lorimarsha

I turned my back on my Filofax when I bought my iPhone a few years ago. My trusty Filofax- who had kept me organized and efficient…who had always been there for me when I needed a phone number, directions to the flea market, or a photo of Ethan- got kicked to the curb.

How could it possibly compete with a slim, pretty telephone complete with a digital notepad, an unlimited contact directory, an appointment calendar with alerts? I placed it on the “out” side of my in/out basket and never looked back.

Until recently. Last week my friend, Ro, sent me a link to galadarling’s blog post about falling in love her Filofax all over again. Well…what can I say? She brought back all the memories of why I loved my Filofax in the first place. And then I really started feeling guilty about how I had dumped her for something new and shiny.

So last night I reunited with her. As I opened her well worn red leather cover, I remembered the hours I spent filling in my address book in small fine print. I remembered getting excited when I found the small plastic zippered pockets to hold receipts, fortunes from cookies, and magazine clippings. And hat little 5″ ruler that snapped into the six ring binder was always so helpful! The color choice for note paper that could be purchased ruled or solid…the search for the extra thin pen that fit perfectly in the leather loop at the clasp. And then losing that pen. So many memories.

No phone, regardless of the number of features and apps, can really replace the tactile experience of a well-worn Filofax. It doesn’t require “service”, it doesn’t require you to press enter to save, its photos can be handed to a friend to touch and look on the reverse for the name and date. It holds your drivers license and credit cards, replacing the need for a wallet.

I’m excited to see what new accessories I can find to rev up my little red Filofax and put it back in use. Off to filofaxusa for more inspiration! Thanks, Ro, for reminding me that some things just can’t be replaced.

PACKING
Rolling your clothes maximizes suitcase space
If you can only pack two pair of shoes, one pair must be cute
One carry-on per person makes the airport easier
One carry-on per person = a lot of ironing
Accessories are underrated- scarves rule
REI fashion is better for camping than urban areas
A small clutch handbag would have been nice
If your hotel offers laundry service, remember for the same price you can buy new undies
Carry a small Moleskine journal for travel notes and use the handy pocket in the back

DINING
Walk ten miles a day and you can eat all you want
Don’t bother with the chocolate cake at Hotel Sacher in Vienna
It is possible to eat too much sausage
Turns out I like beer
If you pack a lobster print dress you must iron it, wear it, and order lobster
The waiters bring the check only after you request it
“Rocket” salad translates to arugula
Tipping is confusing- agree to over-tip
Someone needs to develop a universal code for ordering coffee

LANGUAGE
Don’t worry- almost everyone speaks English
Unlike the French, Eastern Europeans enjoy your attempt to speak their language
Read the signs in the subway stations for a taste of popular culture
Smiles require no translation
Czech text is lovely to look at
German street names are unusually long
Brits speak a different form of English

GETTING AROUND
Berlin and London have public transportation nailed
Never jump on/off a bus when you can walk
Buy an Oyster Card for London’s Underground and get a free IKEA plastic pouch
When traveling by train, check out the station the day before you leave
Mind the gap and look right
London taxi drivers earn 1100 pounds per year to cover their cars with tacky graphics
Find the U-2 station in Berlin and take a picture for Bono
Those tube escalators go way, way down

SHOPPING
Cherish the solitary experience
Visit Harrods if only to ride the escalator and look up at the ceiling
Scarves make good gifts and they pack flat
Check out the window display at All Saints in Berlin
Walk quickly past American and stores and don’t look back
Visit the local grocery store for a glimpse of real life
Appreciate Liberty of London’s prices at Target

SEEING THE SIGHTS
If there’s a public park, walk through it
If there’s water nearby, sit next to it
Take on the big museums early in the day
Mitigate museum fatigue with a coffee/wine/beer break
When in Prague, limit your photos of the castle to under 20
Touch the Berlin wall and remember what it represented

AND FINALLY…
Set the security room lock unless you want to treat your maid to a peek at your left breast

From the London Times:

“Malcolm McLaren, the London-born impresario whose cheeky intelligence, P.T. Barnum-esque flair for self-promotion and Dadaist sense of the artist as a wily agent-provocateur helped make him a godfather to the punk-rock and alternative music scenes of the late 1970s and early ’80s, including a raucous stint as manager of the iconic British punk band the Sex Pistols, has died. He was 64.

McLaren died Thursday in a Swiss hospital after a struggle with cancer.

In managing and advising numerous musicians, running clothing boutiques on Chelsea’s ultra-hip King’s Road and writing music for TV ads, McLaren displayed a gift for always seeming to stay a step or two ahead of wherever fickle transatlantic youth culture was headed next.”

Taking a long time to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Band my iPod likes the most: The  New Pornographers

Last iTunes download: The Essential Michael Jackson

Netflix at home : The Cove

Will happily see again: 500 Days of Summer

Brings a smile to my face: A popping cork

Sound you don’t want to hear: Our refrigerator trying to die

Need to figure out: Lady Gaga

Most justifiable snack : Carrots and hummus

Listening while driving: Palestine, Texas by T-Bone Burnett

Favorite morning cup: Stell Hue Hue Tenango

Memorable vacation meal : Seared Scallops-Lahaina Grill

Wishing I could bathe in: Prada Ambree

Last good bottle of wine: 2007 Linne Calodo Slacker

Cheap eats in a fun place: Bottega Louie, Downtown LA

Sad fashion news story: House of Christian LaCroix

I so deserved this: MacBook pro

Making me love TV again: Modern Family

Anxiously awaiting: Breaking Bad Season 3