31 July 2015

Free For All Friday - No. 350 by Steve

Packed and ready to return home!
So we got back home on Monday after our 7 week epic tour of North America and Canada. This week has been about catching up on things as you always do when you return home from a trip away.

The holiday was brilliant, but it was nice to get home and to get my organiser out of my bag and put it back on my desk and have it open and ready to start work again.

My list of things to get done has been growing as the week has progressed. And the pile of things to be put away has been slowly diminishing!

I have several posts planned for the coming weeks.

As always as this is a Friday please feel free to be able to discuss anything Filofax or similar ring bound planner related.

Have a good weekend... oh and don't forget we have a Philofaxy Skype Roundtable on Sunday on Skype.

30 July 2015

Experienced User: Alice

​Alice de Sturler is a Dutch non-practicing lawyer/human rights defender. She works on unsolved homicides, wrongful convictions, and assists other human rights defenders and attorneys were requested. She has two blog:

On Defrosting Cold Cases, she posts unsolved homicides and wrongful conviction cases.

On Your Blog Coach, she writes about blogging and posts crime fiction.

If she is not writing, you can find her in coffee shops or on park benches observing people. If she’s not there either, she just might be off practicing archery.

You can follow her on Twitter: @Vidocq_CC, you can follow her cold case blog on FB, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

1. When did you start using an organiser?

I started using an organizer in the 80s. In the beginning of my law studies at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, I was swamped with schedules, dates, notes, and more. The small free agenda that we as students received could not hold it all. In that time, the magazine “Mademoiselle” was still around. There was an article called “Happiness is a worn Filofax.”


In it, several women described how they used theirs and what went in their planners. I thought it was THE solution to keep several schedules in one place without losing the overview. My then-boyfriend, now husband of several decades, gave me a personal size brown leather Winchester.

For years, this Filofax served as my planner. I did every now and then look at other systems but always kept coming back to it. And yes, I also tried digital calendars but got frustrated quickly. Paper just works best for me.

2. How has your use of an organiser changed over the years?

When it was just the university, sports, and our social life, the personal Winchester was enough. However, when I started working I needed more space to write. The use of keywords in the calendar wasn’t enough anymore so I started experimenting with the A5. My favourite is from the company Succes. It is a marigold A5 planner from the Dolce Vita line.


As you can see, the inserts are from Filofax. The latest calendar inserts that I bought from Filofax do not have the issues that made me look elsewhere for a while. I write with fountain pens and feathering/bleeding ink were a huge issue. The last two years, the quality has improved and I again write bleed-free with a broad fountain pen.

3. Which diary format works best for you and why?

I use the day-per-page and the week-on-two-pages with vertical columns. I have experimented with other formats. However, I need the week-at-a-glance overview. The columns allow me to see weekly returning responsibilities and give me a realistic overview of my time since they have an hourly schedule.

From the weekly inserts, I keep the whole year in my binder. From the daily inserts, I keep 3-4 months. If a month has passed, I scan it for missed items, schedule those, take that month out, and add a new one. Old pages go in Ziploc bags. I write the year on the plastic bag with a sharpie and store them in shoe boxes.

4. What other information do you keep and maintain in your organiser.

NEVER: passwords, user names, codes, pins, or anything else like that!

I have in the Dolce Vita: to-do lists (work, home, blogs, and private), an overview of meetings that I regularly attend (dates, times, places, etc.), sports, and projects.

5. Do you use a 'system' of organisation, and how does it work in your Filofax?

If you open my Dolce Vita you will first see the ABC tabs that I use as a notebook. To-do lists are under “T” etc. After that come the daily pages and last the weekly calendar. Since I write most on the daily pages, they are positioned such that the rings do not bother me. In the very back, I have plastic file folders with handouts, coupons, etc.

6. What routines and structures do you use?

In the week-on-two-pages, I only write an appointment by keyword such as “doctor” or “gym.” I block the time that I need to get to that appointment and back with a vertical arrow. Then I note on the daily page where to meet, why, what to bring, etc. I used to write it all in the calendar but it gets too cluttered. On the daily page I also draw the blocked time arrow so I have a realistic overview of what I can and cannot do on that day.

