I am an eclectic planner. Which means that I like to be free to make planning what works for ME, rather than to be tied to a particular system. This also means that I try a lot of different methods and over the years, have developed a symptomatic obsession with all things stationary. Paper, the very smell of it, is my happy place. Pens that fit in my hand and glide smoothly across the paper. Stickers and washi tape and stamps and notebooks… they all find a happy little nook in my desk, in the “one-day” pile. You might think I have a problem, my husband might agree with you, but every time I look in those drawers and see those books ready to be opened up and filled with the mundane little details of my life, I am inspired.
Because all I really use for my planning method is a notebook and some really good pens (see some of my top recommended pens here), I spend a lot of time getting to know the various notebooks on the market. This month I want to introduce you to Rhodia and Clairefontaine notebooks. I was sent 3 of their books to review and had a really hard time choosing my favorite. I have a ton of inside looks for you to get an idea of the features of each notebook PLUS, the amazing team over there is giving away 5 (that’s FIVE) notebooks (choose any of these three) as part of an exclusive offer only found here! So keep reading!
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Rhodiarama Soft Cover
The first notebook I want to tell you about is the Rhodiarama Soft Cover. This is a softcover notebook with dot grid, cream colored paper. The paper is 90g and also available in lined if you prefer that. I LOVE the colors of these notebooks. They come in both A5 and A6, have a ribbon, elastic enclosure, and an expandable pocket in the back. This notebook is smooth you guys, the paper doesn’t bleed through, no matter what pen you use. I love using softcover in a traveler’s notebook because it offers more flex. The notebook I was sent is dark blue with an orange ribbon, pocket, and front page. My only improvements I would make on this notebook is that it doesn’t have page numbers or an index, though that is easily fixed. I love the contrasting colors and the quality of the notebook is perfect for bullet journal enthusiasts. Take a look inside this notebook or CLICK HERE to snag one in your favorite color!
Rhodia Silver Webnotebook
This stunning notebook is available both in large (5 ½” x 8 ¼”) and pocket size (3 ½” x 5 ½”). It is a hardbound leatherette cover in (you guessed it) silver. While I generally choose soft cover notebooks for my traveler’s notebook, I couldn’t get over this one, it is so beautiful! The paper is 90gsm again with smooth, ivory pages. There is an expandable pocket, elastic enclosure, and ribbon marker. Again, this notebook has no page numbers or index, but I found a way to get around that by making my own index in the front. I love that I can use my brush lettering pens without them bleeding through. This notebook is perfect for fountain pens as it is so smooth and fine, the pen just glides over the paper. I love black and white, minimalistic planners. So although I am drawn to bright and decorative notebooks, in my own day-to-day life I tend to go for ones that are elegant and simple and this one was perfect for me!
Available in ruled or dot grid pages, it is also available in orange or black. Take a peek at what it looks like inside or CLICK HERE to shop now!
Clairfontaine Paginated My Essential Notebook
This notebook was probably the most set up for bullet journaling of the three. It comes in 6 different colors, is soft cover, and has an index in the front. Unlike the softcover Rhodiarama above, the cover is more like a thick piece of cardstock paper than smooth and booklike. There is a small inside pocket in the front and back and it is available in both grid and lined versions. The grid marks are quite dark compared to the other two notebooks with their light dots, but this notebook does have page numbers already in place, which is super handy for bullet journaling and indexing! All in all, while I liked this notebook, I didn’t like the color options quite as much, I am a sucker for dot grid as opposed to regular box grid and I liked the covers and expandable pockets in the first two notebooks. That being said, this notebook is probably more “geared” towards the features that bullet journal enthusiasts are looking for, so that did not make my choice an easy one. Take a look at some of the inside pages below or CLICK HERE to learn more.
My favorite notebook
The one that I chose to use for my main bullet journal is the silver Rhodia webnotebook. I got around the index and page numbers with relatively little time and work involved and I just fell in love. It fits well in my A5 travelers notebook and it just makes me happy every time I look at it! I decided to go with a black and white theme for this particular notebook and am so enjoying the minimalistic look and feel of it as I continue to add to it. For more inside peeks into my bullet journal/eclectic planning style, come follow me on Instagram HERE!
