30 Nov The Emile Journal by Seventy Eight Percent

A good journal is hard to find. And boy did I ever learn that lesson a few weeks ago! As a writer and pen lover, I always try to keep a journal handy. Typically, it’s this one:

Inside, I keep everything from the domains I own to daily inspirations. If I hear about or see a good book, I write it in there. If I get a new blog idea or see a great quote, inside it goes. Pics of my favorite places, things to do, they all go in.

But after reading this inspirational post on creating a vision book, I thought, wouldn’t it be awesome to create a vision book that I could carry with me, just like I do my journal? I already have a vision board.  And hence began my quest (and I do mean quest) for a journal.

Unfortunately, what I envisioned as a simple process quickly turned into a frustrating one. All the journals I found in stores were either just not my style or had lined pages, which just wouldn’t work with stickers, pictures, and possibly sketches. I soon realized that what I was looking for wasn’t really a journal, but really more of a soft-cover sketchbook.

In the end, what I ended up with was a hybrid between the two, that left me feeling a little less than inspired (due primarily to the run-around involved, and the fact that it took almost two weeks before I finally was able to get the refill).

Finally, after purchasing this Italian-made journal from Barnes and Noble, I decided to keep the cover and look for an unlined refill online (since I liked the cover but didn’t want the lined pages inside). But when I finally found the refill and got it in the mail, it turned out to be about only half the size of the original refill, leaving my journal looking a wee-bit thin.

However, looking back on it, I guess this size is perfect since I plan on carrying it with me.  And journals can really add some extra pounds to my already overburdened purses.

But before I’d invested in my journal/sketchbook hybrid, I wished I’d seen the Emile Journal by Seventy Eight Percent. This beauty is just what I was looking for. Not only is it made from quality Italian leather, but it also features two pockets, a pen slot, and holds more than 80 unlined pages (perfect for my stickers, pictures, and vision sketching). And at 6.3″x 4.5″, it’s the perfect size for my purse or pocket. So, needless to say, when I run out of space in this journal, the Emile will be a definite contender as a replacement.

Seventy Eight Percent also makes a lot of other really cool leather products, including everything from briefcases to leather computer sleeves. I’m also a big fan of the Zazie mini satchel too!