06.09.13 - RIP Former Filofax Dividers...

As the title says, I'm retiring my Filofax dividers that were currently in my Filofax. Why? I decided that I'd like to be able to use one planner. Sure, I have a few other Filofaxes but I'll be using them for other things.

The new planner I'm using is the Gillio and as it's said above, I'd like to have most of my stuff in this one. If I spent that much money on it, heck yeah! Lol! Because of that, I had to make new dividers. (Will do a future post on this). But this post is about me retiring my former dividers!

When I first made these dividers, this was a week after I got my first Personal sized Filofax. All I did was use the included Filofax dividers and my label maker and that was it.  

As you can see, it's not just the divider and the label. About two months ago (?), I received my stationery order and apparently the notepads I bought (a LOT!) were of the same designs. So I decided to use them for my dividers. All I did was cut them to size and glued them on. Some, I added washi tape. But most of the time they were just glued on. 

It's also because I knew they would be my temporary ones. 

Anyway, here's the first divider... 

06.07.13 - Filofax wishlist

I was thinking about wanting to blog more often but I didn't know what to blog about. I thought I'd post my Filofax wishlist.

Wishing that Filofax USA would come out with the new range as quickly as it does for other countries. In fact, I wish all the different Filofax websites would have the same colors/models just in different languages (obviously) so you don't have to go through the hassle of shipping rates, currency conversions and etc.

The #1 thing on my wishlist is an A5 The Original in Fluorescent Pink! (the above photo doesn't show the pink it's true color!)

05.28.13 - Decorated pages...and Malden

I haven't blogged in awhile. >_<; I think I mentioned in my previous post that it's mostly due to the fact that my internet connection has been a piece of crap. It used to be really good but now...not so much. My dad got frustrated too and we just upgraded our service. We had the lowest one and now have the next one up (in speeds). It took a few days for it to get back to not kicking me off...

While my internet was dead, I watched a lot of DVD's. I watched Season 2 of Drop Dead Diva, Season 9 and 10 of Friends, all the SAW movies (yep, again), a few other DVD's that I have.  I really should've studied but the truth is I would have to look up some things while I was studying and I couldn't because of crappy internet connection. [Yeah, my excuse LOL!]

Okay, onto Filofax news. I've been drooling over the Gillio Firenze planners. I decided to bite the bullet and SPLURGE on one as a birthday gift to myself. My family doesn't celebrate birthdays so to make myself feel good [is that dumb?], I decided to get one. I wanted the Croco-Grey but decided to get the Croco-Aubergine. I changed my mind and emailed them to see if I could get the Grey one, but they were out of stock. Oh well. It was marked as shipped yesterday, so I have about a week to go before it gets here. 

Before I got the Gillio, I decided to get a Personal Malden in Grey. But, before I did that, I sold my Personal Osterley in Grey. As beautiful as it was, I couldn't bond with it the way I did with the Metropol and the Finsbury. I had it for about a month... Oh well. I ordered (on impulse) the Personal Malden in Grey. I think it was because people kept posting about their Maldens in the Philofaxy group on Facebook.

Honestly, I'm not very keen on the Malden but I loved the pockets on the inside and the fact that you can stuff it like mad! Well, I ordered on Amazon and was extremely happy to see that I got it a week later. 

Here it is! Isn't he handsome? Though, I do like the Malden the color isn't speaking to me. One of my favorite colors is grey. But the grey Filofaxes have disappointed me (first the Osterley and now the Malden). I love how the color looks in the above photo. That's taken with a flash (actually, all the photos in this blog post was taken with a flash) and it appears beautiful! I love that shade of grey. But in person, it's darker... and I don't like that. 

Someone in the group wants to swap for a grey Malden for their vintage pink one. I'm totally up for the challenge! I hope! Lol. 

Anyway, I've babbled enough! I'm going to show you how I've been decorating my pages. 

05.18.13 - This May, I became obsessed with many things -_-;

My internet has been really crappy lately. When I say crappy, I mean DIAL-UP is better than what I have. My parents didn't notice it much, but I noticed it. I thought it was just because of how far my room is compared to where our router is located. Nope, even the desktop which is connected to the router is going stupidly slow too. 

So, I've been thinking and looking around for different internet providers. Our area doesn't allow for regular DSL or cable internet (stupid, right?) We have fiberoptics. Unfortunately for us, only one company is able to do it in our area. Another unfortunate thing is...it's quite expensive.

