Filofaxes...Downscaling and Selling My Collection.

Like a row of books on a bookcase, a row of Filofaxes can be a thing of beauty. However, I have decided that collecting Filofaxes is not going to work. My collection grew to 75 Filofaxes and other ring bound planners through gifts and lots of secondhand purchasing in charity shops. I love to use them but do find that collecting them is too much, ironically, for my organised, minimalist side. I love the beauty of each one but I am just not a natural collector. I am keeping my favourite planners and the ones that I have received as gifts.

Since I decided to scale down the number of planners that I own, I have given away quite a few. Some have gone to friends and family and I have also given some, complete with dividers and paper, to a domestic violence charity. I do hope the women who receive them can use them to help plan the rebuilding of their lives.

I have decided to sell the other planners that I don’t want so I have put up pictures on here of what I am selling. Any planners left after a month will go to the charity shop.

• If you are interested in buying any of the featured planners please email me on saraorange69@gmail.com

• ALL prices listed are inclusive of postage in the UK. (by Hermes delivery, signed for);
• I am only selling in the UK as it is more complicated to sell abroad;
• I will be very honest about flaws in the planners, they came to me secondhand so are not all perfect;
• For sizes I have listed as A5, personal, pocket and mini, the sizes used by Filofax;  
• If you want further pictures of a product or more details please email me;
• All emails will be answered as soon as I can, but I cannot answer when I am at work;
• Planners will be sold on a first come, first served basis;
• I will not accept returns and all payments must be made by PayPal;
• If you want more than one planner I will look at a slight price reduction;
• I have various random inserts and dividers in A5, personal, pocket and mini. I can add these to any planner order with a small extra cost for increased postage. The inserts or dividers are free. Please email if you want to know what I have;
• I also have Filofax catalogues for sale, please email for details. ( £6 each including postage.) 

A5 Planners

Personal Planners

Pocket Planners

Mini Planners

                                                                           Odds

M2 Filofax 

Unbranded personal calculator

Unbranded off size planner

For further information on the featured planners and how to buy  them, please email me on:     saraorange69@gmail.com 

The Start of my 2019 book journey……. January and February

January and February have been good months for reading. I started the year having books that were either birthday presents, Christmas presents or bought with vouchers. In February I had another foot operation so had extra reading time while I sat with my foot up.

I started the year reading A Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. This was a present and it looked really interesting. The main character, Isadora, is married to a psychoanalyst but is clearly discontent with her world. She goes off on her own across Europe while trying to decide whether to stay with her husband or a man she is having a fling with. The book explores sexuality and feminism in a really interesting way but I did find the main character really annoying and selfish. She whines a lot and frequently mentions what she considers are the issues with being Jewish and a feminist. She is what I would describe as an “I want” woman; her needs MUST come before others. I have never been a feminist so this was a good book to read as I like to look at things from a different perspective. I really wanted to love this book because the person who gave it to me as a present really liked it; sadly it just wasn't for me and it put me off radical feminists even more. ★★

The Librarian by Sally Vickers was a fabulous read. It is set in 1950’s Britain, based around a library in a market town and has some fantastic characters. It really highlights small town prejudices but also shows that children are much more accepting than adults. I loved the mix of characters and working out what makes them tick, but particularly loved the relationship between the characters and books. Their attitudes to reading and books in general was fascinating. Definitely worth reading. ★★★★

I am always happy to read a book by Mike Gayle and The Man I Think I know did not disappoint. This book shows the depth of male bonding, the way you can change your life for the better and how helping someone else can be very rewarding. I loved the James Dewitt character who only really wants his normal life back and the equally likable Danny Allen who has almost given up on life or making an effort. A series of unlikely events means that the characters cross paths many years after attending the same school. James needs help and, as it turns out, Danny is rather good at being helpful. Their journey is funny, poignant and heartwarming while touching on the important issues in life. Mike Gayle’s insightful look at life should be in your to read pile right now. ★★★★★

My next book is beautiful inside and out. Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon is a totally fabulous look at little slices of the American South. This mixture of nostalgia, recipes, decor, fashion, accessories and advice comes with a twinkle and a smile from actress, mother, businesswoman and prolific reader, Reese Witherspoon. I read this from cover to cover and would recommend it to any woman who is interested in that vintage mixed with contemporary lifestyle and that mix of femininity with a dash of feisty that all woman need and I aspire to. Reese Witherspoon shows us how growing up in the South inspired and shaped her life. I will be dipping in and out of this book because it’s just that sort of book. Another definite recommendation from me. ★★★★

