30 November 2014

Reader Under The Spotlight - Alison

Today I would like to introduce you to Alison. 

Hi, I'm Ali, a.k.a. Crafty Ali (which is my business name) or just plain Alison Phillips.  I am a self-employed crafts person with a passion for papercrafts, although I sew a lot as well.  Most of my work involves making wedding and party stationery, planner accessories, decorations, and some calligraphic work. I'm 47, live with my two cats in Barnet, which is in a north London (UK) borough (but has a Hertfordshire address!).  My Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/CraftyAli.

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

1983.  Actually it was a gift.  It was a Filofax - burgundy pocket size, leather (I assume) spine and patterned fabric.  I used it, but I didn't love it.

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

I am rather drawn to the pretty patterned ones available in stores such as Paperchase

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

They all have a functional use, but my dad recently gave me a really old battered Canda File which he found in his loft.  I've searched and searched on the web for this make, but I assume it was swallowed up by another company as I can't find any reference.  It is black leather, compact size.  If you can imagine big giant cartoon love hearts pulsating out of my eyes, that is what I felt like when I saw it. I think I love it so much because it looks so pre-loved, it is so easy to write in as the rings don't get in the way, it's slim enough to easily carry and my vintage fountain pen looks great with it.


4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

Seven ring bound systems

1 A5 ring binder (hand decorated), 1 pocket (WH Smith I think), 1 black Filofax pocket Metropol, 1 Blossom Filofax personal, 1 A5 black Filofax Metropol, 1 A5 black Filofax Metropol zip around, 1 Canada File (compact)

and one Raydori.  Plus loads of notebooks as I write/take notes so much.

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

I suspect it is the Canda File (compact) as it looks ancient.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

I don't use a paper diary.  Each organiser has a working function.

The A5 ring binder is for archiving stuff.  The pocket WH Smith one is my address book.  The personal Blossom I use for client order details and prioritising my workload (I made a mini T-card system for it).  All of these three stay at home.

The pocket Metropol I use for shopping and finances, which was its intended function when I bought it.  It carries information such as room and furniture dimensions (in case, say, I see a pair of curtains I like whilst out shopping and need my window measurements), the colour of my hair dye (yes, I dye my hair!), what I have in mind to buy my family for Christmas (and what I bought them last year), shopping lists (a different page per category, e.g. haberdashery, groceries, etc.), small fabric and thread swatches, and I have recently added loyalty cards to this.  I carry this everywhere.

The A5 Metropol zip around I am currently using as a size guide when making planner accessories.

The A5 Metropol (not zip) I have just received this (I swapped some craft materials in return for this) and I might try moving into this rather than carrying different notebooks.

The Canada File (compact) I use for brainstorming, ideas, etc., and more as a notebook (with sections). I carry this everywhere.

My Raydori is for personal use and I change the contents depending on where I will be using it.

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

I like that it is a non-bound, interchangeable system, so I suppose the 'feature' I like most has to be the rings - I like to regularly change the running order of things, I like to remove pages that I no longer need, you can't really do that to bound books without destroying the structure.  Plus, as simple as this may seem, I like that the Filofaxes have a clasp to stop it opening and preventing the contents from falling out.

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

I've had this conversation with Rita Sedani - we need a perfect way of keeping a 'to do' list constantly in view, as my worry is that as soon as you turn a page, your call to action is lost and easily forgotten.  A fold/flip out panel on which to attach a notebook so that action/to do notes can be written (and kept in view) next to the planner sections of the Filofax, rather than having to keep re-writing/carry forward action point lists and moving them about.  Basically, a three panel cover that lays flat.  I saw an old double ring system in an earlier post and thought this would still be good, but without the extra set of rings.  My ideal planner would weigh nothing and collapse to a hair's breadth as soon as it goes into a handbag. And it would have a chameleon type cover to co-ordinate with everything. And it would smell of freshly baked bread or Chanel No. 5. Please have a word with the designers, Steve! [On it right away!!]