Lately, I've been thinking of trying out Clearwire. Supposedly, they have it in our area. We have representatives at our store everyday so it makes me wonder if employees will get a discount and if the internet will be faster. It's a little more expensive (by $5) but it should work for us. I'll have to talk to some of our sales people about it first. See what happens or whatever...

All the things I need to do, [real estate license studying, my online store, and basic...internet thingers :P] just aren't cutting it. This is also why I haven't been blogging. 

Anyway, onto things I'm obsessing over. And yes, the Clearwire thing was one of the obsessions. I've been thinking about it for the last few months.

05.02.13 - Omg! New range on Filofax USA's site!!!

Omg! When I first saw their new range, I was drooling over a few. Which ones? As an artist of course I'd want the Doodle and the Back to School one just looks darn cute!

Other sites are coming out with the and I can't wait! ahh! obsessed!

Please excuse any typoes. Im on my phone :)

03.26.13 - Personal Amazona Set-Up

It's Spring! We were given these GIANT pots of flowers last year. Once the flowers died, we didn't think they would bloom again, but we kept the pots just in case. But here they are blooming! I don't know what these flowers are called but they grow out of the leaves (I can't explain it). O_O; They're gorgeous. I did some macro shots with my camera...

03.19.13 - Setting up the Personal Amazona (in Almond)

I've been slowly setting up my Amazona (not as slowly as setting up my Metropol, lol). Mostly because I wanted to finish the week using my Finsbury (Moving from a Pocket Finsbury to the Personal Amazona). So here are some photos...

 My gorgeous Amazona (in Almond!!!!) that I won on eBay. There is a small blue ink mark but it's so small I barely noticed it. I wonder how I can get rid of it though :P This is in bad lighting -_-; It looks like it's going to rain...

 True to color. Took this photo with a flash.

03.14.13 - Filofax Amazona in Almond and life and such

It's strange how certain things make you check your tracking number every five minutes. I have many obsessions and the Filofaxes have made me stalk my tracking numbers constantly. I don't know what it is about these things but...

Anyway, I don't remember if I mentioned before but I'm taking real estate courses (online/correspondence courses. Recommended by the California Dept. of Real Estate)...  Anyway, my Pocket Finsbury was starting to feel a little cramped because of the classes. So, I started looking on eBay for personal sized ones. Sure, I have my Personal Metropol, but I've already designated it as something else already.

I don't know why I started looking at the Amazona and the Osterley. I couldn't decide... but I know for sure I really wanted the Amazona in Almond. After losing an auction for one, I gave up for a few days and looked at different ones (not an Amazona or an Osterley :P).

Out of pure luck, I found another Amazona in Almond on eBay. The seller did an auction and had a buy it now option. You bet your butt I did the Buy it Now. It was cheaper than what I would've paid in that auction that I had lost!!!

The seller, Karina, is also in the Philofaxers FB group. I wasn't sure if it was her, but when she messaged me, I knew it was her. Anyway, she sent me many progress reports and photos and kept getting me all hyped up and excited about it. ^_^; Unfortunately, I purchased it over the weekend so I had to wait. Why does it seem like I always get them over the weekend? :P

 On the day it arrived (yesterday), I kept checking my tracking number and it never said "DELIVERED". I was getting frustrated and just went to my PO BOX and there it was!!! YAY!

Once I got home, I literally ripped the package open ^_^;;

03.13.13 - Online Business Tabs

This post is for Niaka from the Philofaxy FB Group who wanted to see how I set up my Filofax for my online business.  Please note, it's not finished yet; I'm slowly working on it but this is how I wanted it set up. 

If you didn't know, I started up a mineral makeup (mostly eyeshadows right now) company. It's really small but I have fun doing it :)

Sorry for the first two photos >_>; I forgot this thing called a "flash". I used my Metropol in Personal-size. Half of the binder is used for Finances, Lists, and etc. My business isn't big enough that I need to use a complete Filofax (hehee! See how I didn't mention any other binder/planner!? :P) for it. 

Here's a quick, horribly shot overview of all of my tabs. I used all the dividers (Including the A-Z ones). I used 3 different colored labels:

Black for the main sections

Pink and Green for sub-sections

03.09.13 - Obsessed much?

