made from a lovely card from my husband

Web Finds - Saturday 12 November 2022

Here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

Belmont pocket Filofax and Coach Swagger bag - This Bug's Life
Creating Your Personal Mission Statement - FranklinPlanner Talk
Old ideas for a new month - Pam Alison Knits
The Return of Cupcakes and Cadenzas - Cupcakes and Cadenzas
Oops… - LAURA JANE CREATIVE
Episode #180: The Value of Alone Time - Getting Things Done
RESTOCK: Pocket Compagna XL - Blog | Gillio
Stationery shopping in the USA (Michaels, Joann, Hobby Lobby, Office Depot, Staples) - All About Planners
Well Planned & Productive Gift Guide - Strange & Charmed
A importância do Planejamento - Blog | Pleena
Link Love: We Love Cats and Ink! And Cat Ink! - The Well-Appointed Desk
Web Finds – 9 November 2022 - Travellers Notebook Times
Your blog post could appear here. Please let us know if you have a blog that features ring bound organisers.

Please leave a comment on any of the blogs you enjoyed reading and mention that you saw their post mentioned on Philofaxy. Thank you
We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips.
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

11 November 2022

Free For All Friday No 731 by Laurie

Recently I printed my Philofaxy monthly pages that I've been using for several years for social media post planning. It got me thinking about other pages I print to put into my Filofax.

I use an A5 Filofax, and print directly to A5 size paper which I then hole punch and put into my binder. I print all kinds of pages to put into my Filofax, including:

Philofaxy free printables (of course)

School calendars

List of deadlines and important dates

List of board meeting dates

Reference/ emergency information (insurance etc)

Phone numbers list in case my phone is lost or battery dies

And more.

Anything with dates is of course written into my weekly planning pages. But often it's easier to find, for example, the date for the next meeting or school holiday when they are all printed on a single page for easy reference.

What types of pages do you print to put into your Filofax?

And as always on Fridays, feel free to ask and/ or discuss anything ring binder organiser related!

Happy Friday everyone!

10 November 2022

Guest post series - 'Filohax' No.1 - Paul

A big thank you to Paul for this first instalment in his guest post series about his original late '80's / '90's usage and contrasting that with his new Filofax voyage now.

The road back to Winchester

I'm sure like many group members my Filofax journey started back in the late 1980's. I suppose I was ideally placed to be a Filofax customer in Thatcher's Britain in the mid late '80's - a wannabe Yuppie, fresh out of Art college, forging a career in Advertising and with folding bread in pocket!

I still remember walking out of the swanky department store feeling like a proper Designer having blown a decent wad of early salary on my first Filofax - the Winchester 4CLF 7/8 (although it took until joining this group (Filofax for Philofaxy Fans) recently to find out it had a name!).

For anyone not familiar with the model, you can find more Winchester photos and details on the wonderful Filowiki.

I even built my Advertising agency out of its address book in the '90's - look closely and you can see my Winchester underneath the yellow lamp!

However after a decade of loyal service my Winchester journey took a turn for the worst - into a PDA cul-de-sac…

Fast forwards 30 years and a change of career, and getting bogged down chained to the PC. Managements solution? "We'll get you an iPad". That was three months ago, the iPad hasn't even been ordered, and if it ever is would take a developer months and thousands of pounds to build apps specific to our needs… And that was when I had my epiphany - get the Filofax back out of retirement.

The Winchester out of hibernation

Within a week the Winchester had replaced my crappy A4 desk diary and Excel project spreadsheets, and within a month my whole office was held safe within the leather covers of the Winch - save for e-mail and a web based job logging system on my work mobile phone. Within two months I've added a small 'personal' section and am getting creative again!

Getting to work via Winchester

Prior to the Winch I carried a small jotter for making on-the-go notes as I moved from location to location.

As you can see I used a multi tipped coloured pen to colour code my scribblings - and boy was it messy! Add to that the confusion caused whenever the most commonly used nib (black) ran out and it was next to useless - and stress inducing.

My 'Filohax'

The Filofax personal gave me much more real estate than the jotter ever did, but I gave myself the seemingly impossible task of containing all essential office based information within it. Therefore I had to totally change the way I had remembered using it 'back in the day' - when I used to keep a whole year's worth of day per page diary inserts, and my address book in it. This time though it was all about keeping track of multiple projects/ tasks / quotations and contractors - on the go, while having an up to date appointments schedule with me at all times. I quickly realised that space-wise this meant a week plus notes on two pages. Add to that the need to include my personal life on those two pages. My old muscle memory of trying to corral a whole day's appointments/ to-dos/notes on to one page per day nearly torpedoed the project early on, until I watched a few YouTubes on bullet journaling and in-boxing.

In-Box or - 'Now' tab

Bullet journaling was a revelation to me - the simple act of deciding on a series of icons to represent a range of different actions, turning lists of almost shorthand notes into meaningful actionable information, drastically reducing the space needed and allowing long lists of notes to be quickly scanned, categorised and actioned.

In-boxing wasn't a new concept to me having used email from the late 1990's, but using it in a Filofax was, and helped me break free from the space wasting and or limiting 'one page per day' routine. To help link date sensitive notes to the diary section - but without having to squeeze it onto a diary page - my stream of work notes are held in a tabbed section I call 'Now', right next to a tab called 'Week', which is next to 'Month' - all tabbed across the top edge of the Filofax. My 'Now' has become the jumping off point for all new information entering my day - so for instance an idea that occurs to me eating breakfast goes on to the next available line in the Now tab, and so on throughout the day.

Thank you, Paul, and we look forward to your next instalment!