Diaries Diaries Diaries!!!!!

[DuchessDumbarton]

I love this time of year.
A new blank paper diary is a thing of joy for me. Apps/Google don't cut it for me.
I need advice please.

I need a diary that

• serves for both home and work
• allows me to book in clients to appointment slots (about 4/day)
• keep track of house maintenance/meal planning/kids schools stuff/kids after-school activities etc etc etc.
• not spiral bound
• preferably A5 size
• I love a good pocket and pen loop in a diary

I like Moleskine, but it's probably too minimal for me. Maybe if I got a nice cover??
Posh (brand) diaries- I had one a few years ago. Nice quality paper, but maybe a bit too kitsch to be professional (diary will need to be out in front of clients).
Filofax? I haven't had one before....but I feel the binder rings would annoy me?

Anyone have a favourite that they can link to so I can drool?

All suggestions most gratefully etc etc

Yaas I do think so Ree.
I have about 5 tabs of the Philofaxy site open. Trying for the "perfect" layout.
I really like the time management, page-a-day sheets that you mentioned.

AS for advent.......

I’ve had all different Filofaxes since the 1980s but never a zippered one so I’m looking forward to receiving mine soon.

I had a wine coloured Gillio but like a lot of things I own it got nabbed by my step daughter because it matches perfectly with a purse/handbag she had! Other than that I’ve been faithful to Filofax over the years.

I’ve ordered inserts but am currently searching for dividers.

Duchess I've enjoyed your thread and have to say you have a lovely writing style! You should blog

I've just bought a diary fro WH Smith for next year. Very boring silver one, one week to view. £5.99!

Probably not quite what you were after, OP :)

from

Soola, I'm convinced that you are a Dementor/Tormentor ... you plop names or links to beautiful things onto this thread, with abandon.

Gillio....never heard of them before now. And there you go, throwing out the name, insouciantly.

Ah, thank you tell me.

Grumpy I started the thread as my €6 2019 one from Tesco, is falling apart and just was not portable.
So, it's far from Filofaxes I was reared.... I blame Soola the many posters on this thread, for leading me astray.

@DuchessDumbarton Shopping is a passion of mine and if not for me then looking for others is also a joy.

To my spendthrift shame my husband has a Filofax from the 1980s although it’s not used other than it holds addresses and important dates of family and friends.

The Gillio ones are a thing of beauty - I’d never heard of them either, thanks @soola for the eye candy

Oh no. Why did I Google Gillio?

Whoever said there should a stationery corner within mumsnet - there is one already! I'd forgotten we asked for it

Wheel what??????
I clicked on your link.....there'll be no work done here today!
So many threads of temptation.

I know, nor here. 😏

Homesense has Filofax and many of the other brands listed on this thread. Moleskine etc

They had these for £29.99 including inserts and in a presentation box

www.penheaven.co.uk/filofax-holborn-personal-organiser-nubuck

They also had a pretty blue flower for £12.99 with all the inserts.

Massive choice of planners, diaries and notebooks.

They also had a budget range which was very nice of Filofax clipbooks in assorted colours, lots of great inserts.

Tk maxx has a rose gold Filofax

I think it’s a5 size. Comes with inserts and a pen

www.tkmaxx.com/home/hobbies+leisure/books+stationery/stationery-notebooks+diaries/notebooks+diaries/rose-gold-organiser-19x13cm/p/64142694#product-description-content

Thats nice @Soola

Think personal size based on interior pic and measurement

Will be checking out TK Maxx and Homesense, haven’t seen Filofaxes in there for ages but they might be out again for Christmas/ New Year!

And what(!) there is a stationary section in Mumsnet!! 😲

I've bought this Personal Filofax due to this thread! Raspberry leather from Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004VQVHBK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Anyone know what inserts it comes with? Very excited, thanks OP!

@KenzoBaby that’s lovely! It is most likely to come with 2019 diary but you could be lucky and it will be a 2019/20.

I noticed on Amazon reviews of Filofax’s that it was pot luck what year the inserts might be!

I’ve ordered undated inserts from a private seller.

I LOVE this thread! However the only one for me each year is from Castelli. I use it for work, home, everything. I get the Quarto size one in navy, and it has gorgeous cream pages, a padded cover, and little perforated bits at the corners that you can rip off when you've ticked everything off They do an A5 as well! www.castelliitaly.com/colombia-de-luxe-diary-cream-pages.html

@Skade that’s lovely. I love gold page edging. Very reasonable price.

@Soola, thanks! I'm very excited about it arriving and will report back!

Kenzo! has your diary arrived?
Any pics?

I have to say, I love mine.
I didn't think I would get on with it as well as I have been. I worried that the week to view would not give me enough space for appointments etc.

But I loves it!
It fits my appointments, there is space for a to-do list at the bottom of each page, it forces me to be neat, I have a running to-do tab separately.
It makes it much easier to not over-book my self (bad habit of mine).
AND! it fits in my handbag.

I'm loving my A5 one too, for all the same reasons! Tho it will only fit in my handbag if I take out my wallet and water bottle haha. The handbag is new so no chance of changing it any time soon. When I do I will factor my A5 Filofax into the dimensions

Belatedly posting to thank you experts / obsessives for your advice.

I spent a few happy hours reading your linked websites and also went into town to paperchase and John Lewis to look at the busy bee diaries a few of you suggested.

However in store I fell in love with paper blanks diaries - who knew that what actually makes me happy is a beautiful cover which feels luxurious and good quality paper?

What I THOUGHT I wanted didn’t actually appeal to me at all. The colour coded pretty decorated pages with columns for each of my children irritated the hell out of me. The encouraging affirmations made me want to shout “fuck off “ very loudly in John Lewis.

I felt depressed just opening a diary entitled ‘Best Year ever’ , because it probably won’t be. I already knew I was inadequate because I don’t meal plan and have printed shopping list - I couldn’t face being reminded of this every time I open my handbag.

What I thought might make me more organised just made me more angry ( yes I probably need help ). I’ve probably now turned into Victor Meldrew.

So I’ve ordered a small A6 paperblanks one from amazon for only £9. And I’m thinking about a larger one for my desk.

When it come I shall stroke it and be happy. I might even dig out the nice pen that I never use in case I lose it.

Oh Olga

What I THOUGHT I wanted didn’t actually appeal to me at all
I know how you feel

The colour coded pretty decorated pages with columns for each of my children irritated the hell out of me
I feel your pain ....
I wonder should I link this thread over to the Feminist board?

Like hell do you see diaries directed at men, that have a football team, with columns for their kids activities.
Men don't need those columns cos ALL THE INFORMATION IS IN THEIR WIFE'S ONE

The encouraging affirmations made me want to shout “fuck off “ very loudly in John Lewis
Olga, I think I love you.

I felt depressed just opening a diary entitled ‘Best Year ever’ , because it probably won’t be hahahahaha , #metoo

I already knew I was inadequate because I don’t meal plan and have printed shopping list - I couldn’t face being reminded of this every time I open my handbag .....
come join me, in my non-organised, non-glittery, non-affirmed, very real life.