ootdfashion
Every January for as long as I can remember—probably twelve years now—I have a little tradition with my Louis Vuitton yearly planner. I carefully take out last year’s diary pages and replace them with fresh, new ones, thrilled by the sight of crisp, blank pages. I then stack up the used pages, secure them with the paper band I’ve kept intact all year, and tuck them back into the original box marked with that year.
However, this January, I’ve lost my usual excitement for the stationery part of this ritual. I’m not feeling the 2016 edition of the posh Filofax/Louis Vuitton experience, which is surprising because the refills for the Louis Vuitton Agenda start at £32. For that price, I expect to feel extremely organized and pampered with features like tick-lists, maps, fold-out schedules, inspiring notes sections, and maybe even spaces for dreams and wishes. And what do you get? Poems, illustrations, a sheet of stickers, and a cardboard luggage tag that looks like something you’d buy from a typical stationery store.
The refills used to feel luxurious and special—unpacking them was a joy. But this year, they didn’t even include a Louis Vuitton plastic ruler! I know, I already have eleven of these rulers, but still, for over thirty pounds, I expect it. Even if it’s only four inches long, it belongs in there!
You might wonder why I would spend so much on diary refills. Well, first off, I don’t; Mr. AMR buys them as a yearly tradition. Also, I have this whimsical belief about my planner and having the right refills. Back when I started using the Agenda, things seemed to turn in my favor, so I began to think of it as my good luck charm. The one year I opted for cheaper refills, my work life took a dive, cementing my odd diary superstition.
As silly as it sounds, that’s why I stick to spending a lot on these planner inserts. It’s a nice little luxury—if you think about it, it costs less than a Tom Ford lipstick and offers a whole year’s use. Yet, when I weigh the options, there are tempting alternatives like those from Smythson or the much more affordable Happiness Planner.
Looking ahead to 2017, I hope for some improvements:
– Proper sticker sheets like they used to have, with logos and symbols for various activities. I never used them, but enjoyed seeing them. Maybe even some Emoji stickers for fun.
– Weekly “to-do” list pages with checkboxes for ticking off completed tasks, no matter how trivial.
– A space for meal planning and exercise, because having a dedicated spot might motivate me.
– An iPhone app that turns my calendar into a Louis Vuitton-themed one to match my paper diary.
And, of course, a plastic ruler would be nice.
