Cavallini Roma Lussa Journals Red 6 x 8, 416 Softbound Leather

I was looking for a leatherbound unlined journal on great archival paper for using as a baby journal for our daughter. Sure, there's lots of things sold as "baby journals", but they were all a bit "trying too hard" to be baby journals. I just wanted something with a quality feel and look that I could use for years and then have her look at when she's older. After some research I realized that to get the quality I was looking for, I needed something like this journal. It's beautiful! It feels great in your hands as you untie the leather strap, open the journal, and jot down the next baby milestone, like "Ate a strawberry for the first time!" or "Learned to point at things!" We leave it sitting out on a bookshelf where it feels right at home, within easy reach. The gilded design edges of the pages add a beautiful touch that really makes this look beautiful from any viewing angle on a shelf. Perfect for recording any voyage, be it around the world or through time. In this day of throwaway digital devices, there's something special and magical about taking the time to write down important moments and having them available without worrying about what format or device it's stored on. Well, unless you write in cursive like me --- it seems this may soon be a lost art and future generations might not be able to read it. :)

This beautiful red leather wraparound journal is not only great to write in but it is beautiful to look at. It is the "just right" size of 6 x 8 inches with 400 plus pages (200 plus sheets) of writing paper. The page edges are marbled and the leather strap is wide enough to be sturdy but not so wide as to be difficult to wrap around the journal. The leather flap provides added protection and adds to the overall impression that this journal is a "classic." This particular style has blank pages for journalists who like to draw and sketch as well as write. A journal should be like this one. enough pages to last a year if you use it like a diary/day planner ... enough pages to record your thoughts if you are using it as a journal.

I like it better than Moleskine. I use it for a journal even though the pages are blank. It would be nice if they offered a version specifically intended as a diary, with each day of the year printed on separate page.

An excellent journal. Real leather. Good paper. Strong binding.

Im an artist and I use this to draw. MOne of my most favorite journals/ sketchbooks of all time. I got this for quite cheaper price when it is on discount here on Amazon.The paper was excellent, not to thick, but not thin as well. It is right enough. And can withstand water A LOT. Fountain pen friendly also. Work with pencil very well with nice tooth surface.The strap is THE BEST. It is functional because they designed it just like the medieval time strap. The fact that is made in Italy is true, because all the sketchbooks made there has this strap. It actually helps tighten the sketchbook cover, unlike other leather sketchbook's straps are mostly for decoration.The smell. Different people has different opinion on this, but I still prefer a tiny bit "fleshy" smell of leather over bleach.But. It doesn't open flat that much. Quite, but not completely flat.

I don't write reviews but felt compelled after receiving this journal in mid December 2012. I am extremely familiar with this style of journal. I've owned many and given many more as gifts over the years -- it's my favorite journal. When I received this particular one purchased from Amazon I was surprised by the leather -- it seemed a little cheaper and significantly less supple than usual. I told myself not to worry about that too much bc leather is a natural product and you should allow for some variation but I guess in the back of my mind something seemed amiss so I checked the paper and it was completely different than the usual paper -- it was too smooth and way too cheap (the paper in a Moleskine journal is far better quality in comparison when normally a Roma Lussa has the better paper of the two). Then I tried to let the journal lay open (as if you were half way through the journal) and it was like a cheap journal that would not lay open (the Romma Lussa usually does lay open so you can write in it with ease). I returned it to Amazon and purchased a Roma Lussa elsewhere which turned out to be exactly like all the other Roma Lussa journals I've previously had. I don't know what to think regarding the one I received from Amazon -- if I received it from a less reputable seller I'd believe it was a fake.

The main problem is that the journal won't lay out and stay in the flat opened position. Otherwise it's fine --- it certainly is pretty.

This Journal is Gorgeous. Leather is soft and the marbled pages are beautiful. Quality matches price. Will definitely purchase again and again.