(Part 3) Best composition notebooks according to redditors

For reference, discarding took about 4.5 months in my 1400 sq foot home and two storage sheds. I have started working on deep cleaning, upgrading necessary yet ugly items, and storage/organizing. I expect this to take another two months. I am watching "Clean My Space" and "Home Organizing by Alejandra.tv" channels on YouTube now to help with the process.

I am trying to keep in mind getting products out of original packaging, if possible, to limit exposure to constant advertising in my home. I am choosing to spend quite a bit on higher quality products that I love and expect to last many years. Fortunately, I have a budget that allows for some luxuries.

Bedroom

I started with my closet and these great baskets from the container store http://www.containerstore.com/s/whitewash-rattan-bins/d?productId=10037633&q=Large%20Rattan%20Bin%20Whitewash. The closet has a built in shoe organizer and I used my label maker to indicate what style shoes go on which shelf – heels, sandals, sneakers, flats and boots. I also labeled the shelf for each basket. Clothes hangers are all white. They used to be all kinds of colors, and I realized that white is more calming. I am now using these for my socks and undies since konmari folding did not quite work for me on those items http://www.amazon.com/MIU-COLOR-Collapsible-Underwear-Organizer/dp/B009A3HTXY. The folding works great for most of my other clothes. I am still pondering how to organize the nightstand drawers.

Kitchen

I bought a couple of 10" bamboo lazy susans for keeping my oils and vinegars organized in my cabinets. I bought some refrigerator organization units from InterDesign and the Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce savers. I intend to get Oxo food storage containers for dry goods.
I upgraded to these measuring spoons http://www.amazon.com/Cuisipro-Stainless-Steel-Measuring-Spoon/dp/B00004SU1I and these measuring cups http://www.amazon.com/Sagler-Measuring-Piece-Heavy-duty-Stainless/dp/B00V5EFWTO.

When I was discarding in my kitchen I found I did not really love my dinnerware so I got this set http://www.amazon.com/Corelle-Coordinates-18-Piece-Dinnerware-Service/dp/B00R790CLY plus matching lunch sized plates. I love the simple clean lines and the durability of the product. I downsized from a 12 person setting to 6 and it is great.

Bath

Have not done much here yet. I don’t have much need for storage organization in the cabinets. Still considering what I want to do with the drawers. Right now the drawers are still organized with small cardboard boxes from Glossybox, a cut down cereal box, and an empty jigsaw puzzle box. I upgraded my plunger and brush to nice stainless steel containers, and got a toilet paper holder that matches them http://www.amazon.com/Home-Basics-Vented-Stainless-Toilet/dp/B00JB20IDW.

Laundry

I replaced my bulky plastic basket with this http://www.amazon.com/Bajer-Design-Marketing-5234-Basket/dp/B0010KZCFC. It now hangs on a Command Hook next to the washer.

Car

I have repacked the car kit and 72 hour emergency kits in these for my car and my son's car. ttp://www.amazon.com/TrunkCratePro-Best-Premium-Trunk-Organizer/dp/B01AHK0J9Y. We live in an area prone to natural disasters so I like to be prepared wherever we are. I bought a car trash container (http://www.amazon.com/Highland-1932600-Car-Trash-Keeper/dp/B0027QWNGO) and created a little kit in a ziplock bag in the glovebox with essentials. Also, found tissues in a round container that fits perfectly in the door cup holder. I also bought a set of matching reusable grocery bags (http://www.amazon.com/ReBagMe-Reusable-Grocery-Reinforced-Handles/dp/B00Y17OIR4) so I don’t have the mismatched set. Finally, I have these on order (http://www.amazon.com/Car-Hammer-Seatbelt-Emergency-Must-Have/dp/B00CB8WM2S). Not organization related, just something I have been thinking that I needed for safety.

Purse

I reassessed what is in my purse. I used a couple small cosmetics bags that I had on hand and now have many things I wished I had at various times. Everything is neatly organized and I know exactly what is in there and why I have it. Everything from safety pins, to pen and notebook (http://www.amazon.com/Marble-Composition-Books-Notebooks-Green/dp/B00WRDIS9I), to a tiny flashlight, a granola bar in case I am out and hungry, a tide stain remover pen, a tiny Band-Aid package, tiny measuring tape (http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-115-10-Foot-4-Inch-PowerLock/dp/B00009OYGH), my phone, my wallet, and my keys are always on the little hook. Not exactly Konmari minimalism, but those are all things that I wished I had at various times and I am happy that I will not be caught without again. It is a medium size purse, packed just right, with stuff easily accessible.

Home office

I have not done much there yet, but this drawer organizer is working pretty well http://www.amazon.com/Rolodex-Regeneration-Deep-Drawer-Organizer-21864/dp/B002JG48R4.

Command center

I am currently working on a “Command Center” to keep clutter off the kitchen counter. I have not purchased anything for that yet. I am writing down ideas, measuring, and considering products. http://thehappyhousie.porch.com/20-fabulous-command-centers-to-get-your-life-completely-organized/

Other random stuff:

I moved my CDs into a holder http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-DVDW-92-Capacity-Classic/dp/B00005ATMD and they now live on a Command Hook in my car. For movies I transferred them to these Sleeves http://www.amazon.com/Atlantic-74604729-Movie-Sleeves/dp/B002JR2V7C and they now live in a small drawer in my living room. I tossed the packaging because it was bulky and does not give me joy.

