I tweeted a few days ago about how amazed I am that something as simple as a Filofax has sparked a worldwide connection. A connection between the genders. Between races. Between religions. A connection between strangers who have become friends.
As much as I love the worldwide Filofax community created by Philofaxy, it is still difficult to live smack dab in the middle of the Midwestern United States where 9.9 out of 10 people could care less about the planner we have all grown to be obsessed with love.
Enter Skhen, aka Sandra. After much tweeting and Philofaxy commenting, we finally realized that we live less than an hour apart! Even better, she has the Malden, the one Filo that I have been coveting over all others! It didn’t take long for a Mini Midwest Meet-up to be in the works, after all we are all so organized!
Unfortunately for those of us in the US, Filo stores are hard to find. So we settled on Starbucks and a bookstore- just talking to another Filo-aficionado was enough for us! And, I got to TOUCH a crimson Malden! Can you tell I’m excited?!?
Of course, seeing the Malden did not make my decision any easier! I already know I want the Malden, I just can’t decide between red and grey, as they are my two favorite colors. I was secretly hoping that I would hate the shade of red, but much to my dismay, it is BEAUTIFUL! No picture I have seen yet shows the color well. This one comes pretty close- it is a beautiful, almost burnt chili color. Absolutely stunning. Now I just have to decide if the grey is worth the wait!
Anyway, we had so much fun talking Filofax- even our Filos seemed to hit it off! (note the Gooseberry trying to photo-bomb the shot!)
In fact, we almost couldn’t pull them apart…
And, some more detail on the beautiful Malden leather! I can’t believe how beautiful the color was!
So, while I felt lame for bringing my battered Domino, Sandra thought I’d think she was crazy because she brought her whole collection! I was far from thinking she was crazy, although the other Starbucks patrons probably thought we had both lost it! Even more impressive is that Sandra has purchased almost all of these on eBay- where are these deals when I am looking for them?
This is almost all the Filos- I know there’s at least an A5 pink Fins missing. All are Sandra’s, save for my grey Domino. In order, they are: Mini Raspberry Fins, Pocket Red Domino, Pocket Slate Urban, Personal Gooseberry Domino, Personal Crimson Malden, Personal Slate Domino, and A5 Snake Domino. Pretty sure this is really when onlookers thought we needed to be committed!
Another bonus was the attendance of Miss Libby, Sandra’s youngest. As you can tell, she already loves her Filos!
And another shot, just because I think it is adorable:
Sandra suggested “Starting them out young” as the caption for this shot, perhaps my favorite of the afternoon:
The artist’s final piece; I believe this is supposed to be me:
After Miss Libby decided she was done at Starbucks, we headed down to Barbara’s Bookstore. Although they don’t carry Filos, they did carry a few things I had to purchase!
I can’t wait to read this book- it is a study on what it is like to be a dog, i.e. why they give kisses, what tail wags really mean, etc. It looks amazing; I’ll be sure to review it once I’m finished. As a former veterinary nurse, I am pretty critical when it comes to animal books!
And finally, I couldn’t stay away from the tea. This holiday blend was on sale, so we both ended up buying a tin. I’m sipping on some now, and I can say- it is very yummy!
This Mini Meet-up was so much fun! I am hoping we can schedule some more in the future, as I know there are a few other Midwestern Filofaxers out there! And now, by some miraculous timing, I get to start gearing up for the New York Meet-up! I have been ordered to be the official “Tweeter” so be sure to stay up to date May 14!
And as an added bonus, here is Miss Libby after all of her purchases were complete. Can you even imagine if this little lady had a credit card? Watch out world!
Bravo!!! Thank you for capturing our mini meet up so well in photos and words.
Loved reading this and marveling at those gorgeous pictures. Sandra, your little girl is so beautiful!!! And it's lovely to be able to put a face to J and Skhen ….;)
Guys, I LOVE this post! Especially that first paragraph, J. It sums up everything about this community. I'm going to put it on my list of favorite Philofaxy-related quotes.
First, let me say that I love starting them young. Miss Libby is so adorable and I love that she's using a Filo. (Though that portrait of J is pretty great too.)
