Blank and Write Shop

It's been a while since the last post. 

Things are fine and well during this period.
I have taken this time away to fulfill a dream, that has been boiling inside me for the past 5 years.
And that is, to set up a online retail shop selling Notebooks. 

Blank and Write Shop

Blank and Write shop is based in Singapore, 

and only available on Facebook.

What's in my Raydori?

This is a long delayed post which I wanted to create a few weeks back. 

As I am in the midst of setting up an online retail shop,
Blank and Write, selling 3.5" x 5.5" notebooks (that's the plan for now),
I faced slowness in sharing my love for notebooks. 

So, What's in my Raydori? 

Few weeks back, I shared how I got my Raydori (post: My notebook - Raydori),

and today, we will look inside my Raydori, and how I use it. 

Raydori has been my EDC (Every Day Carry) ever since I got it.

It has been in my bags, bag pockets, and ever the side pocket of my cargo pants / shorts.

My notebook - Field Notes

My first encounter with Field Notes was back in year 2008.

I read so much good reviews about this (little) notebook, and couldn't understand what makes it so good.

I wanted to find out more and was eager to get a pack for myself. 

I came to know that Casual Poet was selling it, and decided to check-out that place. 

What I got today!! - Doane Paper

Surprise gift from ChungHowe. 

(Thanks ChungHowe!!)

I came across doane paper sometimes back and I like the design of the notebooks.
I wanted to own some of the notebooks, but they do not do ship to Singapore. 

(I am still thinking of a way to get them.)

Few weeks back, ChungHowe got hold of some doane paper (black utility notebook), 

and he is willing to share one copy with me :) 

After busy with work for both of us, we finally met up - and there's so much to catch up. 

Did i mention i got my copy of Word.Notebooks from him as well? 

Soon, I will explore this black utility notebook, but not now.

I am still in the midst of putting Word.Notebook into a wear-&-tear-test.

Everyone deserves a notebook.

~ Blank and Write ~ 

My notebook - Raydori

Raydori, a leather cover notebook created by Ray Blake. 

Ray, is the founder of My Life All in One Place, a place where you learn more about FiloFax, Midori Traveler's Notebook and other personal organiser system. 

What is a Raydori?

Raydori is a Midori-Style Traveler's Notebook, and it get it's name after the creator, Ray.

Thus, this is how Ray-Dori came about. 

Raydori comes in a few sizes (passport, FieldNotes, and full size), 

and different colors (subjected to availability).

My notebook - MoDori (or MonDori)

MoDori (or MonDori, as we still cant decide on a name yet), 

is create by Monique Vanmeulebrouk.

I chanced upon Monique after seeing her post where she showed the wedding anniversary gift she made for her husband -  A black Midori-Style Traveler's Notebook. 

Picture taken from Facebook for readers' view.

Getting the MoDori.

After seeing this leather notebook, I decided to email Monique to discuss about the opportunity to own one of her leather notebooks. We had a long discussion via emails, about the size of the notebook, the color of the leather, the thickness of the leather, down to the type of notebook refill I wanted.
Monique has been very accommodative throughout the process.

The Product - A leather cover for 3.5"x5.5" refills.

I was impressed by Monique's effort in decorating the package to make it looks attractive. 

I wanted to ripe off the envelope, but at the same time, I don't want to destroy the effort used to create this envelope (dilemma).

How I use my Word.Notebooks?

After sharing about Word. Notebooks in my previous post, 

let me share with you how I use the system that is built inside the notebook. 

When I just started using this notebook, 

I was still using the Bullet Journal method when I created my To-Do-List (TDL); 

Then I realized, the circle can serve as a Task check box too.

My notebook - Word. Notebooks

Yesterday, I did a post regarding The Standard Memorandum, which is currently available on

Word. Notebooks website.
So, let's talk about Word.

I chanced upon Word. Notebooks not too long ago, and was instantly attracted by the cover of the notebook (particularly the Traditional Camo design). 

