Move Over Moleskin

I admit I am obsessed with notebooks. I have some deeply (wrong) belief that a new notebook will help me write. This is seldom the case. Just when I was starting to like Moleskins because in France lined paper n'existe pas - that seemingly convenient folder in the back of my Moleskin gave out on me and was the final straw in a long list of complaints.

Last week while walking back to the flat from the Albert Hein, blasting Joy Division in my ears I looked into the window and became entranced. There lay what seemed like a simple leather chapbook. I went into the shop (Tenue des Nimes) and bought two Traveler's Notebooks. One in dark brown  pour moi and the 5th Anniversary version in camel pour le monsieur, who I thought might love it every bit as much as I did.

I've just taken a big batch of photos because I wanted to spend some time with my Traveler's Notebook, especially since that is the premise of the whole shebang. You bring it everywhere with you. The leather outside gets aged by your hands and its experiences on the road of life with you. It becomes more beautiful. You can add new notebooks and other additions as - when you need them. It's better to see it.

The Traveler's Notebook as I saw it in the window which cost 39,90 euros.

I didn't notice my hand was in the photo.

The notebook open from the back.

Here is the #008 (the plastic folder, which cost me about 7 euros) and the #001 (the lined notebook, which cost about 4 euros).

The paper is wonderful to write on. I've used ink pens and ballpoints and all feel beautiful to write on and the pen just glides. I love Japanese paper!

The blank pages, #003 which costs about 4 euros.

The inside of the leather part with all the elastics going haywire.

Traveler's Notebook containing: 1 #001, 1 #003, 1 #008, 1 #010, and 4 A4 pages folded in a trifold using 1 extra elastic (that came with the leather bit, but extra elastics can be bought separately)

#010 the double-sided stickers for sticking things into my #003 blank page notebook.

The sticker backings.

Like this postcard from a friend as a going away present for my trip to Amsterdam so that I can still read what she wrote on the back.

Other goodies with the leather notebook. A muslin carrying bag, cute box (which contains another elastic if you want to destroy the box), and documentation regarding the quality and product.

All the extras I bought including #009, which is the repair kit and probably a good idea to buy and cost about 10 euros.

Instead of pulling out the elastic from the packaging as I suggested before you can do what I've done which is use the packaging to store the extras.

If you want more information on the Traveler's Notebook and the company that makes them, Midori (which has been making great stationary since 1950) you can look at the following links to buy and read more about the product.

Midori Japan (In English):

http://www.midori-japan.co.jp/tr/english/

For more information to buy, etc.

http://www.travelers-notebook.com/

For those in the UK who want an online retailer of the Traveler's Notebook:

http://www.glassworks-studios.com/shop/designers/fashion/midori-japan/

Simply put, I love this notebook. It allows me to work on writing and to collage my ideas at the same time. I've also thought of some different uses for it, such as carrying printed pages with me by simply tri-folding the papers and tucking one end under the elastic. Overall I'm more pleased than I have ever been with a notebook.

There are a few downsides however. I think my major complaint will lessen with use, which is the fold of the books make it difficult to write margin to edge. I wish there were more inserts, but I'm not sure if that's because I love to accessorize?

Plus it looks so cute with my little wood and brass ballpoint pen that Monsieur Redacteur found while walking the hound in the forest.

If you do end up getting one, please email me a picture of how you customised your notebook. Maybe we can swap ideas!

Adieu Moleskin, you have been replaced and overall neither my pen nor my pocketbook shall miss thee.