It’s going to be a short one tonight, but I just had to put some thoughts out there for my fellow Filofaxers to weigh in on.
It seemed that today brought a plethora of Malden-loving posts across my blog reading time, including a great Malden-loving piece a la the Zeitgeist of Zoe. Already mildly obsessed with one day owning a Malden, I ate up every word. And then got extremely jealous that I don’t have one yet.
I can’t get a Malden yet because I told myself that I would not buy a new planner for one year after purchasing my personal grey Domino. I did this because I have switched planners a bajillion times and seriously doubted that I would stick with a Filofax (much to my delight and surprise, I have!). This doesn’t even factor in that I really don’t have enough of an expendable income to be shelling out the cash for one of these beauties.
But now I am seeing wonderful photos of the new grey Malden (thanks Steve, hehe) and I can’t help wanting to click “add to cart” the second they are available in the US.
Now, justifying the Malden purchase is not as big of an issue as it once was. I have told myself that I can break my one year rule under one condition: if I either get a new job, or get promoted within my current organization. See how I weaseled out of that one?
The new dilemma has become color. Yes, I LOVE the look of the new grey version; despite what many say I find grey to be much more than drab or boring (in case you can’t tell from my blog). However, for some reason, the crimson is still hanging out in the back of my mind, taunting me.
Red is my favorite color, there is no doubt about it. But I am a bit worried about staring at a red planner every single day. While a versatile color, it doesn’t go with everything and as this will be my only leather Filo, I want to make sure I get good use out of it. At the same time I have to give the crimson some points, as it is on sale for $20 off at Pens and Leather. Plus, Jotje just made it look so damn amazing!
So, my fellow Filo-lovers, what is a girl to do? And for all of you enablers out there, I am only buying ONE so don’t even try to tell me to get both!!! Please let me know what you think in the comments.
Oh, and a bonus question: Does the Malden have enough pockets to stuff scraps (i.e. receipts, etc) into? One of the big things pulling me towards the Cuban and Amazona is the secretarial pocket. I am worried that the Malden won’t have the storage space I am used to with my Domino, but I also don’t think I could deal with a binder that needs training to lay flat. Dilemmas, dilemmas!
Well, this didn’t end up being too short, but comment away!
Sandra said…
1. My Malden lay flat out of the box.
2. While lacking a secretarial pocket, it does have an interesting zipped inside left pocket for small oddities like post it tabs or coins. As the planner is all leather it is quite flexible and forgiving if you stuff receipts behind the card slots. The pocket size has a full-width billfold style pocket if receipt storage is very important to you.
3. Can't attest to qualities of the Amazona or Cuban. Yet.
4. I would buy grey–it does go with more items and you can always jazzy it up with colorful divider tabs, post its, and other miscellany. And, you love your grey Domino, right? On a side note I love Kanalt's black Malden photos on Flickr. The black contrasts with the colorful tabs so nicely. Maybe one more Malden is in order after all… *sigh*
5. I was a one Filofax owner until Philofaxy. I admire your restraint and disciplined ways. Can't relate, however…. 😉
Good luck with your decision, and take care.
I am partial to my black Malden, though my friend has the Crimson and it's wonderful too – same quality as the black, unlike the Ochre which seems to be not as luxurious – something about the leather, it's not as shiny and sleek. I assume the gray is the same as the black and crimson in that regard. The gray is nice but it's too close to the black for me so I would end up getting the crimson if I were to go for a second color. I have thought about getting one, but can't until at least next year (we shall see).
As for the pockets – it has everything Sandra mentioned above but it also has a vertical pocket in the back. I have a DayRunner note pad back there (the cardboard backing is in the pocket, making the note pad itself hang outside of the pocket) but there's still enough room for me to stick papers in behind that. Then there's a horizontal pocket in the back too, like the front only without the card slots.
Yes, both Zoe and myself have pictures of the Malden on Flickr. I'm hoping to take some more soon.
If Pens and Leather gets the gray, it too will probably be on sale since they seem to sell everything at a discount as compared to the Filofax website.
