Using a Filofax as a Pen Case

Hi everyone,

For 2014, one of the changes I've been making to my diary is to use erasable pens because I want to make my pages as clean and neat as possible.

I got some Muji erasable pens in the colors I use, and a brown Frixion, a color Muji doesn't carry.

Having been used to multi-pens, I was looking for a way to carry my pens in my Filofax.  It wasn't a problem switching pens at home, but when I'm out, pulling out a pencil case isn't always very handy.

You may remember I sold a lot of Filofaxes.  This made getting this next Filofax a guilt-free purchase.  I've been wanting a blue/aqua/teal personal size Filofax for a while now and finally got the Aqua Chameleon.  I've been using it for about a month , and I'm loving it.  One of the reasons is this:

I can fit 6 pens in the back zipper pocket!  And the Muji pens are not by any means 'thin' pens.

The leather is much softer than I remember from my Compact Raspberry.  Althought the back pocket on that was roomy, I never really used it for coins because I liked seeing what I had, and used a clear zipped pocket for coins.

For perspective, I have a full year's worth of 2014 WO2P inserts, lots of notepaper, stickers, sticky notes, etc. So the Chameleon set up is not a svelte one.  (My next post post will be a detailed set up which I haven't done in quite a while.  There have been major changes so I think it's worth an update.)

Enough rambling, here are more photos of how the Chameleon looks with pens in the zipped pocket.

Still closes, even with 2 Coletos.

Strap is stretched out a bit, but it wasn't hard to close at all.

Bulk doesn't show from the front.

There it is, the Chameleon as a pencil case! I just love it when something works out like this!

Thanks for visiting!

"What's In My Bag?"

Hi everyone!

Not long ago, before people were blogging, "What's in my Bag?" photos could only be seen in magazines.  I remember loving to see photos of celebrities' bag contents.  This amazed and intrigued me, and I was curious to see what others found necessary to carry around with them.  Now though, it's so much easier with Google to search online and get a fix.

As a card-carrying member of the female race, I too carry around a lot of stuff with me.  I have recently re-organized my bag though, and 'tried' to trim down its contents to its bare minimum.  And so, I thought I would do a "What's In My Bag?" post.

My bag is a black Cole Haan hobo.  I was on the search for a black bag since I didn't have one I loved.  When looking/shopping for bags, I'm always attracted to browns and/or color so I have a ton of those, and always find black bags boring  (the same principle applies to my Filofaxes).  My wardrobe however remains neutral, with a lot of black.  But I knew I needed one, and right away.  And I finally found one I loved -- it's big and roomy, has lots of pockets, closes with a zip, and is made of very sturdy pebbled leather.

Filled

Bag with contents out.  Not too bad, right?  (:

Everything in the bag I find I need on a daily basis.  So I don't think there is anything here that is unnecessary.   So far.  (:

This next photo is of my phone (in the Mickey case), sunglasses, mints, cologne and bag tag that doubles as 'that thing-a-ma-jig you hang on a table to hang your bag from'.  Mickey may seem juvenile to some but I love the simple 'body parts' design and have quite a few of those.

Up next, my Compact Chameleon that I wrote about here that is my everyday wallet/purse.  The makeup bag  just has powder, blush, lipstick/lipgloss and a few brushes.  (I need to trim down the brushes further, I don't need all of those.)

Compact Chameleon front and center

Finally, keys, tape measure (for sizing when out shopping), compact hair brush/mirror, perfume, hand sanitizer, hair tie (for when I get hot), and tissues in the black/white/pink striped case.

Missing in the photos is a book.  Whatever I'm reading at the moment would be on my bedside table and would only go in the bag if I knew I would need it (waiting at a doctor's office, waiting anywhere, LOL).

And that is it.  Not very exciting.  Just bits of random stuff.  I'm sure some ladies can relate to some of the contents.

Thanks for visiting!

All in the Family

Hi everyone!

Still on the subject of travel -- my sister took this photo of our Filofaxes hanging out at the airport while waiting for my flight.  They are my Compact Chameleon, my sister's Personal Finsbury, and my mom's Mini Finsbury.

