Looking Back

Do you ever look back through old emails? The other day I was looking for something else (which I did find eventually!) when I came across the first few email exchanges between Nan and me in June 2009. It was just after I had joined Philofaxy. The emails were mainly about my first couple of posts.

I smile now but at the time I was terrified that anything I wrote was not going to be up to 'the standard' but Nan didn't seem concerned, she basically told me to 'get on with it'.... so I did!

May be if she had known about my failures in English Language at school she might have had second thoughts! I eventually did pass my English Language O level, but then I was in a job for about 10 years until 1985 that didn't require me to write anything other than fault dockets, not very conducive to writing sentences and paragraphs. Add to this I occasionally suffer word blindness or I spell the first few letters of a word wrong and any spell checker doesn't stand much of a chance really.

That said I do find writing a bit easier now, although I would guess I am by no means 100% perfect. I get caught out typing things with French spellings sometimes and then wondering why the English spell checker has put a red line under it!

Also in the last few weeks in the run up to our 10th anniversary I have been looking back at previous posts looking for favourites of my own. As you might have guessed I love writing the detailed semi-technical posts about rings and ring spacing that sort of thing. But they can be a little bit dull I suppose. The fun ones though always stick in my mind the most though.

So I would like to pick out a one of my favourites.

One of the funniest posts I've enjoyed writing and the reaction from it was about the news of the Filofax 2012 range. I had drafted out the text as I wanted it to appear and I passed it to Alison to put her authors touch to it. She got to the end of where I had got to and then asked me 'So what are you going to say next?'

Then the punch line came in to my head with the sting in the tail of not saying any more!! She said that it was cruel to finish on such a high note, but funny!

So I published the post, I didn't quite expect the reaction it got. But you caught me by surprise because originally I had intended to publish the next part the following day... it wasn't even written!! So whilst the comments came flooding in I had to quickly start writing the next part with the actual details before the lynch mobs descended on our house!

Fun times!

What posts have been your favourites of the last ten years? And they don't have to be ones written by me....

Free For All Tuesday No. 249

Updated Rapesco Adjustable Diary Punch 66-P

Even if you use pre-printed inserts or you print your own inserts there will always be a instance when you have a page of information or a magazine cutting or similar that you want to insert in to your organiser and you need a six hole punch.

There are a variety of punches on the market from Filofax own branded ones to several others. The most popular one I would say though is the Rapesco Adjustable Diary Punch.

This punch has two moveable punch blocks with three position settings for each block which you should move together.

The three settings allow you to punch:

• Personal - the two blocks at their widest setting
• A6/Mulberry - the two blocks at their middle setting
• Pocket - The two blocks pushed together at their narrowest setting

The punch has a capacity for up to 8 sheets of paper, although I tend to limit mine to about 4-5 sheets at a time. The punch is well made with a solid metal base and a comfortable plastic hinged lever that you press down on to punch the pages. 

Over the years we have all devised ways of using this punch to punch A5 pages which require a double punch operation. People have done videos and created templates on how to align the A5 page to get the two sets of three holes in the right location.

I think Rapesco have been paying attention, because they contacted me recently with news about an update to our favourite punch. They have added an additional alignment mark on the base so you can line up your A5 sheets and punch them correctly every time. The updated version also came with a useful instruction sheet.

The updated version of the punch is now available at the same price as before. Stocks will be appearing with all sellers as they replenish their stocks.

You can win one of twenty of these new punches by following Rapesco on Twitter include your Twitter Username in a comment here.  Alternatively please share this post from the Philofaxy page on Facebook and like the Rapseco page on Facebook.

Thank you to Rapseco for sending me a sample of their up dated punch.

Reader Under The Spotlight - Rosemary

Today I would like to introduce you to Rosemary. 

I'm Rosemary and I'm a Brit living in Austria who is known as "the organised one". I love to stun colleagues and friends by having *all* the information at my fingertips and that would not be possible without my Filofax. I'm currently studying for my second degree which despite it being in IT has not stopped me loving paper.

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

I bought my very first ring bound organiser in Year 12 (when I was 17) after "losing" my school diary (I absolutely hated the design and the layout!) It was a black leather Collins Balmoral - the same size as Filofax personal. I still have it and though the pen loop looks a bit battered it's in great condition.

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

Nowadays I pretty much only use Filofax. I still have the Collins I mentioned above, and I also have a personal size lilac Kikki K which is adorable - though it's not being used right now.

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

My personal purple Filofax Malden goes pretty much everywhere with me, but my favourite has to be my pocket Violet Temperley which is my purse (wallet for the Americans), it's beautiful and practical! Though I do love my Filofax Journey.

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?
That's a good question. I'd say "let me count" but they're spread out between two countries right now, I have 14 here in Austria and several more in the UK!

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?
My oldest has to be my Kent Deskfax which I think is older than I am!

6. What do you use your organisers for?
Extra brains! I use my A5 to track assignments exams and classes for university, my personal is my on the go calendar/list holder/brain dump receptor. I already mentioned my purse, and I have a few Clipbooks which I'm using to plan businesses ideas/projects in. I use my M2 for tracking homework which is fun.

7. How many sections do you have in your organiser and what is each section used for?
Which organiser? My A5 has 4 - university overview, month on two pages, week per page, and notes. My personal has week on two pages and notes (which has lists at the front). And my purse has card holders, and then some slip pockets, and finally some note paper.

8. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?
The fact that if I don't need a section anymore I can make it disappear, or if I need to add something in then that's equally possible!

9. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?
An anti gravity system to reduce the weight so I could fit more in it!