I agree with all of the above…go with grey or black for the most bang for your buck.
I, too, am a huge fan of the secretarial pocket, but truthfully the Malden has so much else going for it I didn't even miss it. I also have used the note pad pocket in the back for a catch all pocket, as standard letter-sized mail, etc. will slip into it. Trust me, it has plenty of room & pockets!
Just get one ; )
@ Sandra: I think laying flat out of the box outweighs all other issues for sure. And I don't know about admiring my restraint- I think I am driving myself crazy with stalking Maldens!
@ Kanalt: I wasn't sure if the horizontal pockets in the front and back were usable- thanks for clarifying. Most of the pictures I've seen don't show anything fitting in there. Of course, I'd love to see more pics of your Malden as it seems like a while before I can get one!
@ Yvotchka: That's kind of what I was thinking. And I didn't even think about using the notepad pocket as a catch all- that would be perfect, especially since I am considering a swing pad to go with it!
Now I just have to wait until grey is released in the US!
If you really need a pocket like that, you could always use one of the top-loading clear envelopes or a zipper envelope. Love 'em both. I don't end up using the secretarial pocket in my Cuban Zip because it's in the back, and I rarely turn all the way back there.
I think definitely grey. It'll match the blog ;). But seriously…way more neutral, and in the long run will match more if that is important to you. Altho, I'm one to wear purple or red shoes with anything, just because I feel like it, so I may not be the best one to comment …happy Filo hunting!
Hi, J!
I own the personal Malden in Crimson, the personal Cuban in Ink, and the personal Amazona in brown. I think those must be the three most diverse leather textures around!
1. None of my three stayed open straight from the box – and they still don't because I don't use them as my daily filo.
2. The crimson Malden is amazing – the leather is rich, glistening, and while it doesn't have the secretarial pockets you are looking for, it does have a full length back pocket as well as a 4" pocket in the back (maybe to house pads). One pen holder (if that is a consideration) for you.
3. The Cuban is a slightly puffy, stiff leather. Mine, in the Ink color, is almost pearly in different lights. It has that mesh zippered pocket in the back, one pen holder.
4. The Amazona is really lovely – textured, mult-dimensional leather. Gorgeous, really. Mine is brown with dark brown. 2 pen holders. Gusseted back zippered leather pocket.
5. All three are gorgeous in their own way! Such personality in the filos!
6. I may consider getting the Black and/or Grey Malden, too! Gorgeous!
7. Good luck on your decision!
~AspireToBe
@ Rori- Very good point. I already have both envelopes and I love them! After a bit of consideration, I don't think the lack of pockets would bother me. And yes, the Malden would match the blog!!!
@ Aspire: Thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the insight on all three of the Filos I have seriously considered. The two pen loops of the Amazona swayed me for a bit, but I keep coming back to the relaxed look of the Malden. You are right, all three definitely have their own personalities!
yay! finally! i don't know when's your birthday? maybe a birthday present? or a i-can't-believe-i-waited-this-long-present. noone should deny themselves a new malden. soooo totally worth it.
the black is awesome but i like the grey too – i think it's really classy looking. i think it's supposed to be available here in july…but you can always order internationally…i'd keep my eye out on the french site if i were you,,, i would love for you to get a grey one real soon and post pictures of it and blog about it too for our entertainment!!! DO IT J DO IT!!! heh heh
Haha SNARLing! Unfortunately by birthday was just in February, so I don't think I can swing that one. I am really between the grey and crimson, but I keep swinging back toward the grey for some reason.
And you all shall have to wait; I refuse to pay international shipping and I've vowed not to get a new Filo unless I find a new job or am promoted, so it looks like if I do go with grey, it wouldn't be until it's US release! But don't worry, I am sure it will become a regular feature on my blog!
J – I don't use the horizontal pocket in the back, only because I use the vertical one in the back. While I mainly use this for my note pad, I also have used it for standard business envelopes and mail. In the front pocket I do have papers but they are folded in half and then thirds and that works well. I will take more photos soon and post them.
Kanalt: Yay for more photos for me to drool over!!!