If I were still in my 20’s, I’d squeal.  I’m. in. love. with these ruffly notebooks.  Aren’t you?

These notebook covers (notebook included) are just too cute.  Beautiful prints, accented with a ruffle band and an elastic with matching tab to keep everything together, or be used as a bookmark.  These are padded and machine washable (you can press or steam the ruffle back into submission if it comes out wonky).  Fits a one-subject spiral notebook.  It might fit a three-subject notebook, but I didn’t have one handy to check.  It’s just a tad small for a five-subject notebook (the pages stick out by maybe 1/4 inch).  I love that you have a cute cover for a very inexpensive notebook that you can switch out once it’s done.

So, why a notebook?  So many uses:

1.  The obvious one – classes:  If you or someone you know are in school, wouldn’t this make going to class a little more fun?  Maybe pair it with a coordinating coffee cuff as a gift for that college girl on the go.

2. Journals:  Have you purchased a journal lately?  They are ridiculously expensive, and small.  This gives you the ability to have something cute, but switch out the notebooks as you fill them and have ample room to write your innermost thoughts.

3. New mom book:  Those first few months of a baby’s life are amazing, full of milestones that you can’t wait to add to your baby book.  But the baby book is not always handy.  I mean, you don’t want the baby book out where just anyone can mess it up, right?  So having a notebook around is good.  You can track feedings and diaper changes, write down milestones, and jot down those amazing ideas you get during 3 a.m. feedings that are absolutely ridiculous in the bright light of day.  Plus, if baby’s first smile ends up just being gas, you won’t have messed up the baby book.  Also? It will save you from 3 a.m. misspellings in the baby book. And since the covers are machine washable, it’s relatively safe to have around a baby.

4. Family Notes:  Most families I know seem to be on completely different time frames.  With parents working opposite shifts and kids on different school tracks and different activities, having a message center is a key to sanity in many homes.  The notebooks make it nice to leave out on a countertop, and you won’t have a junky message board. Also, if you need to leave papers or a check for another family member, it can easily tuck into the pages instead of tacking junk up to the wall (and you can leave a note, like “The $10 is for your books, not for a slurpee binge. Love, Mom.”)

5. Menu planning:  This is a great way to keep track of weekly menus and be able to flip back and see what you’ve made in the past so you know not to repeat too often, or find inspiration when you’ve served EasyMac three days in a row.

There are a few other uses, like a general idea book to keep track of your thoughts, ongoing to-do lists, or using it at work for all those b-o-r-i-n-g meetings that never seem to end.  At least you’ll have something nice to look at.