This post is for all those who love writing in notebooks, who bring paper and a pen with them wherever they go, and for Junnie, who gifted me with my very first Moleskine.
“Why would you pay so much for a notebook?,” I wondered as I looked at the piles of Moleskine journals in a bookstore. Sure, the journal’s tag says it was used by Ernest Hemingway, Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde. Okay, so the greats used the brand. I still didn’t get why it was so expensive. I’m a huge notebook lover, but c’mon, P1,600 for a journal? I decided not to get one.
And then through friendship and luck, I was gifted with a Moleskine journal. Oh wow! It’s… beautiful!, I thought. The simple black notebook, its rounded corners and the lined pages beckoned me. However, I didn’t know what to write in it! Call it weird but there were moments of quiet reverence when I’d hold the journal. I felt whatever I would write in it HAD to be good. I have a relationship with my journals, and I felt this Moleskine deserved a little something more.
Then I began writing in it. The paper. The PAPER. It was soft and crisp to the touch of my pen. It just made me want to write, write, and write. In the beginning, I used the journal for my personal thoughts only. I put in ideas for my blog, wrote poetry in it, put in recipes, doodles, quotable quotes. I did not want to color it with anything work-related because well, it’s work.
But one quiet afternoon in the office I absentmindedly grabbed my Moleskine and began writing. Part of my job entails a lot of brainstorming and idea generation. Oh wow. It was an epiphany. Writing on my Moleskine was just an invitation to pour out ideas. I kept on writing and writing. I did my mind maps in my journal instead of in blank sheets of bond paper. I took the notebook to meetings. It became an essential part of the way I worked. It holds my ideas and encourages me to write and think more, more, more.
What draws me to this notebook is a myriad of things. The crisp yet soft paper — how it bounces back against my pen when I write. Like it beckons me to keep on writing, to keep on doing what I love. The simple black cover — unassuming, quiet, whispering “it’s all about the content” and not fancy graphics up front. The bookmark — marking the place where I will be writing next. The expandable inner pocket — where I place my business cards. The encouragement it gives me to write some more. The orange tabs I placed myself — adding a little touch of personality to this blank canvas. You could say that my relationship with my Moleskine is far from being solely functional.
One of the best parts of the Moleskine: a blank page. The possibilities, the possibilities, the possibilities. I just love writing in it. I do have a love affair with my Moleskine, yes. The price tag may be a tad higher than the usual notebook, but then again, it’s not the usual notebook. I had to write on it and get to know it better to discover that. I haven’t looked back since. This is the journal I want to be paired with for a long time. My Moleskine and me.
This post is an introduction to a Moleskine contest I’ll be holding in my blog this week. I have a huge affinity with Moleskine so I’m super excited to tie up with avalon.ph for a Moleskine giveaway. Stay tuned. — done!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Mrs. G
October 20, 2008 at 1:45 pm (16 years ago)I’m addicted to notebooks! I’m definitely joining your contest.
Mrs. Gs last blog post..Blog Awards
Em Dy
October 20, 2008 at 1:47 pm (16 years ago)And some use the moleskine as a sketchbook. I’ve seen samples on the web (emilayusof.com and http://www.flickr.com/annings) and they’re good.
Em Dys last blog post..Old Books
kaoko
October 20, 2008 at 1:55 pm (16 years ago)I know, I know. We’re probably victims of marketing and branding. But there’s something about Moleskines that you can’t help but love. Maybe it really is just a branding thing, but who cares? If marketing is able to inspire this much love for a pricey little black notebook, I say take my money and give it to your marketing people.
des
October 20, 2008 at 2:37 pm (16 years ago)I want to join your contest. 😉 I used to keep a lot of journals but lost track of ’em..
des
October 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm (16 years ago)i want to join! i used to keep a lot of journals but lost track of ’em.. maybe now’s the time to start again.
blue rose
October 20, 2008 at 2:46 pm (16 years ago)P1600 for a journal? OMG! that was so expensive i can’t afford to buy one. though i love collecting notebooks. kakapanghinayang atang sulatan yan. hahaha.
blue roses last blog post..I am the lucky one!