Another brilliant present I got at Christmas was my first read in February. The Killing by David Hewson is an engrossing read. A clever, twisting plot and brilliant characters makes this book the sort of book you do not want to put down. Throwing politics into a rape and murder case brings up many potential suspects. There are secrets being covered up, family members unsure of their own relatives and a tenacious police detective determined to break the case before she moves on to a new job. This story is about the breaking point of Detective Sarah Lund and how far she will go; about the murder of a nineteen year old girl and about the corruption in politics and how far people will go for power. Another five star recommendation from me. ★★★★★ 

The Golden Thread by Kassia St Clair is a really interesting look at fabric through history. Though not as aesthetically pleasing as The Secret Lives of Colour, The Golden Thread gives you so many fascinating facts about fabric, how it was made, where it fitted in historically and how it changed history. This book makes you think about the fabric we use in our everyday lives and what it represents. Definitely a good read for people interested in the fine detail of history or fabric in general. I would recommend this book but Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair is still my favourite so far. ★★★★★

Dress Memory by Lorelei Vashti is a wonderful book about a decade in a woman’s life through the dresses that meant the most to her. It tells the fabulous story of Lorelei’s twenties and connects her memories to each dress that is evocative of that time. Lorelei has a fabulous collection of vintage dresses that go with her through life as a student, band member, editor and writer in various countries and during her romantic and platonic relationships. This book highlights the highs and lows of a young woman’s life but most of all, it shows that life is for living and you should live it in style. I would recommend this one too. ★★★★★

The other books I read in January and February 2019 are:

Lance by Vladimir Nabokov ★★

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks ★★★★★

Obsidian Butterfly by Laurel K Hamilton ★★★★

Keep You Close by Lucy Whitehouse ★★★★

Frog Music by Emma Donoghue ★★★

The Girl Who Wasn’t There by Ferdinand Von Schirach ★★★★★

Capital by John Lancaster ★★★★★

I am now adding a star ★★★★★ rating to the books I have read. 5 stars is the top number of stars.

Coming Soon on Orangecoffee69 

• My January and February reads……..what I have enjoyed reading so far this year.

• My Filofax de-clutter …………..including my Filofax sale. Lots of planners at brilliant, low prices.

• Small handbags…….. how I changed to carrying a small bag and what I now carry with me everyday.

Sara's Recommendations. Books I enjoyed ….. December 2018

I read all the time and I always have a book on the go. I would say that I almost chain read books and I would panic if I had nothing on my 'to be read' pile

In December I read some particularly brilliant books. Having my birthday in November meant that I received book presents to treasure and vouchers to spend. My December reads were as follows:

• The Toymaker by Robert Dinsdale. This is a magical and special book about a vast and incredible toy shop. The Emporium is a whole world in itself where people can escape. The family who run the toy shop are not without their problems, but they take in Cathy as one of their own. This book touches on the horrors of war, the necessity for hope and the strength and fragility that can make up a family. If you loved Night Circus you will love the Toymakers.

• The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair. I found this a beautiful, tactile, aesthetic book filled with fascinating information about where colour comes from. I had no idea how complicated the world of colour was or how much work went into finding and producing colours. I have learnt how making colours have killed many over the years due to the methods of making them or the ingredients used. I have learnt that colour is not just the shades you see in paint and clothes and every day objects. It is nature and chemicals and hard work combined. Each colour has a rich and amazing history.

• Roofworld by Christopher Fowler. I have wanted to read this book for a long time and it did not disappoint. Rooftops fascinate me and I have often imagined a world up on the roofs. This book tells the story of an existence high above our heads. It tells of searching, power struggles, megalomania and how the search to find somewhere to escape to does not always work out. It describes the brutal lengths people will go to when they want power and the need to be very careful who you follow in life. This is another book that I couldn't put down.

• Past Tense by Lee Child. Jack Reacher, as always, at his finest. Probing, pushing, investigating, chancing his luck and charming or fighting his way through. As always Lee Child writes an intriguing story which you want to pursue to the end. Combining Reacher’s past and a twisted game of people hunting, this thriller takes you in many different directions, and with a few different sub plots, before you get to the end. I am always very happy to see the next Jack Reacher book is out, Lee Child is a brilliant writer and one of my most treasured books is my signed copy of “Never Go Back”. (Yes, I queued in WhSmiths to get it signed.)

• A Highland Christmas by MC Beaton. This light and fluffy mystery was a good Christmas read. Just like MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin books this is a mystery without excessive violence set in lovely rural villages. It is easy to read and the crimes and clues are very well thought out.

Happy New Year to all my lovely readers and huge apologies for the lack of posts.  There will be some new posts coming very soon.

Sink or Swim........................ Learning to swim at 48.

