Free For All Tuesday No. 146

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

To A5, or not to A5: that is the question

In my previous post about my beautiful red A5 Amazona, I started off with the sentence 'I don't know what it is about the A5 size as I've never properly settled down into using one'.
It seems that previously I thought it was just because I hadn't found 'the one'. I adore the Amazona as it's got a gorgeous print, isn't too big for its size and is a stunning colour. I decided on what sections I wanted, bought some hardwearing and cute dividers, and yet I'm still not really using it!

My personal Ascot lives under the laptop stand on my desk and is the one I always reach for. My poor Amazona must be feeling unloved sat on the end of my bookshelf, watching on as the Ascot gets carried about into the kitchen, bedroom or into my bag and out the door. I love the idea of having the larger A5 size for planning projects and using all that lovely extra page space for writing. And yet, it never quite happens...

There's definitely something about the bigger size that keeps drawing me back, but I'm beginning to realise that maybe it's just not meant to be. Maybe it's bit like saying to yourself, "I should like olives" but each and every time you try them, it just doesn't do it for you? I keep trying, but the evidence is pointing to my conclusion that I don't think I can cope with having two binders in use at the same time. I think I could happily use the Amazona as my main binder, but it's a bit too big for me to happily use as a wallet, for travelling or just to pop in my bag.

When I first thought about writing this post, it was meant to be to mull over the pros and cons of different sizes, and how to use them together. I'm a bit surprised that I've found that instead I'm talking myself out of owning an A5! However, I know what I'm like, so I'm going to pause before I make a decision as otherwise the Amazona will be up for sale by the weekend. I think I'll remove the contents, put it away and set a deadline to see if I've missed it at all and then make a final decision.

Our cat definitely likes A5

I know that lots of you use multiple binders, and I'm curious as to how you manage to successfully get them to work together? Or are there other people like me that find using more than one just hurts your head??

Reader Under The Spotlight - Courtney

Well Hello there! I'm Courtney, a little Aussie artist, bride to be and mother of two little mop haired brown eyed babes. I have been a stationery geek for as long as I can remember, being introduced to it through my mum at a very young age, I have always had a love and adoration for paper. I have always kept a journal, and a planner together from my high school days to uni days into motherhood. You can find my little nook over here :- http://ravenscauldron.blogspot.com.au where you can read about my planner life, my epic weight loss journey and how a planner helps me with it,also my daily art journal practice.

1. When did you buy your first Filofax and what was it?

I have carried a ring binder back in high school and it was a no named green thing that got beaten to death in my school bag, but it lasted the distance. When it comes to the brand Filofax, my first was in June of this year, when I bought a personal Malden in Orche. It was love at first sight. My first filofax is lovingly in her box awaiting Christmas, and will be given to my Mum as her xmas gift, as I have moved on.

2. What other brands have you used or considered using?

I had been a total Filofax Fangirl, owning an A5 Original for my wedding planner, a Vintage Green Tejus, a personal pink Finsbury and the Orche Malden, oh and a raspberry Chameleon! Until I got eyes for Gillio. My oh my! did they steal a leather lovers heart. I had looked at the other Aussie brands around as well, but nothing really grabbed me, although I do now own an a5 KikkiK planner for our family Planner.

3. Out of the organisers you own which is your current favourite (Style and Size)?

My favourite style is the inside of the Malden, I do admit when I moved into my Dark Brown Medium Companga, there were elements of the Malden that I missed! I had my setup perfect in the Malden, and it got thrown when I moved into my Gillio. I think if the Malden and the Companga were to take notes from each other there could be a super planner to be had!

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own? 

Currently in my possession I have 2 A5's 2 Personal sizes and 1 Pocket on its way to me. I have 2 personal sitting waiting for their new owners as well as one pocket about to be posted to her new owner. I don't count the sold planners to be mine anymore. so I have 5 that are actually mine 2 A5's 2 personals, and one pocket.

5. What is the oldest Filofax in your collection?

If I was go to out into my studio and find my beaten up high school one, I'd say it, but it would be The Vintage Tejus. When it arrived, you could smell the age on her. Filled with vintage discoloured paper, full of mystery and wonder.

6. What do you use your Filofax for?

I call it my brain. Even though I am relatively young...I forget things like a goldfish. If its not written down, it gets forgotten under the mass of housework, what the heck do I cook for dinner tonight, and many of  'mummmmm Elijah is annoyyyyying meeee' and so on! I use my planners to keep myself in check, from housework, to weight loss, to cooking, shopping lists, to  keeping track of the mail I send out and receive ( being a big penpal girl). I have notes for my blog, ideas for my book, Swap information, all the upcoming school stuff, my fiance's work schedule. My commission work for my business, everything and anything is held between the pages of my planners! I even have an whole a5 devoted to my wedding next year. They are extensions of myself.

7. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?

I cant break it. When it comes to technology, I usually somehow, some way break it...I am the clumsiest woman you will meet. And it would take a hell of a lot for me to break my planner! yes the rings might miss align but it wouldn't spin out my world. I love that I can compartmentalize my life into sections, so that it is easier to think about on single thing...then a conglomerate of things. It helps me be more clear and focused on the task at hand than my 'oh squirrel' attitude I sometimes get as an artist.

8. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?

I think I already touched on this, the Companga and the Malden having a one night stand and making my super planner. With the card slots of the Malden, and the back pocket of the Companga. I think there is a bliss waiting to happen in that idea.

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

If you catch me on my kid free day where I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off doing all my errands, you will find me racing around the shops with my planner in my hand, always checking the mammoth to-do lists, checking things off, writing out addresses onto envelopes. If you find me any other time, it is thrown into my handbag, with me at all times. I also use a pocket Mia Cara Gillio as my wallet, so I will probably always have a planner at my finger tips.

10. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?

I still adore the Malden, and if I wasn't a complete Gillio convert I would still have my Malden in my hands, but I know my Ochre will be loved by Mum. Although that Charleston is rather lovely!
If I was to buy a Filofax right now if I could get my hands on it, it would be an A5 Mustard Finchley. Makes me smile just thinking of that pretty colour.

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax? Which model?

The A5 Original in fluro pink was my most expensive. Once converted to Aussie Dollars and Postage it cost me about $160 AUD. That is the most I've spent on a Filofax...lets not work out the digits on my Gillio's though...because that is...moving on.

12. What's your favourite Filofax tip or hack?

Hmmmm I like to use Hambly overlays as my dividers, so that if I have things I need to remember about a certain sections, I can post it note the to-do or the idea to the front of the section, so I'm not flicking through the pages trying to find that to-do list I wrote last week in amongst my scrawl. I make them all moveable too by slitting the holes so they can be moved in and out without opening my rings. I also made clear plastic tabs for the dividers, so they wouldn't get ragged with use and time. I also loved cutting up baseball card protectors to house family photos at the front of my planner.

13. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?

The absolute variety of the posts. There is no bias, there is no right or wrong...there is just information, and so much of it! When I got back into planners, this blog was a lighthouse of information for a new comer to drink up and absorb like a sponge. It really is an amazing source to have at our fingertips.

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

I don't think there is anything I don't like about the blog, it used to the be overall look! but that recently has changed and looking mighty fine! so with that being rectified nothing at all!

15. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?

Kiss Me by Ed Shearen, which is the song I am going to walk down the isle to.

16.  Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver?  

Mark Darcy of course!

Thank you Courtney for your contribution to Readers Under The Spotlight.

Philofaxy Exclusive: Write At Home - Discount

Our dear friends at 'Write at Home' have passed me a promotion code for all of you to make use of.... so get on over to their site and get buying...

Use the promo code philofaxy at the check out and you will get 20% off of your order... but you must place your order before the end of this month...

Thank you once again to Write at Home.

Web Finds - 16 November 2013

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:

1. Handy Notes for Planner - The Contemplative Belle
2. Filomaniac fragt... Corinna - Filomaniac
3. Well Planned Life on Instagram! - Well Planned Life
4. Planning and Shaping Up - Lime Tree
5. My only boner - The Crazy Suburban Mom
6. Franklin Covey Her Point of View Weekly Inserts for Filofax - Platinumplans
7. Post No. 4 for The Gardening Project - This Bugs Life
8. 365/30 Lists: Philofaxers! (Goals for November) - Joseph David Quinton
9. The Hunt: Using Your Filofax As a Job Hunting Tool - Platinumplans
10. Seven ways to make a molehill out of your mountain - Plan Create Succeed
11. 3. Meet up in Köln (Update) - Filomaniac
12. Filofax Swap Shout Out: Finchley for Finchley - The Storage Studio
13. November 4th Philofaxy meetup at Letts/ Filofax!!! - Plannerisms
14. Franklin Covey: Her Point of View Weekly Inserts for Filofax - Platinumplans
15. Start Planning Now – Organization Tips for the Holidays - Day Timer
16. In The Press - Filofax Blog
17. Post No. 4 for The Travel Project - This Bugs Life
18. The Problem With Post-Its - Homemakers Daily
19. Insert ideas… - Life of Kitty
20. A Change Of Filofax And A Change Of Setup - Roses in December
21. To Sync or Not to Sync.... That is the Question - The Contemplative Belle
22. How to cut LM Inserts effectively, cleanly and accurately? - DiY Fish
23. Free For All Friday No. 10: Planner Temptation Triggers - Plannerisms
24. Alternative to the Planner Dashboard - The Contemplative Belle
25. Project Thanksgiving: Planning A Potluck - Giftie Etcetera
26. Introducing Ms. Cali My New Calipso Deep Pink A5 Filofax - Just A Girl... Atlanta
27. The Original A5 Filofax Personal Organizer Review - The Contemplative Belle
28. A Reusable Packing List for Your Planner - Renew Your Filofax
29. Here’s Your Life Raft in a Stressful World - Day Timer Blog
30. An Ochre Malden Update - According to Andrea
31. Secrets And Lies Of An Organized Life - Giftie Etcetera
32. Die nie endende Suche... - Teil II - Seelen Zucker
33. Fun Friday Finds - Fun Friday Finds
34. A Smythson Christmas Wishlist… - Life of Kitty

• Your blog post could appear here next week if we missed you this time around. Email us the details and we will include it if we can. 
• 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. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
• For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post

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

1. Filofax Update - Pocket Finsbury as a Wallet - Leslie Hickis
2. Filofax Pocket Aston Set-Up ft. Christmas Planner - The Glossette
3. My Filofax Collection - OATTBlog
4. Kent from Oz Reveals His Washi Tape Stationery Drawer - Kent from Oz
5. My Main Filofax Set Up - AKCaraboo
6. Decorating My Filofax Friday - Week #47 - My Purpley Life
7. Planner Art Decoration (Filofax) -week 46 (no washi and stickers!!) - My Summer Touch
8. Filofax Tip No 56 - Introducing the OTD Memory Marker for Filofaxes - Kent from Oz
9. Filofax Metropol Compact Size VS Apex Personal Size - Ruby Dumbrique
10. Upcycling Clear Packaging for Filofax Tab Dividers - Natasha Hensel
11. Setup of my Filofax Compact Metropol - Ruby Dumbrique
12. Updated Desk (A5) Malibu Day-timer - Crystal Charles

• For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. 

Enjoy