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

I have a large multi-compartment handbag (an Ollie & Nic Libby bag) - all the compartments open easily so you don't have to dig around at the bottom and it doesn't have a black lining, so the bag contents are easy to spot.

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

I love the look of the Lockwoods, but I don't want a zipped Filofax that I'd use on a daily basis, as I'm sure I will overstuff it and I would be scared that the zip might break.  So, no, I doubt I will buy this.  I'm a very practical person, and so I'm not too bothered about the look or material of any particular Filofax, but I think I would be happy with a Holborn.

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model? 

It was a burgundy leather personal size Filofax (unsure of the model) which I no longer have.  So, whatever the price a standard leather personal size Filofax was in circa 1999-2000, it was that much.  I have £38 in my mind for some reason.

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

Hmmm, well I can usually find a practical use for most things.  If the hole punching can be mastered, then people can easily transform something they might discard into an insert or accessory.  For example, sturdy envelopes make great receipt pockets; birthday cards can be turned into dashboards or dividers, and so on.

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

The worldwide contributions - some are light-hearted, some serious, some nerdy, some innocent; the generous file sharing and that all of the contributions contain passion!

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

There's nothing I dislike, per se, but I would like the blog archive as a link next to the other headings at the top (below "For the Love of Filofax")

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

I recently downloaded "I think it's going to rain today" by UB40 (which seems to be constantly in my head).  I have this on vinyl, but haven't yet got round to setting up my vinyl record converter thingybob.

16. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?

Kind of.  I recently met in St. Albans (UK) with Rita Sedani, Ray Blake, Eliane (on FB as Eliane Lavenderlifeuk) and Sheetal Agheda

17. What was the last movie you watched?

Up (for probably the fourth or fifth time).  I watch a film every day - it's the luxury of working at home and having satellite telly.  Today's film saved on my planner is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy as I have [unbelievably] never seen it.

18. What was the last book you read?

I always have a few books on the go, but the last one that I actually finished and put back in the bookcase was The Dark Volume by G. W. Dahlquist, which is the second book of the Glass Books trilogy.  It took me over a year to read. Still reading 100 Years of Solitude and still working my way through a collection of haiku.

19. George Clooney or Brad Pitt?

George Clooney, although the framed photo I have of him in my kitchen has been turned to face the wall (in protest of his recent nuptials)

Thank you Alison. As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com

29 November 2014

Web Finds - 29 November 2014

I hope you had a good week?

Time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Goal Setting Done Right - Lime Tree Fruits
  2. Half Size Index Page in Color - Planner Fun
  3. Planner Madness: The Sequel - Supply Cabinet Chronicles
  4. Planner Addicts Tag - Susan Williams-Göbber
  5. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... - Mrs Brimbles
  6. Size Matters When Choosing an Organiser - Planner Bug
  7. My Favourite Filofax Organisers - Stationery By Default
  8. Family Planner Part 1 - Susan Williams-Göbber
  9. Hey Steve - A tribute to Steve Morton - the Fifth Beatle - Kent from Oz's Filofaxuations
  10. Van Der Spek A5 Manager Touch Me - It's Bluetiger
  11. Filofax Domino Review on a beach! - My Summer Touch
  12. How to Make Inserts using Microsoft Excel - Ms Wenduhh
  13. Filofax Challenge : First Stage - Giving Life to the eAcessory :) - The Paradox of An Organised Scientist
  14. Family Planner part 2 - Susan Williams-Göbber
  15. Friday Feature: An Interview with Filofax Love - Planner Bug
  16. 2015 Plannerisms planners available for pre-order soon!! - Plannerisms
  17. My Filofax Size History / Journey  - Mrs Brimbles
  18. First Look: Marbell Binder by Franklin Covey - Yay, for Fridays!
  19. #Filofax Friday: Christmas Party Invitation Checklist - Planning with Printed Portal
  20. My Kate Spade - Hello I'm a Paper Addict
  21. Inserts for 2015 - Lipstick and Letters
  22. Plannings 2015 imprimables - Confessions d'une accra à l'organisation
  23. Ending the Planner Dance - Homemakers Daily
  • 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... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Reader Under the Spotlight - Aubrey
  2. Filofax Corporate Sales Catalogue 2003
  3. Free For All Tuesday No. 199
  4. Web Finds - 25 November 2014
  5. Van der Spek Standard with 30mm rings - Overview
  6. Diary Inserts 2015
  7. Free For All Friday No. 315
  8. Gillio-Claus' Big Holiday Promotions!
And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Meet Alison Morton, author - Alison Morton << Not Filofax related!
  2. Back in my Franklin Covey Compact planner take a look - Patty Gardner
  3. Filofax Personal Enigma in Brindle, an overview of the planner - Debbie Hockedy
  4. Filofax Domino Review - My Summer Touch
  5. Decorating week #49 in my filofax | Studio l2e review - Palestblue
  6. Plans for an A6 VDS binder for 2015 - KateBTPS
  7. Day One Reivew - My Summer Touch
  8. Journal Video 2  - KateBTPS
  9. My Filofax Size history / Journey - Filofax Friday - Anna Brim
  10. My New Set Up In My Filofax Compact Patent! - Paper & Planners
  11. Filofax A5 2015 Setup - Delia Flores
  12. Gillio Mia Cara set up - Barb Sullivan
  13. Fall Favorites + GIVEAWAY! feat. Filofax, Fashion, Makeup! - Haley Cairo
  • 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

