Decadent Pocket Ruby Deco Filofax

I couldn't help myself.  I had a pocket one in Ivory and traded it for my red Kate Spade but even though I didn't actually use it, I had sellers remorse.

I loved the style of it, I think it was the colour that put me off.  Although the ivory is divine, it just isn't me - or so I have come to realise. All the colourful planners I've had over the time - even before getting involved with Philofaxy and the Facebook Group, I have sold them all one by one and now my little collection has just red and black ones - that's not a coincidence!

So when this gorgeous majestic treasure was found on eBay, I knew I'd just have to have it. I don't know whether I will be able to downsize again back to a pocket but to use this beauty, I'll give it a good try!! Even if I can't, this one is staying in my collection forever, a definite keeper!!

How could I resist this beauty?  It's simple, I couldn't so I didn't! I can't wait for her to  arrive so I can personalise her and move in!  

I thought I was so over the excitement of Filofaxes but it appears not!  I am a sucker for the unusual and limited editions though, I can't ever see me parting with my Kate Spade's either. I have managed to decrease my collection quite a bit though so I don't feel in the slightest bit guilty for this purchase!

I am left with the following:

Mini Raspberry Chameleon 

Pocket Raspberry Chameleon

Pocket Black Kate Spade - not a lover of this one 

Pocket Black Aston

Personal Black Aston

A5 Black Aston

A5 Bronze Snake Domino

A5 Saddlebrown Cuban Zip

2 Kate Spade Wellesley (red one and a black one)

So that's it, my whole collection!  Oh, and an old personal Finsbury in brown and some vintage A5 something-or-other!

That's not bad considering the staggering amount of them I had at one point! It did get very silly and I was torn between wanting the latest craze and sticking with my classic black or red....it will be no surprise that the only A5 in use is the black Aston!  Tried as I might I couldn't really find a use or wanted to use the others so they are still as new and in storage. The Chameleons are cute and have a lovely feel to them - in hindsight I should have got black ones. I have no excuses for the others!

So now I sit waiting patiently for Ruby to arrive....I might have to do some designing of pages as she's coming with nothing other than dividers, which I don't use anyway so they'll be straight out. 

It's all very exciting!

Until next time, take care!

Planner and life peace coming together

The glamping in the Romany Gypsy Caravan at Pen-y-Bont Camping Site in Bala was fantastic!  We stayed in Blodwen, the green one which was very cute and cosy.  I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over 6ft 2in as my hubby struggled a little with the sleeping area as it was very....snug! He only just fit and was literally touching both sides of the caravan but he managed, just as well I am so little!

The site was very well looked after and the facilities were wonderful. The staff were welcoming and very friendly too.

We went for some lovely walks around the lake which just had breathtaking views.

It was glorious weather and was lovely to just sit and relax and just stop for a while.

I took both Filofaxes but didn't use them at all, other than to make a note of our activities to enable me to write it up in my journal along with some of the photographs we took.

We came home via Betws-y-Coed, a beautiful Victorian Town with quaint buildings and shops and had a full breakfast in the cafe near the river.

Once home and I packed we went out for a walk around our own lake with our dog Sasha. It was a perfect end to our mini break and as our annual leave still isn't over we're planning to do some more walking all in aid of getting fit and losing some weight but also to appreciate the wonderful places we have right on our doorstep that we have overlooked for so long, so watch this space for some more wonderful photographs!

This is on our doorstep!

Beautiful walks

Sasha having a little rest...

So until next time, take care xxx

Life and Planner Peace At Last!

Finally I am achieving planner peace, I am no longer in a frenzy over stationery items or remotely interested in the new releases from filofax or any other planner provider.  I never thought I would get to the place but I have arrived and the relief is immense!

I have settled very nicely into my Kate Spade and I am enjoying the simplicity of it all, I have the same planner in black and red for when I feel like a change but the zip model is working very well for me and I'm happy.

I have even settled on the inserts and calendar layout, I am using what I carry and carry what I use...can't say fairer than that!

It has taught me a valuable lesson....to be happy that what you thought worked for you actually does! By that I mean that I have noted all the different systems and methods of doing things from other blogs and you tube videos and I have joined in with the chats about how to do things in different ways, I have tried the decorating and the colour coding and all the other fun stuff that other people do and that's just it, it's for other people to do.  It doesn't work for me, I have gone back to the way I have always used my planner because it works for me and that's what your planner should do.

What I have taken away from this experience is that it is ok to not have the fanciest, action packed planner, it is absolutely fine to be content with something more simple if that's what works for you. I realise that I like the dividers to be personalised but not the pages, I realise that I love a bit of sparkle that the glittery dividers provide and I don't like tabs.  I don't need oodles of lists because that just stresses me out, I need to know what I need to get done and where I need to be and that is all.

My planner is a tool.  It helps me to keep on top of things that are important.  The fact that I have made her a bit prettier with the glitz is fine but I was getting in way too deep and the amount of stationery and stuff I accumulated is just ridiculous!

But taking a step back from my planner-crazy world has made me see other aspects in my life were heading the same way.  I need to seriously take some time out and get back to basics.  We live in a crazy fast paced bleeping and pinging world of non stop noise and never seem to take time out to just stop.

I have taken heed of this and booked a few days away in a Romany Gypsy Caravan with the intention of doing absolutely nothing other than absorb the beauty of the surrounding nature.  I have bought a traditional picnic basket and I am going to just chill out, unwind, relax and recharge. I cannot wait!

Life has gotten way too complicated and it isn't enjoyable at that speed!  I want to spend time creating memories instead of chaos and I want to enjoy my time with my family and friends.  I want to kick back and just enjoy life.

My planners will always be by my side because without them the chaos reigns but they are as simple as I want my life to be and that is just fine by me!!

Until next time, take care xxx