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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New find! Stick'n

There is a store in Singapore called Popular, a bookstore best known for school books and supplies. 

I shop there pretty often, I buy office supplies, snacks, cute stationery and even phone cables.

The other day, whilst looking for some new pens, I came across a range of fusen that I had never seen before. 

Stick'n, as it turns out, is a Taiwanese fusen brand. 

Popular had everything from normal paper fusen to index tabs, film fusen, roll paper fusen and even fusen pockets, which we'll discuss in a bit. 

I picked up 3 items. 

Decorative film fusen inspired by famous fruits of Taiwan, pocket film fusen and fusen index tabs. 

 Out of the 3, the fusen index tabs were my least favourite, simply because it is so big and that makes it inconvenient to use. 

The pocket film fusen is really interesting. 

You can use it to hold pieces of paper anywhere in your notebook, receipts instantly comes to mind. 

You can also use it as a temporary frame and because it's film, it's reusable and can be written on. 

There are also 2 types in the 1 package. One has a tab, and the other is a plain pocket. 

I used the pocket fusen here to hold my laundry docket in place, so I don't forget to pick it up. 

Very useful! 

However, I do wish the colour selection is a bit better, but it is quite subtle when you attach it to a notebook page so that's not a big dealbreaker. 

The decorative film fusen is also really cute. 

The material is conducive to colouring, great for that pop of colour on your notebook pages. 

So if you see this brand out, you should definitely look out for some of these items! 

Are you already a fan of Stick'n? What's your favourite product? 

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Eslite Bookstore, Taipei Taiwan

There is little I enjoy more than coffee (hence my moniker) but a beautifully stocked bookstore is certainly one of them. 

A recent entry into my "favourite bookstores list" has to be the flagship Eslite Bookstore in Xinyi Taipei Taiwan. The Eslite chain is probably already famous amongst fellow Traveler notebook users since they do collaborations with them quite often to produce a limited edition collection of goods. Aside from that, they also produce their own masking tape, notebooks and other stationery. All bearing the Eslite name and usually features a famous quote on books. Quite lovely really.

Its not all just books either! There are six floors of goodies to look at and one of my favourite restaurants in Taipei is also located within it. FYI, its called Kiki's and the food is fantastic.

All in all, highly recommended.

Now, if only they started selling fantastic coffee too.

But then again, I might never leave...

 

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