Best of: Little Notebooks Under $10

Target letterpress notebook, Pistachio Press on Etsy, $7.00

I love a good notebook and always have one in my purse or pocket. As someone who is a bit absentminded, I find it incredibly important to write everything down. Besides, you never know when you'll need to make an impromptu list, leave a quick note, sketch out a map, take or give a phone number, or get an important idea down on paper. I mean, yeah, you could use your smartphone for all that, but there's just something about the act of putting pen or pencil to paper that will never go out of style...

As people who are very interested in paper ephemera of all kinds, Joao and Raquel of Arminho Press make beautiful posters, prints, and journals, but I think I love these useful little notebooks best. They're handmade from recycled materials and eco-friendly ink, and the gorgeous marbled covers are scanned from antique books. They're a steal at $5.00 each (or three for $14.00). Bonus: you get a sticker label! You can visit Joao and Raquel on the Arminho Press Instagram or on the Arminho Pinterest page.

In my book, Rifle Paper Co. is one of the stationery and paper design heavy-hitters. I find myself loving everything they produce, both for the sweet, clean look and the reasonable price.  The Rosa Pocket Notebooks duo in these two dear patterns will only set you back $10.00. Does it hurt my opinion of Rifle Paper Co. that they also sell a three pack of their journals at Target for like $13.00? Not at all. And the fact that not too long ago they branched out into iPhone cases? Umm, you're killing me, Rifle Paper Co., you really are. But it's fine. I don't mind.

Inspired by old pocket ledgers, Field Notes memo books are designed and produced in the USA. Sadly, the Night Sky edition (pictured above, $9.95 for three) is sold out. That means the only way to get your hands on these puppies is to sign up for a Field Notes subscription. Kind of a good idea, right? Over the course of a year, you receive 10 3-pack limited editions of thoughtfully-detailed memo books. The cost: $97.00. I know, I know. This seems like a lot, but when you break that down, it's less than $4.00 a book. Which, really, doesn't seem unreasonable. I love the County Fair edition books I picked up a couple years ago, and the good folks of Field Notes are always coming up with inspired new editions.

P.S. Field Notes likes to send nifty extras with your orders, like pens, pencils, and postcard calendars. Don't mind if I do!