Second – I hate to say this J, but the Crimson Malden is a nice contrast to the Slate Domino. So, you should buy the Crimson Malden for the contrasting color scheme, or buy both the Crimson and Gray Malden. You could get the Crimson now and ask for the Gray for the holidays or a birthday. Not that I'm trying to enable or anything (though you know I am).
Also, let me know how you like "Inside of a Dog." I haven't read it yet, but it's something I'm thinking about reading. I love pet books but hate when the pets pass on. I cried at "Marley and Me" even though I knew how it would end. And the movie – I had to leave the room. DH laughed at me.
And I "ordered" you to tweet the NYC meetup? That makes me sound like a tyrant. Just kidding, though now that you've offered, you're not getting out of it! 😉
Excellent post! I'm so glad you guys had such a good time. I look forward to more meetups and the posts that follow.
Loves it!
So glad y'all had such a good time, and OMG, how precious is Miss Libby????
Her curly head and cutie pie sandals are my favorite! I <3 curly headed kiddos heehee.
Look forward to hearing about the book…
Thanks guys! This meet-up, however small, was really fun! Sandra is awesome, I only hope someday we can have a worldwide meet-up (maybe once someone wins the lottery!)
@ Kanalt: Wow! I can't believe I am being quoted 🙂 I truly am just continually amazed by this community, regardless of how dorky we appear to the outside world!
And about the Crimson, I know, I know. I really just can't decide- while I'd love both, I really want to "cherish" one at a time, for a long time. I still just wish I could see the Gray in person… my decision might be so much easier. Why oh why can't we just have a "sample" flown from London?!
And I'll definitely let you and Rori know about the book. Don't worry about crying reading "Marley and Me," I was stupid enough to read it during one of my college study periods. Nothing like trying to hide tears in a room full of people!
Hmmm, maybe "order" was a bit strong…. oops! I don't have any problem with the mission!
I hope we proved today that we are human and loveable… if a little persuasive.
You can be forgiven for thinking I managed to orchestrate every single Crimson Malden owner to join in on the Philofaxy Skype chat to add their own thoughts on your purchasing decision…
If you like it……buy it… simple really!!!
Midwest???? What state? I'm in Royal Oak, MI…
@ Steve: Haha, I admit I was a little astounded when I realized that every person on the voice chat had the Crimson, but it was just the persuasion I needed!
Hi Roanne! Sandra and I are outside of Chicago, and I believe SNARLing is in Indiana for the time being. Maybe we can someday arrange a broader ranged Midwest Meet-up!
LOVE this! look at that tower! and the cutie with the mini ROCKS. you are also cute with that malden… it looks so natural, like it's yours already (damnit) sorry i've been driving around the us and am out of it but is it true that you are actually going to be getting it real real soon without any "only if's" etc? JUST DO IT already! PLEASE! heh heh.
i would totally be up for a meet up. royal oak, eh? i went to grad school in bloomfield hills. chicago seems like a central meeting point, hopefully gas prices will go down when we meet up…
the doggie on the INSIDE OF A DOG cover looks like a ridgeback but i'm sure it's a great dane. please if you can – write about that book. i think my neighbourhood dog trainer suggested that one too for our little demon (who really just wants to play and play and play and play) – oh, i'm talking about our puppy, not our kid, although he too is a demon in his own right heh heh
It's true! I am almost an official Malden owner! Now it just needs to ship…
We will definitely have another Midwest meet-up at some point, hopefully after these gas prices go down (if that ever happens)
I thought it was a rodie at first too, but I think you are right about it being a dane. I am only in the prologue, but will def review when finished. I need all the help I can get with my monster!
Hey, I recognize that book. I hope you enjoy it!
Haha! I tried to wait until next time I saw you, but I needed something to read and couldn't get it out of my head!
I loved the first paragraph
“that something as simple as a Filofax has sparked a worldwide connection. A connection between the genders. Between races. Between religions. A connection between strangers who have become friends.”
But I would also add 'between generations' too… as old as I am, in some cases I'm old enough to be the parent of some of our group of Filofax followers!!! Scary thought!!
Steve
I was thinking about adding generations, but I didn't want anyone to start the whole, "who are you calling old?" debate!
Steve – I consider you the Yoda of Philofaxy. Philyoda. Yodafaxy. Okay, that was cheesy. =) May the 4th be with you!