28 November 2014

Gillio-Claus' Big Holiday Promotions!

The most festive season of the year has FINALLY begun! The days are getting shorter and colder, the seasonal decorations appear in the store windows and everyone starts making their shopping lists, ready to spoil their loved ones with treasured gifts.

Gillio wants to be your Santa Claus this year, and spoil you with free items, depending on the value of your next purchase(s) with us... Let us explain!

For every order you place, with a total value of at least €250 and up to €500, you can choose one of these gifts:

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING +

- a free Gillio Pen Pouch (3525) with a value of €83 or
- a free Gillio Classico ballpoint pen, with a value of €70 or
- a free Gillio Classico rollerball pen, with a value of €75 or
- a free Gillio Classico fountain pen, with a value of €85

For every order you place, with a total value of at least €500 and up to €750, you can choose one of these FREE gifts:

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING +

- a free Gillio Pocket Compagna (223/14) with a value of €198 or
- a free Gillio women's wallet (1583) with a value of €205 or
- a free Gillio Corto pen set (ballpoint pen + fountain pen), with a value of €250 or
- a free Gillio Finezza pen set (ballpoint pen + fountain pen), with a value of €250

For every order you place, with a total value of at least €750 and up to €1200, you can choose one of these FREE gifts:

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING +

- a free Gillio Medium Compagna (224/02) with a value of €286 or
- a free Gillio Slim Compagna (222/02) with a value of €225 or
- a free Gillio Grazie pen set (ballpoint pen + fountain pen), with a value of €445

And last but not least...
For every order you place, with a total value of at least €1200, you can choose one of these FREE gifts:

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING +

- a free Gillio A4 shoulder bag (LA/942) with a value of €562 or
- a free Gillio doctor's style handbag (LA/428) with a value of €428

Be quick and order now on-line at http://www.gillio.be/, because:
1) the promotion is only valid on in-stock items (no pre-orders will be accepted to count for this promotion)
2) the shipping costs don't count to add up to the required amount to be eligible to obtain a free gift
3) mention your chosen gift in the 'options' box, and also your desired colour. In the event that your desired colour is no longer in stock, we will contact you to choose another.
4) group orders are allowed, but there will only be one invoice, one payment and one shipment.
5) the promotions all come with free shipping (starting from orders of €250) - you'll have to pay the shipping with your order but it will be refunded through Paypal. Please mention your Paypal address into the comments section of your order.
6) This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions/promocodes.
7) Returning one or several items from this promo for a refund could mean the initial requirements for the promotion are no longer met. Refunded transport costs and non-returned gifts will then be deducted from the amount to be refunded to the customer.
8) the promotions are valid until the 5th of December, 2014

Happy shopping, and best wishes for the holidays,
The Gillio Firenze Team

Free For All Friday No. 315

Whenever December starts to approach, I always spend a little time thinking about what has worked well or what might need tweaking in my Filofaxes. I found writing this post about my set up very helpful and it made me realise just how much I can fit in the personal size. I will be changing my set up slightly (another post to come) and am looking forward to starting next year with my new and improved system.

