The time I bought my sister a Filofax... and KEPT it!




I was convinced that I could change my sister's life by converting her to share my secret love-affair with Filofaxes. So I bought her one, but had trouble letting go ...


Like me, my sister is a virgo, and in many ways we are quite similar. She also has the same strange interest in pens and paper that I have, and we both used to keep diaries and scrap books as kids, Although being my younger sister, perhaps she was just being a bit of a copy-cat. 

If I could just get a Filofax into her hands though, I knew it would be contagious.

So I ordered her a beautiful bright red personal Chameleon Filofax. 

I was so excited. Was this just an excuse for me to buy more Filofax Goodies and not feel guilty? Probably. 

The thing is, when my sister's Filofax arrived, I had the pleasure of unwrapping it, and as soon as I had it in my hands – I felt oh-so-confused

How could I possibly part with this beautiful thing now that I had seen it?

It was so vibrant, and when I placed it on top of my A5 Aqua Chameleon Filofax I saw something very special indeed. The colour combination was exciting and delicious. There was no way that I could part with it.






As you can see below, that bright vibrant red follows you as you open the Filofax up, it's everywhere. 

Now then, I'm not normally a 'bright red' type of gal – that has always been my sister's thing, which is why I chose the red one for her. 

But I was beginning to think that maybe I could be...






And inside it came with these tutti-fruity coloured numbered tab dividers. 

I was jealous. I wanted them, end of story.







The only thing I could do was go straight back online and purchase another red Filofax for my sister and keep this one for myself. Yes, I was officially purchasing two of the same Filofax. My addiction and insanity was finally confirmed. But what's a girl to do?

I gave my sister the second Filofax last Christmas and she laughed when she opened it, but I had faith that it would soon seduce her, and it did. 

It's all about the personalisation, as you dedicated Filofax lovers know. 

She gradually gave in and made it her own, and then one day she called me up and made me the happiest sister on the planet ...

"Zara," She gasped with angst in her voice, "Zara, I can't find my Filofax! What am I going to do? I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow!"

That's my girl, I thought with a big smile on my face :)






I hope you enjoyed my silly story :)


See you in the next post!


Loved it and want more?





Unboxing: My new Midori Traveler's Notebook arrives



When you fall in head over heels in love – nothing will stand in your way. No, nothing... Not even a fifty quid price tag! 


I discovered the Midori Traveler's Notebook months ago, and no matter how much I tried to push it to the back of my mind, I knew there would come a day when I would, loaded with guilt, dip my hand into my virtual pocket and part with fifty quid for this slice of leather, some elastic and an over-priced paper notebook refill. It was inevitable.

Last week I had enough of the self-torture. I'd justified it to myself in every way shape and form – for weeks! It was too late for any more consideration. I hit the purchase button ...






It arrived in a matter of days. 

I was so nervous in case it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I've spent many evenings ogling pictures online, and I knew it would arrive in brand spanking new condition, and that the leather would improve the more I use it because that is what attracts so many people to the Midori Traveler's Notebook. So I was preparing myself to initially be a bit disappointed at the newness.

I opened the package and I was very pleased with the simple cardboard container, I knew I'd put that to good use with it's cute elastic band. 

I was equally pleased with the thin canvas pouch that was revealed next when I opened the cardboard packaging up. I took the Journal out of the pouch and this is what it looked like ...






I was prepared for this. I knew about the natural animal fat that would be present on the leather, and I was actually quite relieved to see it, because it showed the product's authenticity. 

How exciting! 

It was very easy to wipe it off with a soft cloth, and the leather underneath was exquisitely... and I don't know what other word to use except... divine! It is velvet black and I am completely in love.

The Leather Journal cover came with one plain notebook insert, extra elastic, and a smell that reminds me of my dad who used to own a small leather factory. 

I felt immediately connected to the journal, and I have a feeling that my Filofaxes have some stiff competition!

You will be hearing a lot more about this little beauty, trust me.


See you in the next post!



Loved it and want more?





Part 2 - Filofax setup – my 'notebook' section


Wecom to part 2 of my Filofax planner setup. Read Part 1 to find out how I have paired my Flex with my Filofax, and also how I created a useful planner dashboard. Next we'll look in detail at my notebook section ...


Why have a notebook section in your planner?


I'm a writer, and I think every writer must have a 'notebook' section in their Filofax or other everyday planner. It's a convenient place to jot down notes and thoughts throughout the day.

For me, it's important to make it a beautiful personalised and inspiring space in the planner, instead of just chucking in a wad of loose blank paper inserts. When I open my notebook section I consider it to be 'me-time' and so I find it a very enjoyable space in my planner.

You may like to use your notebook section as a personal journal to jot down thoughts that come to you throughout the day. Alternatively it might be more of a general commonplace notebook, in which you jot quotes and snippets of info to keep safe. 

I've personalised my Notebook section divider with some quotes that inspire me as a writer. Many of us love to express our personalities and interests int a Filofax or planner so that we feel at home and comfortable and want to spend lots of time in them.  I think the more your planner reflects who you are, the more you are likely to use it to its full potential.  


Create secret pockets in your planner!


You can see in the picture below that behind this divider tab I have taped some secret paper pockets to hide loose notes in.  


I love anything that's a little bit mysterious, and having secret spots to hide things that are a little bit more personal, like passwords or private poems and letters can be useful. 

When I was younger I used to have a fascination with things like keys, and secret compartments in furniture, or loose floorboards where I could keep a secret stash of trinkets.  Perhaps that's why I'm so attracted to Filofaxes with all of the pockets and sections.

pockets are really useful. If your Filofax is fairly simple and you don't have many pockets in the actual cover, you can get creative like I have. 


Here are some ideas:

  • Hole-punch envelopes to use as pockets in your planner
  • Tape pages together and leave the side open to slip notes into 
  • Make your own secretary pocket inserts out of your divider tabs
  • Create fold-out inserts with extra pockets for stickers and sticky notes

Write notes to yourself, fold them up and slip them into the secret pockets in your planner and then forget about them. It's always such a delight to discover something months down the line that you had completely forgotten about. A bit like burying a little tin of treasures and then digging it up years later.



My main notebook section


After the secret pockets in my planner I have a wad of lined and plain notepaper for my notebook section.  I write down my ideas and thoughts, and scribble all sorts of nonsense.

It's a place I often have to return to to declutter and top up with more paper.

At the end of my notebook section I have a few permanent sheets for jotting down useful websites, which I mark with a pretty pink bookmark that I got from Paperchase for easy access.




I also use random paperclips, bookmarks and sometimes even hair grips to find certain sections in my planner. It's a kind of secret system that only I know how to use, which is useful for privacy. 

I don't really like the idea of a stranger being able to open up my planner and see a tab that says 'personal info' or 'contacts'. Why make it easy for people to access private content?

Well, that's really all I have to show you about my notebook section. I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into my setup. Please leave your comments – I love to read and respond!


See you in the next post!









Loved it and want more?




Never Miss A Post...