I prefer to have all appointments and meetings on a few days to keep the rest of the week free for uninterrupted work. For example, if I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday morning, I highlight that date in the calendar. If I need time for errands or meet friends for lunch, I try to use that same day as much as I can. I call those days “interrupted days” as opposed to uninterrupted days that are completely free of appointments and get blocked for projects.

7. Do you use one binder or several, and if several, how do you use them?

For my daily use, the Dolce Vita is best. The A5 format is perfect for notes and keywords. It holds several calendars with enough space for copies, cards, and scraps of paper in the side pockets. I still use the Winchester. It is now a notebook with blank paper that I use for notes and doodles. I do not carry the A5 with me unless I know that I will be somewhere where I will need to check my calendar. The Winchester is enough to jot down notes that get transferred later to the Dolce Vita, to doodle, and to jot down words or sentences that I can later use in either fiction or on my blogs.

Thank you Alice.

If you would like to take part in this series please email steve@philofaxy.com and mark your email 'Experienced Filofax User'

29 July 2015

Guest Post - My Filofax Journey - Joanny White

Thank you to Joanny for this guest post. 


Hello lovely people,

My name is Joanny, I blog over at Joannywhite.co.uk and today, I will be sharing with you my Filofax story.

Over a year ago, I had no idea what a Filofax was. I have always silently loved planners and stationery but I didn't think there were any others out there who understood this obsession of mine. I have always used planners in school and my college planner was one of my most valued possessions. 

I soon stumbled across a thread on a student forum called "The stationery and organisation thread" where I found like minded people like me who loved stationery too. That day, it felt like I had found my long lost family. 

Then a few weeks later, I noticed people talking about their Filofaxes and I had absolutely no idea what they were on about. One girl was in a dilemma as she got nail varnish on her Metropol and was asking for advice on how to get rid of it. Then I finally mustered up the courage to ask what a Filofax was and not only did they explain to me what this beautiful thing was, they also directed me to another thread called the "Filofax Appreciation Thread" and that's how everything started.

On this thread, I was able to see photos of other people's Filofaxes and one of the ones that spoke to me was a photo of decorated week on two pages in a Personal Classic. My mind could not fathom all the prettiness I was looking at. The coloured pens, sticky notes, stickers and washi tape? What on earth was washi tape? I didn't know what this was but I needed to get it somehow. From this thread, I started reading blog posts  about Filofax set ups and a quick search for "Filofax" on YouTube was the icing on the cake. I watched one video after the other and that was when I realised there were different types of Filofaxes too? How was I supposed to make a choice now?

In one day, I discovered all the different types I could possibly find but I really loved the Saffiano so after watching loads of Saffiano unboxings and set up videos, I got loads of ideas and made a plan of how my set up would be and then I finally got my first Filofax in June 2014 from Ryman. A personal Saffiano in aqua with a free pen.


My set up has changed twice since I bought it but it is still working for me now.


You can read about my very first set up here and my current set up here.

A few months into my Filofax journey, I started thinking about getting another one but the truth is I'm not a multiple Filofax girl. I can only use one at a time for now. But I stumbled across a mini Metropol for sale in Ryman and I didn't think twice before picking it up.
I now use it as my wallet.


You can read about my set up here.


So it's been over a year now and never ever have I regretted that decision. I find that writing things down helps me remember and I love the idea of having all my lists, planner, tasks, appointments all together in one book. Having a Filofax has also brought out the creativity in me. A part of me I never knew I had. I was also pleased to discover a whole community out here made of planner enthusiasts. It's amazing to connect with like minded people.

I am still enjoying using my two Filos but I will be off to uni soon and I am search of the perfect compact Filo because I think a pocket size would be too small for me and a personal size just a bit big. In other words, my Filofax journey still continues.

Hope you enjoyed reading a bit about my Filofax journey.






