Pocket Filofax Notebook Review!

As many of you might know, I own a couple of Filofax Notebook's. One of my A5 sized ones I ended up using as a bullet journal for a good few months, and I absolutely loved it!

Filofax got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I'd be interested in taking a look at one of their Pocket sized notebooks. Seeing as I loved the A5 sized ones so much, I was intrigued to see how much the Pocket sized ones differed. 

I of course picked the Lemon Yellow one! This notebook is from their Classic Pastels range, and all of these have the elastic closure on them. My rose gold metallic Notebook from Filofax, doesn't have an elastic closure, none of the metallic ones do. So this could be a pro or a con to some people, but for me, it doesn't make a massive difference. I think Aesthetically the elastic does add to the notebook, but practically speaking it really doesn't take that much longer to open the notebook, compared to one that doesn't have an elastic.

The spine is the same as the larger notebooks, it's a pretty clever design. Whether you have lots of pages inside, or not that many, having the spiral going through the cover like this seems to help the spine from morphing too much, it kind of grows and shrinks as and when it needs to. If you want to fold the cover back on itself, the spine also allows for this to happen.

Seeing as the notebook covers are quite plain, I think it does add a little quirk to them too.

Inside, the notebook comes with a ruler, a little intro page, a wedge of lined paper, and some pretty pastel dividers. Like the A5 notebook's, you can buy refills as and when you need them. They have a few different styles, including dotted paper (£1.99 for 32 sheets). So if you were thinking of using this as a small bullet journal, then they have the ideal paper for that. The paper quality for these notebooks is something I've been very impressed with. It's not super thin, and is lovely and smooth.

The dividers are pretty pastel colours, which is the standard colours for their Classic Pastels range. The top divider also has a built in pocket, so if you wanted to keep things in the notebook then you can do. They compliment the cover nicely so I don't have a problem with them, but because you can removed the pages of these notebooks, you could quite easily make yourself some personalised dividers to fit the notebook.

The cover of the notebook is very smooth to touch, but does contain some texture. On the website it's described as a 'leather look', so isn't real leather. The front and the back of the cover also has what feels, and looks like a more solid surface. This makes it a lot easier to write in if you don't have a flat surface nearby. Even though it's very sturdy, and has the flat covers, there is also some bend in it. So it's not completely a hard back notebook.

I think this is going to end up being the notebook that comes along with me, in whatever bag I'm using. It's the perfect size, it has the dividers so I can organise my thoughts, and the solid covers mean I can easily write in it wherever I am. 

If you are thinking of getting one, you can take a look at their whole range of Notebook's here, or if you want to grab yourself the Lemon one I've got, you can find that here.

Hopefully you've enjoyed hearing my opinion on this adorable, dinky notebook!

- Daisy X

*Please note, even though this notebook was sent to me free of charge, this does not sway my views and opinions. I will always share my honest views on the product and company.

Duck Egg Blue Original Filofax Review!

Today I've got this beautiful planner to share with you guys!

I previously reviewed one of the Filofax tablet cases over on my YouTube channel (I'll add that video at the bottom of this blogpost), but they asked if I'd like to review a planner this time. Seeing as I'm a bit of a collector, and genuinely love their planners, I said yes!

I decided to go for the Duck Egg Blue Original Filofax. I've seen photos of this planner shared about the place since it was released, and the colour has always caught my eye. I do own the Nude Original so I'm familiar with the style, but the colour stood out to me, and it was definitely a planner I wanted to have a closer look at. This is the personal sized, but it does come in A5 too.

If you aren't aware of the the 'Original' style of Filofax, it's a leather planner, it has the classic popper clasp, beautiful stitching around the edge, and a very simple layout inside.

The overall look of the planner is very smart, I find this planner to be one of the most enjoyable to photograph because of all it's beautiful features.  It has to be one of my favourite styles of planner Filofax do!

The stitching on the planner has been beautifully done. The thread is the same shade of blue as the planner, so it blends in nicely, but also manages to catch your eye straight away. Subtle features like this is something I really appreciate, and I think is definitely worth pointing out.

On the spine of the planner there's two pieces of silver detailing, I think they are where the rings of the planner are attached, and I've loved that they've kept these on show on the outside.

There's also a small embossing of the Filofax logo at the bottom of the spine, which is very subtle.

When you open the planner up, this is what the inside looks like. The back leather is black, and has a smooth texture to it, not like the patent feel of the blue leather. I love how they've made the inside black, rather than making it the same colour as the rest of the planner, it definitely adds to that 'smart' vibe the planner gives off. 

It also lays flat very easily, there's really no need for much 'training' to get it to do so. If this is something you prefer with a planner then the 'Original' style of Filofax is definitely one to consider!

The left hand side has two card slots, then a strip of elastic that's split into two pen loops, and a larger section (I usually use this larger part for holding paper clips etc.). 

The pen loops are two different sizes, I usually only use the one on the outside. The loop nearer the rings is a lot smaller, and in a kind of awkward place for a pen... I've always doubted if it's meant to be for a pen, or something else maybe?

The Filofax logo & branding is also embossed at the bottom too, in the same subtle way as it is on the spine.

As with all Filofax planners, they come with a full set of inserts. There's dividers, coloured lined paper, grid paper, and the week on two pages diary inserts. Like a lot of people, I will be using different inserts and completely personalising this planner. I'm hoping to use it as some sort of address book/penpal planner. To keep a hold of all the information about my penpals, so I'll likely design myself some custom inserts to fit my needs. But I love that they supply everything you may need if you are new to planning.

At the back of the planner there's another little notepad. I usually leave these in any planners that have them until they run out, because they can some in very handy to quickly jot things down. But this can be removed if needed, or you can slot it in at the bottom so it opens the opposite way.

The leather used for this planner is lovely and soft, it's still an incredibly sturdy planner considering how much you can bend the leather. The feel of this planner is most definitely one of my favourite things about it, it's just lovely to hold and has a brilliant weight to it. 

I'm pretty sure anyone who's ever owned an Original Filofax will understand exactly what I mean!

Last of all this planner is 'patent' meaning the finish of the planner is glossy. I've seen the non patent planners in real life before, and I think I do prefer the patent ones. There's just something about a patent finish to a planner that just makes it feel complete.

Something to remember with any planner you own, you do have to be careful with cleaning them. Some cleaning products can ruin the finish of a planner, so be sure to test things out before using it on the front/somewhere really obvious.

Overall, I love it. The colour was waaaay better than expected, and I'm so happy to have this new addition to my little planner family. 

If you are wanting a planner that's on the smarter side of things, but also fun. The Originals are beautiful, and there's a range of colours to choose from!

You can take a look at the full range of Filofax planners here.

This exact planner can be found here.

If you want to check out the tablet cases they do, you can find them here.

This is also the tablet case review I mentioned at the start if you would like to have a nosey:

I hope you've enjoyed having a closer look at this beautiful planner with me!

Thanks for reading,

- Daisy X

*Please note, even though this planner was sent to me free of charge, this does not sway my views and opinions. I will always share my honest views on the product and company.