This post is a little bit late. Not that I'm getting lazy but I am still at lost for words to what I am about to blog. You see, the boyfriend surprised me with a journal. And it is not just a journal. It is an Alunsina Handbound Book!

Now, for everyone who doesn't know what an Alunsina Handbound Journal is and why I make it sound so special, allow me to give a brief introduction.

The photo above is my Terrene Journal from Alunsina. According to Alunsina Handbound Book's official page:

It is a 7.5 x 5 inch journal with a cover made of decoupage Old World map reprint attached to a leather spine using solid metal rivets. Metal clips are also attached on the corners of the covers to protect them from wear.

The journal is composed of 240 pages (back-to-back) of ivory-colored, acid-free paper with distressed edges to give it a more handmade feel. It is hand bound with long stitch using sturdy waxed cotton cord and can be opened flat at 360 degrees without damaging the spine. Its lock is made up of a leather strap permanently attached to a metal ring and snap button, embellished with a nautical ship anchor.

Everything - from the covers, the binding, cutting of paper, down to the lock - is done by hand

I don't know about you, but I actually fell in love with the description alone. Just wait til you get your hands on the actual one and you might even want to marry it. Yep, it's that gorgeous.

This is just one of the many beautifully designed, carefully and painstakingly hand-crafted journals they make. The craftsmanship is so amazing I couldn't believe that this business is only manned by five. With the overwhelming number of orders they receive, can you even imagine how they can handle all of that? I don't want to know how much time they're losing for themselves. But from the looks and feel of the journal itself, I can say that they devoted a lot of time for this. And however they do it, they are definitely doing an amazing job.

So what makes this journal special? It is not just the excellent handiwork, or the high quality materials used, or the simple yet intricate design that makes it special. It is the passion and dedication that was put into making a beautiful one fit for one beautiful soul.

And all the more, it was the effort, thought, and love the boyfriend put into it that made it extra extra special. :)
I have a mild obsession for notebooks, notepads, and sticky notes. And I'm totally okay with the cute ones we can buy at Chinese novelty shops or the quirky hardcovers sold on some bookshops. But this one just skyrocketed my standards up. And I don't think I can ever settle for anything less. It's too beautiful it's almost impossible for me to write on it.

But I wrote anyway. This is where I can pour out my innermost thoughts and desires without judgment. A place to freely rant and complain without having to go through public scrutiny (not that I rant in Facebook ha. No, I don't. But I do that a lot in this blog. haha). But really, I hope to fill these blank pages with meaningful and inspiring thoughts.

Anyhoo, I'll share with you the first two pages of my journal. The first one, thanking the boyfriend, Jan Carlo, for this very surprising gift.

And second, well, I think I got too carried away. I was only supposed to be 'listing' my 2015 bucket list and I ended up doodling instead. This is what I like about having a beautiful journal. You cannot be not creative. At least now, I can steer clear from the annoying rants and do it creatively instead.
I'm still on the quest for the perfect washi tapes, stickers, woods stamps, and whatnot to go with this journal though. If only rustic designs are easy to come by. *sigh*  I just hope I don't get too obsessed with this that I might forget I actually have a blog.

Anyway, I think I've already said a lot. So to anyone who loves to put their thoughts down the old-fashioned way, any of these one-of-a-kind journals from Alunsina is a must-have. And no, I'm not paid for this. This is just me giving them a well-deserved pat on the back. :)