I was fifteen. A girl in my class had one, she was a girl I respected and I wanted to be respected too. So I purchased my first planner... A Pocket Guildford Filofax.
Introducing the pocket Guildford, my very first Filofax. I didn't know it at the time, but I was a Filofax addict in the making, and that this would later become my very awesome pocket Filofax wallet.
I chose black because I figured it was a serious colour and I wanted people to think I was important. I had no idea how expensive Filofaxes could be, but I struck lucky because there was a sale on in Rymans. The little pocket Guildford sat on the shelf looking up at me with its 50% off sticker. I could almost hear it whispering “please take me home with you.”
The next week at school I felt pretty damned confident. And guess what? Suddenly the girl in my class who I admired so much had something to talk to me about! We became firm Filofax friends and sat next to each other in all of the classes from that day forth.
I have used my pocket Guildford on and off over the years, but it is only recently that I discovered my obsession and have been overtaken by this fatal Filofax addiction that has been biding its sweet time. I am now a fully grown adult and I can afford to pay for my Filofax fascination. And pay I will.
I chose black because I figured it was a serious colour and I wanted people to think I was important. I had no idea how expensive Filofaxes could be, but I struck lucky because there was a sale on in Rymans. The little pocket Guildford sat on the shelf looking up at me with its 50% off sticker. I could almost hear it whispering “please take me home with you.”
The next week at school I felt pretty damned confident. And guess what? Suddenly the girl in my class who I admired so much had something to talk to me about! We became firm Filofax friends and sat next to each other in all of the classes from that day forth.
I have used my pocket Guildford on and off over the years, but it is only recently that I discovered my obsession and have been overtaken by this fatal Filofax addiction that has been biding its sweet time. I am now a fully grown adult and I can afford to pay for my Filofax fascination. And pay I will.
How I use my pocket Filofax as a wallet
Looking at my pocket Guildford I can hardly believe it is older than a decade. The black leather is a tad scuffed here and there but I think that just adds to the flavour. I love how soft it feels, snugly sitting in my hand.
It's the perfect size for taking out and about with me, which is why I have decided to start using my pocket Filofax as a wallet. Or more to the point, as my handbag Filofax. Everyone has to have a handbag Filofax! If you don’t then I suggest you think about acquiring one. Any excuse just to add to your Filofax collection.
It's the perfect size for taking out and about with me, which is why I have decided to start using my pocket Filofax as a wallet. Or more to the point, as my handbag Filofax. Everyone has to have a handbag Filofax! If you don’t then I suggest you think about acquiring one. Any excuse just to add to your Filofax collection.
How to use your pocket Filofax as a wallet
I have developed a system so that my Personal-sized Filofax doesn’t feel too left out.
Basically, I don’t keep diary inserts in my pocket Guildford. It contains only lined paper, clear top-opening envelopes for pictures or loose notes, and a card-holder insert. This way I can use it on a daily basis as a notebook, and mainly when I am out and about.
Any notes I make during the day can later be copied into my personal-sized Filofax in the evening, which is what I use as my main diary. I always write and transfer a daily plan-of-action or to-do list which I keep at the front of my pocket Guildford and refer to it throughout the day when I am out.
Some people might think it rather odd to have more than one diary and then transfer notes between them all, but I just think it's common sense. Besides, Filofaxes are collector's items, so if you are a true Filofax addict, you'll want to have more than one, and an excuse for using them all!
The wonderful thing about the pocket Guildford is that it has a zipped section in the back cover, which is great for loose coins, making it the perfect pocket Filofax wallet.
Basically, I don’t keep diary inserts in my pocket Guildford. It contains only lined paper, clear top-opening envelopes for pictures or loose notes, and a card-holder insert. This way I can use it on a daily basis as a notebook, and mainly when I am out and about.
Any notes I make during the day can later be copied into my personal-sized Filofax in the evening, which is what I use as my main diary. I always write and transfer a daily plan-of-action or to-do list which I keep at the front of my pocket Guildford and refer to it throughout the day when I am out.
Some people might think it rather odd to have more than one diary and then transfer notes between them all, but I just think it's common sense. Besides, Filofaxes are collector's items, so if you are a true Filofax addict, you'll want to have more than one, and an excuse for using them all!
The wonderful thing about the pocket Guildford is that it has a zipped section in the back cover, which is great for loose coins, making it the perfect pocket Filofax wallet.
This system is working like magic for me at the moment because my personal-sized organiser became too bulky and heavy to carry around with me – don’t you just hate it when that happens?
I do love the way a stuffed planner looks though! Before now, I found that the pocket Guildford rings were too small for it to be my main organiser, which was a shame because I really like the look of a stuffed Filofax.
