Hi!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been very busy with essays and exams! One down, 2 to go!
So this is my review of the Dodo Pad. I tried a dodo pad for my first year at uni (2008) and it didn't work for me then. I didn't know what style of planner really worked for me at that stage, but I found out after a couple of weeks that it didn't work. I don't know what it was; I guess I just didn't know how to use it.
I'm afraid to report that the Dodo Pad still isn't working for me on the second attempt, at least at this stage. I really need a different format! In fact, since I received it and put it in my Domino Rufus, I don't think I used it. I might have looked at it a couple of times over the next few days, but I didn't write anything in it! I initially divided the days/columns into several sections: Uni work (essays etc I was going to focus on); Important things to do at uni (jobs, appointments on campus); Important things to do at home; Misc/other/extra; and Home (things that I needed to do at home; what I was going to do for dinner; general evening things). I filled this in for 1 day, the day after I received it!
Maybe it just doesn't work for ME. According to the reviews on the Dodo Pad website http://www.dodopad.com/pages/dodelighted.html LOTS of people love it! But I don't agree with their statement that once you go Dodo, you Dodon't go back (see what I did there!). It just doesn't suit my needs. The little boxes are good for some things; if you don't need to write a lot of information down, if you need to divide your day into a lot of sections, it's perfect! It would be brilliant for families as everyone can have their own box! Of course the designs are really cute and funny, definitely more interesting than my boring WHSmith day-to-a-page refill in my personal filo! But I can't use this format! I a) need to have a space big enough to write EVERYTHING down; b) need to have a structure where I can put my appointments in time order and see the gaps in between them; and c) prefer to see things in a vertical (reading down not across) format. I hope it works for other people! It just doesn't work for me! Maybe it will work better during the summer, when I don't have uni work to do, appointments etc; I'll just have my own little projects and to-dos to write down.
Sorry Lord Dodo and Miss Peabody!
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Filofax hack #1
Hi everyone! I'm back because I've finally finished my dissertation :D
It was my birthday yesterday and I'm expecting my main birthday present to arrive in a few days, a personal ochre Malden :D but it's from Pens and Leather in the US so is taking a while to come :(
But while I'm waiting I thought I would tell you a filofax hack I thought of. I've named it #1 because I imagine I'll think of a few more in the near future :)
If you want a notepad in your filofax but don't have the slot in it like in the Malden, here's a way for you to fix one into your filo!
What you need:
a filofax notepad (the right size for your filo)
a top-opening envelope
scissors
Take a pair of scissors- be brave, it doesn't hurt!! and cut the side off the cardboard backing of your notepad, approx. 6mm. Cut the left side and you will cut through the holes, but you can still put the notepad on the rings using the holes of the paper itself.
Slip the cardboard backing into the top-opening envelope
And voila! You now can have a notepad in your filofax!!
And while I'm loading pictures off my phone, here's a picture of my cat :)
It was my birthday yesterday and I'm expecting my main birthday present to arrive in a few days, a personal ochre Malden :D but it's from Pens and Leather in the US so is taking a while to come :(
But while I'm waiting I thought I would tell you a filofax hack I thought of. I've named it #1 because I imagine I'll think of a few more in the near future :)
If you want a notepad in your filofax but don't have the slot in it like in the Malden, here's a way for you to fix one into your filo!
What you need:
a filofax notepad (the right size for your filo)
a top-opening envelope
scissors
Take a pair of scissors- be brave, it doesn't hurt!! and cut the side off the cardboard backing of your notepad, approx. 6mm. Cut the left side and you will cut through the holes, but you can still put the notepad on the rings using the holes of the paper itself.
Slip the cardboard backing into the top-opening envelope
And voila! You now can have a notepad in your filofax!!
And while I'm loading pictures off my phone, here's a picture of my cat :)
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Back to the singular, perfect filo...
I've just ordered a personal ochre Malden for my birthday!
They are no longer available in the UK, so I got it from the American website pens and leather :) The actual filofax was very cheap, approx. £45, and the postage was quite a lot to ship to the UK, but I expect that. But then the total price of the whole transaction was cheaper than if I had bought it brand new from the UK filofax website (if it was still available)!
I've seen lots of pictures of it on flikr, and I love the look of it!! I look forward to filling it with everything... I think I am a one-filofax girl, I want my diary and lists and journal in 1 perfect filofax, not two like I have now! But I will still find some uses for my other filofaxes!
But I don't want to have to wait until 9th May to get it, my 22nd birthday... ooh the anticipation!
They are no longer available in the UK, so I got it from the American website pens and leather :) The actual filofax was very cheap, approx. £45, and the postage was quite a lot to ship to the UK, but I expect that. But then the total price of the whole transaction was cheaper than if I had bought it brand new from the UK filofax website (if it was still available)!