Do you do an informal end of year review like this as well?

And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything ring-binder related.
 

27 November 2014

Diary Inserts 2015

This work by Philofaxy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. Please download, adapt, use, share, but don't charge or use commercially.

It has taken us longer this year than I would have liked, but we have fully updated the diary inserts page now to include (hopefully) previews of all of the different inserts.

I also discovered a few files that hadn't previously been published so a few extra ones as a bonus too. 

Here is the full list as of today:

Inserts for 2015

A4/A5 Format
Personal on Personal Paper
Personal on A4 Paper
Personal on Letter Paper (North Americans Only!)
Pocket on A4 Paper
Mini on A4 Paper
A big thank you to Ray Blake for his continued help and support in sharing these files with you.

You will find a fully up to date version on the Diary Inserts Page. Please also follow the instructions about printing and take note that you will need a punch as well.

Creative Commons License


This work by Philofaxy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. Please download, adapt, use, share, but don't charge or use commercially.

26 November 2014

Van der Spek Standard with 30mm rings - Overview

It has been a busy year for Petra Van der Spek and her lovely family at their workshop in Puttershoek in The Netherlands.

Once we started talking to each other this year, all sorts of possibilities started to pop up and after some discussions between us, we put some polls on the Van der Spek Facebook group to gauge the level of interest in say '30 mm rings in Standard size'. Fortunately there was enough interest for Petra to go ahead and order in a supply of 30 mm rings from Krause and for her father to adapt the design templates of their organisers to suit the larger rings.

We published the announcement about the 30mm ring models back in July. This was 'back in the day' when you had to email in your order, and then a couple of weeks later Petra launched her 'Webshop' which has made ordering (and her workload!) a lot easier.

Whilst Janet and I were with Petra in October Petra asked me if I would be interested doing a review and long term test of a 30mm Standard (Personal), naturally I said yes! I've hardly stopped using the two organisers I reviewed earlier in the year. So we sat down and went through the various options, it was so nice to see a full size leather hide in the actual colour you were picking!

And a few weeks later, here is the result of our discussions. It is in nappa leather inside and outside, with 6218 (Blue) on the outside and 6204 (Grey) on the inside with contrasting stitching so the outside shows grey stitching and inside blue stitching. I quite like the effect it gives.


Internally it is the same layout as my other standard, with the exception that this one has a second pen loop on the inside front cover and ring protectors too.




Now to compare it to the 25 mm Standard size.  Although the 30mm on the right looks much bigger it's just trick of the angle that this was photographed. They are both the same height.


End on you can see the extra thickness of the 30 mm model


And when opened flat, and they do lay flat straight away you can see the extra overall width of the cover to allow for the larger rings. The pockets and slots are the same width.


And to finish off one more photo, because you know how much I love photographing these things!




The Standard size of Van der Spek which is the same page size as Filofax Personal and Gillo Medium, is now available in three ring sizes: 13mm, 25mm and now 30mm

You can see how they make the Standard and A5 organisers in our earlier posts.

You can see the full custom range of leathers available on the Van der Spek website. Please note that the prices are displayed exclusive of VAT and when you log in or after you create an account and log in with your shipping address the correct price and shipping cost will be displayed.

Thank you once again to Petra Van der Spek and the team at Puttershoek for this wonderful organiser.

