Last Updated on July 29, 2020 by Keri
Well hey there!
Are you looking for something different for your next Bullet Journal notebook!?
When I was shopping for my 2020 notebook, I knew I wanted to try something really different, but I didn’t know what quite yet.
One day I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw this really gorgeous Bullet Journal layout, but the kicker is, they were using a Bullet Journal notebook that had black paper!
I discovered that two popular notebook companies in the Bullet Journal community had started making notebooks with black paper, and I instantly knew that I had to have one!
I decided to purchase the Starry Night notebook made by Scribbles That Matter.
In this blog post, I want to let you know what I think of this notebook now that I have been using it for about three months!
What I LOVE About This Notebook
The Paper
Oh my gosh, I love the paper in this notebook!
For starters, the pages are so thick. One thing I really didn’t like about the Leuchtturm notebook that I used last year was how thin the paper was. I really hated the ghosting that you can see as you flip through the different pages. I personally found it very distracting to the current layout. In this notebook, that is not a problem!
I also love the black pages. They are rich in color and contrast the Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens I use really nicely!
The paper reminds me of craft paper and absorbs the gel and ink from my pens really well. Dry times are not as long as I was scared they would be, and the colors stay nice and rich.
The Pre-Made Layouts
One of my favorite things about using black pages is the beautiful contrast of white ink on the black pages, and they used such a nice soft white on the pre-made layouts like the index and test pages. They truly are beautiful.
I also love the pre-made layouts that come with this notebook. It has a key, three index pages, and a pen test page at the back.
The Elastics
Okay, this seems silly to include, but I genuinely love the elastics because I feel like they hold really tight. They actually take a small amount of effort to stretch, and I really like that.
This notebook also comes with a pen loop which is so nice. When I throw this notebook in my bag to leave the house, the pen is always right there. I DO NOT miss having to dig through my bag to find my pen.
Some Other Nice Features to Mention
The pages are numbered! Now to be fair, I have not yet used a notebook without numbered pages, but I don’t take for granted for a second how much of a time saver it is to not have to number your own pages, and I love that!
There is also a little pocket in the back which is nice for storing small slips of paper or stencils! I personally like to use mine for receipts.
Is There Anything I Would Change About This Notebook?
I really am in love with this notebook, and I don’t have many negatives to say about it, but I did want to take a second to mention some minor things that I don’t love about this notebook.
The White Cover
Okay, this cover really is beautiful. And the stars that are engraved are so pretty.
But its white. And white gets dirty very easily.
I have not had many issues with this, but I am also very conscious of the fact that it is white. This forces me to be very considerate of where I am leaving my notebook.
The Fingerprints!
This one is not specific to the Scribbles That Matter notebook. This is something you can expect to see anytime you are using black paper but it is something you should keep in mind if you are considering switching to a notebook with black pages. This has not been a deal-breaker for me, as I would take fingerprints over ghosting any day, but it is something to consider if you want to try a notebook with black pages.
Will I Continue to Use This Notebook?
I have absolutely loved using this notebook! The very clean and classic design is something I truly love, and I personally feel this notebook is of great quality. It does not feel cheap, and I always feel inspired to sit down and plan!
Unfortunately, Scribbles That Matter has stopped selling this as a notebook, and they have instead switched to a slipcover style that you can buy inserts for.
You can buy the Starry Night inserts which has the exact same paper, just without the binding attached to its own cover.
Honestly, I do not know how I feel about this new product style. I do like the fact that you can get different cover colors, and the inserts are so much cheaper, which is a great way to save costs! But until I have had a chance to try the slipcover and inserts for myself, I won’t truly know how I feel about it.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty is that I love the notebook I have and I love the paper inside, so I will definitely be trying this new style next!
A Peek At Some Of The Layouts I Have Created In This Notebook
For me, the best part of this notebook is how truly beautiful even the simplest of layouts are. I have included some photos of my layouts so that you can get a peak at how I am using this notebook!
Where You Can Get Yours!
If you are interested in trying the Starry Night paper from Scribbles That Matter, you can get it directly from their website, or you can order through Amazon. For ease, I have included links below which you can follow to customize and get pricing on, depending on where in the world you are! I live in Canada, so my pricing will be different compared to someone living in the United States for example.
I can honestly say, this is hands down my favorite notebook that I have ever used, and I am so excited to continue using it throughout 2020!
If you want to see more behind the scenes of how I use this notebook, be sure to follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes!
Would you ever consider using a notebook with black pages? Let me know in the comments below!
P.S – Get access to my free mini-course to help you get your first journal set up in less than two hours!
