I Capture the Cupboard

I inadvertently took a blog break this week. I'm sorry to have left you high and dry! I assure you, I wasn't doing anything too fun without you. The only thing you missed was my unclogging two stubborn drains in my cupboard. And I cleaned the floors.

In all seriousness, I've been busy with work and reading {!}, the latter being something I've neglected quite a bit this past year. I finished Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle last night, and wow, I was completely moved. The last paragraph in particular. I'm not giving anything away when I say it; knowing that final bit is as good as it is might be a lovely thing to read toward. I was truly reminded of being seventeen and in love, a time as stunning as it was brutal. Cassandra, the narrator, writes the entirety of the story in a series of three journals, and I wish, in my year of heartsickness, I'd thought to do that -- though, in making that wish, I should probably also acknowledge that my experience wasn't half as interesting as hers and would've made a poor, poor novel {lots of hiccupy writing and tear-stained pages, to say the least}.

But, for the sake of a good time, let's just say my story was as compelling as Cassandra's. Next step: finding the journal to house it.

This floral journal by James Journal definitely seems fitting for the English countryside, but is it appropriate for the wretched feelings of an adolescent? Not sure ...

I love that this journal by Baghy uses a buckle as a lock. I'm not generally a fan of leather covered journals {does Moleskine count?} -- something about not being able to separate what I'm holding/looking at, from the animal who met an unfortunate end -- but this one seems old-school and classic, and really perfect for pretending my heart broke while I was living in a castle.

No journal round-up would be complete without a red book, tied tightly though gushing on the inside. This one from La Paperie is probably what I would've picked at seventeen, if not for its color {I wrote much of my depressive and lovelorn poetry in an orange faux-snakeskin journal ... not exactly inconspicuous}, then for some perceived drama in its knotted leather closure.

Ah, yes, a madras journal. This is it for me, friends. Something with a touch of cheekiness, a dash of nostalgia, and a fabric cover? Sign me up. This square journal from May Day Studio is exactly where I'd want to write the story of my first love and all of the dreadful feelings that ensued. Thankfully, I don't have to go back in time and write those chapters. Gosh, I'm really thankful for that. But, if I had no choice, I'd purchase this book, kiss Mr. Original a temporary farewell, and reluctantly climb into the time machine that would bring me back to seventeen.