I have felt out of place for the longest time. Not for lack of friends or confidence. But for my not-so-secret obsession with planners, lists, Post-its, or any other sort of organizational device. I get made fun of at work because I almost every surface is covered in sticky notes. I get made fun of at home because if I can’t find something to write a list on, I repeat it over and over out loud until I can write it down.
So I have been walking down a lonely road. Occasionally a planner would make me happy, but none of them cut it. I used my Franklin Covey on and off for a year, but it had so many downfalls I retired it pretty quickly. After trying out a bunch of generic bound planners I was about to give up on planner bliss. And then I discovered Filofax. And not only Filofax, but all the people who are as addicted (or even more so) than I am!
My first (and only) Filofax was delivered to my doorstep Nov. 24, 2010. I have been in love ever since. I now spend hours poring over planner blogs, borrowing ideas from other Filofax lovers. I look through pictures, hoping to find another tid-bit or system that will work for me. Really, I feel a bit like a creeper, because I have never introduced myself to these people, who seem like a pretty tight knit- and awesome- group.
I figure now is my time to give back, and share my Filofax with the world. After spending hours on filofaxusa.com, I found the perfect Filo for me: A personal slate domino.
Isn’t it beautiful! I was a little sad when I opened the box- the “streaking” on the cover threw me off a bit. I am not sure if it got wet, or if it is just a defect, but I almost sent it back. Almost. Because after I held it in my hands and looked at it (in all its defective glory) I fell in love. Plus, I thought, I wouldn’t be as mad the first time I scratched the cover if it was already banged up a bit!
Filo, Blackberry and tea- what else does one need?
Open at work with my beloved Lamy Safari. I use a Wo2P diary amongst a bunch of other inserts. The Lamy stays tucked in the rings when the Filo is closed.
A fat Filo that is bound to get fatter if I don’t stop ordering inserts like a lunatic.
A bit on how I use my Filo: After my checkbook holder, this is the first thing I see. It makes me happy, and eager to use my planner.
Then starts my tabs, an idea I borrowed from The Glamourous Grad Student. My tabs go in this order: Diary & To Do, Lists, Musings, Recipes, Work Notes, and Everything Else.
My musings tab has everything from New Years Resolutions to blog ideas and journal entries.
I love to cook, therefore, I have about 20 cookbooks. I keep recipes in my Filo that I use often enough I want to spare searching through hundreds of pages to find. I have come to find that most of them are for sweets and baked goods… oops!
After my tabs comes my address book (pretty boring) then my world map and top-opening envelope that I use for coupons. The map hasn’t proved useful yet, but it is pretty cool and takes up minimal space, so I keep it in here. The top opening envelope is a life-saver, second only to my zip envelope which stays up front and holds paperclips, stamps, bank deposit slips, and other odds and ends.
Finally, I have my credit card holder which keeps all of my insurance and medical information and my beloved sticky-notes. I don’t know what I would do without them!
In the end, I do realize that I am a big dork. But it is a bit comforting to realize that there are a lot of people like me out there who not only love planners and Post-its, but have discovered the amazingness that is Filofax. So for all of those out there that “get it” Happy Filofaxing!!!
Oh, welcome, welcome, welcome to the world of Filofax! Believe me when I say you are NOT alone – reading your post is like reading my life story! Definitely keep writing and posting pictures of your planner.
BTW – I have a few (just wait – hang out with us long enough and you WILL buy more binders – we're a bunch of enablers) Dominoes, and I have the same streaking issue. It could just be something that happens to the material…
Haha! Thanks for the welcome- I feel like a lot of people start out like me. Especially since I already have my eye on the Maldens… hmmmmm.
I am also glad I am not the only one with the streaking issue- I have gotten used to it by now but it still irks me sometimes!
Oh, the Malden! It caused quite a stir when it first appeared. Several of us have them now. Myself included. I will tell you that I own several binders and since getting the Malden, I have not switched yet. I LOVE it. But not to persuade you or anything… 😉
Wow, you are enablers! Although I like this kind of enabling 🙂
Because I have switched planners so much in the past, I made a rule when I found Filofax– NO new binder purchases for at least a year, just to make sure I really like this system.
However, since I bought the Domino in late November, the Malden might just make a perfect Christmas present next year!
I'm not sure how I missed your blog post, I will have words in Mr Google's ear about that!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Filofax….
I see you like recipes… take a look at the files page on Philofaxy and print off some of the recipe sheets on there, they are in personal size so you can print some off as you need them.
Steve
How did I miss those! I thought I looked through them all. Well, I guess that ends my debate on getting a punch… time to start shopping 🙂
J, all Domino's have that streaking on the covers! It's meant to resemble the "leather-look"! Plus, the Domino scratches quite easily, so the streaking is the least bit to worry about 😉 Nothing beats a Filofax that gets really used and looks like it, though!
Wow Jotje! Good thing I didn't send it back then- I would have been really disappointed to wait for a second shipping and have the next one be streaky too!
I have definitely noticed how easy they scratch- I panicked the first time my car keys got the spine of the binder. Now I just realize that I can't prevent every little scratch, plus they give it more character!