10. How do you carry your Filofax?
Naked, I just throw it into whatever bag I'm taking with me and if it gets marked then it's part of the character.

11. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?
The Maldens, and I have one in every size! (At least the organisers.) I'm hankering after a Union Jack Original though.

12. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?
I think I spent £120 (including customs) on my Filofax Journey. Ouch! But that model was my purse for 2 years and is still my travel purse.

13. What's your favourite Filofax tip or hack?
The paper size can be smaller than the binder - I use mini and M2 pages in my A5 and Personal, plus I often punch brightly coloured notepaper (the kind you get in square blocks for your desk) as emergency notes.

14. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?
How awesome everyone is here. The Facebook group is full of really friendly people, and there's so much knowledge!

15. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?
The fact that some people think this blog is crazy.

16. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?
Avicii - Hey Brother.

17. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?
Yes, I attended one in London late last year - I'd love to do it again but living in Austria it may be harder!

18. What was the last movie you watched?
The Martian - it was ace!

19. What was the last book you read?
A19 The Hobbit.

Thank you Rose.

As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, you don't have to be 'well known' or a long term user to be considered to appear in this 'spot'.

So please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com today. Thank you.

Web Finds - 7 November 2015

So I hope you have had a good week.

Before we get started today I have another great offer to share with you all.

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

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

1. In the beginning - 10 years on
2. Date for your diary - 8 November 2015
3. Finding Philofaxy
4. Free For All Tuesday No. 248
5. Web Finds.... how did we get started?
6. My Philofaxy journey
7. Free For All Friday No 364 by Laurie
8. Filofax UK Offer

So 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.

1. KAISERCRAFT JOURNAL PLANNER: PART II - Letters in November 
2. A new A4 zip Filofax - It's Bluetiger
3. which (size) planner and why? - Motuwethu
4. Love love love HEXAgon … HEXAdex a new visual time tracker. - My Last Eureka
5. Thoughts on the medium Mia Cara from Gillio - Joakim Hertze 
6. New To Do Lists Courtesy Of The Card Factory - Roses in December
7. 3 Common Reasons for Planner Fail (and How to Overcome Them) - Giftie Etcetera
8. Preparations for 2016 - It's Bluetiger
9. How to Get Everything Done - Giftie Etcetera
10. How important is a planner anyway? - Motuwethu
11. CURRENTLY #3 - Letters in November
12. Comparison: Filofax Guildford vs Pineider Juliet (video) - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
13. Time management Monday: Using task lists on your planner pages - Quo Vadis Blog
14. How to build your perfect planner system? Week 21: Make your life simpler: routines and checklists - From Chaos to Order
15. FREE Gorjuss November dashboard - Lucy Wonderland
16. Using color - Motuwethu
17. November's Here - Christmas Approaches!! - Planner Fun
18. How A Planner Helps My ADHD! - Homemakers Daily
19. I sold my black Filofax Finsbury on eBay two weeks ago because I... - Olga Plans!
20. First Malden Set Up Video in Over ONE YEAR! - The Crazy Life of J
21. The Life-Changing Magic of a Daily Plan - Giftie Etcetera
22. University: What's In My Bag? - Joanny White
23. Autumn in my Gold Kikki K: Dashboard set-up - Devalayermail 
24. Review: Mulberry Agenda (Darwin leather) - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
25. Make it Monday // 5 Ways to Switch Your Planner Seasonally - five sixteenths blog
26. And then there were six. - Olga Plans!
27. Another Day - A Different Daily Page [printable] - Planner Fun
28. WANTED: A loving new home for Children in Need’s Pudsey Bear - Dodevoted

• 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. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
• Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
• For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post

We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

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

1. Setup A5 Filofax Yellow Original November 2015 - Missfilofax
2. Bullet Journal and Filofax Flex Planner - XOXO Mary
3. Filofax setup Autumn 2015 - Butterfly pocket - Martina R
4. Kate Spade Wellesley Rose Gold VS Filofax Saffiano Gold - Magpie Accro à l'organisation
5. Setup Filofax for Paperchase | handlettering | doodle | deutsch - filolove_
6. The Crazy Life of J August 2015 Filofax Malden Setup - Jordan Powers
7. HOW TO CUSTOMIZE AND PERSONALIZE YOUR FILOFAX PLANNER - HappyAsAnnie
8. Filofax Makeover – Weißer Marmor & Kupfer - Pure Power Panda
9. Filofax Gold Saffiano a5 initial look and first impressions plus Inkwell Press inserts - Jessy Plans
10. November 2015 Filofax Setup and Decoration - Lisa Rides Again
11. My planner setup..filofax/gillio - My Life Re-Organised
12. Gillio A6 Compagna in Rust Set up and Review - Alancynvideo
13. "Cerise" my Gillio Compagna red a6 - Nati Zou
14. Changing the rings on a vds for the first time - Emma Berry

• 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. 

My Week Posts

1. AN APPLE A DAY - Letters in November
2. Filofax Planner Pages Sept 13 - Oct 31 - Ink'd paper by mae
3. My week #185 - Paper Lovestory
4. My Week #44 (2015) - Joanny White
5. Planner decorating inspiration - Mrs Brimbles
6. Weekly Post #137 - Miss Mae's Adventures
7. Filofax Pages November 1-28 - Ink'd paper by mae
8. My Week #45 - Polka dot Paradiso
9. Pimp My Planner – It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Crazy Lady! - Dianne Sylvan
10. My November setup - Motuwethu
11. My week #43 - She's Eclectic
12. Planner Decorating! - Mrs Brimbles
13. 2015 Planner Layouts, Week #40 - Angie Hales Creates

Enjoy