Hasta La Ideas

I’m a list keeper. I used to keep lists on stray pieces of paper around my office. Whatever was within reach would get a list on it — backs of envelopes, stray receipts, post-it notes. After I got the iPhone, my random paper list-making decreased significantly. The Notes application and I become fast friends.

However, I’ve once again found myself looking to good ol’ pen and paper to write down some of my ideas. Instead of turning to scraps of paper that will eventually clutter up my desk, I’ve decided to buy a notebook.

In my pursuit of finding the perfect notebook, I have discovered that there is a gigantic market of luxury notebooks out there. I honestly had no concept of how large it is. So, if you’re in the market for a good notebook to keep your ideas in one organized location, these are the brands to explore:

• Awagami
• Alwych
• Apica
• Bienfang
• Canteo
• Cartesio
• Cavallini
• Ciak
• Clairefontaine
• Derwent
• Doane
• Eccolo
• Exacompa
• Fabriano
• Field Notes
• G. Lalo
• Guildhall
• HandBook
• Kunst and Papier
• Markings
• Maruman Hongasen
• Miquelrius
• Moleskine/Kikkerland
• Myndology
• Nomad
• Pen and Ink
• Pentalic
• Piccadilly
• Quo Vadis
• Rag and Bone
• Rite in the Rain
• Rhodia
• Smythson
• Whitelines
• Xonex Ru

I made my decision about which to buy based on reviews I came across on a couple of notebook blogs. The blog Black Cover has pictures and reviews of some of the little black notebooks. And the website Notebook Stories has reviewed 19 different brands.

Are you a traditional notebook aficionado? Is there a brand or style that didn’t make my list? Please let us know about it in the comments!