the zeitgeist of zoe

Hot that is.

Yeah, I know, but it was the best I could come up with on short notice.

Well, the Franklin Covey Compact mystery binder from days of old lasted the entirety of three days in use. One to set it up, one to use while convincing myself it was perfectly fine, and one to lament how decidedly blah it looked in comparison to my beloved Filofax Malden.

Check out the sordid path from a Pocket Malden to said Franklin Covey Compact binder here.

The Filofax Malden is truly an impeccable piece of work. The Filofax website claims, “It is the epitome of relaxed style” and I would have to agree. Constructed from buffalo leather with its unstructured feel, glazed sheen and zippy contrast stitching, since its release last spring it has been a huge hit among Filo-fans.

I myself have four of ’em…in the Personal size I have it in black and ochre. In the Pocket size I have it in black and crimson. Black is my absolute favorite but based on the review over at Philofaxy, I will no doubt pick it up in grey as well once the new colors hit the U.S.

Although I am thrilled to be into Franklin Covey inserts again, and have become convinced that the novelty of portability is far outweighed by tabbed months, finer paper (and by the way, is it my imagination or do the Pilot Frixion pens erase more thoroughly on this paper than the Filofax paper?) and more writing room, I found myself less than enthused to pull out my Franklin binder, which I had to do several times yesterday.

While I find the flowered interior whimsical when opening the FC binder at home, in the Corporate world, pulling out anything cutesy smacks of weakness and it is hard enough for a female executive to be taken seriously to begin with.

I mean, I love Hello Kitty too, but I would never use my Badtz-Maru thumb drive at the office.

After opening the FC binder yesterday to schedule a meeting and looking up to see a raised eyebrow and a facial expression that said, “Really?” I knew my quiet yet immediate pining for a Malden was not unfounded.

I came home and moved all the freshly re-copied Franklin Covey inserts into my black Personal Malden.

And felt IMMEDIATELY better.

The Flickr set can be found here.

So the pages stick out a bit further than I’d like.  So it isn’t puppy belly fat and square.  So my OCD has to cope with using one brand of refill in another brand of binder.  So what.

Once you find something that truly delights you, it is very difficult to make due without it. Be it fine chocolate, expensive champagne or that guy who gives you butterflies when he kisses you.

How does one enjoy a Hershey bar after indulging in Godiva truffles? How can one choke down Korbel after knowing the glory of Dom Perignon? And how on earth is it possible to tolerate a lousy kisser after the exquisite joy of butterflies?

Malden, I will never forsake you again.