Beautiful leather bound note pad (ideally one that can be refilled) like Smythsons only cheaper 😄 Waaaaay cheaper!

[tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz]

Looking for a beautiful notepad for an extremely difficult to buy for DH. Will actually be for his 50th birthday not Christmas but figured posting here may get more traffic.

Smythson ones are beautiful but extremely expensive and unrealistic that he’d fork out for refill pads after.

I’ve not yet looked at Filofax as thought maybe they are a bit old hat now? But interested to hear others experiences. Not interested in Papier as while lovely that’s where I buy our functional family planners from so it doesn’t feel special enough.

Looking at both A4 and A5 sizes. Bonus points if UK company/made too as this is important to him.

Thanks!

I was given an A5 Aspinal one that I like (and have refilled many times!)
www.aspinaloflondon.com/albums-and-books/leather-journals-and-notebooks/leather-bound-notebooks

Aspinall?

https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/albums-and-books/leather-journals-and-notebooks/a5-refillable-leather-journals

Have a look at Moonster Leather

I have an A5 filofax heritage one , use it daily for the last 5 years for work notes etc. I like it and still great condition.

I buy generic refills from amazon.

Have you looked at Papier?

Traveler’s Journal’s worth a look.

Thanks folks …

Okay so I definitely won’t disregard Filofax yet.

Aspinall - good shout they were coming up a lot on searches

Thank you - not one I’m familiar with.

See I do like Papier but I get their diaries and planners for myself every year and while I really like them I want something a little more special as it’s a Big Birthday. And he doesn’t buy much or often for himself but when he does he goes Fancy 😄

I like dingbats, the paper is just so good.

Thanks I’ll check them out too 😊 any relation to yourself? Just noticed your username!!

I'd go Aspinal but you could also consider a refillable handmade one from Etsy.

I have one of these - the paper is thick and smooth and I'm currently onto my fifth refill. Option to have lined or unlined paper. It's a cracking good journal. Refills are about £9.00 Only snag is that it's not UK . www.penheaven.co.uk/amalfi-large-refillable-leather-journal?_gl=1m2se9k_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPzHBhDCARIsALlWNG2yBH4I3GCdFLWIKanPRD03FgGiuk4wUfwSfEMbksXIWUj-rknhrPUaAgYJEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD-zrBxBFwd1z48dputNZLy00USG8

I have a vintage Mulberry one which is gorgeous, and looks better with age. Check out Ebay and Vinted, and also auction sites for Louis Vuitton and Mulberry ones.

Oxford has a lovely shop called Scriptum (on line too) might be worth a look.

Ooooh, I've also bought these before: https://www.paper-republic.com/en-gb/collections/leather-journals?srsltid=AfmBOoogURUry6_W_lyCzjtW4cttnZ1tuU-w_LC_oYIbbkAwbTdl5s1i

Not sure of your budget, there's also these ones: https://www.lucrin.co.uk/office/notebook-covers.htm

These are great https://www.marthabrook.com/product-category/diaries-books/personalised-notebooks/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10521288417&gbraid=0AAAAAC9E2Re1olTX2HmPS2H3yWZ9FZkDv&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuv3H2-XEkAMVAZxQBh0zajGlEAAYASAAEgKb-fD_BwE

Wow these are beautiful. Really lovely and the price point for the paper republic a bit less ouch too.

These look really good and refills very reasonable, thanks

I guess what I’m really thinking manufacturing wise is not mass produced crap from china. So Italy would be absolutely fine 😊

Hi @ChrisReaPoppedAnEggInMyBath hope you don’t mind me tagging you … I am considering the paper republic ones and you mentioned you have had them in the past …

is it possible to get decent cheaper refills than they do?

also, I see they come from Vienna. What’s your experience of delivery been?

Thanks ☺️

I think this is a fantastic idea for a Christmas present, I’m going to get DH one xxx

Great minds 😊

So far I’ve rules out Smythson as while beautiful, they are just too ££. Aspinal look lovely but disappointingly the can’t specify where they source their leather from beyond “Europe “.

Paper Republic seem to be in between the two cost wise and have a 20% discount for new orders which def helps.

Also I love the look of Paper Heaven but can’t really make much detail out by their website photos unfortunately. But price wise and for refills they do look lovely

I have an A4 from Aspinall

I bought my DH one from
Torro https://torro.co.uk/collections/notebook-covers?gl=1111dwd5555upMQ...gssMQ....gaMTg1MTg0ODA2MC4xNzYyMTAxNzg00gaa8EC4JXXWC1*czE3NjIxMDE3ODEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjIxMDE3ODEkajYwJGwwJGgxODk1MTcxOTgy&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsrK00TTkAMV24BQBh2QUxgjEAAYASAAEgIgQfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADncmTYUvuW9G32s0y58o4v1LIQI8

Aspinal had an A5 one for years with several refills - love it