Like the Oops a Daisy stencils, their dot grid notebook also comes in A5 and B5 page size. Since I always review A5 size notebooks and B5 page size is harder to come by, I opted for the B5 version.

But perhaps more importantly, the pages of the notebook are 160GSM. This paper thickness usually holds up well with no ghosting or bleed through for pens, stamps or highlighters so I’m keen to show you the pen test later in this post.

Related post: Comparison of Dot Grid Notebooks for Bullet Journaling with 160 GSM paper (Thick, bleedproof paper)

Quick facts

• Size: choose between A5 or B5 page size
• Multiple cover colors to choose from: cherry blossom (pink), lavender, navy blue, yellow, green or black
• Book bound / sewn bound
• Faux Leather Cover
• Lay Flat Binding
• 160gsm Bright White Paper
• 128 Pages
• 5mm Dot Grid
• Centre and Side-Centre Page Marks
• ‘This belongs to’ page
• ‘Notes for my next journal’ page
• Pocket folder
• Elastic Closure
• Ribbon Page Marker

Price: $40 AUD for the A5 version. $60 AUD for the B5 version.

My sister stocks the notebook in her planner supplies store, Carefully Crafted. Otherwise Oops a Daisy is based in the UK and ships worldwide.

Let’s take a closer look!

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The Cover

The faux leather cover is typical of sewn bound notebooks with an elastic band to enclose the notebook.

I originally wanted the purple cover but it was sold out in the B5 size so I settled for the pink version instead. I think I now actually prefer the pink!

The Oops a Daisy branding is indented into the cover, otherwise it’s plain.

Approx. 1″ thick

There is no index, just bright white paper with a 5mm dot grid throughout.

Notice anything missing?

No page numbers seems like a very big oversight to me and quite disappointing that they’re not included.

But the notebook does have a handy feature that most dot grid notebooks don’t. There are pre-printed centre and side marks to help draw up spreads faster without having to count the dots and mark it up yourself.

The dot grid is offset from the edge of the pages so you don’t need to worry about your ruler slipping. At the same time there also isn’t much ‘dead’ space in the margins of the pages. The distance from the edge of the dots to the edge of the page is just right.

The paper is bright white (I don’t think my photos do it justice), and the dots are light grey.

I’ve had a few notebooks over the years where either the printing or the binding meant the dots didn’t actually align (becomes very obvious if you’re ruling up a weekly spread or monthly calendar). Thankfully the dots align in this notebook.

There are 2 built in ribbon bookmarks and the pages lay flat on their own (like with all sewn bound notebooks, just need to break the spine first).

At the back of the notebook is a ‘notes for my next journal’ page and a large pocket folder (sadly the pocket folder was empty).

Pen Testing

Time for the all important pen test. 160 GSM paper is thick and usually holds up well with no ghosting or bleed through so the results were…

…a bit disappointing actually. There was some show through for the dot markers, MAMBI stamps and the thicker pens like the Uni Pi’s.

Pros of the Notebook

• Comes in multiple page sizes
• Multiple cover colors to choose from
• Affordable price for the 160gsm paper
• Centre and Side-Centre Page Marks to help quickly draw up spreads
• Oops a Daisy has coordinating planner supplies so can save on shipping / a one stop planner supplies shop
• The 5mm dot grid suits the Oops a Daisy stencils (and most other stencils)
• Pages lay flat on their own
• Bright white paper
• 2 Ribbon bookmarks
• Large pocket folder

Cons of the Planner

• No page numbers
• Paper didn’t hold up well in the pen test compared to other notebooks with 160 GSM paper

Would I use this notebook?

I’m a bit disappointed as I really love all of the other Oops a Daisy products (especially all their alphabet stencils). It’s not the best 160 GSM dot grid notebook out there but I’ll still use it as B5 dot grid notebooks are hard to find.

If page numbers and no ghosting or bleed through is important to you, I would upgrade to an Archer and Olive instead (they come in B5 page size as well).

If you like this notebook, my sister stocks it (and the rest of the Oops a daisy range) in her shop, Carefully Crafted.

More bullet journal notebook reviews:

• SeQes dot grid notebook review (160GSM thick paper)
• Testing different pens on different paper thickness (80, 120, 140, 160 and 180 GSM paper)
• Scribbles That Matter: Iconic versus the Pro Version with 160 GSM paper (Which is better?)

More options for 160GSM dot grid notebooks are in this post.

Planning Tips:

• Finding planner peace: how to choose the right planner page size for you 
• 50 Themes for your planner or bullet journal spreads
• Using blank pages: 50 useful lists to add to your planner

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