Friday 6 June 2014

A Tour Of My Filofax Crimson Malden

I've mentioned my Filofaxes a few times on my blog. The first time was in my Diary Love post back in 2012 and then in February 2013 I bought a new Filofax, a Malden in crimson which I blogged about in my It's Here post. After mentioning my Filofax again in my last post about journaling, I thought you might like a bit of a tour.

Unfortunately, Filofax Malden's aren't available in crimson any longer. I bought mine from the Filofax Italy website as this colour wasn't available in the UK when I bought it. It's a shame as it's a gorgeous colour.


I use dividers which have side tabs, Diary, Notes, Projects, Information and Financials and you'll get to see the designs as we go along.


Within these sections, I use top tabs to enable me to get to a particular subject more easily.


So let's open it up and see what's inside.

The inside cover has credit card slots where I keep lots of bits and bobs such as business cards, stickers, receipts etc, a small full length pocket at the front and a large full length pocket behind the card slots. There's also a small zipped pocket at the front.


Here are some of the things I keep in the front card slots and pockets, stickers, a lovely postcard sent to me by my special blog friend, Lisa from Jumble And Jelly, a little drawing done by Eleanor when she was very young, it says "We love our family", and a key to the colour coding I use in my diary.


My Diary divider. Can you see my cute little magnetic paper clips?


I use two diaries, the first is a month on two pages. I jot down all our dog walks on this. My main diary is a lined week on two pages diary. As I've mentioned, I colour code my diary, red for appointments, green for things which Eleanor's doing, black for general etc. I find it much easier to see things at a glance doing it this way and you soon get used to which colour is for what. The week photographed was the first week of the Easter holidays so it was very quiet, my diary pages are usually much fuller than this. I decorate each page with a little piece of washi tape and sometimes stickers if there's anything special going on, I like to make it pretty as well as functional.


As I colour code my diary, I need to use lots of different coloured pens. I've found the easiest things to use are two Bic 4-colour pens. I carry the one I use most often in my Filofax and the other one stays at home. If I need to write something in the diary when I'm out and about and I don't have the colour I need, I write it on a sticky note and transfer it to the diary when I get home. It's only ever happened once or twice.


The next section is Notes.


The first thing I have in my notes section are a couple of pages with sticky notes stuck to them. I use lots of sticky notes. Anything I need to remember gets written on a sticky note, and they can be lifted and moved to other sections if I need to.


The top tabs I have in this section are; To Do, self explanatory, lists of jobs I need to complete; Shopping, a list of things I need to buy as well as a list of things I'm waiting to receive if I've ordered anything online. I also keep a list of all the cards I need to buy throughout the year here; Books, lists of books I've read as well as a list of books I want to read; School, anything I need to jot down or keep track of about Eleanor's school; Uni, notes about Daniel's university. I also jot down anything I need to speak to Daniel about here to remind me when we Skype.


The Projects divider is my favourite. I just love that cute little pig.


In this section I keep notes about my blog, there's a list of ideas for posts. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I set myself fun challenges each year which I blog about on a regular basis, I keep a list of these in this section. I also keep notes here about my healthy eating challenge and notes about my weight and the exercise I'm taking.


I also keep a track of my knitting and crochet projects in this section and the yarn which I'm using.


Information.


I only have two top tabs in this section, Holidays and Wish List, but other than these subjects, it contains a lot of random information. Wish List is a list of things I'd like. People often ask me what I'd like for my birthday or for Christmas so it's handy to keep a list. I also keep lists of things I see for other people, again, handy when it comes to birthdays or Christmas. Holidays is a list of the holidays we've taken and what they've cost. There's also ideas for days out, I come across lots of recommendations on blogs, so they get jotted down. I also keep a list here of the holidays Mick's taken from work. In the information section I also keep track of all the concerts, plays, exams etc. which Eleanor's been involved in with her singing and acting. There's also bits of information about what I'm growing on my allotment as well as lots of other random information.


Financials divider.


I'd seen these dividers on Etsy and asked Mick to buy them for me for Christmas. I'd actually asked for this divider to be Finance but this is what came. Never mind, it does the job. I don't keep much information about finance here as I have an A5 Chameleon Filofax which I use for my household finance, but I jot down some personal spending, such as what Eleanor's prom has just cost me, or what I've spent on birthday presents. There's also information here about Daniel's student loan and his accommodation fees. These finance pages came with the Filofax, I don't use them but I keep a few in this section as they may come in handy one day.


