Review: OURS Studio Weekly Journal

I’ve been using the OURS weekly journal since January and since they’ve announced the 2023 edition, I’ve decided to do a quick review of the 2022 edition. 

OURS is a small design studio from Taiwan, they have a wide variety of beautiful stickers, tape, stamps and other journalling supplies. 

The journal is A5 size and comes complete with a notebook protector.  

The paper is nice and thick and the spine is lay flat, which is very useful for journalling! 

Inside, there are monthly overview pages. 

But the main journal is a weekly layout over 2 pages. 

Each week starts with a question and a section for you to fill up. 

The questions are simple like ‘what is the most surprising thing that happened’ or ‘find something green!’ Helpful for if you can’t think of anything to write about. 

Each weekly layout also comes with a colour palette. It’s more of a suggestion but I’ve been following it religiously, I find it challenging and fun to follow. 

An example of a weekly layout. Honestly, it’s a great way to use up journalling supplies. 

The journal also includes a bunch of extras at the back. 

From top left (clockwise): Recipe cards, location cards, research pages and photo pages. 

Unfortunately, I forgot about them and haven’t used any of the extra pages but I will try to for 2023!

A layout with text, the weekly layout was never one I was fond of but with the colour palette, I have been enjoying it and discovering new colour combinations! 

Also, there are cute additions like this text/colours/line/measurement reference sheet on the inside of the back cover. 

The 2023 journal launches at the end of the month, look out for it on  Instagram.

What do you think? Is this something you might look into buying? What other design studios would you recommend we look at? 

 

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Review: Keep A Notebook stamp collecter's notebook

Keep A Notebook is an indie stationery brand from Taiwan.

Their main product line are notebooks in 2 sizes:

 A5 slim that is similar to the Traveler's notebook inserts and Handy, which is a smaller size and I think is unique to the brand. 

I didn't find the normal inserts too interesting but the stamp collector's notebook piqued my interest. 

I bought it in the handy size as I thought it would be better for travel.

There are 3 important elements to this notebook. 

1. The cover, which tucks into a little overhang at the top of the notebook, keeping it securely closed in transit. It also acts as a base when stamping, which you place under the following 2 elements. 

2. The paper (above) that separates each stamped sheet. It is translucent, almost like wax paper and prevents both transfer and smudging. 

3. The stamping paper, grid paper that is smooth and thick enough to prevent ink bleed. 

In action!

The print is so sharp, the grid lines are subtle. 

Overall, great for archiving. 

I've brought it on a few trips and the notebook travels well. 

If you're a stamp collector, you should definitely pick this up. 

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Journalize, Hong Kong

When I was researching places to shop in Hong Kong, I came across Journalize. 

Started by a young stationery lover, the store stocks fountain pens, travelers notebooks and a host of other stationery items. It is a bit out of the way but if you're sick of the big chain stores and would like to look at a personally curated selection of products for the stationery lover, it will definitely be worth the trip! 

Also, the little stamp corner is super fun and the interior is cosy so definitely worth a look if you're in Hong Kong. 

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