It turns out that I’ve developed a very simple—and delightful!—system of note-taking.
I recently mentioned to a close friend how much I enjoy using a fountain pen filled with rose-colored ink to record notes throughout the day in a lined, turquoise notebook that is also a pleasure to use.
I was surprised by how eagerly she requested details. Turns out she accumulates paper covered with notes scrawled in such a hurry she can’t necessarily read them and was in the market for an improved approach. 🙂
My keys to success:
(1) I use a natural wood fountain pen I love, a beautiful gift made by my dear friend’s wife (thank you, Suzanne & Gene!). It has an ink reservoir and no need for plastic cartridges, so it’s truly zero-waste, my ideal. The lovely rose-colored ink encourages writing more slowly with greater care and legibility, making writing a pleasure rather than a chore.
I date each page, making it fairly easy to look up something I recall having jotted down.
(2) I use a style of notebook originally gifted to me by a dear friend (thank you, Annina!). It’s such a delight to use that when I fill one up, I get another. The color is a gorgeous turquoise. The ruled lines are the ideal distance apart. It lies flat when open. It’s perfect.
All my notes wind up in one place. Done!
Also pictured is a soft-covered notebook with a second gorgeous pen I love given to me by my middle son (Arran, thank you!!), which I use for journaling.
Just for fun, here are the details:
Pens & ink
- The wood pen is unique.
- The rose-colored ink is Black Swan in Australian Roses.
- The blue pen is a Lamy Studio fountain pen. The matte finish, the feel, and the nib are exquisite. It was purchased from the same pen shop in downtown DC that my dad used to take me to as a little girl (Fahrney’s Pens, since 1929).
- The ink is Sailor #764, a very fine Japanese ink in a turquoise-green color. So refreshing!
Notebooks
- Leuchtturm 1917 hardcover Medium A5 ruled in Pacific Green
- Dusk Dreams Medium Layflat ruled notebook – As they say, “Water resistant and velvety smooth to the touch, this notebook will hold up over time and always feel like magic in your hands.”
The pens, precious gifts, will last a lifetime. The inks last for ages. The notebooks are eye-pleasing decor I use every day. As a writer, it’s really a pleasure to have such wonderful tools.
And isn’t it nice not to be on the computer all the time?
Photo by Jo Cooper
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