25 November 2014

Web Finds - 25 November 2014

I hope you had a good weekend? Time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Filofax Personal Organizer - Cool Tools
  2. A Day in the Life of Undyed Binder Zero - This Bug's Life
  3. The Great Planner Tab Dilemma - Giftie Etcetera
  4. The Organisation of Life - It's Blue Tiger
  5. A5 and Standard Black and Brown Van Der Spek Touch Me - This Bug's Life
  6. Agenda Van der Spek Touch Me - Geek Spritz
  7. Get Organized : Filofax A5 Domino & Filofax A5 Original in Patent Nude. - La Fin Du Globe
  8. Lovely Janet leather binders - This Bug's Life
  9. Finally I can tell you! - She's Eclectic
  10. Purple Domino A5 Filofax - December Daily - Roses in December
  11. Yvonne’s Janet Leather VDS custom binder - This Bug's Life
  12. Look who uses a Filofax! - My Summer Touch
  13. Lesser-known Filofaxes - the Winchester Iguana - FiloWiki News
  14. A Plannerd's To Do List - Giftie Etcetera
  15. New Size for Minimalist Christmas Planner - Personal - Planner Fun
  16. Collage obsession: HEADDRESS_filofax mini - Lucy Wonderland
  17. Lined Week on Two Pages with Top 3 Side Bar Ms Wenduhh
  18. When the Planner is not Near - Planner Fun
  19. Pennybridge Set Up - GrakkyF
  20. A5 Aston is the Victory Book! - It's Bluetiger
  21. Time Management Monday: If not now, when? - Quo Vadis  
  22. Mr. Original: The Comic Hero! - OATTblog
  23. 5 Christmas Planners to Use Now! - Planner Fun
  24. Guest Blog Post - Lyn the Plannerbug and how / why she got smitten! - Mrs Brimbles
  25. Themed Filofax Monday - The Madame de Pompadour Filofax - The Paradox of the Organised Scientist
  26. Review: Charlie's Planner Goodies - Lissa's Loves
  27. Dear Santa: A Planner Christmas Letter - Giftie Etcetera
  28. Compact Pennybridge  OATTblog
  29. Domino A5 Filofax - December Daily - Roses in December
  30. FILO-ANAGRAMS - Kent from Oz's Filofaxuations
  • 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... 
  • 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. Week 48 Filofax Planning & Decoration - Paper and Planners
  2. Decorating Week 48 in my Filofax - Palestblue
  3. A5 WO2P Filofax Insert Tutorial - ScrappinMariposa
  4. Ich erstelle mir einen Bücher-"Filofax" #1 - Aurora8181
  5. Tomoe Filofax Hack - Scrap Joy
  6. Filofax Personal Ochre Malden Set Up - Jennifer Juarez
  7. Filofax ⎥ Set-Up, Sticky Notes, DIY Inspirationen... - Deneuvienne
  8. My 2015 A5 Filofax set-up - Denise Babbit
  9. Filofax Ochre Malden Setup - Mits t
  10. How I Decorate My Filofax Planner // Pink, Gold, Black - villabeauTIFFul
  11. A5 Van Der Spek binder first look!! - KateBTPS
  12. Gillio Mia Cara set up - Barb Sullivan
  13. Gillio Christmas teaser 24 November - Gillio Firenze
  • 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. 
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.

This Week Posts
  1. My Week- November 17-23, 2014 - Incarnations of Organisation
  2. My week #136 - Paper Lovestory
  3. This weeks Filofax decorated pages - Mrs Brimbles
  4. My Week #47 - Life of Kitty
  5. Week planner #80 - Lucy Wonderland
  6. Week 47 - Pammymela
  7. Filofax Planner Pages Nov 23-29 - Ink'd paper by mae
  8. My week #47 - She's Eclectic
  9. My Week #47 - Joanny White
Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No. 199

23 November 2014

Reader Under the Spotlight - Aubrey

So today I would like to introduce you all to Aubrey

Hi I'm Aubrey based in the United States. I am a Special Needs teacher that is obsessed with Simple Living and using my planner to help me accomplish it! I have a degree in Youth Ministry and Behavioral Sciences, but am going back to school to get my official teaching license. I just bought a 528 square foot house and am in the process of downsizing all of my belongings to accomodate it! I have a blog detailing my journey! Feel free to drop by!

http://528squarefeet.blogspot.com/

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

My first organizer was an A5 Finsbury in Antique Rose. I received it as a graduation present from my hubby, after I graduated from college. I had my eye out for one for so long, that I begged and begged for it once I saw it! We ordered it off of Ebay and I even have them ship it to me at the hotel I was staying at on vacation! (I'm not the most patient girl!)

