Hi Belle,
I’m in desperate need for a 2011 agenda. The Moleskine has always been my go-to, but I’m trying to branch out, maybe even find a refillable agenda, but everything I find is either ugly, stuffy, or just plain distasteful. Any recommendations on where to start for a stylish weekly planner?
Thanks! Hillary
An agenda? Like, with paper and a pen? How retro of you.
Well, if you like carrying an old-fashioned agenda, how about choosing something designer. Hermes makes a lovely, leather agenda cover which you can fill with the insert of your choice.
Hermes Ulysse Agenda (Bonanza, $180 (retail $250+))
Most designers (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc.) make leather agendas with refillable refills, but I appreciate the simplicity of the Hermes agenda. The signature Hermes orange is especially lovely.
If you’re looking for something less expensive but equally chic, Kate Spade makes a nice agenda ($75) which you can purchase at Barnes & Noble. Coach also makes an agenda that is chic and durable ($198).
Carrying a paper agenda in your purse is a bit of throwback, so make it a stylish one.
Jeesh Louise, make us feel ANCIENT, why don't you?
I also carry a leather padfolio and engraved Cross pens. Must be a generational thing.
(I also am smart phone free.)
I've tried them all.
In the end I like a small spiral-bound book from CVS. It's got a calendar with big squares so you can write stuff in, plus some pocket pages for sticking lose papers into and a few pages of lined paper for making lists or writing down the book you book club will be reading next or the lipstick color you want to replace. Just to make it extra tacky I tape ticket stubs or postcards from places I've gone over the year on the plastic cover.
My gripe with leather bound ones is that even the small ones are big and relatively heavy and you can't get yourself down to a small purse to tuck into a tote bag if your purse has to be big enough to accommodate an agenda and a wallet and a phone…. If you need something to keep your work appointments in then go for something bigger from the supply cupboard at work.
I don't think that it is old-fashioned to carry a planner! I do the same thing. I do not have a smart phone, so an electronic planner is not really an option for me.
It's not old-fashioned in a bad way. I think it's quite chic, I just haven't met anyone who carries one cause I work on the Hill, home of the Blackberry.
Jeesh Louise, make us feel ANCIENT, why don't you?
I also carry a leather padfolio and engraved Cross pens. Must be a generational thing.
(I also am smart phone free.)
FYI this blog is total bs. no L.A. on the hill would be recommending/ could afford an Hermes planner unless they were a spoiled bitch who's parents still pay for everything (even when they're pushing THIRTY!! coughcough)
Very mature.
This blog is not just written for Hill staff. And while I don't own a planner like this, it might be a worthwhile investment for someone who uses one regularly. And if you can't afford one new, there's always eBay.
Plus, it's the Christmas season, so it might make a good gift for someone who would appreciate it.
if someone wants to invest in nice things, there is always an option of saving up for a couple of weeks and not buying cheap nonsense at forever 21 or what have you. you will not have 10 new $15 sweaters or whatever from forever 21, but you will end up with something beautiful and coveted. i think it's bs when people don't dare to think big and, i don't know, indulge once in a while. you only live once.
also, i work in the area, but i am not a hill staffer, so someone riddle me this: why does everyone make it seem like hill staffers HAVE to be poor? you can't be from a well to do family if you work on the hill? you can't have a trust fund? investments? savings? inheritance? you can't have an etrade account? really?
I'm 22, have a smartphone, and I still couldn't imagine life without an agenda. I just like being able to write things down (what if the Blackberry gets glitchy and I forget my appointment time? etc.) . As far as the price point of this suggestion, if you buy a high-quality, refillable agenda, you'll use it for years to come. Something to think about.
there are tons of blogs that at least ACKNOWLEDGE that the items theyre mentioning are 'covetable'. its insincere to write about shit no one in your own field, or in the area your write about can afford (except for the small trust fund, etrade spoiled bitch subset previously noted). most people on the hill are hard working, educated and earn their own way. they MIGHT get this if they save up as mentioned but are more likely to use their staff issued blackberry. this blog is totally unrealistic. anyone reading this should take note that UGGs are used for warmth, vera bags have lots of pockets, people clip their badges on cause they need them to get through doors and no one gives a shit what Belle says. also all the 'press' was from like 3 years ago. this blog jumped the shark. grossssss.
I'm one of those who loves an actual planner instead of using an electronic one, I just old-school that way. I like to buy a pretty new one every year, but maybe I should consider a refillable. It would be even be if it came in a certain orange box too.
Guesswhoo-
Nice curse words.
Also, since this blog didn't even exist three years ago, that would be impossible. And Elizabeth Brotherton was kind enough to do a piece using Capitol Hill Style's recommendations in Roll Call earlier this month. I just haven't updated the press section yet.
