I’ve always wanted a proper travel scrapbook. Sure, I’d kept several journals over the years, but I’ve read them back only to be bored by the endless scribbles and lack of anything actually interesting in them. I started to be drawn into the idea of a travel scrapbook – where I could add some sketches, stick in some shells, print out some photographs.
I adored Paige from the moment we started talking, as she referred to my “adventurous spirit” and complimented my blog (it helped that she designed the most gorgeous, intricate scrapbooks). I loved her shop immediately, and for someone who’d just started obsessing over travel scrapbooks, all of her products encompassed everything I both needed and wanted.
When the journal arrived, it came in a hand-wrapped parcel with a little note and bow, and was super gorgeous. When I opened it, I was immediately drawn to the bright teal colour of the leather, and probably sat in stupor for several minutes as I contemplated the fact that Paige actually made this. Like, with her own hands. How on earth can someone create such a complex little book by themselves? I know for sure that I lack any kind of intricate talent for that, which definitely makes me more in awe of Paige’s work.
Paige personalises her journals on request, but it came as a surprise when I opened the journal to find that it had my blog logo on it. Little details like this make me mega happy, so I wandered around my house showing it off to anyone who’d look.
The paper within the scrapbook is thick – perfect for sketches, paintings, and other little artistic whims. Paige’s scrapbooks come in several sizes, but I liked the smaller size as it is absolutely ideal for just carrying around on travels – it can even fit in the pocket of some of my larger coats! The stitching and binding of the book is visible along the spine, which is a quirk that I absolutely adore as it adds a slightly rustic look to the book.
The stone at the front matched the tone of the leather and added to the overall aesthetics of the book, and the leather wrap which you use to tie it all up is a lot more convenient than I would have thought. With little maps of the same colour in the book, I keep pausing every time I’m adding to a new page with a map beside it just to read the places and work out where in the world it is. For someone that loves travel and yet cannot afford to travel all the time, this scrapbook is perfect for living vicariously through pervious memories and future dreams.
I love the style of the scrapbook also, merely because of how flexible it is. I know that as I continue to travel the scrapbook will be filled with endless photographs, so having a spine that is slightly more pliable is perfect as it means the pages won’t get bent out of shape as I add more images.
The book arrived incredibly quickly (despite the fact that I am situated on the other side of the globe), and was wrapped in a way that no damage could occur to it. Paige was incredibly friendly and helpful, and despite the fact that I was completely unreachable at points during our communicating (due to spontaneously jet-setting off), was always super patient with me.
I’m absolutely in love with the scrapbook and can’t thank Paige enough for her generosity in sending me one of her books. I will treasure it forever, and one day will sift through it’s worn pages and think back to the days of my best travels.
