Aston pocket Filofax review after a week of use

My new pocket Aston was waiting by the back door when I got home Friday afternoon.  My initial response was one of delight at the texture and softness of the leather.  I like the colour but wondered if I’d fit everything into such a small size.

This blog post may be a little photo heavy, so please bear with me. 

On the inside is several business card slots and a larger slot

I have shaved the contents down a little.  Initially I have some basic information pages and then behind the Notes tab, some lined paper with shopping lists.

Next is my diary in WO2P format but manually altered.  I rule off approximately ½ of the left of the page for entering (colour-coded) appointments.  On the right hand size I pencil 4 lines per day plus a tick box at the end.

 

The monthly tabs are the Filofax tab markers on approximately the first of the month.  Quick, cheap, easy and take up very little extra space.  Towards the rear of the Aston I have a list of addresses and telephone numbers, just in case.  Finally, there is a zip pocket for change in the back.  I just wish there was a slot for fitting a slim notebook in the back.

Ok, so it has only been a week so far but I’m coping with the smaller space and it’s definitely easier to carry just the one pocket Filofax with me.

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Oops I did it again!

As an avid follower of Philofaxy, I have read other people blogs with interest (read envy).

Firstly, Amanda at PaperPens and Ink blog is going to think I’m stalking her. My filo envy not only extended to wanting to try an Aston but an Aston in an identical size and colour as Amanda’s (In all fairness purple is my favourite colour and my original BCC Pocket has a broken strap).

However I managed to sway my envy until I saw this blog post on Philofaxy. I like my Filofax’s to be bulging and I just don’t get the narrow pages of the Personal. I blame Doris (in the nicest possible way!) - her Emma Filofax is beautiful.

I’ve also been carrying around two filofax’s. I originally re-started (I had a Filofax in the 1990’s) my obsession with a BCC Pocket which worked fine for several months. However, I was using a Windows Mobile phone and manually printing out my Outlook calendar. Surely it would be much easier to upgrade to an A5.

Again, this worked beautifully . . . for a few months until I changed from a Windows Mobile phone (I no longer use Outlook for my electronic diary). With no need to print out pages, I down-sized to a gorgeous Lilac Cross in Personal and manually write out my diary. I love the colour and the smoothness of the Cross but I just don’t like the size of the pages. In the narrow personal pages, the only diary which suited my needs was the WO2P horizontal. It’s ok but I’ve got planner envy.

I’m also carrying around a mini Piazza which although cute, rarely gets used and each week I’m checking my Personal against the mini against my phone and the kitchen calendar. It would be one less step if I have just ‘one-life, one filofax’.

I just happened to be perusing EBay when a new Aston Pocket in Orchid appeared at a price which was too good to be true. It was fate I told myself; I was destined to buy it!

Then I noticed the clever gentlemen Steve and Ray are starting to work on Pocket sized diary templates. Yet another sign that I was meant to move back to the Pocket size!

I can’t wait to meet the Aston and check out just how tactile the leather is and meet the Orchid colour in real life. Hopefully it will arrive today (and not tomorrow when hubby is home!) and I can spend the next week setting it up, taking photos and writing another blog post.

Pilot bringing out a multi-pen for their Frixion range would almost be my Filofax nirvana – well for a few months anyway until my situation changes again but that’s what we all love about our Filo’s. The fact we can change our system as and when our situations change.

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Something different this week . . .

I've added a poll on the right and I would be delighted if you would vote. What upgrades your bath time ritual from just a daily essential to a few moments of delight? Does it include candles, music, a beautiful scent? Please add a comment below letting me know what you like.

At home facials

Treating yourself to an ‘at home facial’ is easy and you can often use products you already have at home.

Start by creating yourself a day spa atmosphere. You will need candles, relaxing music, slippers and something to keep your hair off your face.

Start by cleansing your skin. Using your usual cleanser, cleanse your eyes and lips first and then remove. Next cleanse the remainder of your face working from your neck upwards.

* TOP TIP * rather than using disposable cotton pads to remove cleanser, buy some muslin cloths. The grainy texture gently exfoliates and leaves your complexion soft and glowing.

Buff away dead skin cells using your exfoliater. If you haven’t got an exfoliater to hand, you can make your own using a mashed banana, oatmeal and honey. Work gently into your skin using circular motions but keep away from your eyes and lips. Rinse and remove using warm water.