Recently, a friend handed my a copy of Word. Notebooks {Swedish camo design} to try out  (thanks ChungHowe). I decided to bring it with me for an outdoor training, to journal my training experience; But when the training ended, I only managed to use up 6 pages. 

The Standard Memorandum, by Jon Contino & Word Notebook.

"Jon Contino, as an artist and as a designer, positions himself at the intersection between time-honored techniques and modern application. His digitization of hand lettering and his style as an illustrator has made him one of the most sought after designers in the world." - Dan Weir, Owner of STAG.

~ 03 November 2013 ~

I chanced upon The Standard Memorandum while browsing for notebooks. 

All images taken from http://joncontino.com/ for readers to view. 

The look of the notebook reminds me of notebooks from the olden days, 

and it got me curious to find out more. 

This notebook is an artwork of Jon Contino, which was created with some history in it. (check out the video from the link). 

Collaborated with Word Notebooks, The Standard Memorandum is now on sale now on the website, pricing at US$11 for the memorandum, and $45 for the Memorandum + Leather cover (Tan, Black, or Brown).

If you have yet purchase any planner for 2014, this is something that you might want to consider.

The leather cover comes in 3 colors to choose from: Tan, Black, & Brown.


~ Blank and Write ~

My notebook - Midori Passport Size Traveler's Notebook

I first discovered Midori Passport Size Traveler's Notebook through Patrick Ng's Scription. 

It was, Love at First Sight.

I remembered, when I saw (and touched) the passport size MTN was in Hong Kong. 

It was a struggle and whether to get this notebook because at that point of time, I have no use for an additional notebook. So, I didn't get it in the end. 

When I saw 2013 Dairy Pack, I knew I have to get it. 

It was a right decision. 

Together with the 2013 diary pack, I had also gotten the (1) the brass pen, (2) an limited edition passport notebook refill, and (3) a pen holder for the brass pen. 

(2) The limited edition passport notebook refill.

Why do I get the MTN Passport Size when I already have the Regular Size?After using 2012 diary pack for MTN regular size, I realized that I have nothing much to write in my dairy / planner. I wanted a smaller planner, which is easy to carry around; Something that I can put inside my cargo pant's side pocket.

What do you use this MTN for?
The initial set up only consists of 2 booklets: (A) 2013 Planner; (B) A notebook.
(A) 2013 planner records my appointments and my work schedule.
(B) This notebook contains important information that I can refer to when I need it.

And of course, this MTN evolved as the time goes by.
For the past few months (starting from 2013), I have modified this MTN to suit my needs.
The advantage of Midori Traveler's Notebook is its flexibility to suit the user.

1 system, many purposes.
~ Blank and Write ~ 

Where do I get Midori Traveler's Notebook in Singapore?

Midori Traveler's Notebook is NOT common in Singapore, but there is already a pool of users here who have fall in love with this notebook system.

So here are some of the places where MTN leather covers, and accessories are available:

Books Kinokuniya Singapore

(1) Singapore Main Store

391 Orchard Road #03-09/10/15 

Ngee Ann CIty, Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Singapore 238872

This is the place where I usually go to when I need to get the refills or accessories for my Midori Traveler's Notebook. Here, it offers a wide range of accessories compare to the rest of the available stores. Most of the expensive items like the brass products, are kept inside the glass cabinet. 

For a spender like me, it makes viewing of the items difficult; but it keeps the money safe inside the wallet. 

I suppose this is the place where the MTN users get their supplies from.

Therefore, the stocks can run low within a short period of time. 

(2) Liang Court Store

177 River Valley Road

#03-50 Liang Court

Singapore 179036

From my experience, this place does not offer much MTN's refills or accessories. 

But at times, I found some refills where the other stores do not offer. 

NBC Stationery & Gifts

(1) NBC Ngee Ann City

391 Orchard Road #04-20H

Ngee Ann City Tower B

Singapore 238872

This is the 2nd place I will visit if I am looking for MTN accessories. 

