Guest Post by Alice: Introducing Frankie’s Red Dawn!

Not sure whether Franklin Covey wishes to be called “Frankie” but to me it sounds swinging and upbeat and that is exactly what this company has given me: I am happy with their ring-based binder!


Mine is the Aurora in red hence the name “Red Dawn” but you may call her RD. The reason for me to switch companies was simple: paper quality. Succes is great but expensive especially with S&H. If I am in Europe, I do buy their inserts. Otherwise, I used to get the week on two pages from Filofax but they have let me down too many times due to poor paper quality. Encouraged by my friends, and I really have to blame Judith for this, I let my eye fall on Frankie.

Judith posted about her Aurora and I looked it up. The design made sense and it looked like a sturdy binder that would be able to keep up with me.

Any binder traveling with me has to be able to lay open flat on my kitchen island, has to be of sturdy material so it doesn’t immediately get its cover damaged on coffee tables or overhead cabinets while in flight and, I have to be able to trust the rings not to explode and spread my contents over the floor. Despite the A5 size (FC Classic) this binder will go places with me as the others always have. I usually carry my planner in my hand or, it rest on the passenger seat in the car until I need it. Since my handbags are big, there is always room for the binder but I admit that it can get heavy.

Red Dawn has only joined our household since a few weeks but she is already in use. I have room in the front cover for many things. There is a full length compartment for folded letter type paper, a zipper compartment for checks, stamps or money and, it has room for 7 credit cards/business cards. Not sure yet whether I will actually place some cards in here since I do not use RD as a wallet but who knows. There is room enough. Coins can be put in the zippered compartment and paper money can be tucked in the slot behind the cards.

I do not have a dashboard yet but I guess it will come as soon as 2013 starts so what you see first now, is just a divider. I have not (yet) made any dividers myself but it is a possibility as I also purchased the FC Classic size hole punch. The hole punch really makes the set up perfect because I can insert anything I want. The dividers you see here are from Martha Stewart and yes, I use them upside down!

The dividers are uni coloured (but they are also available in multi colours) on the front but I like the textured back much more. The upside down text does not bother me at all. Note that none of my dividers are labeled as I am still trying to find the “perfect” order for everything. One thing is a given: to accommodate my writing I always make sure that the bulk of the paper is on the left side of the rings. Why? Because then the rings do not get in the way when I write in the Wednesday column.

Right now, ending 2012, I am using Frankie’s quarterly package. It is perfect to try out their products. It is cheap and you get a feel for their organizational system: don’t cram to-do’s in the hourly columns but in their section below that particular day. Neater columns, better overview! The paper quality is excellent and I can use every pen that I like. I tried out fountain pens (broad and medium nibs), gel pens, and ordinary pens. They did not feather or bleed through the page. Bliss!!!

One downside I must note here: narrow rules. If there is anything that I do not like about Frankie’s inserts it is the narrow rules but … in exchange for the high paper quality, I’ll take it! I have decided to ignore the rules so I happily cross over them as I please! By the way, Martha Stewart planner inserts perfectly fit FC Classic binders and she has paper with wider rules.



For 2013, I have chosen the Monticello inserts. I was immediately attracted to the simple design and colouring. Beautiful dark blue marbled edges and just plain white paper. Classic fit for a classic binder.

Now this feature is new for me since neither Succes not Filofax have this: all the months have their own tabs. The first page of the month is slightly thicker and holds the tab. On the front is the month’s name and index. I intend to write a summary of the month’s most important events after that month has passed e.g. birthdays, milestones, medical happenings, yearly returning obligations, etc. Should I need to look back in 2014 to see who got a shot when in 2013, it is easy to find it on the index page.


After the tab is the month on two pages with room on the right hand side for
notes. This page too is slightly thicker than the rest. The day’s boxes are big enough. They have nine lines, holidays are indicated and, it gives me a great overview for planning. I have decided to only use this monthly overview for things that are fixed e.g. birthdays, days off, school closings, vacations, etc. No appointments and no to-do notes! Also, I am going to use keywords and not try to cram full sentences in here.

On the back of this page is a monthly master task list in two columns: personal on the left and business on the right. Here I will jot down things that will happen that month such as conferences, events, etc but no details. I can use the personal side for the heads up to register for summer camps or, to remind me that this month I need to renew a subscription. Again, keywords only!