I am 48 years old and cannot swim and that, to be honest, is just ridiculous. I have decided, therefore, that learning to swim is essential.

There are so many benefits to swimming; exercise being the main one. I know I need to up my level of physical exercise because, despite the fact that I rush around like a Duracell bunny and I walk a lot through necessity and for exercise, I don’t do any other specific exercise. Anyone who has read my piece about accidents will know that my one lesson to try and ride a bike ended quite badly.

Swimming is an excellent cardio-vascular exercise so is really good for your heart and lungs. It also works all your body and the support of the water makes it low impact. Obviously swimming is not free like walking, but it is relatively low cost. Technically it is free if someone pushes you in the river, but I don't recommend it.

I can honestly say that I am not that confident in the water so building my confidence has been the most important thing.

Now when I say that I am not very confident I mean that I expect to slip and drown in two inches of water. I am so used to being accident prone that I do rather expect to have a major fall, swallow half the pool, catch bubonic plague and lose a limb. So far this has not actually happened.

Lesson 1

After I had gingerly walked into knee high water and grabbed the handrail, the first thing to do was learn to breathe. Yes, that is what you just read; I had to learn to breathe. This is something we take for granted but it is hard to breathe underwater without consuming a gallon of chemically treated water that numerous other people have frequented. Taking a deep breath, bobbing under water and blowing bubbles out my nose was not as hard as I imagined and I did ok with a little practice.

The next step was bobbing about in the water getting acclimatised and trying to float. Now this should be easy but I was slightly reluctant to take my feet off the bottom. Holding on to the side and kicking was quite successful, and no, I don’t mean kicking passing swimmers, I mean kicking my legs. (Though it is tempting when they get in your way).

Borrowing a pool noodle was a brilliant move and I soon gained confidence as I progressed. By the end of the first lesson I could float on my back with the noodle and even do a little bit of front floating and leg kicking without holding on to the side Not bad for a first lesson even if I do say so myself.

Lesson 2

I was raring to go with my second lesson and had borrowed a pool noodle from my daughter who no longer uses it. Clearly I had to draw a face on one end, it is compulsory.

As I cannot possibly open my eyes underwater...... who can; my swimming instructor bought me some fabulous goggles. They made so much difference. Being able to see underwater totally boosted my confidence and I cannot wait until I can swim along under water.

After a few minutes of breathing practice I threw myself (literally) into swimming with the pool noodle. Having gained the confidence to launch myself forward to start swimming and managing to keep the kicking going enough, I was soon propelling myself across the pool. With a bit more floating practice and by tucking the noodle under my arms, I found myself actually swimming using my arms and legs to get across the pool. I managed 6 widths (don’t laugh) and back so was quite impressed with myself.

Lesson 3

We were at a different pool for my third lesson and it was slightly more slippery underfoot. This threw me a little to start with, but sheer pigheadedness allowed me to keep practicing. I was very proud of how much swimming I was achieving and also how far and fast I could go. 

I was rather impulsive and decided to try swimming without the noodle. Stupidly I launched myself forward but forgot to breathe so then took in water and forgot to use my arms and legs..... Unbelievable!!! Luckily my knight in shining armour was in the pool with me for rescue purposes so I didn’t drown. I did attempt this twice more but clearly need more practice before getting rid of my trusty pink pool noodle. (Let’s call him Eric).

Now the problem with having a pool noodle is that it restricts which swimming sessions you can go to so I really need to practice breathing and swimming simultaneously. I do find sinking and flailing around easier but it is not a long term solution and not conducive to safe swimming practices.

I couldn’t go swimming this week and won’t be able to next weekend so I am hoping to go mid-week. I am determined to learn to swim properly as I really enjoy it when I get going. Having to use a floatation device is not a problem for me, I don't care what people think, but I do care about getting in people's way when they are swimming and I am being a bit of a doughnut. I think learning properly will be good for the other swimmers as well as myself.

Now I may be being a little presumptive but I think I can hear the sound of the 2020 Olympic swimming team calling me, I must dash and check my phone J 

 

Eric the pool noodle 

My Co-ordinated Clothes Life

Colour co-ordination is the key to my style, if I am co-ordinated I feel together, if that makes sense. If I look good I feel good and this is not as shallow as it seems. It’s all about boosting your self-confidence and projecting an image of self-assurance and positivity.

I do often wish I was the kind of person who can throw on any clothes, look and feel great and not worry about the way they look. So often people who don’t plan their outfit look relaxed and one hundred percent sorted despite making no effort in their choice of clothes apart from making sure they’re comfortable. Each to their own I say, good luck to them.

