diff --git a/js/isotope.js b/js/isotope.js
index edb7c09..ca1fc8b 100644
--- a/js/isotope.js
+++ b/js/isotope.js
@@ -103,15 +103,20 @@ function isotopeDefinition( Outlayer, getSize, matchesSelector, Item, LayoutMode
     this.modes[ name ] = new Mode( this );
   };
 
-  Isotope.prototype.layout = function( opts ) {
-    // set any options pass
-    this.option( opts );
+
+  Isotope.prototype.layout = function() {
+    // if first time doing layout, do all magic
+    if ( !this._isLayoutInited && this.options.isInitLayout ) {
+      this.magic();
+      return;
+    }
+    this._layout();
+  };
+
+  // private method to be used in layout() & magic()
+  Isotope.prototype._layout = function() {
     // don't animate first layout
-    var isInstant = this._isInitInstant = this.options.isLayoutInstant !== undefined ?
-      this.options.isLayoutInstant : !this._isLayoutInited;
-      //
-    this.filteredItems = this._filter( this.items );
-    this._sort();
+    var isInstant = this._getIsInstant();
     // layout flow
     this._resetLayout();
     this._manageStamps();
@@ -121,6 +126,27 @@ function isotopeDefinition( Outlayer, getSize, matchesSelector, Item, LayoutMode
     this._isLayoutInited = true;
   };
 
+  // filter + sort + layout
+  Isotope.prototype.magic = function( opts ) {
+    // set any options pass
+    this.option( opts );
+    this._getIsInstant();
+    // where the magic happens, amirite
+    this.filteredItems = this._filter( this.items );
+    this._sort();
+    this._layout();
+  };
+  // alias
+  Isotope.prototype.filterSortLayout = Isotope.prototype.magic;
+
+  // HACK
+  // Don't animate/transition first layout
+  // Or don't animate/transition other layouts
+  Isotope.prototype._getIsInstant = function() {
+    var isInstant = this.options.isLayoutInstant !== undefined ?
+      this.options.isLayoutInstant : !this._isLayoutInited;
+    return this._isInstant = isInstant;
+  };
 
   // -------------------------- filter -------------------------- //
 
@@ -155,15 +181,15 @@ function isotopeDefinition( Outlayer, getSize, matchesSelector, Item, LayoutMode
     }
 
     // HACK
-    // disable transition on init
+    // disable transition if instant
     var _transitionDuration = this.options.transitionDuration;
-    if ( this._isInitInstant ) {
+    if ( this._isInstant ) {
       this.options.transitionDuration = 0;
     }
     this.reveal( hiddenMatched );
     this.hide( visibleUnmatched );
     // set back
-    if ( this._isInitInstant ) {
+    if ( this._isInstant ) {
       this.options.transitionDuration = _transitionDuration;
     }
 
diff --git a/notes.md b/notes.md
index b2ceffe..629f1fb 100644
--- a/notes.md
+++ b/notes.md
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ move munge sorter to separate file?
 
 updateSortData
 
+## discuss
+
+Method name for filterSortMagic. Currently .magic()
+
 ## bugs
 
 ## misc
diff --git a/test/filtering.js b/test/filtering.js
index eb34e03..0884ac9 100644
--- a/test/filtering.js
+++ b/test/filtering.js
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ test( 'filtering', function() {
   equal( ids, '1,2,3,4,5,6,7', 'all items there by default' );
 
   function checkFilter( filter, expectedIDs, message ) {
-    iso.layout({ filter: filter });
+    iso.magic({ filter: filter });
     ids = getFilteredItemIDs( iso );
     equal( ids, expectedIDs, message || filter );
   }
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ test( 'filtering', function() {
   checkFilter( '.tall', '3,4,7' );
   checkFilter( '.tall.orange', '3,7' );
 
-  iso.layout({
+  iso.magic({
     filter: function( elem ) {
       var num = parseInt( getText( elem ), 10 );
       return num > 5;
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ test( 'filtering', function() {
   checkFilter( ':not(.orange)', '2,4,5' );
   checkFilter( '.orange:not(.tall)', '1,6' );
 
-  iso.layout({
+  iso.magic({
     filter: function() {
       var num = parseInt( $(this).text(), 10 );
       return num > 5;
diff --git a/test/layout-complete.js b/test/layout-complete.js
index a38a000..caf1861 100644
--- a/test/layout-complete.js
+++ b/test/layout-complete.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ test( 'layoutComplete', function() {
         next();
       });
 
-      iso.layout({
+      iso.magic({
         filter: '.a1'
       });
     },
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ test( 'layoutComplete', function() {
         next();
       });
 
-      iso.layout({
+      iso.magic({
         filter: '.b2'
       });
     },
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ test( 'layoutComplete', function() {
         next();
       });
 
-      iso.layout({
+      iso.magic({
         sortBy: 'random'
       });
     },
@@ -44,13 +44,13 @@ test( 'layoutComplete', function() {
         next();
       });
 
-      iso.layout({
+      iso.magic({
         filter: '.a2',
         transitionDuration: '0.6s'
       });
 
       setTimeout( function() {
-        iso.layout({
+        iso.magic({
           filter: '.b2'
         });
       }, 300 );
diff --git a/test/sorting.js b/test/sorting.js
index 8e8cfa3..9f5f3b4 100644
--- a/test/sorting.js
+++ b/test/sorting.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ test( 'sorting', function() {
       sortBy: 'number'
     });
 
-    iso.layout({ sortBy: 'letter' });
+    iso.magic({ sortBy: 'letter' });
 
     var texts = getItemsText( iso );
 
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ test( 'sorting', function() {
 
     equal( getItemsText( iso ), 'A1,A2,A3,A4,B1,B2,B4', 'sortBy array' );
 
-    iso.layout({
+    iso.magic({
       sortAscending: false
     });
     equal( getItemsText( iso ), 'B4,B2,B1,A4,A3,A2,A1', 'sortAscending false' );
 
-    iso.layout({
+    iso.magic({
       sortAscending: {
         letter: true,
         number: false