The last section is addresses. I have A-Z tabs so I keep a list of people's addresses here.

Right at the back of the Filofax is a clear pocket. I keep coupons in here. The 'Just to Say' card came from Sue from Our New Life In The Country. The doggy's so cute, a little like Sue's Rosy, so I tucked it in my Filofax.


The back cover of the Filofax has a full length pocket where I keep my driving licence, can you see, it's still a paper version, I've never gone over to the photocard licence. I also keep my optical record card here as well as my repeat prescription request. There's also a pocket for a pad but as I don't use a pad I use the pocket for my Tesco Clubcard coupons and there's also a little note in there from Flighty from Flighty's Plot which came with some seeds he kindly sent me.


So that's it. There's some personal bits which I've left out but I think this gives you a taste of how I use my Filofax. I hope you enjoyed the little tour.

34 comments:

  1. You are so organized! I really like you file and you're right, the red is gorgeous.

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    1. I've been a stationery lover all my life so keeping my Filofax all up to date is a pleasure. It, in turn, keeps me organised, it works both ways. I absolutely love the Crimson, it's such a shame they don't sell it in this colour any longer.

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  2. I think that they're a much better idea than any electronic organiser. If I still worked I think that I'd use one. Flighty xx

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    1. I do too, I don't really gel with technology, pen and paper is much easier for me. If I worked, it would give me an excuse to buy another binder, ha ha.

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  3. You're so organized, Jo! I love this. I've never kept a Filofax. I have a notebook that I keep in the kitchen to write things down as I think of them, but it would be better if I could carry it around with me. I loved seeing what you carry with you, thanks for sharing.

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    1. I find that jotting everything down in one place keeps me organised. I love having a ring binder as it's so easy to move things around, add things or remove things, it's totally flexible. I carry my Filofax around with me wherever I go, I must admit that I feel a bit lost without it.

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    2. Goodness organised or what. I have a filofax but it's in no way as organised as yours. I have never thought of using it to this extent. Maybe something to consider. Mine isn't that lovely red either just a plain black one but it's a zip around that D bought me. I have one on my list of things to possible get Francesca for either christmas or one of her pressies for her big birthday.

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    3. I think you have to use a Filofax in the way it works for you, that's the beauty of them, you can customise them to suit yourself. Eleanor has a Filofax too but she's wanting a leather one for her birthday that she can use in the sixth form, she's just deciding which binder she likes at the moment.

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  4. Such an amazing level of organisation. Loads of info in one handy place. I'm so impressed!
    It was a surprise to see the postcard again, I'm glad you liked it so much.
    Lisa x

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    1. It really does help to have everything jotted down in one place. I love the postcard, 'Knitting Forever, Housework Whenever' is definitely my mantra.

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  5. I've really enjoyed the grand tour and especially like the idea of your two four-colour pens. I've been a bit slack with my Filofax lately and am certainly not as neat a writer as you. I'm trying to learn German so my exercises are written on my notes pages. I don't carry it about with me as I wouldn't want to lose it.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. Glad you like the tour. I think it's better having one pen containing four colours to carry around rather than four pens, it works for me anyway. My Filofax goes just about everywhere with me, I feel lost without it.

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  6. Crumbs, Jo, you're so well organised. Well done you! :o)

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    1. It's my Filofax which keeps me organised, I'd be lost without it.

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  7. That certainly is a handy little wallet and a beautiful colour.
    I don't carry a purse all though I do have a huge tote bag with everything I need to survive for a week that accompanies me to the job sites.(aka auctions) It stays in my truck I don't actually cart it about and as far as messages go I still write on my hand or the back of cash receipts.
    Enjoy the weekend Jo.
    Susan x

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    1. It wouldn't do for us all to work the same way, but I do think that Filofaxes can work for many of us because it's so flexible in that you can customise it so that it works for you the way you want it to. I love the colour of it, I'd lusted after this binder for such a long time, I was thrilled when I eventually got my hands on one.

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  8. Crikey, how organised are you. I do have a few notebooks which I try to keep up to date, with to do lists, books I'd like, craft that I want to do and dates about quilting projects. Always do a customer's quilt order form, so know that I have all of those, but don't always know when I've made or quilted some of my own. As for finances, I definitely have a system for that. Maybe my banking career has a hand in that. Very interesting post. Have a lovely weekend and take care.