Oh dear, what have I done? :P

While looking through YouTube Filofax videos, I came across someone posting about their Personal Amazina in Almond. Andi thought it was the most beautiful ever!!! I had to have it (this was a month ago btw) but it was discontinued and I couldn't find it :(

I looked on EBay and still couldn't find it. I decided to forget about it and to just get the Personal Metropol in lavender.

Anyway, after I got my Metropol; I kept seeing posts about the Amazona and it was driving me crazy.

A few days ago I found one on eBay. So I bid on it but lost *cries*. yesterday I see that someone else posted it and this time they had a buy it now option. mwahaha! you bet your arse I got it! well,... I have to pay for it once I get home from work (where I am now lol). The seller lives in California too (a few hours away) so it won't take Long for it to arrive! Im so excited

But you're like what? another one?! As much as I love my pocket Finsbury... I've found that since I'll be starting my real estate courses that the pocket won't fit my lists :( We'll see though. And I know you're probably asking 'well what about your Metropol?'

I've already designated it as a business/finance binder. it's all laid out already I just have to fill it in.

Anyway, my lunch break is over...

03.08.13 - My Planner Story

I should be studying >_>; but instead I decided to write about how I started using planners. I thought it'd be interesting to read about [for some people! I'm one of those people!!! :P] I plan on doing a post on all (most?) of the planners I've used. I've saved most of them. This will be a text post... it's late at night and I don't feel like taking photos ^_^;;;

It all started when I was a freshman in high school. I've never used planners before, I've never seen anyone (meaning my peers) using planners either. Suddenly, it's my first week of high school and my English teacher tells us that we will have a weekly planner. It wasn't store-bought or given to us but it was in the binders were were forced to keep for our class. Every Monday, he drew a table on the chalkboard and write in things that were going to happen for the week. We all had to copy it down. As the days go by, we would add to our "planner". Yep, that was my first experience with a planner. It wasn't much but... maybe it's why I fill my planner the way I do. I do the same thing now. Every Sunday, I write down all the things that need to be done and fill in each day as need be. Is that the same for you? Or do you fill it in every day?  (Just wondering! :) )

I thought it was a chore (as did most of the people in my class ;P). The next time I came across a planner was my senior year in high school. One of my classmates was the Student Body President, President of a billion clubs, etc etc etc and more! I noticed that she always carried a planner around. It wasn't a weekly planner or a Filofax but a monthly planner you can buy anywhere. I would watch her meticulously write in it every single day [she sat diagonal from me, so I could see :P]. Being the stationery obsessed-freak that I am (heheh), I wanted one too. So I got a really cheap monthly planner. I tried filling it out but I didn't have as many duties/obligations as she did. So that failed ^_^;;;

A year later, it was my first year at college and all the assignments and due dates overwhelmed me! So I picked up a student planner from the University's store. I had seen a bunch of other students with them, I thought "I need to try that too!". It helped a bit but I kept forgetting to fill it out and just wrote due dates on my class notes -_-; 

I believe it was 4 years ago (?). I had been a member of Livejournal and they started having Communities. On the front page after you logged in, LJ posted a thing where they feature Communities. One of them was the Organizers community [The most recent entries are only viewable to members in the group]. Members posted their week's entries. It was fascinating! Some of them made them so beautiful and etc etc. Like I said, being the stationery-nerd that I am... I was ITCHING for a planner! 

By this time, I was out of school (because we moved here) and was working a full-time job with nothing else except I was really  into my art/drawing comics. But I didn't care! I wanted a planner! ^_^;

Most of the members of that group posted Moleskines. I thought it was too plain so I looked everywhere for the perfect planner for me. I found one in the local Sanrio store. It was a Kuromi planner. I loved the layout. But I got tired of it really fast. I filled it with my art "duties". [example: Pencil page 12 of my comic; Ink page 11] 

For the next few years I would go through different planners, mostly bound ones. Mostly: Sanrio or Moleskine. I did find some adorable Korean planners. In fact, the site that sold them sold them for CHEAP so I ordered a BUNCH (I believe I ordered 8 at that time). <--The site is gone now and most of them have been used with the exception of one of my planners. I gave a few of them away too. The only planner I have left and hasn't been used is the Alphonse Mucha one. I couldn't bear to use it. I think I've had that planner for 3 years now...

I stopped getting the Sanrio planners. I didn't like their layouts. The only layout I really liked was the Kuromi one that I got a long time ago. I purchased two other Sanrio ones but I didn't like them any more. So I stuck with Moleskine for awhile. 

