On the Hunt

So after my last post, I have been wracking my brain as to what inserts I should use, what information I can part with, and asking myself if I really need to keep all the information I do on a daily basis. I’m still working out the answers to those questions, and once I have figured them out, I will let you all know.

In the meantime, I’ve been trying decide whether or not to buy the Compact Chameleon (as mentioned in the last post). I have heard, seen, and read cases both for and against the Chameleon. First, let me say that I have been hoping for a binder whose ring size falls between that of the personal and the slimline. The compact seems to be my answer. Of the current compact choices on the Filofax US website, Chameleon is the way I would go. The Luxe seems nice and may very well be. But I really don’t like it enough to spend the amount of money they’re asking. I have heard that there will be a Compact Osterly coming soon. But as far as I can tell, the US site doesn’t even offer it in the personal size (as of yet), and who knows when either will arrive state-side. Plus, while it looks like a nice binder, I’m not sure that it’s really my style. I don’t tend to go for the realistic animal prints.

In any event, with different opinions being said about the Chameleon, I decided I needed to see it for myself. Since I will soon be visiting family near Philadelphia, I looked on the US website to see if there are any retailers in the area where I will be. There are plenty in Philly proper, but as I will be about 30 minutes from there (and not too much extra time to shop), heading to one of the stores won’t be possible. Sigh. Then I punched in my own zip code just to see if anything has changed. Low and behold, there is a new store only thirty minutes from my house that now sells Filofax! (This is even closer than the last store I reviewed.) Oh, happy day! (Please tell my husband to hide my wallet.)

I immediately headed over there. They have a very small selection in a locked case (why, oh why must I explain my obsession to people who don’t me?) but arranged very nicely. So I saunter over to the case. All I see are minis and pockets and no inserts anywhere. But there is a Chameleon. The saleslady (who speaks with a British accent—what an authentic addition when speaking of Filofaxes!) wanders over to see if she can be of assistance:

Saleslady: Hello.

Me: Hi. Do you have any other sizes of the Filofaxes besides the small ones? (Why I’m acting like I don’t know anything about them, I can’t tell you.)

SL: Well, let me see. (Opens case) No, it looks like we only have the smaller sizes. Let me know if you’d like to see anything.

Me: Actually, can I see the little green one? (a pocket green Chameleon)

SL: Sure! You know, with all the gadgets available today you’d think paper planners would be a thing of the past but you’d be surprised—a lot of people still use them.

Me: (You have no idea, lady.) Yes. I’m part of an online community of people who love paper planners, Filofax in particular.

SL: Oh! Do you work for Filofax?

Me: (I wish!) No. Just a member of a group of people who are obsessed with them. (Smile sheepishly)

At this point she takes out the pocket Chameleon and hands it over to me. I lovingly stroke it and open it and just take in the leathery goodness.

Me: Oh, this is nice.

SL: Yes, the leather really is a nice quality.

Then she comes out with a personal brown Finsbury.

SL: Oh, this one seems to be bigger.

Me: Yes, that’s the personal size whereas these are pockets and minis. See how obsessed I am? I know all about them.

SL: Smiles but with a bit of a strange look on her face.

Me: Do you carry any of the inserts?

SL: Turns to coworker and repeats the question. He says, yes they do but they won’t have the 2012 calendar inserts until later in the month.

Me: Excellent! I’ll be back in a few weeks then. Thank you!

And I’m off to hide my embarrassment of being so obsessed with Filofax planners that I’m telling the saleslady all about them.

While this store doesn’t have a large selection, what did they did have was nice—nothing outdated or really old. They seem to carry newer binders, but this could be because it’s a new-ish store. Also, the display was lovely—binders arranged in two semi-circle rows, the planners on top of their respective boxes so you can actually see the leather. I did come to one realization though—after seeing the raspberry Chameleon in person, I don’t think I can buy it. It is beautiful and very different from everything else I own. But it’s a little too pink for me. I just know I would get tired of it too quickly and wish I had gone with a different color.

So will I buy the Compact Black Chameleon? I’m still not one hundred percent sure. I’ll mull it over a little longer. But I will keep you all informed of my decision, as I’m sure you’re all waiting on the edge of your seats wondering, Will she, or won’t she?