May update: Filofaxes

Filofaxes. Plural, as in two. My pocket Raspberry Finsbury (aka Rasberi), and my mini Urban. 

For a while I had been neglecting my Rasberi more and more in favour of my Moleskine. I thought the best was to simply stop using it. But I'd still find myself updating it weekly, because I missed the beautiful QV inserts and also because I didn't want to start using the Mole for my appointments yet.

So, my actual setup consists of W2P from QV and DPP. Notes, To Do and Financial are still in there, but inactive.

About a month ago, I decided I would go back to using one of my minis as a wallet, that way I get to leave the Rasberi at home and carry less weight. Inside it I carry a Week on One Page calendar, addresses and notes, as well as a Tube Map, not from Filofax, but from London Underground.
my writing instrument of choice is a small, aluminum mechanical pencil from MUJI (love!!).

May update

It has been a while without a proper update from my part; a lot has changed and honestly, I don't know where to start.

I could start yapping about the changes and the reasons behind them, but I thought I'd spare you the boredom, also this isn't the place for that.

So I will simply tell you about my current system/planner situation. Please take a seat, so you're sure you didn't misread the following.

I am using two Filofaxes, one Moleskine planner and one notebook. Simultaneously.

Three more posts will follow, in order to go more in depth into each one. Read on!

New Filofax Range

My thoughts on the new Filofax range.

Dull, tacky and incredibly overpriced!

not happy.

Fountain pen and the Cotton Cream...

Yesterday, while browsing the Flickr Philofaxy group, I noticed a discussion topic asking about the behaviour of the Cotton Cream refills from Filofax with fountain pen ink. Some readers said that it was good, while others (myself included) weren't too satisfied with it.

Well, it just so happens that last week, not knowing about this discussion, I decided to do a comparison of the QuoVadis Prestige, which I'm currently using in my Scanda, and the FF Cotton Cream, by trying out 4 fountain pens.

So, the arsenal I used was:

-Lamy Vista w/ Lamy blue ink, M nib

-Lamy Safari w/Lamy blue ink, M nib

-Parker Vector w/Quink in black, M nib

-Pilot Vpen (known as Varsity in the US), w/black ink, M nib

The page on the left is the QuoVadis Prestige, the one to the right the FF Cotton Cream, and above them, my pens.

On the left: the Vista and the Safari on the QV. As you can see, they don't show any feathering.

On the right: Both Lamys on the FFCC. The Vista is slightly thicker and the edges not as fine as in the QV, but it is hardly noticeable. The Safari is still quite thin and it seems darker.

On the left: the Parker and the Pilot on the QV. The Parker comes with a thicker nib than the Lamy, being a bit wet at times. But using Quink this shouldn't be a problem, as this ink is known for its fast-drying capabilities. There is no feathering. The Pilot on the other hand, has a very thin nib and is quite wet, taking a bit longer to dry. Still, no feathering, and the lines remain thin.

On the right: the Parker and the Pilot on the FFCC. The Parker's thick nib is more evident and the ink remained wet longer.The feathering is barely noticeable. The Pilot was very wet, and the line was also much thicker. Feathering was quite noticeable.

This is the backside of the QV. No bleedthrough whatsoever, even from the Pilot, which is the wettest pen I have and doesn't perform well on thin papers.

The reverse of the FFCC, on the other hand, tells a different story. Although the Lamys didn't bleed through at all (which is why that part isn't pictured), both the Parker and the Pilot do show through. Even using Quink! 

One other thing that I also noticed was that when I was writing on the FFCC, the paper would buckle sightly due to the wetness of the inks. This didn't happen with the QV. Nevertheless, by putting the paper under some weight, like keeping your binder closed, it will flatten out again.

In conclusion, although it is obvious that the QV is the clear winner here, the Cotton Cream only performed badly with the Parker and the Pilot. For those of you who plan on using a fountain pen, particularly the Lamy with its own ink, you should be fine. There won't be any feathering nor bleedthrough.

As for me, I fell in love with the QuoVadis paper the moment I tried out their planners!

Goodnight!

My Paperblanks collection

Last week I got lucky at the Paperblanks Planner giveaway on the Plannerisms blog and won the Black Moroccan Daily Planner. Laurie very kindly sent to it to me right after announcing the winners on her blog, so that made my week (which will forever be known in my book as Problem Week!)
Paperblanks is maybe* my favourite notebook brand. Not only are they beautifully decorated, but their quality is also impeccable! They are not cheap, mind you, but they are similar (the same in most shops) in price to the overrated Moleskines, and they surpass by far their quality!
To start, they are VERY fountain pen friendly. I have only tried a few ink+pen combinations (I only have those), but everytime the paper hasn’t buckled a bit. Even when I used markers, there hasn’t been any feathering nor bleed-through. My watercolours have been the only thing that have made the paper ‘bubble’ a bit, but that is perfectly normal for a paper not meant for them.
The colour of the paper is also a very beautiful, soft, off-white, which is whiter than the Mole’s, and more like the Rhodia’s Webbie.
I like these notebooks so much, that in only two years my collection has grown from one to eight!!