Thank you Joanny, if you have a similar guest post you would like to share with our readers, please contact philofaxy at gmail dot com

27 July 2015

Thinking about pages sizes - by Anita

Since getting my first Filofax in 2009, I have been pretty faithful to using the personal size. I had a brief trial of using A5 as my sole binder, but whilst I love the page size I found that the binder itself was just too large to carry around. Personal is the best fit for me in terms of page size and portability. However, I do feel that whilst its narrow insert width is perfect for making lists, it's never felt quite right for me for writing more extensive notes or for planning projects. 

Up until recently I have been using two binders together - a personal as my main extended brain, with an A5 for planning. Whilst on paper (bad pun, sorry) this sounds perfect, I have finally admitted that using two binders at once isn't for me. I originally purchased a Filofax as I was using multiple notebooks and wanted to have everything in one place. Sorry Mr Hamilton, but you will be finding a new home soon!

During a conversation on Facebook, it occurred to me that the A6 paper size might be perfect as somehow the wider but shorter dimensions seem better for writing notes, and look more 'right' as it's a quarter of the A4 size (which folk in the UK are more used to).   

L to R: personal, A6 and pocket
Whilst I still love my oxblood Winchester, I admit at this point I started looking at custom Van der Speks in the Senior size. However, I feel very fortunate due to the following train of events:
  • I was given a vintage Mulberry Agenda by a relative's neighbour, but she didn't want anything for it as it wasn't in the best condition
  • At the time, I couldn't imagine changing planner size so gave it to the lovely Jane
  • She found that it was too small for her and was considering asking if I wanted it back
  • She read my post on Facebook, and after a holiday in the US it is back home with me
  • I remembered that my KW-Trio hole punch also does Agenda size. 
I will be writing some follow up posts about the Mulberry, my set up and how I find being back in just the one binder.

26 July 2015

A Date For Your Diary - Sunday 2nd August 2015

We are going to run another conference round-table voice chat using Skype. And the 'morning' session returns so our friends in the Far East and Asia can join in again.

I'm sure we are gradually getting to know each other's voices, but I will make a point of going 'around the table' to get everyone to introduce themselves this time.

So...When, Where, What, Who and How?

When? - Sunday 2 August from 10am London time, 11am Paris time, 7pm Brisbane time.

Additionally I will be on line at 9am San Francisco 11am Chicago, 12noon New York, 5pm London time, 6pm Paris time etc.  See the World Clock to make sure you have the right time.

The timing of these two sessions have been chosen to hopefully allow as many people to join in compared to previous round-tables. The timing of future ones will be varied to suit everyone if need be.

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

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.

Who - All of you... connect up with Philofaxy and we will attempt to get as many of us linked in to the audio conference as possible. 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.

How -
  1. Connect to Philofaxy by firstly searching for Philofaxy in Skype, I will then add you as a contact.
  2. Then  'Send Contact Request',  I will then add you in to the chat room. 
  3. Then if you request it, I can add you to the audio conference as well. But if you just want to chat via keyboard that's fine. That way it's slightly less hectic for me! 
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.

As with previous round-tables there will also be a parallel text chat room going at the same time as the voice conference, so you can listen to the voice chat and type if you wish.

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 2 August 2015.

25 July 2015

Web Finds - 25 July 2015

So I hope you have had a good week.