I've seen lots of pictures of it on flikr, and I love the look of it!! I look forward to filling it with everything... I think I am a one-filofax girl, I want my diary and lists and journal in 1 perfect filofax, not two like I have now! But I will still find some uses for my other filofaxes!
But I don't want to have to wait until 9th May to get it, my 22nd birthday... ooh the anticipation!
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Unexpected love...
When I bought my A5 Domino it was because I had this desire to fill a filofax full of important information, planners and fact sheets for my course/future career in Egyptology. I had asked my mum for an A5 Kendal, but as a graduation present so I wouldn't be receiving it until June or July. I had read that the Domino was a good A5 filofax because it was much lighter than leather filofaxes, so I thought it would be good because it would be easier to carry around campus, and also I could use it between then and when I receive my A5 Kendal. But I seriously didn't think I would like it that much. I really love leather filofaxes, and wouldn't consider buying a non-leather personal filofax unless I had to use it for a messy job like travelling etc; also I didn't like the colour of the material on the inside covers. But when I received it I realised how great it is!
It's really quite an impressive little filofax! HUGE rings, only the Finsbury and now the Malden rival it. The elastic closure is quite useful for holding down papers while on the move, although I haven't used it for this yet. And it can take a knock, and is easily cleanable if it gets something messy on it.
Ok, so it isn't the most glamorous of things, but I don't want anything too serious and professional because I am still young (21, almost 22) and I don't want to grow up yet! I already have a glamorous filofax, my pocket Malden, and I wouldn't want to get a beautiful leather one damaged, as I imagine it could shoved in the bottom of my backpack. So the Domino is perfect :)
To be honest, I haven't used it much. I've been to busy to really use it as a planner or put any important information or fact sheets in it. But yesterday I received my new Dodo Pad A5 refill, and I'm trying it out, so the Domino gets a good try out too!
A normal-looking Domino you say? Well, it's what's inside that counts... :)
In the envelope inside I have a lovely card from my mum and a Pink Lady sticker from an apple I ate yesterday :) (If you've seen my room or wardrobe, you'll know how much I love pink!)
I haven't put anything in the pockets yet, but when I take this to uni I'll put my student card etc in it, and when I go home in the summer I'll take photos of my dog and cat and put one in the photo card slot :)
This week from my new dodo pad diary :) I only got it yesterday, so I haven't filled in Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. I usually fill my diary in the night before, so I don't really know what I'm doing tomorrow yet until I finish all my work today.
I use a cute little arrow paper clip as a page marker. I think the filofax ruler page markers are annoying and get in the way. I'll use this paper clip to clip a copy of my timetable on an index card to once I start having lectures again. I'll do a new one each week just in case something changes. I don't need a proper copy of my timetable because I memorise it pretty quickly, but I do like to have a columned-appointments diary page to view next to my list of jobs/tasks etc. The main reason is because I can then see the gaps in between lectures/meetings/shifts, and therefore I can work out how much time I can spend in the library researching, or if I have time for lunch (which I usually don't). I need a changeable one, i.e. one that I can add to, rather than a timetable of fixed recurring events which lasts a whole term, because I often have extra shifts at work or meeting/appointments to add. I couldn't afford a whole square on the grid on the right to this; instead, if I have something extra to add, I will just write "meeting" which will remind me to look at the timetable on the left!
I'll do a review of the dodo pad another time, because I need to use it more and I also think this post is too long already!
Then I have my time-planners. These are 1 day to 2 pages refills I made on Word and printed out, which is easy-peasy because they are A5- just chop A4 paper in half! It's also really easy to print double-sided, something I don't know how to do with personal pages.
On the left, if I have any appointments I write them on there so I don't forget them when I'm in the library bogged down with books. Then I write to-dos, e.g. "print essay" etc.
On the right I put down the instructions for work I have to do that day- e.g. "Read X's book. Make notes and make list of references to chase up. Then compare to X's article"
At the bottom I record what I've done so that I know how far I've progressed, and also feel a sense of accomplishment :)
Here is an example :)
I haven't really filled up the rest of the filo, but this is the sort of thing I want to fill it with, things I would otherwise forget but need to refer to. This is a project I intend to do over the summer. And for you, some of my research techniques for free!
I store my old time planners and notes for previous projects in here too, but will probably move them out when it becomes too full. I put personal and pocket sized pages in here too :)
I don't use the address alphabet tabs for addresses, but I will use it for a glossary of Egyptology-related things: information about sites, historical events, Pharaohs and other important ancient Egyptians, information about excavators, also reviews and summaries of books :) I like making use of these alphabet tabs, seeing as how I don't have enough addresses to fill them! I'm going to use the tabs in my pocket to put my French and German vocabulary notes in order :) I think that is quite a good idea, if I do say so myself!