The next page, less thick, is a weekly task list. Here I will write down all my to-dos for the upcoming week only. At the beginning of each line are two narrow columns to prioritize and to check off the task when done. Behind the weekly to-do list is the week on two pages in columns. This remains my favourite format. I have tried other formats but I keep coming back to this layout. Underneath every day’s column is room to write down daily tasks.

Saturday and Sunday share one column. I know that this can be a problem for some who wish to have a full column for each weekend day. For me, it is ok but I can imagine that you want more space there. All columns start at 8 am however, the unlabelled lines actually point to 630 am and that works for me. The last labeled time is 9pm. That too is sufficient for me.

The Monticello inserts also come with 2014 and 2015 inserts. Yes, we can plan ahead. I always laugh when I see so many years ahead of me on paper but I do actually use them. Vacations, work schedules, cases, it all will find a place there. The 2014 insert is on a month per page basis but really, there is room enough to jot down reminders. You can always add a sticky note for more details if you like. The 2015 insert is just one page in two columns. Again, it may not seem much but it is enough to write down a reminder in keywords. The back of that page is blank so if you wish you can write down some more details there. On the left you can see my MS tabs and sticky notes. Unfortunately, it isn’t long enough to serve as a “today” marker. You can turn it upside down but still, it won’t stick out. I now use the Succes day marker. I just punched holes on the other side!

The inside of the back cover is designed to insert a spare paper notepad and as you can see on the bottom, there is some room to insert cards or other pieces of paper. I do intend to put the notepad the Aurora came with in here but for now, I have left it out. I did not know that the Aurora came with a notepad so that was a nice surprise!

At the back of the binder’s cover you see a full length slot for paper to quickly tuck in when you are on the go.

Some details I have not mentioned before: the Aurora has two pen loops and yes, they are wide enough to hold my MontBlanc fountain pens! They are leather with elastic so any size pen will fit. Also, the strap is flexible. It has a magnet to hold the binder closed. The end of the strap that is inside the cover (and is thus unseen) is elastic! So, if you have a little more paper one week or month the Aurora will close just fine. Gently pull the strap and the magnet snaps shut!

I am very happy with this purchase and fully intend to use Red Dawn as my only 2013 planner. Imy, I have not filled in my pledge form but here it is: I am staying in one binder for a full year!

Thank you to Sandra for letting me guest blog.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2013.

And thank you, Alice, for the lovely, detailed post about your gorgeous RD!

Chubby FC Compact-Revised Post. &$@? Blogger!

Blogger ate my 1st post!

Here is my fat FC binder that I'm using as a personal binder. My poor Malden was overstuffed and I couldn't bear it any longer.

I added captions earlier to my 1st post. Will attempt that again later.

Have a lovely day!

December 5--365/30 Philofaxers--Favorite Christmas Films

Hmmn. I don't have too many that I watch, but the one I love most is "Elf." Funny, funny stuff. And the end makes me cry. Go figure.

Another one I like is "A Miracle on 34th Street." A classic film from the 1940's that makes me smile.

One more I enjoy is "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck. A journalist has to pretend she's a talented domestic goddess when she is not.

And for favorite Christmas cartoon it's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Poor Charlie Brown.

December 4 365/30 Philofaxers

December 4: New Filofax Formats to Try Out Next Year

Like most bizarro Filofax freaks, I get in planner quagmires from time to time throughout the year. I switch formats. I switch sizes. I use one diary, and them I attempt, crazily, multiple diaries. Not cool.

This post necessitates some thoughtful reflection as I wonder, what new formats will I try next year?

For my work planner I am trying Franklin Covey (blasphemy!) classic size 2ppd. It's in French, eBay bargain, but it allows plenty of space for lesson planning and work to-dos.

For my personal planner, I will continue use Mead inserts from Target. Love the paper quality and the tabbed months. I'm moving to Franklin Covey ppd in Serenity for fun. We'll see how that goes.

December 3: 365/30 Philofaxers

December 3: Celebs I'd Like to Receive a Christmas Card from This Year

Hmmn.  I don't follow many celebs these days. If I had to pick some they would be:

1. President Barack Obama
2. Long Island Medium, aka Theresa Caputo
3. And for my girls: One Direction
4. For my boy: Duck Dynasty cast