It is located just 1 level about Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store, and it might offers some accessories that I cant find in Kinokuniya. 

(2) NBC Raffles City

252 North Bridge Road

#B1-22 Raffles Shopping Centre

Singapore 179103

This is the place where you can simply get MTN refills and accessories Off-The-Shelf. 

The items are not kept or locked inside the glass cabinet, thus make viewing easier. 

If you are keen to look at the MTN and accessories, without an intention of purchase (yet), this will be the best place to visit and have a feel of the items. 

Another shop that I know of is Little Man, located at 7C Binjai Park, Singapore 589821. 

Personally, I have not visited the store yet, but a good friend of mine actually brought me a Midori white bras pen from this store. 

There will be more updates should I discover more places selling MTN and accessories. 

~ Blank and Write ~

How I used my Midori Regular Size Traveler's Notebook previously?

A notebook user will not run out of ideas on how to use a notebook. 

My regular MTN had gone through a few transformation... but it usually bounce between:

Work; Personal; Planner; & Ideas.

I would pen down notes and information into the MTN whenever I went for meeting.

The size of the MTN is also an advantage. 

You can simply grab the notebook and go; you dont even need to put it inside a bag.

Sometimes, I would carry my MTN to the nearest Starbucks, and start to doodle whatever ideas that crossed my mind.

I used to have my planners inside my regular MTN (together with my other notebooks). 

Journaling always clear my mind, so I had a notebook refill just for writing.

The flexibility of the system allows me to change the notebook refills according to my needs. 

If I need to carry more than 2 notebooks in my system, I just have to slot the extra notebook refills at the back; It wouldn't take up too much space. 

Like I mentioned, there are countless way a user can transform his/her MTN. 

And mine, is still changing according to my needs. 

~ Blank and Write ~

My notebook - Midori Traveler's Notebook

For all the travelers who have a free spirit

I own 2 Midori Traveler's Notebook; one Regular Size, and the other, Passport Size.

To make things simple, I will call this notebook, MTN. 

I got my first Traveler's Notebook in Feb 2009, and only the Regular Size was available. 

The initial package, also known as the Starter Kits, comes with a white cotton bag, a leather cover, 1 blank notebook, and some spare elastic bands. 

So what is a Midori Traveler's Notebook? 

Basically, it is a leather notebook cover which allows the user to hold up to 4 notebooks (refills). 

Inside the leather cover, there are 2 elastic bands to hold down the notebooks.

What's so special about Midori Traveler's Notebook?

The unique part of this notebook is that the user can customize the notebook to his/her own preference. 

There are many accessories available for the users to build the notebook according to their needs.

Pocket Sticker to hold additional notebook.

Card File to hold business cards.
Pen holder to hold pen by the side of the notebook.

Pocket sticker to hold document at the back of the notebook. 

Zipper pocket is similar to having a small zip-lock bag inside the notebook. 

Beside the wide range of accesseries that allow users to customize their MTN, the design of MTN also allow the users to carry more than 1 notebook in one system. As you can see, I have 2 notebooks in my system: each notebook serve a different purposes.

1 system, many purposes.

~ Blank and Write ~ 

Blank & Write - The Introduction.

 Back in 2009, I wanted to create a blog / website to share information about notebooks and pens.

And hopefully with the succession of the blog, I can start selling notebooks online too.

(I even thought of creating my own brand of notebook to sell - and thats certainly a wild dream.)

But, there are already many (many) websites that share information about notebooks, and why would I want to commit to one? 

This idea has been boiling inside me for the past 4 years, and I decided to make it happen.

I was struggling on the name for this blog, and I finally decided to use the name, Blank and Write, based on a photo that I took back in 2009

In this blog, I hope to: 

(1) Write reviews for the notebooks and pens that I have used.

(2) Share information for notebooks and pens. 

(3) Promote Notebooks and Pens that are worth buying. 

I also hope to work with crafters to promote their notebooks.