While I normally carry a journal while on vacation, I'm trying to scale back one the size of my bag during my upcoming trip to Paris. I will still take the full-size journal with me, but leave it at the hotel and write in it at night. This small book will accompany me on my adventures.
I found these mini books which are about 3 1/2" square, and have decided to use them to take notes while out and about during the day. I also picked up a Polaroid i-zone so I can take a quick pic of a monument or whatever, stick the picture in the book, and then jot down exactly what/where it is. That way I can correctly label my 35mm photos when I get back from the trip. Yes, this does mean 2 cameras, but the Polaroid is pretty light, and the best way I could think of of recording exactly what it is I'm photographing.
I added a few envelopes to the book to hold trinkets, metro stubs, etc.
What's Needed:
Mini journal or composition book
Small letter size envelope and/or small glassine envelope
Double sided tape
Flat elastic cord
I found an airmail envelope that fit perfectly inside the book when folded.
Fold envelope in half so opening is inside the fold.
If putting the envelope in the back of the book, lay the envelope down flat so the inside pocket is facing up towards you. Fold over the the envelope to the left, like leafing through a book back to front. Apply the double sided tape to this outside half of the envelope. This way the envelope will fold out to the left when the book is opened,
If using an elastic cord to keep the journal shut, apply that now, to the inside of the back cover. Then stick envelope over cord on inside of back book flap.
I used doubled sided tape to adhere a small glassine envelop to the front inside cover of the book--another nook to stash metro stubs and such.