• 3 Journals in midi format, coptic binding, both lined and unlined: Used as personal journals, all full now. (the first one only appears in the second picture; the second one in none)
• 2 journals in mini format, smythe sewn, with magnetic closure and ribbon, lined+unlined: Used as personal journals, just started a week ago.
• 1 journal in ultra format, coptic binding, unlined: Used as my favourite sketchbook
• 1 journal in slim format, magnetic closure and ribbon, lined: Brand new, to be my next journal
• 1 Daily planner in midi format, smythe sewn with two ribbons and elastic closure: My Prize!! I am still trying to figure out what to use it for…

Unfortunately, I haven’t found any models with the coptic binding this year. I hope they’re not discontinued, as I really love them!
I have also noticed that in my midi coptic journals, the paper is slightly thicker than in the rest of the notebooks, including the coptic ultra. Could it be that they were from an older batch, and now they have changed the paper and the other one is discontinued?
* Paperblanks is sharing first place with Rhodia and Clairefontaine, so I can't really say which one I prefer over the other as they are different

The Mole: a short-lived love affair

So, I guess it's time for another update from my part, especially considering that we just started a new year and how important that is for us planner addicts.


Last month saw me trying out my Moleskine Planner, and quite enjoying it. I even had moments when I would daydream about just sticking with it all year long.
But just like when you are fantasizing about someone, finally get to make out with them, you don't want them anymore, I stopped enjoying the Mole. I simply realised it was no match to my always loyal and submissive Filofax!


I'm not saying that I now dislike the Mole, I just stopped being blinded by its novelty and noticed all it was lacking.
Here is the list of all the requirements it just didn't met, in order to be 'Favourite planner of the year'

- it was a 'Week on a page' format, with the next page being ruled. I extended the days horizontally across the lined page in order to make my day spaces bigger, but even so,
- the small daily space had me cramming all info in a very tiny handwriting. This ended up mixing stuff to do and stuff done, thus creating confusion.
- Not having a Notes section meant I had to write them on the daily space I had created, and it also intermingled with my other stuff... so I couldn't figure out my Notes from my Done things.
- there was absolutely no place for keeping my Financial Tracking, so I still had to use my Filofax for that. Planner redundancy!
- No Pockets for me to keep my post-its, my receipts, nail file, small sketchbook, forced me to carry all these separately, so my bag was messier and I didn't even use the sketchbook.
- Without a pen loop I had to carry my pen in my bag pocket, which sometimes I would forget.


These are  all specific features,easy to pinpoint and describe.


But how do I explain the feeling I got when I pulled the Mole out in the train, for instance, and just felt like yet another person using a Mole, which I didn't feel with my Filofax?
Or that 'chill-out' mood of a Mole against the more serious and professional approach of the Filofax? I mean 'chill-out guy' is cool for strolls along the beach, in the summer, without a care in the world, but let's face it. My life isn't like that. Especially in this lousy weather, and the hustle and bustle of a big city. So yes, the Filofax's reliability and professionalism is what suits me best here. (Even though my Filofax is rasperry coloured, with quite a lot of pictures of my cats, and cat stickers, and drawings inside the notes section, etc.).


I have not archived the Mole though. I still have it at home and write in it occasionally depending on my mood. And when I do, I really like it!


(Note: I will add pictures later on, as I'm writing this during my lunch break at work.)

Yes, so about the Moleskine planner...

..that I got last summer and didn't know what to use it for.

Well, considering that there's only two weeks left for the year to end, I decided to try it out on Wednesday, instead of my trusted Pocket Filo.

So you won't have to remember which format I got, it's the 'Weekly Notebook Diary/Planner, July 2010 to December 2011', Pocket Size. It's got a week on a page and notes on the other page.

I have been writing in it daily, using a pencil at first (OCD me is afraid to ruin it if I use ink, even though I'm not planning on ERASING my scribbles!).

My first impressions are mixed; I like the size of it, and the fact that it is a notebook.

But I have to adjust to it, as I don't have a Notes nor a To do section in it. So I'm having to write everything into the daily space, which isn't big at all! I'm glad that I have a separate work Filofax, or else, this little book really wouldn't be enough.

I know that the size issue can be 'fixed' by going up one size, but for those who know me... I don't do BIG! All my Filofaxes are either the Pocket or the Mini size, except for the work one, the Personal Scanda, but because it is only available in that size.

Next issue: the LACK of pockets. 

I know it has a 'memento pouch' (I've always though this was a silly name) on the back, but I haven't used it yet. Maybe after some time I will.

But what I'm missing the most is a pen loop. These days I've been carrying a small aluminum mechanical pencil from Muji, attached to the elastic closure. If I want to use another pen though, I don't think that would be the best way to carry it.