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

Recently the Erin Condren brand has been really appealing. I really like her set up and designs. Her planner's have inspired me to keep motivational and/or positive quotes in my filofax so that I always have encouragement when I open it up!

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

My favorite organizer is my personal Finsbury in Antique Rose. After having my A5 for so long, I decided to see if I loved the personal just as much as I had loved the A5! Turns out I love it so much more! The portability of it is fantastic, and the color and texture of it is so beautiful.

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

I currently only own two Filofax planners and they are the only planners I have. While my heart does desire to have a big beautiful collection, I know that most will go unused. I like that I can still switch them out if I am in need of a change, but for now, two planners give me planner peace.

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

Seeing as my collection is limited to two organizers, the oldest one I have is my Antique Rose finsbury. My other planner is an Ochre Malden and is still being sold today.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

I only use one planner at a time. As an advocate for simple living, I know that having more planners with different uses will clutter up my tiny house, and also my mind! After all, all those planners need planner supplies - pens, pencils, stickers, washi tape, etc! I am currently set up in my Personal Antique Rose and use it as a Daily planner and wallet. In it I keep a month at a glance, a months worth of daily pages, a check registry, and lined paper for to-do lists.

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

My favorite feature about the Filofax is the ability to customize it to your personality and individual style. Not only do the vast range of leather textures and colors help to fit a vast amount of people's tastes, but the rings and all of the sizes help to further condense everything you need and like into one organizer. I also love the community of people and how we bounce information and inspiration back and forth. Everyone finds a way to make it there own, no two Filofaxes are the same, and that's what I love about it.

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

If I could design my own Filofax I would create one very similar to the Original. The only thing I would change is the gloss finish to matte. I ordered an Fuchsia Original and loved the color but I was to OCD about fingerprints, smudges, and whatever seemed to show up on the outside. I was also way to concerned about scratching and indentations! Oh, and I'd add more pockets too!

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

I carry my Filofax like you would a wallet. Sometimes I just carry it by hand and put it on the dashboard of my car. Other times I will tote it along in my purse or work bag. It doesn't matter where I'm headed - my Filo is coming with me!

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

I really like the original Filofaxes right now. I have decided not to buy it because I know that I truly love the planners I have now and cannot justify splurging on another one. Adding another one to the mix will just complicated my system, and I have a feeling there will always be a "third wheel".

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?

I just spend $100 on a personal Malden in Ochre. That is the most I've ever spent on a Filofax. My A5 Antique Rose was also just $100. I know that is a little overpriced for the planner, but it came with goodies, and that's how I justify it.

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

My favorite Filofax tip is to not get too carried away. I know that seems crazy seeing how I just stated I loved the personalization Filofax offers, but that's the lesson I'm coming to learn. There are always going to be people out there with planners more organized, better decorated, and more creative than mine, and if I'm always striving to compete I ruin the ability to sit back and enjoy my planner. Yes, make it your own! Make it work for you, and realize that sometimes what works for you may not seem as glamorous or creative. But its working! Love your planner because it's yours and it works for you - not because it has the potential to look like someone else's!

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

I love Philofaxy because it's a great resource to see how other people are using their planners! It's a great way to "steal" ideas and use them for your own life, and it's also got quality printables with a wonderful selection! I also love it because it addresses issues and problems that all Filofaxers face. It's current and knowledgeable - a perfect combination.

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

The only thing that I do not like about Philofaxy is the layout. This is strictly a personal opinion but the overall template of the blog is a bit bland for me. I like color and quality images. But that's probably because I'm a millennial. I think it says so much about a blog if the only dislike I can think of is that I don't like the colors. Keep it up Philofaxy!