I am using these in my linen closet http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-STO-02986-Nested-Woven-Esspresso. This box for my jewelry http://www.amazon.com/Black-Leather-Jewelry-Travel-Case/dp/B0006JCGUM.

Not related to organizing, but I am loving these brushes for getting tiny spaces clean. So much better than an old toothbrush. http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Clean-Brush/dp/B003M8GMS6

If you made it this far, congrats. Something that I have noticed is that I can now shop with confidence, I can easily toss or donate the old unloved items, and I am organized enough to return those few items that don’t work as well as I hoped. My home feels much more open and inviting. I know where everything is and my clear vision is starting to come to fruition.

I use those but in A5 size. For some reason, I was not able to find this size on Amazon. And then I just grab a metal ruler and cut it with a carpet knife. You just have to cut one side because the heigh is fitting. It takes about 10-15 minutes and looks ok for me.

Heres the amazon link for it. You can order it through his site directly, but amazon is just easier when it comes to shipping.

Here it is: Officially Licensed Pusheen The Cat Soft Plush Notebook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6YSE99/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_1kXRDbQS1CD4Q

These. If you use all of these then you know you're serious about keeping it and can upgrade to something nice. I like cheap ones better. Nicer journals always make me feel like I'm defacing them if I draw in the margins or copy down a phone number someone gave me because they're supposed to be some sacred tome twenty years from now when I look back at them.

Sorry for the long link

https://www.amazon.com/Marbled-Composition-Notebooks-College-5color-5pack/dp/B013TY3NQQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1500759505&sr=1-3&keywords=composition+book+college+ruled

I use Mead Five Star Composition notebooks, graph ruled. Whenever Target has their late summer back to school sale I'll buy five or six of them in different cover colors to last me through the year.

I keep a notebook open all day on my desk at work to write down notes, create checklists, and to make quick diagrams of something I'm working on. I found that if I used an expensive notebook, I would worry that things had to be perfect or somehow "deserving" of going in an expensive piece of stationary. But with the cheap composition books I can freely scribble, tear out pages, and just not worry that I'm somehow wasting something expensive.

Is the paper as nice as a Rhodia or some of the other notebooks you'd find on JetPens? No. Does my checklist for the next steps on the project I'm working on need fancy paper? No. I just need a place to get stuff out of my head so I can move on to whatever I'm doing next, and the Mead notebooks work perfectly fine for that.

https://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Daily-Planner-Large-Black/dp/B015NG44KC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473790861&sr=8-1&keywords=moleskine+2017+daily+planner

edit: nvm, you want the small one

edit2: there's a pocket one https://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Daily-Planner-Pocket-Black/dp/B015NG44GQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1473790938&sr=8-8&keywords=moleskine+2017+daily+planner

Dingbats

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dingbats-D5008GY-Wildlife-Hardcover-Notebook/dp/B01MRDVVLZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1540323280&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=dingbats&psc=1

Rhodia

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhodia-Goalbook-Journal-Dotted-Sapphire/dp/B06Y6CBTPV/ref=sr_1_1?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1540323304&sr=1-1&keywords=rhodia+goalbook

Moleskine

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moleskine-Ruled-Notebook-13-21cm/dp/8883701127/ref=sr_1_1?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1540323325&sr=1-1&keywords=moleskine

You've gotten excellent advice on inks, and some on notebooks. You mentioned being overwhelmed by the choices, but wanting a sturdy notebook that can handle fountain pen ink. There are a few choices mentioned in here, but perhaps I can help summarize this. Key thing you will want is a high gsm (Grams per Square Meter), since a high gsm means thicker paper.

• Red and Black: 96 sheets, standard ruling, 90gsm, casebound, hardcover. Personally, no experience with this, but I've heard there's no bleed through with fountain pens.
  
  
• Seven Seas "WRITER" A5 Journal: 240 sheets, ruling is 7mm, 52 gsm Tomoe River paper, thread-bound for binding, cover is impregnated cloth (but you can buy a leather cover). Also no experience with this either.
  
  
• Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size Hardcover A5 Notebook: 125 sheets, ruling can be either lined/graph/dot grid, 70 gsm, thread-bound, hardcover with some sort of leather covering. I've been using these since 2013, and in my first notebook, my handwriting hasn't changed from the day I had written in it with Diamine Ancient Copper. You would still want sturdier ink than what I had used. The paper is cream colored, and smooth. Bleed through is rare.
  
  
• Rhodia Webnotebook A5: 80 sheets, ruling can be either lined/graph/dot grid, 90 gsm, thread bound, leatherette hard cover. I've always enjoyed Rhodia paper, and while I haven't used this particular product, the paper is much smoother than the Leuchtturm1917, and there's less ghosting. The paper also appears whiter to me than the Leuchtturm1917.
  