Oooh your Filofax looks lovely! I adore the tabs! This is A., formerly the Glamourous Grad Student and now blogging at positivelyprettyful.blogspot.com so do come say hi!
I enjoyed reading your post.
I share your interests, not only do I have a collection of Filos, all but two that are the old Made in England models, but admit to a rather large cookbook collection, over 300. I greatly enjoy cooking, and it is one of the best ways to let family and friends know they are loved.
Glad you have joined the rest of us, and I will be watching for further posts from you.
Thanks for the compliment A! And thank you for the wonderful inspiration on the tabs- I doubt I would have come up with them on my own! I will definitely be by to check out Positively Prettyful!
Crofter- Wow! Over 300? That is incredible!!! I do agree, more than anything I love cooking for family and friends- it is such a wonderful way to express yourself.
I am happy to have joined everyone too- I'm just glad there is a group out there that love their Filos like I do!
hi!
i see that you are using a Lamy Safari with your FIlofax. I'm new to Fountain pens and i seem to be having problems writing on my Filofax week on 2 pages paper with my Lamy ink. The bleedthrough and feathering is terrible. 🙁
I'm using a Fine nib with Lamy black ink cartridges. What ink do you use in ur pen to write with? Thank you!
Excellent! Another Filo junkie! Loved your post, and your pics. I have the personal Domino in red, and the pocket Domino in (forget what it's actually called) acid green. Love them both. The slate color is fab!
Would love to see a post about how you plan…I love hearing how people use their Filos!
Thanks!1
@ app1eg- I am new to fountain pens too! I have been using the Lamy Safari with a medium nib and both Lamy violet cartridges and Private Reserve bottled ink. I haven't had any issues with feathering or bleed through though.
I am waiting for a fine and italic nib in the mail- I hope the nib isn't the problem as I am really looking forward to trying the fine nib. I would just try experimenting with different inks, or maybe go to a medium nib and see if that helps!
@ Rori- Thanks! I really am loving the slate color- I thought it was too masculine at first but now I love it! I almost did the red since it is my favorite color, but for some reason the slate just stood out to me.
I will definitely do a post on how I organize- it isn't too exciting really! But I also am the type who loves to hear how other people use their Filos, so I am happy to oblige. Keep an eye out for some more Filo-inspired posts!
The grey is such a soothing color! I have the bright blue and love it. If you're looking for a hole punch, the Franklin Covey Compact size works perfectly and is more sturdy (and cheaper) than the Filofax one. Look forward to more posts!
Wow, I never thought to look at Franklin Covey. My only concern is having a 7-hole punch… I don't know how my obsessive brain would work with the extra hole.
I have found the Filofax punch online for $32, which I don't think is awful once I consider how much money I will save in inserts. I have found other models way cheaper on international sites, but language and/or international shipping always stops me!
hi j! so glad to have read your post. i (like everyone else here) feel the same about my paolo mal (personal-assistant-of-life malden, yes the malden rokks). the first personal sized i used regularly was also a domino. it was great – so streamlined and light i wish they made a leather version of it. i love the slate colour and am tempted to buy it but i don't have a need for another personal. looking forward to reading more ff posts – eventually i will write about mine as well…
Hi J, I am glad I stopped by. I always like to read how other Filofax users organize their Filofaxes and yours is similar to mine. I love the themed tabs – they look great. And the idea to collect the favorite recipes in your Filo is a great one too. I'm glad to see Steve mentioned the recipe sheets because I have missed them too.
Thanks Susanne! I love to see how others plan as well- how do you think I got all the great ideas?
I am also super excited to have found the recipe sheet templates. I am thinking they would be a perfect way for us Filofaxers to share recipes- just type them onto the cards, save and send! How fun would it be to start a Filofax recipe swap?
Hello! A belated welcome to the Filofax community. Let me warn you that we will enable you to have more and more filofaxes. I went from 2- 13 in about 4 months!
I think the Domino is the perfect starter filofax. It is one I encourage all filo newbies to get.
I found you via a comment on Kanalt's lovely blog 🙂
Thanks Caribbean Princess! And I've definitely read your blog as well- 2 to 13 Filos! I would be in heaven!!!
And yes, the domino is the perfect starter, although I already have my eye on the Malden!
Philofaxy of course is The Source for Filofax information. But I have a collection of blog posts about Filofax (some from Philofaxy and some from other sources) that I find particularly interesting, informative and inspiring. I add to this list whenever I feel like it. Here it is for your reference:
http://www.plannerisms.com/p/filofax-love-posts.html
Also meant to ask: how did you print directly onto the tabbed dividers? Looks great!!
Oooh, thanks for the link! I was surprised to find myself on there! I will have to spend some more time checking them all out!
The dividers were pretty easy once I figured them out. I used Microsoft Publisher and sized the page down to the personal size, found royalty free art, and added my quotes. The printer I used had a slot where you could add envelopes and such, so they were pretty easy to print, although I am sure you could print them from any printer.
I don't know if you use publisher, but I'd be more than happy to send you the template if you want to try it out!