This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Yes, yes, I know we all have super-duper phones which hold our address books and schedules and will (no doubt) soon be able to do perfect impressions of us on social media when we're too damn busy to Tweet and FaceBook ourselves, but I still love the old-fashioned methods of keeping personal information. I favour a variety of notebooks, diaries, wall charts and address books but that is, as we've established over the last few months, because I have something of an addiction to stationery. However, if you want to use paper and pen, but also keep your vital information in one, easy to carry, package, then how about an organiser?
1. July is a good time to buy an organiser as there are plenty of eighteen month 'mid year' versions which begin now, giving you plenty of diary time for your cash. This blue one from Paperchase is A5 in size and has a pretty, debossed cover. (I had to look up 'debossing' and, apparently, it's the opposite of 'embossed' so the design is recessed rather than raised. You're welcome.) £22 from Paperchase.
2. Nobody say 'yuppie'. Filofaxes may make you think of brick-sized mobile phones and pin-striped suits
but, let's be honest, the company perfected the art of the paper organiser
and if you want a wide choice of covers and inserts, then they're
still an excellent option. The 'swift' organiser has a sage and white canvas cover with a sweet button and elastic closure. The pocket-sized version costs £28 from Filofax.
3. Erin Condren Life Planners are well designed, cute, and customisable. You can add photos to the front and back covers, choose from a variety of designs, and add your name. There are sturdy laminated tabs, a coil binding that allows the book to lie flat, a zip-lock pocket, folder for loose papers, and 240 colourful stickers. You can further personalise your planner by ordering photo stickers, custom event stickers, pen holder or matching notebooks. The basic planner costs $50 from Erin Condren.
4. The Holborn leather Filofax projects understated luxury. It has a zip closure for security, and is made from the kind of soft brown leather that should age well. It has rounded corners, contrast stitching, and is filled with a week-to-view diary, coloured notepaper, address book and to-do lists. £75 from Filofax.
5. Perhaps a mini organiser is all you need. If so, this pocket planner by Collins might suit. It comes in a choice of colours (lilac, pink or green), has a variety of refills, and measures just 14.5cm by 10.5cm. £21.49 from Collins.