Austen | Lewis | A5 Trifold

I was so happy to be able to get one of these finally, especially in the Darcy/toffee color, and I'm really glad that the newer version has contrast stitching, which looks great.

I was concerned about this Austen leather being so much thinner than usual, but I do like how flexible it is and how the closure flap lies flat and out of the way when you're writing. One concern with it is that after a couple of weeks of (careful) use, the leather around both sides of the closure snap is getting stretched out in a way that makes me nervous about how it will look after a few months.

The biggest problem is that edges of the strap look very shaggy, and they're so rough and sandpapery that they pick up lint and catch on my clothes when I put the strap on my shoulder. I was hoping they'd smooth out after some use, but unfortunately they seem to be getting even shaggier.

Overall, I love the design, the Austen Darcy leather is beautiful, but the stretching around the snaps and especially the rough, shaggy strap are definitely drawbacks.

This was my first ever Chic Sparrow purchase and I do not regret it one bit.
I somehow snagged the Bennet Lewis with the strap the day it was released and when I received it, I was in awe. I love the concept a ultra portable, purse like journal/planner to take with me everywhere I go. The leather is beautiful and lives up to it's sensitive name. It scratches easily but that's the charm of it. The space inside gives plenty of room for all my needs. I love the pocket, the pen loop and all 4 elastics. The brass button closure is gorgeous and well executed as well as the snap on/snap off strap. This Travelers Notebook is my without fail EDC. If you are on the fence, I personally say go for it and give it two weeks. That's about when I really settled into it and started learning the way that it functioned. Hope this was helpful!