I put a Staples A5 top-bound notepad in here :) I refuse to pay filofax prices! It cost £1.80 for a pack of 2, it fits almost perfectly in the notepad slot and you get twice as many pages! I've started punching holes on the pages with my little single hole-punch (also refuse to pay £30 for a filofax punch!)
Quite thick already even though I've not really put anything in it! Oh dear, I might need another one, maybe Ultra Violet this time?!
In conclusion, I love my little Domino! I think I may even change my mind on buying the A5 Malden! It's fun, kooky, it doesn't take itself too seriously, light-weight, and I'm not afraid on getting it a bit messy!
But I'm not sure how often I will be able to take it to uni, I often have lots of books to take and quite honestly, my personal Kendal is much more portable. But on days when I don't have many books, Rufus (my Domino's name!) will accompany me :)
It's really quite an impressive little filofax! HUGE rings, only the Finsbury and now the Malden rival it. The elastic closure is quite useful for holding down papers while on the move, although I haven't used it for this yet. And it can take a knock, and is easily cleanable if it gets something messy on it.
Ok, so it isn't the most glamorous of things, but I don't want anything too serious and professional because I am still young (21, almost 22) and I don't want to grow up yet! I already have a glamorous filofax, my pocket Malden, and I wouldn't want to get a beautiful leather one damaged, as I imagine it could shoved in the bottom of my backpack. So the Domino is perfect :)
To be honest, I haven't used it much. I've been to busy to really use it as a planner or put any important information or fact sheets in it. But yesterday I received my new Dodo Pad A5 refill, and I'm trying it out, so the Domino gets a good try out too!
I haven't put anything in the pockets yet, but when I take this to uni I'll put my student card etc in it, and when I go home in the summer I'll take photos of my dog and cat and put one in the photo card slot :)
I use a cute little arrow paper clip as a page marker. I think the filofax ruler page markers are annoying and get in the way. I'll use this paper clip to clip a copy of my timetable on an index card to once I start having lectures again. I'll do a new one each week just in case something changes. I don't need a proper copy of my timetable because I memorise it pretty quickly, but I do like to have a columned-appointments diary page to view next to my list of jobs/tasks etc. The main reason is because I can then see the gaps in between lectures/meetings/shifts, and therefore I can work out how much time I can spend in the library researching, or if I have time for lunch (which I usually don't). I need a changeable one, i.e. one that I can add to, rather than a timetable of fixed recurring events which lasts a whole term, because I often have extra shifts at work or meeting/appointments to add. I couldn't afford a whole square on the grid on the right to this; instead, if I have something extra to add, I will just write "meeting" which will remind me to look at the timetable on the left!
I'll do a review of the dodo pad another time, because I need to use it more and I also think this post is too long already!
On the left, if I have any appointments I write them on there so I don't forget them when I'm in the library bogged down with books. Then I write to-dos, e.g. "print essay" etc.
On the right I put down the instructions for work I have to do that day- e.g. "Read X's book. Make notes and make list of references to chase up. Then compare to X's article"
At the bottom I record what I've done so that I know how far I've progressed, and also feel a sense of accomplishment :)
In conclusion, I love my little Domino! I think I may even change my mind on buying the A5 Malden! It's fun, kooky, it doesn't take itself too seriously, light-weight, and I'm not afraid on getting it a bit messy!
But I'm not sure how often I will be able to take it to uni, I often have lots of books to take and quite honestly, my personal Kendal is much more portable. But on days when I don't have many books, Rufus (my Domino's name!) will accompany me :)
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Can I wait...?
I might be going to London with my family this summer, so will DEFINITELY have to visit the filofax shop (or both... ;b) for a good look. I imagine my mum will be as bored as when I take her around Egyptology museums! But I will be in my element, running around like a little kid in a sweet shop, naming all the filofaxes "Oh look, there's a Finchley, isn't it pretty?! Ooh, a Cuban Zipped, yumm! *Strokes the filofax, knocks the display case over*"
I would like a nice A5 filo, a reeeallly nice one!! I have an A5 Domino in red, but it just not luxury... I've ummed and erred during the past 2 days deciding what to ask for for my birthday... a Finchley? well which colour, red or purple? A cuban? but it doesn't open flat! A chameleon? will I like the pattern?
Finally I think I've settled on a Malden A5! But learning from my past mistake, I will definitely have to see it in person before I ask my mum to buy it, hence the visit to Conduit St!
I like it because a) it lays flat :), b) I know the leather is gorgeous, c) I like the clasp, d) I like the zip pocket on the front, e) thanks to Steve, 30mm rings!!!
and I know I've forgotten a reason, but I think 5 is enough to justify it!