Candice
October 20, 2008 at 3:01 pm (16 years ago)I always adore Moleskins in the bookstores, but never had the stomach to pay the amount of money needed to purchase one. I guess you can say it has my heart but not my pursestrings.
Your post is really inspirational, though. Makes the heart pang for it more. 😉
Candices last blog post..The erupting battle
sheilamarie
October 20, 2008 at 3:27 pm (16 years ago)i have an infatuation…. nay, an addiction, to notebooks and pens. and i don’t know why. lol! i love to put my thoughts down, doodle and i’m just happy to be able to write anything down. i even have a journal written for my son. not just an online blog xD i’ll try to look for this notebook in manila, tony =) thanks for sharing
Tina
October 20, 2008 at 3:47 pm (16 years ago)I love Moleskines too. I’d pay that much money for a notebook if it meant having that kind of notebook…wait did that make sense? Haha basta! Moleskines are love. <3
Tinas last blog post..I Planted a Tree
Sasha
October 20, 2008 at 3:49 pm (16 years ago)So it begins!
I love my Moleskine too! I’m looking to get pocket-sized ones plus a sketchbook. Hopefully, SOON!
This is exciting! XD
brissiemum2
October 20, 2008 at 3:55 pm (16 years ago)Baaa haaa haaa! When I read your title, I thought it would be about something completely different. ‘Moleskins’ (Ok, I missed the ‘e’) here are a pair of trousers that cowboys/farmers wear!
brissiemum2s last blog post..Our Weekend Round-Up!
Christianne
October 20, 2008 at 4:06 pm (16 years ago)I’m thinking of keeping a journal next year to record my 2nd daughter’s birth and how her relationship with her big sister will develop, and I’ll give it to my daughters when they grow up. Your post inspired me to get a Moleskine planner 😀 do they come in more feminine colors though? hehe
Sinta
October 20, 2008 at 4:32 pm (16 years ago)Count me as one of those lovers of stationary. I couldn’t be happier than browsing in a stationary store, surrounded by papers and pens.
Sintas last blog post..Pumpkin Pie
nina
October 20, 2008 at 4:37 pm (16 years ago)I like nice paper and pens but sometimes if the paper is so good, I don’t want to use at all
ninas last blog post..New Domain Name
dyanie
October 20, 2008 at 4:52 pm (16 years ago)Yey! I love journals! I’m looking forward to your contest!
dyanies last blog post..Desserts at Classic Confections
CandyQ
October 20, 2008 at 7:14 pm (16 years ago)It has always been something that has boggled my friends, and now my husband, why I keep buying notebooks and pens. There’s just something about them that’s so comforting about them. :o)
I’ve been trying to find a Moleskine journal here in Riyadh but haven’t been able to find any. I’m glad to know it’s available back there because I’ll willingly part with P 1,600 just so I can have one. Or maybe I’ll get lucky and win one *fingers crossed*, haha.
CandyQs last blog post..My Birthday Photo Mosaic
Cookie
October 20, 2008 at 7:57 pm (16 years ago)I love it!! I’ve been wanting to get one but its soooo expensive. Sana mag-sale sa Fullybooked
Cookies last blog post..Weekend Snapshot : Mountain Song
gene
October 20, 2008 at 8:39 pm (16 years ago)I share the same love affair, only for me with a Moleskine Red Planner. It’s a must to bring everywhere. I keep my doctor appointments, what to buy, movie schedule, payment dues, tickets and receipts. Now that I’m pregnant with our first child, I’m thinking of buying another journal to record my daily life with the new member of the family.
genes last blog post..Free Pattern: 7-Days Summer Bracelet
odette
October 20, 2008 at 8:52 pm (16 years ago)for the love of paper and everything notebook, moleskin is definitely on top of my favorites!
great story toni!
odettes last blog post..decorate me happy
ManuelV
October 20, 2008 at 10:56 pm (16 years ago)Pwedeng sumali, Toni?