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.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Our Top 5 Day-Timer Tips - Day Timer 
  2. Vacation Series #3: A Beginner’s Dive into Ring-Bound Planners - Planner Fun
  3. Webster’s Pages Planner inserts (un-dated months) - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  4. Van Der Spek Undyed Binder after 8½ months of constant use - This Bug's Life
  5. How to Move From Planner Fail to Planner Success: Schedules Matter - Giftie Etcetera
  6. My Second Van der Spek Binder - Well Planned Life
  7. Vacation Series #4: How to Build Your Perfect Planning System - Planner Fun
  8. Gillio Mini Update - Imysworld
  9. Burde Interplano 46 Regent inserts - This Bug's Life
  10. Time management Monday: Decision time - Quo Vadis Blog
  11. Podcast 07 – Guided GTD Weekly Review - Getting Things Done
  12. No, you’re not being silly. - Just Happy Me
  13. Filofax Nude Original with Nude Theme ;) - I'm British, So Filofax
  14. Vacation Series #5: Technology Will Be Our Downfall from Philofaxy - Planner Fun
  15. Filofax auf Reisen (2): Scrapping im Hotel - Filomaniac
  16. Planner Bloggers: Announcing a New Facebook Group Just for You! - Giftie Etcetera
  17. The one that started it all… - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  18. What are your main planner struggles? - Lime Tree Fruits
  19. Diary Charm for Filofax or Traveler’s Notebook - This Bug's Life
  20. Vacation Series #6: Four Basic Types of Information Your Planning System Needs to Capture from Paper Goodness - Planner Fun
  21. Hello Kikki! - Stationery Starlet
  22. Organisation: How I learned to use my planner better - Neens Bea 
  23. How to build your perfect planner system? Week 7: Values - most important things in your life  - From Chaos to Order
  24. 99% freebies planner setup. - My Last Eureka
  25. Change One Thing to Transform Your Entire Day - Giftie Etcetera
  26. What makes you feel organized? - Quo Vadis Blog
  27. Quick post: awesome finds! - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  28. Creating a Wellness Planner - Renew Your Space
  29. What's in my wallet? (Filofax Pocket Malden) - My Great Challenges
  30. Review: Personal Filofax Finchley  - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  31. Filofax: Aqua Malden -v- Aqua Lockwood - A Pretty Obsession
  32. More Handlettering from My Nude Original  - I'm British, So Filofax
  33. FREE Undated Inserts (For all Planner Sizes!) - Live Love Planners
  34. Comparison: Guildford vs Kensington  - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  35. Shopping Around - Stationery Starlet
  36. A-Z Hack to Remember Information - Planner Fun
  37. What do you use your Filofax for? - Embellish Everything
  38. Setting Up Planners With Happie Scrappie Planner Kit - Happiness is Scrappy
  39. The Saga of the Color Crush - Stationery Starlet
  • 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. Filofax Pennybridge Compact: nuovo set up - Virginia Agostini
  2. Filofax pennybrigde compact - Anny Rossi
  3. What's in my wallet? (Filofax Pocket Malden) - My Great Challenge
  4. Filofax Original VS Malden (français) - Magalie Accro à l'organisation
  5. Set up Filofax A5 Original Dark Aqua - Schnapps Organizer - und Bastelwelt
  6. Filofax Purple Malden In Personal Size ~ July 2015 - Michel Watson
  7. Filofax Setup A5 Yellow Original (Dutch/Nederlands) - Knushield van het leven
  8. Setup: Filofax with Color Crush inserts and my Leuchtturm bullet journal - The Planner Girls
  9. 2015 setup of Malden personal Filofax - Bobbi Gregory
  10. Filofax Setup #onebookjuly 2015 - MySummerTouch
  11. My Filofax Setup - Thorkiful
  12. Filofax Comparison: Guildford vs Kensington - randompastimes
  13. New Filofax and Baggalini Purse Organization! - kerryluvcat
  14. Gillio Firenze Medium Compagna : Rust - Set Up - Organised Student
  • 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. My week #170 - Paper Lovestory
  2. Weekly Post #104 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  3. My week #28 - She's Eclectic
  4. My Week #29 (2015) - Joanny White
  5. Weekly Post #105 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  6. My week #29 - She's Eclectic
  7. Week Thirty One - Stationery Starlet
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Philofaxy Mini-meet up - Chicago July 2015
  2. Free For All Tuesday No. 233
  3. Philofaxy Meet Up - Toronto - July 2015
  4. Experienced User - Sarah
  5. Free for All Friday No. 349
Enjoy

24 July 2015

Free for All Friday No. 349

Recently I found a vintage made-in-the-UK Clouded Cream A-Z index pack in my Filofax inventory. I almost hated to open the packet and use this collector's item, but in the end I'm a user, not a collector. To my mind, there's no point in having something if you can't use it. I needed an A-Z index, and the Clouded Cream color was in harmony with the organizer I intended to use it in.

