Gillio Slim Compagna in Epoca Gold

I received this pre-owned Gillio organizer recently with the intent to use it as my every day wallet.  It's a slim size Compagna in epoca gold. The leather smells amazing each time I open it and the texture is smooth. The oval rings are 16 mm, so it sits in my hand without feeling heavy or bulky compared to the medium (personal) size.  

The inside left has a secretarial pocket, three card slots, and another larger slot. I keep my driver license, debit cards, and money here.  

This is the first time I have set up my planner based on a "photo-a-day" word, "Retro." I felt inspired though and knew I had some items on hand to pull it off.

I used plastic card holders and some Filofax rulers to separate the different types of cards. I added labels at the top in a typewriter-like font: store, gift, credit, health, civic. This makes it much easier and faster to access a certain card, especially when I am feeling rushed by a line behind me.

Once I get my receipt, it goes directly into the full-width pocket without fuss. I can also place my iPhone inside for safe keeping. 

Colorful sticky notes and lined notepaper will be useful for jotting down thoughts or information on the go. I had to choose a slim pen to sit underneath the inserts. Otherwise, I would lose the slim profile and it would be difficult to snap the closure.

At the end of the notepaper, I inserted a flyleaf with cameras of different eras. My aha moment was to turn the Franklin Covey page lifter into a clipboard. I then attached two camera charms.

On the inside back, there is another secretarial pocket and three more card slots. I added some retro library book loan cards to finish the theme. I keep some postage stamps and a magnifying card in the slots.

I love this organizer and want another slim compagna in red. I only wish the popper was gold to match the rings and that the organizer had a zipper pocket for coins. Then, it would be perfection! 

Dark Brown

Medium Gillio Compagna in Dark Brown

Inside Left (silver rings)

Drawing (by my daughter)

Inside Right

Back View

Top View (including full width pocket)

Bottom View

Side View

Gillio Siblings

The stars smiled on me and I was able to adopt a medium Gillio Compagna in dark brown. Although I already have one in dark blue and the size and layout are the same, there are some differences between the two.

The dark blue has textured pebbled leather; the dark brown has smooth buttery leather.

The dark blue has gold rings and popper; the dark brown has silver rings and popper.

The dark blue is marked "Gigliodoro Compagna" on the inside left, "Agenda Organizer" on the flyleaf, and "Genuine Calf Leather Made in Italy" on the inside right; the dark brown is marked "Gillio Ferenze" on the inside left.

I purchased the dark brown Compagna from a fellow Gillio Facebook member, Deborah, on December 22 and it was quickly shipped 2-day priority on the following day. The expected delivery date was December 26. However, it decided to take an excursion to San Juan, Puerto Rico for two additional days. Deborah joked that the planner was working on its tan.

At first I thought I would swap between the blue and brown planners, such as I would with purses depending on my preference at the time. But now I think I will use both of them concurrently. The blue will continue to hold important information and the brown will hold my calendar and tasks.

Every Day

I own so many Filofax organizers, so it may be surprising to know that my every day planner isn't a Filofax. I am more of a collector when it comes to the Filofax brand. 

Since August 2013, the only planner I have used is a medium Gillio Compagna in dark blue. It has lovely gold rings and popper. I adore it.

Compact Brown Regency as a Wallet

I recently set up a compact brown Regency as a wallet and it's working perfectly for me. I'm impressed with the durability of the Regency.  I throw it in my bag with my keys without worry.  I also like that it lays flat when I open it and the smaller ring size is less cumbersome on the go.

I'm keeping it simple with three divided sections: 

1) Receipt holder, calculator, and finance sheets; 
2) Card holder inserts for store, gift, library, and voter cards; and 
3) Notepaper

I use the notepaper section for shopping lists and to jot down things I don't want to forget before I can get them into my main planner.  

My most-used cards and cash are kept in the front pockets and my medical cards and contacts are placed in the back pocket.

The only drawback for me is that the Regency doesn't have a zipper pocket for change and loose bits.  However, I usually empty my coins into jars at home because I don't like the extra bulk and weight.

I added a cute piggy bank charm that has a Lincoln penny with the words, "penny saved…penny earned."  It hangs from an adhesive pen loop attached to one of the card holders in the middle section.

I'm very happy with how it turned out!


UPDATE: In January, 2014, I received and moved into a compact Cavendish in black.