I only discovered Filofax recently. I was watching a YouTube video. A "What's in my bag?" video and she pulled out a Filofax. After that, I was still meh about them. I couldn't understand what was so great about loose-leaf-type planners/binders. 

If you've read this blog (not like it's very interesting :D), you'll know that my parents (whom I live with) had left to San Francisco for a few months. My Dad's a contractor and they were working on my uncle's house. Anyway, during this time; I found that my Moleskine wasn't working [I was using the Weekly + Notes]. I had extra duties/chores/errands I had to do. 

I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a daily planner. I didn't make it fancy or anything [no decorations... just scribbles]... After a month of that... I wanted to make my planner pretty :(

Then I found a few other videos on Filofax setups. After that, I was hooked. I had to get my own. I watched more videos and when I found out they were having their 60% off sale; that was when I promptly purchased my Pocket Finsbury. ^_^;

Yep, there goes the uninteresting tale of how I came to use the planners. Although, the ending was kind of abrupt. 

Here are my fave planners that I've used (not in any order)

Moleskine Pocket Daily Planner

Kuromi Weekly Planner

Moleskine Weekly + Notes Planner

Filofax (hehe)

02.26.13 - Alternate to Filofax paper...

I'm finally going to post a (quick?) review on the Kiddy Qualia paper I purchased on Etsy. 

 Most of her refills are colorful. I have come across plain white ones...but I ordered the colorful ones. 

If you've read my previous Filofax posts, you'll know that I really don't like the Filofax papers. Most of the pens I use show through on the other side. The only ones that don't are when I use ballpoint pens. 

 I like my pages to be full of color and etc. Using ballpoint pens won't cut it. I like my inks to be bold and bright. So I searched on Etsy and came across KiddyQualia's store. She makes bright, rainbow colored refills. (For Pocket, Personal, and A5 sizes). 

At that time, I only had my Pocket Finsbury.... 

It didn't take long for my order. The owner of the shop is very nice and convo'd me for some information that I left out. 

02.20.13 - Setting up Personal Metropol

 I admit, I was putting off setting up my Metropol. >_>; I had only 3 categories (big tabs), but I wanted to use all the ones that were included (6) otherwise, it would annoy me. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything after the 3 categories, those were the most important to me... 

I, also, didn't want to set it up yet for a few reasons:

#1) I ordered more paper from KiddyQualia and wanted to use it for the sub-sections in the big tabs (I think I just confused myself Lol)

#2) I couldn't figure out how to do my dividers. I didn't want to leave them plain :(

02.14.13 - Well that's nice >_>;

I did's a stupid. -_-;

Yesterday, I took a million (not really) photos. Luckily, some of it was already posted (in my previous entry).  Unfortunately, most of the photos (60+) were for my other blog and hadn't been posted yet since the previous post took longer [Thanks to a wonky internet connection!!!] than planned. 

While this new laptop has an SD card slot, for some reason I couldn't get it to go in and I was too frustrated and decided to use my external card reader. The external one is located in the back of my laptop (USB port is back there). I left the SD card in there overnight.

After work today, I had to check my messages (for my store) and when I flipped open the laptop, there was a loud CRUNCH sound. X_____x; Yep! My SD card was in between the hinge, so now it's broken completely in half. *sigh* 

The thing is, I don't even mind that the photos I took yesterday are gone. Those I can easily re-do (kind of....) But that SD card housed my favorite photography-type photos. Like my cactus photos and my little troll thing... ;___; Luckily I did save MOST of them on my external hard drive but there were a few I didn't get to save. Luckily, I had posted them on this blog already so it's saved somewhere in cyberspace :P

But now, I have to buy a new SD card -_-; I'll have to learn to be careful with my SD card too. Anyway, that was my awesome moment! Lol!

While it was slow, I decided to re-plan my Metropol. I was trying to see if I had any more ideas on what to use the Metropol for. I did end up having a few new ideas (compared to the previous plan for it) for it... I can't wait to use it. If I wasn't so tired and had the paper... I'd start setting it up.

I've lost my train of thought... but it's because I'm super tired. I'm going to pass out. I was up since 530AM. Oh, I need to remember to keep my phone on (sound) because my alarm clock broke, so I have to use my phone to wake me up (I don't like using the alarm on my phone). Luckily, it's a later day... so I might not even need my alarm.

