Would I be cheating on Filofax if I admitted to preferring a bound notebook like the Moleskine when it comes to my main diary? I feel bad, but I think it's true. So I have found a way to merge the two together for ultimate productivity and satisfaction.
I know that this is meant to be a Filofax blog, but I kind of have a soft spot for bound notebooks.
So I gave in today and went completely overboard spending the better part of twenty quid on a beautiful Moleskine Diary for my Filofax. (I also bought a Writing Magazine which was what brought the price up to twenty, so that makes me feel marginally better.)
When I arrived home, very excited, I watched eagerly as my four-year-old niece ate her dinner, and then I took her to bed and speedily read her two short stories before making myself a nice cup of tea and settling down to unwrap my new Moleskine.
To my utter disappointment, I discovered that the diary doesn't actually start until the beginning of July - That is two whole months away! What am I supposed to do for two whole months? Carry on using my current A5 Filofax diary inserts I suppose. I am most put out. Today is National Stationery Day and the one piece of stationery I bought is of no use to me for two months. Grrrr.
Why I love a bound notebook
I do love how the Moleskine fits so perfectly into my A5 Chameleon Filofax though.
There's something quite satisfying about filling up a bound leather diary, in my opinion it doesn't compare to loose Filofax insert sheets.
I like to see the pages get all marled, and I like to fold corners and rough it up until it looks and feels thoroughly used.
I like to see the pages get all marled, and I like to fold corners and rough it up until it looks and feels thoroughly used.
Bound books seem to have this effect on me. It's the same with novels, I love to break the spines and fold down page corners and see the pages warp from the steam of a hot bath.
My Filofax is for the perfectionist in me
For some reason, I almost feel afraid to touch my new Filofax inserts. I want everything in my Filofax to be used perfectly because it is an organiser and I have to keep it organised!
It might have something to do with the fact that the inserts are so expensive too.
It might have something to do with the fact that the inserts are so expensive too.
My A5 Filofax feels like the 'final draft' of a diary, so basically I have been using an A5 refill pad to jot down all of my notes every day, and then I copy down the most useful notes neatly and in the right place into my Filofax.
It's all a bit weird, isn't it?
Moleskine Passions Journals
I love the fact that Moleskine also do a selection of 'Passions Journals'. I bought a Moleskine Recipes Journal recently for my sister because we are about to embark on an online cooking project and blog together. I think I have decided that I may need to purchase one for myself too.
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| Get yours! |
And because they fit so perfectly into the A5 sized Filofaxes I may also have to think about which A5 Filofax I want next – to organise my cooking project of course! Any excuse to expand my Filofax collection.
Conclusion
I think I have decided not to feel guilty about loving them both.
You know, it's almost as if Moleskine and Filofax were made to fit together anyway - like a marriage of two luxury stationery brands. How beautiful.
What are your thoughts on loose sheet planners and bound notebook diaries? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time ...
What are your thoughts on loose sheet planners and bound notebook diaries? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time ...
Zara, while the Moleskine line is nice, I would encourage you to explore Rhodia Webbies and the Quo Vadis Habana, Both contain luxurious 90 gram paper!
ReplyDeleteHi Joey, Thanks for the tip, I haven't heard of these brands before but I will definitely look into them! Paper does make all the difference doesn't it?
DeleteGreat post. I use a similsr arrangement where I insert an extra small moleskine into a pocket sized filo. If you like the concept of roughing your moleskine up a bit, try inking the side of the pages with your choice of fountain pen ink. The ink creeps onto the surface of the pages a little bit, creating a stunning vintage look.
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil, I love your idea with the ink! I'm very tempted to try it out. Thanks for your comments :)
DeleteHi, I've been toying with the idea of a flex notebook in a personal or pocket. Do you know if the slim flex will fit the personal?
ReplyDeleteHi Doris,
DeleteIf you mean does the actual Flex binder (Slim size) fit in the Personal Filofax, then I'm not sure, but the notebooks you slip inside the binder would definitely fit inside the Personal Filofax.
They come in dimensions 150mm X 85mm which is the same size as an academic dairy from Blackwells I was using last year, and I slipped it perfectly into my Personal Filofax.
If I were you I would pop down to the shop with your Filofax when you purchase, just to be sure! Or at least keep the measurements of your Filofax pockets with you.
Hope that was helpful, thanks for reading my blog :)
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...After a bit of further research I have discovered that the Slim Flex Binder has the following dimensions - Width 100mm, height 163mm.
Delete...And the Personal Filofax (Classic) has the following dimensions - Width 130mm, height 190mm. So its quite possible that you could slip the Flex Binder into your Personal Filofax.
My Personal Filofax is actually an organiser from the 80s so its difficult for me to tell because its slightly smaller than today's Personal Filofax. But judging from these dimensions I would say that I could squeeze a slim flex in.
Anyway, all of this has made me want to pop out and go down to the Paperchase Flagstore and do a bit of experimentation! Subscribe to Filofancy for updates because I am sure to write a post on this topic shortly :)
Thanks for your reply. Being in Manila though, there are Zero Filofax resources available to me, so I rely on the internet for my fix.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading about your experiment. I love the idea of combining flex and filo -- Filo-Flex!
Ah, you poor thing. Or then again maybe its a blessing in disguise... if you had access to all the Filofax resources like I do in London you'd end up just like me - broke, and always wanting more :)
DeleteGlad you're enjoying the blog
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