Do you have any inserts (or organizers) that you can't bear to use? Or do you use them anyway?

23 July 2015

Experienced User - Sarah

Sarah Newton, Atlanta, GA. Born in England. Lover of all things Filofax and addicted to planning, planners, and all things related!



1. When did you start using an organiser? 

In Jr High, back then it was more like a time capsule and a place to doodle what I did and who I hung out with. I was already decorating back then and saved these organizers until long in to my 20's. I used stickers and color codes, doodled with markers, had friends write notes on empty days, and occasionally stuck a school assignment in for good measure! As I passed in to my 30's I just recently recycled my planners from my 20's. They are so fun to look back and see how life was at a different time in my past.

2. How has your use of an organiser changed over the years? 

My handwriting has gotten neater or messier depending on the time. I am better at decorating because there are so many outlets and accessories to decorate with compared to when I started planning. Over the years, my planners have involved more detailed plans involving chores, college, work, appointments, and vacations.

I am still prone to incorporating a "scrapbooking" aspect to them though and love to incorporate pictures and write the who, what, where, when as a way to document my life at that time when I see open spaces in my planner.

3. Which diary format works best for you and why? 

A week on one page works best for my personal planner and a day on one page for my work planner. I have two Filofaxes that I carry with me always. A personal size as my everything planner and an A5 for work.

4. What other information do you keep and maintain in your organiser? 

My personal planner includes all appointments, work, pay dates, vacations, social events, bills, track my purchases, medical information, etc and whenever I find opening a "diary" sort of aspect that can include pictures from that time, quotes, doodles, etc. In my A5 planner, I have my daily to do lists which I try to block plan, reference information for my job, note pages for messages, contact information, and of course space to doodle and space out. I also keep an Alice in Wonderland picture in a top opening pocket to remind myself that not everything in life is to be taken so seriously.

5. Do you use a 'system' of organisation, and how does it work in your Filofax? 

First, I have a section for Notes. I keep a piece of paper in here with little notes from friends that I called a "Grafitti Page" that I love. I also keep journaling ideas, blog ideas, and notes to be filed elsewhere. Next is my calendar section where I keep my monthly overview schedule. I am currently using the monthly inserts from the color crush as they are sturdy and come with monthly tabs and a month on two pages. This is followed by my diary section which is my weekly scheduling with more detail. I am using the kikki k week on 2 pages currently that I decorate with washi tape and  minimal decoration in comparison to when I started! *Decoration overload!* My Lists section starts with an A-Z index and things such as passwords (in code), purchase, health info, football schedules for my favorite teams, grocery lists, purchase trackers, and bill pay tracker. Then I have a To Do section with a variety of blank to do pages. My last sections is titled "Bonkers" as my Filofax is Alice in Wonderland themed :) and I keep extra paper, post its, page flags, odds and ends, and a card holder with my business cards and health and car insurance cards.
I don't think I will ever find "planner peace" because I enjoy changing it up too much. :)

6. What routines and structures do you use? 

I try to use a bullet journal style in my planner to check off completed tasks. There is nothing more satisfying than checking off something from a to do list.

7. Do you use one binder or several, and if several, how do you use them? 

Overall, I own approximately 14 planners. I have two Domino A5's (one pink and one black), a Saffiano personal in Raspberry, a Saffiano A5 in aquamarine, a Domino personal size in black, a Domino personal size in purple, a Finsberry personal size in pink, a grey Filofax Flex, a gold Lovedoki, two Color Crush planners (white and gold), The Happiness Planner, a Get to Workbook, and the Passion Planner. *Phew*

I use one of my personal Filofaxes as my everyday planner switching it around every month or so. This is my go to everything planner that I carry everywhere. I use my A5 Saffiano for my fulltime job and a personal size Saffiano for my parttime job. I use one of my personal size Filofaxes for my Blog. The Happiness Planner is more for journaling and a gratitude type planner. The others come and go in my life depending on my spare time. I love writing and rewriting my planners out so I am constantly reorganizing and redecorating, especially when given any length of time on Pinterest to spark my creativity.