But now I can happily use the pocket Filofax as my daily notebook/wallet. It even fits my smartphone in the back pocket quite nicely, and also my little silver cardholder that homes my business cards. It's always useful to have those with me.
I do love the way a stuffed planner looks though! Before now, I found that the pocket Guildford rings were too small for it to be my main organiser, which was a shame because I really like the look of a stuffed Filofax.
But now I can happily use the pocket Filofax as my daily notebook/wallet. It even fits my smartphone in the back pocket quite nicely, and also my little silver cardholder that homes my business cards. It's always useful to have those with me.
Pocket Filofax vs. personal Filofax
The pocket-sized planners really are the perfect size for carrying around with you. They are even compact and lightweight when they are quite stuffed, and they still fit perfectly in your hand.
I also like the fact that the rings are smaller in the pocket size because this stops me from keeping things that I don't really need in the planner. When you have limited space it forces you to take a more minimalist approach to use your Filofax – at least, this is what I am finding.
I'm looking forward to taking my pocket Guildford out with me to evening networking and social events as it is small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of my hand while I hold my glass of wine in the other. Whoever thinks Filofaxes are for geeks have obviously never heard of the term ‘geek is chic!’
I also like the fact that the rings are smaller in the pocket size because this stops me from keeping things that I don't really need in the planner. When you have limited space it forces you to take a more minimalist approach to use your Filofax – at least, this is what I am finding.
I'm looking forward to taking my pocket Guildford out with me to evening networking and social events as it is small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of my hand while I hold my glass of wine in the other. Whoever thinks Filofaxes are for geeks have obviously never heard of the term ‘geek is chic!’
I also keep my passport tucked into the back of my Pocket Guildford because whenever I am out in the evening I always get asked for ID. Such are the drawbacks of having a youthful face.
I had to get a bit creative to stop everything from falling out though, so I slipped a black elastic hairband around the Filofax which holds the passport nicely in place by the spine. I love this idea because the band is stretchy and can also act as a wrist strap on the outside, which will be great for the times when I am holding my glass of wine in one hand, and then the waiter swims by with a tray of tasty nibbles!
I had to get a bit creative to stop everything from falling out though, so I slipped a black elastic hairband around the Filofax which holds the passport nicely in place by the spine. I love this idea because the band is stretchy and can also act as a wrist strap on the outside, which will be great for the times when I am holding my glass of wine in one hand, and then the waiter swims by with a tray of tasty nibbles!
(Note from the future: I was way ahead of my time when I wrote this post – little did I know that Traveler's Notebooks would come into existence and become one of my new favourite things! Skip forward a few years and read about my first Midori Traveler's Notebook.)
What I don’t love about the pocket Filofax
I'm not sure that there is anything I don't love about my pocket Filofax. If I were using it as my main planner then the small rings would be a problem, and I would probably be annoyed that tabbed divider inserts take up precious ring space. But I would find a way around it.
I currently use my clear top-opening envelope inserts to divide my paper from my contacts. I also use discrete silver page slides from Waterstones to mark important notes hidden away in the middle, for easy reference.
I currently use my clear top-opening envelope inserts to divide my paper from my contacts. I also use discrete silver page slides from Waterstones to mark important notes hidden away in the middle, for easy reference.
Looking for something some minimalist metal bookmarks to use in your planner or everyday carry?
Well, that's all from me for now. My new A5 Chameleon Filofax should be arriving tomorrow morning, so as you can imagine I am jolly excited. Tune in tomorrow to share my joy :) I will be posting a little video, so you'll get to meet me face-to-face.
Don't forget to leave me a comment – I reply to ALL comments including new comments on old posts.
Bye for now!
Lovely post!!! Can't wait to read more of your FF posts! More! More!
ReplyDeleteI really liked those black and white pictures! So classy!
ReplyDeleteHiya, thanks for your comments :) Really excited about my new blog, and its wonderful to hear from anyone who has had a read.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the pics Tracy. I have to say, that originally I used some pics that weren't actually mine and was kindly reminded of copyright law... eek! So I took them down, but have subsequently discovered that taking my own snaps of my own lovely Filofaxes is SO much more fun! Mr. Morton from Philofaxy also pointed me in the direction of one of his posts on taking good pics of Filofaxes, which was very useful, and I even ended up getting a bit experimental - as you can see!
Anyway, hope to see you all here again
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Oh I like the chameleon.Yours is truly lovely I am still deciding on my very first Filofax.
ReplyDeleteTouch decision... let me know which one you went for, and why! Its always interesting to find out how other people use their Filofaxes, and sometimes it sheds light on an element that could make your own even more useful. Knowledge is power!
ReplyDeletex