OliaDesign Diary String Key Leather Bound Notebook, Brown

I like the looks of this little guy. It's 4.25" wide by 5.5" high. The brown unlined paper is just under 3.75" by just under 5.5". And this exactly what I was looking for. A very small journal that would fit in my purse. If it's not leather it's good quality pleather. Yes, it has a funny little saying stamped on the front that makes very little sense in English. I know this has ruined the journal for many, but I personally don't care. I'm not treating my journal with kid gloves. It's been bent and squished open quite a bit while I've written in it. And it's covered in smudgy finger prints (which didn't come across in the picture). I can't see the key string breaking unless I really abuse it. Again I'm not overly careful when I wrap it closed. The paper isn't anything special (not too thin, not handmade thick) other than it is brown. It's like the kraft paper used for wrapper parcels. As you can see from my picture I am writing in pencil and it is still easily read. Black pen would be best, but I like to erase my more blatant spelling errors. Bottom line ... for under $7 I will buy another one when I finish this one.

I have been looking for an awesome pocket journal for some time. As I am stuck in the old days and love to write this aged paper screamed at me BUY ME! I am in love with this journal. Note that the paper is not lined and the size is about the size of an iPhone 6 plus just wider. Until you get this journal properly broken in it is cumbersome to write in at first. But for those like my that love to write and take a step back even further in time to write in cursive this is a dream come true. This fits in my purse with ease and makes jotting down those day dreams easy as can be. The paper even has on old feel to it this left me highly impressed by this product.

So, I read the reviews before I bought this, and decided unlined, good quality paper was something I could roll with.I just got this in the mail today, and it's adorable- it is just shy of six inches from top to bottom of the front cover, which is small enough that it doesn't quite reach from the bottom of my palm to the tips of my fingers. It's four inches wide, one inch thick and appears to be bound by leather strands that criss-cross the spine of the book, though you see no sign of that once you open the book itself. The paper does seem to be good quality, though not terribly thick, so I think I'll leave my markers and gel pens out of this one.The paper is also a cardboard-brown color, which doesn't bother me, but might be undesirable for someone looking for a clean white look.As for the words imprinted on the front, it reads- and I'm quoting exactly here- "Warm record...n years later accidental open it warm in forever"I spent two years living in South Korea, so the lost-in-translation bit of almost-English doesn't bother me a bit, but it did make me laugh. I don't see this as being a problem, since I didn't buy this book for the quote on the front, and it won't effect my use or enjoyment of the notebook.

In my opinion, this is a wonderful journal and it was just what I was looking for, a "vintage" leather journal. The paper looks dated and the leather genuine, which I admire because it makes the journal look and seem very authentic. The string and key are also a nice touch, in my opinion, as it also contributes to the authenticity. I would recommend to writers, travelers, or anyone seeking a reasonable-sized vintage journal. This book would make a great gift, as it is unique and reasonably prices.

This journal was almost five stars. Its cute, travel size, and seems fairly sturdy. But there was one thing I didn't like. It has some strange inscription on it that looks like someone who doesnt speak english at all put it through a crappy translating program because the words make no sense at all. Right on the top right corner of the journal it says "Warm record...n years later accidental open it warm in forever" its such a bad translation of whatever language it was in that I can't even tell what that's supposed to mean. If they didn't speak English why even add an English inscription? Anyhow its still functional but that knocks off two stars in my opinion.

I got this to go with a character I was playing at the New World Magischola Larp in Virginia. I loved the quality of this little journal, and how it fits in all of my bags, depending on which bag I chose to take. It's great for writing down tidbits on the go, and I definitely plan on using it for when I go hiking with friends and see something noteworthy. Just an all around great journal to have for artists and writers alike.

I don't know why some complain about the smell. Mine smells like the leather it is. My first action was to rub a coating of Lexol leather conditioner into the cover. It is supple, beautifully finished and has that luxury leather smell. The pages are sturdy and look like they will be durable. I use a med. point fountain pen on it and the paper takes the ink very well. I have already ordered another in Orange. Be aware that the different colored journals are not necessarily the same size. OK, the embossed quotation on the cover is clumsily translated, but to me it just lends to the charm of the piece. I'm pretty sure I'll order more as I journal daily. I can recommend this with no reservations.