Thank you Sarah, I've had an excellent response from people wanting to take part in this series. I look forward to receiving responses back from people.

If you would like to take part in this series please email steve@philofaxy.com and mark your email 'Experienced Filofax User'

22 July 2015

Philofaxy Meet Up - Toronto - July 2015

Well today was our sixth and final meet up of our grand tour of North America. Ever since the early stages of Alison and I talking about and planning this grand tour/holiday (was it a holiday too!!??) Alan Marshall and Susan Stanway were both keen that we should have a meet up in Toronto.

So we built in a stop over in Toronto for this weekend at the start of our short stay in three Canadian cities (Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal) before we travel back to Paris and then home next weekend.


We were warned about the Pan Am games, but in fact being here during them has had its advantages, an improved rail link from the airport is now operational and made our journey in to the city with cases a lot easier. There seems to be a lot going on in and around the city.

So we started off our meet up at Laywines in Toronto, this is the shop the Toronto Philofaxy readers have met at before. Peter Laywine made us all very welcome and it was great to meet him as well as the everyone else.

We had the use of a large round table towards the front of the shop and we used it to show each other the organisers we had brought with us and the ones we were using on a regular basis. Alan had brought quite a few with him and he lined them up on a shelf for us to all take a look.

Peter gave us a very very generous discount on some of his old Filofax stock. I got a Belgravia Palm PDA holder/notebook!!

This meet up was slightly different in some ways to the ones I had been to during our tour. Nan and her husband Ben flew from Boston to attend the meet up, Nan had been to the New York one as well, but she also wanted to meet Alan as well.  And Michele who lives near New York, she couldn't make the New York meet up because of other commitments, so she had been to the Washington meet up, but she also flew to Toronto to enjoy another meet up with us.




Alan proudly showing off his 'vintage' Kate Spade

Susan and Steve playing to the camera!








Van der Spek leather samples were as popular as ever



Filofax A5 Sienna for C$10?

Other items to tempt people.


Steve and Peter talk business



After a couple of hours of chatting we were starting to get hungry and thirsty! So we moved on to the Italian restaurant that was directly next door to Laywine's

We continued our discussions during the meal until it was time for us to all go our separate ways, where had the time disappeared.




As with all the previous meet ups Alison and I would like to thank everyone that came along to meet us, and to every one that helped make the meet ups such a success. It had been quite a grand task planning and co-ordinating the whole tour and fitting in meet ups in to the schedule but from my point of view we achieved what we set out to do.

I hope now that people get to meet up more often and new people to the community join in at these events.

When or will we be back? We don't know is the honest answer, but the tour has left some long lasting memories with us and a huge number of photographs to look back on and remember where and when etc.

I would also like to thank everyone who have supported the blog in the last 7 weeks with guest posts and various contributions to help me keep things running whilst travelling, I had this vision that things would grind to a halt whilst I was away!

Again thank you everyone.

20 July 2015

Philofaxy Mini-meet up - Chicago July 2015

So after LA we spent some time in Yosemite National Park and then continued to San Francisco for a busy weekend of sight seeing and climbing mountains... sorry I mean the hills of San Francisco!!


Chicago was our next stop-over point for a brief mid-week stay. I always knew this meet up might be difficult for some people, but in the end it was just three of us including Alison and myself. But it didn't matter. We got to meet Sandra who I've 'known' now for a few years so it was lovely to meet face to face at long last.

Even though it was just a few of us, between Sandra and myself we had quite a varied collection of organisers with us. Sandra had her daily us Cavendish, but also things like a black Belmont, a Brindle and a few other treasures.

Here is the mini 'collection' I've been hauling around in the middle layer of my suitcase sandwiched between soft clothes either side.

