Gone are the days when the idea of a notebook was Apsara's spiral bound A4 register, with Lakshmi and Ganesh illustrations etched on it. If you're one for making countless checklists at work, or you like to doodle quotes and draw Disney figures, there's a single lined/no-ruled/50-150 gsm book right up your alley.
Keep the Moleskin and Smythson stationery for another day; these designs are shudh desi creations.
Clutchbook, Letternote | INR 295
While Charlotte Olympia makes book-inspired clutches, Letternote shows us how a clutch can also double up as a repository of thoughts.
Size: Large; Measures 5 in x 8 in
144 inside plain or ruled pages.
Shop: www.letternote.com/
Lama Journal, Playclan | INR 245
We call this the original Keep Calm and Stay Awesome notebook.
Size: A6; Measures 5.85 in x 3.75 in
One side blank, one side ruled journal with an elastic band.
Shop: www.theplayclan.com/pd/
Groovy Moo, Alicia Souza | INR 225
The uber talented illustrator gives her quirky and hilariously scripted drawings a notebook avataar. As she says, this one's for notes on the 'Moooo've.'
Size: A 5; Measures approx 8.2 in x 5.8 in
Ruled paper, spiral bound book.
Shop: aliciasouza.com/him-
Brahma Books Professional Series | INR 945
We skipped on Moleskin and opted for the desi alternative, Brahma Books. It's an ideal notebook for the compulsive doodler.
Size: B7; Measures approx 4.9 in x 3.5 in
Unruled paper, hard cover.
Shop: On Flipkart or a stationery store near you.
Recipe Journal, Rubberband Books | INR 1,250
For the lady/man of the kitchen; the categorisation of this diary into compartments for recipes, ingredients, and notes makes it a hit!
Size: A5; Measures approx 8.2 in x 5.8 in
Multi-formats, hard bound crimson linen cover with elastic.
Shop: www.rubberbandproducts.
Rainbow Journal, Kaagazi | INR 499
Add a little colour to mundane note-making with this hand made, hand bound book. Oh, and they make custom versions too!
Size: A5; Measures approx 8.2 in x 5.8 in
Multicoloured paper, unruled paper.
Shop: www.kaagazi.com/
Professor Cool Notebook, Designwallas | INR 295
The genius on the cover said "Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking." We get the hint, Einstein.
Size: 5 in x 7 in
Unruled paper, hardbound.
Shop: On Flipkart
Custom Handmade diaries, Chapped Lips | On request
These journals just got a lot more personal! Pick a theme, give the ladies behind Chapped Lips a call, and they'll deliver a handmade, custom diary for you. Pictured above, what we ordered for a friend who loves Paris.
Size: A 5, Measures approx 8.2 in x 5.8 in
Shop: Via their Facebook Page