I’ve put together some of my more co-ordinated looks to show how I like to dress. Most of my clothes are charity shop bargains, as are my bags. You can look good on a budget by finding what kind of pieces suit you and working with what you have. Whether it is browsing in the charity shops or regular high street shopping it is best to know what suits you in colour and style and what pieces you already own. If you like to wear outfits that match it is a good idea to consider whether you own anything to go with what you are buying before you make the purchase. Obviously if it is the most fabulous dress you have ever seen at a knock down price, you will need to adapt what you have to work with it. 😉

Some of the outfits featured include a Jasper Conran jacket, a French Connection dress, a Wallis dress and clothes from Mexx and Topshop. All are second-hand bargains and cost under £7 pounds.

I find that colour with colour works nicely (as long as the shades are carefully chosen), as does a colour and a neutral. I do not like to wear too many colours at once but bright colours with a neutral can look fabulous. A neutral outfit with a bright jacket and/or bag can give that pop of colour that really brings an outfit out.  I am not comfortable mixing patterns, though mixed colours within a pattern is fine. Some people can mix patterns and it looks amazing, others do not pull it off at all.  There is a fine line between deliberate clashes that work and a lazy mess. I like to wear a pattern with plain, it tends to accentuate the pattern rather than hide it.

  

I find that picking out one colour of a patterned dress and teaming it with a cardigan or jacket, shoes and bag that contrast, can work really well. Last year I bought some of the George at Asda patterned, flowery, summer dresses. They are a kind of sleeveless pencil dress style in various flowery patterns and colours. The example below is where I have picked the aqua in the dress as the accent colour. I have teamed it with an aqua bag, aqua cardigan and navy blue shoes to compliment the navy background of the dress. As you can see there is also yellow in the dress and I have a yellow satchel that matches it very well. I can team this with a navy cardigan or jacket and navy shoes. It shows that you can change the look of an outfit by varying your accessories.

The next outfit works well and was totally accidental. The Mexx dress was a charity shop bargain last year and the satchel was an irresistible purchase from what I call The Heart Foundation Boutique. The dark brown/nearly black and red satchel clearly compliments the red and black of the dress. Teamed with a pair of black shoes or boots and a black jacket, this outfit really works. I did buy a similar colour Apricot dress in Launceston while on holiday last week and Bob the mannequin has grudgingly agreed to model it for me...... sort of. The black, burgundy and cream will work fabulously with the satchel as it is the same shade of burgundy red in both dresses and the satchel.

 

This looked is based on my favourite dress. It is a brilliant orange “flippy” Topshop dress which I bought second hand in Somerset earlier in the year. I call it a flippy dress because of the shape of the skirt, though I am sure there is a professional term for it. I accessorize with creamy nude shoes, and my double sided orange/nude bag for a fabulously co-ordinated look. The double sided bag is one of my few new purchases and was £10 when I bought it about four years ago. You can wear the main bag as orange or nude colour and the small bag inside is orange too.

  

My black, grey and orange French Connection dress combines brilliantly with my orange Jasper Conran jacket and black accessories. It looks like it is made to go together but it was two individual purchases in a charity shop sale. (an unbelievable couple of bargains as it was less than £10 for the two pieces.) The black satchel was £2 in a charity shop in Launceston. Yes, another satchel, I am really into them. I love the style of a satchel and they are easy to use.  I could also accentuate the grey in the dress if I teamed it with my grey bag and can wear it with black boots or shoes.

Now my mysteron dress, thus named because the pattern reminds me of Captain Scarlett and the Mysterons, is also a less formal style than some of my other dresses. This black and white dress from Next (via Oxfam Boutique) has a slight sixties vibe about it and teams well with black boots and pale tights. A black bag and black jacket could work with this dress but it also it looks good with a burst of colour from my orange jacket.

My final look is a casual black Topshop dress accessorized with my grey Jones of New York bag (a gift from my cousin and his wife) and black, lace up, slightly glittery pumps from Miss KG at TK Maxx. I did throw on my denim jacket for this look but soon took it off due to the heat.

Denim is worth mentioning as something which goes with most outfits. My dark denim jacket can be thrown over most things without seeming un-coordinated. This is the same for jeans, they do go with anything apart from other denim. I think denim and denim should only be worn together if you want to look like members of the 90’s Irish pop band, Bewitched. It may have worked for them but it wont work for your average women in the street.

I believe you should wear whatever you want, but I like my clothes to match and enjoy putting outfits together. My advice is to put your outfit together the night before you want to wear it as you will only be running around before work throwing on the wrong things. 🙂

   

All photographs in my blog pieces are copyright to myself, Sara Williams.