Why a Filofax?

My Pocket Ochre Malden Filofax with a customized clip.

Why indeed?


I guess it comes down to a number of intersecting aspects of my life:

the need to use my time better
the desire to be more productive
a requirement to have a lot of my information all in one place
the insurance that I don't forget important things

and a passion for quality stationery

I use metal tabs and paperclips for the rustic look and convenience.

My journey with Filofaxes has been fluid and long.

I have always kept journals and diaries
but never really kept them going long enough
or utilized their capacity so they served me well
they looked so cool in the 1980's and are a novelty in the 2010's.

I simply LOVE to carry mine.
My pocket ochre Malden
in all its leathery splendor.

it looks manly
it feels comforting
it is not out of place in most settings
and it just feels right

I can rely on it
I protect it
it assists me when I need it
it helps me to think
and it serves me and no-one else.

My Filofax is tactile,
made with quality materials,
ever changing and adapting
and rustic.

and it's mine.

My Pocket Malden (pre-clip days) with my Journal. My two main carries.

Enjoying the Leather of a Used Filofax

I've just had this thought.

 

Not sure if I like the fact I had it.

 

 

 

The lovely patina that is found on the covers of some of the older and used leather Filofaxes make them look amazing and feel fantastic.

 

 

However,

 

 

I think that is due mostly to the daily wear-and-tear usage of the previous owners, including the grease, sweat, oil and dirt from their hands over many years.

 

 

 

Not sure if I like that idea, however it still makes them look luxurious, warm, welcoming and appealing which beckons you to want to touch and feel the effect.

 

 

 

I think that's reading a bit weird so I will stop typing now…

Adding Credit Card Pockets to Filofax Mini - A new way to do it

I have been using a filofax as a wallet for a few years now and have never looked back.

 

As they were starting to get a bit tatty after 3 years, I decided to upgrade my wallet credit card holders in my Filofax mini Cavendish in calf leather. 

 

 

The card holders open from the inside so the risk of cards slipping out when the filofax/wallet is open is reduced considerably.

 

 

I use this as my permanent wallet. I picked up some cheap but strong credit card holders at Officeworks which has 10 pockets for four dollars.

 

I easily pulled the credit card pockets out with my hands and then removed the two studs with pliers (ok scissors, but don't tell mum).

 

 

 

To make it even hardier, I decided not to cut the pockets individually but to place it totally into my wallet. This created a bit more stability and should stop each sleeve from tearing from overuse (especially the VISA pocket).

 

I marked the holes from my previous card inserts as they were exactly the right distance and position.

 

However, putting the holes in required a hand-held hole punch, and herculean strength from me. Luckily my Australian rugged manliness came into the forefront and I was able to do it. (Ok, I got a mate to do it...but he does work out).

As you can see, it fits back quite nicely in the rings, and I am very pleased with the result.

The ULTIMATE Solution To Cheryl's Birthday Puzzle - Made Simple

Proud

Found this on my desk this morning

RINGS RINGS or The Ring Removal Song

sung to Ring Ring by the amazing Swedish pop group ABBA

I was sitting all alone
With my Malden and my phone
And then some evil thoughts started crowding in about me.

It's a dark and dreary night
Seems the rings just don't seem right
So I wonder if I am brave enough to cut you?

Do I really have the thi-ings?

To extract those rotten rings 

oh-oh

Rings, rings, why do you get in the way?l?
Rings, rings, catching my fingers all day
Rings, rings, if only you'd just go away
And I sit all alone impatiently
With an inn-o-cent Malden in front of me
So, rings, rings, it looks like your taking a fall!
So, rings, rings, its ringectomy time after all!

They were here and now they're gone
Hey did I do something wrong?
I just can't believe that I could be so badly mistaken
Was it really such a thrill?
To remove you with my drill?
Will you hear me cry or will I feel I'm mistaken

Please forgive this mortal sin
As I chuck you in the bin, oh-oh

Rings, rings, You came out without a fight!
Rings, rings, the buffalo leather feels right.
Rings, rings, you've now been replaced with a strap
And I gaze at the Malden without it's rings
And I smile to myself and start to sing
Ho ho rings, rings, I didn't need you like I thought!
So-o, rings, rings, my Moleskines sit perfectly taught.
Oh-oh, rings, rings, some folks think I acted too rash.
So, rings, rings, enjoy your new life in the trash!

[fade]

Using Filofaxes As Journals - My Journey

Here are my latest videos on how I use my two Filofaxes in my journaling.

Using Filofaxes For Journals Part 1

Using Filofaxes for Journals Part 2

Or better still watch them here...

A Fishy Tale

I proudly showed my Pocket Ochre Malden to my neighbour who noticed I was carrying it and asked to see it.

He took it, 

examined it, 

felt it well in his hands

rubbed his fingers over the outside thoughtfully


and remarked:

"Now that's some nice leather there. Reminds me of the over-tanned skin on the back of an old sun-dried fisherman!

What Gets Your Awe?

In the early and heady days of the 1980's, ringed leather planners emerged and a trend developed.
I remember my attention being grabbed by Tess's overstuffed personal binder in 'Working Girl'  and the hilarious zip line antics in 'Taking Care of Business'.
And I wanted to have one.

I was bitten.



As a student, the expensive, overseas-made and  authentic Filofaxes were a little out of my price range.

I found some cheaper, mass market, vinyl planners which I pretended to use and pass off as a Filofax but I knew I couldn't keep up the charade for too long.
In the late 80's my sister gave me a genuine black leather personal-size Filofax and I never looked back.
I had made it.
I had one.

So move ahead to the 2010's.
You can pick up authentic (albeit used) Filofaxes at the Goodwill store for a couple of dollars.
You can bargain on eBay and Gumtree and now even get your desired planner from swap sites and of course, the Philofaxy Adspot page.
And the selection of other brand binders has hit the roof.
Why you can even design your own online!
We live in the age of planners!

So here's my question.....

What planner keeps you in AWE?
What brand tickles your fancy and makes you go Gaga?
What one gives you that ambitious Hunger Games look in your eyes and brings on a slight drool as everything stops in stasis while you see it - no 'visualise' yourself using it in your mind?

><CUT TO POOLSIDE><

You're tanning, one hand dipping into the edge of the water.
Your planner is open and a tequila daiquiri sits next to it.
The ink of your last entry still glistens in the words 'Fashion Show - Milan!'.
Some Kenny G song is playing in the background.
The waiter comes up to you with a phone on a tray saying - "Sir/Ma'am - it's the President on Line Two.......".
 ><SNAP BACK TO REALITY><

This is not a 'Unicorn' thing I am talking about.
This is just one that grabs you.
Makes you dream and swoon.
Makes you just sit there and be in awe?
Do you have one?
Share your dream if you like.

Here are some of mine.....

The Berluti Macassar - perfection!

Graf von Faber-Castell Leather Accessories Brown Grained Organiser

Louis Vuitton, Filofax

 

 

 

 

March 2015 Update on my (RINGLESS) Pocket Ochre Malden

The whole binder feels so much softer and more comfortable to hold. it's hard to explain. I wish we had touch-a-vision so you could feel the difference.

 

I guess the removal of the rings created a more comfortable feel to the binder overall. It feels just lighter and more balanced in my hands. Along with the softness of the Malden leather and the flexibility of the pocket size - it feels better and more improved.

 

 

All in all, it is coming together well and I am finding my groove with it as a set up.

 

At this stage - there's no regrets.