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    1. I too worked in a bank and accounts so I've always made sure I've got a system worked out for my finances. It sounds as though a Filofax may work for you, you could have separate sections for everything rather than different notebooks, something to think about.

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  9. It is lovely to see how organised and efficient you are! I like the idea of the different pen colours for different people/things. I have so many post it notes in my diary for different people that it has become a bit overcrowded, I never thought of the idea of different pens! I will have to investigate and see if I can pick some up and borrow your great idea. Thank you for sharing this, it is so useful!! xx

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    1. I don't think what works for one will necessarily work for another, but we can certainly pick up tips from each other. I hope the pen idea works for you, it saves having lots of separate bits of paper hanging around.

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  10. You're so organised Jo! No wonder you're able to write two interesting blogs with regular posts! You do have a busy family life and I suppose I also had to be very organised when I was working. Life was more complicated and I had a working Filofax. Now I only need notebooks and a diary which is quite full with a few regular and one-off meetings and the rest is all the dates and activities to do with the two grandchildren that we look after! I love the colour and make of your Filofax.

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    1. I think my diary gets used most to keep track of what the family are up to, they're all far more busy than I am, but of course, being mum, I have to pull it all together. It's really having all my notes together which really appeals to me, I'd be lost without my Filofax now.

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  11. I love this post, you are so organised. Great idea to use one of those pens to see at a quick glance whats what. Fab colour too, I have one somewhere but its just boring black! Maybe thats why its still unused! Xx

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    1. I have two black Microfiles which I used years ago. I think they're the WHSmith version of the Filofax. There's so many colours and designs to choose from, it's hard to decide what to go for but I'm really pleased with this one.

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  12. Your Filofax posts are really making me want to get one!! I do feel quite disorganised most of the time - I seem to have notebooks all over the house, bits of paper in different bags with something written on them etc. I'm fairly good at adding things onto the calendar on my phone, but only appointments - I'm sure there is somewhere to make notes but I haven't found it yet! I'd love to just have one place for everything that I need to remember, and since I've got a bit of a stationery fetish, I'm thinking a Filofax might be the way to go!

    You seem to have quite a lot of extra stuff in there, like the post-it notes, postcards, vouchers etc - is there quite a lot of room for things like that, before you reach the point where it won't fasten any more!?

    I'm seriously thinking about treating myself to one - I just hope I can be as organised as you are!

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    1. How lovely to hear from you. I lost the link to your blog and tried Googling but couldn't find it so I'm pleased to have it again. I love my Filofax, the best thing for me is having everything in one place. There's different designs which come with different sized rings, the Malden which I have will take loads and I've never had a problem with it not fastening, there's plenty of room left in it yet. There's a website, Philofaxy, where there's loads of information about Filofaxes, or look on You Tube where there's loads of videos about the different models. If you decide to take the plunge, WH Smith have some reductions at the moment. I hope this helps.

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    2. Oh Jo, what have you done? Who knew it was possible to spend an inappropriate amount of time watching Youtube videos about how people arrange their Filofaxes?! I feel like I've just gained entry to a secret(ish) society of imaginative, creative and incredibly organised people!

      I think I'm going to dream about Filofaxes tonight...

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    3. Ha ha. The videos are amazing, aren't they? Let me know if you decide to take the plunge and what style you decide on.

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    4. Guess what I've done? I'll give you a clue - it's purple ;-)

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    5. Brilliant. I've had a quick look at your latest post but haven't commented yet as I'm really short on time and I want to reread it, but just to let you know, I commented on the post before and the notification email was returned to me, so my comment will either be sitting in your spam or moderation folder.

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  13. You are so organized. I have a few notebooks here and there, a magnetic board on the fridge, and loose lists. Then when I go out it all gets left here and I forget! Maybe a filo fax would help.

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    1. My Filofax goes everywhere with me, that way I don't forget anything. It's great for keeping me organised, I really don't know how I'd manage without it now.

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  14. I've decided that the Crimson Malden is my holy grail of Filos. If I ever find one for sale, it's all mine! Thanks for the tour :)

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    1. It's a beautiful Filofax, it's such a shame that they stopped making the Malden in crimson. It was already no longer available in the UK when I purchased mine so I had to buy it from Italy. They do come up on Ebay every so often though so keep your eyes peeled and you may just find one.

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