I recently received a beautiful surprise from a friend in Australia. I wanted her to see my reaction, so I videoed myself unwrapping it.

Below, you can see me unwrapping the most delightful handmade leather journals. There is something so special about holding something handcrafted in your hands, and genuine leather makes it even more special. It feels special, it looks special, and it smells special.  (I did try listening, but there was nothing doing there 😉 ).

Here is a video of me unboxing, however the sound is appalling and I am appalling, but hey ho here is the link:

Link to amateur night video of unboxing.

Just looking at it, you can imagine it filled with magical stories or pictures.

These journals are so clever in that you can easily refill them, so that tiny fear you have when you are getting close to the end of losing an old friend doesn’t need to exist here.

These have been filled with Moleskine paper; no words are needed when you mention the name Moleskine, it doesn’t get more luxurious than that.

The larger journal has blank pages; the paper is smooth, creamy, and perfect for sketching, light watercolours, or pencils. A lovely size to carry around with the mark-making tool of your choice, easily in a pocket or bag.

The smaller one has lined paper and the sweetest, dinkiest biro I have ever seen in my life. Initially, I thought it was a biro refill (without my glasses), when I popped my glasses on, I realised it was an actual biro.

Perfect pocket-sized for taking everywhere to make notes.

I have to say something about the presentation. What an absolute pleasure it was to unwrap these beauties.

The first time I unwrapped an Apple product (an iPad, 15 odd years ago), I was struck by how the unwrapping was made into an event.

With their beauty, these Grierson journals surpass that event, plus the little extra surprises.

The little cotton wallets they come in are lined with a patchwork-looking, designed material, and the closure is a button with the studio’s name – I mean, how cute is that? The gift tags wrapped on them are little hand-painted cards on one side. And the business card? The most beautiful business card I think I have ever seen, just a breath of summer and colour.

When it comes to quality, presentation and usefulness, it’s a massive 10 out of 10 on all fronts. 

Genuinely, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Go and have a look at the fabulous choice of gorgeousness.