A HUGE Giveaway!
The best part about this post isn’t just that I get to show you inside three different notebooks, it is that you get to choose your favorite and have 5 chances to win a notebook of your choice! The amazing team over at Execlaire has offered to a giveaway for 5 notebooks exclusively to my audience! So let’s just stop with the talking and get started!
My favorite is the Rhodiarama soft cover. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
It is really disappointing that this giveaway isn’t open to us Canadians when you’re a Canadian blogger.
+1
I remember shopping for Clairefontaine notebooks when I was in France back in 1999 – they had all sorts of great designs that weren’t available in the US! These days it’s so much easier than having to stash notebooks in your checked luggage (-: I’ve never tried the Rhodia notebooks but they look great as well!
I really like the Rhodia Silver Webnotebook. I like them all and I am new to bullet journaling so my favorite is picked strictly on appearance. 🙂
I like the rhodia silver webnotebook, it’s so different and it has a hard cover which i prefer 🙂
I would choose RHODIA SILVER WEBNOTEBOOKIt’s looking Awesome!!!
Thank you for the heads up on some beautiful notebooks.
Any notebook would be perfect!
I would love to try the Clairfontaine Paginated!
Would love to try the Rhodia. Thanks for the opportunity.
I love the Silver Rhodia!
Thank you for providing posts like this! I am new to bullet journaling, and love to see comparisons of products, details of features, and so on. Very informative!
I can’t really decide which one I would choose right now. I am just now starting bullet journaling, so I’m not really sure what I should be looking for. I kind of like the one with the page numbers, but the silver one is so pretty! I just don’t know, I guess I will cross that bridge if I win! 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
I would love to receive any of these! I am new to journaling and have been looking at different options.
I am just starting off on bullet journaling so I would like the Clairfontaine Paginated my essential notebook.
I think that would be the best to start off with!
I think I’d pink the Clairfontaine since it’s best for bullet journaling.
I want the silver one!!!!!
I love notebooks and all office or school supplies. Any one would be awesome!
I JUST LOVE NOTEBOOKS!! Any of these would be absolutely perfect. My goal is to write more this year! So much inside of me that MUST come out! .
I don’t know which one I like best, I like them all!
I would love to try any one of these, but I think I am most excited by the Clairfontaine! Thank you for the opportunity 🙂
My favorite has to be the Rhodia hard cover ? It looks perfect for journaling on the go without having to worry about the cover being damaged. Love it!!
The Rhodia Silver Webnotebook is my favorite because it looks so simple that you’re focused on the outside but what inside of it.
I love doing brush lettering and playing around with letters and notes! Empty paged books are super creative opporunities for me!
I would love either Rhodia journal! Great review!
I think I would like the Clairfontaine Paginated notebook. That is so nice. Thanks for the chance at one.
They are all so pretty, but I think I’d pick the Clairefontaine. 🙂
I’m just getting started in journaling and the RHODIARAMA SOFT COVER would be my choice. I’m really happy I came across your site
Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I am usually a regular planner girl but am excited and intriguied by all the bullet journaling I have seen by following you and others. This would be my first time at it. It looks like it would fun. As for which one I would choose I have no idea because they all look so good. I think I might like the dot grid so I can decide the size of space for whatever I need to add. Thanks again!!
Emily B
Girl we should be twins!! Love the same things you do.
Love them ALL! Thanks for the opportunity! I can definitely see how this could help with my day to day task journalism!
You’re really talented. I steal ideas from you I’m being honest in a not honest way. I have the ability to re-create but not the gift to think it up.
I would totally choose the RHODIARAMA SOFT COVER!!
I am a notebook-holic. I love notebooks. I think the Rhodia Silver Webnotebook is wonderful!
These notebooks all look wonderful. I especially like the Rhodia softcover. I like the bold colors.
My favorite is the Rhodiarama soft cover. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I just love paper. All things paper. And a nice, sharp pencil, with a brand new eraser.
Like the silver web notebook
My favorite is the RHODIA SILVER WEBNOTEBOOK
I would choose the silver Rhodia.