Top Row L-R VDS Touch Me (Standard), Gillio Mia Cara, Gillio Giramondo, Filofax Ereader sleeve
Bottom Row L-R VDS Touch Me (Senior), VDS Custom Standard, VDS Custom A5, Filofax Malden Wallet



The three of us enjoyed a very simple meal and lots of discussion about all manner of things, not just planners!

Thank you to Sandra for extending her work day to meet up with Alison and I.

Next stop.... Toronto, Canada.

18 July 2015

Web Finds - 18 July 2015

So I hope you have had a good week.

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.

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. Bound planners vs ring binder planners - Paper Lovestory
  2. VDS “Cappuccino” Update - Well Planned Life
  3. Monthly Folded Calendar with a Monday Start Date - Planner Fun
  4. The Case for a Thin Page Marker - Giftie Etcetera
  5. My Favourite Planner Supplies Shops - Stationery Starlet
  6. Look what Steve sent me from California! Thank you Steve! - This Bug's Life
  7. Podcast 06 – GTD and Creativity - Getting Things Done
  8. Pocket Malden Charm - Kent from Oz
  9. Quick Post: Language Filo Set-up - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  10. Weekly Running Log for Personal Size [printable] - Planner Fun
  11. Pimp My Planner: Rawr! Doodles Edition - Dianne Sylvan
  12. Planners and Paperwork - Giftie Etcetera
  13. DIY Filofax Top Loading Envelope - Joanny White
  14. Planner Possibilities: Using Any Planning System on Any Planner Page - Giftie Etcetera
  15. Why I Save My Planner Pages - Homemakers Daily
  16. Frog Notes for Personal Size [printable] - Planner Fun
  17. Trip-Planning Tuesday - Stationery Starlet
  18. A Beginner’s Guide To The Filofax - Gala Darling
  19. The Power of a Power Hour {Filofax Friday} - Renew Your Space
  20. Teaching Kids to Be Organized - Giftie Etcetera
  21. Custom Inserts For Free! - Planner Fun
  22. Why You Should Pick Only 5 Things To Do Today - Time Management Ninja
  23. Webfinds #2 - ImysWorld
  24. How to build your perfect planner system? Week 6: Make your first reviews - From Chaos to Order
  25. Starting to set up my work planner - Stationery Starlet
  26. Troubleshooting Your Goals (w/free printable) - Dianne Sylvan
  27. Make it Monday // Create Planner Stickers using Overlay Apps - five sixteenths blog
  28. Planner Time: How to Build the Planner Habit - Giftie Etcetera 
  29. Comparison: Guildford vs Aston - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  30. Free Filo Friday- Let’s go to the… - Embellish Everything
  • 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. What's Inside My Filofax? Initial Set-up | A5 Domino in Pink - Rebecca Frazer
  2. Filofax Personal - First Setup - Stephanie Ensinger
  3. Compact Filofax as a Wallet - Almost Organized Meg
  4. Unboxing A5 Malden Filofax Planner Purple - Miss Gemalems
  5. My Filofax A5 Setup - Ally Miller
  6. Filofax Pocket Malden setup video - Laura Cubitt
  7. One Sick Day| Filofax Domino Set-up - MsPassiontea
  8. DIY Filofax/Planner Cover - Make your own! - Ashley-Janne
  9. Présentation de mon Planner "Construction maison" ! (Filofax Original rose A5) - Mimounette
  10. Filofax Comparison: Guildford vs Aston - Randompastimes
  11. Filofax Pocket Setup | Kawaii Theme ♥ - MilliMakes
  • 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. My week #169 - Paper Lovestory
  2. Week Thirty - Stationery Starlet
  3. My Week #28 (2015) - Joanny White
  4. #onebookjuly2015 week 2 - Life of a would be Artist
  5. Weekly Post #101 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  6. Filofax Planner pages July 5 - August 15 - Ink'd paper by Mae
  7. Weekly Post #102 - Miss Mae's Adventures
  8. Week of 7/13: Weekly Decoration Post! - Live Love Planners
Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Reader Under The Spotlight - Dana
  2. Filofax New Models
  3. Free For All Tuesday No. 232
  4. Experienced User - David Popely
  5. Philofaxy readers meet up - Yorkshire, England - June 2015
  6. Free For All Friday No 348 by Laurie
Enjoy

17 July 2015

Free For All Friday No 348 by Laurie

I have several types of tracking pages in my Filofax, mainly to track expenses.