And not to mention the fact that I can't add or remove sections...

So, why am I actually enjoying it? 

I guess because it's not even a week that it's been in use and I'm still blinded by the novelty of a new and different system. Because I am approaching it more as a notebook (fun) rather than a planner (work). Because I have started this as a 'fling', knowing perfectly well that once the excitement is gone, I will return to my 'steady' Filo.

Or will I? 

Sneak Peak at the Midori

As always, time is NOT on my side, and will need to simply write a few words about my new BABY!!!

I was going to wait for tomorrow or some other day to write about it, but I don't know if tomorrow I will actually have the time (mindset) to do so.

A relative went to Japan last week, and ever since I found out he was going, I asked nagged him to please bring me a Midori Traveler's Notebook with a few inserts. 

Finally today, I was able to go pick it at his mother's house! 

Turns out he didn't get me the classic one (large) but the 'Passport' size, which at first I thought wouldn't appeal to me as much, but as it turns out, it is PERFECT!! (I should have figured this out before, knowing how I always use smaller notebooks..)

The Notebook is, I tell you, A THING OF BEAUTY! I think there is a phrase that sort of goes like 'beauty in simplicity', (if there isn't one, it should!) which truly defines 80% of my taste. And this baby is the perfect example for it.

The supple brown leather cover, the colours used all around the notebook, and the concept! Easy to use and maintain, refillable, and customisable!

I am so in love with this little thing that I am seriously considering to start using it VERY soon in lieu of my trusted Filofax, even though I had planned on using my brand new Raspberry Fins from the 1st of January '11.

Anyway, it's already past my bedtime, so I'll leave you for now. If you want to know more about my new japanese best friend, check out my flickr. (Sorry, can't be bothered to include a link, but you know how to get there, especially from here. If not, then your brain's just being lazy!)

Goodnight!

To Do: Buy 2011 Day per Page!!

I just realised that I still need to buy Day Per Page refills for my Pocket Filo!

And here I sat happy with just my QuoVadis inserts that Steve so kindly brought from France for me :)

I know, it's been an awful long time without updates in my blog. I've not only been busy with a new job, but also, I must confess I've been feeling un-inspired, despite the Filofax bloggers Event I attended with Jess AND the long-awaited Philofaxy London Meetup!

I've also been mentally stressing about having to write about these two events, but as far as the Meetup goes, others have done a way better job writing about it than I ever could. And mentally stressing about something is really not good for me, as I end up NEVER doing the thing I'm stressing about!

So I have decided to approach this blogging thing from a different angle: I'll simply write when I feel inspired, about whatever stationery-related topic that is occupying my mind, even if it is just a couple of phrases.

Like today's topic: 2011 refills, or rather, the lack of.

Like I mentioned, Steve brought me some beautiful QV weekly inserts which I plan on using once the year starts. I did consider using them straight away, as they are not 12, but 18 months format. 

But when I looked at my already (scarcely) filled pages of my current WPP, I felt I really couldn't just kill those pages after having served me so well!! So, yes. They will stay until the 31st Dec... or rather, the 29th, as the 30th is already on a new page...arghh I really hate these stupid dilemmas!

I honestly don't know if I really need to have two formats now that I also carry a work Filofax, having my Personal Filo more empty since then. But I'm getting tired of changing, even if it is a silly little thing like my planner issues. So I will stick with my two formats choice I've been using for almost two years now. Maybe in one year's time, I will re-address this issue and decide then.

Onigiri's night out ;)

As many of you must've read already, there was a Filofax event last Thursday, which I was lucky to attend thanks to Steve ;).

And what does a philofaxer do at such an opportunity? Why, take pictures of Filofaxes and have fun, of course!!

I must say that one of the things I enjoyed the most, though, was getting to meet the marketing team at Filofax! These people really do enjoy their jobs!!

Jon, who was always busy talking to everybody.

Matt, who I found out is a crazy cat lover like me ^__^

and Jess, whom I cannot praise enough! She did a great presentation of the featured Gourmet Gift Box, handed us all our free organisers, and made sure all the guests had a nice time.

My dear friend Dee, who also happens to work at the Filofax store on Neal St. was also there, making sure amongst other things, that my glass was never empty! And she didn't mind to take pictures for me :P

Here, I was having fun taking pictures of 3 Filos I liked the most, and 3 Filos I liked the least! (It was like a playground, I tell you!!)

Once the event was over, Dee, Jess and me headed to a nearby fancy bar to enjoy some cocktails and most importantly, GurrrlTalk!! 

We also did talk a little about Filofaxes, but I've forgotten all about it. (The waiter was distractingly cute!!).

Sadly, no pics were taken at the bar. And the details? they belong in my private journal! :)


And some pictures of FiloPigeon!! (I know Dee will enjoy these ;) )

Have a great week everyone!!