The Ideal Journal.

I've had so many wonderful journals with many of these characteristics but perhaps not all of them. I usually just see a journal and check its pages to know we belong together for a few weeks or months. But these are the qualities I like best in a journal:

• Smooth pages that take pens easily.
• Strong, thick cover that will provide a writing surface.
• Thick pages that can accept fountain pens and markers without bleeding.
• A beautiful cover that draws my attention.
• An easily portable size, about the size of a quality paperback.
• Inspirational quotations on each spread.
• A ribbon bookmark.
• A pocket at the back.
• No perforations. 
• Lies flat. It could be a spiral journal with a spiral that doesn't twist or come loose.
• An elastic closure.
• And...a little glitter on the cover would certainly be welcome.

I like hunting for these qualities. But of course, the cover comes first, luring me to test the pages.