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

The last music track I downloaded was "Where Have You Been?" by Rihanna. I'm a runner and that song has such a great beat to step too!

16. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day? 

I have not ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up! I think it would be a blast to meet some of the people I've interacted with both on the blog and on the Facebook group! I hope that one day I am able to!

17. What was the last movie you watched?

The last movie I watched was Dracula with my husband. It was his birthday, so he got to pick. My feelings on it? Eh. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't awesome.

18. What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was II Kings in the Bible. I'm not that big of a reader. When I'm reading, it's usually the Bible.

19. George Clooney or Brad Pitt? 

That's a tough one. I'd have to say Clooney, because I've never really thought Pitt to be all that attractive.

Thank you Aubrey. As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com

22 November 2014

Web Finds - 22 November 2014

I hope you had a good week?

Time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. The Van Der Spek eagle has landed! - This Bug's Life
  2. 2014 Gillio Tour - Part 3 - Imysworld
  3. My Filofax - Filofax Blog
  4. Free Filo Friday- Let’s go to the… - Embellish Everything
  5. A5 Brown Van Der Spek Touch Me - This Bug's Life
  6. Winter Themed (Undated) Daily Pages - Planner Fun
  7. New Item! Printable Paris Dividers for Personal size Filofax :) - Filofax Love
  8. Personal/Standard Black Van Der Spek Touch Me - This Bug's Life
  9. Goodbye Mini Malden - It's Bluetiger
  10. Boost Your Blog // My Blogging Kit 2.0 - Five sixteenths blog
  11. Setup of undyed leather binder - This Bug's Life
  12. Planner Marks: Dots and Dashes - Giftie Etcetera
  13. Winter Themed (Undated) Daily Pages - Planner Fun
  14. Undyed leather test binder - This Bug's Life 
  15.  Keep track of your finances with you Filofax- Lucy Wonderland
  16. I have some super exciting things to share...Filofax Friday - Mrs Brimbles
  17. Personal sized Janet Leather (#104) Van Der Spek Organiser - This Bug's Life
  18. How To Use A Planner for Newbies - Giftie Etcetera
  19. Vintage Franklin Quest Two Tone Planner! - Sparkle Frogs
  20. A5 Van Der Spek Binder in Janet Leather (#104) - This Bug's Life
  21. Creative Organising - It's Bluetiger
  22. New Planner Filofax Mini! - The Last Eureka
  23. Van Der Spek Stiffener Options  - This Bug's Life
  24. Planning for Special Days - Homemakers Daily
  25. Exatime 17 Filofax-compatible inserts - Quo Vadis Blog
  26. Personal sized Janet Leather (#104) Van Der Spek Organiser - This Bug's Life
  27. #Filofax Friday: Christmas Card List - Planning with Printed Portal
  • 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... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Reader Under the Spotlight - KerrieLynn
  2. Filofax Catalogue 1984
  3. Web Finds - 18 November 2014
  4. Van der Spek Leather Flyleaves - How they are made...
  5. Guest Posting on Philofaxy
And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Decorating my Filofax week on 2 pages - Mits T
  2. How to GTD with a Filofax and 43 Folders - Alexis
  3. Setting up a pocket FILOFAX Malden (part 1)- Technical Side - My Summer Touch
  4. Personal-Planner Decoration Tutorial - PaperedLove
  5. Pocket Planner Insert Comparison Pocket Filofax & Louis Vuitton Pm Small Agenda - Love4Creativity
  6. FILOFAX Lockwood Review and Comparison to MALDENS! - My Summer Touch
  7. Planning Video | Steps | Getting Things Done! - Miss Vicky Bee
  8. Filofax Planner Tour // My Everyday Planning & Blog Planner - Moe Howard
  9. Tomoe Filofax Hack - scrapjoy
  10. I have some super exciting things to share...Filofax Friday - Anna Brim
  • 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