I like the Rhodia Silver Webnotebook. I’m intrigued with your notebook keeping skills… I didn’t know that note-taking was such an involved task. Bullet Journaling? A need for an index? I will be looking into your Instagram further so I can learn more. I’m thinking it’s something I might like. 🙂
This giveaway is amazing!
Such useful information. I’ve really gotten into journaling lately and this was really helpful.
I would like the RHODIARAMA SOFT COVER. I just recently discovered travelers notebooks and I’m in love!!
I would pick the Clairfontaine Paginated. I love Clairfontaine paper.
I think I’m with you. The Rhodia silver looks so nice! Really hoping to win so I can try it. I want so bad to get into bullet journaling and brush lettering but haven’t had any extra funds available for getting the pens and notebooks. Crayola and spiral notebooks just aren’t the same. Lol
All of these notebooks look so cool!! I think I’d pick Rhodiarama Soft Cover if I had to choose!
I have been wanting to try the Rhodia hardcover. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I’ve been searching for the perfect journaling notebook. I would love to try any of these! ! Thanks for the chance to win!
Any of them would be great!! Thank you for the chance to win!!
Any one of these options I would be thrilled to try…I just recently became familiar with bullet journaling and I find it to be something I would stick to rather than a traditional planner layout as the possibilities are endless!
Blessings and good luck to all!
I love them all and would be happy with any of them, but I guess I would pick the silver Rhodia – no reason – just would love one.
Thanks to remind me about Clairefontaine , I had forgotten them… I used to get them as a child in France:) Thanks for the flashback.
Great tips for the bullet journal. I love the presentation and writing.
I would choose the RHODIA SILVER WEBNOTEBOOK. Very functional and live the look. Very professional. Thanks for chance in giveaway.
I’d pick the Rhodia silver webnotebook! Love their products.
Love all my Rhodia dotpads, books, etc.! Great products!
All these notebooks look great.
I would like the Silver Rhodia hardcover. I would be thrilled to win it for a bullet journal.
Although they are all lovely! 🙂 There is no such thing as a bad notebook.
I really like the WebNotebook. But, I like them all.
I love all of them – they’re beautiful, but the Rhodia silver web notebook wins my vote, hands down. As a former illustrator, I am lured in by the same minimalist but elegant features you described in your review… which was a great read, by the way! 🙂
What fun to find your blog today. I miss our family’s homeschooling days. (Technically, unschooling) Our homeschoolers are now 35, 31, and 26 now. All have gone to the universities of their choice and are pursuing their interests. AND the grands have just begun to arrive with the two older ones. Will there be a “next generation” of homeschoolers? Well, they’re certainly living the unschooling lifestyle so far with their kiddos — ages 1, 1, and 3. <3 Will share your blog with them.
Got so excited about the homeschooling that I forgot to mention which notebook was my favorite! The dotted Webbie! I currently have a dotted Moleskine and am sold on the dotted notebooks. I think the paper may be a bit thicker in the Webbie which would be fantastic! Thanks.
RHODIA SILVER WEBNOTEBOOK large
RHODIARAMA SOFT COVER Notebooks looks wonderful to use! I would love the large size.
I like the Silver notebook the best, but they all are lovely.
For me, the Clairefontaine Paginated sounds like a great mix for my preferences! A softcover would work perfectly to carry around in a backpack or just in the car! The others were also wonderful, but you said to make a choice! Thanks for the opportunity!
The soft cover one. I really like them all. Just learning about these but kind of been doing them in a regular notebook for a while now. Would love to win any of them!
They all sound lovely! I am currently use a pocket size tn and a B6 but I’ve been eyeing a Rhodia for quite some time, soft cover or hard cover would be fun!
Thanks for all the great inspiration. I just watarted my first bullet journal a week ago and I am HOOKED. Thank you!! And that RHODIARAMA SOFT COVER (dot grid) option is beautiful. I love that they have so many colors to pick from. Thanks from the great recommendations!
Love the Clairefontaine grid notebook (love card stock / heavy paper). Thanks for your thoughtful review, and the giveaway!