One type of tracking page I've been using for a long time is for internet purchases. I have columns for the date ordered, website, items ordered, amount, which card I used to pay, and confirmation number. Then I have a column to note the date my order arrived. This lets me see what has arrived and what hasn't. Every now and then something doesn't arrive, and I have to contact the sender to ask them to track it or send it again. This has happened a few times this year and I'm glad I kept track in my chart or I might have forgotten I even ordered them!

A new type of tracking page I added just a couple of months ago is to track when I've paid a deposit and then when I've paid the subsequent remaining amount. My daughter is in Girl Scouts and this year they've had several trips and events where I had to pay a deposit to reserve her space and the rest of the amount later. I quickly lost track of which events I'd paid what for. This new tracking page solved all that so I can easily see at a glance what I've already paid, what I still need to pay and when it's due.

What types of tracking pages do you like to use in your ring binder?

And as always on Friday, feel free to discuss and/ or ask about anything ring-binder related!

16 July 2015

Philofaxy readers meet up - Yorkshire, England - June 2015

With summer now here (even in the UK!) many of us will be travelling and visting new places in the coming weeks. We've been following Steve and Alison on tour in the USA and they've been attending organised "meet ups". 

However, there's also the opportunity for more informal get togethers. I run a small holiday cottage complex in Yorkshire UK (www.ilkleymoorcottages.co.uk) and a few weeks ago was surprised to receive an on-line booking from a Mr Laporte. 

Sure enough - it was THE Josh Laporte from Hartford, Connecticut! Naturally, we had to find a slot in his holiday schedule to discuss organisers/ planners and one cloudy morning Josh, partner Juan Guzman and I sat round the large farmhouse table with a huge cafetiere of coffee and did just that!


Josh brought along his red Winchester that he has produced several videos about. You can view his current (or at least recent!) set-up on his You Tube channel

The red is not as garish as on the binders they produce these days. It was very classy and understated. A lovely, quality product. Juan had his bown Personal Kendal that he recently purchased. This had that oiled leather smell that I remember from one I owned in A5. It's a sturdy binder and will last for years! 

 I carried in a heavy box of different organisers (I confess - not even my full collection!) including my current Slimline Holborn with homemade elasticated closure. We spent ages comparing Josh's British-made Winchester with a modern Chinese-manufactured grey Personal Holborn - even down to the "clunkiness" of the ring mechanisms being closed!

Josh was interested in my Pocket Flex converted into a traveller's notebook using parts from a canibalised MTN and also my A5 Zip Logic, now altered to make an iPad case. I was keen to learn how Josh uses his green Federal Supply Memoranda Notebook as a daily "catch-all". (There's a good review of the Memoranda here on Philofaxy. We each spent sometime discussing the merits of paper-systems versus digital and our very different balance between the two. I'm far more into digital than Josh or Juan, but all our systems seem to work!

We concluded by taking a photo of the items we currently use.


Finally we made the traditional pile of organisers, before Josh and Juan left for a train journey into York for some sight-seeing!


Josh and Juan also met other folk from Philofaxy during their stay in the UK including the famous Lord Dodo.

A great morning spent with like-minded, kindred spirits. So - over to you! Obviously take sensible precautions - by meeting in a public place (such as a cafe), if you're meeting folk you've not met before. But, do get together this summer, if the opportunity arises! Don't forget to take a few photos and help Steve by writing a short Guest post. Have a great summer!

Thank you Tim for a great guest post, great to see Josh and Juan in England, pity I was in the US at the same time!