the zeitgeist of zoe

“You can call me anything you like, but my name is Veronica”

As you know, since converting over from another planner brand, I have been trying out various Franklin Covey binders.

I started with the Giada because I loved the teal color. However the ring size was not listed on the website, and it turned out to have only 1/2″ rings. After much deliberation, I decided to keep it in the hopes that I can use such a gorgeous binder if and when my job turmoil settles back down and I don’t need 2PPD refills.

Stop laughing.

Seeking to maintain some color yet have larger rings, I tried the Ava. That made it less than a week. Once Veronica arrived, I knew Ava would be going back. In the “old days” I just would have kept them all, but I’m trying to take a more minimalistic approach to life now, and that includes planners.

There was a time I only had ONE. I used it every day and simply bought new refills for it yearly. My goal now, while not necessarily to limit myself to just one binder for the rest of my life, is to keep it to one brand and one size. And just buy new refills every year.

Fortunately, Veronica will make that an easy goal to achieve; no more hoarding planners for this girl…I’ve found my perfect match.

The Veronica binder is the softest, most supple, buttery, yummy, scrumptious leather on the face of the earth. It is, quite honestly, hard to stop touching it.  If I was single, I’d probably sleep with it, but no way I’m explaining why I have my planner in bed with me to my boyfriend, so…

Oh, and it smells like heaven. If you think the aroma of fine leather is akin to heaven, which I do.

What I’m  saying is, it’s a nice effing planner.

It comes in black, charcoal and latte. I chose latte and unlike my reaction when the Ava arrived (which was advertised as “plum” and in actuality was more of a berry color), I was totally pleased with the texture and color of my new favorite binder.

And the rings….oh the rings.

1.125″ rings

I originally misread the website and thought it said 1.25″ rings, but in fact the rings are 1.125″. Close enough for me.  Anything over 1″ is perfectamundo as far as I’m concerned.

The inside front is a bit unconventional. Rather than the secretarial pocket being attached to the outer edge, as most binders are, this one has it attached to the interior edge, and there is a full slip pocket behind it.

I don’t know how I feel about this yet, as I fear stuff might fall out. Nothing HAS yet, mind you,but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t kvetch about something.

In previous binders with only one pen loop, with a conventional layout I could stick a 2nd pen in the secretarial pocket, but I can’t with this one. A small price to pay however, since I also have a cool pencil case in my bag.

There are 4 credit card pockets (and they are longer than usual because you don’t have to trim business cards to fit in them!) and an ID window on the front of the secretarial pocket. The full slip pocket is on the right hand side. I actually just discovered it, so haven’t found a use for it yet : )

I have a full year of Month on 2 Pages, four months of 2 Pages per day and four subject tabs with about 10 pieces of note paper behind each. As you can see, everything lays nice and flat, there is no page bunching and I even have ring room to spare. I’m betting I can fit 6 months of 2 Pages per Day comfortably.

Inside the back cover is a note pad pocket and one leather (non-elasticized) pen loop. Behind the note pad pocket, there is another full length slip pocket.

Although the Swing Pad came in handy and is a great idea, it’s very nice to have a dedicated note pad pocket again.  And how cool is it to know that I could put the Swing Pad back in, because I have so much ring room, and use this pocket for something else entirely?! Like, oh…I dunno…a passport perhaps? If someone were going to, say, Mexico in five days. Or something.

So yup, very happy with Veronica. If any of you have been following along on my Franklin Covey odyssey and toying with getting one yourself, I highly recommend this binder. It’s gorgeous, functional, impeccably made and the rings are like vice grips.

Perfectly aligned vice grips.

Just sayin’.

Head on over to the new FC group on  Flickr for more photos and as always, I welcome your comments and questions!