And sure this item is more covetable than practical, but like LW said, some people might consider it an investment.
I'm so confused by the “spoiled bitch” comment – why would someone post something so mean about a person they don't even know? If you don't agree with a post, fine; post a comment about how you respectfully disagree about the item or its price point and maybe even include what you might recommend instead. Or if you don't like Belle's writing, there are about a million other blogs written about fashion and lifestyle, so go read one of those!
P.S. I would love for somebody to give me that Hermes planner as a special Christmas gift, or any other time of the year, for that matter.
I just saw “guesswhoo's” updated comment after I posted my previous one: I am honestly confused why this person is even reading Capitol Hill Style if they hate it so much!
Frankly, since reading this blog, I've begun simplifying my life. I buy a lot fewer things, and I'm much more critical of quality, fit, and value when I purchase items, specifically because of these “reach” items. Bravo Belle!
I too carry a smartphone and a paper agenda. My husband gave me a beautiful red leather refillable agenda from Franklin Covey two years ago for Christmas. It's similar to this one: https://store.franklinplanner.com/store/category/prod410126/US-All-Binders/Olivia-Binder?skuId=38613. I love it – it's small enough to fit easily in a handbag or tote and big enough for long-term and daily planning.
Belle-….congress is in session… im sure your boss appreciates you commenting on your blog all day long.
i used to like this blog, ill admit it. i enjoyed the snark. but it has morphed in to a product list.
I read it a few times when it first started… in 2007… on wordpress… three years ago….
soo yeah….
nice try.
https://capitolhillstyle.wordpress.com/2007/01/….
I enjoy this blog, although I am both from a flyover state and way passed 30. I recommed Filofax also. I use both an eletronic and a paper planner.
Guess Whoo – Obviously you were brought up in a barn and are bitter, rude, and feel the need to be angry during the holiday season, but setting that aside
I, as a busy professional, find the product recommendations helfpul. Your criticism that it's a “product list” may be annoying to you, but to others, it's quite helpful.
I don't often have time to do all the searching myself and often appreciate someone doing it for me. I also appreicate knowing the range of options available and belle always presents a range of price points, which she also did in this post (an oversight on your part, I'm sure).
So put down your hateraide and start drinking some egg nog.
I'm not even on the Hill and I like this blog. I don't necessarily want to purchase everything that is posted (but that is probably a good thing for my wallet!) My sense is if you don't like this blog, then you must think you could do a better job…so go start your own guesswho! This is a fun fashion blog…its sometimes the only “fun” reading I do all day!
Guess whoo :You are the grosss one my dear because you are so obviously jealous of Belle and all that she is. You should realize how pathetic you appear when you comment here.
And BTW $180 is NOT that much money for a nice agenda that you will have forever.
I've tried them all.
In the end I like a small spiral-bound book from CVS. It's got a calendar with big squares so you can write stuff in, plus some pocket pages for sticking lose papers into and a few pages of lined paper for making lists or writing down the book you book club will be reading next or the lipstick color you want to replace. Just to make it extra tacky I tape ticket stubs or postcards from places I've gone over the year on the plastic cover.
My gripe with leather bound ones is that even the small ones are big and relatively heavy and you can't get yourself down to a small purse to tuck into a tote bag if your purse has to be big enough to accommodate an agenda and a wallet and a phone…. If you need something to keep your work appointments in then go for something bigger from the supply cupboard at work.
The blog started in August 2008. There are a handful of Resale Salon posts that I backdated to keep them off the main page. Not sure why I would lie about when the blog started, but you can make the date on a blog post any day that you want.
To everyone else, thanks for the suggestions. I keep an electronic calendar so I'm glad for input from people who use paper agendas.
I prefer a paper agenda. Between work and school, it's much easier to write stuff down, or pull out of my bag to jot down notes than trying to type it in on my iPhone (which my boyfriend got for me as a birthday gift a few months ago and I really haven't warmed up to it. Please don't tell him!).
If you're looking for something less expensive, check out quo vadis. I believe you can order from their website or find retailers near you. I began using their planners in college… I used the scholar and have now begun to use the space 24, which fits right into my old leather case. They come in a wide array of colored leather and have a bunch of different formats, so you can definitely find something that you like. Best of luck!
https://www.quovadisplanners.com/
New commer to the blog- so far I LOVE what I see.
I am by no means rich but I do believe in investing in good products you use daily. Desginer brands are made better and made to last. I have had a zillion cheapy planners and never refill them because of the wear and tear they get, all in all probably spending what I would have spent on something high end. I want something that looks good, is functional and will last- if I have to put more money down for it it's worth it.