Simple Simply Vintage Page

Starting With the Background (aka Controlled Mess)

I began with that gorgeous vintage-style ledger paper — the soft yellow tone with the red lines instantly makes everything feel nostalgic. I received this in a recent swap. Then I leaned into the imperfection – I LOVE imperfections on my pages.

Coffee stains.
Uneven edges.
Layered scraps that look like they’ve lived a life already.

There’s something about faux-aged paper that makes a page feel like a memory before you’ve even added one, and create that lovely vintage base for creating on.

I didn’t overthink it. I tore paper instead of cutting it straight. I wanted texture. Soft chaos.

The Layers That Make It Feel Collected

This page is all about layering.

There’s:

• A delicate paper doily peeking out from underneath

• A little “Correspondence” card tucked in like a secret note

• That soft blue botanical strip adding just enough contrast

• A piece of script paper vellum that feels like it came from an old letter

• The bronze heart split pin

And then — the lace trim on the edge.

The lace might be my favourite part. It softens everything. It’s romantic without trying too hard.

The Photos: Real Life > Perfect Life

The heart of this page is the photos.

At the top — a cosy, slightly squished selfie with my dog. Not posed. Not curated. Just us. And honestly? Those are always the photos I treasure most. I wasn’t feeling well a few weeks ago and we ended up just having a cuddle which made me feel a little bit better.

Underneath — a mirror selfie in double denim, I was trying on outfits to pack for holiday, standing in a room that very clearly looks lived in. Clothes on the floor. Normal life happening. No perfection here.

And I love that I included it anyway.

Because journaling, for me, isn’t about documenting perfection. It’s about documenting truth.

This was me in February:

• Fresh-faced.

• Comfortable.

• Existing in my everyday spaces.

• Loved by a very large dog who has no concept of personal space.

That’s enough.

The Bow (Because Obviously)

Let’s talk about the black-and-white gingham bow.

It didn’t need to be there.

Which is exactly why it belongs there.

It adds dimension, texture, it draws your eye. It makes the page feel like a little gift you’re unwrapping.

And isn’t that what journaling is? Unwrapping moments and saying, “This mattered.”

Why This Page Feels Special

This spread isn’t loud.

It’s soft. Warm. Textured. Personal.

It feels like:

• Slow mornings

• Worn notebooks

• Slightly cold air outside

• Cosy inside moments

• The in-between days that don’t seem big but actually shape everything

February doesn’t always get credit for being meaningful. But this page proves that even the quiet months deserve to be documented.

Especially the quiet months.