Today I would like to introduce to a long standing on-line friend of mine, Yvonne. 

Hello, my name is Yvonne and I am a notebook and planner addict. Anything involving leather, paper, pen and ink (preferably all together) is my happy place. I blog at The Zeitgeist of Zoe

1. How long have you been using a travellers note book for?

I first discovered Traveler’s Notebooks in 2012 after stumbling upon a blog post from 2008 about different cool notebooks which featured a Midori Traveler’s Notebook. At the time you could not purchase the Midori TN in the US, so although I wanted one, I didn’t want one badly enough to jump through the hoops needed to order one from Japan. I purchased my 1st TN (an official Midori) from Baum-Kuchen in 2013 and have been hooked ever since.

2. What size(s) of travellers notebooks do you use?

Being rather notebook obsessed, I have several TNs. I started with one regular sized brown MTN, soon added a regular size black, a brown passport MTN, a 5th Anniversary Traveler’s Star passport size…and now that so many talented people make them, I have added two in FN size from Chic Sparrow and two made by Ray Blake; one in FN size and the other in regular size. I will also be going back for one of his new Camel edition FN size after the holidays. So that’s  8 and counting.

They all sort of go in and out of rotation as needed, but the ones which are included in my Every Day Carry right now that I use are my regular size Camel edition from Ray and my FN size Chic Sparrow Creme Brulee.

3. How many inserts/booklets does your travellers notebook hold?

I’m not sure because the most I ever use are three. I’m an oddball in that I prefer sleek and compact to chunky and stuffed. I keep two FN notebooks in my Chis Sparrow and three miscellaneous notebooks in my Camel Edition from Ray.

4. What does each insert or notebook get used for?

The FN size is a Gratitude Journal. Every day I use as many sheets as I want to list things I am thankful for.

My regular size Camel Edition is used for big projects, so it holds a Midori Monthly calendar insert for tracking what is happening when, and separate notebooks for different projects that are going on. Currently I have one notebook for an upcoming house move and an additional notebook for research on purchasing a new car, which I hope to do early in the new year.
5. If you could have an insert designed just for you, what would it contain?

Actually my favorite inserts are Midori brand “005 Free Diary”. They are a daily undated format on a comfortable sized quadrille paper. I use these for just about everything.

6. Have you ever considered making your own travellers notebook cover?

Oh goodness no! I don’t have a creative bone in my body (nor any patient ones)….and there are so many wonderful TNs being made by others that it is far more fun for me to buy them 🙂

7. Apart from paper inserts, what else do you carry in your TN and how?

Mostly I use my TNs as notebooks, but I do have a Midori brand Kraft folder in my regular sized Camel Edition to capture any loose papers, etc. related to the projects I’m using the notebooks inside for. I will also clip a Midori pen loop to any TN that I’m carrying around in my handbag so that the pen doesn’t come out of the elastic.
8. What attracts you to using a travellers notebook compared to other formats?

First and foremost is the leather. I love the way they age, scuff and patina with use. I feel like even my mundane life is an adventure carrying and using these notebooks. The simplicity is very appealing to me. I also like the flexibility of changing out notebooks and accessory inserts when needed. The fact that there are no rings makes writing all the way to the margins on both the right and left leaves easy.

9. What would you like to see in a travellers notebook design?

One of the things that appeals to me most about TNs is the simple, clean design. Really the only thing I would like to see is something akin to Personal/Medium size so that notebooks could be carried in either one’s TN or tucked into one’s planner as needed.

10. What advice would you give to a new travellers notebook user?

Know that they are addicting! So set a budget for yourself and try not to go too wild buying them. Also, USE THEM! They only get better with use…promise!

11. Finally, what would you like to see on Travellers Notebook Times?

Personally, I am more into using my notebooks as life tools than decorating in them, so I would most enjoy usage tips and practical information, as well as updates on any new inserts people come up with or new notebooks/designers.

Thank you Yvonne, thank you for your help and support. 

And if you would like to feature in ‘My Travellers Notebook’ please contact us: travellersnotebooktimes at gmail dot com