Family of Filofaxes

We've all been using Filofaxes for a long time now, and always have 'filofaxing' sessions when we see each other.  These sessions consist of exchanging inserts and accessories (pens, stickers, even calculators!), and peeking into each other's filos.  (:

My sister was previously using a Pocket Crimson Malden which she loves.  However, she was 'forced' into using a Personal when I got her a Personal accessory that I'm writing about in another post. (:

We also share a lot of love for stationery -- pens, sticky notes, etc. -- and can spend hours in any stationery store/aisle.  It's lovely to be able to share Filofax and stationery love with someone!

Thanks for visiting!

Travel Filofax

Hi everyone!

As some of you may know, I was recently in the US for 5 weeks.  I spent precious time with my mother and sister, went to a few places I hadn't been before, did some shopping, and all in all had a blast.  I miss them already, but it's good to be home.

Of course, I used my Filofax to plan for my trip.  I was writing list upon list -- a to-do list to finish before I left, a packing list, a list of places I wanted to see, a list of stores I wanted to go to, and a list of things I wanted to buy.  I put a travel tab in my at-home Filo, a pink personal Baroque, so I can get to it quickly and easily.

At that time, I was using a Slimline Classic as a wallet/purse.  I wrote about it on a guest post here.  Before I left though, I sort of knew the Slimline would not be able to handle all the things I wanted it to do while I was away.  It had to be able to accommodate the travel tab and its contents, plus what was already in there.  So, because I had been longing for a Compact Chameleon for a while, I now had the perfect excuse to get it!  Plus, it was on sale at Filofax USA!  I ordered it while I was still in Manila, and it arrived the day after I got to the US.  And I moved into it right away (of course) because the Slimline was already looking stuffed and ready to burst.  (:

Premiere appearance of my Compact Chameleon in Raspberry

 It still needs to lie flat, so training will commence soon.

Inside front cover holds a pen, credit/debit cards and IDs

Holds quite a bit, enough for my regular, and travel, needs

Vanjilla and Steph both have the same Compact Chameleon and wrote about it on their blogs.  (Their descriptions are more in-depth and I won't repeat what they wrote.)  I was very, very intrigued, but wasn't sure then if I wanted it due to the not smooth leather.  I was also wondering if those little 'hearts' would bother me.  Plus, I was fantasizing about a Compact Chameleon in Aqua, which I was told was actually non-existent.

After moving into it though,I realized that my concerns were unfounded.  I didn't mind the leather, and the 'hearts' didn't bother me at all. The size difference from the Slimline is quite noticeable (a welcome feature), but without being anywhere near the Personal size.  And, after using it for a month, I realized it was just perfect!  It holds everything the Slimline holds, and much more, without it being too bulky or heavy.

(And I used it the entire 5 weeks, except for 2 days in Disneyland when I had a smaller sling bag.)

This is how I used it:

Homemade top tabs separated my sections -- People, Notes, Lists and Diary.  I put in a Travel tab which contained a currency and coin holder, side-opening envelope for receipts, shopping lists, and expense tracking, plus all the lists I mentioned above.  It was quite a job for the Compact, but I must say it handled it pretty well.

Top tabs gave me more room vs. side tabs

The Travel tab

Side-opening envelope for receipts and card holder.
I always keep my receipts when in the US because
of their amazing return policy.

Currency holder from DayTimer, purchased from Staples.  A calculator is always handy.

Coin holder which for the life of me I can't remember where I got.  I punched it to fit.
I prefer this to the zipped back pocket because I can see how much change I have.  (:

Back zipped pocket held random bits.  It opens quite easily and holds quite a bit.

I'm still using it today.  I didn't think I'd love it as much as I do. It's very liberating to have that extra ring space vs. the Slimline.  I haven't quite cleaned out the travel portion yet, but after I do, I think I'll stick with this for a while and give the Slimline a bit of a rest.

Following are photos showing the size difference between the Personal Baroque, Compact Chameleon and Slimline Classic.  As you can see, I love pink.  (:

Size difference:  Spines

Size difference:  Top view

Size difference:  Side view

Overall, I enjoy the Compact size.  Now, I won't hesitate when I see one I like because I know the size works for me.

And here are a few parting shots of the Chameleon.

Front View

Back View

Thanks for visiting!