But deciding between the vintage pink and the ochre... hmm... that will take some thinking! And a visit in person, maybe a couple of visits over the course of our city break :)
P.S. what is your opinion, is it better to bite the bullet, decide on the filofax you want then and there in the shop and go home with your new beloved filofax in your bag, but risk making a wrong decision because you haven't slept on it, or spending some time thinking about it, going home and ordering it online but walking out of the filofax shop empty handed?? Dilemma!
I would like a nice A5 filo, a reeeallly nice one!! I have an A5 Domino in red, but it just not luxury... I've ummed and erred during the past 2 days deciding what to ask for for my birthday... a Finchley? well which colour, red or purple? A cuban? but it doesn't open flat! A chameleon? will I like the pattern?
Finally I think I've settled on a Malden A5! But learning from my past mistake, I will definitely have to see it in person before I ask my mum to buy it, hence the visit to Conduit St!
I like it because a) it lays flat :), b) I know the leather is gorgeous, c) I like the clasp, d) I like the zip pocket on the front, e) thanks to Steve, 30mm rings!!!
and I know I've forgotten a reason, but I think 5 is enough to justify it!
But deciding between the vintage pink and the ochre... hmm... that will take some thinking! And a visit in person, maybe a couple of visits over the course of our city break :)
P.S. what is your opinion, is it better to bite the bullet, decide on the filofax you want then and there in the shop and go home with your new beloved filofax in your bag, but risk making a wrong decision because you haven't slept on it, or spending some time thinking about it, going home and ordering it online but walking out of the filofax shop empty handed?? Dilemma!
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Try-before-you-buy
Filofax should offer a try-before-you-buy service, where you can take one home for a week to get a feel of it, see how it fits in with your life and most importantly, fall in love with it and justify it to yourself before you spend a small fortune on it... and then later regret it and buy a new one!
Bye bye Malden...
I couldn't keep silent for long!
I'm returning my crimson pocket Malden. I've just never fallen in love with her, and I'm not using her fully. I loved the Malden as soon as I saw it on the filofax website and when I was on a filo buying-binge I decided to buy the pocket, instead of the Amazona I had my eye on. I thought "It will be perfect, it will lay flat and be soft and supple and I can write uni work stuff in it and carry it everywhere because it's smaller than a personal!" Well I was right about it being soft and supple, the leather is gorgeous. But I was wrong about it laying flat- because it's a pocket size it's got the full-length wallet pocket on the back which creates a bump in the leather when open and tips to the left. And I made a mistake buying the pocket size, I should have splashed out £12 extra to buy the personal size which is so much more useful for my needs. And I'm the sort of person who needs to have 1 diary in 1 place and thinking I could use this as a more portable diary separate to my main one is a problem because I would spend ages transporting information between one and the other.
The main purpose of this filofax was to put my day planners in- that is, blank pocket-sized sheets with instructions/to-do lists of what research I have to do in the library on days when I am doing a lot of research for essays etc. Well why can't I put that in my personal? It was a good idea to carry a smaller filo with me to save on space and weight in my bag, but I find that I can't separate myself from my personal sized filo, it's my security blanket!
So she is going back to filofax, to go to a home where someone else will love her as she deserves!
I still love the Malden range, although I would love to see a personal in person before I splash out on the website again! I feel a visit to the London store(s) coming!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel like (after buying 6 filofaxes) I am becoming more and more a 1-filofax girl... which is a problem seeing as how I have a collection now!!
I'm returning my crimson pocket Malden. I've just never fallen in love with her, and I'm not using her fully. I loved the Malden as soon as I saw it on the filofax website and when I was on a filo buying-binge I decided to buy the pocket, instead of the Amazona I had my eye on. I thought "It will be perfect, it will lay flat and be soft and supple and I can write uni work stuff in it and carry it everywhere because it's smaller than a personal!" Well I was right about it being soft and supple, the leather is gorgeous. But I was wrong about it laying flat- because it's a pocket size it's got the full-length wallet pocket on the back which creates a bump in the leather when open and tips to the left. And I made a mistake buying the pocket size, I should have splashed out £12 extra to buy the personal size which is so much more useful for my needs. And I'm the sort of person who needs to have 1 diary in 1 place and thinking I could use this as a more portable diary separate to my main one is a problem because I would spend ages transporting information between one and the other.
The main purpose of this filofax was to put my day planners in- that is, blank pocket-sized sheets with instructions/to-do lists of what research I have to do in the library on days when I am doing a lot of research for essays etc. Well why can't I put that in my personal? It was a good idea to carry a smaller filo with me to save on space and weight in my bag, but I find that I can't separate myself from my personal sized filo, it's my security blanket!
So she is going back to filofax, to go to a home where someone else will love her as she deserves!
I still love the Malden range, although I would love to see a personal in person before I splash out on the website again! I feel a visit to the London store(s) coming!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel like (after buying 6 filofaxes) I am becoming more and more a 1-filofax girl... which is a problem seeing as how I have a collection now!!
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