It’s good to see you kicking off the series of Avalon.ph Moleskine Notebook Giveaway Contests with your Oct 22 opener.
Just curious, though… would you excitedly use the Pink Moleskine volant? Or do you prefer to stick with black?
ManuelVs last blog post..One Penny Coaching
Jeanny
October 20, 2008 at 11:15 pm (16 years ago)contest!!!!and notebook!!!!
I love both. I am excited to join
I can smell the new Moleskines now…yummy!!!!
J.
October 20, 2008 at 11:50 pm (16 years ago)I’m so glad you’ve become a Moleskine convert! I recently got a handy phone that can pretty much do everything that my Moleskine daily planner can do and more, but I can’t bear to part with it. I thought you said “Mowlskeen,” but Via sheepishly corrected me and said that since the company’s Italian, you say, “Mo-le-skee-neh.” Hee. Their city-specific journals are a dream to travel with—I hope you get the chance to take one with you on a fabulous trip!
J.s last blog post..The Clues Are Them Cupcakes
ibyang
October 21, 2008 at 4:41 am (16 years ago)i’ve been looking at moleskines everytime i go to my fave bookstore…but i haven’t got the nerve to buy one because of the cost (kuripot ako hahaha)…but i always, always imagine myself writing in moleskine and i know it will be a wonderful experience.
your entry has given me quite a push to buy one so maybe one day i will buy it and start writing on a paper that will inspire me to write more
and yes, i love writing on paper too =) i never leave home without a pen and paper in tow.
ibyangs last blog post..Pharyngitis
K
October 21, 2008 at 1:09 pm (16 years ago)I actually love the garterized band even Paul Smith copied the design on his wallets collection. I thought paper blogging would be a nice idea too.
glenville
October 21, 2008 at 10:49 pm (16 years ago)bought my first moleskine last year and wrote scribbles of the trip i took with my family in it. i plan to use it as my travel journal.
sheng
October 22, 2008 at 11:38 am (16 years ago)Oh, i so want that thing, ganda… very lovely, I wish ideas for the magazine I do will keep pouring too when i get to use one.
shengs last blog post..Off to Beautiful Boracay
Mik
October 22, 2008 at 12:14 pm (16 years ago)I always look at the Moleskine display when I got into Borders or Barnes & Noble, wife rolls her eyes as I buy yet another notebook.
I have five on my desk all used for different stuff, luv ’em.
Miks last blog post..The camo pants
daximillian
October 22, 2008 at 2:35 pm (16 years ago)Moleskines are great, I just wish they had better paper (they’re not kind to fountain pens). I have a plain pocket reporter and a lined journal which I use as my diary (using this hack. I also tried taking a London city journal to London, but it was a disappointment.
As for Moleskine anxiety – it’s a well documented phenomena :). Just google it and you’ll find tons of ways to get over it.
Can’t wait for the contest…
Junnie
October 22, 2008 at 9:23 pm (16 years ago)I’m so glad and proud to have introduced you to your LOVEDONE
no not husbo but Moleskine.
Jenn
October 23, 2008 at 1:03 am (16 years ago)You summed up how I feel about Moleskines more than anyone else ever I think. I also feel as though I’m tainting my Moleskine when I use it for work. Perhaps I should get myself a Moleskine and devote it all to work…
I have about 4-5 of them in various forms and devoted to various topics. And I also frequent the Moleskinerie blog (which is how I found out about your post). It’s nice to know there are other Moleskine obsessed people out there and that Moleskine anxiety happens to more people than just me.
Jenns last blog post..Finished Object Photos
kristin
December 28, 2008 at 9:24 pm (15 years ago)OMG.. i love moleskine.. its the best notebook to write a journal! i cant find one here in the philippines.. can you please let me know where to find it Manila?
Thanks much!!
nyles
May 26, 2009 at 9:35 pm (15 years ago)Moleskine notebooks are one of the best creations and are considered the Holy Grail of writers. I don’t know what it is about them that just entices me to fill up every page. So magical this notebook is.