02.13.13 - Yum Yum Sushi! Metropol has arrived!

Yesterday, when I was supposed to do chores (which I ended up doing later :P); I went to lunch with my friend, April. We wanted some Japanese food and headed off to our usual place, Arigato Sushi which is about 30 minutes away (for both of us but coming from different directions). It's, also, directly next to an art supply store: Utrecht. 

We agreed to meet at Noon. I was the first to arrive. She arrived a few minutes later, we decided to go to Utrecht first. We spent about 30 minutes in there just browsing. Then, we declared that we were starving and headed off to eat.

 It was my first time there in the day time/afternoon. We usually go after work which is usually 10pm and later. So it's quite interesting to see how much light is in the restaurant (it's usually very dark and dim).

02.12.13 - FILOFAX: Pocket Finsbury Set-Up

I've had my Filofax for about a month already. I think it's time to finally show the setup of my Finsbury. I've also decided to purchase another one (according to the tracking number, it should be here tomorrow!). I'll do a post once I've received it. 

Taa daa! My Pocket Finsbury in Antique Rose

You can kind of see my new laptop (YAY!) in the background. I love the leather to the Finsbury. It's soft and squishy (lol). I'm still not too keen on the color but, I can deal with it ^_^ I, also, love the Pocket size. Though, I wanted a Personal size too. Mostly because it seems you can find more things for a Personal size than a Pocket size.

I've tried using this as a wallet for a week like I've seen some people do but I can't seem to do it. I kind of find it an annoying way (no offence to those that like it as a wallet!!! *runs away and hides*) to hold your cards and money and such.

01.27.13 - Indecisions and temporary setup

Last week, I received my Pocket Finsbury. I spent two hours trying to set it up the way I wanted. Because I wanted to use it right away, I didn't decorate it at all. I still haven't decorated it. Just added a sticker or two. 

Today, I was deathly bored. Finished all the things I had to do and had nothing else to do. So I was reading some Philofaxy posts. It made me really want a Personal sized Filofax instead. But the truth is, I think the Pocket is good enough for me. I just need to add a billion (not really ;) ) more tabs and dividers. I mean if Sachiko can have NINETEEN tabs/dividers in her [supremely awesome!] Pocket Malden, why can't I!?!?! ^_^ Right? Right! :P

As many people know, the quality of the Filofax paper is quite... well... to put it simply... it sucks! >_>; So, I went googling and found some on Etsy. I'll be receiving them soon (I hope! :D). I picked this Etsy store because I love bright colors. The white paper, cotton cream, or the light pastel colors aren't really my thing. I like BOLD and bright! (Well, most of the time ^_- ). I ended up purchasing the Pocket Monthly Pages, the Pocket Weekly on 2 Pages, and the Lined Double Rainbow paper. I'll probably do a review/post on them when I've received them. I can't wait to make my planner a crazy rainbow. Lol.

After I've got the paper settled, I decided I had to do something about my tabs and dividers. I don't like my things to be plain >_>; They have to be decorated or colorful or... umm... yeah. Then, I remembered I had some old planners that are the same size as the Pocket. So, I whipped them out. 

 This is what happens when you're a stationery addict. Basically, you can't bear to use the super pretty/special items. 

The one on the left I got about 4 years ago (?). It's some sort of Korean planner I got at a local stationery store that closed down. -_-; I've been looking for refills but I can't find any. I wanted to use the innards (:P) in my Finsbury but like I said, I couldn't bear to because it's just so beautiful. If I could find the refills or whatever, I'd definitely use it.

The one on the right is from a manga called Full Moon wo Sagashite. It came out in around late 2002 (?). I was a huge anime/manga fan a long time ago. Around this time though, it was starting to wane. But my love for stationery was growing. I got this planner in late 2002. This came from one of the serialized monthly manga anthologies. You had to send out for this and I believe you had to pay money. I don't really know because my friend got this for me because she knew I really wanted it. It, also, came with adorable paper, stickers, and dividers. And of course, I couldn't bear to use any of the paper. I did use it as a wallet for a year. :P

01.22.13 - Filofax and Dim Sum

You know you want it! ^_^;

Today, I went with my friend, April, to eat some Dim Sum. She's never had it before and I was craving for awhile. The last time we went, I was sick with the flu and couldn't taste ANYTHING ;__; 

We ended up going to Asian Pearl 2009 (why is there a 2009 at the end of it?) because it's closer to April.