the great quest for a 2007 planner

The great quest began sometime mid-2006 when I realized that the new Moleskine planners coming out didn’t include the one I loved so dearly, the “visual” weekly large. I love this format because it looks like iCal – everything mapped out at a week-to-view. I didn’t like the idea of the new softcover ones, though I considered selling out and settling.

Then I found a build-your-own planner kit from Papersource, and built this:

Which was a lovely little 4.5″ x 6″ paper-covered planner. I really liked the text block, though the whole thing was a bit small and too scratchable for my taste. I used it for a few weeks, then grew restless…

Then my good friend showed me in glee her new planner! It was an Exacompta weekly visual planner – just what I’d been looking for. She got hers at Barnes and Noble before the new year, and I was out of luck when I combed through their sale pile. None left.

Vickerey was my savior. Not only did they have my dream planner in stock, but it was on sale! I promptly ordered this beauty:

(outside)
(inside)

It arrived today and I couldn’t be happier. Black “ostrich-skin” cover, very flexible and soft. The paper is creamy, smooth, and slightly thicker than Moleskine paper – no bleed-through. It’s 8.25″ x 6″ – almost the same size as my old Moleskine.

I love it. The saga draws to a close for now – and I get (almost) a whole year of using my beautiful new planner. RIP, large weekly Moleskine. I miss you.

levenger

Levenger sells some beautiful "tools for serious readers." I first learned about them when I was on my index card kick, but since then I've switched to my Moleskine planner and my 3×5"s are sitting on a lonely corner of my desk.

As far as notebooks, journals, and planners go, this is definitely something to look into if you're all for high quality and don't mind paying a little extra. Almost everything they carry can be monogrammed for yourself or your company, which is cool.

Shown above (from top) are a composition notebook, their SwiftNotes system (too small, alas, to hold a pocket Moleskine), and their index card accordion folder in a gorgeous green leather.

Check them out. If you have Levenger stuff already, tell me what you think of it. I'm considering investing in a nice notebook or folio.

moleskine plus cat equals delightful

Even my cat Sam is in love with my Moleskine Diary.

I’ve been using it for three months now and am so pleased with it. What do you think? Have you been thrilled or disappointed with your Moleskine Diary? I have the week-at-a-glance version. I use Post-Its for my tasks. I like it.

almost 2006…

And time to open my Moleskine Weekly Diary. It’s gorgeous – I can’t believe I waited this long to start using it. I know I’ll enjoy it all year, and look forward to the next one.

This “return to analog” is refreshing.

moleskine diary 2006

I found one a few months ago and it’s taken all my willpower not to tear it out of its plastic.

I’m waiting to open it as a special New Year’s gift to myself.

It’s gorgeous, and looking inside the one in the store, I know it’s perfect: week-to-two-pages, each day getting a full column (like in iCal), beautiful paper of course, and a pull-out address book to take with me next year.