Bill out your skin by massaging your facial oil into your face. Start at the neck and gently massage into your face using upward, stroking motions. Don’t use more than necessary and again keep away from the eyes. If you don’t have facial oil, organic sunflower or olive oil is an acceptable alternative. (Remember Sophia Loren claims the secret of her youthful looks is down to regular use of olive oil). Allow the oils to absorb into your skin whilst you spend 2 minutes concentrating on deep, relaxing breaths.

Now for the lovely mask. Apply to your skin following the instructions; again keep away from the eyes. For a home-made mask, mix half a ripe avocado with a couple of tablespoons of natural yogurt and blend together. You could always add a little honey. Leave on your face for approximately 10 minutes. Then rinse to remove.

Finally massage your usual moisturiser into your face using sweeping, upward motions.

Of course, if you prefer to have someone else give you a facial whilst you relax and enjoy yourself, arrange an appointment with me. I will complete a skin analysis prior to using only organic, aromatherapy products. These products smell divine and leave your skin feel soft, fresh and plump.

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How holistics can help with stress

Aromatherapy, Reiki, Indian Head Massage and hot stone massage are some of the range of treatments which can be classed as Holistic therapies. Holistic therapy treats the person as a whole, no matter what the complaint. You may start your treatment because of back ache, insomnia or even acne and the holistic therapy can help treat issues you don’t even realise are there.

Holistic therapies are often based on ancient therapies, where wisdom realised there is not just your physical health but also your mental health to balance and care for. Any imbalance between your physical, mental, spiritual or emotional can surface as an illness or physical issue. Modern medicine is beginning to realise the link between stress and illness. It then follows if you can reduce your levels of stress, hopefully your health with improve.

Spending as little as 30 minutes being pampered sends a message to your subconscious that you are worthy of only the best and deserve this special time to relax and unwind. To quote the L'Oréal adverts “because I’m worth it”.

What holistic therapies have you tried? What holistic therapies would you like to try? I’d love to try a hot stone massage . . .

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Some thoughts about parabens

I’ve been reading with concern and interest the current articles on parabens and in particular the link to breast cancer tissue. For the past few years, not only am I careful about what food and additives I consume but also what chemicals or additives are in my environment.

I am of the opinion that these products may be safe, however until they are proved to be safe, I would prefer to keep everything ‘clean’. If you need to check any of your skin care products check the ingredient list and if you see ingredients such as Methyparaben, Butylparaben, EtyhlParaben, Propylparaben, then they are not Paraben Free. Parabens can be found in body products such as shampoo and can cause allergic reactions, skin drying etc and have been linked to oestrogen overproduction. I just don’t want that risk in my body.

Why not check out the original Journal here:- Barr L, Metaxas G, Harbach CAJ et al. Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum. Journal of Applied Toxicology, January 12 2012 (published online)

PS – all of the products sold by Heather Holistics are not only paraben free but certified by the Organic Soil Association.

Do you buy ‘safe’ products or are you prepared to take the risk? Let me know.

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Thankfulness

I know its usually Follow Friday on Twitter and I did have a blog post on parabens planned but this week has been kinda difficult so it is short and sweet thankful on Friday post today.

Wednesday here in Leicestershire was a bright but cold day. I’d just left the work car park on my way to collect the boys from school when ‘BHAM’ I was stationary. That beautiful sun was low in the sky and a large lorry was reversing into my path. Even with my seat belt on, I’ve shot up and hit my head on the little hook of my sun visor.

Police, paramedics and an ambulance arrive and I’m sent off to our local hospital for stitches to my scalp. I obviously bleed a lot because I must have looked like something out of a horror movie!

Anyway, onto my thankfulness. I realise some people would be annoyed they’ve had an accident and claim only bad things happen to them. I’m not one of those people.

I’m thankful for (in no particular order):-

My parents who drop everything to help
My hubby keeps me entertained when the going gets tough
My sister, who nurtures my soul, provides wisdom and love.
My work colleagues, for their continual support and advice
My children for being my inspiration
My neighbours for their offers of help and kindness
My severity of my accident was only minor (in the grand scale of things)
To you for reading this blog post and being my friend

Did I say it was a short blog post?

How about writing what you are thankful for in your comments below?

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