  
• Rhodia Goalbook A5: 112 sheets, ruling is dot grid, 90gsm, thread bound, leatherette hard cover. Throwing this in the options list, since you get a few more sheets. Also wanted to point out that the cover appears to be flexible.
  
  
• Scribbles That Matter, Pro: 100 sheets approx, ruling is dot grid, 100gsm, thread bound, vegan leather hard cover. The sheets are smooth, and a bit brighter than the Leuchtturm1917, but a bit more ivory than the Rhodia. Great paper, and the cover feels more durable and pleasant than the L1917. With fountain pens, I have yet to bleed through this paper, and the ghosting (seeing what is written on the other side of the sheet) is very minimal. If I push you towards any notebook, it'll be this one. It also comes with a penloop that is not useless, unlike the L1917.
  
  
• Lemome Thick Classic Notebook with Pen Loop A5: 90 sheets, ruling is either dot grid or lined, 90 sheets, 125 gsm, thread bound, leatherette cover. Just got this the other day, and the pages are thick and smooth so far. No bleed through or ghosting with fountain pen ink yet.
  
  
• Lemome Hardcover A5 with Pen Holder: 92 sheets, ruling is dot grid, 100g, thread bound, leather hardcover. Just an option to put in here, it has a pen loop, and the paper seems to be slightly less thick than the prior Lemome notebook.
  
  Wishing you and your daughter the best during these hard times.

Wow, your mom does not sounds like a happy person honestly.

So my father in law is similar, so I said fuck it and got him a lock picking set. Seems fun, inoffensive and useful.

The other go to inoffensive gift: BOOKS. Of course, since she has no declarable interests, I would be difficult.

So the ultimate inoffensive gift, fancy pen. Maybe with a fancy notebook too.

This is the one I got, its looseleaf. being able to take pages out and write on them helps a lot! Plus, if you mess up a page they never know hahaha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XGO4GHK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Post it notes! Also, I have one small notebook (https://www.amazon.com/Poppin-Medium-Pocket-Spiral-Notebook/dp/B00VUSZRI6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503869689&sr=8-1&keywords=poppin+notebook) that I use to keep a To-Do List. I make one list for the week (things like: meeting Tuesday at this time, make copies for next week with a list of the things that need to be copied, etc.) but by the end of the week it looks a little crazy and I jot down notes to myself throughout the week haha.

I'm guessing Penelope Garcia.

[Criminal Minds] (http://www.amazon.com/CafePress-Criminal-Minds-FBI-Journal/dp/B00PR8B374/ref=sr_1_7?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1421422610&sr=1-7&keywords=criminal+minds&pebp=1421422623448&peasin=B00PR8B374)

I think I have an add-on in my "Hair" wishlist.

Here's what I'm carrying today: imgur.com

• Leather card wallet
  
• Unbranded Pocket Journal (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LB2Y14)
  
• Skilcraft U.S. Government Pen
  
• Unbranded Pocket Notebook (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGE1914)
  
• Keys for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  
• iPhone 5S (not shown)
  
  Full disclosure: the notebook and journal were designed and are sold by my business partner and myself. We created them because we wanted plain, unbranded notebooks and journals we could use and we couldn't find anything that didn't have crap printed all over them.

I am doing like 10 dollar gift cards to starbucks or target probably, since we have two kids and like 6 teachers, and then I have bought little trinkets over the year when I see them (like a couple tote bags that are matchy but not identical, pairs of nice slipper socks, maybe a bottle of wine).

You will also run into Teacher Appreciation Week, and I filled these with all sorts of goodies the school had recommended (favorites candies and drinks and I did facemasks). Though a giftcard would fit nicely too!

There are many templates you can download and print yourself. You will need a saddle stapler.

I liked the product, too. It was only available in the States for two or three years. The case itself was enough to make me want to buy one but I never did.

Amazon has the 2017 edition on sale for US$250!
https://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Daily-Planner-Pocket-Other/dp/B015NG45CE/ref=pd_cp_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B015NG45CE&pd_rd_r=RRFDCF60VPSWX7JJKKHF&pd_rd_w=TVcdR&pd_rd_wg=gKCp2&psc=1&refRID=RRFDCF60VPSWX7JJKKHF

Nuuna notebooks from Germany and are normally kind of expensive to buy and ship but I found this bad boy on Amazon!

My current journal is a leuchtturm1917 A7 hardcover. I ordered it off Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/LEUCHTTURM1917-Cover-Notebook-Marine-Ruled/dp/B01JDHU1BI/

This is what I bought. The cover is basically card stock, but I reinforced it with packing tape just in case. https://www.amazon.com/Northbooks-Blank-Softcover-Pages-Cover/dp/B01K8CIE8O

I have purchased a TON of dot journals to figure out the best one for me. B5 is my favorite size. It isn't as small as A5 or as huge as A4. The only weird part is you can't find B5 in a hardcover. I am currently using this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Journal-Notebook-Planner-Expandable-Bookmarks/dp/B074G5R57B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526478475&sr=8-1&keywords=zen+art+supplies+bullet+journal

I love it. I can DM you a couple spreads if you wanna see what they look like on it. (Also the dots are lighter and paper is thicker)