Isn’t that frustrating?

And aren’t these beautiful?

If I had to say that I collect anything, it would be Moleskine notebooks.  They are not cheap to collect however and that makes me sort of a closet collector.   At Barnes and Noble or Target, a small and/or medium size Moleskine notebook is at least $10.     Compare that to another brand’s small notebook with 50 pages and about the same size, and you might experience sticker shock.  Moleskine’s larger notebooks are upwards of $20.  But they are worth it.

Here’s a comparison:

I asked myself this morning as I was admiring my Moleskine collection, why do I prefer Moleskine notebooks so much if I think they are too expensive?

The answer is because they are familiar to me, easy to find when I need a fix, and they are collectible because they are so darn good-looking.  Mostly it’s a comfort thing I think.  I am comfortable with Moleskine. I appreciate the consistency of the notebook design and page styles.  I can buy them on Amazon.com, at Barnes and Noble, and now at Target.  I like the different sizes and the colors are so fun!  I buy pink notebooks for my daughter, blue notebooks for my son, black for my husband, and I vary the colors that I buy for myself. I like to switch it up.

Why Moleskin?

Moleskine notebooks are strong, sturdy, and The Moleskine notebook is, in fact, the heir and successor to the legendary notebook used by artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: among them Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin.

I have my favorite Cross and Mercedes-Benz pens that I carry with me everywhere to use with my Moleskine notebooks.  they are a combo deal.  Cross and Moleskine = happy note taking.

Here’s the problem.  There is no rhyme or reason to how I use my Moleskine notebooks.  I don’t have a certain color for a certain topic.

I should/could have

• one for The Mommy Insider work notes
• one for Atlanta Moms work notes
• one for the kids and to-do lists
• one for travel notes
• one for doodles (link to Moleskine Doodles collection at Target!)
• you get it

But I don’t.  Instead what you’d see if you were to open one of my Moleskine notebooks, is a compilation of notes about both of my websites, the groceries I need to pick up this week, reminders about the kid’s school events, and so on.  That is why I feel very strongly that I need to start my Moleskine collection from scratch.

This is where I need help.  

Do I choose a different color notebook for each topic?

Do I use one notebook for everything and just use labels to section out a notebook?

Do I buy different sizes based on what the topic is or when/where I’m going to use that notebook?

What would you do?

In the grand scheme of things this is all very trivial, I know.  But since I am in the process of organizing and re-decorating my home office (for the first time in 8 years in this office!), getting my Moleskine notebook situation figured out seems like a natural step in the right direction.  And a bit of a distraction from the other stuff I suppose.

I was not compensated for this post in any way by anyone. I am sharing one of my passions with you.  Your opinions my differ but I know you’ll love Moleskine when you give them a try!  Some links in this post are affiliate links.